Monday, April 30, 2012

Funny Monday

Yep, this was so me!  I'm so glad to be moving forward again!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

So It's Wednesday...


Hey there Cheerleaders!

So it’s been a while since I’ve done a weigh in post.

Given the fact that I’d not had much to talk about regarding my weight loss (primarily since there hadn’t been any) I just was discouraged and hadn’t posted.

Most of the problem stemmed from the fact that I had some major and when I say major I mean MAJOR water retention which caused me to gain quite a bit of weight that just would NOT come off.

For whatever reason, it finally started to come off and I’m happy to say I’ve come from a high of 265 (as of a week and a half ago) to 252 as of this morning!

So I am happy to say Cheerleaders that I AM a big fat loser! Lol

Thank God I’m able to post some good news.  It’s been a long time in coming.  Now I’m in a position to start back to working like I should on the program and my journey now that I know that my bladder is okay, my nerves have settled down.  I’ve already seen a slowing down of the free flow of the grazing that I was doing when I was a nervous wreck.  So I can say thankfully I didn’t gain a great deal back from that and now I can move forward.

I want to say thank you to you all for being here for me and all your well wishes.  It means so very much to both me and my family that you’ve been so very supportive.

Also, I’ve reached 50 Cheerleaders so I will be selecting one Cheerleader to receive a thank you box for all the support, once their name is drawn I’ll be in touch to let you know that your name has been drawn so that I can send out your package (It’ll contain a selection of items that have been reviewed since the start of this blog and a few other goodies) so that I can show you my appreciation.

Thank you again one and all!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Great News!

If you read the comments at all, The Wonder One let the cat out of the bag....bugger...

I got the call yesterday and the surgeon let me know that the red irritated areas on my bladder are just that, an irritation and I'll be following up with him in 6 to 8 weeks to see how I'm doing.

As for the flank pain....he doesn't believe it to be my kidneys.  Shit.

Back to square one.  Thankfully it's not a constant pain and since we know it's not my kidneys, I'll not worry it for now.

As for my journey, I know I've gained some weight so I go back to square one and start anew on my traditional weigh in day (tomorrow) and we just go from there.  I'm just thankful that I've not gained all I've lost so I'll not be starting from square one in that regard! lol

Who's with me?

Monday, April 23, 2012

A little workout tip...


Okay so for it to be effective I guess I really need to get out of the HOUSE and really walk around the block, dammit. lol

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Catching up...

Cheerleaders!

How have you been?

Well, I hope!  I wanted to take this time to let you know where I am on my journey and what's been going on with it.

Back at the beginning of April I made mention of having to have some exploratory surgery.  When I went in for the surgery I was under the impression that it was going to be to look at my left kidney to see why it was that I'd been having so much pain.  Well here's the scoop on what ended up happening...

They went into my bladder (you can figure it out, it's the only way to get there) and looked around with a small camera.  They then shot some dye up my ureters to see if there was any blockage. For those of you who are unfamiliar with anatomy, the ureters connect the kidneys to the bladder.  It's how the urine that is created by the kidneys gets to the bladder to later be voided.  Once the surgeon was able to determine that there was no blockage of the ureters he then went to look at the left kidney.  Nothing wrong there.  However while investigating the whole kit and kaboodle, what he did find was this...

The image on top is of a normal healthy bladder.  The image on the bottom is my bladder.  Not quite so normal, not quite so healthy.  Red and irritated is what it is.  Because of this the surgeon took something like 5 biopsies (you heard correctly) could've been 4, I was still under the effects of the drugs they gave me to knock me out so my recollection is a wee bit fuzzy.

Two days after the procedure they called me back to say "Come into the office in 15 days" well in my mind's way of working (it is a bit twisted but if you follow along, I'm sure you'll understand my reasoning) when they called me to come back in for an office visit that was over 2 weeks away, it was A.) reasonable to assume that the biopsies had been ran and 2.) they didn't show anything that was cause for alarm.  Given that two days prior I was told I'd had tissue samples removed for biopsy, that's just not something one expects to hear.  But the fears I'd had for two days were effectively null and void due to the length of time between the surgery and the follow up appointment.

That appointment was set on Thursday.  The Wonder One's grandma had unexpectedly passed away on the following day, Friday.  It was a complete and total shocker.  Something we were totally not expecting at all.  Granted she was 96 and had a long and wonderful life, but still, she was in good health.  Took very few medications and we were just not expecting it.  We were excited (as was she) to see her live to be 100.  The family is heartbroken by it all because she was an amazing woman.

So now here we are (depressed due to the loss of Grandma E) two weeks later after having the surgery and dealing with the bereavement and all I'm up to 257 a gain of 9 pounds, which to be honest, I'm surprised it wasn't more.  Actually I was up to 265 due to a TON of water retention, luckily my kindeys work VERY well! lol

I go to the surgeon's office yesterday morning to find out what the results of the biopsies were.  The Wonder One and I were sitting there, and sitting there AND sitting there....

