Darth Vader, the Hunger Games & Popeye

The past six days have been a whirlwind!!  I have been so busy that I have started a couple of different posts and never finished them.  Unfortunately, the iPad app for Blogger does not save drafts of your posts... ugh.  I learned that the hard way!!

Since Friday, I have had a Sleep Study, been on a Liver Reduction Diet, met with Dr. Bruce to receive my Sleep Study results, got a CPAP machine, prepped for a colonoscopy and had that procedure done today.  On top of that, I went home Sunday to go to church and see my family.  Oh and I'm still working like crazy!!

Friday was tough, as I posted in And We Have a Date....  Since thin then, I have renewed myself and feel much better about things.

Friday night, I went in for my sleep study.  The sleep center is at my doctor's office in Cary.  So I drove out there around 8pm and sat and waited for them to get started.  I watched "Where the Heart Is" on TV in the room until they came in to start attaching and gluing things to my head, forehead, chin, under my chin, behind my ears, collarbone, and on my left leg.  Ugh.  This is the part I hate.  For some reason, they insist on using a ball point pin to mark your head and where these things should be glued... I'm going to strongly suggest a Sharpie.  They have to wiggle it around several times to make it write on your scalp... and if you are prone to migraines, guess what?  You're gonna get one.

The guy plugged me up and I tried on several different masks to sleep with during the night.  The mask... oh the mask.  Well, it's pushing oxygen into your nose... and that oxygen will flow right through your throat and out your mouth if you don't keep your mouth shut.  This was difficult for me to get used to.  So once I got over the new Darth Vader sound coming from my nose/mouth, I finally fell asleep.  I woke up once during the night and had to tell myself that it would go by a lot faster if I would just go back to sleep!!

They woke me up at 5am, unplugged me a LOT faster than they plugged me up and sent me on my way.  I slept most of the morning Saturday and then that afternoon started doing more research on my post-op diet.

Sunday, I drove to my hometown and went to church with my sister.  Then we all went to my dad's house for lunch.  That was interesting since he's a GREAT cook and I could only have 3-4 oz of protein and 1 cup of greens.  So I had some pork, green beans and broccoli.  To offset the little amount I was eating, I had a protein shake.  Now, mind you, at this time I was following the Liver Reduction Diet to the exact amounts that I had been given.

Sunday afternoon, I was getting a headache and was starting to get really hungry.  I drank my last protein shake around 5:00.  I went to our Christmas Cantata at church (which was awesome) and then went to a fellowship after that.  We Baptists love to "fellowship", which really means, we love to gab and eat.  :)  Well, I did some gabbing and no eating.  Being around that yummy food was very difficult for me.  I started feeling like I was starving and was not allowed to touch the food.

Enter the Hunger Games.  On the way home that night, I was very nauseous and dizzy and basically very hungry.  My dad had given me some pork to take home, so I started munching on that on the way home.  It was that or I was going to have to go out and hunt down some protein.  I was not in a good place.  But I kept reminding myself that it was for a short period of time and I can do this.  I started to think more about Katniss Everdeen and how she must have felt in the early days of not having food; drinking broth and begging for burned bread...

Sorry, I slipped into the world of fiction there...
Monday, I called my nutritionist and asked what I could do to help the hunger.  He was very understanding and said that I could have more protein (I do have a protein deficiency for cryin' out loud!) and I can also add skim milk to the protein shakes instead of water.  WHEW!!!  That makes it so much better!!!

Yesterday, I went in for my sleep study results and met with the supplier to get my CPAP.  I got a nice one, all covered by insurance (yay!).  Tonight will be my first night sleeping with it.  Paris is going to have a rough night, I think.  Dr. Bruce gave me the sleep study results and basically I stop/slow breathing at least 55 times in an hour, which means I am never reaching full REM sleep.  No wonder I'm always so tired!

The guy that fitted me with my new mask, James, was just fabulous.  He was the happiest fellow.  He told me all the tricks and showed me how to work the gadget.  He even found a much better mask than they had brought me to try on and I ended up picking that one.  I enjoyed my visit with him.

Once I got home yesterday afternoon, I started prepping for the colonoscopy today.  Funny enough, spell check does not like "colonoscopy" and wants to replace it with "endoscopy".  I mean, it technically is an endoscopy, just a lower end-oscopy.  :)

The prep did not go so well... I started hurting pretty bad and started vomiting.  Not sure how much of the prep liquid I actually got down... I had to get up at 3:30 this morning and finish it.  I say "get up"... I was technically in the chair still.  I never went upstairs last night.  Paris and I laid in the chair until the urge hit and I was in the bathroom the rest of the morning.

