Another day, another blogger

Frustrated!

2009-10-06T12:09:00.002-05:00

I have not been posting here because I am very frustrated with this weight loss. I don't have much to say about it. At this point I have been working with my Dr. since May and I am still at 270.

Dr. Carter took me off my phentermine yesterday because of numbness in my hands and feet. I have to go and have a neurological test done to find out what is going on. Once we have the results, I don't know if he will put me back on the phentermine or not.

I know part of my problem is that I don't have an exercise routine. I want to rejoin Curves, but I don't have anyone to watch Eliza, and funds may be an issue. I would love to purchase a trampoline for the back yard. Mom has one and the kids and I have soooo much fun jumping on it together. But, Bruce doesn't seem to be interested because of the insurance increase, or the chance of loosing our home owners insurance.

ARGH!! Frustration!

I guess that is it for awhile. At least until after we find out about me feet and hands.

Catherine Elizabeth Barnes

2009-02-03T18:04:00.001-06:00

Here is the picture of my newest niece. She was born this afternoon. She weighed 7 lbs 10 oz. Mommy and baby are all healthy.

Here we go again.

2008-11-18T12:49:00.003-06:00

Ok, so it has been a long time. Things have been really crazy with three kids, house, hubby and all. I am back and going to try this weight loss thing again.

A couple of my friends have been asking me when I was going to start the process again. I have been putting it off with excuses.

This morning I took the phentermine and am going to schedule an appointment with my GP.

How am I feeling?

Shaky, thirsty - thanks phentermine.
Nervous. The last time, the insurance company said that they needed 6 months of doctor led diet. At that time, we had 4 months of information. So, with this information, we were going to petition the insurance company to consider me again. But, I got pregnant and every thing had to stop.
Now, we have to start over. In my mind, this only gives the insurance company another chance to say no. If they do say no, then what?
This process is very "selfish". You have to look at what you eat, when you eat, how you eat. The phentermine makes your brain think you aren't hungry, so remembering to eat is difficult.

When I was doing this before, Ethan and Emma were big enough to tell me they were hungry, or get something for themselves. Now, Ethan and Emma can still fend for themselves, but what about Eliza. She communicates very well (piont, grunt, talk, yell, scream), but she should not have to "worry" about being fed. I will have to make a conscious effort to meet her needs.

I am determined to see this thru. I know the surgery will benifit me and my health. I believe that it will benifit my family too. I so look forward to doing things with me kids that I can't do now. Sledding, running, hiking, biking etc.

Now I start with baby steps. Watching my carbs, taking my meds, drinking water, moving my buns. I am excited to see where it will take me.

Beginning stats:
Before I got pregnant I weighted 278.
During my pregnancy I topped out at 310.
The day after Eliza was born I weighted 268.
Now I weigh in at 300.
What will it be next month?

Fun with food

2008-02-26T21:03:00.002-06:00

Pears, pears the athletic fruit
the harder you squeeze them
the farther they shoot

What's happening

2008-02-26T16:32:00.004-06:00

These past two weeks have been very interesting and some what stressful. It all began 2 1/2 weeks ago.....

I took the van in to see why it over heated and what was making the noise I was hearing in the engine. I thought it had to do with valve lifters, a problem we had around Christmas. At the time they only fixed some of the lifters and said that if the others started making noise they would replace them as well. So in goes the van...

The mechanic called me back and said that the van had 1 quart of oil in the entire engine. The oil was leaking from both the front and the back of the engine. To fix it they would have to take off the water pump, the transmission and drop the engine. Also, the antifreeze was leaking from several places. It was going to be $1,600 to fix. Oh, and it needed all 4 new tires. One was so bad the radials were sticking out of the rubber. Gerry said we needed to decide whether to fix it, or trade it in. Let's see, a 1998 Plymouth Voyager with 170,000 miles on it, no power windows and power locks that lock you out if you close the door after starting the engine.

Hmmmm, Fix or trade in????

After a long conversation about what we could afford, what our dream would be and what we realistically could do. We told Gerry to put some stop leak in it and let it go. We were in the market for a new vehicle. That was Monday.

Tuesday Bruce took off work and we went vehicle shopping. Did I mention that it was cool and snowing. We looked at several different models and decided on the Saturn Outlook (it is a crossover vehicle).

Bruce spent the rest of the week thinking over vehicle packages, gadgets, payment options and loans.

Here is where we take a break from the car search.

On Wednesday we went to our weekly church events, in the Saturn SL2. Can any one say cramped and pass the oil please. Emma came home from church complaining of a sore throat. I figured it was from too much running and yelling at Skooters again. I took her home, gave her some water and sent her to bed. Thursday she went to school, came home and asked for Chloraseptic. You know when a 5 year old asks for that stuff her throat must really be hurting. I called the dr. They said that they had been seeing a lot of viral throat infections and that unless something else happened, they didn't need to see her. Friday she went to school and came home asking for more spray. By 10:00 Friday night she was running a fever and had a rash all over her face and hands. I called the dr again. He said to take her to the lab at the hospital, and he would call in a strep culture. Sure enough, Emma had strep and the rash was scarlet fever. I was to give her an antibiotic and watch the rest of the family for symptoms.

Now back to the car.

Friday we called Saturn and told them what we wanted a red, 2008 Outlook.

