Crazy 24 Hours

It's 10:45pm and I'm in the Country Inn & Suites in Huntersville, NC. My childhood hometown. We came over here to bring Sophie to my moms and we are staying at a hotel so that we can meet my cousin's wife (Stacy) at my Mom's in the morning for Sophie's arrival. She's an amazing dog expert (www.dogsbehavingbadly.org)and is going to help Mom and MomMom with any transition issues that Sophie might have. I think it will be a smooth transition... Sophie is so laid back.

But, this time last night - I had just gotten home from Park West Hospital. I took my Gran to the doctor yesterday afternoon and the next thing I know - Don's having to leave work early (again) to get Katie so that I could get Gran admitted (via the ER).

Turns out, she's not in good shape at all. She's having heart problems - it could be the result of a severe infection that she developed in her leg. She ended up in CCU last night - but this afternoon - they had her stable and moved her to a normal room. So, we came on over here.

My dad came into Knoxville today and Don and I hated to leave him - but at the same time - this is going to give him an idea of what we went through with Grandad and what we are starting to go through with Gran.

She is a terrible patient. She tries to be pleasant and smiley with the nurses - meanwhile removing her IV's under the sheets.

My dad called me at 8pm tonight when he got back to our house. They had ended up restraining her because she kept trying to get out of bed - even though she can't walk - she was trying to remove her monitors, catheter, etc.

I took her to the dentist Monday morning and the DRASTIC difference in her between Monday and yesterday afternoon was unbelievable. I thought when I first got to her house yesterday that she'd had a stroke.

I'm just taking a deep breath and trusting that we will all get through this because I know it's going to be another bumpy ride.

Update: Fell asleep last night before I published this... *sigh*. Gran is now restrained to her bed because she scratched a nurse last night. Oh my goodness... don't want to go home.

More later!
LA :(

Katie is amazing and I love her so much

Katie has amazed me and totally cracked me up several times the past few days. First of all, the knowledge that she has about animals... ALL animals is just astounding. The only TV the child watches is animal planet. She can talk to you about any animal on the planet I do believe - even the rhino beetle. I didn't even know there was such a thing.

I'm sure she will grow up and be a naturalist, a marine biologist, a dolphin trainer - who knows!! But, I do feel like she's destined to work with animals and nature.

Anyway, speaking of animals. I recently got a GREAT deal on a saddle at State Line Tack in Petsmart because they are going out of business in June. I made sure before I purchased it that I could return it if it didn't fit Belle. Turns out - she is a very hard horse to fit a saddle on. So, it didn't fit and I went to go return it on Saturday. Well, of course - there was a huge problem and I couldn't. Turned out the girl who told me I could - was not at work the day that it was announced that all State Line Tack sales were final. This was not my problem. I asked Don to take Katie to see the fish, cats, etc... because I didn't want her to see me argue with the manager. The manager was extremely rude and the best I came away with was a gift card for several hundred dollars that I have to spend before June 1st at StateLineTack.com. Well, once we were in the car, I was trying not to be mad. I didn't want to allow this woman to ruin my good mood. Katie chirped in and said "Mom, people today are ridiculous - don't worry about her". LOL

Then Sunday, Don got her homework out of her backpack and she had to read a story and then write an alternate ending using three complete sentences and one sentence had to use three adjectives. Don mumbled... "you've got to be kidding me" because we've been overwhelmed at how hard her first grade homework has been. Katie said "Uh oh, since it's going to be hard homework, can I go play for five minutes before we start". :)

But the most precious thing she has said the past few days was on Sunday about Sophie... she was pretty emotional a week ago when I told her that we were taking Sophie to Grandmom and MomMom's house this weekend. I had to remind her that Sophie was suppose to go live with them to begin with... Mom and I had searched for the right dog to be a part of their family life after Molly went to heaven. But, when we took Sophie to NC last May - MomMom just wasn't ready for another dog. Time has passed and Sophie is well trained so now - it's a go! :)

Well, Sunday - she heard me telling Don that I had to get Sophie groomed and her vet records, etc. for the trip this weekend. Katie said "I think we should definitely give Sophie to Grandmom and MomMom because it's special and they will love her."

She loves Sophie and Hogan - they are her outside, I'm gonna follow you everywhere and do everything with you buddies. So, I don't know who will miss Sophie more... me (probably not), her or Hogan.

But, Sophie is such a happy, fun-loving little dog. You can't help but smile when you call her name, she sits down and looks at you, cocks her head and her tongue is just barely hanging out - like Eddie on Frasier. She will bring a lot of happiness to both Mom and MomMom, I'm sure of it!

Well, that's all for now. I'm just trying to write down things that Katie does or says these days that are cute or special to me so I will remember them... for scrapbooking of course! ;)

More later!
LA

80 Pounds & Holding

Well, a lot has happened since the last time I updated two weeks ago. I've still been having a rough go with a few things but I am seeing a "cognitive behavioral therapist" that Dr. Boyce is sending me to and she is helping a great deal already.

My weight loss has definitely slowed and will probably be at a much slower pace for the duration. I've been talking to and reading stories of people who hit a plateau and slow down at 40 pounds so I am very thankful to have dropped 80 before I got to that point.

Seventy more pounds would put me where I was when I graduated high school and I didn't feel like I had a weight problem at all. Eighty more pounds would put me where my family doctor thinks I should be. We will see how it goes. I'm trying just to take one day at a time.

I went to see my family in North Carolina this past weekend and did that ever do me some good. Katie got the stomach bug so we were going to have to postpone AGAIN so since I can't drive that far by myself yet - I flew. Mom helped. I think it helped me to be independent, make the flight over, rent a car and be successful on my own. I've been dependent on others - mainly Don - since my surgery...

