Mom and Rocki came to Austin last week and we had a great time. The weather was warm and sunny (ok, blazing hot and sunny) but we did get a thunderous shower with Texas-size hail while they were here and that broke up the weather for just an afternoon. Thank goodness it wasn’t that pelting hail that dents cars, that we’ve heard so much about.

We did so much over the weekend they were here it’s really amazing. I told my co-workers when I returned to work and they were stunned that I dragged my poor mother all over the tourist guide when she was here, but it was all fun fun fun.

Last weekend was fun too. We went to the movies to see Mary Poppins. I don’t know that I’ve every really watched the whole movie from beginning to end, so that was fun. The film even broke in the middle of the showing which made us all laugh and remember that’s what it used to be like going to the movies.

This weekend is the 4th of July and it will be my first in Texas. I’m not sure what they do around here for the holiday itself. I’m sure there’s fireworks or something. We’ll be going on Sunday to the Zilker Theatre in the Barton Springs park to see Beauty and the Beast. Our friend Leslie is playing the role of Lumiere and we’re anxious to spend the day with Aunt Bea and celebrate his birthday.

I hope this writing finds you well. I’m doing pretty good. I’m 254 today down from 280 on May 20th. So, let’s see that makes an average of just over 4 lbs a week. So, pretty good. I’m feeling better and although I don’t really “see” any changes yet, folks around me say they do. So, I haven’t had to buy any new clothes yet, we’ll see if that changes soon too.

Here’s a story.. about a stubborn old woman who refused to sell her home worth $120k for even a million dollars. She only wanted to die on the couch that her mother died on, in the home she bought for her in 1955. So, while the rest of the world built up around her, she remained steadfast and in her modest home, and her old blue car.

Here’s the original story, the most recent story can be found by clicking on the title of the blogpost: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/333917_macefield02.html

It’s a wonderful story I came across a few months ago, and now she’s passed away. But, she died exactly as she wanted. In her little home, on the same couch in the same way her mother passed away.

I only really have one source of political news that I trusted.. and that was Tim Russert. I’m so saddened by his passing. From his weekly Meet the Press show where we got to watch him grill politicians and others with questions no one else seemed to be asking, to his daily appearances on the Today show – I always looked to Tim for the “True” perspective of things.

I didn’t really trust anyone else because Tim always seemed to boil it down and provide the big picture in all his assessments. And, he was excited about the process of elections and it made me excited too. I record the Today show, mostly so when I come home rather than watching the current line-up of pathetic newscasters – I could catch up with just a few-minute segment with Tim instead.

This is such a great loss – and really – at this point – I don’t know where I’ll get the straight scoop anymore.

So, I hadn’t updated my blog like I hoped I would because I was feeling pretty poorly right after surgery. But, I’m feeling great now, so no more excuses.

Beginning weight 280, Current weight 257

I went to Austin Surgical Hospital in the morning of my surgery. The folks there were very nice. I went ahead and cut all my hair off so I wouldn’t have to do the dirty hair thing in the hospital – gross.

The surgery itself was good except that those lovely folks could not find my veins for the I.V. Fourteen pokes later and calling in the Anesthesiologist to find the vein and I was out in no time at all. I remember being wheeled into the operating room and even moving over to the table. But, then it was me waking up. It didn’t hurt too bad, I was mostly just tired. I was sore too but mostly feeling nausea from the gas that they use. They fill you with gas to move around inside you, so that gets trapped inside once they close you up. It feels like indigestion but only worse.

After I got home, I was on the couch for a week. I thought I’d bounce right up maybe 2, or at the most three days later. Nope.

The pain medication made me feel like a zombie and I was nauseous and had a fever. It was difficult to hold down even water. I didn’t throw-up once. That’s good because that’s one of the things they warn about as you don’t want your band to slip. Unfortunately I got so dehydrated and potassium deficient I was extremely weak and my legs felt like they were on fire! No – really. On fire.

But once the fever went away and I could eat a smashed banana and have some water, all was better. I wasn’t able to go back to work the second week after all. I was still too sore. My bruising on my stomach didn’t start until the second week and then it was so painful, I could hardly move. I stopped taking the pain medication however because I just felt foggy, not better, because of it.

In fact, I think I really started getting better when I stopped taking that medication.

So, I’m back at work. I’m feeling great. Although I haven’t had my first saline fill. I’m expecting to do that next week – and I’ll let you know how it goes. I’m not looking forward to it, because it means more needles. God, I hate those! But I am anxious to have the fill because my appetite has been growing. And, without the restriction of the band, there’s not much to keep me from eating.

The nurse at the clinic said, “well, until we get your band filled you’ll just have to restrain yourself. Just don’t eat.”

Hello?! If it were that simple – would I have needed the surgery in the first place? Thought not.

I’ll be happy to let you know how I’m progressing but folks have already said they’ve seen progress. I don’t so much see it yet, but my pants do fit just a little looser but I haven’t gone down a size or anything yet. I hope you’re doing well – and I look forward to seeing you soon.