Happy Birthday! Here, Have a Green Bean and Some Jello!

So today is my birthday. And in 4 days, my 42nd year is going to change in ways I never imagined a year ago. I’m in Mississippi with sweet friends to celebrate. For my birthday, Eli asked me to go to his scout banquet tonight. He was so proud to find out I would go. Little does he know how I so miss doing these kind of things with this sweet family. When I saw the surgeon earlier this week, I asked him if I had to abide by the liquid-only rule since its my birthday. He said yes. I could have a little leniency but don’t go overboard. So I treated myself to some green beans and a little turkey at the banquet. Then for dessert, Suz made sugar-free jello with a candle. I laughed and cried. I love these people and how they love and encourage me.

Hi. Nice to Meet You.

I met the surgeon and had an extensive appointment with him going over SO MUCH information. I really like Dr. Morton. Kind of grandfatherly-type and give lots of information. That’s the kind of doctor I want. I wish I had thought to take my camera because he had displays and models of what he will be doing to me next week. I loved it. I really should have gone into medicine. That kind of stuff so intrigues me! I wish I could watch while he does it but I’m pretty sure that would be way too weird. However, I did go on youtube and found a medical post of the surgery. It was amazing. And that’s what will be happening next week. Wow. Here’s a picture of what the band looks like.

Yesterday, I started the liquid only portion of the pre-op diet. This part is not so fun. I never realized how much I'd miss food. I don't miss eating. I miss: chewing . . . taste . . . texture. I'm such a texture eating. I'm considering going to Chick-fil-a and just chewing some chicken just for the texture. How sad is that!

But even in this, God gives mercy. I discovered that Atkins Milk Chocolate Protein Shakes, when really really cold, has the same taste as a Wendy's Frosty!

I know there's a bigger picture here. God has such a plan.

So with His help . . . I am doing this.

And with His help . . . I will keep doing this.

And I will watch for His hand in every moment.

In Seven Days

In seven days... I will begin a new journey.

In seven days... God will begin to rebuild this temple.

In seven days... I will be on the way to a healthier me.

In seven days... I will make no more excuses.

In seven days... I will be on my way to feeling better about myself.

In seven days... I will start accomplishing goals that I've had for years but haven't had the courage or will power to accomplish

In seven days... I will have the tool to help me change my body, my energy level... my life!

In seven days... my new life starts.

Shake, Shake, Shake.

Remember that song? Shake, shake, shake. Shake, shake, shake. Shake your booty. So for some very odd reason, this was one of my favorite songs as a kid. I don't know why. I just remember Bud, my cousins Tad and Tod, and I singing this song all the time. Probably because we could say the word "booty". Oh the innocence of youth.

Anyway, that's not the "shaking" I'm talking about here :~) Just alluding to what the next 2 weeks hold for me.

Day four of pre-op diet. It took me a couple days but I finally got ahead of the hunger. Its all about planning. I didn’t do that Tuesday night for some reason. Then paid for it on Wednesday. But on Thursday, I had been to the grocery store the night before and now set to go. I’ve tried several different kinds of shakes trying to find the one I like the best. Today I had the Atkins protein shake today and so far I like them the best. And . . . wooohooo . . . they are the least expensive! The Milk Chocolate shake flavor tastes like a Wendy’s Frosty. Yum!!

Details, Details, Details.

Had a meeting with the nutritionist this morning. Very informative . . . so much information to process. So I start the pre-op diet tomorrow. 2 protein shakes and 1 healthy meal for a week. Then 4 protein shakes the next week. Then 2 days before surgery I go to clear liquids only. In addition to this, I can have unlimited sugar-free jello, popsicles and soup broth. Having fasted before, thankfully I know what to expect from my body. Its sales conference prep at work this week, so this should be interesting adding to the stress-factor. But here we go.

Thank you Father that You have made the way. You moved the mountain and have been the cloud and fire as I’ve walked this. I really am excited to see what’s going to happen. Give me peace as it gets closer. I don’t want to be nervous or anxious.

I Have a Date

No, not that kind of date. Although that would be nice. HA! But the date I’m referring to is the surgery date. So here we go. March 3. I’m so excited and scared and nervous. This is it.

I’ve been contemplating what to do concerning who to call to help. Its out-patient surgery. So really I just need someone to be there in case I need something through the weekend. We’ve already scheduled the FL trip so I hate to ask Mom to take the time. And after talking with Dad, we were joking around about not telling Mom. But the more I think about, I think it would be fun. I could tell her when we get to FL. The look on her face will be priceless.

I talked with Cb and she’s (and her parents) is going to be my nurse nazi since my other nurse nazi moved out of town . . . HA! I called Amy and Suz to tell them. I was a bit nervous about how they would react. I don’t know why but I was. I mean seriously. All that we’ve been through but I was. I didn’t realize it until talking with them, but their encouraging words were so more important to hear.

I'm Not Crazy

I got a message from the surgeon’s office today. The psychologist doesn't think I'm crazy and has approved from the mental side of this. So now its time to set up the consultation date, appt with the nutritionist, and my surgery date. Good grief. This is moving so fast now. Lord, if this is not the path You want for me, I need You to start slamming doors. I’m getting nervous and anxious and excited and . . . I don’t know. So many emotions. I read one of the verses in the following passage a few days ago and read the whole chapter this morning. I can’t help but think this is yet just another way that God’s nudging me down this path.

Isaiah 58:9-12 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you take way the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.

Am I Crazy?

I've asked myself this question several times over the past couple months. And I always come up with the same answer. Isaiah 58:9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'

But the surgeon won't take that Word. So I have an appointment with a psychologist later today.

Oh, and by the way. Had a weird rash break out around my waist on the left a week ago. Hadn’t gone away so I went to see Katherine, my friendly neighborhood dr. Shingles? Really? Sure. She said its probably stress and the meds should get rid of it before surgery but call his office to alert them just in case. Um, okay.

A New Leg of the Journey

Well, where to start. A month ago, I didn't think this was possible. But as I have posted before, the phrase "But God" was applied to my life. God made a way in only a way God could. Now I walk in it.

I'm overwhelmed on so many levels. This leg of the journey actually started in July 2009. But its been a "highly sensitive" subject in my mind that I just didn't feel comfortable sharing with the world until I was able to process a lot in my head. So much has happened in the past year that I really just couldn't handle one more "huge change" in my life being public. But I know I will be posting this to be public once God has done what He needs to do. So I'm blogging as if these will be posted on the days I'm writing them. So here goes. I'm now an open book. Ha.

For as long as I can remember, I've always struggled with my weight. In the past year, I realized that if something didn't give, I was headed down a road full of major health issues, compromised quality of life, and who knows what else. So last Summer, I began doing some research on the possibilities of what I could do to get me healthy. I talked with a cousin who is an RN, prayed, researched online for what seemed like weeks, prayed, consulted my family on their thoughts, and prayed some more. I felt fairly confident I knew what laid ahead for me.

Lapband.

And so the journey begins.

Just a Note

This post is dated 02/01/10 but I'm actually posting it on 03/16/10. The next few posts are notes that I did in real time (as the date is posted) but I didn't want to add them for the world to see until I got to a certain point on this journey I've been on.

So here goes. Thanks for walking this journey with me. Read on to see where this leg of it is taking me . . .