The Journey truly begins

12/17/2004
Well it's been quite a few weeks. I started out on the protein diet on 12/6 and did fairly well the first week. Minimal cheats of very small candy canes, no more than 2 a day. The second week became much more difficult! By Wednesday I was throwing shakes away, because they were making me gag. I was getting sick of all the gloppiness and thickness. I thought the only solution would be to get some RTD shakes. The Vitamin Shoppe had only 4 cans of ZonePerfect chocolate. And some large MetRX with a total of 40 grams of protein per can. Unfortunately 2 strawberry ones were in the pack! Ick! The strawberry has just too much chemical taste for me. However, I had some Strawberry Kiwi Juicy Juice and added a couple of ounces in. It became less thick and solved some of the problems. Much less gaggy. Tomorrow I begin clear liquids and have picked up some Isopure. I don't think it will be quite so bad. I did pick up the Hunts jello (no sugar added) with Splenda. Jello is bad enough... even worse with Splenda, but I'm sure it will taste good during the next couple of days and shortly out of the hospital. I went to Pick'n'Save and found Glaceau Smart Water on sale for $.99. I would have paid full price, but got 18 20-ounce bottles. Now I don't feel the need to go to Walmart to pick up the 32 ounce bottles of Propel. I may need a few more popcicles though. I had my H&P on Wednesday, and have been having pain similar to kidney pain, so I was put on hold until I could see my PCP. My B-12 levels went from 131 to 450 in only 6 weeks of injections and sublingual. He didn't send me for the ultrasound, but just did the urine test and it was CLEAR, he called the clinic so surgery is on for Monday! My first burst of excitement. He, of course, wished me well and I invited him to visit in the hospital.

So we come to today, Friday the 17th. It's my last day at work. My doc's office faxed back my FMLA form with a return to work date of 12/27/04 and I was doing a happy dance. I'm feeling pretty good, folks are asking if I can be placed on their respective prayer lists. Of course, who would refuse? So if you've gotten this far in reading, feel free. Surgery is Monday, 7:30 am CST. At this writing both my PCP and surgeon's office agree on weight 278. At home it's 275.

I got a wonderful item from Avon, a Bally Ped-a-Bike, so that I can do some non-impact exercise, and it's not huge! It will work for legs and arms.