goingforit

EGD, check!

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 11:23:43 GMT

OK, woke up late this morning.. but still on time for my EGD. Things went well. I was able to gargle the nasty gel-like stuff to numb my gag reflex. I'd swished it around for about 25 seconds and the guy said something like "I want you to be able to swallow that." So... I did.. Right then! I kept trying to signal with my hand like 'right now?' and I guess they didn't get it.. but they sure did once I gulped it down and smiled. LOL oops!

It was ok, the stuff did it's job. I went into the OR with the attending surgeon, Dr Kirk. What a NICE guy! Felt like I was with my Dad, really! hehee He's got a great manner! The nurses were awesome, they did my IV without any problem, even in my left hand! I believe her name was Natalie.

They wheeled me into the recovery room... drunk. yes! LOL I think I was acting a bit silly. My mouth was SUPER dry. Like my tongue had been botoxed or something! LOL It was a sight to see, I'm sure! My eyes were dry.. everything that was supposed to produce some kind of fluid WASN'T. They'd given me something, not really sure why, but it dries up the mucous producing membranes. Bleh! Don't care to do that again, although I'm sure they will during surgery.

Dr Kirk took a biopsy of my stomach. Not a big deal, he says he can count on two hands, the times it comes back positive... and they've done this A LOT! So I knew I'd be ok. So now, we're waiting on that to come back.

He also told me I have acid reflux?!? News to me! So now, I'm on Prevacid. I went and picked up that and my B-12 shots and Metanex, my oral B-12, later today. Just glad I have insurance, that's all I can say about that!

I took off all day, but probably could have gone back to work about noon. Kind of stinks I missed out on 12 hour today! Oh well, it was nice weather.

Next step is actually a consultation with Dr Kirk. I think I was supposed to do that before the EGD, since I had never met him face to face, but at least I'm getting this stuff done! After that, SURGERY!!!!

Appointments...

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:12:41 GMT

Ok, so the Cardio appointments are over. Passed with flying colors... plus a murmur that's not a big deal, they said. Think I'm more worried about it than they were.

My next appointment is an EGD. This is where they'll stick a camera down my throat and look into my stomach. I'm going to be put out during it. Wonder if they'll video tape it for me.. video tape? Ugh... put it on DVD. Whatever. LOL I'd really like to see what's in there, or not in there! I have pics of my knee surgery, VERY interesting!

I was thinking there was a 2 week liquid diet, but I found my paperwork this afternoon that said it's just a week!! YEAH!

Leesa threw a party for me this past weekend, TOTAL surprise! Can't remember if I put that in this journal or not. It was nice to see everyone. I can't believe she kept it from me for 2 WEEKS!! LOL

My friend, James, was at the party. He's really into tattoos. I asked him to start looking for a nice phoenix for me. Still don't know where I'd put it.. probably on my arm, but I want one just to mark a time in my life, ya know?

Really, the EGD is the last test, I believe. I still have a pre-surgical meeting with the assisting surgeon. I have to take a written test at some point, too. I guess I'll do that next Monday or Tuesday. Those are the only days they're given. I've been pretty lucky with all my appointments, they've been on my days off mostly. Friday's EGD is going to be cutting into my time off. I hope I can go back to work after sleeping it off a little at home.

Well, enough for now! Must go mail off the PS3. It bit the dust a couple of months ago and they've just now sent us our box to send it back. Have a good one!

Stress test..

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:24:49 GMT

That was fun... strange, but interesting really.

Today was my cardio stress test. They can do it two ways, hop on the treadmill, or give you a chemical that makes your heart speed up... thanks, but I'll be the one on the treadmill. Actually, I wasn't given the option, even though I have a fused ankle.

I got there and they put in an IV for the radioactive stuff. When they injected it, I could taste it! It was like when you used to get new cassette tapes and the smell they had right out of the wrapper. BLEH!

THEN, back to the waiting room for 20 minutes...

THEN, I got to lay on this table with my arms above my head while this thing circled my chest. Got kind of close, but I don't freak out about that.

