Ok, head up, rump in, ready go ...
Ok, good morning. It’s me again. We’re writing from home this morning. If you read yesterday’s blog – we just reread – we couldn’t get over the problem of 4 meetings in 4 ½ hours, so we stayed home to cancel out the first two plus the first half day so that we could prepare better for the 3 pm meeting. Plus, we wanted to be in a better position for Dr. M’s meeting since he will be gone next week. If we are so run down we can’t think straight, we will only talk of being run down rather than our goal chats. Rich didn’t take it too poorly. I got scolded a bit, but then he let it go.I think he has to understand that the meetings and appointments take a lot out of me and along with work, work and my writing work … there’s a lot to be doing. I think he’d only like me to focus on my work, work, but the other has to get balanced in so that we can get through it. I don’t think he understands how much of it that we go through on our own. He doesn’t usually do a lot of talk of work – except to say, “DO IT!” And, as to meetings and appointments, I think he keeps abreast of them, but pretty much I just set them up, go through them, and report to him – but, he’s actually not involved. If anything he is mostly involved in the weight loss because of the diet and exercise and scale watching.
I’ve noted this week with his daughter home and wife in and out of hospital how much I have to watch my interest level there. I want him to be talking more about it so I know what’s happening … and I think he talks more to the kids then he remembers to say back, but I know from hearing some of the questions that he’s very interested in all that’s going on their – so I’m supposing that I’m a little envious because the “whole” family seems to be spent on those attentions where I myself don’t have so much attention on me. I guess that’s a stroke of jealousy, which as Rich has called it before my little green-eyed monster. That has to be held in check. The other part of that frustration is the part where I see from this visit home of the daughter’s and the last that the mother has both times placed herself in the hospital – for no results back and in this way garnished absolute attention of the family FROM Rich – though upon getting out … she’s gone immediately to concerts though in need of their company. I think that’s unfair to Rich, because he doesn’t get to see his daughter very much, but I know my baby. He’s very giving of himself to them and would sacrifice anything of himself to know they are doing ok. Just wants to hold the peace. They’re happiness is like his reward.
I think if everything works out today, he will be seeing his daughter and they will be going to the zoo today. I sure hope so for them. I think it would be nice to get Dawna involved – Jill’s partner, because I don’t think they’ve had enough time together since they’ve been here, but then again – Jill hasn’t had enough time with her father either. It’s a really, really nice place for them to meet up … hehehe AND it was my suggestion!! I think he had it in the back of his mind … he had been invited to their zoo when out their direction last and he thought that they should then next see HIS zoo! Silly bunny!! Later he said it’s a place that divorced Dad’s brought their older children. That had kinda a sour note – we hope he takes the spirit of him and us being there and has a really good time. Cuz, he be our special baby!! AND, he knows he’s going to be drilled. Hehehe he says that he only hopes that the monkey’s don’t say something about him. Yup yup our silly bunny! I think he’s planning on meeting her about noon. I think he’s got a game at about 4:30 pm, or that he has to leave at 4:30 pm for the game. By then I will be seeing Dr. Marvin.
Rich made another great dinner last night … he’s becoming like our pro-champion. We stayed a little later at work – about 5 pm and then took the long way home unfortunately – which was a bad choice based on the fact that we were parked going the wrong direction.
Ahh just made a coffee run … got some for both me and sweetie … smooched him on top of his head and made another round. Good smoochie face!! Hmm. Seems to have picked up a jello that’s now been eaten AND a kitty … they sure do like the attention. Anyway, Rich beat us home and stopped by the store for a few fixins. He likes that discounted meat section … think we’ve gone here before. He got some kind of pork ribs or something … I don’t recall having them before – they are the kind without ribs in them … just the middle parts. Rich fixed a few, but we ate only two and we have two saved for tonight’s dinner. He used the new toaster oven and applied BQ sauce. They were soooo tender and good!
