Seven Pounds Lighter

Today is my 7th day on full liquids, and I have lost 7 pounds! At this rate, I should be about 15 pounds lighter on my surgery day. That will help my surgeon immensely!

It hasn't been easy, even for Jason and Holden who are having to get used to not talking about food around me. They won't have to do that forever, but right now the cravings are still there!

Last night we were in the ER with Jason due to his blood pressure dropping way to low. He collapsed in the nail salon after all three of us had pedicures. Once we got to the hospital, the temptation to just grab fast food was insane. Holden had to eat, and so did I. Luckily I am overly blessed to have my mother-in-law and sister-in-law so close. They stopped at our house and made me a shake, and picked a burger up for Holden. So I didn't have to "cheat".

I can not cheat if I want this surgery to be a success and without complications. For my sake, my family's sake, and my student's sake, I will do everything exactly as the doctor orders!!!

SO...to wrap this up and go see my husband at the hospital....

10/18/2009 Weight 235 pounds!!!!!!

Surgery in 10 days

I have now been on full liquid diet for 4 days. The first day was so hard! And I won't lie, I want to EAT! But I am not hungry. I just want to chew on something crunchy! I had a couple of croutons the first night, and the last night I had one bite of mac and cheese...but I want to be good...

But the good news is....I have lost 5 pounds in the first 3 days!!! Unbelievable huh? With results like this...I can do it!

Endoscopy and 2 days down

Yesterday was my first day of liquid only. It was so hard! Harder than I could have ever imagined!

While Jason and Holden ate dinner, I went for a walk. I just couldn't watch them eat.

There were several times yesterday that I was almost in tears.

Today I bought samples of the banana and vanilla flavored shakes.

The banana is my new favorite...but the vanilla is gross!

I cheated a little and ate ONE Cheetos and 4 croutons!

I also had my endoscopy this morning. It was great! I don't remember anything!

My doctor did tell me I can drink apple juice and Jello and other clear liquids these two weeks.

I loved all the nurses at the hospital today. They were so thoughtful and attentive!

12 more days....till the big day!

Two more weeks.....

Tomorrow I begin two weeks of 5 protein shakes a day.

Total of 800 calories a day and 135 grams of Protein.

I have to tell you...I am so afraid of my ability to drink them 5 times a day for 2 weeks!

In the next two weeks, I will probably lose a few pounds. The purpose of the liquid diet is to shrink the liver, so the surgeon will have more room in the abdominal cavity.

October 26 is the big day! I am having a Roux en Y Gastric Bypass.

This weekend, Jason has lovingly allowed me to eat at my favorite restaurants.

Thursday night, Holden and I went to the State Fair, and we had Fried Butter, Fried Oreos, and a yummy corn dog. Last night I brought home Olive Garden. Fettucini Alfredo.

But that all ends today.

I will use my blog to journal my successes and struggles.

I will publicly list my weight and measurements.

I hope you will celebrate and cheer me on.

Today...

Weight 242 Pounds

Chest 48 inches

Waist 44 inches

Hips 56 inches (Jason lovingly pointed out that that is almost as tall as Holden)

Upper Thigh 31 inches

WARNING....the following pictures may contain disturbing images! :)

California Introduction

Last week, I had the privilege of taking my husband and son to my hometown.  We spent a week living in the Disneyland Hotel.  It was beyond words!!!  Watching Jason and Holden at Disneyland was so exciting!  Holden go to go through the Jedi Training and fight Darth Maul!!!  It was sooo great.

This is a photo of me with the children of my closest friends!!  From Left to right...Noah, Matt, Baby Sarah, Hannah, and Andrew.  And of course my dear Holden.

At this point we have been home for 2 days and I can barely move from the couch.  It was so much fun!  Here are a few photos just to show off a few of my favorites!!

These are my cousins, Christina and Lauren,  my niece, Briana, and Holden and me.

On our first morning at Disneyland, we had breakfast with Goofy!!!

Spring Break with my Son!!!

Isn't he handsome???

This year as Spring Break approached, I knew it would be different.  For the past two years, whenever Holden and I have time off together, I get a little nervous.  I don't want him to be bored.  I don't want my patience to run out.  I want him to feel loved!  

This year, I think I succeeded in some serious bonding.  Holden is such an amazing young man.  He is so eager to please and be loved.  He is also growing into an independent young adolescent.  It won't be long before "hanging out with mom" will be totally uncool.   

The first few days of Spring Break, we did absolutely NOTHING!  We did watch The Price is Right together daily!  Due to Holden's broken arms, we were limited to non-physical activities.

Then on Wednesday, we packed up the car and took off for Austin.  Elena came down with Matthew and Alex and we hit the road.  It was a short two day trip, but we had so much fun!  

Our first stop was at the Inner Space Caverns in Georgetown, TX.  Ya see, Holden is in the 5th grade, so he will be taking the TAKS Science test.  On the mock test he recently took at school, he missed the one on how stalactites and stalagmites are formed.  So, of course, I had to take him to experience it first hand.  It was so much fun!  We saw tiny bats and amazing displays of God's artwork.  

I looked up references of caves in the Bible and almost all references refer to caves as places to hide-sometimes from the enemy and other times from God.  That doesn't surprise me, but what did surprise me was that in Isaiah 2:19 it states that men will hide in the caves from the LORD and the "splendor of his majesty" (NIV).  The Message says "his dazzling presence".  Obviously there is no hiding from God, but while we were in the cave all I noticed was that the cave is FULL of his dazzling presence!  The artwork that he creates in the darkness...wow...as I typed that I got goosebumps.  God's beauty is totally evident in the darkness of the world!!!  

Later that evening, we went back to the hotel and the exhaustion in all three boys was very evident.  Holden was annoyed by everything.  Elena pointed out to me that she always knows when her boys need a little more attention.  So on Thursday I made it a priority to give Holden the extra attention he needed.  As we toured the capitol building, I enjoyed just being near him listening to the guide and looking at the building.  

After the capitol tour, we went to Alicia's to have lunch with her and Greg.  They took us to an AMAZING burger joint called Phil's Ice House.  They had a playground and an ice cream shop.  We spent a couple of hours there just eating and playing.  

"I'll Just Ask Ro"

Tonight Elena called me to tell me something sweet Matthew said about me.

I had no idea what to expect, but what she told me brought tears to my eyes.

She said she was talking to him about marriage.

She told him that it was important for them to talk about what makes a good marriage.  Since Elena is a single mom,  he doesn't get to see marriage on a daily basis.  

Matthew said, "If I have any questions, I'll just ask Ro."

I AM RO!!!!!

WOW!!!  You have to understand why this means so much to me!  When I found out Elena was pregnant was Matthew, I was one messed up puppy!  My divorce from Sean had only been final for a few months.  And I was a wreck!  I surrounded myself with godly women at church and built a new life for myself that I have to admit was pretty good.  I was making STUPID decisions in some areas of my life, but I grew to be a fairly independent woman.  

Matthew and Elena moved in with me while Matthew was 3 years old!  We all lived together for a year!  It was so fun!  Then two and a half years ago I met Jason.  Matthew and Elena sat in the front row and watched Jason and I get married.  

I think it is so sweet that he thought of me when he thought of a good marriage!

Thanks Mattie!  I love you!