The chick came to get me for an ultrasound. She was astounded by my vast knowledge of the heart. Hey, when your mom passes away from a BAD heart, you want to know what's going on, ya know?

Then, I got to go back to the waiting room for 20 minutes again...

The stress test, finally. They wanted my heart up around 145, well, they got 160, even better.I seriously thought I was going to die. The first speed/incline wasn't all that bad. It was about the pace I'd go walking around the river... then it sped up and TIPPED up more! WHEW! Man was I glad it didn't take long after that.

The whole time the little test guy was talking to me, I was able to talk for about the first 4 minutes, but couldn't after a while. I guess that's where they want you to get, though. I think I was on it for about 5:45 before he stopped it. MAN! I felt like I'd just been chased by an axe murderer!

Another 20 minute "let your heart rate go down" wait in the waiting room... all huffy and puffy and people looking at me like "OMG I'm next!" LOL!

THEN... Yet another chance to lay down and have a big, heavy machine put around my chest for more pics. My heart had slowed to about 90, where it was when I walked in, but I still felt a little winded. Maybe it was just something in the air. I did notice they had asthma inhalers everywhere.. that was good to know, but I didn't need one.

I sure hope they let me see my results! This wasn't covered under insurance and I had to pay up front (which I did NOT know). *sigh*

I go back Sept 2nd for the results, then have my EGD on Friday... anyone not working Friday? I need a driver! :) *cheese*

I was just looking at the rest of my appointments, they're all on Tuesdays. Do doctors not WORK on Mondays? (Mon and Tues are my days off)

(x-posted over yonder, too, wls

surgery! (well almost)

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:43:16 GMT

Lisa just called me from Dr G's office about scheduling my surgery! YEAH!!! I called back and got her voice mail, so now it's phone tag from here..

GAWD! I don't know when I want to do this!!! I guess I'll see when they can do it and go about 2 weeks after that.. LOL!

I still have yet to receive the short term disability and FMLA papers for work. Wonder how long that will take....

(X Posted to wls)

I'm SO excited, nervous at the same time....

I was on the back porch cleaning it off when I felt a vibration in my pocket... damnit! Wet hands, noise... got into the kitchen and got the voice mail. Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

GUESS WHAT!!!!!!!!!

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 01:06:24 GMT

I got a call about 11am today....

I'M APPROVED FOR RNY!!!!!

I immediately texted all my friends and ran out into the hall to call my dad! Everyone's really excited about it. I have to call one friend back, her brother in law had band done... sure she's got a horror story or two. But I'm happy, anxious and a little nervous all at the same time!

Nope, just called her, she's WAY supportive, too! WHEW! You never know what you're going to hear from people. SO many friends have offered to come up and help me recover. I hope I can get back to work ASAP, but FMLA is there if I need it and Short Term Disability, too!

HERE WE GO!!!!

Writer's Block: Feeling Better

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:38:13 GMT

What makes you feel better when you're mad?

Submitted By kimmayeisblack

View 500 Answers

MUSIC!!!

update...

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:26:22 GMT

I haven't updated here in a while because I'm just waiting to hear from Dr G's office on what my next step is going to be.

I'm resting very well with my CPAP! I love the thing!! Took it on vacation and slept like a baby... even though my lil sis made fun of my mask.

We're camping this weekend, so I'm not going to have it for 2 nights... don't really want to mess with it in the tent, so it will stay here at home.

Had a great vacation in LA with my sisters, brother in law and one nephew. (Pics are in a link on my other journal <lj user=justbreathe247>.

Don't really know what the next step will be.. Probably the pulimanologist? (sp?) I hope so!

Just taking it day by day, watching what I eat, taking my multivitamin and drinking a lot of water. I didn't drink as much yesterday and I could really tell!

Anyway, that's what's going on. Work tonight and tomorrow, then camping/floating on the Illinois for Friday afternoon!

Weight Watchers and stuff...

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:34:15 GMT

OK! So I finally got to Weight Watchers when they're OPEN! Lost another 3.8 pounds this week. I'm down from 313lbs to 306.2lbs! It's a start!

