minidriver

So I had DH take official "before" pics this morning. I have steadfastly dodged cameras for several years now and, if forced to be in a picture, try to hide behind whatever I can find. Well. No hiding today. I put on a sports bra and some leggings and did the full body stuff - front, side, and back. Gotta' tell ya', pals. It was not pretty. I cannot BELIEVE how big and round I am! I look like a Corgi!! Or a little, round Red Heeler! I look 8 months pregnant! I have small lower arms and legs and the rest of me is almost a perfect circle. I know! I look like whatever character that was in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory who blew up! So I'm sorta' blue about this but it also makes me so happy that I am having this surgery. Some day (when I have some "after" pics, I'll post my "befores" as well).

OMG! In exactly one week I will be starting my surgery. AARRGGHHH!!!! Scared!!!!!!

OH CRAP!!! No pun intended. I realized after I posted that you would be vomiting with a bowel obstruction, so just forget I said that. I do have some scar tissue adhesions in my way lower abdomen from c-sections that sometimes gets "tangled" in my bowels for a few days and hurts like a SOB. I lie on my back and pull on the skin and underlying tissue of my stomach over and over until it breaks up. Sorry. TMI. I am SO glad you're okay. I've been in a meeting for the past two hours and all I could think about was checking the board to see if you were okay! Man, I guess it's obvious that I've lived through having teenagers! Munchkin - I'm so glad that you stand up to doctors. Sometimes my daughter tells me things the doctors have said to her and I just want to scream. What makes them think they're so much better? Nurses are the ones who do all the work. I'm glad you liked "Munchkin and Hutch". We should pitch it to a network. That story about the beagle is so upsetting. People who don't research their doggy choices are so irresponsible. It's not like a sweater that you can just get rid of if it doesn't fit. Crikey.

Okay, I think I saw that one before. He's such a cutie pie.

Okay, since everybody else had cute doggie photos for their avatars, I decided to change mine. This is my Keeley Anna. She's my bestest buddy.

OMG! Your new buster picture is soooooo sweet. Is that the one that you posted earlier?

My grad school adviser had corgis and they were just adorable. She used to say that they were big dogs stuck on short legs. My mom has always had doxies so I'm fond of them as well and bassets are just too darned funny and cute for words. I tend to go for the mid/bigger doggies myself. We have an Australian Kelpie (we think . . . she was abandoned) and she's probably 50 lbs or so but thinks she's a lap dog. She brings me such joy. This is a great group. I can't believe the support and warmth I've received from everybody here. It has made me doubly happy about my decision to go with Dr. K. The pre-op diet is a breeze. No problem at all.

AAACKK!!! I thought for sure there would be a message from Brandy . . . Thanks to everyone who sent their numbers. I'll compile the list today and PM it to everybody. So I had this awful thought last night as I was going to sleep - I wonder if she might have bowel obstruction? The pain . . . not going since Wednesday . . . maybe she has adhesions from surgery. I HOPE that is not the case. Oh my. Shelbi - not sure what is happening with your son (we never had that talk) but it sounds like signing up for a GED course was a wonderful thing. Marcy - hope you get some sunshine soon. And congrats on your upcoming 1 year! Munchkin - I didn't know nurses have a good cop/bad cop routine. That's kind of funny. There could be a new TV series with a pair of nurses who go around getting patients to comply. "Munchkin and Hutch" or something.

You're welcome, sweetums. Sleep tight.

Okay. We'll hold down the mommy fort. I roller bladed once . . . and then promptly gave my roller blades to my SIL. IT'S HARD!!!

OK, I'll compile a list if anybody else wants to PM me with theirs and I'll add mine too and then PM it to everybody.

That's a good plan. Who will be the master keeper of phone numbers? We can all PM one person and they can then PM everyone the list. does that sound logical? I hope Natalie is checking her email tonight . . .

good plan mal

Me too . . . I'm hoping she had a baseball game right after her appointment or something. I think every good nurse has to be a bit of a police officer too, yes? I mean, SOMEBODY needs to be in charge!