The endoscopy went well.  There were no pollops and I got some nice drugs.  When I came to, my sister was there and I had a blood pressure cuff on my forearm.  It started filling up and I felt like Popeye would look... so I started singing "I'm Popeye the sailor man... toot toot... I live in a garbage can... toot toot."  She was quite embarrassed.  My day was complete.

My sister brought me home, I cleaned out my pantry and sent most of what was still good with her.  I have started nesting... I have been cleaning, disinfecting, etc.  I swear, if I had the money, I would hire a crew to come in and disinfect this whole house.  I just hate cleaning.  Maybe I'll feel differently about that once I start losing some weight and have more energy.

Dr. Bruce did comment on how much perkier I looked yesterday.  He said I had drastically improved.  Of course, that has a lot to do with the B12 shots and the other vitamins I am taking.

Although, I am also very excited.  I have a lot going on, but I am managing.  I am planning to go to my sister's this weekend to stay through Christmas.  At least, I hope so anyway.  My niece has been sick, so I am hoping I don't have to wear a mask through Christmas.

I'll be back home the morning of the 26th.  I have to be at the hospital at 2:35 and surgery is at 4:35.  It will probably later in the evening before I am out of surgery and recovery.  Not sure yet how long the stay will be, but no more than 3 days is what I've been told.

Thanks again for the support and prayers of all of my family and friends.  I will hopefully be posting after I get home and situated.

Until then, I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!  Think of me while you're eating on Christmas day... I'll be drinking my protein shakes!!  YUM!!

Kell

More Information

A lot of folks have asked what I can have after surgery and if they can bring me anything.  Here is information on what I can have up to 4 weeks after surgery. (I have marked through the flavors that I do not currently like... but tastes can change after surgery.)

Clear liquids for hydration (Weeks 1-3 after surgery)
Goal = 64oz. per day

• Decaf coffee or tea (Splenda, Equal, Truvia, and Stevia are allowed)
• Clear diluted 100% fruit juice (1/2 juice, 1/2 water) Apple, Grape, Cranberry
• Sugar-free gelatin
• Sugar-free Popsicles
• Chicken, beef, or vegetable broth
• Water
• Sugar-free non-carbonated beverages such as Crystal Light, sugar-free Kool-Aid, or lemonade
• Electrolyte and nutrient enhanced water such as Propel or G2

Clear liquid protein supplements (Weeks 1-3 after surgery)
Goal = 60-80 grams per day

Product	Flavors
Nectar Protein Powder	Fuzzy Navel, Lemonade, Caribbean Cooler
Nectar Protein Powder	Unflavored (can be added to broth)
Decaffeinated team	Peach, Raspberry
Health Wise high protein fruit drink (bottle)	Kiwi-strawberry, Wild Berry, Pineapple-orange, Lemon Razzy, Grapefruit, Strawberry banana
Health Wise High Protein             fruit drink (packets)	Lemonade, Grapefruit, Grape, Wild Berry, Orange, Cran-Grape
Cytomax	Tangerine, Tropical, Watermelon
Health Wise Bouillon	Chicken
Isopure Liquid	Alpine Punch, Orange, Grape, Blue Raspberry, Passion Fruit, Pineapple Banana, Mango Peach, Apple Melon
New Whey 42	Grape, Acai Berry, Fruit Punch, Orange, Watermelon
Health Wise Sugar-Free Protein Jello	Strawberry-banana, Cherry, Raspberry

*Choose a liquid protein supplement with 20gm or less of carbohydrates and 10gm or less of sugar.
**Choose a liquid protein supplement with at least 10gm of protein in an 8-12oz serving.

