Not much to report.......

This weekend went pretty well! There was a company party that I attended on Friday and was very suprised on how many people stopped me to say how good I looked, healthy and refreshed. I was really excited about this. For once I didn't really worry about what I wore to the party, anything looks better than what I used to look like. The food served wasn't challanging either, they had shrimp and sliders (minus the buns) that were really yummie. I got to spend some time with my support partner who is looking amazing, way to go T!!!! We drank lots and lots and lots of wine together.

Saturday brought the joys of being a mom of a girl going to homecoming. Oh, and seeing baby El who is just and cute as can be -- and 8lbs now! Unfortunately I had to cut my visit short with her to go attend to the homecoming needs. Kel looked fabulous as always going to the dance, and her date wasn't bad either. They had sooo much fun and her friends mom even did the Denny's run afterwards, whooo hoo for the first time in 7 years I did not have to spend the night at Denny's.........   After all I was just whipped, off to bed I went until the power went out.

Sunday I slept in then got to spend the day with The Grasshopper and her sisters. We started out with breakfast at her favorite Mexican restuartant, which never bothered me. One taco and I was fine (minus the tortilla), the chips didnt even sound good. We finished the day by going shopping at the mall again (I think she said it was her fourth time this weekend!) As the pattern has been going, the scale was a little up on Monday morning. Nothing to fear though, it was back down to where I started this morning.

Today hasn't been the best of days, I think I knocked something out of whack. I am feeling like a relapse is coming on but I am hoping and praying its the flu. I know, I am probably the only person in America who is hoping for the flu. The last time I felt like this is the day after I mowed the lawn, I had to stay home from work. Well, yesterday I thought about mowing it -- do you think its time to hire a lawn guy????? I already have an appointment with the neuro tomorrow, I haven't seen her since the surgery so I am pretty excited. I really hope I feel better beforehand so she doesn't think this was not worth it!

And finally --- A BIG HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY to my two favorite twins, my baby brother and sister. Hope ya'll are having fun and we need to get together soon............................

This pic is sooo old but it's the only one I have!

My Birthday!!!!!!!!

I am really excited about my birthday this year, I feel like a little kid! Last night I was laying in bed thinking I really don't know what I did on my birthday the last two years so it feels like FOREVER since I've had one. (If we did anything together, pls remind me!). My grasshopper is coming home for the weekend, can't wait to see her. My friends at work bought me Chinese food for lunch, I found something that's not too bad for you and really yummie. They also bought gourmet cupcakes I am waiting patiently to try........ I am enjoying myself today but also watching out for what I eat. I was hoping I could be at 25 by the 24th but that didn't work. Oh well. I had a major gain this week from fluid retention and now I am flushing it out so all is good.

The biggest thing driving me crazy right now is my memory, it seems to be short circuiting again :( Time still seems to be the biggest struggle, something that happened minutes ago feels like hours in my mind. I have never forgotten stuff at work and all weeks I have. On top of that I forget the most important things -- like picking my medicine up at Walgreens. I passed it all week without thinking twice about my meds ---- uggghhh. Guess I am going to have to get one of those pill packs to make sure I take them........................... hehehehehehehehe Sometimes I wish I could chalk this up to old age but NOT HAPPENING, sorry!!!

Alot of challenges this past week!

In honor of last nights win over them Cowboys and the amount I am down ---------



---------

Well, this last week has been nothing but challenges. It started out getting the fill two Thursdays ago which puts me on liquids for 3 days --- whoa, bad timing on my part!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Friday started "Girls Beach Party Weekend" where a good friend of mine rented a gorgeous beachhouse and invited us girls to hang out with her, way too much fun (thanks A). Though the food looked great, I stuck it out and kept on my liquid diet -- WINE and water. It really wasn't too bad, honestly, but this was the first time I really missed my beer. Then Saturday night was Papa Roach/Hinder and Nickelback at the Woodlands and what comes with that??? Beer, Beer and more beer. I was really glad to be there with the kids (even though 2 were legal driving age) because that gave me an excuse, I only had one glass of wine. Thanks T! Sunday stepping on the scale was not pleasant..... major gain! Whoa, gotta get cracking here. I was so glad to come back to work on Monday so I could eat right and DRINK LOTS OF WATER.... As a friend of mine said who is also going through this journey - a liquid diet does not mean an alcohol diet -- how funny, you would have done the same thing! (But big kuddos to her because she announced a major milestone while listening to me complain, this game me hope again)

