Wow, I can't believe tomorrow's the day. I'm entering this path with mixed feelings. I'm glad to be having this happen, but my mother is really sick and was admitted to the hospital over the weekend. She's fighting cancer. I didn't tell her about my surgery. She was sad when I left NY to come back to DC. I told her I had something pressing with work that needed to be taken care of this week. My hubby will drive us (kids and I) to NY to visit with her next weekend. I sure hope I'm up to it. I have an extensive schedule and at the end of the day my surgery is the only way I could get paid time off. I pray I can get a full 6 weeks off and my mom can get stronger.

I haven't cheated much on my liquid diet. Just a couple times and I had protein(egg white or chicken) -- haven't had carbs in a while, so I'm down 13 lbs on my one week diet. I haven't had the desire to eat. Watching my mom fight this fight is the hardest thing I've ever had to do...right next to watching my brother lose his fight in July. I kinda figured my mom would deteriorate once she had to bury her first born.

So thanks for reading and good luck to all my fellow Oct first sleevers!! Tomorrow's our birthday!

Good luck with your surgery, and the best to your mom.

Good luck with your surgery, and the best to your mom.

Thank you

Hello Highschoolfigure,

We have a lot in common-I lost a brother to cancer in 2001 and my mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2001. That was the hardiest year of my life and all I did was eat thru my emotions..... You are stronger than you think and so is your mom! I will be sending prayers up now for you your mom and your husband and kids! I am 20 days post op and I can tell you it is not easy but this journey is soooo going to be worth it. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Also I took a month off and will go back next week. I have enjoyed spending my recovery time with my parents. Try to spend sometime with your mom while you are off...

Hello Highschoolfigure,

We have a lot in common-I lost a brother to cancer in 2001 and my mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2001. That was the hardiest year of my life and all I did was eat thru my emotions..... You are stronger than you think and so is your mom! I will be sending prayers up now for you your mom and your husband and kids! I am 20 days post op and I can tell you it is not easy but this journey is soooo going to be worth it. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Also I took a month off and will go back next week. I have enjoyed spending my recovery time with my parents. Try to spend sometime with your mom while you are off...

That's the plan. I'll be in NY -- even if it's just to sit with her. She's fairly weak; I had to carry her like a baby last week to the hospital...luckily my hubby's great with our girls. They'll be clean and safe but their hair won't be combed! lol

Thanks for the prayers...we sure need it!

How are you recovering? I'm packing my hospital bag now...not even sure what to put in there!

I am doing fine overall but learning to live with the sleeve is much more difficult than I thought it would be! Just remember to sip sip and sip... About your bag: make sure you take an extension cord for your cellphone, slippers, gas-x strips Chapstick and dry mouth spray.. Those were all lifesavers for me

About your girls hair... I am 40 years old and I still remember my dad trying to do my hair when my mom was in the hospital....it was awful! Lol make sure he can brush it or you do it in a style the can keep for a week at a time so he won't have to give them awful memories like I have now some 30 years later! Lol he really did try tho....