Full Liquids - Week Two (Week 2-3 after surgery)
Goal = 60-80 grams per day

• All liquids from Week One Clear Liquid Diet
• Flavored or Unflavored milk & dairy should be low-fat (skim or 1%)
• Lactaid and lactose free dairy (if lactose intolerant)
• Low sugar soymilk, rice milk and nut milks
• Strained broth and low-fat strained cream soups
• Milk or Soy based protein shakes/supplements
• Yogurt smoothies made with low-fat or greek yogurt

Full Liquid Protein Supplements (Weeks 2-3 after surgery)
Goal = 60-80 grams per day

Product	Flavors
100% Pro Whey Standard	Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Banana, Cookies & Cream
ChocoRite	Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Vanilla, Strawberry, Banana, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Cappuccino
Matrix 2.0	Orange cream, Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies & Cream
Met Rx Meal Replacement	Vanilla, Chocolate Truffle, Fuzzy Navel, Lemonade, Caribbean Cooler
Nectar Protein Powder	Cappuccino, Chocolate Truffle, Fuzzy Navel, Lemonade, Caribbean Cooler
Optifast H.P.	Vanilla, Chocolate
Nectar Medical Protein Powder	Unflavored
Health Wise High Protein Hot Chocolate	Mocha, Regular, Raspberry, Cinnamon, Mint, Vanilla, Cappuccino, Amaretto Cappuccino, Irish Cream
Health Wise High Protein Fruit Drink	Chocolate drink, Kiwi-Strawberry, Wild Berry, Pineapple-Orange, Lemon Razzy, Grapefruit, Orange-sicle
Bariatric Advantage Meal Replacement	Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla, Orange Cream
Met Rx RTD 51	Chocolate, Vanilla
Pure Protein (RTD)	Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Banana cream, Cookies and Cream, Peanut Butter
Oh Yeah	Chocolate, Cookies and Cream, Vanilla
Chike Protein Powder	Vanilla, Chocolate, Banana, Strawberry

Semi-Solids and Full Liquids
Week 3 begin adding Semi-Solid foods (those that would normally be eaten with a spoon)
Goal = 60-80 grams per day

• Strained soups, broth, and low-fat cream based soups
• Lite/Low-fat strained yogurt or Greek yogurt
• Protein fortified strained hot cereals like cream of wheat or cream of rice (avoid oatmeal)
• Low-fat cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
• Protein fortified cooked and mashed or pureed potatoes and no-gas forming veggies like carrots, squash, green beans, or peas.
• Thinned low fat, fat free or vegetarian refried beans
• Sugar free and low fat or fat free pudding

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements (Must be chewable or liquid)

Multivitamin	Calcium	B12	B-Complex	Iron
Fusion 4-daily	500mg daily	1000mcg daily	1-daily	18-27mg daily
Bariatric Advantage 2-daily

I know this is a LOT of information, but it's really helpful for me to type it out.  I've got a lot of work to do in the next week & 1/2.  :)

And We Have A Date...

December 26th!  The date I wanted... the date my life will change...

But first things first.
I have to say I'm a little bothered by the way things went down yesterday at the doc's office.  Maybe it was just me and my state of mind... maybe it was just that it was Friday and everyone was trying to get out early... maybe it was because it was lunch time and hungry people can be in a hurry... Whatever the case may be, I was pulling in the parking lot one minute and what felt like 10 mins later, I was standing outside by my car, bewildered, protein powder in hand, wondering "what just happened?".

I originally had an appointment with Dr. Bruce as a follow up to the last appt. when he discovered the protein difficiency... and the issues with my gut.  I was instructed to get the pill from Whole Foods, Digest, which I did and have noticed that it has much improved my digestion and pain (when I remember to take it).

Thursday, I received an email from the Insurance Coordinator at the office stating the insurance company had approved everything and that I would need to schedule an appointment.  I responded and told her I had an appointment scheduled already for Friday.  She responded and said Dr. Bruce would talk with me about the surgery and we would schedule a date. 

I arrive, everyone is happy to congratulate me that I got approval and I was going to get a date.  Yay! Right?  The next 30-45 minutes were a blur of confusion, not only on my part, but theirs as well.  So the nurse comes in and says "are we doing a results visit today?"  "What is that?"  "Dr. Bruce will go over all of your test results and a group of us will talk with you about the surgery."  "Oh, well, sure, I guess."  She walks out to verify that is what we are doing with the Insurance Coordinator, comes back and begins the schpill without the group. 

Next, Dr. Bruce comes in, decked out for Christmas.... a great Christmas sweater (over his scrubs) and a Santa hat on.  He makes me laugh.  He goes through the follow up items and then looks at all of my records to make sure we have everything we need.  I mentioned I was having a sleep study last night, so he mentioned coming in next week for a "Sleep Clinic".  Okie dokie.  

