Another Week has passed

It is amazing how fast life moves when you are super busy.
This week has flown by and I have gotten NOTHING done that I wanted to do...and then I wonder why I always seem stressed. The good news is I've lost another 6 pounds, staying busy sure keeps me out of the kitchen LOL
Richard and I are truly blessed with the most wonderful people in our lives, they sure do make up for the loses we have sustained.
A friend from Florida made the effort to get up here just to make sure his buddy was okay. They worked together for many years and he just couldn't believe Rich was doing as well as we claimed. He couldn't stay long, but it was a joy to have him.
Our friends from down town came up and took down several tree's. I guess they got tired of hearing Rich whine about not being able to collect fire wood. The tree's were dead and HUGE, there is enough fire wood to share and keep many warm, not just us. Phil managed to convince Richard that his chain saw needed to be overhauled...Good work Phil...out of sight , out of mind.
One less thing I have to worry about him getting into to.
Rich has physical therapy at the house and a home nurse, so the house is busy every morning.
Pretty soon we will be able to go down to therapy at the hospital and I will be able to work out while waiting for him...I can't wait!!!
On the WLS topic I have to address how very important education is. Anyone who is thinking about taking this journey needs to be well informed. You need to look for a center of excellence in your area. You need to have a close Team working with you , it is so important that you see this as a life time commitment...because it is.
A friend of mine who had her WLS 5 years ago went to a local hospital with a perforated bowel.
Surgery was recommended and the doctor said "gastric by-pass is barbaric", he then said he may have to do a revision (yes it can be undone, not easily, but it can) Our team in Cooperstown got wind of all of this and Bob (our LEADER) was on the phone immediately...a lot transpired but the bottom line was that Lisa was moved from the small local hospital over to OUR center of excellence where she will be cared for by our TEAM who knows what they are doing. I think it is remarkable, that after 5 years Lisa is just as important as she was when she had her WLS first done. They care and as a WLS patient it gives me a tremendous amount of confidence in knowing they share our life time commitment...Hats off to all of them!!! Even though Lisa's condition is not connected to her RNY surgery, it is a miracle in today's day in age that another medical team is willing to share in responsibility of taking care of her. I can't say enough good things about our dedicated team of Nurses, doctors and surgeons..They are the best!!!

Is it Thursday Already?

Gosh time just keeps flying by huh? The kids will probably leave sometime tonight, it was a wonderful visit. As my Grandson gets older he is such a joy to have around, so helpful and just fun to have with me when doing my chores.
Robyn and I never even got a chance to play in my studio, we have been busy shopping to replace things we lost to the lightening strike. Everyone keeps telling me "if the insurance is paying, replace with the best"...I wish I was made like that because they are probably right and it's probably done all the time but I keep looking for bargains LOL I just want what I lost replaced and so far I've been lucky enough to replace stuff for less then I paid originally...Even the hot tub mother-board isn't costing what they had estimated. We are truly a blessed family.....

I just got a note from a friend who is looking into WLS and having a difficult time. This is not an easy decision, nor is it magical. Struggles continue, this is just a tool. However if you are committed to making it work, it works like a charm.There are many of us out there who have lost and maintained WL for many years. Statistics show that no other WL has the high rate of success that WLS has as far as maintaining WL. Perhaps it is because we have taken that drastic step and do not ever want to go back to where we were.
All I know is this surgery has opened my eyes to a whole new life. Most of it is glorious...a little has been heart breaking in the fact that I've lost some friends along the way. But I am very resilient and I've learned that life is a gift and we need to be grateful for what we have, not cry over what we have lost. I can not recall a time when I have been so happy with my life.
Rich came through his surgery like a champ, now all he wants to do is get out there and mow his grass...many acres of it...it's what makes him happy. The doctors and nurses are stunned by his recovery he keeps telling them I set a shining example...Holy smoke, my surgery was nothing as extreme as his...but I guess we both bounced back because we truly wanted to...we love the business that has become our life...There just aren't enough hours in the day...but what there are, are well used.
No, this surgery doesn't cure all of liefs ills, although in mine it certainly has cured a great deal. There will always be struggles and heartache, that's life...I think being thinner and healthier just helps us deal with liefs struggles with a better , more positive attitude.
My daughter is struggle with WL from a different perspective and she is doing well...It's a slow process but it is working for her and I admire her patience. Fast WL isn't for everyone, you have to be willing to put up with what comes with it, like sagging skin...lots of extra skin...for me, I'd rather have the skin then the fat...I needed to get rid of the weight ASAP to save my joints .
So if you are considering WLS, there is a great deal to take into consideration. It will change your life forever. I am always here to answer questions, it's why I became a WLS Mentor...it's not for everyone and if I can help you with your decision please just e-mail me.....
Rich and I have a great deal to be thankful for...We are in a place we love , we have children that not only support us but love us for who we are and we are surrounded by supportive and helpful friends...Could anyone ask for more?

