So after seeing Dr. Kropski on June 9, I woke up June 11 to a raw, scratchy, burny throat and upper chest. By Friday morning, I was in really bad shape and had to go in ASAP. I had bronchitis and the doctor said she could hear some pneumonia crackling. Needless to say, it was not a good weekend. But, I took all of my meds, etc. and I'm feeling much better now.
I had scheduled a minor surgery for yesterday, June 23. It was still up in the air through last Friday, my breathing had to be pretty clear, etc. I had an IUD implanted.
Now, my tubes were tied 18 years ago. The purpose of this device is to regulate my cycle, and the brand that she uses releases a small amount of hormone so that my cycle will be very light. After the last 11 weeks that sounds like a great plan to me!!
Everything went well with the surgery and I got to leave the hospital yesterday about 3:00. I am at work today - no discomfort at all, no pain, and no bleeding!! Can you see me doing a jig? Not really, but I would if I could!!!
AND, on Friday I had lost 10 of the 17 pounds I'd gained, so I am almost back to where I was. Now that I can plan on getting in the pool to walk, and get back on my regular medicine schedule, and keep getting the CSA box, well, I'm optimistic that I can restart losing weight. I would love to be under 400 pounds by Christmas. I haven't been under 400 pounds since 1999!
That means 56 pounds in 6 months - which is not impossible at all. Keep your fingers crossed and keep me in your prayers. I can do pretty good as long as I ignore the yellow arches! They have to become invisible to me like Hardees did on February 3 - I haven't been back there!!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Moved In and Settled
I've got to do better about updating this blog!!
I got moved into my new apartment the weekend of May 1. My brother and friend from high school, Jimbo, got all of my stuff in about 2 hours - then it took me about three weeks to get completely unpacked and decorated. That might not have taken so long, but the week of May 4 I worked everyday at the florist because of the upcoming Mother's Day weekend. And, I'm still recuperating from severe anemia.
I'm loving my apartment!! It is really nice, my walls had been redone, repainted, and I've got new carpet. There is a nice size kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bath. Also, a 6 ft by 9 ft storage closet I've turned into a craft room. I'm so excited about the chance to do the projects I've accumulated with the "one day I'll have time" attitude. I've got quilts, wreathes, purses, and cross stitch projects to keep me busy at least 5 years. Not to mention all the books I haven't had time to read and movies to watch. It's being good for me, I can tell that the stress level is much lower. I still worry about the kids tremendously and watching Lynn go thru some hard days for him is tough, but I believe he's going to make it.
As far as my health goes, it's been a tough month. While in the hospital, they took me off everything except the Pepcid , Progesterone and Prozac. I came home with Lovenox injections twice a day - now that they are finished I about to start on Coumadin again.
After I first got him, I started back on the blood pressure medicine. It probably didn't have anything to do with it, but about a week after moving in, I started a menstral cycle! Shouldn't have happened, I was on progesterone and two weeks post D&C - but it did. And it was pretty bad for close to two weeks. Not hospitalization bad, but what little ground I had gained in the anemia field, I lost pretty quickly.
I am back to square one - at this point I am ready to begin again to add back the heart medications and see what happens. I am going to have surgery soon - probably next Tuesday - for an IUD to be implanted. The purpose of that is to make me have a regular cycle so that my uterine lining does not have time to build up. The ideal solution is for me to lose enough weight to have the hysterectomy - something I am working hard on!
I see my regular doctor on June 9 so hopefully, I will have progress to report on the weight loss. I don't think I've gained anything back and feel like I've lost a few more pounds. Being anemic, I've been supposed to eat much more, especially protein. Somedays I just don't feel like it - and somedays have eat very little.
One thing that has happened that helps me tremendously, the CSA program I joined started up again May 6. Each Wednesday I get 1/2 bushel of fresh organically grown produce. I've enjoyed lots of fresh lettuce, strawberries, and green onions. I've had lots of radishes, and I've tried - I just can't eat them - I like the crunch but not the flavor!
This week Renee and I went grocery shopping together - I did really well on my purchases and plans for menus - so I think I'm about to get back on track on the eating part.
One thing I've promised myself - if I can get down to 300 pounds or below by June 1, 2010 - my 50th birthday! - I am going to treat myself to a brand new Camaro!! Have you seen one? They are gorgeous!!
Even if I don't make it by my birthday, when I weigh less than 300 I'm buying a Camaro!!
I got moved into my new apartment the weekend of May 1. My brother and friend from high school, Jimbo, got all of my stuff in about 2 hours - then it took me about three weeks to get completely unpacked and decorated. That might not have taken so long, but the week of May 4 I worked everyday at the florist because of the upcoming Mother's Day weekend. And, I'm still recuperating from severe anemia.
