Risk

This picture hung in the hall of the hospital a couple doors down from me. Everytime I passed it, I would stop and read it.

RISK
"You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore."

When making the decision to have WLS (weight loss surgery), I did a lot of research. When it came down to it, for me it was all about risk. Was the risk of surgery & complications worth the life-long, life-changing benefits that it had the potential to bring?

For me, this was an overwhelming YES. Pre-surgery, I was on no medications, had no serious health problems, no sleep apnea, no diabetes, no high blood pressure. Just being completely honest, about the only thing I've had issues with was with conceiving. But I would not allow myself to become diabetic before I was 30 years old! I could not allow myself to miss out on what God has in store for me, because of my addiction to food. WLS is not a quick fix, it's not the easy way out, but it has given me a time frame that I'll call a sort of "divorce from food."

Losing sight of that shoreline is like heading into the unknown. It's a good thing! It's a little painful, and I sometimes get a little seasick ;o) But knowing that God's leading me with every sip of Crystal Light, every swallow of the calcium... the risk of of the unknown is far less scary, and only that more exciting!

Hospital Stay

I was in the hospital for 3 days (2 nights). I had some amazing nurses, NA's, and doctors taking care of me while I was there. Not to mention my parents and Rich -- who were there any time I needed them!

I didn't realize how much I was laying down when I took this picture. I had a neat view from my window. Every couple of hours, the helicopter would fly right across my view here to land.


My sweet Sister and Brother brought me these beautiful flowers on Wednesday. (I believe it was Wednesday-- I just remember they saw me at my worst! *ah pain meds*)


Nannie Snipes sent me these as well. The roses were so fragrant!


Thursday Evening I got a visit from my friend Crystal, and her son Tyler. Crystal brought me some unmentionables... size Small. Cracked me and Rich both up! and Tyler drew this for me.

Thank you all for the love and prayers. I'm doing well! Nurse Mom said I'm doing better than she ever expected :o)

01.12.11 Surgery Day

Well I'm laying here in my hospital bed, just took some pain medicine. Things went well during my gastric bypass surgery yesterday. I was first in line for surgery with Dr.McNatt yesterday. We had to be at the hospital at 6:30am. Early! I remember waking up in recovery with a bald head male nurse who reminded me of the actor in Julie & Julia who played Julia Childs husband :o) They rolled me down through a tunnel to the Sticht Center where I got to my room about 1:00pm.

I have about 5 small inch incisions around my belly. It's quite sore. What threw me for a loop has been my back pain. Apparently my body did not laying on a flat board for 4 hours without moving. My back pain has been MUCH more painful than my tummy.

I've had some wonderful nurses. They've kept me pretty well medicated to help with the pain. This morning I opened my eyes to find a very good looking doctor staring down at me ;o) ha! He had his entourage with him as well.... about 6 doctors and med students standing around my bed at 7am-- a little intimidating to say the least. You feel kinda vulnerable when they start pulling back the sheets to look at the incisions ;o)

I know that these first few days will be the worst. I still know that it will be worth it in the end. To have better health and a wonderful future ~~ that's the goal!

(my bp was already 115/67 this morning! that's what I'm talkin' about!)

I am requesting no visitors. Thank you for honoring my wishes.
I'll post pictures and a video soon! Thank you for the prayers!

PS: if this post makes no sense, forgive me... it's the pain meds ;o)