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New Life begins 2/23/09!
Feb. 22nd, 2009 | 04:12 pm
location: Home, getting ready
mood: 
excited
July 2006 we went to Minnesota for a big family reunion type party.
When we got home and I saw the pictures I decided - I HAVE to do something about this. I can't keep living this way.
I had been considering bariatric surgery for many years - more specifically the Lap Band. I happened to have a physical scheduled in early Sept so I had decided to ask my doctor about it. Then as I'm getting ready for my surgery an infomercial was on - and it was for the Lap Band! I said - ok - this must be a sign! Its time!!!
So I saw my doctor and he was all for it. He said he would give me any referrals I needed, etc.
I went online and did some research and saw that I had to see a nutritionist, so I made an appt for a nutritionist in Albany. I saw her and she told me before the surgeon will even see me I have to do a list of things (Sleep study, cardiology, pulmonary, psychologist, etc consults). I made all my appointments and started going to support groups (mandatory 2 groups before and after surgery with Albany Med). At my first group I found out I have to enroll in the program at Albany Med as well, so I did that.
I was put on a 1200 calorie diet and I followed it to the T! I quickly lost my 10% (had lost it by December) and when I went to the classes we had to go to I got my surgery date! March 21, 2007!
So fast forward to that surgery....
I got home, and immediately started feeling pain in the general area of my port. I also tried sleeping in my bed, but ended up pulling a muscle, so that just exacerbated my pain. I went to see the surgeon and kept mentioning the pain, but he figured it was just normal healing kind of pain and held off on any fills for about 5 months. I still was having the pain, but had no restriction, so I NEEDED a fill. I was trying to exercise, but any abdominal exercises were leaving me in such pain that it would take a week to recover. So I suffered for over 6 months, and then said to the surgeon - I can't exercise - the band is worthless without exercise - I NEED you to go in there and see what is wrong. After months of being poo-poohed he agreed, so surgery was set for 1/2/08. He went in and found that my sutures had popped and the port was completely flipped. He reattached the port, did some lipo to the area to keep it from getting in the way, and told me 4-6 weeks before any abdominal exercises. I waited EIGHT weeks, and almost immediately started feeling the same pain.
Went to see him again about 4 months afterward, and told him I think it flipped again. He says, "No, its secure, do you want a fill?" I said fine, but I think I'm going to need this band removed - I can't keep living like this. He tries to do a fill, and can't find the port. His words - "Its rolling". Umm - yea - a secure port "rolls"
So we made an appt to do the fill under flouro, all the while I'm thinking I'm DONE with this. I can't keep having multiple surgeries to fix the d*mned port!
So I went in to see him, he said ok, we will remove the band, and then 6 weeks later we will do the RNY for you. However you need letters of support from your primary and nutrition. So I went and got my letter and discussed it with my boss. My idea - have the port removed 10/08 and then bypass over Christmas break.
My boss requested I wait a little longer - from Thanksgiving to Christmas is our busiest time. So I agreed to put it off until January.
So surgery was scheduled for 1/5/09 to remove the band, and then 2/23/09 for the RNY conversion.
12/30/08 was my pre-op appt. During the routine testing they found I had gallstones (you know - which now that I think about it explains a few things). So I talked to the surgeon and he said you can have the gallbladder removed with the band, or wait until Feb. My first thought - wait until Feb. He then said tho - then you risk having a gallstone attack, which could need emergency surgery - so I sighed, and said Ok - then take it out on 1/5.
So we did - I had my band and gallbladder removed on 1/5/09. It was to date the EASIEST recovery from surgery I had.
I was bopping around on Drugstore.com and discovered I could have a reclining lift chair charged to my flex spending, so I decided to do it. After sleeping in an armchair for many weeks during the past surgeries I KNEW I needed something different after my RNY surgery. SO now I have my chair - all ready for me when I get home from the hospital this week.
So this brings me to tomorrow- tomorrow 2/23/09 I'm having the laproscopic RNY gastric bypass surgery done.
I'm really not too nervous - mostly excited!!!
