Little Bit of Catchin Up

It's been some time since I last blogged.  I have gotten caught up in life and complacency in my weightloss journey, and thus blogging has become less of a 'necessity'.  Back in 2011 when I started my journey, I couldn't fathom going without journaling my progress.  I needed to record each milestone and keep myself accountable.  I wanted to be able to look back and see where I had come from, have a reminder of the pangs and triumphs, and the goals and accomplishments.  There is even value in seeing the failures.  I have lost 100+ pounds.  I am not sure of my current weight.  It is somewhere around 185.  I don't get on the scale often.  I wear about a size 12 on bottom, smaller than when I was in high school, and a size Medium-Large on top.  I am comfortable in my own skin.  I sometimes wish I was a little smaller, but I must not wish it that much or I would be doing more to achieve it.  I could use to work out more, but currently I am working harder than I ever have.  I love my job.  I love my fiance, whom I should have married by now, but due to finances have not yet been able to.  I have the goal of finishing my final six classes to get my degree by this time next year.  I hope to be married and have a child.  I hope to have advanced into a higher position in work.  I hope to move my family to Minneapolis.  It's funny that this post has quickly evolved into a sort of list of new year resolutions of sorts.  Below is a picture of me trying on a dress (which I bought but haven't worn to work yet) just about a month or so ago.  I didn't have my spanx on to smooth the bumps, but I felt pretty hot in this dress.  (No it's not leopard print, just a brown and black knit fabric).

and a little something to compare it to...

I am happy with how far I have come.  I hope to have a baby (did I mention that already??) in the next year or so.  I'm practicing really hard!!  ;-)  Things are moving in a positive direction.  If I haven't heard from you in a while, drop me a comment and say hello!  Feel free to email even.  I would love to hear from my fellow bloggers/readers about how you're doing, good, bad or otherwise.

Reading but not writing

I've been reading blogs again lately, but not writing as much as I used to.  I have become somewhat complacent in my weightloss as of recent.  I am down over 100 pounds and for the most part I feel pretty good!  Then I got a glimpse of myself on film and realized that I still haven't quite made it to where I would like to be.  Somehow having reached that 100 pound mark, I have fallen off the wagon.  I really need to refocus and get back my act together.  I haven't regained any weight since making my loss, but I have plateaued.  I could use to lose about another 20-30 pounds.  After 100 this seems like it would be a piece of cake, but it isn't.  No longer having my clothes screaming for help, busting at the seams as motivation, I have become comfortable with average.

My surgery was in August 2013.  I took a month off to heal and rest.  I also needed a break from my job, and because of an extended leave benefit that my job offers, I was able to do so.  Upon returning to work in September, I realized that I could no longer stand my job.  I wanted out and I really didn't care what I had to do to do so, so long as I made the same or more money.  Chance had it that a job I had applied for in the beginning of the summer had finally been posted and I could officially interview.  Needless to say, I started the position in mid-October and have not slowed down since.  Just as with my Lap-Band surgery, life got in the way of my focus, and I wasn't as in tuned with my mission as I would have liked to be.  As many of you who have had surgery know, the momentum you have right after surgery, eventually slows, and though much progress has been made, that initial boom of excitement, enthusiasm, and dedication can be a little harder to stay in tuned with, especially when your goal isn't so very far away.  I never really set a hard number as a goal.  I wonder if maybe that is part of the problem.  I may need that hard number to strive for.  Previously I had just wanted to get below 200, then I wanted to lose 100 total pounds.  Both of those milestones have been met.  Now I have no hard goal.  Maybe I need to change that.  Today is May 4th (Happy StarWars Day! May the 4th be with you!).  I am going to set the goal for 10 pounds by July 4th.  Two months, ten pounds.  That is a healthy rate of loss, and not overly ambitious.  Feel free to leave some thoughts if you have any.  I haven't heard from or communicated with many of you in a long time and would love to hear from you!

How's about a recent photo too, to show a little progress!

Who's Up For A Group Challenge??

Back in the day there were all these great BOOBS group challenges.  Well to be frank, I miss those days!  I know not everyone is blogging the way they used to, but are y'all still reading out there??  Can we maybe set up a group challenge again?  Please comment if you'd be interested in joining a challenge, or administering one (I could give it a try, but I know some people have already done it and may find it a little easier than me).  Let me know.  I'm missing the community of the BOOBS.  Though I'm not banded any longer, that doesn't mean that I need our community any less.  Where you at ladies??