We had a medium size salad too. We’ve got now a running vegetable container mostly for me. Rich tries to keep in it things like tomatoes, onions, green peppers and mushrooms wooHOO!! And then he puts in cheese and croutons. He’s been measuring out the FF thousand Island for us, because we show no restriction and instead he’s been letting us add the less dangerous salsa sauce – so it’s as slurpy as we like it … it’s the most WONDERFUL Salad! Only thing that could make it better is to have the crushed taco chips. Oh and we had some ham pieces added too for the protein.
Wonderful cookin! AND, he lost a pound too!!! There goes my Sweetie!! Hehehe I heard him braggin to his younger son – that he’d been doing well on his diet. I just love when he can talk like that!
There was a minor upset before we left work … we had been working on finishing up the new Goal Data sheets for the DSPs for the new year. I had given the majority of extra time during the day to the process – maybe more on that later, but I was at the tired end of just having printed, grouped and was distributing them to the DSP’s mailboxes. Holly came shooting in after hearing me in there – though she must have been wearing a stethoscope, because I wasn’t very noisy. I think she was jumpy and eager for someone to talk to. She was asking questions about the surgery, before she could clarify out loud what we were doing. She wanted to know though we’ve told her before – if we had a date or were we going through doctor sessions or something. It had appeared that what we’ve told her in the past had been somewhat confused, or she was leading us into something which would give her an opportunity to talk – or a combination of the above, which seemed to prove itself out.
The upset was in that Holly worked very hard to specifically state that it was the wrong thing to do and that it wasn’t too late to back out. She said sure people who went through gastric bypass lost weight faster initially, but the people SHE KNEW *GAG* I stopped her … I said Holly … I’ve been here before. It’s like having babies. As soon as people see a pregnant woman they want to tell you the worst pregnancy stories they have had or have heard about. AND, it had proven out … just the week before 3 of the staff had jumped me to tell me of 4 people they had collectively known who had died because of the surgery. Holly screwed up her face and said well, I wasn’t going to say that … but, then she proceeded to tell me of 3-4 women she’d known who have been sicker than dogs ever since having the surgery, and then questioned whether or not that was any way to live.
I told her of Dr. Marvin explaining that people would look for the worse case scenarios and then blow them out of proportion for whatever reason and that wasn’t anything that I should be listening too. I should be listening to the doctors on my team – more than a half dozen and be learning how to best take care of myself. Look to others who had succeeded and learn from them also. Holly was still talking of negative things when I decided it was time to leave. I don’t know why she was telling me all that she was. I have to express there may have been some interest in “saving me,” but more than likely, she needed to safeguard the decisions and point of view she had taken in making the decisions she had made for herself. “Well, I wouldn’t do this because …” She’d convinced she’d done the safest thing and my alternative decision appeared to her to be a threat to her thought process. We played with her a round of “Well, my doctors said …” and then I said, “Well, my doctors said.” Hehehe of course one doctor canceled out the other for each of the prospective clients.
I think of one of the things that I see that is most disturbing in the discussion of this kind of thing in the general “concerned” populous is the general amount of second guessing of the professional field as if all the guessing in the world would save them of professional discare or dishonesty or disinterest or whatever. I think life in general in a crapshoot. You pick up the best information possible to make the wisest decisions and then you need to go forward with the best you have. I was very comfortable with my doctors thought processes and explanations and concerns over my health. I liked her enthusiasm in taking me on and her cautiousness concerning the previous hernia operation. Nothing I’ve heard or even seen in the 3 hours of surgery videos has contradicted what has been told to me professionally by her or the other doctors, and I’ve used Dr. Marvin as a middle grounds-man to verify or validate the information I’ve been processing forward.
I can’t say that I haven’t second guessed my surgeon in respect to I’ve questioned, Ok, is this the right surgery for me? But when in doubt I’ve gone back to her statement that it was the best for me and that of what I’ve read that given my particular weight that it was the safest alternative. I know that because of my previous surgery that it might have to be open rather than laparoscopic, but even there, and WITH all of Holly’s horrible nightmares – that I can CHOOSE to disregard and let her solve on her own – I will go with the best advice from my surgeon. I know that when I was with her … I felt trust between us and this was the most important thing … I knew when she asked did I have any more questions and I didn’t … I was in good shape. I knew I’d read and look up more to be well educated, but that when I’d return I’d ask her just a few more important questions and then she’d answer them and we’d be good again. She was very to the point as I’d come to expect from surgeons … they are excuse the pun, very sharp!