This past week, I really thought I was going to loose any this week. I haven't really been watching what I eat or anything. I had to go back on ww.com last night and fill in about 3 days worth of meals... not so easy!

Haircut looks good, the highlights are almost gone... again. I don't think I'll do that again.. ever. Too hard to keep up and WAY too expensive for me.

Bruises are forming on my forehead from the CPAP machine. Maybe I should have gone with the thing that just goes around my nose. They said I have 30 days to make up my mind about the mask. They'll of course charge me a $15 restocking fee... wish I could just try it out one night.

Going outside to trim some bushy things... :)

1st night on CPAP at home..

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:31:10 GMT

Well, I made it through night 1!

It wasn't so bad. My back kind of hurts, I think I was trying to flip over without getting choked out by the tube, but I'm sure I'll be fine.

I woke up once last night wondering if I still had the mask on. I think I could use more pressure, but maybe it's just me. I couldn't tell I had it on at all!

The machine was nice and quiet, just the right amount of humidity. My puppy, Roxie, thinks I've been taken over by aliens though. This morning she put her feet on the side of the bed for me to pull her up and she was so far down at the foot of the bed I couldn't reach her. LOL I guess she saw I was hooked up to it. She finally just jumped up on the bed... she gets a running start out in the hall.

Getting my hair cut again today at the college (Clary Sage). Much better for us to pay $12 for my haircuts than $86! GAH! Still urks me!

I have noticed I'm not yawning this morning (unless you count right now). LOL *Suggestive yawn*

Gotta get this party started today!! Hope everyone has a splendid day! :)

Got it!

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:29:35 GMT

Ok, so 3pm today I got my CPAP machine.
This is the type I got

They have their own website for information and all things CPAP, didn't expect that.

I also got my results from both sleep tests. The first one looks better, but I didn't sleep as much.
The second one, said I stopped breathing 67.2 times/hour... I wanna know how they get the .2 LOL!

So now I have a whole packet of information telling me how I slept and what to do now so I'll sleep better.

Can't wait to go to bed tonight!!!

Website

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:01:20 GMT

I've been looking for a website that I can look things up for when I'm post-op for protein value... found one!

http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/dairy-and-egg-products/117/2

This is just an example, the site is really at nutritiondata.com

I'm sure some of you already know about it. I didn't have to log in to find what I needed, but I'm signing up anyway.

I was having a couple of boiled eggs for breakfast and wondered just how much protein each had, 17g! Along with my 10g in my cottage cheese.

Think I'll bookmard that for SURE!

I've also been using Sea Salt instead of NaCl (table salt) for a while now. (every little bit helps, I'm guessing)

CPAP results

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:57:11 GMT

Ok, so I need a CPAP machine. Really can't see getting one just to have surgery this fall.. wonder if it's possible to get one used... is that gross? I could get a new mask.

The chick called from the Sleep Center of Tulsa and told me I needed one, but only to setting 6. She said normal for patients was 8-10. Don't really know what the numbers correspond to, but I'd love to try it for a week and see if it really makes a difference!

I totally cheated last night. Sid called from work and wanted to go eat at Senor Tequilla. So, we went. I had a burrito with fajita steak inside... not the WORST thing I could have had, but I did partake in guacamole and (as usual) too many chips!

There's a lady doing lunges across her back yard behind our house. Skinny bitch! lol

Sleep study part deax

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:32:36 GMT

OK! So last night was yet another sleep study!

I did sleep better, although I had some extra equipment. I was going to take a phone pic of me with my CPAP on, but I had turned off my phone when I got there and I was POOPED!

I did sleep better, but rolling over was a bit hard. I thought I woke up about 4-5 times. I felt like it was slipping or something. My ear on my right side was all folded over and hurt the first time...

The mask I wore was like the one the dentist uses for gas. It covers your nose only and has like a T thing to rest against your forehead. Not too bad.

Like this one:

This guy looks WAY more comfy than I was! It took a bit of getting used to, not to open my mouth. Talking was NOT an option! LOL I sounded like darth vader when I did... hahaaa I think I did sleep a little better after I got situated. A LOT better than I slept that first night!