Until finally the office staff and the surgeon come in to tell us that the biopsy samples had not been sent to the lab to be tested!!  I was taken aback!  I was utterly stunned and shocked.  While I understand that people make mistakes, I just cannot (even now 24 hours later) fathom how it is that this sort of a mistake can happen.  As I explained to my surgeon, when he told me that he took tissue samples to biopsy, his taking the samples in the first place concerned me.  But then my fears were dashed when I didn't have to come back into the office right away.  Figuring if the results were serious/critical that I'd be back in the office immediately.   Yet now after having to wait over two weeks to hear what the results are, I have to wait another 5 days (I'll be hearing something hopefully on Tuesday), all the comfort that I took from the time delay has been stripped from me.  I'm totally gutted and in utter despair.

So I've been doing some seriously nervous eating in earnest.  I don't mean to.  I just can't help myself.  I'm scared beyond words.  So thankfully the surgeon saw reason and prescribed me some Valium for my nerves.  Now if I can just keep the free flowing food out of my mouth for the next four days, I should be good.

Pray for me cheerleaders.  I need you more now than ever before.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Blasting in my ears right now...

Let's get moving shall we?


Need a cool down after that?.....Yeah, it's so not going to happen today, lol.


Monday, April 16, 2012

Random Funny Thought #54


Truly....it. Is.

Not to mention I don't really plan on staying fat, I just saw this and thought......"That's so me!"

Friday, April 13, 2012

Blasting in my ears right now...

Some songs you hear for the first time and because they force you to get up and move you love them instantly.  Yep, that's what happened with this song here...and the next one too, lol...




Monday, April 9, 2012

Funny Monday



I wonder how many points this would cost me....

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Getting to know me....may scare you (or at least small children)...

These are those pesky getting to know you questions that I got from another blogger whom I love and adore!

What was your favorite food when you were a child?  Spaghetti-O's with Meatballs

What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?  3 Doors Down - Citizen Soldier

What is one of your favorite quotes? Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth Muhammad Ali

What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity? 
Indoors? Mall Walking, Watching TV, Hanging out with family.
Outdoors?  Standing at the finish line cheering The Wonder One across it.

What chore do you absolutely hate doing?  The dishes

What is your favorite form of exercise?  Walking, Water Aerobics

What is your favorite time of day/day of the week/month of the year?  Favorite day is Monday (long story), best time of day is when I get off work, favorite time of year is probably Spring when everything comes into bloom.

What’s your least favorite mode of transportation?  Flying

What is your favorite body part?  Legs

What sound do you love? The sound of a child laughing is the best sound ever!

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If… Questions
Hypothetical questions help you learn more about another person’s personality, as well as their ideal state of the world.


If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what would it be for?  A garden tea party, warm summery day and it would be for no reason what-so-ever, just because I could!

If you could paint a picture of any scenery you’ve seen before, what would you paint?  The gardens at my Great-grandmother's house.  They were full of roses, all sorts of them and just absolutely gorgeous when in full bloom.

If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be? 29

If you knew the world was ending in 2012, what would you do differently?  Nothing.  Other than to make sure on a daily basis that I tell those I love and care about that I do.

If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?  The Frenchie.  She's got a way of thinking (sharp and quirky) with a wicked sense of humor that can't be beat.  The one thing I've tried to learn from her is patience and timing.  I rush in where angels fear to follow I'm afraid.

If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?  To see a woman voted into the office of the presidency of the United States of America.  I think it would be just as incredible as watching Obama being sworn in.  I have to agree with Robin Williams when he said "With a woman as President there would be no more wars......just really intense negotiations every 28 days!" lol

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?  To tap dance

If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what would it be?  This one. On me.

If you were immortal for a day, what would you do?  All the things I'm afraid to do.  Bungee jump, go on a cruise (it'd have to be a short one though) and skydive (although I'm not so afraid to try that one)

If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?  I'd keep it the way it is.  I don't think any other name suits me quite so well as the one I have currently.

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?  There are so many!  Florence Nightingale for starters, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, President Obama, My grandparents on my dad's side. This is assuming that The Wonder One would be with me, I'd want to meet his grandparent's (on his mom's side) so that way he and I would both have the chance to have met all of our grandparents.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?  Change my phone number to an unlisted number, hire a tax attorney, an accountant and THEN go claim my prize!

If you were reincarnated as an animal/drink/ice cream flavor, what would it be?  A cat / Diet Pepsi / Caramel Sea Salt Gelatto

If you could know the answer to any question, besides “What is the meaning of life?”, what would it be?  Why did my daughter have to die?

If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?  Wonder Woman of course! lol The invisible plane?  What girl wouldn't want to be her?

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Personal Questions
Asking personal questions gets right to the purpose of getting to know someone.


Which celebrity do you get mistaken for? *snorts with laughter*  None, however I get mistaken for everyfreakin'body else!

What do you want to be when you grow up?  1. A nurse 2. An actress 3. A teacher

When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Get on Facebook, check e-mail and skip over to Temptalia to see what she's reviewing lately.

