IM APPROVED!!!!

Ok, so I am REALLY bad about not opening our mail. I know I shouldn't be, but I get tired of always opening bills, so I usually put it off until I absolutly have to. So an unopened stack of mail as been on our counter since Friday, just looming. Ryan decided to open the mail last night at 10:30, before we went to bed. He threw me a couple of envelopes that had my name on it. Oh goody! Just what I wanted right before bedtime - to be stressed by bills!!!

So I open the first one, which is a bill from the insurance for Ryan's joyous ambulance ride on 7/3. Yay! Then I go in for bill #2, also from UHC, and begin reading it. The first line was something about "Sleeve Gasterectomy for Amy Adams" and I just stopped. I couldn't do it. What if it said no? What if I waited all this time and got my hopes up and told family & friends for nothing?? So I did what any sane person would do - made my husband read it to me! LOL

Long story short - I AM APPROVED!!!

OMG I am SO happy. I just started screaming "Are you serious!?!?" over and over. I was crying and laughing at the same time. My poor doggie Buster didn't know what to think! I grabbed him up and me and the hubby just embraced each other for like 15mins. It was awesome. Then we went to bed and ended up staying up (in the bed) until after 12 just talking about how awesome the next year is going to be.

This past Friday we got dressed up and headed to Red Lobster, cause he was feeling better now that his drain tube is out and wanted him some crab legs. I took that opportunity to go ahead and get my "before" pics out of the way. My current weight is 317lbs.

PS: I hadn't noticed how long my hair has gotten. Its about time for another donation to Locks of Love!

PPS: I really am vertically challenged, and since Ryan is 5'11" and I am 5'4", the angle of the pics REALLY do not help me at all.

Impalement & postponement of surgery

**WARNING - THIS BLOG ENTRY IS NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH**

Well, where do I begin. This weekend was absolutely horrible!!! I ended my last blog with the intention of having one last balls-to-the-wall weekend, but ended up spending a day in the hospital with the hubby and the rest of it desperately trying to catch up on rest as well as take care of him.

I guess I will start from the beginning. Shortly after my post on Friday about Jack Daniels I got a text from my future SIL Chelsie saying she finally got a job. Great! Then she told me it was from 3-11pm Friday thru Monday. WTF?! So basically I will hardly ever see her anymore, and our plans for the weekend were shot to hell. So I was pretty bummed, but just figured I could see her when she got off work and before she went in. So that was the first thing to "go wrong" this weekend. Little did I know Chelsie's work schedule would become the least of my worries.

Saturday morning my mom and I planned to go pillow shopping for her new couch. She was suppose to meet me at the house at 10am and we go to town from there. Well, I woke up at 9am to get ready, and the effing power was off. So I sat for 1 1/2hrs and just stared at the clock. I was SO PISSED!!! I hate when my time gets wasted, so I was pretty angry with the power company. During this time Ryan, who could find something to do in a tornado, decided to go outside and move some brush and dirt around in the back yard with a bobcat.

Well it finally came back on at 10:30 so I called my mom and told her, because it takes 30mins for her to get to my house, then I jumped in the shower. I had gotten dressed, put my makeup on, and dried my hair, and was fixing to put some clothes in the dryer, when the house phone rings. I looked at the caller id and it was Ryan, so I figured he wanted something to drink or something. I answered it and all he said was "Honey, call an ambulance or helicopter or something. I've lost a lot of blood. Bring a towel, I need you." (in a high pitched voice). So I tear out of the house with the phone in one hand and towel in the other and meet him at our building/shop outside. He had impaled himself with a tree branch on the bobcat and now had a gaping wound in his right knee with blood everywhere. So i immediately go into protective mode and started trying to clot the blood while talking to the 911 operator.

The ambulance got there FINALLY after 20 mins. My mom got there when everything was going down, as well as Ryan's dad, step-dad, papaw, and brother. They loaded me up in the front of the ambulance and Ryan in the back and transported us to the hospital. Once at the hospital they evaluated him and said he needed to go into surgery to see if his kneecap was still in align as well as the ligaments and muscles and to remove some splintered off pieces of wood and bark inside his leg. The branch was about 3 inches in diameter and went in and up towards his thigh about 5-6 inches. They had to put a drain tube in him, and stapled and stitched him up. They put his leg in an immobilizer cast and told him he couldn't put any weight on it. He had to undergo crutch training as well. They finally released us at 10:30pm on Saturday. I had to wait for an hour at Walgreens to get his pain medicine filled. We finally got home at around 12am on the 4th of July. It was after 1am before we got settled in and drifted off to sleep, only to wake up every 2-4 hours to either pee or take his medicine.