Saturday Saturn called us back and said that they had found the car closest to what we wanted. It is almost loaded, but not quite. The kids wanted the DVD system, Bruce wanted the advanced audio system, I thought the navigation system would be helpful, and no body was interested in the all wheel vs. 4 wheel drive option. So, we didn't get those. Bruce told me that we could go and get a portable DVD and navigation systems. That way they could be used in other vehicles. The kids are holding him to that. So, off we went Saturday night to sign papers and drive home our new "truck".

Sunday Emma and I stayed home from church. Ethan and Eliza too, but not because of sickness. Bruce went to church. Disappointed he could not take the new truck.

The next five days were great. A new car, no worries, no strange engine noises, and a nice new car smell.

Saturday we got up and went to the kids soccer games. They play indoor soccer at Liberty Bible church. On the way Emma complains of a stomach ache. I told her we would do the soccer games and then go to lunch. No one had much breakfast and she was probably hungry.

An hour later we were back in the truck. On our way to the car wash and then lunch. The truck needed a good cleaning. It was very salty, and Ethan decided to drag a finger at waist height all the way around the truck. In line at the car wash Emma yells " I need cold air" and then proceeds to throw up on the back bench of the truck. Bye bye lunch. Bye bye new car smell :-( She was so scared that she was going to get in trouble. Maybe because I kept saying " Oh no, she's throwing up in the new car, get her out of here! Oh my gosh, I can't believe she just threw up in the new car..."

After we got out of line for the car wash (which just happens to be in the parking lot for a grocery store. Bruce and Ethan went off for cleaning supplies) I assured her that she was not in trouble. I was not mad at her. It was not her fault. I was more angry at myself for thinking that she should sit by the door and not moving her. I didn't want the argument I know I would have to have with Ethan as it was his day to sit next to Eliza. So we got cleaned up. The car washed and went home.

Emma had the stomach flu all day. I started feeling ill Saturday night. Emma was fine Sunday morning. She and Ethan and Bruce all went to church. Eliza and I stayed home. I was sick all day Sunday. I felt better by bed time. And made it thru the night with out incident.

Monday while Emma was in school, I took the truck in to be detail cleaned on the back bench and floor. My new car smell is back!

Monday night it started to snow. It snowed all night. Emma had not school on Tuesday and Ethan was on a 2 hour delay.

Oh, so far, no one else had gotten strep throat, scarlet fever or the flu and it is still snowing.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow holds.

One funny and some pictures

2008-02-11T15:29:00.000-06:00

Emma is learning her alphabet in preschool. For every letter they learn what it looks like, what it sounds like, the sign for it (sign language) and something that that letter stands for. So, "A" says ah,ah,ah as in apple. So, today Emma comes home from preschool and tells me that her letter was "x". According to Emma "X" says x,x,x as in saw.

This is my desk top image. What a great picture. I love the eyes.

Emma likes to have daddy come up and rest with her at night. I think this is a sweet picture.

Of course I had to get pictures of the other 2 kids...

Why I haven't posted recently

2007-10-22T14:46:00.000-05:00

Eliza Michelle Wilson was born on August 3, 2007.

Then

Now
I can't get over how much she has changed. Emma counts how many times Eliza smiles at her in a day.

Speaking of Emma...
She has wanted pink hair for the longest time. We found some spray in, wash out hair dye. She loved it.

I can't forget Ethan...
He is growing so fast. It is hard to believe that he is in second grade already.
His favorite things are computer games and bike rides with dad.
He has been a great help with Eliza, just don't ask him to touch a diaper. HA!

And then there is Bruce...

What a great dad. He has really stepped up and helped out with the kids. As with any new baby, there have been many changes that we have had to make. Bruce has come through them like a trooper.

I just have to say that I have a compassionate, understanding and good looking crew. I love you guys!

Not very personal for my first entry in 5 months...

2007-10-22T14:44:00.000-05:00

Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!

Too long

2007-05-30T17:44:00.000-05:00

I realized today that it has been quite awhile since I blogged last. Things have been pretty crazy around here with the house on the market, the baby coming and life in general. Let me see if I can catch you up, with out writing a book.

Mom came out about a month or so ago and helped me get the house ready for sale. It has been a challenge to keep the house neat and tidy, ready to show in a moments notice. Basically I have stopped trying to "live in a museum" (as Bruce puts it). I do the mad stash when ever the Realtor calls. We haven't had an offer. It is hard to have an offer when you haven't had a showing in two weeks. We have not found "the house". We have 3 houses that we both really like, but none is so great that we have put an offer on it. Besides, why put in an offer, contingent on the sale of our house, and possibly have someone buy it out from under us. So here we sit and wait.