Now, I have all this gunk in my hair in about 8 places:

Looks like some guy shot a wad! SHEW! SHEW!!! I must go wash my hair with Dawn now!

OH! And look at this! I have NAILS NOW! Not for long, I don't think, though... as cool as it is to scratch myself with them, they're eventually going to kill me in my sleep. LOL I guess it's because I've been eating right and taking better care of myself. Multivitamins probably help a bit, too. hahahaaa

Made it!

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:42:34 GMT

Ok! SO! For some odd reason, I set my alarm for 9:45am when I had a 10:30am appointment. Good thing I woke up early, I don't think I was all that awake when I set it.

Got to my first appointment (the dietician/nutritionalist chick). She was super nice! I really thought I was going to learn something new, but really didn't. She talked about upping my protein after surgery and showed me how big my stomach is going to be... eek! 1/4 cup if you have any measuring cups around. This is TINY!

At least I know food will stretch a LONG time! I'm kind of looking forward to that. She told me I probably wouldn't be hungry for a few weeks after, but I needed to get used to chewing my food about 30 times... to the consistency of apple sauce... eek ekk! That's MUSH! I think I can do it though.

There's this creepy guy at work that's always stopping me in the hall. He knows I've been dieting and is on Atkins himself. He told me about chewing food about 20 times. We called him Duncan for the longest time, but his name isn't Duncan... don't know where we got that. I haven't noticed he's lost all that much, but every time I see him, he's lost more... he says.

I have all kinds of friends who've had this surgery done in some way, shape or form, too. She said that was a good sampling of friends for support. Some of them have not been so successful, others have been WILDLY successful. I think I'll be the latter! :) At least I hope so. She said I had the mentality for it.

The psychologist appointment was a little rushed. I didn't get out of my first appointment until 12:15! The second was starting AT 12:15 also! I called and left her a message, told her I was on my way. She actually called me when I was at the light by her office. I asked her if we needed to reschedule, but she said to come on in. I took a version of the MMPI test. About 90something questions. Just hope I didn't fail. LOL!

Every once in a while, there was a "I'm making myself sound better than I really am on this test" question. Thought that was funny. I just zoomed through it, going with my first gut reaction. (that's how I take tests... sometimes it works, others..well never mind!) LOL

My third appointment was with my DO, Dr Ting. She said I looked like I felt better and was in better spirits. I told her I really was. I feel better, even though by her chart, I've only lost 3 pounds. Sounds better than my Weight Watchers weigh ins! OH, which I went to today, but they were CLOSED in the middle of the day...??? Looks like if they were open more, they'd get more business... just a thought.

We might drive by later and see.

Anyway.. all 3 appointments went well. I have 2 more appointments with Dr Ting, a sleep study and 2 more psychologist appointments to go.
I have a folder from Dr Gorospe's office that I carry to all my appointments, so I don't forget anything.

Ended up not getting to an ATM to get that $50 for the psych exam. She said just to bring it next time. That was good... that was a HUGE chunk to pay today!

I think I'll email my journal to my parents and sisters, just so they can read everything and I won't have to send separate emails out.

Poem thing...

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:58:59 GMT

I sent this to my family to read. I don't usually forward email, so I think they all read it and agree that this isn't just me looking for a way out. My sisters both sent me supportive emails back and Dad's on board now, so my support team is in place in my family as well as my friends.

I don't remember where I got this, but I'm going to put it behind a cut...

LISTEN
(Author Unknown)

LISTEN to the embarrassment we encounter in our every day life. The name-calling, stares, rude comments and looks of disgust we endure battling the last acceptable form of
discrimination. People we meet that give us a far wider berth than we need when passing us on the street, in the hall; in life. Afraid that somehow our disease of obesity might be contagious.

LISTEN to our apprehension as we expertly eye the chair. Will we break it, or will we fit. Will we ever fit into life, as "normal" people know it?

LISTEN to our agony as we just walk and perform the simple activities of
daily living on joints screaming in pain from incredible burden they were never meant to carry.