So, since Sunday he has been hardly moving around, mostly staying in bed. He is pitiful, and I know he is in so much pain. I feel so bad for him. I have been waiting on him hand and foot, making sure he is getting in his fluids and eating enough food. We were suppose to go to my parents on Sunday for a cookout, but they decided to come to our house. We invited Ryan's mom, brother, step-dad, and papaw over and had a multi-family dinner. It was so much fun. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family as well as in-law family. I love them so much!

So the events of the weekend have lead me to rehash my surgery. I am still 100% committed to getting surgery, but I feel that right now would not be the best time to have it, since Ryan is basically helpless. I don't want to put stress on him to take care of me when he can't take care of himself. Hopefully he will be off crutches soon. I am still going to continue with my appointments and stuff. Hopefully in a month he will be in better health.

So I end my post with some pretty gnarly pictures of his leg and one of the splinters - complete with horse hair on the end- as well as what it looks like stitched and stapled up, for your viewing pleasure.

OMG this is really happening!

I have to admit I am a pessimist. I rarely ever see the glass as half full, and I am quick to assume the worst in most scenarios. I have been skeptical that I would even be able to have this surgery from the get-go, thinking that I will never receive this wonderful gift of surgery. But I have to admit that slowly, very slowly, I am starting to come around. I am starting to see the good in everything that happens, versus the bad. It has really changed my outlook on life. I feel more like the "old Amy" that I was when my hubby and I met - and I love it!

Well on Friday I went to my newly established PCP and he was delighted to hear about my WLS, which put me at ease, because my previous PCP was an asshole. He said he would be more than happy to write me a letter, but needed to get to know more about me first (which I liked) and ordered that I have my blood work done. He said that if I have high cholesterol then he can put it in my letter, along with my risk factors for developing diabetes, which I am assuming are pretty freaking high right now. When the appointment was over, I went to check out and make my follow up appointments for the lab work consultation and to get my letter. Well, I go tomorrow to get my blood drawn, but I have to wait until late June to get my letter and see what was in my labs. I have to admit, my old pessimistic ways started creeping back up and I was getting frustrated. I calmly explained to the receptionist that I was trying to coordinate a WLS into my schedule and if I could get in any earlier I would appreciate it, so she put me down for June 17th. Not great, but not bad either. I'll take it and be happy about it.

Not much happened over the weekend, just cleaned and watched movies (along with my exercising). Sunday night right when I was going to lay down for the night Ryan sliced a huge chunk of skin from his right index finger, up close to the nail. Having the husband that I have, I always keep a supply of first aid supplies on hand, because you just never know what he will do next. So I cleaned his wounds and gauzed him up (I have always been pretty good w/ medical and first aid) then tried to lay back down, but I had so much adrenaline from the rush of his injury that I just tossed and turned all night! I finally was able to go to bed around 2ish, only to wake up at 6:15. Ugh.

This week is a 4 day work week, then a 4 day weekend, and another 4 day work week, so YAY! That news gives me something to look forward to and keep pushing through, even though I am wore-smack-out. Also, I got a call today from a Karen at Memorial Hospital (where I am having my surgery) wanting to set up some appointments with me. I was in shock! I got through the phone call, but as soon as she hung up I felt like I could bounce off the freaking walls! OMG this is really happening! I am really moving along, completing my requirements like they are nothing. The feeling of accomplishment is so grand. I just love it.

I ended up setting up my psychiatric evaluation along with my nutritional class. My psych eval is on June 14th, and class is on June 15th. The class is a 1/2 day class from 8a-11a. I am so excited. I just can't wait!

A bad weekend and 1st surgeon meeting

Wow, so what an eventful 5 or so days. Where do I begin...... well I'll start with the weekend. This weekend was HORRIBLE!!! I haven't been as sick as I was on Sunday in a a LOOOONG time. I was dizzy, nauseous, throwing up, freezing, burning up, headache, & couldn't swallow or hardly talk because my throat was hurting so bad. It was BRUTAL! I vomited until there was nothing left in me to vomit. It was violent.