I haven't even tried them yet . . .so if you can find good shipping you should get them dee.

Yes Brandy! I was just making dinner and realized how late it is and wondered where the heck you are! Don't you know you need to check in before you go off doing heaven knows what??? Dee - that would be great if I could try one of the Protein shots. I'm going to see if we can find a GNC in Denver on my pre-op day and buy some Isopure. Can't bring liquids on the plane, ya know. And I love that 5 calorie cranberry juice. It's my beverage of choice. Sometimes a shot of vodka sneaks in too. Tasty tasty. Oh, but not while I'm on my pre-op. I have been one obedient patient. Thanks for the tips on Vitamins. I need to get on the ball with that. My doc just tested me for Vitamin B12 deficiency (a side effect of one of my stupid meds) so I'll be interested to see how that turns out.

It is hard work. You need to rewire your brain, and those neurons are stubborn little suckers. Here's a trick I try to use . . . whenever I start thinking maladaptive stuff, I ask myself "Is this how you want your brain wired?". Then I try to think about something that would be more productive. I think rumination is really bad for your brain. It creates a neural "rut" that is really hard to get out of. I have been checking out a few things, mainly Protein Drinks. I think I like the Slim-Fast low carb the best. I tried some powders, etc., but they were kind of gaggy. I haven't checked out broth yet . . . I'm thinking miso Soup broth would suit me just fine. I need to find vitamins this weekend for sure. I'm really excited but kind of can't believe that it's almost here. And I keep thinking "wow, next year at this time . . . ". Well, I'm off for a bit but I'll check in later and see how you're doing. Remember . . . you're in charge of your own neural wiring. Sculpt your brain to benefit YOU, not anybody else.

Yep, there are lots of reasons why we wrap ourselves in fat, but I think feeling unloved is one of the biggest. We love you Dee. I know it's not the same, but you are obviously an incredible woman who touches many lives. If ex couldn't love you for who you are, he has a screw loose.

BASTARD!!! That might get censored or something, but I don't care. My first hubby was a cheater. We were only together for 5 years but I remember how much it hurt. My current hubby was also married to a cheater. I think that we're both really careful with each other's hearts because we've both been hurt. We've been together for 23 years now, and I have never worried that he has strayed. Sooo . . . sometimes the second time around can be a whole lot better. You deserve a whole lot better. Don't settle for same old same old.

Oh crap. Okay, unasked for advice- don't try to feel better by eating. You know it won't help in the long run. And maybe you need to let yourself mourn . . . REALLY mourn, as in accepting that he is gone and never coming back. Maybe all this contact is preventing you from reaching that point. If he really cares about you as a friend, he should understand that. And if he had affairs . . . well, you don't owe him a damned thing (IMHO). I know he's the father of your DD and that you care about him deeply, but he done you wrong. Big time. And you don't deserve that crap from anybody. Hope you're not mad at me. I'm just saying this cuz I adore you.

Ahhh, dee, I'm sorry. I was worried about the ex thing. I can't imagine how tough that must be for you. Anything we can do to help? ~Sending you big gooey cyber hugs and kisses and tissues if you need to cry a little~

DEEEEEEEE!!!! You're back! How was your trip?? Did DD have a blast? Are you caught up with all the posts?

Are you feeling better today? One more hour to see Dr. K, yes? I have been telling everybody. I just have a big mouth. Besides, I'm such a failure at weight loss that there's no way anyone would believe that I am doing it on my own. I really don't want my mother to know, but since we haven't spoken in two years I guess it doesn't matter.

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer as to how to handle this. Whatever works for your family is right for you . . . And good for you for not wanting to put your issues on them. I hate it when I see a mom nagging her daughter about her weight or modeling unhealthy weight obsessions. Is your doggie a corgi?

Doncha' just love that? Teenagers are such fun. NOT.