New Job, Mom's Rock & 8 Weeks Post-Op

Tomorrow is my 8 week mark post-revision to the sleeve.  I am still chugging along.  They say, slow and steady wins the race right?  (I keep telling myself that hoping I'll believe it one of these times)  Things are progressing, albeit slow.  I've been about 210 for a little bit now.  I admit, I haven't planned nearly as much as I should lately.  I KNOW that I do better when I plan, but that hasn't been the case much.  I have some non-scale victories to report though!  My mom is super sweet and the cutest thing ever.  She sent me $100 to get a few new items to wear to my new job (I'll get to that in a minute...).  In NYC, $100 doesn't usually go very far, so I took my ass to Target and hit the mark down racks, then to Old Navy and hit up whatever sales were going on.  Here is me 8-weeks post op, taking a pic to send to my mom to prove I was buying clothes with her money and not making student loan payments:

Now here is my victory.  I am wearing size 16 pants in this pic (don't mind the crazy hair day I'm having, I think I used a fork for a comb or something), and the pants are actually a little too big!  Not only that, both the top and the sweater are size large and fit just fine!  NO XL's or XXL's here!!  That's a first!  I don't know how long it's been since I was able to be totally out of the XL zone.  I'm shrinking before my very own eyes!  Even though the scale isn't screaming "you've made it to the 100's!" just yet, my body is whispering (...you're almost there!).  I am committing in the very moment to go walking a minimum of 3 lunchtimes this week.  

I mentioned a little while back that I was interviewing for a new position in my hospital where I work.  Well I got the job!!  Woot!!  I gave my 2-week notice and will be starting my new position on October 14.  I am very excited to move on to something more challenging.  Of course this means tons more work, with not a huge pay increase, but I'm hoping that I will be able to prove myself important enough very soon to get a promotion that my new boss said we will have to get the compensation department to note and pay me accordingly.  All in all this has been an excellent couple of weeks.  I have been totally distracted from meal planning and school because of all this new job business, but I'm prepping to have a great fall season.  Squash recipes await!

Ten Things Thursday aka Coming Out of My Slump

1. I'm NOT crazy (and neither are you Dawnya!).  I spoke to the doc and nutritionist and both agree that I have been experiencing Dumping Syndrome on occasion.  This is usually due to poor food/beverage choices.  Funny thing is, I don't make them often, but when I make em, they're pretty bad and the symptoms SUCK ASS.  At least now I know what the heck is going on.  I had thought this only happens with bypass patients, but they assured me that it is now becoming evident that VSG patients also experience this too.
2.  Took a quiz in my Spanish class Monday.  Had no idea about it since I took off class on 9/11, so I quickly learned all new material 10 min before class and still rocked an 88%!
3. Saw my doc/nutritionist for my 6 week follow up as I mentioned before.  I've lost 16 pounds since my surgery date.  I was concerned with a recent stall but I am encouraged by my visit.  I think all will be ok. 
4. Exercise needs priority.  I need to get on this!  Feel free to hold me accountable!
5. I'm still waiting to hear the "official" news on the job I interviewed for.  Seems like it's a Jewish holiday every other day this month.  I'm on hold again. lol.  Keep your fingers crossed.  It's pretty official that I got the job, just all the kinks need to get worked out.
6. I still really want to get a bike.  Just a beach cruiser or something not too crazy difficult to manage.  Anyone got an old one they want to donate to a fat girl, feel free to speak up! ;)
7. The weekend is only 24 short hours away.  I'm stoked.
8. I got volunteered by my fiance to cook dinner for his family for Thanksgiving.  This NYer is going to be cooking a big southern family a Thanksgiving dinner...  IN ALABAMA.  No pressure there!  Not to mention, I'll probably not even have dinner, as we all know that just taking bites to test for seasoning etc will likely be enough to fill me up!  Is it weird that I'm already planning and it's 2 months away?
9. I miss my mama and want her to come visit, but I know it's expensive to fly and that she's saving to come to the wedding in Alabama next summer, so I feel bad even considering asking her to come.  But I miss her.
10. I'm excited to see the Harvest Moon tonight!  The man and I are driving to a nice lookout point tonight at the very south end of Brooklyn to get a nice view.

And there you have it!  Whew... didn't know if I would get through that one!  I'm def in a good mood today.  Hoping nothing knocks it down.

Progress Report?