LISTEN to the pain of our humiliation when ridiculed by a doctor for "allowing" ourselves to get so fat. Realizing even the doctor’s office is not a "safe" place; we tend to neglect our heath even more. Hey doctor, didn’t you take an oath to help?

LISTEN to our hopelessness after being turned down over and over for
a job or promotion because we don’t "match the corporate image" of the person they envision for this position.

LISTEN to our guilt. Because of our size, we feel we’ve cheated those we love out of the parent, spouse, child or friend we feel we should’ve been. Our embarrassment has now become theirs as well.

LISTEN to our anticipation as we eagerly embark on yet another diet. THIS will be the one. This time I
WILL SUCCEED!

LISTEN to our frustration as once again we fail at another attempt to lose weight, reinforcing once again our feelings of worthlessness, failure and defeat.

LISTEN to our fear for what life holds if we don’t have this surgery. We try to ignore it, to stuff it down, but when we are brutally honest with ourselves, we realize an early death is an almost certainty.

LISTEN to our indecision as we do extensive research, trying to outweigh the risk of complications (up to and including death) versus the chance of a new life. A chance to improve our health, move without pain, play with our children, the opportunity to just "fit in" to society.

LISTEN to our indecision as we second-guess our decision to have surgery. As we ask ourselves, "Should I try just one more diet?" And tell ourselves, "If I
only had more willpower."

LISTEN to us as we eagerly meet with the surgeon, with our five-page, single-spaced, list of questions in hand. Let down by the medical profession in the past, can I really trust this person who looks at me with compassion, as he assures me I’m a "good candidate" and he can help? Please God, I want to believe him, tell me I’m not setting myself up for failure once again.

LISTEN to our
feelings of helplessness as we place our future in the hands of an insurance company. Fully aware that with a simple denial letter, all the work we have done to this point, may be pointless. This surgery is not without cost, physical, emotional and monetary.

LISTEN to our joy as we open the long awaited "approval letter" or obtain financing to make this dream a reality.

LISTEN to us as we grasp for a chance at
improved health, of moving with ease and just living life as a "normal" person.

LISTEN to our renewed hope of living long enough to see our children grow up, get married, play with grandchildren and grow old alongside our mate.

LISTEN to our fear as we roll into the surgical suite. The sights, the smells, the needles, the faceless people behind the masks. Do you care? Do you understand, or will you too
make cracks about my weight once I’m asleep? My life is now in your hands, please take care of me. I have a brand new life ahead of me, and so much to live for.

LISTEN to the sigh of relief as we wake up in pain but alive! Stand up, walk a few steps, cough and deep breathe. Sure nurse, whatever you say, I can handle it because I’m alive!

LISTEN to our delight as the weight starts to drop off, realizing this is
for real. We are actually on the loosing side.

LISTEN to our misery as the body we once knew so well, now betrays us with nausea and vomiting when we attempt to eat.

LISTEN to our frustration as we attempt to do something as simple as drinking a glass of water.

LISTEN to our panic at the first plateau or weight gain. As that little voice inside tells us, "Once again I’m a failure."

LISTEN to us relax and let out our breath as we watch the numbers on the scale edge down once again. Plateau over. Renewed hope. Maybe I will make it after all.

LISTEN to our efforts to move as we slowly and painfully attempt to exercise in a body that is still morbidly obese.

LISTEN to our confusion as our emotions wreck havoc with us. Why am I crying? Why do I feel depressed? Why am I mean and snapping at the ones I love? I don’t like this person that has taken over my emotions.

LISTEN to our sense of accomplishment the first time we walk a mile. It
rivals the high of any runner completing their first marathon.

LISTEN to our depression when we realize we can no longer soothe our emotions with food. We now have to learn to feel and deal with these emotions.

LISTEN to our tears as we mourn the loss of that brief but satisfying sensation of gratification we once obtained from the "comfort foods" we can no longer have.

LISTEN to our obsession surrounding the scale, vitamins, protein drinks and carb counts, determined not to fail "this time".

LISTEN to our sense of accomplishment as we pass up that calorie laden, high carbohydrate treat, telling ourselves, "My new life is sweeter than any dessert."