Then he asks if I'm having my B12 shot today.  Ahm, well... I dunno.  The prescription said once monthly.  He said it should be weekly for the first 4 then monthly after that.  Ok.  So the PA comes in and gives me a shot (this time in the arm, not the buttocks). 

Then they take me to see the surgery scheduler.  I sit down, she starts asking me "are you having a group results visit?"  "I don't know... I just had a results visit with Dr. Bruce I thought." "No, usually we meet in a group and spend about an hour with you... but that ain't happenin today."  Then she starts getting frustrated because the proper protocol wasn't followed.  Meanwhile, I'm wondering "should I be concerned?".  So then she hands me a packet of paper and begins her memorized speech.  I'm flipping through this packet and she says "stop me if you have any questions".  I'm thinking to myself "I can't get a word in...".  So I actually get the nerve to ask a few questions... at which time I was told to ask someone else.  O...k....

So in the packet was information about a diet plan that I should be on at least 2 weeks prior (yep, I'm less than 2 weeks before surgery).  I was instructed to go downstairs to the nutrition center to get the protein powder I need for the "Liver Reduction Diet".  So I finish up with the Scheduler and walk to check-out.  That seemed to take forever, since we went ahead and scheduled all of my follow up appointments for the next year. 

Then I go downstairs to the nutrition shop.  I walked in and asked about the Liver Reduction Diet.  The girl asked me if I had a form.  Nope.  So I showed her the packet of information, told her when I'm having surgery and she pointed me to the wall of protein powders.  I got kind of excited because I thought I could chose between flavors like cappuccino or mint chocolate chip... nope.  Only 4 approved flavors for this particular diet.  Orange creme (eh), Banana (gag), Vanilla (plain), Chocolate(sometimes it can taste bad).  I went for the Chocolate... she tells me I need two bags (btw, they are $55 each).  She said I could come back and get another bag later... since I'll be in the office next week (multiple times), I'll just pick one up then.

So back to the parking lot... tears welling up in my eyes... "what just happened?"

I called my sister... just let all of my anxieties pour through the phone and talked it out (and cried a lot).  Then I let a few people know about the date and started getting more excited. 

Let me make this clear...  I am not at all worried about the surgery, the hospital, the pain, none of that.  I am worried I will fail.  I am worried I don't have all of the information I need to make myself successful.  Now, we all know that isn't necessarily true.  I've been researching this thing to the point of exhaustion.  I have prayed about it and talked it out and I know I am ready for it.  But that evil little voice was talking in my ear and telling me things to make me weak.  To make me second guess the strength and confidence I know I already have.  He tends to speak more clearly when there is confusion and frustration.  And he speaks loudly when I am alone.  My job is to ignore it and listen to the Voice that is going to walk me through all of this. 

So between my sister and my sweet friend, Wheela, I have been tasked with writing down my questions and concerns so that I can contact someone at the doc's office Monday and feel better about things.  It's not about questioning the surgery.  It's about setting myself up for success.  Getting things together that will make it easy for me to be strong and make the right choices after the surgery, rather than having confusion and trying to find those things after the surgery, which will be worse.  Being unprepared and uninformed is what makes us fail.  Doubt is Satan's best friend.  Doubt is when we are most vulnerable. 

So with the support of many, the knowledge that I have already gained, and the One guiding me down the path he made for me, I will continue to research.  And I will continue to ask questions.  And I will continue to be confident and strong.  I can do this.  I will do this.

Beyond Ready

I am so ready to get this done!! I feel like it's a constant "hurry up!" "Wait" situation.

Now my doc's office has all the records they need and they have sent everything to the insurance company. The turnaround time is 48 hours and Dr. Bruce still has some openings in December!! Yay!! Lets get this show on the road!!

Until then, I have cut out all soft drinks, drinking mostly water and vitamin water (lemonade is my favorite) and Crystal Light (Natural Cherry Pomegranate). Starting to switch over to decaf coffee & tea.

I have been taking walking breaks at work, sometimes alone and sometimes with friends. Everyone at work is very supportive and cheering me on! It's nice to hear positive feedback and have the support of family and friends. Negative comments are not wanted and basically ignored, so if you have something negative to say, save your breath and don't say anything.

For those of you cheering me on, it is appreciated more than I can ever express!!

Will keep you posted on a surgery date!