I’m trying to think now if I were to talk with her today – what would I ask. I think the only question really would be if she’d cut closer to 100 cm or 150 cm from my small intestines. I think that is a question more toward my weight and her common procedure. And, then I would ask the difference that would make. I would tend to think more is better, but, of course, I would defer to her. Anything else?
I think I would ask also if she would be doing the surgery, or if she would be turning it over to an intern, and if I had a choice – could she do it herself – even though I know that UIC is a training facility – I would feel much more comfortable knowing I had the best. Hmm, And, I could ask if she would autograph my tummy. No, I don’t know where that question come from… Hehehe
Maybe we better start making a list.
Ok, Now it’s about 9:30 am. We’ve been taggin with Rich for a while – and now he’s left. We were peekin in at him as he was finishin his shower stuff … he’s such a cutie pie! We watched him get dressed then followed him into the kitchen. He finished his business stuff … we pulled up our chair and watched him organize his last files and make his last calls and put away his business cards and whatever … then he gave us our last scoldy type messages … confirmed what our plans were going to be and he reminded us that he wouldn’t be finished with his double game until about 8:30 pm and that he would need an hour and a half to drive home because Rock River was west of Elgin. I think he may have to just do lunch with the girl instead of the zoo … drat drat … I know she would like the zoo. She’s been too penned in the walk would have done them both good. We’ll see. She didn’t call back yet so he’s thinkin she’s sleepin in, but we’re thinking that it’s girl stuff. I don’t know if she takes a while to get ready, but I think most girls like to talk over coffee in the morning. He grumbled a bit. I said … see – like we’ve been tryin to do with you, but is why we need to go to the living room while you work … see – we’ve been good!
We remember somewhere in there was another smooch … man does his hair smell good in the morning! Did you catch that part yourself??!!!
He grumbled about us not being in to work and getting Qnotes done and how that makes his life harder and then we told him about how it makes our life harder that we have to put things one after another. We told him we couldn’t stack four meetings one behind another though we were watching how well he does it and we told him Dr.
Marvin was going to be gone next week and so on and so on … I don’t know if he stopped to understand much, but he was too wrapped up to get into it. I’ll get lectured again later – we’re pretty sure. He’s good for that. Just we get jittery … and there was no way we were going to do all of that at once. We weren’t ready to do Qnotes since we were unprepared to do the 3 o’clock psychology meeting and the 1 o’clock staff meeting was the first time with the new group of people and we couldn’t do that leaving us to just complain at Dr. M’s meeting instead of use it productively. AND, we are still behind on the writing, which sets everything else in bad motion. PLUS, we gotta keep up with baby this week with his daughter being in and now the maintenance people want to come in tomorrow to check on water which means picking up somewhat today to be ready for their visit. Yeeks. It’s hard to look around because there are so many small messes in the washroom, kitchen counter, dishwasher and dining room – including dining room table and beyond. Rich is too wrapped up to get to any of that and he’s missed the floor for quite a while. That will get to him knowing someone’s coming in.
Sheese … AND since we don’t get much further than writing about it? Hmm, that be glass half empty why don’t we put that straight at half full and let’s then just fill’r up. K? Let’s get ourselves prepared, that’s what a day at home means, right? First thing first?! FUDGCICLE!!! AHHH that puts something right! AND, for only 50 calories! No more cat petting either … that makes us groggie sometimes.
Let’s say we write AND work. It’s 9:45 am now … We’re did we last leave that timer? When do we have to leave? Let’s say by 2 pm, which means showered by 1 pm.