LISTEN to our elation as we reach that "century mark" that once seemed so distant, but now is a reality.

LISTEN to our resolve to reach our goals. Moving the weight on the scale down another notch, reaching a new "century" of numbers, wearing the dream outfit and attaining our "goal" weight.

LISTEN to the gratefulness in our hearts as we thank our surgeon for not only their technical skills, but equally important, their understanding and compassion for the morbidly obese. Thank you, doctor, for the opportunity to rejoin society and live life.

LISTEN to our amazement as we come to the realization that "reaching goal" wasn’t the most important thing in life. It was the lessons we earned, the friends we made and the sense of accomplishment we gained along the way.

LISTEN, don’t talk, don’t give advice, don’t judge, just listen. And then, maybe then, you will start to understand the life of a morbidly obese person.

100 pound mark...

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 02:55:44 GMT

Ok, so when I hit my 100 pounds lost stage, I've already made up my mind I'm getting new tattoos... these!

I'll have a little more hair than this guy, though.. hahaa (probably not much, but more)

Appointment anyone?

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:54:33 GMT

Tomorrow is going to be a BUSY day!

FIRST! I have my nutritionist to see at 10:30am in midtown. This will probably come close to the 2 hour limit I've given it. Found that out Saturday. I did tell her I have another appointment to get to by 12:15p. I have my "what do you like to eat" thing all filled out. Wish I could have just typed it on line somewhere, I HATE my handwriting! Now I'm all cramped up... hate that!

SECOND! I have my psychologist appointment at 12:15pm in south Tulsa. Should be fun. I've never done anything like this. I'm sure I'll take the MMPI test while I'm there. I'm just trying to figure out what the $50 in materials fees there is. Do they make new ink blots with every client?!? DANG!

THEN LAST, I have a 3pm appointment with my family doctor, Dr Ting. Ugh! Just the normal weight check. I'm going to bring my strings for her to see. I really can see a difference on them! Can't really tell that much from my clothes anymore, but they are fitting a little looser.

OH! And then I have to go weigh in at WeightWatchers when I get all this running around done.

Just hope I have enough gas in the tank! Luckily, they're both off Lewis Ave, so there will be no snaking around or getting on the highways. I'll just hop on Riverside "Raceway" and get there quick.

COST FOR THE DAY:
            $20 copays x 3 appointments = $60
            $50 for the "materials fee" for the psych doc
            $160 for the nutritionist/dietician (think I'll get this back through my insurance, but it's up front)
Grand total of $270!!

And that's without gas. Maybe I should get that first! Don't know how my car payment's going to be made this month... hmm

Just told Leesa how much tomorrow was going to cost. I don't think she's really that happy about it. I hope I get that $160 back for seeing a dietician... I'm pretty sure I will.

Um food?

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:06:44 GMT

Ok, so I came home after work, 7pm. I'm hungry... don't know what to eat really.

Nothing sounds good.. and what MIGHT sound good is REALLY bad for me.

I need to get something that's good, good for me and that I can fix. (so no fancy stuff!)

I've had my fill of grilled chicken, ugh! I think I'm just bored, but I really am hungry tonight. Now it's almost midnight. I just got back from going to Maverick because my friend, Eric, was in town. Told all my guy friends about my surgery possibly happening this fall.. some of them are supportive, one in particular wants me to do LapBand so bad he can taste it.

I just don't think the band is where it's at for me. The doctor I'm using does them, but I really think RNY will be best for me. He admitted to not being very educated about it and listened to my 2 cents about the whole thing. I just think RNY will be best for me because it comes with the whole behavior modification thing. On Lap, you can pretty much eat what you want as long as you chew it like crazy. I've heard a lot of people cheat by drinking a lot of shakes. That's not eating and it's certainly not good JUST to have liquids the rest of your life, I don't think.

I have friends who've had the band and wish they'd just gone ahead and done RNY. I've never heard the reverse.

Man, I'm hungry! Think I'll just go to bed...

What's for dinner?