The week was going good until it was decided to start my birthday celebrating a week early ---- oh those frozen mojitos Friday. I really have to stay away from them, they have to be full of calories but they are sooooooo goood :) Saturday it was road trip time -- went to see the grasshopper and deliver her some King Crab. That went over really good, not too far off the course but again, there was wine involved. For those who havent been to Gruene since last weekend, they opened a new winery and the fruit wine is yummie --- bought 3 bottles............. And finally Sunday- Giants and Cowboys in cowboy territory. Of course you have to come armed with good food when you enter here wearing your best Giant pj's (hey it was a night game) so here comes the Buffalo Chicken dip. The host is one of the best bbqer's around so of course he made TONS of food -- stuffed pork roast, smoked ribs, beans, pasta salad and oh something else I had to stay away from. Doesn't he know I only eat 4 ounces now??? I ate very little roast and ribs and I am feeling it today. Not only does the scale show it but I am feeling pretty full still. Liquids seem to be the only thing I even want to think of eating right now (and can you believe wine doesn't even sound good?) All I want is WATER WATER WATER!

In spite of it all I am glad to see the scale was good to me. I was getting discouraged about it not coming off as fast as in the beginning but you know what -- it's coming off so I am happy. As far as the Hashi's goes, I have some appointments coming up, the one with my endo got misscheduled so I have to wait again, oh well. I am really tired today but that comes from the overdoing it this weekend. It would have been much worse in the past. One thing I am grateful for is my newfound energy level -- before this journey I would not have been able to do a third of the above activities listed. I AM LOVING THIS!!!!! I have also weaned off of one medication and slowing weaning off of another. WHOOO HOO

This week is homecoming for Kelly and MY BIRTHDAY! more challenges to come.........

legal drinking age..........

That's right! I hit the legal drinking age in many states today, unfortunately not in years but in pounds (how I would love to go back to 21 sometimes). It's amazing what a few ounces can do for getting over a hump. I go for a fill tomorrow, 2nd one. I hope I get more restriction soon because I get soooooo hungry between meals then I feel i could eat a whole tables worth of food.

As for my endo appt this week, well something must have happened on their calendar because my appointment is lost! I have to go home and look for the pink card they gave me. I know I'm not crazy and scheduled an appointment before I left last month, why else would it be in my blackberry!!!

I did it!!!

I was very surprised when I got on the scale this morning! Even with all the wine drinking and bad eating (ok, that was limited!) I finally broke the 20 barrier!!!!!!

some smiley times........

As I am waiting for the "crack" balls (cake balls that are as addicting as crack) to settle for the pool party I am on my way to, I thought I would share some smile times from the last two days!

Yesterday I wore a pair of jeans to work that actually fit, and they looked pretty good. I wasn't embarrassed to wear a short shirt with them. I even went to happy hour with my friends and had a great time! We went to a really neat sports bar on Washington that has a roof patio overlooking downtown. The frozen mohito's were delicious and the company was great. I actually socialized instead of just sitting there in my "shell", even staying 2 hours later than planned. I actually could have stayed all night there, we had that much fun! (smile time)

Then today I woke up and passed a mirror and took a glance. Now lately when I have been waking up I refuse to look in the mirror. My face is usually puffy like a marshmellow and my skin looks like I am fifty years old, my eyes are sunken in and I've had these dark racoon eyes from not feeling good so I just avoid the whole thing. Well today it was different...... As I walked passed the mirror and took a glance I stopped and smiled. I actually looked healthy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (at 9:00 in the morning to boot) I had color in my face, it wasn't marshmellow puffy and the dark circles were gone. I then stepped on the scale and didn't even care those ounces are still teetering.