I'm nearly 6 weeks post-revision.  I average about 700-800 calories a day. My weight hasn't budged in about 3-4 weeks. I am pretty frustrated.  I have a follow up appt on Wednesday with my doctor and nutritionist. I'm hoping to get some recommendations because things should be moving along by now.  I gotta say it's got me a little depressed.  I'd be lying to say I'm not. I've planned much of my meals for the week. Lets hope to see some change soon. 

Ok ok... This is the last one tonight!

Night before surgery 

4 1/2 weeks post-surgery

Again night before...

And today...

 Making any progress?

This is right before Lapband surgery back in June 2011. What a fatty!

Pics!!

These photos are from today which is 4 weeks and 3 days post-revision surgery. I am about 213 now. 

This pic is from 2 weeks 3 days post surgery in a restaurant bathroom on my trip! This was about 218. 

I need to do a side by side!

Ten Things Thursday

I always struggle with these lists of 10 but here goes anyway!

1. I went back to work this week and yes, I am back on a schedule. I seems to be helping with the grazing.  I'm still not really losing in numbers but my clothes are getting bigger.  

2. After being off work for 4 weeks, upon my return I realized just how much I dislike my position. I have been waiting for a job to be posted in another department for a couple months.  It was posted in my absence but the hiring physician was sure to notify me to get in and apply. I was told by someone in the know that I'm pretty much a shoe in for the job.  I had to submit my salary requirements and resume.  I have been in the same position for 8 years so it was a little foreign to me to need to do this.  I asked for a significant increase from my current job on the advice of a friend.  She says men always make more than women because they're not afraid to ask for what they're worth.  She told me to go for it, so I did. I had to remind myself of my worth.

3. During my time off from work we went to Alabama so I could meet my future in-laws. While there we went to Decatur for a day and we fell in love with a park on the Tennessee River for our wedding venue.  I finally know where it is I am getting married! Now to settle on a date!

4. Employee satisfaction surveys happen at work next week.  We are a massive institution with over 20,000 employees in our combined campuses.  Amazingly my department has had the lowest ratings in the entire institution for 2 years running.  Meaning that out of alllll the employees in the entire place, even the people scrubbing toilets, my department has the most dissatisfied employees.  No wonder I want out.  Apparently I'm not the only one.

5. I have no pants that fit.  Well, maybe one pair of jeans, but they are not work appropriate. I wish the weather would change to fall so I can wear my sweater dresses and tights again.  

6. I'm struggling to get into my on,ine course this semester.  The professor is really unorganized and has a haphazard way of presenting the required work which frustrates me. Is makes it very easy to go on Pinterest and create my wishful thinking wedding instead. 

7. Speaking of Pinterest... Man are there some great ideas on there.  I have gotten completely inspired for my wedding and how to make it really awesome making all the decorations myself.  Only trouble is, I would have needed to start making them 3 years ago in order to ready in time.  Looks like I'm going to have to put my mom to work! She's just hangin out being all retired and stuff anyway. ;)

8. I might kick my fiancé if he doesn't stop messin with me right now. Good thing he's cute or he'd already have been kicked twice already.

9. I got some new mini-muffin and mini-loaf pans in the mail from amazon today.  I can't wait to try out a couple of new recipes from www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com.  Anyone try her breqkfast egg bites or mini meat loafs?

10. I need to drink more water and walk more.  Point blank.  Both need to happen. I'm getting better about the walking but the water really needs to get better this week.  I think I need to find a water container that I actually like, maybe that will help. I love water but for some reason I'm slacking on the intake.  

Well there you have it.  I made it through my 10 things.  I don't know how interesting that was but I did it!  Still need to take pics...

4 Weeks Post Revision

I am 4 weeks out from surgery today. I need to take pics but my fiancé has company and it's getting late so it looks like I'll take some tomorrow. I was dropping a bunch of weight in the beginning but things seem to have slowed significantly since the two week mark. I was losing a lot really quick then I went to Alabama for 9 days. I was hoping to see a nice loss after being away from the scale but to my surprise I was down only 1 pound. This past week I lost about 2 pounds. So basically I was dropping like gang busters the first two weeks and the second two weeks only lost about 3-3 1/2 pounds. I get in about 600-800 calories on a typical day. I admit my water intake hasn't been its best. I'm sure that has also been a contributing factor to the constipation I had too. Once that passed it was just the opposite. My tummy was upset and everything went right through me for about 3 days (sorry to be graphic). Today I had a decent day as far as eating goes. I think I did eat out of boredom a couple times though. I've been off work for a month and the anticipation of going back to work tomorrow definitely triggered some emotional eating. Not that I can eat large quantities but I did eat when I wasn't hungry. I hope going back to work and getting back on a regimen will get things back on track. 