Sat, 31 May 2008 00:49:11 GMT

Ok, so I just got off work and I'm STARVING!!! I really want to get something good to eat, but I don't want it to be 500 points on WW. There's nothing here to eat. It would be SO easy just to go out to Subway and get a sub that's at least halfway good for me, but I just want to sit here at home now that I'm here.

Who wants to come over and cook for me?... bring me dinner?... anything? Anyone??

Leesa forwarded me this pic today from Cozumel.. bet they're having a good dinner there!

And my lil sis ate dinner last night in San Francisco here...

Guess I'll go get me something somewhere.

Once is never enough..

Fri, 30 May 2008 04:36:33 GMT

Got a call tonight at work. The sleep center chick said my numbers were borderline, so they want me to come back in for another night to wear the CPAP machine while I sleep.

Now I've heard about them. Two of my friends at work sleep with them. They are the whole mask type and both of them say they actually can't sleep WITHOUT them now! hmm... ok

So they're going to call me probably tomorrow and set up another night I'll sleep over. Probably Tuesday night again... I hope. That wasn't that bad. I just had to come home and recover with another 4 hours of sleep, then go to work at 3pm. I can do that again.

Leesa's in Cozumel this week... just me and the dogs here to keep me company.

I did something REALLY bad tonight at work. They'd had a meeting earlier today and had a tray of damn cookies for it... 2/3 of which was still there tonight.. well, now it's more like 1/2 there. UGH! I had 4 throughout the 8 hour shift... I feel like a fat ass!

Sleep study

Wed, 28 May 2008 17:07:08 GMT

Ok, so I got back this morning about 7am from my sleep study feeling, well, sleepy! It's 11:40 now and I just got up from REAL sleep!

I don't see how they can judge so much after sleeping so bad. The nurse told me I got some good sleep, but I beg to differ!

I got there at 9:30 last night. Sat around watching AFV, laughing to myself... then watched the Daily Top 10 on E!, then watched Chelsea Lately. Chelsea was going off the air by the time they got me all hooked up. Melody was my nurse, she was telling me that since that big storm last night, they were having MONDO computer problems. There were 3-4 other people there besides me that they were hooking up. I was the last one to go down.

She was stressed. I told her not to worry, that I wasn't going to go to sleep on her early. LOL

The first thing, I went to go change into a t-shirt and shorts to sleep in. She put 4 diodes down my shirt and out the bottom of my shorts. They were for sensing leg movement. The next one went on my side, for my heart and one on my collar bone, I'm assuming for heart, too. There were a bevy of them on my head, probably 7-8. This included 3 on my chin.

It really wasn't all that bad. I started out sleeping on my back. They have Lady Americana beds there.. I must check into those! OMG! It was wonderful. I thought it was one of those memory foam mattresses, but she said it was just a regular one.

I had to wash my hair twice with Dawn to get all the conductor goop out of it. LOL She sent me home with all my diode snaps still on me. I left a few there, but forgot I had 4 on my legs (on my shins). Those probably hurt the worst to remove. The ones on my head just kind of fell off with the heat of my head, she said those wouldn't be bad.

Melody didn't have to wake me up at all. No CPAP/BPAP machine! Whew! I was really not looking forward to that. When I first got there, they asked me how I usually slept back/front/side. I usually start out on my back and flip to my side. She suggested the CPAP mask that just covered my nose. Kind of like going to the dentist. Luckily, she didn't have to use it, though. Wonder if I got charged for each one though, just for trying them on... I'm sure!

I got up once to use the restroom, that's normal for me. There were 1-2 times, I think, when my eyes just OPENED. Not really sure what caused that, but I went right back to sleep.

Like I said, I got home about 7am, my friend Sid watched all the dogs last night. She left for work about 7:40 and I showered and went back to bed. Had to wash my hair with Dawn twice before all the goop was gone. I guess I should go get my hair cut this morning since it's really clean... and I'll have to shower all those little hairs off of me before work anyway.

So that's how it went... any questions?

My next appointment is Tuesday, June 10th. That will be my psych appointment and my second appointment with Dr Ting, my family doctor.

Ah exercise!