About baby and pregnancy...
Over the course of this pregnancy I have had many ultrasounds. My size makes it very difficult to hear the babies heart beat with the little thingy that the OB carries on him. So, I have had to have an ultrasound with most visits. This allows the tech to see the babies heart beat. COOL!!
With so many ultrasounds, I would think that we have had many opportunities to view babies gender. Well, that would be true if baby would cooperate. Many of my ultrasounds have been of baby balled up under my ribs.
The tech at my OB's office was having such problems getting babies measurements (to make sure all was growing properly) that I was sent to a specialist from Chicago University Hospital. It was so neat to see the baby. To match the movements I was feeling to the movements on the screen.
At one point the tech was trying to measure babies head, I got that feeling in my stomach (the one you get when riding a roller coaster, butterflies.) and the next thing you know the tech had a great shot of babies backside. HA! I thought it was funny. The tech didn't. She was frustrated because every time she was lined up to measure, baby would move. Oh the things to look forward to.
The best part about this visit was finding out babies gender. Most of the other ultrasounds had problems seeing . The baby was too little to tell for sure, the baby moved, the baby was balled up and wouldn't show. Well this time there was no question. Baby is a girl. She has 2 arms and 2 legs. She has all ten fingers (you could count them in the last ultrasound). She is the right length and weight for her gestational age. She measured to be a baby at 25 weeks gestation. Remarkably I was 25 weeks pregnant.
I can't remember if I mentioned before that I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. This came as no real surprise. I had it with Emma. I was given 2 weeks to get my blood sugar numbers under control by use of diet. Not a problem, right. I did it with Emma, I can do it this time. It didn't work. I have been on a 2000 calorie diet and insulin now for 2 1/2 weeks. I have to check my blood sugar 5 to 7 times a day by pricking my finger. I also have to give myself 4 injections of insulin a day. One before each meal and one before bed. I am still trying to get my numbers to regulate. The doctor says that the further along the pregnancy gets the harder it will be to keep my numbers regulated. So, we may be fighting a loosing battle.
According to the diabetes doctor, my blood sugar levels are normal for a person of my age and weight. His opinion is that once baby is born, I should go back to not needing insulin. But, because this is the second time I have had gestational diabetes there is an increased risk that I may retain the diabetes. It is a game of wait and see.

Now that we know baby is a girl, we have been looking at bumper sets and strollers. We went shopping on Sunday after church. It was fun and befuddling all at the same time. We found 2 bumper sets that we like. I am posting pictures of them here. Bruce likes one and I like the other. Tell us which set you like, Bright Hopes, Sweet Dreams or Lady Bugs

In other news...

Ethan has 3 more days of school left. He will be finishing up first grade and moving on to second. This year he has learned a lot, made some friends, and lost 2 lower teeth.

On the Emma front...

Emma on Sunday Emma today

Saturday afternoon Emma decided that she wanted her hair cut. Our neighbor cuts the kids hair, so we called her. She wasn't cutting on Sat. Emma asked again on Sunday. I told her that Sunday is God's day and Karrie doesn't work on Sunday. Emma asked again on Monday. Karrie was working out in her yard so I told Emma to ask. She went out on the deck and yelled over the fence. Karrie told Emma that she wasn't cutting hair today, she was working in the yard. Emma asked on Monday. I called Karrie and found that she was on a field trip with her daughter to Six Flags Great America. Emma asked this morning. Before I could pick up the phone to call, Karrie called me and we made an appointment for this afternoon.
Every 5 minutes, for 2 1/2 hours, Emma asked if it was time to go to Karrie's. She really wanted to get her hair cut.
Since we have been home, every once in awhile she will pull the dinning room chair up to the mirror on the wall and admire herself. I think she is very pleased.

Well, so much for not writing a book. I had better go get dinner for the kids.

Spellicopter

2007-04-16T16:42:00.000-05:00

When I was in elementary school, my parents bought me a game for our Apple II GS to help me learn my spelling words. It was Spellicopter. I thought it would be really cool if I could find the same game for Ethan to use, only for the PC. So I went googeling and found this.
Using this game has to be better than just straight drilling him. I can't wait to see what he thinks tonight.

Ramblings about the last couple of weeks

2007-04-16T14:23:00.000-05:00

So much has happened in the last few weeks, I don't know where to start.

The Wednesday before Easter my mom came back from a 3 week trip to New Mexico to see Court, Christina and James. Don't be fooled, the trip was mostly about James.

While mom was gone, we decided to go to OH for Easter. So, Thursday while Ethan was in school mom and I picked up to house and got everyone ready for a weekend at Grandma's. Before we could leave town I had an OB appointment. It was for measuring the baby to make sure every thing is growing according to schedule. It was really neat to take the family and let Ethan and Emma see the baby moving around in there. Emma had gone with me once before, but this was Ethan and grandma's first time. I love seeing the movement on the monitor and feeling it at the same time. How anyone can think that what is in there is no more than a ball of tissue that can be removed like a tumor is beyond me. Anyway, the baby was balled up and the ultrasound tech had a hard time getting all the measurements she wanted. So, I get to go back and have it done again in 2 weeks. Finally we were in the car and headed east at about 9:00 at night. We got to mom's house some where between 2-3:00 in the morning.
We had a great weekend at Grandma's house. We had not been back home since January. It was fun to see how much the twins had grown and to let Ethan and Emma play with Hayden and Hannah.
I don't know when I mentioned it, but at some time during the weekend I told mom that it was too bad that she was just getting back. If she had just been hanging out at home, I would ask her to come home with us and help me get the house ready to be put on the market. Bruce has been putting in some long hours at work these past few weeks and he just hasn't have the time to help me clean, arrange and toss out. Mom said that if she could get a few things done at her house before we leave, she would be glad to come back and help.
On Sunday we had Easter lunch at Grandma's house and then all went to Granny's for the egg hunt. It was too cold and wet to have it outside, so we hid 60 plastic eggs in the house. I think this was the first year that every egg was found.
After the egg hunt, we went back to Grandma's house and packed the cars. Mom was frantically looking over her finances and email before we left when Bruce suggested we unplug her computer and take it with us. She agreed and we were off.
Monday morning mom and I sat down and compiled a list of all the things that we would like to accomplish for the week.