All this could not come at a worse time, because Monday was my appt with the surgeon. I had planned on taking a 1/2 day at work then going to see him, but given my condition and how weak I was, I decided to forgo the whole day. At 12 I decided to go to the walk in clinic to get some antibiotics in me. I thought I was planning good because my appt with the surgeon was at 3:30, about 30 mins away. We were at the doctors office until 3, so I called to let them know I would be a few mins late. I didn't figure it would matter anyway right? Doctors are late for their appointments all the time. Well Miss Receptionist tells me if I'm not there by 3:45 then I need to call and reschedule. I was pissed off. Here I am sick as a DOG, trying to hurry and rush around, not having ate (and kept down) a complete meal since Saturday, and she's telling me I need to reschedule. Aw Hell No. I told her I would be there, and we took off. Thank God my husband is a seasoned Dirt Track race car driver or else we probably wouldn't have made it.

We get to the office at 3:35. Take that Miss Receptionist!!! Guess what? We end up waiting in the lobby until 4:30. I told you. Doctors are always late. I shouldn't have even called down there. I've learned my lesson for next time. When we are finally called back, I am nervous. Or maybe its the illness. IDK, but I'm not feeling good either way. I just want this to be over. He drops a bomb on me, that he thinks I should go with the Bypass, because of my BMI being 57. WTF, it was 54.9 a month ago. I have actually lost weight since I hadn't been eating. Whatever.

So he goes on to tell me about RNY. I never wanted the bypass, and I wasn't too hot about him suggesting it either. It was almost like he was trying to change my mind. When he saw that I wasn't changing my mind he told me about the Sleeve. Turns out he has done about 80 sleeves, and 800 RNYs. His leak rate is 1% and he has never had a death as a result of surgery. Those numbers made me feel a bit better, but I am concerned about the 80 sleeves. I know 1 of his sleeves, and she said she had "trouble," but wouldn't elaborate. I wouldn't put it past her to be jealous about sharing her WLS spotlight and trying to thwart me, so I'm taking her opinion with a grain of salt.


I left the office with a list of things to do and places to visit. I was told that I need to lose at least 20lbs by surgery date (which is TBA). He said he didn't care how I did it, he just needed some room in there to move around. He suggested a White Trash diet, which is basically if it is white and not a meat, throw it away. Pretty simple and easy to remember. Once I get feeling better I plan on starting it. The nurse is going to contact UHC and see what all my requirements are. She said I have to do a pre-op diet, as designated from UHC, but when I contacted them they told me I didn't. If I do end up having to, I believe my 6-8 month long appts with a dietitian will qualify me. The surgeon said that he isn't available until mid-June for a surgery date, so I know I wont be having anything done until probably around July. Which is fine. I can live with that.

I know that May is going to be very busy, as I have a lot of things to get done and a lot of doctors to see.

Appointment Shuffling

So yesterday when I got home from work I had a message on my answering machine from Dr. Rutledge's office saying they needed to cancel my appointment, and reschedule. WHAT?! I was so sad because I just KNEW I was going to have to wait twice as long now. Heck, my initial appointment wait period was 31 days from the day of the seminar. So I moped all night last night, with a feeling of lead in my stomach.

This morning I anxiously waited until 9am to call the office and reschedule, hoping the sooner I call the sooner they can get me in. Turns out my new appointment is 3 days earlier than the previous one! YAY! So my new date is 5/10.

On a side note, Ryan and I finally planted the 3 lilac trees I bought (spontaneously) the other day. I hope the dogs don't pee on them and kill them. I need to get some stakes to tie them up, that way when it storms or we have "Windsdays" they wont blow over and break off. I'm so excited that we are finally able to make our place more like home!

Dreams and Reality

A couple of interesting things happened this weekend. I had a crazy-ass dream about WLS, and I told my BFF (we've been friends for 19yrs) about my decision.

First off I want to talk about my dream, while it is still fresh in my mind. Basically it was 5/13, the day of my appt with the doctor. The hubby and I went to his office, where I changed into one of those annoying hospital gowns. The doc wanted to see my stomach, but I am self-conscious and didn't want to show him my "fat rolls." He said "Relax, I will be seeing much more of you in a few hours." My husband, being a comedian said, "Funny, that's what I said to her the first time I met her." LOL he is so funny, even in my dreams. Anyway, he takes my blood and other things, then looks at my chart and is like, "Ok, you are clear for surgery. You ready to be sliced open?" and I was like "Whaaaa?" but went along with it.