Tuesday

Another busy day on the "Hill"--- switched to cable phone today, I've had enough of Frontier.
Guy came to install phone and tested the cable to my new TV (a year old) cable is fine so the lightening got that one as well...sheesh this is becoming an expensive proposition.
Therapy People came to evaluate the patient and took him for a walk to the Barn...he is doing GREAT!!!
Daughter was here bright and early with hubby and Grandson so the next few days I will have some help around here...Hooray!!!
I am looking forward to the meeting this evening..It always gives me an incentive to do even better. I truly believe that support groups help with any form of addiction, including that to food.
It helps to know you are not alone in your struggles.
I think studies show that people who attend support groups succeed far better then those who do not...I can see why. It is very easy to fall off the wagon and with no one to help you back on...you fall even more.
We are all in this battle together and sometimes I really need that reminder. Plus the fact I am able to help people by Mentoring and that also helps me.....
I know a lot of people who read this share my struggles and fight obesity by my side...so to you I say, continue support no matter how you get it i.e. meetings, on line groups , one on one.....
Good health and self esteem is worth fighting for....

A Happy Monday

Not only did we wake up to sunshine, but it is like a brisk fall day outside...I just love those days, don't you.
We were able to work the steri-strips off Richards surgical wound and boy does that look good...It's all healed and clean and looks like a thin little line,once the hair grows back you won't see it at all. He still can't believe how good he feel and told me if someone had told him two weeks ago he'd be up bouncing around the way he is, he would not have believed them.

Once again he thanked me for my positive thinking and support. Hmmm Could I have thought any other way? I am just happy that his first hospital experience (hopefully his last) was a very rewarding one. He is also an extremely strong person, he just doesn't realize it.

I looked back at my weekly journal...OMG!!! Talk about off track. I would have thought I was doing okay with food...Not so, much too many carbs in one day, not enough protein in another. I really have to practice what I preach and be more mindful of my eating. With some of the stress lightening up I think that will help my visits to the refrig. Right now it's loaded with good stuff, which wasn't the case last week, so my selections are limited to healthier things. That should help.
This is a daily struggle and even with surgery, not much has change as far as desire. The good thing is I can't stuff myself, but the head hunger can rear it's head at the worst of times. Not a day passes when I am not grateful for this surgery...with my diabetes gone , BP normal and blood work all normal I am so much better off then I was...But the eating issue is still there..That disease is still there just waiting for me to weaken. Surgery or no surgery, if you are trying to lose weight...be mindful of the food you chose. It ain't easy, but nothing good in life is.
Any day I wake to the green side of the grass is a good one. I am thankful for Richards progress and blessed with wonderful people in my life.

Thank You Jan

See , this is what I mean...Jan is someone who I have "known" for several years, but I have never had the pleasure of hugging her in person. She is someone who has always been supportive through the group we belong to and e-mails...There are many like Jan, many wonderful people who have supported me with kind words and sound advice. These people have no idea of how they have touched my heart or affected my life....They are truly a treasure that fills my heart.
This is something Jan sent to me in answer to a former post...It just tickled me.

As far as "friends" go, there was a dear man in our life many years ago before he left this world who always used to say: "Friends are like a melon, shall I tell you why? To find a good one, a dozen you must try :)"
Thanks Jan for reminding me that I am a very lucky lady to have sooooo many fine melons in my life....and thank you all for being among them.....