Decorate the entry way. (done, see picture)
Clean, arrange and decorate the master bedroom and bathroom. (done, see picture)
Purchase plywood for the linen closet in the master bathroom. It was to cover an attic access we had cut to fix a leak in the roof. (done)
Purchase glue to glue down the floor in the 1/2 bath. It was rolling up due to water
Purchase a PVC cap for one of the pipes in the basement. (done)
Clean and arrange the basement. (done)
General cleaning of the kitchen, living room, dining room and bathrooms.
Hang curtains in Emma's room. (done)
Purchase wood filler and a new closer for the front door. (1/2 done)
Clean a candle burn mark off of the underside of one of the kitchen cupboards. (done)
Get someone to come out and fix the leak in the roof over the master bedroom. (done)
Wash the windows.
Keep up with the laundry and not let it pile up in the laundry room (clean or dirty clothes). (done)

Needless to say there was plenty to keep us busy the entire week. It seemed we had no time for anything else. But God thought we could handle a sick child in with the mix. On Tuesday Emma threw up in the back of mom's SUV and ran a temp for 3 days.

Believe it or not, we finished most of the tasks on our list. I still need to wash the windows, clean the common areas of the house, and glue the floor in the 1/2 bath. The bonus will be if I can get outside too. I would like to pick up the stuff in the yard and put weed paper in the flower beds and cover it with mulch or stone. I think it would make a great improvement to the looks of the outside of the house. We will have to wait and see if I have time/energy to get that finished.

I am very thankful to my mom for coming out and spending the week with us. We worked hard every day. Every night we fell into bed and never before midnight. I know that there is still work to do and keeping the house clean and neat is going to be the hardest part. I can't wait until we are finished with this sale and move. My prayer is that once the house goes on the market, we will find the home that we want and our house will sell quickly. I think of it a lot like taking off a band aid. Please, let's just get it over and done with.

Just for laughs

2007-03-26T17:14:00.000-05:00

I have seen this video before, http://glumbert.com/media/laugh I just happened across it today.
Bruce tells me he blogged about it back in January.
I am putting it here so on that day I need a good laugh, I know where to find one.

On to better days...

2007-02-08T08:57:00.000-06:00

These past few weeks have been very difficult. About 3 weeks ago I started having morning sickness. Around here we call it "all day sickness" because it doesn't matter if it is morning, noon or night.

When I was pregnant with Emma I was sick so much I ended up in the hospital because of dehydration. Having learned from my past, I called the doctor to see if there was anything that I could take to help easy my discomfort. He prescribed an anti - nausea medication. I was relieved, or so I thought. After taking the meds for about a week I found I wasn't any better off. Yes, I had stopped throwing up, but I couldn't get up off the sofa. The new meds sent my head to outer space. I was so dizzy I was afraid to climb the stairs without holding on to the rail for fear of falling backwards. I called the Dr. back. He prescribed another anti-nausea medication. I have been on this one for 2 1/2 weeks with out any complications.

Yesterday was the first time in 3 weeks that I cooked dinner for the family. It is difficult to cook when the sight, smell and thought of food sends you running. For several weeks now we have been either eating out or bringing in. A couple of nights Bruce came home and made dinner for he and the kids. Ethan has learned to warm up TV dinners for he and Emma on those nights when daddy is working late. Emma has learned to get her own bowl and spoon from the dishwasher for cereal. My family has been such great troopers.

Tuesday night, I guess it was early Wednesday morning, was the last time I took any medication. Yesterday I didn't take any meds. I haven't needed any this morning. I think I am turning a page. :-)

These past few weeks are what I dread the most about being pregnant. Not being able to eat, take care of my family, or keep the house. It really puts a dark cloud over my head. But this morning I ate breakfast, sat down with Emma to watch cartoons and felt baby move. I have been having a hard time finding my joy in this pregnancy. I think I found it this morning. I can say with out hesitation, Thank you Lord for this new life.

Where did December go?!?

2007-01-03T09:17:00.000-06:00

As usual, December has flown by once again.
I can't believe that it is the second of January already.

I looked at my blog and was appalled that I haven't blogged since Halloween. Pathetic!
So much has happened. December is a very busy month around here. I know, everyone has a lot to do in December. Well do all that plus Ethan's birthday on the th 11 and Emma's on the 16th. Oh and don't forget Stephen's birthday on the 29 of November, Christina's on the 6 of December, mom's on the 21, Granny's on the 23, and Bob's on the 3rd of Jan. What a month!

I have finally found time to sit and blog about the surgery.

Back at the end of November I got a call from the surgery center. They told me that I had been denied coverage from the insurance company for the surgery. She said that they did not find enough evidence that I had been trying to loose weight with my doctor. So, they wanted me to go on a 6 month, physician supervised diet. She said that I could have my doctor call the person who reviewed my application and try to appeal the decision, but it had to be done with in a week. So...

I called my doctor and told him what was going on. He figured that this might happen. That's why, when we started this process, he put me on a diet pill and had me come in every month for weight checks. He said he would call the person who reviewed my application and give him the information we had collected up to this point. COOL!!

