It's MY ANNIVERSARY!!!!

WoooHoooo One year ago today I took a step that would change my life forever. It is a step I have NEVER regretted taking and would do it again in a heart beat.
In the past 2 months I've had to walk the halls of hospitals and parking lots, I've had to do my chores as well as Richards, I've had to prepare for the upcoming winter , which has promised to be a cold and snowy one. I've canned and frozen bushels of beets, carrots, potatoes, string beans,corn and squash.....Last year I could have done NONE of this.
This week-end I walked through stores with my granddaughter and Daughter-in-law, went out to lunch and visited the harvest festival. Last year, even getting in the car was an ordeal, much less walking around.
My diabetes is GONE, as is my High BP and terrible joint pain. I am sure I will get new knee's somewhere down the road. Arthritis doesn't just go away because of bariatric surgery. But the pain is so bearable in comparison, that I'm sure it will be a while and who knows what technology will be like when my time comes.
My world is a brighter place, a happier place. I recently got a piece of e-mail and the person wanted to know what my "secret" was. How could I be so happy all the time...? I must have had a great life. That made me smile...we all wear a mask...and it was nice to know mine works so well.
I did not have a GREAT life. I had a painful and abusive childhood, I was the victim of not one but 3 violent crimes. I've suffered loss of people I've loved and friends I've cared about. Death, tragedy, pain and even murder has invaded my life and left it's scars. You will never hear me blame any of it for my disease of obesity., I have little tolerance for people who use their lives as an "excuse" for what they did to themselves. Sure I have issues, but they are my issues, not the fault of my parents, brother, children or friends. Sure I've been hurt and I will be hurt many times before I die. I can wallow in self pity, or I can pick myself up, brush myself off and move on. It's what I chose to do. Every day of my life, no matter what the prayer or who it's for, there is one line of a prayer I say just for me "let me change the things I can, accept the things I cannot change and give me the wisdom to know the difference"...There is a great deal of sorrow and pain behind my perpetual smile, but a frown would not make it any less, nor would heaping it on someone else's plate. We all believe our problems are the very worst, our struggles, our ailments. or loss and sorrows are far more then the next guys. Perhaps if I have ANY secret to happiness, that's what it is. I KNOW there is far worse out there then I have had to endure and when I start to think about a pity party...I think again and count my blessings.
Not only did this surgery change my body, it also changed the way I see life and the people in it.
I still do not see a thinner person in the mirror, I struggle with that. But I do like the person I see looking back at me. I have told my Starfish story many times (it is written in this blog) I have indeed made a difference in some lives...some remember, some forget...but I know and that's all that matters. This has been an incredible year for me and I look forward to what lies ahead. I don't intend to stop. I am not where I had hoped to be as far as weight, but I'm happy because I am FAR away from where I was. Life in general is tough...how you deal with it can make it hard or easy... I chose to have it easy and happy because it beats the alternative...
Thanks to all who have encouraged and supported me throughout this Journey, I couldn't have done it without you.....

Fall is most beautiful

Has it been that long? Gosh the time just flies, doesn't it. I have been so caught up in life that I guess the days passing tend to get away from me.
My canning is complete for this year. Didn't do as much as I would have liked, but doing Richards chores, plus my own, plus running with Matt...It just didn't leave me as much time as I would have liked.
Pickles are done and soooo good, beets are done, squash and peaches are in freezer , right along with 60 ear of corn.
Rich is doing better then fabulous, he is now in Cardiac rehab and I go along with him to use the gym. I not only surprised myself but people there remember me from last year when I was in therapy for my legs. No one can believe the difference and I was delighted that I could do so much the first day....With out being winded or fatigued I might add.

My brother got a clean report yesterday. he has been trying to get back on the transplant list...talk about jumping threw hoops..I thought WLS was bad. that poor guy is at the end of his rope. We are hoping he won't need a catherization, since his Stress Test was good and the doc sees no purpose to a risky test. The transplant team requires it but we are hoping they will take Dr. Ryders recommendation...if not Matt will have to have that as well.

I have been busy try to set up a business with Marilynn, between making things and working the web site...sheesh how many hours in a day? My way of relaxing has become Farmtown on Face book..it is so darned addictive...but it does allow me to shut down for a while.....
Today is a beautiful fall day and the tree's are absolutely gorgeous. I wouldn't leave this place for all the money in the world...It's like paradise on earth...and right now it's wearing the most beautiful quilt of color you can imagine.......
Ron is here for his BD and it's nice having him around....Time to make that growing boy some breakfast...LOL...Wishing everyone a wonderful day!!!

Winter

And it's winter before we know it....

You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all...
And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams... But, here it is..the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise... How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my babies go? And where did my youth go? I remember well.. seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like... But, here it is...my friends are retired and really getting gray...they move slower and I see an older person now. Lots are in better shape than me... but, I see the great change... Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant... but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore...it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will...I just fall asleep where I sit! And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over...its over....Yes , I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done ,,,,,things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime....So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!!Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!

The Rat Race continues....

Life's pace just seems to be picking up as days go by. I spent all day yesterday with Matt at the cardiologist. He is schedules for a chemical stress test next Friday and then a follow up the following Friday to see if he needs an angioplasty all this is being done for him to hopefully get back on the transplant list. My concerns grow because he has a lot against him this time around. Lots of scar tissue, heart disease, and complication from a lot of transfusions.
To look at him you would never know he had a problem..bless his heart, not one gray hair and no wrinkles.
Rich continues to improve but the house is still busy with visiting professionals. It means herding the dogs (I don't want them to jump) and having things prepared for them to do what they do...just another thing added to the day. Still have chores to do and now it's canning season. I'll be happy I did it comes winter, but right now it;s just one more "chore"..I'd like to be in my sewing room finishing up my QOV and some projects that have been put on hold, not to mention Butterflies to make.
I haven't even gotten to the hospital to see my friend Lisa, but I have talked to her on the phone and she is doing great. Thank God for our dedicated team....

There just aren't enough hours in the day.... But on a happy note; I would not have been able to keep up this pace a year ago. No way!!! My weight caused a complete lack of energy, plus the pain in my knees was consuming me. I was lucky to do the simple task in life...getting out of bed, getting dressed..walking 3 feet...The fact that I am now standing on those same knees for 8 to 10 hours a day amazes me. the fact that I can clean out stalls, bend, lift and walk with no pain is a blessing. I owe it all to extreme weight loss...Not that 20 pounds is any easier to loss...but being able to shed over 100 pounds in less then a year was so necessary for my health and well being.
It may not be an answer for everyone, but it was the answer to a prayer for me...

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....