Oh the Lessons We Learn

It has been a few days....Strange few days. I realize that stress has been a very damaging part in my life.
Having recovered from the house being hit 3 X by lightening...losing 2 TV's a VCR, electric fence, my computer a printer, our hot tub and other assorted electrical things. I realize how easy material things are to replace...so why did I head for the refrig with each new "find" of damage?
Then I find out my brother was in an accident and his new car is badly damaged, this happening on the way home from trying to get on the transplant list in Albany Med. How is it that my brother has survived so much pain and disappointment in his life and continues to smile and have this seemingly "I don't give a crap" attitude. I head for the refrig.
Then a very dear friend...lots of years and history behind us (over 50 years) decides to purchase a house and suddenly his desire becomes my problem and all that is wrong becomes my fault...I am left shaking my head, wondering how people can see things from such a distorted perspective..mean while I head for the refrig.
Then I go to the mail box and find that a very large check that was given to me has bounced.. Is every one's life this full of stress or do I have a target on my back?
I have a kid that thinks he should be "Given" the world while his greedy little wife wants him as far away from family support as possible...Divide and conquer works for her....( not the son who has been my rock over the past few weeks, but the one who never called to see if his father was dead or alive).
Oh I could continue to list the things that have sent me to the cabinet for cookies...but I know in my heart my story is not unique.
I am not alone in my continued faith in people only to be used and abused again and again...Will I ever change...? I doubt it, because there are good people, wonderful people who make up for the ugly ones. In my case the GOOD has always out weighed the bad.
I heard the Peacocks having a fit yesterday. When I went up there, Diana was off her eggs and trying to get out of the cage to be with her friends...I stood there looking at her, this adorable bird who has sat for months in the hopes that one of her eggs would hatch and when one did the others killed it. Once in a cage she continued to sit with no result. Now it was time to move on, her hope is over for this season and life goes on. It brought to mind something I read...that studies done on people over 100 years old showed that the secret to longevity had nothing to do with background, geography or diet...but something all of them had in common and that was a sense of humor and a total acceptance of loss.
Suddenly life is good again and I keep that lesson alive in my brain so I can walk away from the "oral gratification" that has hurt me all my life.
For every rotten apple, there has been bushels of joy that has filled my life....I can walk away from the unhatched eggs of my life, knowing I gave it my best and there will be another season.
It's amazing the lessons that can be learned by observing nature at it's best.
Rich gets stronger and healthier each day, we are surrounded by loving caring friends and children, grand children that love us...There is too much in life that has "hatched" to be concerned about the unhatched waste in life. Stress seems to come from the inability to see the joy it sometimes over shadows, but the refrig holds no answer or cure.....

Friendship

Someone once said to me "when the chips are down, that's when you find out who your friends REALLY are"....I've been thinking about that a lot lately...questioning my own dedication to my friends...Have I been there for them when necessary? Have I taken time to tell them how special they are? Have I been able to lend comfort and support the way I would want it in return? I try to be the best friend I possibly can. Someone once accused me of wanting"everyone to LIKE me", which is far from the truth...I learned long ago that you can't please all of the people all of the time...For everyone who likes me and enjoys my company, there will be two who don't.....I treasure the one I call friend .While I don't expect "everyone to like me" I do appreciate the fact that someone noticed how hard I try to please people...That's just who I am.
This past year has been tough in a strange sort of way...My surgery, Richards surgery and tough times in between...times when we really needed our friends....Funny, some we thought we could really count on, weren't there at all, while some we hardly knew were steadfast in their support and kindness....
When I first started this Journey I was warned to expect jealousy, but I took it with a grain of salt. I've had friends lose weight and look great and I have been so proud of their accomplishments I just couldn't imagine a "friend" not feeling the same way toward me.
As it turns out there are several people I regarded as dear friends who have distanced themselves from me since I've had my surgery. Since I've done nothing to them personally I can only assume it is my weight loss that, for some reason, bothers them. Isn't that a pity...more of a pity is the fact that I never ever saw any of my friends as being that shallow. While it leaves me with a heavy heart I have to be comforted by the fact that so many people have supported me..That friends I KNEW would be there for me WERE there for me and I have to let go of the heartache and disappointment I feel towards others who have let me down. Such is life....
Perhaps I put too much effort into my friendships, I see it as an extended family I have chosen (as opposed to being stuck with) so when a member of that family hurts me, it breaks my heart. How silly is that?
The fact is I am over 100pounds lighter and extremely happy and proud of my accomplishment. My husband just went through open heart surgery and came out of the hospital with minimal pain, no bruises and a new lease on life. My son Ron was by my side through the entire ordeal, while his wife and my granddaughter kept the home fires burning. My daughter kept check and worried from a distance...but she was there. Friends, REAL friends, prayed and supported us through out this ordeal as well as other difficult events in our lives...The outpouring of concern was overwhelming at times.....For all of this I am truly grateful....Those of you who have offered help and support are a blessing in our lives and I hope you all know how much you truly mean to both Rich and I.....Our caring children and our friends complete us and we are blessed.