Life is a Journey not a Destination

Aren’t these just the greatest? Sacks for getting your fruit and veggie instead of yet more plastic bags. I was so excited to recently learn about these on Down to Earth. I ordered them from The Fregie Sack on Monday and they arrived Wednesday. Pretty good service. They are so colourful and I can’t wait to use them. Actually I need to buy some more veggie to make veggie soup….

The girls had their school walk-a-thon today, then a full dance rehearsal from 3-8pm. Seems like all I’ve done the last week is take them to and from dancing. Looking forward to their concert on Saturday.

we said farewell to our beloved Sam. I still miss him at times but Rosie really has helped us to cope with his loss. She is so like him in so many ways - which, although they were not related, helps keep Sam’s memory alive.

I haven’t had much to report this week so I’ve been working on updating my 1998 trip report for Scotland from my old website.

If you want to have a look click here. Be warned there are a LOT of photos.

I’ve been really amazed at how positive everyone has been about me having weight loss surgery - both old, new and internet friends. I really thought a lot of people would think I was taking the easy way out (that was my first thought when Kevin mentioned it). But even more amazing has been how many people have said I’m brave and they wouldn’t have enough courage to do it. It’s not something I’d ever considered. I guess just having exhausted all other avenues of losing weight and having done lots of research I just accepted that WLS was the only way I’d ever successfully lose weight and keep it off. My only real concern post surgery was of leaving my girls without a Mum. But I figure having a Mum who is fit and healthy and around for a long time far outweighed the small chance of dying. So even though I don’t feel brave I guess in a way I was for being prepared to totally change my way of eating and lifestyle.

I can’t believe I had managed to lose 5.8kg (12.7lbs) in the last week. Well, it’s not suprising when you see what little I can eat. But after years of struggling to lose weight it’s mind blowing to be dropping kilos so quickly. I’m feeling much more like myself but find I don’t feel great in the mornings but get better as the day goes on. Had my first meal out yesterday when we took the girls to see “Fred Claus”. I got a baked potato with melted cheese. It was very yummy and I would have been lucky to eat a quarter of it (bought the rest of home for the chickens). I’ve add a little weight ticker to the home page so I can see my progress. Clothes are a lot looser and I’ve already worn a few things I hadn’t worn in years.

Last night Kevin and I watched a show on Speed Eating - talk about horrifying (on so many levels). Firstly, I just can’t understand why someone would eat copious quantities of food without enjoying it (to the point of being sick), secondly, it’s pure gluttony (can’t help but think about the many starving people in the world and the animals killed for food in the name of “sport”), thirdly I can’t believe when obesity is such a big problem that eating lots of food fast is being glorified. It was an interesting show though - most suprising the best speed eaters are normal sized - but have special physical abilities that enable them to eat fast and have stretched out their stomachs so more food can be stored. The one thing unsure is the long term affects on health - these people were consuming hundreds of grams of fat in 10mins. As I said fascinating and horrifying.

Christy was very excited to attend a Pirate Party at school on Friday. They have been learning all about pirates, making a sword and even special pirate cookies, culminating in this party. The girls were up early to make a pirate ship cake. They did it all on their own too as I was too sore to help.

Unfortunately I seem to be one of the one who suffered after surgery. Monday I was in loads of pain and nauseas plus the pain in my shoulder was excruciating– I pretty much slept though so did escape the pain. Tues not much better – nausea got worse as the day went on and I started vomiting up blood (after just dry heaving). The girls and Kevin came to visit but I wasn’t really up to it. (Amy bought in stack of cards from her friends at school - which I thought was so sweet). They tried 3 different anti-nausea drugs before one actually worked. This was about 9pm on Tues night and I was in tears cause I just wanted a break. Did manage to drink a half glass of cordial during the day and sometime during the day the shoulder pain went away. Wed feeling better. Mum, Dad and Granny came to visit which was very nice and helped fill in the morning, then Kevin came in the afternoon. Had trouble finding a comfy position to sit/lie. Managed a bit of soup at lunch and dinner plus more cordial. The lady beside me was a given an icy pole which I would almost have killed for. Last night I had a really bad head/neck ache. But eventually got off to sleep and got a reasonable nights rest. Still feeling nauseous this morning but didn’t convince my nurse I still could take my nausea tablets until around 10.30am, hence the drive home from Sydney was not too comfortable. On the way home I made Kevin stop and get me that icy pole and boy was it nice. I ate half , then the rest later on. It really hit the spot and was easy to get down. I’ve been vegging out on the couch watching TV and cuddling with my pup and feel so much better this afternoon. Now I’m sipping on a choc optifast shake and will try some pumpkin soup for dinner. Oh, I did hop on the scales and am down 3kg from Monday morning – not surprising with how little I’ve eaten – so that’s 9kg in 2.5 weeks. Not too shabby . Hmm, just realized I’m the lowest weight I’ve been in about 10 years. Anyway, it’s good to be back in the land of the living.

Libby came out of surgery yesterday at about 4pm.

Heres a really crappy photo taken with my phone while she sleept (I will get in trouble for this). She was in pain (the black cord is the Pethidine button) and has a normal saline drip in. I will be visiting today so will let you know how its all going. If she is anything like me, day 2 will be better but still not up to phone calls or concentrating on anything more than daytime television (Which is suprisingly watchable while on serious opiates)

Hopefully by tomorrow, she should be feeling closer to normal again and ready to come home on Thursday.

— Kevin

Todays the day when I head to hospital and have much of my stomach removed. There is no going back - not that I’d want to. I desperately want to be a slim, fit, energetic person and as far as I can see it WLS is the only way to make it a reality. I’m actually feeling excited this morning. Got up around 5am so I could have my last shake before fasting for the operation. My Mum and Dad are taking me to the hospital after we drop the girls at school and I should be in surgery around 11am-12pm. Kevin is going to come be with me when I awaken - though based on his experience I won’t be that awake until tomorrow. I only lost 1.5kg this week which isn’t as much as I’d expected but still gives me 6kg for the last two weeks. I should know by now my body behaves quite as it should when it comes to losing weight. Anyway, hopefully I’ll be back home and blogging by Thurs/Fri.