Had a great time in Chicago

Well here I am back home and thought that I should post my activities.
I went to Chicago to go to an ObesityHelp Event. It was great. I met a lot of people that had the gastric bypass or the lapband. Believe it or not, I was the one that had lost the most weight of everybody there. I couldn't believe it. I didn't win anything, but got nicknamed TEXAS while there. I was the only one from Texas. I did get to meet Dr. Garth Davis from Big Medicine and had my picture taken with him. Also the therapist that they have, Mary Jo Rapinni, was there and her session was really interesting.
After the event, Jen and Dan picked me up and we went to my mother-in-laws for a little party and to pick up George. Then we went back to my brother Kens house for the rest of the visit. I really enjoyed spending time with Jen and Dan. Jen and I went shopping for Scott and Amber's baby that is due in October. We bought so much stuff I had to buy another suitcase to get it home. I have saved some of the clothes for when they have a baby shower. I gave them some of the clothes. We got a lot of Chicago Cubs outfits and a few Bears things. They really liked all that I brought.
Got to spend time with my new little niece, Maggie. She is adorable. Her sister and brother just adore her. Her cousins Lily and Jack can't seem to get enough of her either when they were around. Jack not so much cause he is only 1 1/2 years old, but his big sis Lily is like all girls wanting to give kisses to the baby.
All in all I had a great time, even tho the weather wasn't the best at times. It was cool and rainy for half the time. We did get a bike ride in one afternoon and about a half hour after getting back it started to rain. Hope you like the few pics I'm posting.
These two pics are of my nieces and nephews. The ones at the picnic table are Left to right, Lily, Kit and little Jack, and the other picture because you couldn't see Fionn at the picnic table is Fionn on the left and little Jack on the right

I'm in Chicago

Got to Chicago today. Had a great flight. I was so excited to fly because I haven't flown since last September. I am proud to say that I didn't need extensions for the seat belts, in fact I had plenty of room and was able to pull them tight and have about a foot of belt that I didn't need. I also fit in the seat with room to spare and was able to put down the tray table and in went all the way down and didn't hit me in the stomache.
My niece Shannon had her baby this morning, a little girl, Maggie Joan she is adorable.
Well that is all for now. Its cold here, about 59 this evening. Will post more later.

Yay, No More Oxygen!!!!!

Hi everyone, Its been a while since I posted. Well today I went to see the pulmonologist and had a great check-up. I don't have to sleep with the oxygen anymore and I don't have to see him either, unless I have problems. That's one doctor down one more to go (heart doc). I don't see him until Sept. I think. I will have to continue with the doc that did the surgery every 6 months for blood work to make sure all my levels are okay.
Now on to other news. For those that don't know, Scott and his fiance,Amber are expecting a baby boy in Oct. They will get married after the baby is born.
As for me, I am doing great. Getting ready to go to Chicago next week to see family and also to go to an ObesityHelp Event. That is a web site that is for weight loss surgery, either the lap band or the gastric bypass. I was really excited when I saw they were having one in Chicago. I can't wait to see the family up there. I haven't seen any of them since Jen and Dan's wedding. I have lost about 60lbs since I was up there. I made my goal of weighing 200lbs by June 1st, so I have officially lost 237lbs total since I began my journey of weight loss. I have gone from a size 4-5X to a medium/large, and bra size from a 54-56 FF to a 38D. I went to a women's health fair this past Saturday and they had a bra fitter from Dillards there to measure you, boy I'm glad I got measured. I also can't wait to get on the plane and not have to ask for a seatbelt extension, and I'm planning on walking at the airports not get a wheelchair for me, the big test will be at Midway because that will be the loooonng walk to get our baggage.
George is doing okay. His new meds seem to help. I will get him a wheelchair at the airports. He walks very slow and seems to almost walk stiff legged. He sees his counselor on Monday, I don't think he sees the doctor until July, will wait and see.
I'm putting a new picture here. It was taken on May 27th at church(where else)by my friend Jody. The other pic of me in a swimsuit, sorry its sideways, I'm not sure why it is since I changed the setting, oh well, you can still see me and all my wrinkles and loose skin. Well that's all for now, will post pics after my trip to Chicago.

On my way to Goal

Well I didn't make my birthday goal. I did get down to 210 pounds. That means that I have lost 227 pounds since my journey began 18 months ago.

I went to Curves today and did my 30 minutes and then went to Target and walked the store then came home and went for a 20 minute bike ride around the neighborhood. Not bad for a 55 year old.

I have also joined water aerobics again. I will go to that on Monday and Friday mornings. It lasts an hour and it is continuous exercise, the only time we stop is to get our water dumbbells to use. It is a lot of fun.

I promised a couple of new photos. The one is from Easter last year with Kennedy and then this Easter so you can compare. The other is from Olin Miles for our church directory and then one taken from a friend at our church's Food Pantry.

Everyone here is doing good. I don't know if everyone has heard that I will be a grandma in October. Scott and his fiance Amber are going to be parents. I'm all excited. No date for the wedding yet, but I think they are just going to go to the JP and let us know afterwards. But I will let everyone know what happens.

George seems to be doing better. The new medication seems to be working. We will keep our fingers crossed that it continues to work.

Hope you like the pics.

6 month checkup with Heart doc.

I had my 6 month check up with my heart doctor yesterday. Everything is fine. He said that "there's nothing that I can do for you, see you in 6 months". He told me to get more exercise, but that everything was great. I told him that I had joined Curves and that I ride my bike about 3 1/2 miles several times a week.

I am currently at losing 216 lbs. since I started my journey. Only 3 pounds to go to have halved my weight, and only 21 lbs. till I reach my birthday goal. All in all everything is going great.

My son Scott got engaged the day before Valentines Day. He asked his girlfriend, Amber to marry him and she said yes. No date as of yet, but will let everyone know when I know. Well that's all for now. No new pictures to post yet, but will get some soon.

One year check-up

I went up to see the doctor today for my year check-up since the surgery. All is great. He said that I am doing great. My blood work was good. My protein is still down a little but he wasn't concerned. I don't have to see him again for 6 months. I also went to support group last night. It was interesting. I have been going to Curves for exercise and riding my bike, but haven't been doing any weights. Dr. Reyes said that we needed to do weights also. I will start out slow, I have 2 pound weights and will work on my arms to start. Other than that all is great. I have lost 205 lbs altogether. As soon as the wind dies down I will get out on the bike again.
Will keep everyone updated.

I can't believe that it has been a year already!

A year ago today I was in the hospital all drugged up. I can't believe it has been a year since I had my gastric bypass. I want to thank everyone for their encouragement and support during this time.

The first goal that I set for myself was to lose a 100 lbs., then 150 lbs., and then 200 lbs. Well I hit the 200 lbs. lost this past weekend. The next goal that I have placed upon myself is to get down to weighing 200 lbs. by my birthday. A friend told me today that she did the calculations on my weight loss and I averaged 4 lbs. a week. If I could continue that I will make it plus more for my birthday.

I have had to buy a new wardrobe for myself. All my outgrown clothes I have donated to our church's clothes closet that we have along with the food pantry.

I went today and did my lab work for the doctor. I don't actually see him until the 10th of February. I hope everything is fine. I have been doing more protein and that is the only thing that has ever been low.

I will have to take some new pictures to post. The ones from Christmas Eve is the latest taken. Our church is doing a new picture directory and will be having pics done by Olan Mills. When I get those I will post them along with the old one from the last directory.

I will keep everyone up to date as I go on. Hope everyone has a great year.