When I think about it - I originally went with the Lap Band (against the opinion of my nutritionist) I wanted it because it was "less invasive". I wasn't prepared for anatomical changes, for re-routing of intestines, etc.
However now - I have had THREE surgeries all for the Lap-Band. Who knows - if I had the RNY from the beginning maybe I would have avoided months and months of pain, and the multiple surgeries??
So I go in to my surgery with the full knowledge that - YES - it will be painful, YES - recovery will be hard - but in the long run - I'm sure it will ALL BE WORTH IT!
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Anniversary Reminiscing
Nov. 1st, 2008 | 12:20 pm
location: Relaxing at home
mood: 
content
music: Fly 92.3 Web stream
I however have the best husband EVER!
Lets see - it all began last week - when I found out what my anniversary gift was! Not only did I get a Garmin 350 GPS previously = but then he told me that he got us tickets to see Mamma Mia when it returned to Proctors. Now I'm a huge fan! I went to see it at Proctors 10/19/06 when it came to Proctors, then for my birthday we went to see the film version. We got home then and I did some searches online and found that they were returning to Proctors - and on our anniversary no less. So I mentioned how that would be awesome to spend our anniversary weekend, but never heard anything so I wasn't expecting it.
So fast forward to last week - I had to give in and ask him to spill the beans on my surprise since it was preventing me from checking out my account online. So he told me and was all nervous if I would be excited since I hadn't mentioned it - so of course I got all giddy and started telling everyone!!!
So then on Monday this week I heard the local radio station WFLY - Fly 92.3 www.fly92.com broadcasting about their 3rd Annual Haunted Broadcast which was taking place on Thursday night. I emailed in, and told a story from when I was young about an experience I had in my house, and how it was our 5th Anniversary on Friday and that I hoped to be able to stay overnight with them at Glen Sanders Mansion in Schenectady www.glensandersmansion.com/
So I didn't hear anything, so figured I wasn't chosen. Suddenly Thursday morning I got a call from Justin at Fly 92 telling me that I could check in anytime after 3 - so I'm like umm - I can stay???? Is it ok if I get there after 3 (didnt get off work till 4:30 then had to go home - 40 min drive, pack, and run out the door) so he was like ok.
So I texted Randy "CALL ME AS SOON AS YOU GET THIS MESSAGE"
He calls all worried about an emergency and I'm like WE WON! WE GET TO STAY AT GLEN SANDERS MANSION and meet the Fly Morning Rush crew! He was like - ok - sounds like fun (and I'm thinking good thing we had already scheduled Friday off).
In the meantime a little while later my best friend at work Beth comes trailing with a HUGE balloon! It was a gorgeous bouquet of roses with the huge balloon and a smaller anniversary balloon! :)
So I get home and try to run around like a chicken without a head to get things together to get to the mansion before dinner ended (Dinner was supposed to be 5:30 to 7). So in my rush I forgot my camera - DOH! So we check in, find out dinner had been delayed so we were able to make it after all. So dropped bags off in our GORGEOUS room - I mean King size bed, beautiful antique furniture. Such a luxurious room! And then we went to dinner. Which was DELICIOUS! 4 course meal. Course 1 - Yukon Gold Potato Bisque with a cruton in the middle. Course 2 - Pan Seared Scallops with bacon in an avacado base. Course 3 - Short Beef Ribs with white mashed sweet potatoes. And course 4 - BlueBerry Bread Pudding with Cherry gelato! It was all soooo good (tho I don't like scallops so they brought me a salad with balsamic vinegar - which was also delish!
We had some great conversation around the table! Then it was time for the Bonfire with scary stories being told. It was rather chilly tho and even with the fire and the hot apple cider we couldn't deal too long. So inside we went for a tour of the mansion. Boy its a beautiful place with tons of history!!! Then it was downstairs to the bar where we hung out with the radio people. Its so awesome to be able to put faces and personalities with the voices I listen to every day :)
Then we went up to bed, where it took us a while to get comfy - BIG bed with a really soft mattress was interesting, but we finally drifted off sometime around 11:30.