There is one thing that I'd like to ask the sleevers out there if they're reading. I had an experience a couple times since surgery that I wonder if anyone else has had. After drinking an iced latte sweetened with some simple syrup (a very small amount, sorry I hate the taste of aspartame, so don't say sweet n low or I'll give you the stank eye!) I had what felt like a strange reaction. I got the cold sweats and felt very nauseated and weak. I am not sure if it was the coffee or the sugar or if I was having a blood sugar drop. It kind of made me think of the "dumping syndrome" that I read about in bypass patients. It felt miserable and wiped me out of commission for a couple hours before I felt ok again, oh and did I mention that I puked a little? Not a full on wretch (again sorry for the gory details) but I did bring up a bit of coffee. Maybe it was the milk?? I don't know what to make of it.  If anyone else has experienced something similar let me know.  And if so, any suggestions on how to deal with this?

Well that is my 4 week report.  On to full solids tomorrow. Easing into it.  Wish me luck. I'll be avoiding the coffee cart tomorrow though, that's for sure!

Ten Things Thursday

I haven't done one of these in a while so let's see how this goes!

1. I am on vacation in Alabama right now.  Meeting the family of my fiancé for the first time. It's been great.  Everyone has been really nice and welcoming so far.  I think they actually like me!

2. I am 17 days post-op and I haven't seen a scale since Sunday.  I have no idea what I weigh at this point.   It's making me crazy. I might sneak off to the scale section at Walmart to day for a sneak. 

3. Being on purées while on vacation is extremely difficult. I don't recommend it.  If you can wait a week and get to soft foods before taking a vacation, do it.

4. All of the clothes I have with me here on vacation are too big. I look pretty silly. That Walmart run is sounding better and better. 

5. I'm not looking forward to the long drive back to NYC this weekend. 15 hours in the drivers seat is no joke. 

6. My shoes don't fit again.  This happened when I got my band too.  All my shoes were too big.  Here I am again in need of shoes!

7. 12 days left of my hiatus from work.  I took off four weeks to recover. This is the longest I have ever taken from work in 20 years.  I am not looking forward to going back yet.

8. 6 days until classes start again.  I'm looking forward to getting back to class.  I'm not looking forward to homework. I guess some things never change not matter how you get.

9. School supplies!! Another excuse to go to Walmart and visit the scales!

10. I'm still sick of protein shakes.

I made it to 10!  More updates when I get home from vacation. See ya on the weekend!

Another... Protein... Shake.

I am so over protein shakes right now.  I cringe at the thought of them. I was on a 3-shake a day pre-op diet for almost 4 weeks before surgery and since surgery I spent the first week having 2 shakes daily and this week is one a day. So lets do the math. 3 a day x 7 days = 21. 

21 a week x 4 weeks = 84. 2 a day x 7 days post op= 14. 1 a day for a week = 7. 84+14+7=105 protein shakes since my pre-op diet started. I want to gag.  I have switched it up here and there. Added some banana or switched brands, etc.  I think today I just hit that wall that I would really like some normal food soon. This whole protein shake madness is going to make me crazy soon.  I just know it. Time to visit my favorite bariatric food blogger Shelly for some shake ideas.  In case you've been living under a rock, here is a link to an amazing resource as a bariatric patient.  Shelly is a gastric bypass patient but so many of her recipes and ideas are terrific for any type of wls patient. Be sure to check out her blog.  www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com

10 Days Out

That's right kids!  It's been 10 whole days since surgery.  Time is flying!  It's sad to think that I'm already 1/2 through my time off work... SOOO we'll stick to the positive things!  Lets look at some stats for instance.

6/18/13 248 lbs -Dr. visit to start the process to seek insurance approval again for revision
7/11/13 240 lbs -Began pre-op diet (it's usually only for 2 weeks but my nutritionist decided she wanted to torture me I guess
8/5/13 228 lbs -Surgery Day! (Seeing that the torture paid off)
8/14/13 218 lbs -First follow up appointment with Dr/Nutritionist

So there you have it folks...  I am officially down 30 lbs from 6/18/13.  And if we want to look wayyyy back to before I got my band starting my pre-op diet in 2011, I was 287 lbs.  (I was even more before that!).  So basically in all from band to post-revision I am down about 70 lbs.  I feel accomplished.  