What would you name the autobiography of your life?  If It Were Easy Everyone Would Buy One...

What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?  Go over to the right along the side and click on playlist, pretty much any of those songs would be excellent for background music to my life, as for a true sound track, I would have to say it's a toss up between Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill and Alison Moyet's Raindancing, both CD's are amazing and really speak to a lot of the turmoil that I've faced over the years.

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Personal History Questions
Questions involving people’s past help give you insight into their character and background by revealing memorable moments from the person’s life.


Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be for the best? My daughter dying.  When I see tragedies like Columbine, I can't bear the thought of my child dying like that.  At least with things the way they are, I don't have to worry.

What was one of the best parties you’ve ever been to? I remember getting there, I remember alcohol was involved, beyond that....

What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or tear up? I cry at commercials if that tells you anything, lol so it's hard to nail down a specific movie, tv show or book.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done? Buried my daughter.

What was the last experience that made you a stronger person? Killing a co-worker with kindness.

What did you do growing up that got you into trouble? Everything! Mostly it was climbing trees in my grandparents back yard.

When was the last time you had an amazing meal? Right now, The Wonder One made me waffles and turkey bacon.

What’s the best/worst gift you’ve ever given/received? Best? There are so many... Worst? There are so many...

What do you miss most about being a kid? That's easy...my dad.  All the good and bad.

What is your first memory of being really excited? I wish I could remember but unfortunately a lot of my childhood I don't remember due to repressed memories.

What was the first thing you bought with your own money? Oh hell if I can remember back that far =(

When was the last time you were nervous? Two co-workers were in a screaming match, I was concerned as to whether or not there would be enough room for the 2 other witnesses and myself under my desk so that we could hide....just in case....

What is something you learned in the last week? I've learned 7 new things in the last week, hitch is, I can't remember any of them!  Dammit...

What story does your family always tell about you?  To be honest, my family doesn't talk much, so I really can't say that there IS a story to tell...

At what age did you become an adult? Who says I am one now?  I'll punch them in the nose!  It's a lascivious lie I tell you!!

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Random Questions
Random questions can be a great way to add some quirkiness to introductions or a conversation.

Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate. It is, but I find silence to be golden.

Where’s Waldo?  Just north of Columbus actually.  Straight up 23, it's a small town but it's easy enough to find.  Never understood the big deal...

The best part of waking up is? Rolling over and going back to sleep.

How now brown cow? Gimme my chocolate milk you stingy wench!

Whasssssuuuupppppp? Really?  You're how old?

Friday, April 6, 2012

Blasting in my ears right now...

All kinds of songs keeping me company as I walk and some work me up (due to their lyrics) and propel me forward.  These next couple of songs are just that.  Hard hitting and make me move forward!


To cool down a bit after having gotten all worked up...


Monday, April 2, 2012

I know I got some 'splainin' to do....

Hi there Cheerleaders!


I realize it’s been far too long in letting you know what’s been going on in my journey.  For that I’m terribly sorry.  As it stands I’ve gained a few pounds, yet, that’s okay.  They’ll eventually go away.  

Let me explain my absence, which I think is what most people are curious about.  Due to some reoccurring pain and infections I’ve had since the beginning of the year, I’m going in for some exploratory surgery on my left kidney to find out why I’m having so much pain.  Then hopefully I’ll stop having so many flippin’ UTI’s.  

As well, I started a new job that’s been keeping me busy and worn out.  Not that the job itself is terribly active, however between this job and the one I already had…I work 12 days straight then I get 2 days off.  I’m pooped by the end of all of it.  So when I get home, one of the last things I think about is the blog.  However, I figure if I work it out far enough in advance, some of my regular features, I should be able to plan ahead enough for you.  Then just plug in my updates on Wednesday and the random rant here and there. 

Also, I’m proud to note that I went to my first Zumba class tonight.  I went with a co-worker who invited me and I have to say….”DAMN!!!” she. Is. Good.  Really good.  I’m sure I was an embarrassment to her.  I couldn’t quite follow along so well (at least I didn’t mow anyone down) and I fairly well kept up with everyone (which impressed the HELL outta me!) but I had to concede defeat after 35 minutes much to my chagrin.  Turns out it was a 40 minute class!  AND at her first class she lasted all of 10 minutes and on the floor in a pile of her own goo having an asthma attack.  So a flaming shoulder of pain after 35 minutes?  I’ll take it.  As well as her gym!! O.M.G.  It puts mine to shame.  So after the surgery tomorrow and it’s all good for me to get back to working out like I want, I’m going to go and see what I can do to get a gym membership there.  She (my friend) was telling me about hers so I at least have some leveraging chips to work with.  I’d much rather be able to walk in there and play hardball and walk away getting a hell of a deal then to not have tried.

Shy kid doesn’t get the cookie right?  Ohhh that was a bad pun wasn’t it?

Well Cheerleaders, that’s all for the time being, as soon as I know more about my left kidney you’ll know more.  I just hope I get some good drugs to come home on! ;-)

Diet Tip # 34


Now you know how to look thinner in jeans!