Then we set the clock for 5:30 to get down to the live broadcast. Ended up not getting up right away - just cuddled and talked for a while - wished each other Happy Anniversary, then got up to get ready. Ended up getting downstairs around 7ish. We stopped and got some complimentary continental breakfast, and then I was enthralled watching the Fly Morning Rush crew do its thing. I'm sure they would have interviewed me if I had given a hint I was up for it, but I was just too shy for that - so I just sat back and watched.
We got a few pics taken with the Fly camera (I need to see if they were posted yet). And then we headed out around 9:30
The crew is so cool. They seemed to really like having us there, and were so friendly. I even got hugs and kisses on the cheek. I really felt like part of the family there *lol*
So we got home, did a few things, I visited Facebook (I'm addicted to that place) and then I decided I need a haircut. So off to Fantastic Sams I went. I LOVED the price ($17 with my long a** hair!) But the woman who did my hair obviously wasn't used to my hair texture (I have long, thin, but FULL hair) she was african american with the more coarse hair and wanted to do it like she does her own. Yet my hair really needs to be totally dried and pulled with a big rolled brush and even after suggesting it she didnt' do it right. I also had to stop her before she layered my full head of hair - I just wanted the front layered to frame my face.. So I wasn't thrilled, but came home and blow dried it some more and got it straight the way I wanted it.
Then it was time to leave. We went out to eat at Houlihans at Crossgates Mall. Its become an annual tradition with us. We go and get a window booth, so we can watch all the mall Trick or Treaters. So that was fun :)
Then I went to Macys. I wanted to get makeup done. MAC told me no appts available until 8 - ok that wouldn't work. SO I asked a guy at another cosmetics counter. He said he doesn't work in cosmetics - was just covering for someone else, but that the Clarins line was awesome. SO off I went. I asked for makeup - and she was a little apprehensive - wanted to make sure I was really going to purchase something. Well I figured I'd get lipstick and eye liner. She did a great job tho - and I really liked the foundation - so I got that too. They were out of eye liner tho - oh well - next time.
Then off to Proctors we went! Oh what a great show! And Randy spoiled me as usual :)
Lets see - we got the Large Program for $10. I got a Mamma Mia pin to put up at work - $3. Then after the show they were collecting for a good cause - so we donated $25 and I got a picture taken with Sam & Donna, and then I also got a little Mamma Mia Angel pin. I need to scan that picture.
So then we got home around 11:45. And I was like - we need to TOAST! Every year my best friend Christine gives me a bottle of Strawberry White Zifandel, and we use that to toast our anniversary in our wedding Flutes - which are an amazing gift from my in-laws when we celebrated the big wedding (we did it a year after the official simple weddng ceremony). They are glass flutes shaped like drinking horns, and are supported in a pewter base with 2 oak leaves curled to hold the glasses in place.
So we toasted, and I decided we can't let the wine go to waste, so Randy had 1 glass, and I finished the bottle - and then proceeded to do some drunk chatting and posting *lol*
So that was the AWESOME 30+ hours we had :)
*hugs* to all my friends, and thanks for following the rambling post *lol*
-Me
P.S. I need to get pics uploaded, and then I'll post a bunch of pics :)
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Hellboy Quiz!
Jul. 13th, 2008 | 02:08 am
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Which Hellboy Character Are You? created with QuizFarm.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You scored as Liz You're Liz! A pyro by nature, but you have a good heart. Sometimes you feel a little insane, and have a little trouble keeping it together, but you're a good person!
|
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Meet Maggie Simpson
Jun. 19th, 2008 | 07:35 pm
mood: 
crazy
Well, we have added another cat to our household.
We had 4, so really - what is one more????
She is the polar opposite of our Loki
You will notice that he has a little patch of while right on his chest - well SHE has a black stripe right at the top of her head!