Then I took Mom estate and garage saleing on Saturday for her and MomMom's ebay store - Ms. Lily's Attic. We had SO MUCH FUN!!!! MomMom had a lot of fun when we got home going through all our treasures!

Mom pampered me and cooked me the BEST chicken all weekend long and I know that helped boost my energy level. It was neat seeing them and my Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Linda and them making a big deal about my weight loss. Love and support go a LONG way! :)

My mom, aunt and uncle got my grandmother a golf cart for her 84th birthday on March 4th. This has helped her get back out in the yard (they have a huge one) and start gardening again. They have a nice greenhouse and she's growing her own lettuce, etc. She took me around on the golf cart and that was so much fun. Mom was snapping pictures like crazy and four months ago - I would have been running from the camera. I'm still overweight but I actually enjoyed having my picture taken this weekend.

I also think it did Don and Katie good to have a good weekend together doing some fun things. She's been so clingy with me since my surgery - her and Don had not had any time together - so that worked out well too!

They picked me up at the airport Sunday night and Katie was at the water fountain in the airport holding a HUGE pink sign that said "Welcome Home Mom".

We went out to the farm today and I rode Belle - our new horse. She's a Tennessee Walker and boy - her being a gaited horse makes an EXTREME difference. I rode, and rode and rode some more. I even had her up to a cantor/gallop today. It's a breeze getting on now where before - it was a real struggle. Today when I had her cantering and the breeze was blowing in my face - I had tears coming down my cheeks but the biggest smile ever on my face. I finally was starting to feel like it's all been worth it. It was a feeling of freedom, excitement, thrills all wrapped into one.

Belle is only 4 years old so we are going to have some amazing years together. She's a jumper too... so if Katie decides to try and go forward with the hunter jumper aspect of riding - Belle will work for that too. She's going to be perfect for Katie.

My Aunt Linda and Uncle Ronnie gave me a visa gift card to some new clothes and I can't wait. All my clothes are falling off me. That's a good thing though, right? :)

More later! :)
LA

75 Pounds & A New Doctor

Well, I weighed this morning... Wednesday Weigh Day and I've lost 75 pounds. All my clothes are hanging on me - if not falling off. I've been picking up a few things here and there off eBay... but I am just not going to spend a fortune on clothes as I'm loosing weight.

I now weigh ONE POUND LESS than I did the day I married Don. Don's continuing to lose weight too... he's down a total of 25 pounds and there are only 4 pounds separating us. I've never weighed less than Don... isn't that horrible? The wife is suppose to be smaller. ;)

I have been a little stronger but still having problems with a weak stomach. I've been staying awake all day but I'm toast by 8pm and I sleep until 5:30-6am. So, I'm getting almost 10 hours of sleep - that's a lot!

I've managed to start getting my wellbutrin down - which is helping a lot. I go see my new "behavior management doctor" today at 1pm. I don't expect her to snap her fingers and make me better with this gagging/getting sick thing... but at least it's a step in the right direction.

Hopefully, all will go well and I can go see my mom and grandmother this weekend. Don's off this weekend and can go with us...I really, really need that trip. We probably all do.

I saw AC & Maxine for the first time yesterday - that is the first time since like February 1st and AC is not the kind of man that doles out compliments but he just raved about my weight loss and how good he thought I looked.

Now, if I could only get strong enough to enjoy these kind of occurrences! :)

Here's hoping the doctor helps!
LA :)

One Day At A Time

Well, I've decided that I'm not going to say "I'm better" or "I've turned a corner" - none of those things anymore. Every time I do, I end up worse than before.

I finally, finally started feeling better last Friday. I got a little work done (I'm SOOOO far behind) and managed to have a pretty good day. Don knows how much I've missed the farm and he thought taking me out Saturday and getting me on Sunny would do me good.

So, that's what we did. He did all the physical work of grooming her and getting her cleaned up and then got her tacked up. We got her down to the arena and I got on her and it FELT GREAT! I started crying and leaned over and gave her a big hug.

I rode her for about 30 minutes. I was so much more balanced and it was just the boost I needed.

Saturday was beautiful and the rest of the day was wonderful. I was still doing great so Don and I decided to go see Wild Hogs with Tim Allen. We both thought a comedy would do us good. We went to the 7:15 show at The Pinnacle and it was sold out. It was so crowded and there was popcorn, candy, nachos, cokes, etc. EVERYWHERE! I'd taken Kate to see Charlotte's Web and it was a matinee so there wasn't near the smells or things to deal with.

The movie was funny but the later it got, the more pooped I got. There were a few things in the movie that were a little gross and I had to look away. Well, I made it through the movie but the minute we were in the car... I was dry heaving and gagging.

So, yesterday, my abdomen was sore again, my muscles ached and I felt like I was back to square one. I HAVE NO ENERGY!!!

I'm very blessed to have a husband that likes and enjoys cooking because I can't open the refrigerator door without gagging. I can't open the pantry... It's ridiculous!

I've put in a call to Dr. Boyce's office this morning because I guess it's time for me to see a therapist because I can't go on like this.

I'm not getting my medicine, my vitamins and I know I'm not getting the protein I need.

As of last Wednesday, I was down 71 lbs but man alive - the last 10 lbs have definitely gone the hard way.

My best friend Lisa has found a wonderful diet that is really working for her. It makes me so frustrated at myself that I couldn't do this without the extreme measures I resorted to with the surgery. I just never thought it would be like this.

We've postponed our spring break trip to Disney. Katie is disappointed but understands and we are going to try and go when Don has his five days off in June.

More later...