JCP

Yall are killing me. Thanks... You have no idea how badly I needed a laugh!

CPAP reading on Tuesday... Getting so excited! I truly love this forum.

What an honest expression of your feelings. It never ceases to amaze me the cruelty that exists in the world. And they learn it young. I remember my mom took my little brother to the park and sat on the bench while he played with his friends. A kid, not a little one but old enough to know better, walked up to her and said, "Why are you so ugly? You are the ugliest thing I've ever seen." She had no idea who this kid was. I never saw her cry so hard. There were so many vicious verbal assaults like that. We will be healthy and fit in time. But they will never be decent people. God bless you.

Your name says it all! Congratulations on your decision and progress! I'll prob be sleeved late Aug so we'll be close on the date! Prayers for yiu!

Had my psych eval today and a support group tonight. Didn't know what to expect but I was so psyched by it! Sat by a 2 year sleever who is beginning training for a marathon! Such nice people, all of them, all kindred spirits, and so supportive. I can't wait for the next one! So only my CPAP reading on Monday left and then all my prereqs are done! Only delay will be anemia... A month of iron pills. Oh well, I'll be stronger and really ready to go by then! What an exciting journey we are all on!

Oh, as for the rest of your prereqs, that sounds pretty similar to mine. I have not been told of any nutritional followups but know I will at a minimum be seeing the physician and having lab work for a period of time afterward.

I don't know what a pre-op kit is... Perhaps vitamins and educational material? But your plan sounds pretty darned good. My out of pocket will be about 3k after my 500 deductible. Many of the folks in my support group say their portion is 5k. So good for you!

LMAO! Yall are too funny!

I am so sorry to hear about your mom. That is a blow that changes you forever. There is no way to express how it changes you. But isn't life amazing? Here you are starting a new chapter, doing what you love, and giving a gift to others. I'll bet your mom is very proud. I did yoga MANY years ago and loved it but years passed and I grew depressed and large. Where will you practice in Houston? Do you have a web page? I am close to Sugar Land.

You are too cute! I am 56 and scared to death I'm gonna have jowls and a turkey neck! But I just tell myself one problem at a time!

Oh my old 501s! How I'd love to be able to wear those again. Just the best ever. I have a horse, too, and CAN'T WAIT to ride again! Sometimes I have dreams of riding her and she is in a flat out run and my heart is filled with joy. We are exuberant and thrilled, just running and running... Such a happy dream.

I am just starting out so my Nut asked me to pick two changes to begin. I chose to eat breakfast, cut out soda, and drink my coffee black. (Ok, I picked three.) She also gave me vitamins to order and recommended I start trying various protein supplements to see what I prefer. We are starting out small and will add more changes as we move closer to surgery. I really appreciate her support in trying to help me ease into these changes. I feel so much relief. I can do this!

Exercise! It will make you feel so much better. All those happy endorphins. It's the new you!

I am hoping so much to have energy again, and to be able to move more freely. No more rolling out of bed, or heaving myself off the sofa! I could carry groceries in without almost dying! Just to feel healthier and more energetic... What a wonderful blessing that would be...

Thank you! This is very encouraging !

I'm sorry if I missed earlier threads on this but my doctor requires two weeks of a liquid diet prior to surgery. He says his patients with desk jobs who can sip liquids all day normally go back to work two weeks after surgery. I have two weeks of time off available. I do have a desk job. Has anyone encountered problems working while on the liquid pre-surgery diet? How have most of you felt two weeks after surgery? Should I consider postponing this until I have more time off accrued?

Courage like this makes me so ashamed of worrying about anything. Thank you, folks on this thread, for sharing. You are an inspiration.

Had my mammogram and lab work last week. Am scheduled for colonoscopy and EGD on Thurs. I have been really hopeful and excited, thinking I can really get this done and maybe sooner than I'd hoped. Well, got results today. Iron is half what it should be and mammogram is abnormal. So the NUT said I have to take a double dose of iron for at least 30 days, then a retest. And I'll have a diag mammo and ultrasound tomorrow. Remaining appointments are postponed. I don't want to feel sorry for myself. I hate that feeling. But I am still feeling blue and nervous tonight.

Wow, Linda, HR spread that? I hope you know that person could be fired and even prosecuted for a HIPAA violation. You could also sue. I assume you don't want to do any of that but HR needs to be schooled and how. I would be all over them if they did that to me. It is illegal, unprofessional, and extremely unethical.

Tell them only what you need to in order to protect your privacy and feel comfortable. Don't feel guilty! This is a private matter and it's up to you what you say; you don't owe details to anyone. Just say it is vacation if you want. But if you are requesting some sort of medical leave, just say you are having a medical procedure done and leave it at that. If you decide to share more later, then you can always share anything you want, whenever you want! No guilt!

That's a tough one. Maybe someone with more experience can answer this. I told my boss but I know I can trust him as we have a good relationship (not friends outside of work, just able to talk and share at work). I did think about telling him it was just colon surgery for a medical condition and leave it at that. I do have diverticulitis and know someone who had surgery for it. But in the end, I decided to tell him and he was very supportive as he battled (and won) his own weight problems, but via exercise. I have told only my closest friends otherwise, however. I have very little PTO but will have to go without pay for the time off beyond my balance. You might just want to say colon surgery for a medical condition (all true) and it's a bit personal so you don't want to go into detail. The restricted diet and weight loss would be logical afterward.

These are such awesome replies! BWaltD, I don't know you but I am so proud of you! You are an absolute inspiration! God bless you and keep up the hard work! And keep us all updated!

Where are you located?

Buy pretty summer sundresses! Go to my husband's gigs and dance! (No more staying home with a "headache"!) Ride my horse! Often! Join in a mud run! Get on my hands and knees and dig in my flower beds! Go tubing! Actually go to my school reunions! I am getting more excited every day. This site is so great, so positive. I love it.

I think you'd be crazy not to be scared, or at least apprehensive! This is major surgery and a huge lifestyle change! But you decided this for a reason. You are doing a very brave thing. So believe in yourself! Think of where you will be a year from now! God bless!