I baked for the first time since the surgery and that went well also, didn't even really want to taste the cake balls. I would rather save the space for the ribs and dips at the party, I know they will be good as always. My final smile time was deciding which bathing suit to wear to the party, I actually have a choice. Do I wear this years that is probably big by now or the one I bought for the cruise before I got sick? Well, after trying on the old one I decided what the heck, why not. I think it fits and I can actually wear the wrap with it!

Well gonna run, I am excited about spending more time with my friends! Have a safe Labor day weekend.

j

Patienty waiting..........

or not! I am still trying to get these last couple of ounces off to make it to the big 20. I was warned not to become a "scale ho" but I really want to see them disappear so for the last two night I have been going from heals

to sneakers

as soon as I get home from work. I have started doing my Wii Active again which is pretty exciting for me. I actually enjoy the workout. Wish me luck, I'll let you know when I get there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 month, 2 days and counting!

It's been 1 month and 2 days since the surgery and it's been great! I have a frog tracking my progress and although he's been stuck at 19.8 for 2 days I'm not getting discouraged. As other bloggers tell me, this is to be expected. I am just going to work a little harder because I really want that 20. I got to go clothes shopping for the first time and was able to shop in the regular sections, including juniors -- it was soooo exciting!!!!! I also had to get new shoes since I think 10 of the pounds I have to those kids we used to feed in China as kids (that's who I decided can have this extra weight. If they needed my food all those years then they can use the weight) were in my feet. That brings up an interesting subject -- why is it when weight comes off its in the places where you need it the least???? My feet were never big and neither were my wrists or boobs but guess what, thats whats shrinking away. So not fair!

The life adjustment this first month has not been as bad as I thought it would be. I haven't been as crabby as my kids were afraid I would be. I am at a point where I can eat any type of food I would like, in moderation. I have become a fan of scallops, smoked salomon and crab over this time. It's great for me but my family is going crazy, they aren't big seafood eaters unless its crab. Lots of find your own meals for them!

As for those pesky antibodies, well all I can say is they are still there. They show their ugly head from time to time but I am learning to just kick their ass. I have noticed alot of changes for the good but there are a few effects that have intensified, it's just a matter of flexibility and learning to manage. Since the surgery I have felt better than I have in years. I have more energy and can stay awake past 10:00pm on the weekends :) I don't sleep every weekend away anymore, for some reason I like getting up at 8:00am now. Soooo not me but it makes for a good weekend. I have started doing more social activities with friends which I am loving. I gotta watch the wine consumption though, it's effects are alot stronger than before!!!!!! I do admit, I miss my beer from time to time too. I've gotten color back in my skin, I'm not ashy anymore and the strangest thing about that is my tattoo has darkened. My mom asked if I had it redone because it was so vibrant the other day. My memory is getting better, at least I know my kids school schedule this year. Ohhhh last year was bad, I didn't know where they were half the time. I am looking forward to enjoying another soccer season watching KT play for the school! On the flip side, I have to really watch my outdoor activities in the heat -- they will suck all life out of me!!! I used to be able to do stuff in the sun but not so much anymore. Sleeping in the pool or on the beach seems to work ok but I mowed the lawn two Sunday's ago and didn't quite make it to work on Monday, I slept for about 20 hours straight. Sometimes I just have to let those antibodies win. Oh well, fall is around the corner then I don't have to worry about this. Like I've been saying, for every 2 or 3 things changing for the good I can deal with 1 bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great afternoon :)

In the beginning......

This is my first blog so it may be a little long! In mid 2005 I started feeling very tired and worn down so I went to my PCP for a physical. After getting a clean bill of health I decided to schedule a visit with my gyno to check a small mass I could feel in my chest. That journey lasted approximately 6 months when the local cancer hospital finally gave me another clean bill of health but when I explained to them how I felt they referred me back to my PCP to have my thyroid checked again. Since my first PCP said my thyroid was fine I kinda blew off the visit, I had gotten two clean bills in a years time!!

