4 Weeks and Closing

My visit with my Surgeon went ok other than I found out I now have to have a filter put in my neck 3 days before surgery. It's a precaution in case I should throw a blood clot in my legs after surgery.

The filter is a small catheter with a catch mechanism on the end that is inserted in my neck through my jugular vein. The will be fed down past my heart and lungs. It will then be a barrier if a blood clot shows up. If it starts to travel it will prevent it from getting to my heart or lungs which of course wouldn't be good.

Needless to say I'm nervous about it. But, the Doc said it will come out a month after surgery .. when I am out of the danger zone time period. I guess it's better than taking a chance with a clot. Just another thing to worry about I suppose.

Speaking of things to worry about, yesterday I had a visit with an Endocrinologist. After examining me he was concerned about my Thyroid ... or whats left of it. I had the left lobe removed 10 years ago and he said it's acting strange when I swallow. So, guess what ... more testing *sigh*

I have to go Monday for an ultra sound of the remaining Thyroid. Again, this is precautionary. Given my family history of Thyroid cancer he wants me to be checked. My Mom died from Thyroid cancer and my Grandmother had Thyroid issues all her life. My Mom's sister and her daughter suffer from issues. My cousin has sever Hyper Thyroidism. She is thin as a rail and looks like she will break in half any day now. My left lobe was removed due to two large growths which ended up being benign thank God. So now I have to worry if I am having issues again or if its just acting weird because there is only a portion left. I'll know after Monday.

As of today it's 4 weeks until my surgery. Time is flying and I'm so nervous and excited all at the same time.

I have a couple more preliminary Doc appts before the surgery and my weekly checkup and that's it.

Before you know it I will be on the way to my new life.

My Day of pre-surgery testing is over .. Finally

What an ordeal. I was up, showered, dressed and out of the house by 7am and on my hour long journey to the hospital. Luckily my sister went with me. I don't know how I would have handled it had she not been with me. I really needed the moral support and the physical help. The hospital is so massive I needed a wheelchair to get from appt. to appt. she did all the driving.

The first order of business what a chest x-ray. That was the easy part. I then had an ultra sound of my Gall Bladder, Kidneys and Liver. Then it was on to an Upper GI series to make sure my swallowing and digestive tract was in good order. That was all fairly easy. But then it was the one I was dreading. The Blood Gases.

Until you have had a 3 inch needle inserted into your wrist to find your artery I can't fully explain and describe the excruciating pain this causes. After the poor techs 3rd attempt I was in tears and shaking. I did forewarn her I was not an easy stick. I had one of these about 6 years ago and it was just as unpleasant then. A specialist was called to get the goods. So sure as anything a specialist had to be called again. He was very sweet and made a joke that the tech did a nice job getting the first patient of the day crying. I was hyperventilating a bit because not only was I dealing with the pain but the anxiety of having to be stuck in the wrist again. He decided to go into my upper arm to find an artery. Veins are all over the place .. Arteries aren't so easy to find. He was able to get the needle in the right spot the first time thank goodness. After that episode I imagine surgery will be a breeze!

I got to tour the Wellness Center which offers pool therapy and a gym for after surgery. The pool looks amazing. I really am looking forward to being able to get in it's deep heated goodness.

I had a visit with the Nutritionist who gave me the run down on what I can have the first week after surgery and then what will happen for a month after that.

Clear liquids then Pureed food for a month. No ifs, ands or buts. After that I will gradually increase items into my diet and see how my system handles them. It's a little scary but I am still very positive feeling.

I am also pretty excited because I can now get into a pair of jeans I haven't been able to wear for over 3 years. I just about cried I was so happy. With in the next two weeks I expect to break the 50lbs lost mark. I feel so good about things and my body is already starting to feel better. I can't wait to see how I will feel when I have lost a substantial amount.

I have to go meet with my Surgeon tomorrow and get more shakes so I will have a new total after that visit. I'll report back with the results.

I made it through the holidays!

I stuck to my guns and didn't over indulge. I managed to lose 5 more pounds surrounded by goodies of every sort. So I am pretty proud of myself right now. This brings my grand total to 40 pounds gone forever just like 2008.

I had my first EKG today and I passed with flying colors. I have a good strong heart and was granted his approval for surgery. Only 2 more to go and February is coming up quick! I'm so nervous and excited all at the same time I can hardly stand it.

I made myself a treat tonight ... I don't usually spend much on groceries but I treated to myself to some portabellas and shrimp. It was so good and I savored every morsel. I think I deserve it since I did so well during one of the worst binging time of the year.

I was told I am actually a bit ahead of schedule of what the center thought I would have lost by now ... so everyone is really happy all the way around.

Here I come 2009 ..... so long 2008!