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 I'm now about 7 1/2 months post op and down 115 lbs. I've had a pretty uneventful journey until a week ago. I woke up around 4:00 AM with terrible pain in my left upper abdomen.   As a nurse I ask myself "whats there?" Gall bladder is on the other side, hmm, stomach?  Anyway within a very short time I knew that this was something that demanded immediate attention. I woke my son up to take me to the ER. By the time we got there the pain was so bad that after 5 doses of IV pain mess I still had no relief. X-Rays showed "free air" in the abdomen which meant that there was a perforation in my GI tract and I would need surgery immediately. Sure enough they found a perforated duodenal ulcer and a liter of pus. I had a "significant" peritonitis. I spent the bigger part of the week in the hospital and came home yesterday on 2 IV antibiotics for another week or so. I'm feeling pretty well now, just have to heal. I'm on liquids for a while, but that's no big deal. The Surgeon says this is a permanent fix, so all things considered I am back on the road to success. 

Last weekend I went to Albuquerque for the funeral of my dear cousin, Vince.  It was a sad occasion, but there were some unexpected positive surprises.  For the first time in many, many years I flew on an airplane without a seat belt extender!  I almost cried.  The seat was actually comfortable (didn't feel squished in like a sausage). I didn't need a wheelchair to go to the gate as I have needed for the last several years!  It was amazing.  There are so many blessings that come with weight loss.  I am so happy to be on the "losing bench"  :-) 

 OK, so I wasn't going to weigh until Wednesday, but I had a feeling soooo. . . . . I hit the 100# mark!  I know it's just a number, but it was pretty cool.  I somehow have a new determination and spent a good part of the day today shopping and cooking "good" food so that I can plan my week ahead for success!  I do way better if I know when I get up in the morning what my day looks like in terms of food.  I pack both my breakfast and lunch to take to work, so having meals cooked and in zip lock bags or gladware makes it a no brainer.  I have 16 oz of decaf to start my day and take my water bottle (24 oz) and a 16 oz bottle of water with me for the day, so that by the time I get home my fluid needs are almost met.  Thanks to Michelle Vicari at theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com for all her recipes and meal ideas!

OK, it's true. I've been a little lax about keeping up on things here.  In general things are going pretty well.  My biggest problem since surgery is still my back.  Ironic , the main motivator for weight loss was that I wanted to be more mobile, and here I am, less mobile than I was 90 lbs. ago!!  I'm pretty sure it is due to the fact that I can no longer take NSAIDs.  I was a daily Voltaren user for 20+ years.  I had no idea how much difference it made.  My back is in a continuous state of spasm and pain.  I finally got approval for an MRI and had that done on Monday.  It showed severe disc degeneration (no surprise, carrying around all that extra weight for so many years).  It also showed spinal stenosis.  I've been going to physical therapy, concentrating on increasing the strength in my core and legs.  I have a series of procedures scheduled designed to identify and destroy the nerves involved.  Sounds kinda scary, but I trust my doctor and will do just about anything to get relief. Exercise has been a real challenge.  Most everything I do aggravates my back.  I'd love to swim, but getting out of the pool has proven to be a big challenge.  Enough ranting!  I'm still extremely happy with my progress in general.  My doctor feels that possibly with another 40 lbs. or so gone, I might improve.  For now, I'm taking it one day at a time.

Yesterday I attended my first "meet and greet" hosted by Michelle (eggface) Vicari.  It was a lot of fun.  It was great to meet and share ideas with so many others that share similar experiences.  There were fantastic goodie bags and door prizes.  I was lucky enough to win a huge basket full of Fusion products.  It was also my first experience with Bariatric TV.  I met Toni from BTV and got inspired to go home and book my hotel, event ticket and flight for the 2012 "Mother of all Meet and Greets" in Las Vegas in May.  I love having something already in place in the future to look forward to.

I'm getting to be obsessed with how I can get enough protein without drinking it!  I've been relying heavily on Shelly's (theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com) protein ice cream recipes.  Thanks Shelly!  Starting solids next week.  I'm thinking eggs and fish to start.  Easy to digest, easy to chew to tiny specs and lots of protein.  Excercise has been going well.  I'm doing 10 min at a time on the recumbent bike.  Its really easy on my back and knees both of which are improving. What an adventure! Went for a massage today.  Nice way to reward myself in a "feel good" way that doesn't involve food.  The massage therapist was a super source of information.  She used to be a fitness trainer, and her mother had bypass surgery 6 years ago!  I'm going back next week.

Feeling great!  I cannot say enough about how much "healthier" I feel already.  It can be a struggle some days getting all the protein and all the fluids in, but so far, so good. I had some rough times with my back/knees without NSAIDS, but am getting a little better on that front.  Starting pureed food tomorrow - oh joy! I hope to start getting more protein in food instead of all the liquid stuff.  Discovered protein ice cream on www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com.  Lots of excellent recipes and helpful hints.  There is a WLS meet and greet in Temecula later next month for anyone in So. Cal. area.  more info at her website.

Feeling pretty well.  I'm learning that pain medicine is a tool worth using . No complaints so far.   

I can't believe it.  I've had a few stumbling blocks along the way.  Surgery was originally scheduled for April 27 but had to be postponed to to a giant flare up of my joints without the NSAIDs.  Things are better now and I am on track for surgery tomorrow morning.  I've managed to lose 33 lbs. prior to surgery.  I am so ready for this!