Two weeks go by and my doctor is having a hard time getting thru the automated phone system. I am anxious to hear the final word, but I am so tired all the time. I felt like I was dragging myself thru my days. On December 12 I had a passing thought that I might be pregnant. So I took a pregnancy test and to my shock, it came back positive. Bruce was sitting at the computer desk. I came out with my test, tossed it up on the desk, pat Bruce on the shoulder and told him "Merry Christmas" He was shocked too. I decided to take another one in the morning just to make sure the positive was real and not a false positive. It was just as positive in the morning as it had been the night before. I called my doctor and told him to stop trying to call the insurance company. I can't have the surgery now anyway. He was very surprised and happy for us.

Now the question was how we were going to tell our family. My mom was coming out to celebrate Emma's birthday. She was showing up that night. Bruce's parents would be getting here on the night of the 15. Bruce and I decided to tell our parents about the baby by placing 5 stockings over the fireplace this year. The only hitch was that he wouldn't let me do it until Friday night after his parents had arrived. That way it would be up and ready to be seen by all on Saturday morning.

Now we had to figure out a way to let all of our friends and extended family members know. We took a picture of the stockings and sent out a digital greeting card to every one we had email addresses for. It was really fun to see how long it took people to figure it out. One of my friends asked if we had gotten a dog. Ha!

I have to say that it has taken me some time to switch gears. I was expecting to have surgery in the next month. I worked really hard to loose 25 pounds. If history repeats itself, I will be gaining the 25 pounds back and then some with this baby. It will be at least 3 years before I can even consider the surgery again.

Don't get me wrong. We are very excited about the baby. He or she will be a blessed addition to our family. We just thought it would happen about a year after the surgery. I was looking forward to Bruce being able to feel the baby move. He was never able to feel the other two kids move because of my size. I guess that wasn't in God's plan.

When we told the kids they were both very excited. Ethan told me that "my dreams have come true, mom." For a couple of months now Emma has been talking about when she grows up and can have babies in her tummy. When we told her I was pregnant she was very excited. So far we have been able to miss the "how did the baby get there" bullet. Ha! I am sure it will come some day soon.

I don't know what I am going to do with this blog. I can't decide whether or not to leave it and come back when I start the weight loss surgery again, or whether to blog about the baby and life here in Indiana. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens.

Until next time, so long.

Halloween

2006-11-01T16:16:00.000-06:00

Tuesday night Ethan and Emma dressed up for trick or treat. They scavenged the neighborhood, with two other kids, looking for Halloween goodies. They had a great time!
Here are a few pictures.

Ethan didn't get to carve a pumpkin this year. So we had to get a little creative.
Yes, those are cucumber ears.

Ethan wanted to be Dash from the Incredibles. He was a great Dash. He dashed from one house to the next.
Emma wanted to be "Singerella". She even had the glass slippers. They were jelly shoes. She thought it was great until she realized that she couldn't keep up with the other kids. The slippers kept slipping off the back of her heels. She had to curl her toes to keep them on. This kept her from being first to the door bell.
I thought this might be a problem and put her stride rite shoes in daddy's coat pocket. Once she changed shoes she could keep up without having to be carried. But she still had a hard time getting to the door bell first. She was more interested in what she got, where as Ethan just wanted to get more. So he was usually off to the next house while Emma jumped up and down for joy at the piece of candy that she just got.
To make sure that the kids were visible to cars we got them each a glow stick necklace. We had them wear them backwards, like tail lights. So that the kids could be seen from the front, we put an Ogg in each kids candy bucket. It worked really well. What is an Ogg you ask. They are little glowing eggs that Bruce got me for mothers day. Here is where he got them:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/76c0

We were out trick or treating for about an hour and a half. By the time we got back home the buckets were so full we had to take the oggz out for fear they would roll off the top of the mound.
When we got home the kids were allowed one candy. Out of 2 buckets worth of candy, the biggest hit was the gummy Googley Eyeballs. Personally I am looking forward to the frozen 3 Musketeers and Milkyway bars :-)

I hope you all had a Spooktacular Halloween

Babies

2006-10-12T09:42:00.000-05:00

Today my family is celebrating the addition of twins.
My brother Chris, and sister-in-law, Lyndsey, gave birth to two beautiful babies.
The first born was Halle Mkayla, followed 7 minutes later by her brother, Hudson Michael.
Their original due date was November 4, so they are a little early. But, all are healthy and doing fine.

I will post some pictures as soon as I get them to download. Grumble, grumble, grumble. Oh, Bruce...

Thanks Bruce

The Package is in motion

2006-10-05T09:36:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I went to the doctor and had my blood pressure checked. 120/80, perfect. Doctor said that I can stay on the phentermine. He wants to see me back for a recheck next month. As long as I keep getting good blood pressure checks, I can stay on the meds.

How many times have you been to the doctors office and they didn't weigh you? Any other time this would have been my most dreaded part of the visit. Yesterday I weighed in and lost 12 1/2 pounds. WOO HOO!! The doctor was very pleased.

I also picked up my medical history packet and letter of medical necessity. Today, I get to courie them to the weightloss center. The center will then add to the packet anything else that the insurance company needs and mail it. The insurance company should have it by the middle of next week. Then starts the long wait.

OY! Men are so stubborn

2006-10-04T18:07:00.000-05:00

I am sorry, but I have to vent.

This morning I was headed to the Doctors office to have my blood pressure checked. One of the possible side effects of the phentermine is high blood pressure. I have to have mine checked every month as long as I am on it.

As I was leaving Bruce stuck his head out the door and asked if I would ask the doctor to re-write orders for a blood test. You see, about 4 months ago Bruce went to the doctor and ask if he would write orders to have a blood draw done. Bruce keeps an eye out on his PSA levels. It has to do with the prostate. High PSA could mean a problem with the prostate (ie. cancer). Bruce's dad has already been treated for prostate cancer. Any way.

