A lot going on

Since my last post a lot has happened. I had my 18 month check-up. All is well, still need to up my protein. My surgeon, Dr. Camacho, is suppose to be coming down for a visit in October. I have told Dr. Reyes he had better let me know when he is here because I would really like to see him and show off the new ME. He said he would. Paula Kilgore the baractric coordinator asked me if I would speak at the next support group meeting in Sept. because I had gone to the OH Event in Chicago. I said that I would, even though I normally don't go to the Tuesday group meeting.
George has been getting weaker and weaker. Finally Sunday night we took him to the hospital. They have diagnosed him with Dermatomyositis, what a mouth full to say. It is a muscle and skin disease. It is one of the Muscular Dystrophy myopathies. I am going to see if we can get assistance from MDA. He came home today after 5 days in the hospital. He is getting better. He is on prednisone and a few other drugs. He retained so much fluid in the hospital that his pants didn't fit him when we got him dressed to come home. I got him some knit pants that have a lot of stretch to them, that should work for a while.
Oh I forgot to say that Jen and Dan surprised us on Friday afternoon. They had said they were going to Vegas for the weekend, imagine my surprise when they knocked on the door at Denise's and walked in. I cried. It was so good to see them and have them here for moral support with her dad. The whole family was in on the surprise. They stayed a few extra days after putting George in the hospital. Hopefully things will get back to semi normal now that he is home. I will be taking him with me where ever I go. Now for a few pictures. We took some at my sister's Sunday night of our family and then there's one of me taken at church. Enjoy

Just an update

Not much happening right now. Thought I should update some.
I have gotten down to 195lbs. That means that I have lost 242lbs. since I started this. I have really amazed myself. I knew in my heart that I could do this, but didn't think I would do as well as I have. I still have great support and that helps a lot.
I went to my support group meeting tonight. Our leader wanted me to tell the group about my experience at the ObesityHelp Event that I went to in Chicago. My fear was that we would have a large group tonight and it was just the opposite. There was only two other ladies that came, but I told them all about it. While talking about it Dr. Reyes came in and looked at the pictures that I had taken and commented on the one of Dr. Garth Davis. He is friends with Garth's brother, while Dr. Camacho is friends with Garth. Dr. Reyes also said that Dr. Camacho was coming down for a visit in a couple of months. I told him that I would really like to see him when he is here and would they call me when he was going to be at the office. He said that he would. I will have to let the office know that I want to see him in case that Dr. Reyes forgets.
I have an appointment with Dr. Reyes next month for my 18 month check-up. I will need to get my blood work done next week to make sure it is back in time for the appt.
George had a doctors appt. this morning with the neurologist. He has prescribed a medicine that should help him with his walking. He will start the medicine tomorrow. He has to take it 4 times a day at specific times. The effects of the pill only last 4 hours, so he has to take it at 7am, 11am, 3pm and 7pm doesn't have to take it after that, so we will see how it goes.

These pics were taken while visiting at my brothers. We got to spend 4 days with Jen and Dan, it was great!

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.