Now comes 2006 and the journey begins!!!!!!!!!!!!! I started feeling very fatigued and figured something had to be wrong so I decided to find a new PCP and get a fresh pair of eyes on this. I had just recently lost the few extra pounds I had gained from the stress but I was getting weaker and weaker. My thyroid tests came back all normal but my new doctor, who was very understanding, decided to prescribe me Armour since all my symptoms were classic hypothyroid. The Armour seemed to help for a short time but when they symptoms came back, they came back hard! My PCP felt I should see an endocrinologist for a blood panel, again nothing. My thyroid antibodies were high but noone seemed to care. Who knows how I was working during this time, I could not keep my eyes open! I started developing some neurological symptoms - numbness, confusion, tingling and was sent from endo to neuro without anyone being able to find anything except those dumb antibodies, but what are they??? They really weren't elevated enought to cause that much of a problem. Noone seemed to care about them. My PCP during this whole experience was the most caring person I have met but he was even perplexed. I was gaining weight like crazy, I was having all kinds of neuro problems and I could not stay awake. I was convinced it was the Armour causing the weight gain so I requested a change to Synthroid but that didn't help, we were at a loss. I was beginning to think it was all in my head, as many doctors suggested. After extensive research on the internet regarding these antibodies I decided to seek out some doctors on my own. I found (with the help of a television show) an endo in town that specializes in this thing called Hashimoto's so I gave her a call, trying my best to get an appointment because I was going down fast. On top of everything else, I could not remember a thing! (Thank you to my job for understanding, though throughout these two years I had learned to mask alot of what was going on!) The specialist was booked for the next few months so I asked for the next best and got an immediate appointment with her. Boy what an eye opener! It turns out these thyroid antibodies are a big deal -- that thyroid thing controls your whole body! We did some medication adjustments and I was on my way to feeling better, finally!!!

Then in 2008 the "episodes" hit, they were mini stroke type episodes ---- they weren't frequent but they were troublesome. I was referred to a neuro who was an angel from heaven. She could tell something was wrong and she was determined to figure it out! Could it be this rare condition I found on the internet (yes the internet again!) called Hashimoto's Encephalopathy? Noone has ever heard of it but I was determined. I printed off hundreds of pages from the net and brought them to my new neuro along with the pages and pages of test that have already been performed. I was beginning to feel like a guinea pig. I went through weeks of more testing and finally something came back --- RERA's. What is that??? A form of sleep apnea. (how, I was tested for that in 2006) Hmmm according to her that could cause the weight gain, the memory loss, the fatigue, the blackouts -- everything. I have never been so excited to hear of something. Since i seemed to have had it for so loing it was causing a reversable type of brain damage. With treatment, I would be fine. Whew.

I don't really remember much from late 2007/2008. It seems that my short term memory short circuited. It was at this time I started filling people in on the secret I was hiding, how bad I was really feeling and how scared I really was. Why isn't the miracle apnea treatments working?? Why are things not reversing??? I can tell you that even with treatment for the apnea, I was still sleepy all the time. I started taking Provigil to make it though the day. I developed high blood pressure from the medication so I had to discontinue it. Even though the Provigil went away, the blood pressure problems did not! Again, a side effect from this massive weight gain I experienced. I decided to call that specialist from that tv show again, what the heck it couldn't possibly cause any harm. I have been through hundreds of tests by this time and the only definate blood test was that dumb Hashimoto's. She got high praises from my neuro and this was the last step before starting the grueling treatments for HE. If there was something wrong we had confidence she could find it. Believe it or not, I was able to get in!!! I learned with this great auto-immune disease it was next to impossible to lose the weight I gained so I started looking into the Lap Band. Could it work? I would ask her, my neuro seemed to think it would. Her only new finding was now i developed insulin resistance, the precurser to Type II diabetis. Now something had to be done!!!! If all this new stuff could be controlled with weight loss, why not try it??? Since I was not "ideal" weight for auto approval, both my neuro and endo gave my insurance their blessing and whalla -- I got approved. During all my research I found a thyroid advocate, Mary Shomon, who I had been following faithfully and I asked if she had every heard of a Hashi's patient having Lap Band but she had not. So here I go again, feeling like yet another guinea pig. I could not find many stories out there of people who have been though this, so I thought I would blog my progress!!!! I went from having a clean bill of health to having Hashimoto thyroiditis -causing neurological issues, weight issues, sleep issues, blood pressure issues and now insulin issues all in two years. All which could be reversed by losing a few pounds.............. Will it work????