5 Days Post-Revision

I'm home still recovering from my surgery which was Monday August 5. It's now Saturday and I'm feeling much better. Unfortunately my time of the month has landed in today and its making me sleepy just when I finally feel well enough to get back to some activity. So some progress notes.  The hospital stay was great. The bed is so high tech. Some people might get annoyed by the beds shifting mechanically (built in mechanism to prevent bed sores) but I was thankful for it. I got some of the best sleep there. Since I've been home sleep hasn't been quite as restful. Taking pain meds isn't just a push of a button anymore either. I have to actually get up and take something if I need it. Mostly I don't, but I find myself tossing and turning a bit if I don't. I'd probably be more cozy on the couch, but my man isn't there so automatically the bed is much cozier by default of him and his snuggles.

Eating, or drinking rather has been pretty uneventful.  I have my recommended 2 protein shakes a day.  Sometimes I finish the whole thing, sometimes I don't.  Like yesterday I was feeling a little meh, I added a 1/3 of a banana to my shake for some added sugar to maybe give me some energy (not realizing I was just feeling PMS sleepiness). I could only,ake it through 1/2 of my shake before I was F U L L. Another thing to mention, just because you just have surgery, when the time of the month comes, the cravings are still right there like the annoyingly faithful friend, asking you for salt, sugar, fried carby goodness. I was able to knock this out with some puréed tomato soup topped ever so slightly with Parmesan cheese. All those PMS cravings got their kick in the pants and I felt much better. 3 oz of soup was all I had and it was plenty. I haven't had much to eat outside of that. 

The only other thing is something called "Buddy Fruit". It's all natural fruit blend that comes in those squeeze pouches that they make for kids. I bought these as an alternative to apple sauce, as I could recap it if I couldn't finish it.  They come in small portions, at 3-4.5 oz each. 

These guys are all fruit, natural, and inexpensive. I got them for about $0.69 a piece at Walmart.  They weigh in at about 50-60 calories. It's fruit so yes the sugar content is there so I probably won't continue these once on solids, but for now they're good and help break the monotony (and I can add some to my Prilosec capsule that I need to open and mix with something to take!). 

Finally, my weightloss progress. When I first visited the doctor on June 17, I knew this was the visit where we'd be gathering up my info to submit to insurance for approval. I hadn't been trying terribly difficult to lose weight as I mentioned in previous posts. I am happy to say I am back on track. On June 18 I was 247 pounds. This morning in all my menstrual glory, I was 223 pounds. In 7 1/2 weeks I have dropped 24 pounds. The day of surgery I was 228. 5 days later I'm 5 pounds lighter. Progress I think. I can't wait to see what the next few months holds for me. I'm officially back on track. 

Oh hey, did I mention I had revision surgery?

Because I did! I had surgery yesterday morning. I'm currently in my hospital bed and they just gave me my first tray of food... Or liquids rather. There is an assortment of apple juice, broth, jello and Gatorade. All to be dyed blue and consumed slowly.  Yesterday was a blur. I hesitate to say that it was rough, but it was definitely a blur.  I slept a whole lot. It wasn't until about 9-10am today that I began to feel remotely like myself again.  The catheter has come out. Most of my monitors are now unhooked and I've even managed to take a lap around the floor. I know it all sounds so quick and noble but don't get the wrong idea.  It has been slow going. Being that I work in the hospital where I had my surgery, I've been fortunate to have a couple friendly faces come to visit.  Just waiting on my man to come see me and bring me my phone.  It's been quite the day.  I'll update again later.

OMG 4 DAYS TIL SURGERY!!!!

I'm getting a little anxious as the workweek is winding down.  I plan to be off work for 4 weeks.  I doubt I need this much time off, but screw it, I'm taking it!  I have not taken a full week off work in about 3 years and this is a good excuse to take that break and get refreshed.  I have prepped my job to handle life without me for a few weeks.  Hopefully the place doesn't fall apart in my absence.  You know, I think the whole "prep time" for surgery doesn't get the acknowledgement it deserves.  I have been prepping for weeks to be ready.  Between making sure my work situation is stable for me to leave, there are tons of factors that I needed to address.  Being that I live in NYC and own a car for one!  In NYC you have to alternate side park, which means moving your car daily so you don't get towed or get tickets.  Now I know this sounds like a pain in the ass, but I park in a garage for work, so typically this isn't an issue for me.  But planning to be off work for 4 weeks... that is a whole different story.  So I've made arrangements for my friend to babysit my car.  I've suspended parking at my job for the 4 weeks I'll be out so I don't get charged the typical $48/week to park.  This process is a project in and of itself.  I need to get my butt to the hospital the day of surgery, so for the first time in ages, my spoiled ass will be riding the subway.  Imagine that, riding the subway to get surgery.  Kind of funny to think about.