He gives us directions to the hospital (like I didn't know where it was) and tells us to meet him there in 15 mins. The whole way there I was freaking out, because I hadn't even told my parents about my desire to have surgery, much less that I was fixing to have it. We get to the hospital and wait out in the parking lot for the doctor and nurse for like 1/2 an hr. Then we went into the lobby, where the receptionist told us we were too late, and that he had already taken another patient to surgery. She said we had to wait til he was finished with them. So we waited like an hour, when I decided to call my parents and let them know. They rushed to the hospital, and were so happy for me. Shortly after they got there, I was taken back for surgery.

A few hours after surgery, I was released. I was feeling GOOD! I didn't want any pain medicine, and I was walking around like normal and acting like nothing happened. We left the hospital and went straight to a birthday party. I became very paranoid because I wasn't supposed to be eating any solids, but I couldn't pass up cake, everyone would know something was up. So I ate cake, just a little bite. Later on, I started having horrible pain in my stomach, and I was wishing I had taken the pills. Apparently I was squirming so much in my sleep that I actually woke myself up. When I woke up, I laid there looking at the ceiling like, WTF just happened?!

Ok, back to reality. Sunday afternoon I invited my BFF, Amber, to the local Mexican restaurant, determined that the dream was a sign that I didn't need to keep this inside, but to express my desires with my close friends/family. I started off the conversation very casual, talking about the wonderful cheese dip. As I drew nearer to my lines, my hands began to get sweaty and I felt like I was going to crap everywhere (TMI, I know). I had rehearsed this 20 times in my head on the way to the restaurant, but I just couldn't form the words. Finally, I took a deep breath and just said it. "I’m going to have my stomach stapled." She just looked at me, mouth gaped, with a chip halfway in salsa, and said, "What?!? Why?!?!" (keep in mind she has the body of a model. 5'8, slim, dark skinned, long brown hair) I told her my reasons and she seemed to understand. She knows about my struggle with weight, and how I get depressed every time we go shopping, scratch that, SHE goes shopping while I watch her purse. I told her afterwards she was going to have to hold my purse while I shopped, or we could leave our purses in the car! LOL

A pic of me and Amber in 1st grade:


Best Friends really are forever.

Lets Begin, Shall We?

So today I decided to start a blog. Not just any blog, but one that will chronicle my life, as I am about to make some drastic changes to it. But before we get to that, how about some background information?

By glancing around, you have probably figured out that my name is Amy, and I am in my 20's. Good job! I grew up in a small community in East Tennessee, out in the country. I have never in my life lived in the city, and never plan to. (unless one day my future children move me into a nursing home; then I will have no choice) I have one younger brother, Andy.

I now live about 30 minutes south of where I grew up, with my husband (Ryan) and two dogs (Buster and Hershey). I have been married since October 2006. Has it been tough? Hell yes. Have I wanted to give up? Hell yes. Do I regret marrying him? Absolutely not. I love him with all my heart and I cannot wait until we can grow old together. We constantly talk about starting a family (apart from Buster and Hershey) and have so many plans for our future.


Buster, being Groovy


Hershey



Ah, the future. That my friends, is why I started this blog. See, I am overweight; overweight to the point of it affecting my relationships as well as the plans for our future. I want to get out and do things, I want to be a mommy, I want to live past 50. Unfortunately, I have been overweight pretty much my whole life. I remember being in the 5Th grade and wearing a women's size 12/14. I have been made fun of, passed over for dances/prom, left out of shopping trips, judged, AND I AM TIRED OF IT! I am ready to be the Amy I have always wanted to be. So, I have decided to have weight loss surgery.

Weight loss surgery is my only ticket to a "normal" life. I have tried multiple diets (hell, I have even been hypnotized) and nothing works long term. I ALWAYS gain it back. I know there are some skeptics out there about WLS, but ya know what? I don't give a flyin' flip. I have researched this through and through and I know what is best for me. I have talked to people who have had surgery, and I see that sparkle in their eyes, and I can't help but want it. Maybe it is selfish for me to go cutting and messing with my body to alter my appearance, but its more than that. I need to alter my appearance so I can truly enjoy and prolong my life.

I have chosen to have the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure. It seems to be the best one for me. I have thought about the Lap Band as well. I know two people who have had WLS, one had Lap Band and the other had the VSG. I have talked to them both, and compared Pros & Cons, which led me to my choice. I have also discussed my options and chance of success with each surgery (Band, RNY, VSG, DS) which also helped me to decide.

As you can see, my blog will be mostly about my journey with WLS. Not to say I won't throw in some personal drama here and there!