I would gladly ask the doctor to re-write his orders except I already did once. They have been sitting around the house for almost 2 months. (6 days short of 2 months) So, instead I said that ON HIS WAY across town, to his co-workers house, he could stop in and have his blood drawn. It should only take a few min. It was 10:00 in the morning. They shouldn't be too busy. He told me he wouldn't have time. I found the paper and gave them to him any way hoping that he would find the time.

When I got home, Bruce was gone but the orders were sitting on the counter.

Good grief!! How long does it take? His co-worker wasn't going to be ready to meet with him until 10:00 or so anyway. We are talking about a blood test. One stick, a couple of vials. Done.

I hope his clients appreciate that he puts his work (their databases) before his health.

Ok, so that sounded a little dramatic. I hate it when my common sense won't be quiet. You know:

-asked for orders (4 months, or so, ago)
-on the way
-won't take long
-good for health, live longer, be around for family
BLAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK, I'm done :-)

PS. I love you honey.

New news...

2006-09-28T09:10:00.000-05:00

Well, it has been a very busy week. Back a few posts ago I mentioned a meeting that Bruce and I wanted to go to at the Methodist hospital. Well it was the same night as AWANA for the kids. Needless to say, we didn't get to go. But...
Tuesday night they had another informational meeting at the hospital. Come to find out, they have these meetings twice a month. So, Jeanie and Tim came over to watch the kids, giving Bruce and I the chance to go this time. It was a very interesting meeting. I came away both excited and afraid at the same time.
I was excited because I got to meet some of the woman that work in the weightloss clinic. People that I will be able to go to for the rest of my life for advice and help. That is very comforting. They said that "if you keep up with them, they will keep up with you". I found out that I will be talking to a dietitian about meals before and after surgery. She will be able to help me figure out meals for me and meals for the family. They also took us thru the surgeries (Lap-Band and RNY Gastric Bypass) step by step and let us ask questions along the way. They talked about insurance, psychological evaluation, post operative procedures and depression.
I had already gone out on the internet and researched as much about these procedures as I could. But it was nice to hear from the surgeon and nurses that will be taking care of me. Yes, I said surgeon. Dr. Stanish, my surgeon, was not there it was his birthday. But his associate was. It seems that one of the two of them, if not both of them, attends these meetings .
That night there was a woman there, Gloria, that had bypass surgery done 2 years ago. She was 320 pounds at her heaviest. Today she is 180. She went from a size 28 to a 12. It was good to get a chance to meet her and ask questions. She said that she is so happy with her surgery. That she would "do it again in a heart beat".
The meeting also left me feeling a little fearful. They talked about how if you are a real sweets eater, than the bypass may be a better option for you. The reason being that if you have the bypass done, and then eat something that is very sweet, then you may experience what they called dumping (intestinal cramps, sweating, diarrhea). They said that some people see this as aversion therapy. That "if I eat this sweet, then I am going to have that, and I don't like that, so I am not going to eat this". Oh, and it's not just sweets. It can happen with high fat foods, as I sit here eating sausage links for breakfast, and dairy.
For the bypass surgery they talked about protein shakes, supplements, leaks around the incisions in the stomach, having to go back in to stop the leaks, clots, vomiting, malnutrition (because of the way they re-route the intestines your body doesn't get the opportunity to absorb the nutrients that you need. If you don't follow the post operative diet, then this may become an issue), stretching the stomach back out, death (it is surgery. There is always a risk).
The Lap-Band surgery has it's own list of complications. You do not have the dumping. So you have to watch every little thing that you eat. You can stretch the stomach back out. If you don't follow the post operative diet, you may/will not loose weight. If you don't keep up with your post operative check ups, then the band may slip. If you eat too big a meal, you may/will vomit. If you do this too often it could cause the band to slip. If that happens then they have to go back in and reposition it. I will have the band for the rest of my life. There will be a port under my skin just below the rib cage. With this port they can adjust the tightness of the band. The nurse said it is like giving blood. One needle stick and it's done. I told Bruce, one needle stick may be, but the needle is 18 inches long :-)
No matter which surgery I have, I have to be on a full liquid diet for 2 weeks before surgery. I don't know what full liquids are, but I don't think they are talking about the state of my stomach. I did ask about the possibility of having children after surgery. They said that yes, you can have children after surgery usually. They said that with the bypass, it may not be possible. Just because you are having to work so hard to get all the calcium, iron, protein and vitamins that you need for yourself. Let alone for an unborn baby. With the Lap-Band they said that you could carry a baby to term with little problems. They would just have to remove all the saline from the band allowing the stomach to take in more food. Then the band would have to be adjusted , tightened, after the baby is born. Which ever surgery I have, the nurse said that it would probably be a year or two after surgery before I could even think about getting pregnant again. Now, just for the record. Bruce and I have been talking about having a third child. I started talking about it first. Then I stopped because of the idea of surgery. Now Bruce is talking about it. So, we will all just have to wait and see.
You can see why I came away feeling both excitement and fear. I am still leaning toward the Lap-Band. I think I can give up the sweets in order to not go thru the leaking, dumping, and malnutrition. I also think that the Lap-Band is the best option for me when I think about maybe having another child. I wouldn't want to have the bypass and then get pregnant and have complications, for me or the baby.
Yesterday I got THE CALL. Chris, from the weightloss center, called me. She contacted my insurance company and found that the procedure, Dr and hospital are all covered. YIPPEE!!!
Today I have to call my doctors office and ask them if they will release my medical records to the weightloss center. You see. Just a couple of months ago we switched doctors. Chris said that the new doctor may not release the records from the old doctors office. If they won't release them, than I have to go back to Westchester and ask for a copy of my file. The insurance company needs the records to obtain a 5 year record of my weight.
Once the insurance company has my medical records, and a letter from the doctor saying that this surgery is medically necessary, then my file goes before a medical review board to determine if they think I should have the surgery or not. 30 business days later, I should have an answer from the insurance company. If they agree that the surgery is medically necessary, then it will all covered under our insurance and we will only be responsible for deductible and 10% of the cost of surgery.
So, there you have it. The new news as of today.

