Category: thoughts

Bariatric Surgery - My Story · Random Thoughts · thoughts · Uncategorized · WLS

A Year Ago…

jachancellor1 Comment

2015-11-07 22.10.03

November 2015 – This picture from when David and I went to Helena GA was an oh dear Lord moment.  I knew I needed to start the process of getting this weight off.  I have always struggled, but this was my heaviest–315 pounds.  It was a fun weekend, but in a lot of pain, and really struggled to keep up with everyone.

Day of surgery – May 16, 2016.

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I was 283 pounds.  I felt really good about getting to this point.  I followed the guidelines of my nutritionist.  I struggled everyday, but knew that surgery was my goal.  This picture was taken on Friday before my Monday surgery.  I was excited.

David took my measurements:
Neck: 16
Arms: 18.5
Chest: 52
Waist: 48
Hips: 60
Thigh: 35
Calf: 20
Bra: 44H
Weight: 283

Today, Tuesday, May 16, 2017:
Neck: 14.25
Arms: 16
Chest: 41.75
Waist: 37.5
Hips: 44
Thigh: 26.5
Calf: 16.5
Bra: 38DDD
Weight: 190 (will do official on Thursday)

So I have lost a total of 53 inches. 53 Inches!!  I have skin issues.  My arms are basically bat wings.  Boobs -ha.  Just skin everywhere.  I wouldn’t change a thing.  Not one.  I love that I am able to do most anything.  I have zip lined. I participate in 5k’s – walking – but I am NOT on the couch.

Hair is coming back, and this time curly – curly!  I am still adjusting, but at least it is growing back.  So all in all, a very good year.

I go for my 1 year check on Thursday.  I will give my officially update then.

Blessings!

 

 

Mother · Random Thoughts · thoughts · Uncategorized

Mothers

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I love being a Mom.  I always have.  I wanted children regardless of a husband (at one point in my life).  Grateful I have both.

I love most of the stages.  Learning to get through some of them is sometimes more important than loving them.

Each year is a different challenge or a change that occurs with them or with me.  I wouldn’t trade a step.  I love them dearly.

Happy to be a Mom.   Yesterday was nice.  Time spent with them is always good.

 

Blessings.

 

 

Mother · Mother's Day · Random Thoughts · thoughts · Uncategorized

Mother’s Day

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This was invading Facebook this year:

Every year my children ask me the same question. After thinking about it, I decided I’d give them my real answer:
What do I want for Mother’s Day? I want you. I want you to keep coming around, I want you to bring your kids around, I want you to ask me questions, ask my advice, tell me your problems, ask for my opinion, ask for my help. I want you to come over and rant about your problems, rant about life, whatever. Tell me about your job, your worries, your kids, your fur babies. I want you to continue sharing your life with me. Come over and laugh with me, or laugh at me, I don’t care. Hearing you laugh is music to me.  I spent the better part of my life raising you the best way I knew how. Now, give me time to sit back and admire my work.

Raid my refrigerator, help yourself, I really don’t mind. In fact, I wouldn’t want it any other way.  I want you to spend your money making a better life for you and your family, I have the things I need. I want to see you happy and healthy. When you ask me what I want for Mother’s Day, I say “nothing” because you’ve already been giving me my gift all year. I want you.


I miss my Mom, and this idea.  I made sure that I was a part of her day.  Not always showing her the best of me, but showing up.  It was one day of the year that mattered to her officially. Everyday I spoke with her.  I miss that.

So to all of the Mom’s out there, Happy Mother’s Day.

Blessings.

 

Changes · lupus · Random Thoughts · thoughts · Uncategorized · WLS

Body Adjustments & Lupus

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I have been experiencing more Lupus symptoms since my surgery last year.  A big part of my bodies adjustment has been my hair.  I had thicker but still thin hair when I was younger (permed, and colored it -it was the eighties).

Carmen sister 19722015-11-09 13.11.45Then, when I was diagnosed with Lupus it really got thin.  I change my style to a basic bob haircut so I wouldn’t have to place too much stress on my hair, or my arms and shoulders.img_2231With the weight loss surgery I lost even more hair.  After about 7 months, it started growing back.  Curly!  Crazy I know.  Now I am trying to figure out how to style, and take care of the new growth.  And, back to losing it again due to the Methotrexate.  Ugh.

Other things that are giving me fits are the skin changes.  I knew that things would sag, and droop, but with my Sjogren’s, my skin is having a hard time adjusting.  Although I still believe that for me surgery was the best decision.  Adjustments will always be made whether I want them to happen or not.

Blessings!

 

 

lupus · Random Thoughts · thoughts · Uncategorized

World Lupus Day

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Today, May 10, 2017, is World Lupus Day.

World Lupus Day

Please read more.  Ask questions.  Thank you.

Blessings.

 

 

blog · Blogging · blogging party · Giveaway · Random Thoughts · thankful · thoughts · Uncategorized

50!

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Well, it’s actually 51, but OH MY!!

Not sure what I am doing but I so appreciate the follows! Thank you all so very much.  It is hard for me to believe that in December last year I only had 7 official followers.  And, now in five months – 50!

My goal is to do a giveaway if, no, WHEN I reach 100 followers.  I will need help to decide what would be a good giveaway.  So be thinking of stuff now…and thank you again.

Blessings for today, and always!

 

Quotes · Random Thoughts · Sunday · thoughts · Uncategorized

Sunday Thought

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Courage doesn’t always roar.  Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying “I will try again tomorrow.” –Mary Anne Radmacher

This seems to be my favorite quote at the moment.

Blessings.

 

Random Thoughts · thoughts · Travel · Uncategorized

Kentucky Derby

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So today is the Kentucky Derby.  I have become more fascinated with it the past several years, and would like to attend one day.  Won’t be today, but one day.

And, just really to dress up and wear a fascinator: A fascinator hat is a small ornamental headpiece that fits on the head using an alice-band-type base or headband or even a small comb. It is always lightweight and usually features feathers, beads or flowers.

I especially like these:

Ah, one day.  Just add it to my wish list.

Happy Saturday! Happy Derby Day!

Blessings.

 

5 Love Languages · Empty Nest · gifts · Random Thoughts · thoughts · Uncategorized

5 Love Languages

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So the other night, David and I were watching “A Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” and someone made the comment in the movie about being married takes out the romance of the relationship.  I snickered.  David took offense.  We have different definitions of romance, and we both realized that at that moment.

The 5 Love Languages talks about how you like/love and how your partner receives those same things.  I have the book from years ago.  I even got the one for parents and kids to discover how to communicate with your children.

Well, we are learning to communicate again.  We are in a different place with the kids gone out of the house.  We are in a different place.  And, I am learning who I am again.

So, in The 5 Love Languages, you basically break down what brings you joy.  Mine are receiving gifts, personal touch, acts of service, quality time, and words of affirmation.  I had forgotten how important gifts are to me.

David made me a gardening bench out of pallets he found.  Completely blew me away last year.  (It popped up on my Facebook memories feed.)13166716_1131160830269618_122406483_nHaven’t used it like I want to, but in the next few weeks I will be doing some yard, and gardening.

I am trying to remind myself that these are just small snippets of our personalities, and that we are really good.  But I also believe that we need to grow, and adapt to not only to each other but to oneself.

More to come.

Blessings.

 

Random Thoughts · thoughts · Uncategorized

May 4th

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It’s been a crazy week, and not feeling great.  So…

May 4th

Happy May the Fourth!

Blessings.