So far they are all very cautious with one another, but so far so good - no bloodshed *lol*
Here is a link where we got her from:
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/display
And just because - here are pics of other kitties:
And a good shot of Maggie's Tail! I think Topaz thinks its a toy *lol*
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Stolen from Randy (mjolnir1964)
Feb. 17th, 2008 | 09:06 pm
The PeachRandom Gentle Love Master (RGLM) Playful, kind, and well-loved, you are The Peach. For such a warm-hearted, generous person, you're surprisingly experienced in both love and sex. We credit your spontaneous side; you tend to live in the moment, and you don't get bogged down by inhibitions like most women your age. If you see something wonderful, you confidently embrace it. You are a fun flirt and an instant sweetheart, but our guess is you're becoming more selective about long-term love. It's getting tougher for you to become permanently attached; and a guy who's in a different place emotionally might misunderstand your early enthusiasm. You can wreck someone simply by enjoying him. Your ideal mate is adventurous and giving, like you. But not overly intense. Your exact female opposite: The Nymph  Deliberate Brutal Sex Dreamer Always avoid: The False Messiah (DBLM) Consider: The Loverboy (RGLM), The Playboy (RGSM), The Boy Next Door (RGLD) |
| Link: The Online Dating Persona Test @ OkCupid - free online dating. |
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(no subject)
Feb. 7th, 2008 | 10:12 am
location: Home
mood: 
awake
Plan to play some Sims2 later. I got my Sim pregnant, but she keeps losing all her energy and I can't keep up, so trying to figure out how to keep her from dying besides moving out of the lot every time she gets too low *lol*
Also can't be home and not do anything so I did some dishes and straightened up somewhat, so I know Randy will be happy when he gets home!
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Lazy Sunday Mornings
Feb. 3rd, 2008 | 11:30 am
mood: content
This has been a weekend of sloth for me. Just playing Sims 2 (THANK YOU ERIC - your old computer ROCKS!), and reading Eric's Age of Fire books. Finished the first 2 between Wed night to today, about to start Book 3 today, and waiting how the hell I'll be able to wait till December for book 4 *lol*
Nothing much been going on for me lately. Just work, home and reading and Sims 2. I've waited so long to be able to play! Now I need to work on getting my Sim pregnant since I have wanted to see that since I first heard of it *lol*
Ok, time to go play...
Have a great day everyone!!!!!
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(no subject)
Jan. 13th, 2008 | 02:22 pm
mood: excited
We had a great weekend celebrating Randy's birthday (Yesterday was "All about Randy day!")
We had dinner at Unos, went to see Sweeney Todd, and bopped around the mall. I also got my Sims 2 games as Eric is sending me his old PC (THANK YOU ERIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and I should be receiving it tomorrow. So all I have to do is pop my old hard drive into the new PC and I'll be all set :)
Took this quiz today (didn't suprise me 1 bit since I grew up in the 80's)
| You Belong in 1983 |
 Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day. |
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testing
May. 11th, 2004 | 03:59 pm
|
That cute little face belonged to a dog who had been found under a deck in someone's backyard. The people who brought the muddy, malnourished canine to the Hastings, MN-based 
ASPCA STORE SALE--JUST TWO DAYS LEFT!
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Stolen from Melancholia
May. 2nd, 2004 | 06:07 pm
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Beltane!!!!!!!!!!!
May. 1st, 2004 | 04:58 pm
mood: 
pleased
We then went to breakfast and got nice a full.
We headed over to our local Pagan Community gathering space for the ritual, but we were there for anhour and they were still setting up. After being up so early we were all exhausted and it was too warm tobe cooped up inside, so instead we headed home.
When we got there I decided to plant the eggs we had gotten charged up on Ostara. So I did my own little fertility ritual outside
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more Doctor stuff
Apr. 30th, 2004 | 04:57 pm
mood: 
ecstatic
I also got the medical records from CA. Now I need to get the ones from long island.
We were able to do the SA collection at home (they gave sterile cups)
Randy has been just wonderful. Says its easy for him - all he has to do is do his business in the cup. I have the hard part with all the invasive procedures.