Here are some frequently asked questions:

What's the hospital stay like? I will be at Rex for surgery and one-two days after. It depends on when I eat (drink liquid diet) and how the pain level is.

What is the recovery time after surgery? I will be up and mobile when I leave the hospital. I will be able to climb stairs and will be staying at home in my comfy bed/recliner. I will be home for 3-4 weeks. The majority of time spent at home is to get used to the new diet and forcing myself to eat (as I will NOT be hungry).

What is the diet? For the first several weeks it will be a straight liquid diet. Lots of protein shakes, broth, jello & Popsicles. Week 4 begins the "purée diet". Anything that can be puréed to a baby food-like consistency can be eaten. Protein first, then other necessary nutrients. And if course the most important part is the vitamin supplements. I will be taking those for the rest of my life. Better than taking blood pressure meds though!!

I will be able to exercise (mild exercise until released by doctor). I plan to start training immediately and will be signing up for my first 5k. There is also a fitness challenge at work that I will be participating in.

So this week I have realized I must have a pinched nerve. I woke up this morning with a nice muscle spasm in my shoulder blade (angel wing). I am getting a massage at noon... Dan the Man with the Amazing Magic Hands. It is much needed and my doctors office suggested it!

For now,
Kell

A New Day

Woke up feeling much better this morning.  I slept well last night (thanks to the muscle relaxant...) and have started back at the craft table again.  There may be some handmade gifts yet!!

Crafting, painting, melting, gluing... they are all so therapeutic for me... I can't imagine not being able to do it.  Seriously thinking of getting myself a project table for the guest room/office/craft room.  Problem is, I loving being downstairs with all the natural light and space.  Today, I'm watching Christmas movies as I craft.  It's nice to be around my Christmas tree and decorations.  Every now and then, my craft area spills over into the kitchen or the living area... but that's life with a craftista!

So this post is short, but definitely worth posting!!

Here are some items I have made recently:

Clear Spoonflower Brooch (with burned effect)

Spoonflower Brooches

Teal and Navy Spoonflower Brooch

Hand painted scarf for my Wheela's Birthday :)

Wheela & her man on Thanksgiving, sporting the scarf

Dr. Seuss painting for my friend's baby shower gift

Hand made elephant lanterns made for my friend's baby shower

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year... Kinda...

I love Christmas.  I do.  I love the smells, sights and joy of Christmas.  It's my favorite holiday.  But there are things I don't like about Christmas.  The shopping... I really really hate shopping.  I'm not sure what happened, but my sister got the shopping gene... not me.  I even get quite irritated with online shopping.  Really really irritated.  

Tonight, for instance.  I have been looking for a bathrobe for one little fella in my life... he wants a blue bathrobe to wear around the house like Greg Brady does on the Brady Bunch.  Do you know how many blue bathrobes I have found?  4.  That's right... FOUR.  Do you know how many are in N's size?  ZERO.  Zilch.  Nada.  Come on??!!!  What the hay bales happened to ALL of the bathrobes?  They can't ALL be out of stock??!!  I finally ordered a navy one from Amazon.  It will do.  I am not happy about it.  

Another thing I don't like about Christmas... unrealistic expectations.  Now, you are probably thinking "you don't have to do what other folks ask you to do..."  That's not what I mean.  I mean the unrealistic expectations I set for myself.  I have about 10 canvases sitting behind me at the "craft table" (dining room table converted into a craft table) and they are white and begging to be painted.  So what do I do?  Yank a muscle in my neck.  Yep.  No painting for me.  No homemade gifts for my peeps.  If you get one, you got lucky and I did it before I gave up.  

And the last thing I don't like about Christmas... the loneliness.  Coming home alone.  Not having that person to vent to about my crappy day at work.  Not having anyone to snuggle with or massage my neck since it hurts so bad.  I know... everyone says it's not all it's cracked up to be, but when you are single and alone... it's better than this.  

All this to say, I can't wait to have this surgery so I can focus on me.  Me, myself and I.  I need some time to focus on Kelley.  Time to focus on the new Kelley and the new lifestyle I will be living soon.  

I am excited about Christmas... just not the busy-ness of Christmas.  I think I'm going to finish my shopping online and just relax and enjoy the rest of the month.  Forget the handmade stuff.  I'm done!