Hmmm, set the timer for 14 minutes to start … don’t want to jar anyone. We’ll do the living room at 10 am. SHARP! That will get things going. Will be interesting too to see how long we can work WITH the new shot of cortisone. WOOHOO!!! We’ve got a few dishes to go in – not much apparently just some silverware, then mostly blankets to fold and furniture/pillows to straighten. The set-up by the tv/tree will have to stay for now … Rich wants to take it down, but today – just enough cleaning to straighten-up, especially bathroom and kitchen – work is to be done in plumbing areas. K?? the other is just in case they are peeking.
Ok, picked up around the computer too … that will get us points. 9 minutes. Write girls!
Ok, we last left Holly business and trust in our doctor and in setting up the list of questions for her. Better mark those questions. Ok, made a special document for the questions. Just 3 so far, but anyone can add. Hmm, did we finish with our schedule this morning – our plan? 3 hours work and typing 10-1, then shower at 1 and dress, then finish typing, then leave at 2 for 3 pm appointment, stay for 4:30 appointment, return approximately 6-6:15 pm., eat, read, call rich and go to bed.
Sounds like a plan. I’m not sure where we are in the writing though … I think we’ll have to list that out maybe during the next turn … for now there is only a minute left. Getting a little excited/nervous. It is the most amazing thing to get this much walking ability back … I want to use it carefully. Ok, here we go.
Pshwoo there’s the good and the bad … I’ve improved to 5 minutes, but the bad is – no more than 5 minutes. The problem wasn’t my knees – it was my back … I think though to get that kind of shots to such a big area every other month or every 6 weeks would be a terrible way to live and probably cost some internal damage … best to keep going on the idea of a great weight loss be a better idea. Another positive thing is that the living room got picked up and we moved toward the bathroom. I think there is more work to do there, but enough is enough for one turn. I set the clock for 15 more minutes. I’m pretty sure we are going to need the wheel chair, it’s a long walk to the psychology building.
Now mind to attention. Where we … aha another list.
First thing is that we’ve got to finish the short list to the small journal, because most likely that’s the one we’ll show the psych Dr. we forget his name. It’ll have to sub for his list. Which reminds us … we need to look up the protein thing again. Ok, might have to remember it … it’s under www.highproteinfoods.net
Oh my Lord … I was up for 8 minutes last time JUST 8 minutes … but we were there.
Part of that was because we were bent over – umm doing the toilet, but nonetheless … on our feet! Very worthwhile trip! WOOHOOO!! We finished the bathroom, with the exception of the floor … if that gets got it would have to be Rich … but I think it happened just a couple weeks ago … so won’t be saying too much … I think a man comes home at 10 pm from work and then heads out the next morning … demands/deserves a BREAK!!! But – whatever more his kingdom AND John will be clean
Next event I think will be the dishwasher … and then maybe some things on the top of the counter or stove should be put away … EVEN maybe on top of the table … that’s such a small deal … it gets piled up high fast! Last thing I remember leaving up there was our new Qnote hehehe we wanted Rich to see our artwork. But, Rich being who he is just said … I’d be much happier if I saw writing on it … as to say … a completely done Qnote is better than just the new design for it. BLAH PTOOEY! I want people to pick it up and be inspired! Maybe tomorrow I’ll put a copy of it on-line to show you … No it’s no Picasso, but it does get better every year!
Ok, back to the high proteins. I looked up the site easy enough
Whoa … that was a long time up … really ached the back – but, we got a lot done … we made sure the dishwasher was cleaned out I think the last time. This time we filled it with a few little things, but worked hard to clean cabinets off, fill water bottles, and wash everything down. It shouldn’t seem like such a big deal, but I’m thinking I took at least 8 or more minutes at it. It seemed like a long time … hehehe Oh and we cleaned and filled the salt and pepper shakers … wooHOO Rich will be amazed! The kitchen looks a lot better. I guess I have to get in there more often. I guess Rich is a stacker. He has bottles and cans and boxes of what not on the counters, plus pans and bowls and such on the oven/stove and measuring devises and knives ready for instant use. Yeeks! That’s not my game plan … I want EVERYTHING put away and figure you start off fresh! If we got something there too then it’s our fault … but we rarely mess stuff up in the kitchen with the exception of not putting dishes away because we haven’t cleared the dishwasher. In this respect … Rich becomes our mother and we have to set upon ourselves to get it done.