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Doctor Stuff
Apr. 29th, 2004 | 04:55 pm
mood: 
jubilant
Luckily once I have all the results I can take them directly to the fertility clinic in June!!!
I just called my old docs and one of them mailed me my medical records on 4/22 - hopefully it will be in todays mail. The other doc is mailing it out today! I'm feeling so much more in control than I did last time I TTC with my ex.
I also used my $40 in Amazon GC I had to get 4 fertility books
Can't wait till everything arrives!
AFTER the appt:
Well the appointment went well.
They will be calling me to schedule an HSG
Randy is having a SA done tomorrow. Hes so wonderful - gave me no problems about getting it done - just said I'll get checked out too!
They will be writing up the referral to the fertility clinic. So we are on the way now!
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Wedding Rambling
Apr. 29th, 2004 | 04:50 pm
mood: 
loved
Oh! We are discussing cake flavors and fillings. We like marble, red velvet, and trying to think of a third. I know most people expect white, but not sure if I want white.
Not sure of what fillings
Not sure of what the OUTSIDE of the cake should look like.....
Any ideas? October 30th wedding. I need ideas!
I decided that for favors we are going to do candles. here are the candleholders we will be using:
http://www.ltdcommodities.com/home/cata
I'll make the candles - prolly in purple and then tie a black ribbon around the bottom with a tag to put the person's name and then the favor will serve a double purpose - it will be the favor and the placeholder!
Hmm, and next topic - people to invite to the wedding.
With the cousin having wedding on same day I'm going to assume most of my mom's family will be attending his. I need a minimum of 60 people. Without those people who will most likely go to Robert's wedding I'm at 54 people including children.
Anyone here want to come to my wedding? *lol*
This matches my necklace exactly!
So I just bid on it!
And in case you didn't know what the necklace looks like here it is:
Now to find some earrings to match!
I think I settled on the color Red for my mom's dress. Not a bright red but a deep red.
Then I can do the candles in red and purple and tie the place setting card onto the candle holder with a red & black or Purple & black ribbon (red for purple candles and purple for red candles)
I have to get around to making my unity candle also. And finding a bowl to use for the guest book idea I have (each guest gives well wishes on a small piece of paper & gets their pic taken with one of those little I-Zone cameras, when the wedding is over I'll take all the little pieces of paper and pics and make a guest book scrapbook out of them)
At this point I'm thinking we have basically 2 themes. One theme is the leaves which are on the serving set, the glasses, etc. The other theme is a gothic elegance (which is being displayed with the use of candles and the deeper darker colors)
I sure hope I'm not forgetting anything. I can't wait till I start working again. #1 I'll get to play with babies all the time, and #2 I can start putting aside money so I can save up for the wedding!
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(no subject)
Apr. 28th, 2004 | 04:49 pm
Turns out theres an appt available with the RE's assistant!
I'm going in to see her on June 15th at 2:45PM!
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Pics from last weekend
Apr. 26th, 2004 | 04:42 pm
mood: 
giggly
Loki last week:
Loki eating dog food at my moms (tho he hated the dog :lol: )
Loki in the washing machine!
(here he settled in and was kneading the clothes :lol: )
I decided to put on the lint filter :lol:
Randy with Ken Foree:
My goddaughter Carolyn (in the Karate suit) with her sister Kiara (ballerina):
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Wedding rambling
Apr. 26th, 2004 | 04:40 pm
mood: 
cheerful
Ok, I have the reception site all signed up for (and thru them the baker (who doesn't want me to call until June or July) and the florist (who said to call her in late July early Aug))) We also have the DJ & Photographer reserved.
What else do I need to do. I've drawn a blank.
We discussed making candles for the favors but haven't bought the materials for it yet.
I've decided to bite the bullet and get a real corset custom made for me - so that $400 I have to save up.
Trying to figure out what else financially I have to save up for. 6 mos will be here in no time. Randy;s putting $70 a week into the wedding acct and we have $700 right now but thats going to the reception hall by Fri.
I can't wait till I'm working again - then $150 a week will go into the account unless theres another absolute need for the money.