Happy Easter

March sucked. In an effort to beautify my mother-in-law's landscaping, I got a systemic case of poison ivy from my face to my ankles. Lovely. It was bad enough for a shot & mega round of prednisone - my arch enemy! The garden looks amazing. My legs are still scabby. yea.

So I am still scabby and now have a sore lower back. Not sure what I did to hurt my back. Maybe picking up Billy? Maybe sitting wrong for a long time? Who knows. I do know muscle relaxers make me tired for days and rather emotional. Here's to hoping for a healthy, happy May! I want to get back to exercise!

I broke even for the month with my weight on the prednisone. That's different! A round of prednisone usually results in a 10 -15 lb weigh gain. Wow, I craved sweets. Peeps - lots of Peeps. Blue Peeps. Pink and Purple Bunny Peeps. Bring 'em on!! And chocolate. And Chick-fil-a chicken mini's. Yum! Now it is time to detox from the junk (as I eat strawberries with a can of redi-whip).

Please pray for the healing of my back and the healing of my soul. I am still sorting through the compulsive eating work in counseling. My work revolves around 'Women, Food & God' by Geneen Roth. This book will change your life if you struggle with using anything (eating, smoking, drinking, internet, shopping) to numb, avoid or distract yourself from feeling or dealing. Perhaps a book club is in order. Skype? Starbucks & Skype? Hummm...

On a positive note - YES I HAVE ONE - I bought some new shorts this week that are a size 14. They are a little tight but should fit great in a month when we head to Destin for Memorial Day weekend. I found a few swim suits I like. Somehow Billy is already set for summer and fall. I hit clearance racks at Target & JCPenney and found super deals at the consignment shop. We are excited about our trip. We are staying at Sandestin Resort in a condo.

February!

Hey now, it's February!
I went shopping this past week.
Silly me.
I thought being out of plus sizes would make shopping easier.
Not so much!
It was hard work but I found pants and shirts that fit and that I like.
JCPenney and Kohl's had lots to pick from.

And the weight loss total is.... 80 pounds.
My tummy is acting up a bit but I think it is due to stress.
Perhaps I will go back to 2 Zegrid's a day for a few days.
The really sad news is that my hair is falling out! There is way too much hair in the comb every morning. I've started amping up the protein and taking a hair supplement with silica. Please stay, hair.

Hopefully this weekend I will get to take a few photos with my bestie Jodi.
I need a new head shot with some of the new clothes.

Still stressed out with family issues. I'm about to crack. Or drink. Or run.

Enough about me.... how are you?

Jan 2011

So far 2011 has been a monumental train wreck.

My step mom, Debbie died on Jan 3rd. She was only 52 years old. She was my mommy from the time I was 6 until I was 14. I'm so glad I found her 4 years ago.

I need prayers on another family situation. Big, fat, beautiful prayers.

Weight loss has slowed down. I lost so much so fast with the gastritis. I'm now at 74 lbs gone. Tummy feels good and my energy is a little better.

December

I am under 200!
Yippee!!
Let's say I'm half way there.

My tummy still hurts a good bit. I call my situation surgical anorxia.

I am so tired of saltines and baby food.

However, being a size 16 rocks (for now)!

Starting weight, Aug 1st: 266
Dec 7: 195
71 lbs lost in just over 4 months!
Goal: 130

Happy Thanksgiving!

So remembering to blog is harder than I imagined.

I've had gastritis for the past week. It makes my stomach hurt and nearly impossible to eat. I've awakened several times during the night in the past week to throw up. Yuck! Ouch!
It is my own durn fault. I ate too much of the wrong foods while on vacation in Florida.
Lesson learned.
Doc says clear liquid diet for the next week. I say WHAT?!?!
I've been eating baby food & saltines.

The up side of the no eating thing is the rapid weight loss.
 I have lost 60 lbs since Aug 1st!
 I might be under 200 by my birthday at this rate. And on an IV.

November?

How cool is it that I weigh less on Nov 1st then I did Oct 1st? That is a first in the last few years. I am about to hit the 50 pound mark! I was hoping to be under 200 by my birthday but by Christmas will be ok.

I had a great time in Portland! Loved that the airplane seatbelt fit fine. I ate out every meal and didn't get sick once. I was very happy about that!

My energy is finally coming back. I can feel a difference this week. Although my hips hurt. I really need to start lifting weights. Ugh.

Back to Work

Thank you all for the prayers, calls, cards, visits, well wishes and comments.
Wow, I have some loving friends!

Today started with a check up with the surgeon. My wounds are healing well. I still have a constant dull, ache in my tummy so he prescribed Nexium. My pharmacy had an issue with filling it so I just got Prevacid instead. I also have thrush. How pleasant. While in the hospital I was on mega antibiotics to protect me from sepsis from the stomach leaks. The antibiotics kill the bad stuff and the good flora as well. I've been drinking a Dan Active pro-biotic every day to build my immune system. They are tasty. Give 'em a try. Probably too much sugar but they are so small and serve a greater good.

I went to work for a half day today. It was so great seeing my co-workers. They were very welcoming. Can your believe the people of the Forest Service and other agencies donated 200 hours of leave to me? There are no words to describe my amazement and gratitude for how well I have been cared for during my recovery. My cube mate is in Portland this week so that is a bummer. I am planning on a trip to Portland in mid October for training. I think I'll be ready to travel. How cool will it be to fit in the airplane seat? Yea!

So the big question is... how much have I lost?    37 pounds. 
I got out clothes from weights past and they fit nice. I think I have enough clothes to last for another 30 pounds. I will need shoes, though. My feet are smaller already. Weird, huh?
Truth is I have lost so much in my face it is weird putting on make-up. I almost don't recogize myself.

Food is going well. I've had eggs, chicken noodle soup and tonight I made crab legs. Today the nurse told me she wants me to drink 32 oz of milk a day. Yikes! I'll add a few vanilla lattes to the daily mix.
Hot milk, instant decaf coffee, splenda and a few drops of vanilla extract. Yummy!