Mixed Emotions

2006-09-22T14:43:00.000-05:00

This morning I was looking thru some of the paper work I got from the hospital about my weighloss surgery. I found some thing that said I had to call my insurance company and see if they would cover any of the expenses. Come to find out the hospital where the surgery is going to take place is in my network, as is the doctor. WOO HOO!! According to the insurance company all I have to cover is my yearly deductible, $500.00 and pay 10% of the cost of the surgery (ouch!). From what I have read, surgery could be anywhere from $11,000 - $40,000. According to what I've read, we are expected to pay our part up front. We are going to have to tighten our financial belt.
I called the weighloss center today and asked how long it would be from the time they receive my application to the date of surgery. Donna told me that it usually takes 12 - 16 weeks. She said that some people go faster. It all depends on what the insurance company wants. She also told me that they received my application yesterday. I can expect that the person who reviews the applications, Chris, will probably call me Tuesday or Wednesday of next week (oh, I have goosebumps!!).
If you look at the calander, which I did as soon as I hung up the phone, 12 weeks takes us out to the week before Christmas. Happy New Year!!
Ok, so that's all I know for now. I will report when I hear from Chris.

Anniversary

2006-09-22T11:03:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Thursday Sept 21, was our 10 year anniversary. I can't believe it has been 10 years. Then again, I can't believe it has only been 10 years!
Wednesday afternoon I went to Best Buy (aka. Toys R Us for Bruce) and got him a new flat screen monitor for his home office. He has been asking for one for some time now. The monitor that he had been using was only 15 inches. The one I bought him was 19. I think that will help him see the detailed programming that he has to read/write for his job.
I knew that setting up the monitor in his office meant that he might find it the night before, but I took my chances anyway. When Bruce got home, he didn't go to his office (surprise, surprise. Usually he takes Missy, his laptop, down to his office and plugs her in). So my secret was safe.
Thursday morning I took Bruce down to his office and showed him his gift. It was fun. He was just telling me about how he had talked to his boss about getting a bigger monitor. She said that he could request one for the Chicago office, but that we would have to purchase the one for home. Is that timing or what?!?
After looking at the monitor, Bruce decided that there was another one he would like to have. Something about having more resolution. I don't know. But he decided to take the one I got back and exchange it.
The rest of my anniversary day was spent running errands.
I have a list of things that I have been trying to get done since Monday. I think I have done about 3 of the 12 tasks on the list. I keep getting side tracked.
My friend, Jeanie, called and asked me if I would be willing to taxi she and her husband around for doctor appointments. Jeanie just got out of the hospital after being admitted for an infection. Her husband just had open heart surgery, about 2 months ago, and he can't drive. So I spent the biggest part of my day running them around from place to place. It was fun, and I didn't mind doing it. Besides Bruce was at work. It just wasn't want I expected to be doing on my anniversary.
By the time Bruce got off work, took Ethan to his counseling appointment and I got home it was 6:30. When I got back home, Bruce was back to work, and the kids were starved. After determining that Bruce had no specific plans for our anniversary, I made dinner and we ate at home.
After dinner Bruce took back his monitor. It was too late to take the kids. Ethan had to get to bed so he could get up for school the next day. So I stayed home and Bruce went to Best Buy. Before he left Bruce told me what he was planning to get me for our anniversary. He said that he had been looking at new digital cameras. I haven't taken any pictures with our camera in almost a year because the batteries don't seem to hold a charge. Bruce says that they do, but every time I try to use the camera it is flashing low battery.
When we were at his family reunion his cousin, Jacob and his wife, Candace were there. Candace's father is a wedding photographer. Candace has a very nice digital camera with a very large lens. One night we all decided to go to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and play. I couldn't ride most of the rides so I was the official camera holder. Candace told me to take pictures and have fun. It was great!! I love taking pictures. I got to zoom in on family members faces as they all were on the bumper cars, as they went flying past on the Ferris wheel, or spinning by on the carousel. Any way. Bruce has been in contact with Jacob, trying to figure out which camera would be good for us. It will be fun to be able to take pictures again. I have a camera phone, but it doesn't take great pictures.
So, there you have it. How I spent my 10th anniversary. It was a busy day. It wasn't what I expected. But it was a good day.

It is done

2006-09-19T14:37:00.000-05:00

As the subject states, IT IS DONE!!!
I mailed my weighloss surgery application today. I am not sure why it took me so long. Other than I was waiting to make a copy of my health insurance card. I was going to have Bruce do it at work, only I kept forgetting to ask him to do it at work. I dont have personal access to a copier now that we left Washington Church. I think that the office personel at the churches we have been visiting would look at me really strange if I came in and asked to have a copy of my insurance card made. (HA!) So today Emma and I went to the UPS store and made the copy.