Today's surgery update:
"I got shot in the buttocks" ... with 50,000 IU of B12.  Forrest would be proud...  I honestly can't feel anything back there anyway, so it was fine :)  I also got a call from the Case Manager who has been working on gathering everything to send to the insurance company... apparently she hasn't received all of my records.  So I had to call around today... I got in touch with one of them, but not the other.  She sent me an email and said that I am at risk of not getting it scheduled in December if we can't get the information we need... so I'm a little stressed about that. I hope to get in touch with the other on Monday... even if I have to drive to Rocky Mount to take care of it!

For the rest of you who are stressing like I am... a dear friend told me tonight "take a deep breath and remember someone else has it a lot worse than you."  She is so right.  There is always someone out there that can use our help and prayers, year round, but even more at this time of year.  Pay it forward!  Perform your random acts of kindness!  

I'll be sitting here enjoying my Christmas decorations and wrapping presents as they arrive via that nice brown truck with that nicely dressed fella in that nice little brown uniform.  :)  What??  A girl can dream!!

Here's a pic of my sweet girl with her new Christmas bandanna.

Merry Christmas!
Kell

Nutritionists & Psych Evaluations = Fun

Well, fun in some aspects... at least I try to make things fun. :)

I met my nutritionist, who is in the same office as Dr. Bruce.  He asked me lots of questions and then explained what I'll be able to eat after surgery.  He showed me the little plastic pieces of food - 1-2 ounces.  1-2 ounces??  Yep... 1-2 ounces.  Start with protein and go from there.  Of course, the first 4 weeks are liquid diet only.  Protein shakes, broth, jello, decaf tea/coffee... boring and bland... but I'm OK with that.

Dr. Bruce has studied with his patients what he calls the "Bruce Metabolic Scale".  He asks each patient before surgery, "What is your hunger level each day on a scale of 1-10?  What is your carb cravings each day on a scale of 1-10?"  The sum of the two is the Bruce Metabolic Scale (BMS).  Mine is a 17.  When I wake up from surgery... it will be a 1 or 2.  That's right... no hunger... no carb cravings.  I basically have to force myself to drink and eat after surgery to ensure I get enough nutrients!!  Oh Glorious day when I no longer crave carbs!

I have a long list of protein shakes and vitamins to try out to find the combination that works best for me.  I bought some protein from Whole Foods, but unfortunately have to return it.  It is absent of whey & soy, which I need for my nutritional plan.  I also bought green super food powder... not quite sure about that one... it's green.  Deep, dark green.  Something about that is just not right.  Especially when mixed with apple juice... dark dark green... <shudder>.

I have been taking the Digest pill that Dr. Bruce told me to get.  It seems to work great (when I remember to take it).  Folic acid seems to be giving me a tad bit more energy... and I am almost excited about the B12 shot tomorrow.  I hear that helps with energy as well.  

This week has been really tough, mentally and physically.  I seem to have a more motivation - I cut out soft drinks Thanksgiving weekend.  Haven't had one since.  I've started to mix 1/2 decaf in my coffee.  I'm doing 1/2 sweet, 1/2 unsweet tea.  Just need to switch to decaf soon.  I've been having a lot of pain in my neck/head area.  I haven't been resting well at night and can't seem to get into my groove this week.  

Back to the program... I also went for a psych evaluation.  I had to meet with a psychologist for a few minutes, give her a quick history of weight issues and emotional issues caused by being overweight, then had to complete a couple of tests.  The first was made up of statements that required answers like "Always, Often, Sometimes, Rarely, Never".  The questions were tricky and sometimes entertaining...

I like the size of my buttocks. 

I think my thighs are too large.

I think my thighs are normal size.

I think my thighs are small enough.

The other test was comprised of true/false statements...

I have flown across the Atlantic more than 30 times this year.

I have been on the covers of several magazines recently.

I am responding honestly about the state of my health in these responses.

Really??  What does magazine covers, flying over the Atlantic and trick questions about my thighs have to do with my psychological makeup and whether I'm able to have surgery?  I guess I get the questions about my thighs, but how many different ways do you have to ask it??  I started to second-guess myself and how I responded to those... tricky, tricky shrinks... I hope I outsmarted them :)

So tomorrow, I get my B12 shot.  This weekend, I will be busy working on handmade Christmas gifts and finishing up shopping.  Next week I will have a Sleep Study... will keep you all posted on that.  Work is going to be crazy over the next week or so and I may not have much time to post.  

Thanks everyone for your kind words of support!  It means everything to me!
Kell