A New Old Interview Suit

Yesterday I had 2 different interviews. I know I haven't formally said it, but I am losing my job on March 13th. I am trying to be really, really positive about the opportunity to move into clinical research though. So no cryin' in my beer for me, although that technically is all I can do with it. The beer, that is.

Another wow for me was that I wore a tailored black linen suit that I've had for years and could no longer wear. It fit and I had room. I hope to use it much more in the near future because it hopefully will quickly become too big. I also wore pantyhose and all the other girlie undergarments and I felt totally ok. About 40 pounds ago, I felt like a sausage stuffed into a skin that was 2 sizes too small. Heck, I wouldn't have worn hose either. Just too uncomfortable.

And the interviews? I'd hate to jinx myself, but I think I brought my A game. I came away feeling that I could not have possibly done any better. I'll wait to declare that I hit it out of the park once I get an offer somewhere. But the true test will be next week when I meet with the VP of R&D. That's the one I'm really sweating.......

Well, off to the gym. At least mine doesn't play Oingo Boingo. No spinning me right round here.

4 weeks out today!

I can't believe that 4 weeks ago I was in a hospital room with my guts newly rearranged. I was groggy, but thankful to be alive and not in much pain. I was thankful to see Gerald's sweet handsome face! And thankful to be given this chance at a new life!

Since Wednesdays are weigh in days, I did weight this morning, although it was kind of a less dramatic thing than if I hadn't weighed on Sunday. I really need to put the scales away except for on Wednesdays. Anyway, I weighed in today at 264.6, so that so close to 30 pounds lost since surgery, I'm calling it! That makes 41 pounds overall.

I'm really pleased with my progress, though it seems a bit surreal to me at this point. People say that they see a difference. All I know is I'm sick of eating the way I have to and wish I could down a whole cheeseburger like in days of old. But I know my life will never be the same. And no point in whining about the food, because I know it will get better, eventually. Hey, I did eat the inside out of a beef meximelt from Taco Bell for lunch and it didn't hurt. Thank God for small miracles. I guess I need to remind myself of how far I have come in 4 weeks. Never have I lost 30 pounds (or even 41 pounds) so effortlessly. I mean, food tastes weird, so I suppose it's at least we get the reward of rapid weight loss. Sorry for the rant. I'm done now. I guess I just have to keep reminding myself that I didn't wake up skinny.

In other wows..... not only am I wearing clothes of my own that I had outgrown a while ago, I am having other wows along the way. As I posted yesterday, we went to Memorial Hall at UNC to see the Neville Bros. and Dr. John last night for Mardi Gras. Well, when I sat in the seat, I had extra room!!! It was another wow that snuck up on me when I wasn't looking! In fact, I had room in the seat to move around and I dropped something on the floor and could bend all the way over my belly and pick it up from the floor without cutting off the air to my lungs!!! Now I wonder if I should keep a spreadsheet with all my wows in it. But that'd be just a little too anal, wouldn't it?

Hope today is a wonderful one!

Today is my Birthday!

I'm officially 39 today. Well, I will be at 4:44 p.m. It's going to be a good day I think. I woke up feeling ok, but could only get down half a scrambled egg. But no matter. I'm going to make it a great day. And hey, today is also Fat Tuesday! I always love those years where my birthday falls on Fat Tuesday. One of these years I'm going to spend my b-day in New Orleans celebrating Mardi Gras!

So tonight, Gerald and I have tickets to see the Neville Brothers with Dr. John at Memorial Hall at UNC - for Mardi Gras, no doubt! I'm actually looking forward to it! I think it will be fun to get out and do something. And these days, going out and doing something can't be going out to eat. I'm going to give that more time so that when we do go out to eat, I will be able to enjoy it!

Day 25 - Minus 39 pounds!

Gerald was generous enough to take pictures today and do the pictorial montage you see below. It shows my pre-op picture and me today. I guess I don't smile very big, but maybe it will get better as I go. I'm certainly not frowning like I was pre-op though!

We also took measurements today. I know it's not my 1 month surgiversary yet, but my pre-op measurements were done on Jan. 19th. So these are about 1 month and 2 days out - especially since I'm guessing that my measurements didn't change appreciable before surgery. I've lost 21.75 inches since surgery! WOW. Although it seems like my rear end isn't budging, I am losing all over according to the tape measure. Most notably, I lost 1.25" from my neck, 2.5" from my chest, 1" from my bust (Yay - they're not leaving as fast as I had thought they might!), 3" from my waist, and 3.75" from my hips. I'm really glad to see the numbers.

But one thing that was cool was that today I wore a jacket to church that I hadn't had on in a couple of years. It was so tight across my boobs that it looked bad and it wouldn't even button over my hips at all. Well, today it fit and was so comfortable! It's wool, too, so it was nice and warm for church. Have I mentioned that I am constantly freezing all the time? That is REALLY a new one on me! Crazy, I tell ya!!

I will be weighing again on Wednesday since my "official" weigh day is Wednesdays. We'll see how much more I manage to lose before my 1 mo. check-up with Dr. Smith. My check-up with him will be Monday, March 3rd. Here's hoping he's pleased with my progress!

Day 25

2 Weeks Post-op - 34 POUNDS Lost!!

I swear I never thought I'd feel as good as I do. The first few days were rough once the plumbing started working again. That is sorting it self out, but honestly, now nothing tastes good. I miss tomatoes soooo much! Can't have them until week 6. Darn! Even mayo tastes sweet, and I hate it. I want things to taste normal. I never craved sweets before anyway, so now I don't want stuff that usually has a tart or salty taste to taste sweet. And everything leaves the worst aftertaste. I've been told it gets better - I really am holding out hope!

Now, on to the good news - ok, so I gave it away in the title of the post! Gerald and I have been faithfully going to the gym each day at lunch (I'm enjoying it while I can, knowing next week we'll have to go before work). I think I am reaping some of the benefits now. I can already drive and I have not had any pain meds since Sunday night. Driving does not bother the tummy either. But the best news is that in 14 days, I have lost 23 POUNDS!! I have lost a total of 34 from Christmas when I received my approval letter. So, 34 POUNDS!!! I find it so hard to believe, as I'd rather have woke up skinny, but then I know that's not possible. I am enjoying the ride, as they say. I had toyed with not posting my actual weight, but what the heck. I'm not going to be fat anymore, so I don't care who knows. I weighed in before surgery at 294.4 and this morning my scales said 271.8. I can't believe I'll be in the 260s in another 2 pounds. Once I get to the 250s, I will be in territory that I haven't seen since 2001 when I trained for and ran the half marathon with Karen - I was 230 then. (Honestly, it seems so unreal at times.) Oh, and when I hit the magic 200 pound mark, I'm going to start running again. G and I are planning to run the Mardi Gras 1/2 Marathon next February in NOLA! He's psyched, and frankly, so am I! I just can't believe I will be able to do the next one without carrying another person on my back.

I feel so blessed!

I promise to update soon with details and funny stories about the day of surgery, and beyond while in the hospital.

So Thankful to be home!

Well, it's a little late, but we got home last Thursday around 6:30-ish. That was the god-awfullest long ride home ever! We had to stop every 45 minutes so I could get out and walk. All I wanted to do was sleep. But I walked faithfully. I tried to eat some KFC mashed taters and gravy, but they were too thick and got stuck. What an awful feeling. It feels like there a brick in my chest and nothing I do will help it, except to be quiet and still and wait for it to pass. This time, I did walk around the car some while we were stopped and it helped some. Not fun, let me tell you.

I know I'm behind here, but I promise to do better at updating. I've been feeling pretty good, but I always get tired. I know this too shall pass.