Aside from the car business, there is shopping to do for supplies post-surgery, there is laundry to be sure I'm not trying to lift crazy heavy items and so I have clean undies.  There is house cleaning to do, nothing like a dirty shower to contaminate my freshly operated on belly!  There is the time out with human resources to arrange.  All this stuff takes time and energy.  Now I'm not complaining, but I AM a full time worker and also going to school.  That's right, add on to the list, make arrangements with my professors to get some leeway with deadlines the week of surgery.  The list never seems to end!  

Needless to say, this can all be pretty stressful.  There are anxieties from the fact that surgery is 4 days away.  There are anxieties about being out of my office for 4 weeks.  There are general anxieties about the whole surgery and this entire process!!  And my coping mechanism for stress is off limits!  Food for comfort is off the table, so I'm left to my own devices to deal with all of this.  Now I'm not whining or anything of the like, but I can say that this post is definitely feeling pretty cathartic right now.  I'm looking at all that I've done so far, and all that I have yet to do to accomplish this goal.  I am committed to this change.  I am ready for the next step of this journey.  4 more days.  That's all I have to get through.  4 more days. 

11 Days Till Revision

Today marks 11 days until revision day.  I have been on my pre-op diet for 13 days and I have lost a total of 9.4 pounds (and 16.6 since my doctor's visit on 6/17/13!).  I have buckled down and gotten extra serious since Monday with the diet.  I was a teeny bit lax with my one meal a day a few times, justifying it of course by the fact that "everyone else only has to do 2 weeks!"  

Now it's all serious business. 11 days to go. 

Pre-op Dieting

I saw the nutritionist on Thursday. Unexpectedly she decided to put me on the pre-op diet right away. So rather than 14 days, I shall be on the wagon for 24 days. I was not prepared for that. At least not mentally. I made a pilgrimage out of NYC to Walmart in NJ in search of lesser expensive supplies. I've got enough protein to feed a small country. I forgot how much will power it takes. It isn't until someone tells you that you can't eat that you find yourself wanting everything in site. So as of yesterday I am on 3 shakes a day and 1 low fat, low calorie meal. I've lost 4 pounds since Thursday. Onward and downward!

August 5th

My surgery date has been set for August 5th. Revision here I come! 

I don't have ALL the same jitters as I had with my LapBand surgery, but I do have a renewed excitement. Thursday I will have my nutrition appointment to discuss all the pre and post op what to dos (and what to don'ts). Next week I'll be seeing my surgeon to sign my consents and get all my pre operative testing orders. In less than 2 weeks I will begin my pre-op mostly liquid diet. I admit I've got a little of the last-supper syndrome.   Having gone through this part of it before, I believe that it's healthy to just have the last suppers and say goodbye to the things you need to leave behind. There is a sort of mourning process that I had to go through for the lifestyle and foods that I needed to leave behind. Once again I am here doing it again.  Not that I can really have much stuff now that I shouldn't. I still have restriction in my band even though it has been empty for months. Bread is still a no-no. Same with many meats and dense foods. I am happy to say good bye, but it is a bitter sweet parting.  

So much to do in the next 3 1/2 weeks. Plans for what to do with my car (living in Brooklyn and being a street parker I have to plan according to street cleaning rules or ask a friend to take the car when I'm in the hospital or down at home). I plan to take off some extra time from work. A little more than I know is necessary, but I have the days so why not take the time! So... August is mine! I go back to work after Labor Day, thus I have to plan and prep to have the time off at work.  I pay bills from work usually so I have to get all that in order to do from home. And the list goes on... 

So as I was saying. The excitement is BACK. But I have so much to do!

I GOT APPROVED!!!

I just got approved for revision surgery and I could not be happier.  I am on top of the world.  I am waiting to hear back with my surgery date.  I have already cried.  I am on my way now.  Watch out world! Here I come!