Today though we’ll surprise him. WOOHOO!!!
Ok, the other thing we got done is that we made the 17 page document into a text file and then we loaded into the last entry in our blog. It lost the nice formatting especially in the charts and graphs, but it relays most the info if you put yourself through it. It’s a good reference point for us. But, we’ve also got it saved in our email if we can download a PDF file. Pshwoo. That parts accomplished. We may need to access it for today’s appointment. Now the other part – the small blog what to do about that … let’s see how far behind it is. Might be too long … we’ve only got an hour left – AND we’re still cleaning AND we’ve got other logistical stuff to think through.
HMM, hands smell like pepper! Yeeks! 8 days behind … maybe better make that our mission now? Could get the rest of the kitchen cleaned afterward – just need to do the table and beyond. Hmm, we need to eat too.
Ok, that’s 3 out of 3 I think … we last left off on the one on being at Dr. Marvin’s mountain and then back to the valley, which represented work and confusion. I will finish up in a little bit, but figured we better get in the shower now. It’s about 1 pm. I’m a little too spacey yet to stretch things too thin. Hopefully, we’ll have some time 30-40 minutes to write before we go. BRB.
WooHOO back in almost 40 minutes. Not sure what to talk about really … looked at that back table, but we want to conserve the energy for the long walks … Hmm, should probably remember to take a V8 or 2 with us. I think they are only 30 calories. Be good to have one both before and after. Remember too last ten minutes for posting.
Anything else we need to bring? Hmm, cell phone has been plugged in better grab that. Ok, you … let’s not have a problem leaving the house, k? No, I’m not real sure on leaving the house … it could be colder coat weather, but we’ll just be in and out of the car. We have that extra from the $40 to cover us. Should be fine.
I hope I come out of this meeting feeling more comfortable around the doctor. He’s trying too hard to be the professional … so it seems a little forced. I’m feeling like I have to do things right. I would like to be thought of more as an acceptable candidate with stuff to learn. I don’t like playing up for approval. I want to be more real than that. Hmm, this leads me to feeling a little paranoid. Don’t want to go in feeling like that either. I don’t know what will happen at all because he’s more authoritative – so most likely will get an obedient part that will respond to that.
Ok, lets remember this list …
Beef
Chicken
Fish
Pork
Eggs and dairy
Beans
Nuts and seeds
Those are the high protein foods.
Lucky I like all the eggs and dairy foods, because I don’t like a bean on the list … tofu, soy milk pinto, lentils, soy beans, split peas … can do the rest of all lists. We’ll have to ask for an alternative to beans. EVEN though I THOUGHT I liked beans. I do like kidney beans, and MAYBE black beans. Probably more, but I’ve never been taught to cook, or eat them – same with tofu. Bet though Rich might be able to do split pea.
Ok, stop reviewing! This is terrible. We gotta remember just what we know and ask to learn the rest. This is hard for someone who doesn’t cook. I can’t remember … was Rich supposed to come to this meeting? I don’t know if its about me or someone learning about food. *Sigh* Honey Bunny … has to meet his daughter though and do two games. Couldn’t have come anyway. But, he’s looking pretty cute today anyway hehehe!
Ok, we’re not going to panic here … We didn’t do a lot of writing, but got something done of several things … that’s ok, right? Let’s not talk about Dr. Marvin being gone … that be ok? But, he will be here today … especially after the new doctor scrambles us up. We might want to bring in some money though for something to eat at the machines. It might be counter productive, but there will be a half hour between sessions, hmm? Ok, here’s where we are talking about … can’t we bring something healthy? Be productive, Hmm? Oh V8 … well sure … that’s good too :( hmm?? :) ok, that’s better cutie!
posted by Ann Marie @ 1/10/2008 01:46:00 PM
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