Emma was so cute. After we got back from Bible study this morning, I gathered together all the "run around stuff" I had to do today and we got ready to leave. Before we left I asked Emma to pray with me over the application. We thanked God for giving me this opportunity, we asked Him to get my application to the right person with out getting lost in the mail, we asked Him to help the process go smoothly and that the answer would come back quickly. We also prayed for His will to be done no matter what the outcome. Emma had no clue what I was praying for. She couldn't quite understand praying over a piece of paper. But she did it. It was a sweet moment.
So now I wait.... and pray.

2006-09-13T07:41:00.000-05:00

This past weekend we packed up the kids and went to OH to see my family. We had a great time. I got a chance to tell all of them about my plans for surgery. They are all very supportive. I even sat down and showed my 80something Grandmother how to read my blog (Hi Granny!!).

Monday night was open house at Ethan's school. His teacher is so nice. She had us sit at Ethan's desk where Ethan had made a surprise for us. It was a puzzle that he drew and cut apart. If I remember right, his puzzle was of a flag, a tree, and himself. It was very well done. Then we had to make a puzzle for Ethan to find the next day. Bruce drew a flag, and the play equipment in our back yard. I drew in the fence and a tree. It was fun.

Yesterday I went to ladie's Bible study at one of the local churches. There were over 200 women there. I told my friend that to me it was more like a womans conference than Bible study. We are studying the book of Proverbs and wisdom.

Bruce and I are suppose to go to an informational meeting about the surgery tonight. But, the kids have AWANA and I don't have anyone to take them and pick them up. Besides, tonight is Emma's first night in the Cubbies room and I am not sure how she will do. Some times she runs into church and is fine. Other times she cries. I don't want to put a sitter in that kind of uncomfortable position. Bruce thinks that we can find a sitter and go. I think we may have to miss this meeting and hope that the next one isn't on a Wednesday night. It's another wait and see.

Daisy Rose???

2006-09-07T09:40:00.000-05:00

There have been some questions as to why I chose Daisy Rose to be my name. If you know me you know that I am not really girlie or frilly. So why such a flowery name?
Well, daisies and roses are my two favorite flowers. Daisies are so fresh and bright. And roses smell so good and are romantic.
I figure if Bruce reads this blog than he will always know my 2 favorite flowers.

On a different note...

I am finally finished filling out all the paper work for the surgery.
I tell you what. Can any of you recall every diet you have ever been on, what you weighed when you started, how much you lost and how long you were on the diet? I had a hard time, but I did my best to fill in the information accurately.
I have to say, though, that tracking what I ate for a week was harder than I thought it would be. I looked back over my list and saw that I don't eat many veggies and I eat a lot of carbs. It is very humbling to be honest with yourself and put on that paper that you had 3 ice cream sandwiches on a particular day. (did I say that out loud?)
On Wednesday I had a doctors appointment with my GP. I wanted to know what he thought of the procedures, if he knew the surgeon, what he thinks of the hospital, and if I could do my follow up care with him?
My GP had only good things to say. He was very encouraging. He said that the procedures, gastric by-pass and lab-band, have both been found to be very successful. That it is up to me to decide how invasive I want my surgery to be. He said that the surgeon is the best in our area (and he assured me that he wasn't just saying that because they went to college together). He said that the hospital is a little iffy, but that the surgeon runs a tight ship in his department and my GP believes that the surgeon is quite reliable. My GP told me that if I had come to him asking about weight loss surgery, he would have referred me to the same person.

We did decide to put me on the diet pill phentermine. We did this because I have not been on a doctor supervised diet, since I lived at home. My GP pointed out that some insurance companies won't approve you for weight loss surgery until you have done a 6 months doctor supervised diet. So, we are in hopes that this will get a jump start on the insurance company.
Doctor told me that there are two possible side effects to this diet pill. If I take it too late in the day, it could cause insomnia (phentermine is a stimulant). If this happens he said to take it earlier in the morning. Also he said that it can increase my blood pressure. He said that my blood pressure was low enough that he wasn't concerned (Chalk that up to good genes, thanks mom). I have to go back in a month to have my blood pressure checked, just to make sure that every thing is still ok, and weigh in.
As I was leaving my GP told me to keep doing what I am doing (Curves 2-3 times a week when I can), and to keep pursuing the weight loss surgery.
Needless to say I am very excited. I see this as one step closer to my goal.

What's up

2006-09-02T11:59:00.000-05:00

Ok, so now Bruce has me set up and blogging.
I really didn't fight him too hard. I was thinking of starting a blog on my own.
You see, I just received an application from one of our local hospitals to have the lap band surgery (I asked for it). I think this is a good way to journal some of my thoughts about the process. This is a life changing event and I am really nervous. Every time I think about it my stomach fills with butterflies.
I have only told a few people, until now. Every one I've talked to about the surgery has been very encouraging/excited for me.
I am in hopes to have the surgery before the end of the year, but I'm not so sure that will happen.
I have the application filled out. I just have to record every thing I eat for a week. I will be finished recording my food next Wed. So, I should be able to stick it in the mail on Thursday.
There go those butterflies again. I think they move around because they know that if I do have the surgery they will have less room :-)