Tue, 27 May 2008 21:31:40 GMT

Just got back from walking 2.5 miles at Riverwalk! We started by the skate park and walked to the pedestrian bridge and back up and around the other side! It was nice and overcast with a nice breeze. We stopped a couple of times on the bridge and once at the new seating area, just to take in the view for a while.

I have my sleep study tonight, starting at 9:30pm. They told me to arrive ready for bed and I'd just go in, change and lay down. They rooms were nicer than a hotel, looked more like a bedroom. The mattresses looked fluffy and the pillows were big, so I don't think I'll have a problem falling into a slumber, especially after walking that far today.

A friend is coming over to watch our bevy of dogs while I sleep.. lol I told her I'd be back before she wakes up in the morning, so there's really nothing to do but sleep here for her. I just wanted someone here just in case, ya know?

Anyway.. OH!

I went and weighed in at WW this afternoon! Another 2 pounds gone! I've lost 3.2 pounds now. Still can't believe I'm losing, I'm really not missing out on anything... well, kinda, but not really. I just kind of talk myself out of wanting to go somewhere like Golden Corral to load up on carbs and fat.

We went to Big Al's, a healthy sub shop, for lunch today! They have several wraps and pita sandwiches that have the WW points all tallied up for you, so I stuck to that menu. I had a turkey and avocado pita with spinach and sprouts. It was WONDERFUL!

I have half of Leesa's Mediterranean wrap left over to eat tonight. Should be YUMMY!

They are going to copy the WW menu, so I can get a copy next time we go there. This isn't as bad as I thought it would be... really!

Thrifty!

Mon, 26 May 2008 18:21:27 GMT

We just got back from doing the thrift store circuit. She always finds great t-shirts. I can never find anything for me. She knows more of what to get me than I do! LOL I noticed I have an abundance of blue in my wardrobe, so she's going to be on the look out for something else next time.

I was looking at a pair of khakis that were in good shape. They were just like 6 inches smaller than I needed. I almost bought them, but didn't.

Can't wait to weigh in tomorrow... see what it says. I did my strings again yesterday, they're getting smaller and smaller. I can't really tell that much in my clothes yet, though.

Sunday!

Mon, 26 May 2008 02:56:01 GMT

We didn't know what we were going to do today until we finished lunch at Panera. I called <lj user=femgyrl> to ask her if she knew where some walking trails were. We ended up going to Oxley Nature Center at Mohawk Park in north Tulsa. It was nice.. the trails hadn't been cut in a while, but it was fun.

I'd just showered before we went and ended up having to shower after because we kept finding TICKS on us! UGH! I had like 10+ critters! I think Leesa was a bit freaked out about it. I told her that if they stayed on you, you could get lyme disease.. funky stuff like that.. so when we came to a clearing, we'd do a quick check to see if we could pull any off.

They really seemed to like my socks! LOL

I think we'll go try out the river trails on the west side of the river tomorrow. That sounds a little more manicured and safer. If someone had been out at Oxley and gotten hurt, there's no telling how anyone would find you... another reason I was glad I'd called <lj user=femgyrl> before going!

I got +4 points today for going walking for like 40 minutes! Not bad! I really didn't eat all that good of stuff today and still, I'm not at my points for the day... we both got the munchies tonight. I split a popsicle with her and munched on pretzels. Threw in a couple of Ghiridelli chocolate pieces.. that should bring my points closer to 0.

I really wanted to go see Ironman today, but I guess we have tomorrow.

Leesa leaves for Cancun with her parents on Tuesday afternoon.. I have my sleep study that evening, starting at 9:30pm... I'll be SO friggin' tired by then!

Hope everyone has a great holiday!

Woops!

Sat, 24 May 2008 02:40:05 GMT

Somehow, I scheduled my psych appointment on the same day as my 2nd check in with Dr Ting (there are 3 check ins).

My psych is at 12:15p around 71st and Lewis. Dr Ting's appointment is at 3:00p at 21st and Utica... eek! Maybe I'll call Ting and see if I can be bumped back or that morning. I really hate to change the time I get weighed though. Maybe they'll have an opening about the same time the next day.

Oopsies! LOL