I'm loving my apartment!! It is really nice, my walls had been redone, repainted, and I've got new carpet. There is a nice size kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bath. Also, a 6 ft by 9 ft storage closet I've turned into a craft room. I'm so excited about the chance to do the projects I've accumulated with the "one day I'll have time" attitude. I've got quilts, wreathes, purses, and cross stitch projects to keep me busy at least 5 years. Not to mention all the books I haven't had time to read and movies to watch. It's being good for me, I can tell that the stress level is much lower. I still worry about the kids tremendously and watching Lynn go thru some hard days for him is tough, but I believe he's going to make it.
As far as my health goes, it's been a tough month. While in the hospital, they took me off everything except the Pepcid , Progesterone and Prozac. I came home with Lovenox injections twice a day - now that they are finished I about to start on Coumadin again.
After I first got him, I started back on the blood pressure medicine. It probably didn't have anything to do with it, but about a week after moving in, I started a menstral cycle! Shouldn't have happened, I was on progesterone and two weeks post D&C - but it did. And it was pretty bad for close to two weeks. Not hospitalization bad, but what little ground I had gained in the anemia field, I lost pretty quickly.
I am back to square one - at this point I am ready to begin again to add back the heart medications and see what happens. I am going to have surgery soon - probably next Tuesday - for an IUD to be implanted. The purpose of that is to make me have a regular cycle so that my uterine lining does not have time to build up. The ideal solution is for me to lose enough weight to have the hysterectomy - something I am working hard on!
I see my regular doctor on June 9 so hopefully, I will have progress to report on the weight loss. I don't think I've gained anything back and feel like I've lost a few more pounds. Being anemic, I've been supposed to eat much more, especially protein. Somedays I just don't feel like it - and somedays have eat very little.
One thing that has happened that helps me tremendously, the CSA program I joined started up again May 6. Each Wednesday I get 1/2 bushel of fresh organically grown produce. I've enjoyed lots of fresh lettuce, strawberries, and green onions. I've had lots of radishes, and I've tried - I just can't eat them - I like the crunch but not the flavor!
This week Renee and I went grocery shopping together - I did really well on my purchases and plans for menus - so I think I'm about to get back on track on the eating part.
One thing I've promised myself - if I can get down to 300 pounds or below by June 1, 2010 - my 50th birthday! - I am going to treat myself to a brand new Camaro!! Have you seen one? They are gorgeous!!
Even if I don't make it by my birthday, when I weigh less than 300 I'm buying a Camaro!!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Lots of Updates
It's hard to believe it's been over two weeks since I posted. So much has happened - I will try to cover most of the health issues here.
My fatigue did not improve, in fact as the week went on it got worse and worse, in direct relation to the worsening menstral cycle. By Thursday, April 23 I could barely stand up and got dizzy when I did. Friday came and I had chest pain so I knew it was going bad. I started calling the doctor but he was out and whomever was supposed to pick up his pages wasn't. The nurse said for me to go to the ER, which I did.
Now, I have to take a sidewinder here. I got to the ER at Vanderbilt at 4:00 PM on Friday afternoon. Do I need to say anymore? It was 6:30 before they took me back to a bed. I honestly thought I would have a major accident before they took me back.
By 7:00 PM I was on a heart monitor and was told I would be admitted. My CBC was low, and on a repeat test in one hour I dropped 4 points. So, a transfusion was in store for me.
I got to a regular room at 6:00 AM on Saturday morning. I am grateful that I was on the back side of the ER and that I did not have to hear or witness any of the Friday night crazy that takes place at Vanderbilt's Emergency Department. Those folks who work there are to be applauded!
I spent four days at VUMC. I had a pap smear and biopsy on Sunday morning. Now, because of my age and symptoms, the top GYN Oncologist came in Sunday to do these procedures. Can you imagine what that is going to cost???
And, I got two units of blood. First transfusion for me - it went well and I didn't have any kind of reaction.
The preliminary lab results were negative for cancer - great news! So on Tuesday, the top GYN Benign doctor (who is married to the top oncologist!) did a D&C and another pap smear.
The great news is that there was no sign of cancer anywhere. I am doing better, still very weak and on iron, etc. with continued follow up on the anemia. I will have to have some surgical procedure soon to be sure this doesn't happen again - still trying to decide on that one.
More in next post!
My fatigue did not improve, in fact as the week went on it got worse and worse, in direct relation to the worsening menstral cycle. By Thursday, April 23 I could barely stand up and got dizzy when I did. Friday came and I had chest pain so I knew it was going bad. I started calling the doctor but he was out and whomever was supposed to pick up his pages wasn't. The nurse said for me to go to the ER, which I did.
Now, I have to take a sidewinder here. I got to the ER at Vanderbilt at 4:00 PM on Friday afternoon. Do I need to say anymore? It was 6:30 before they took me back to a bed. I honestly thought I would have a major accident before they took me back.
By 7:00 PM I was on a heart monitor and was told I would be admitted. My CBC was low, and on a repeat test in one hour I dropped 4 points. So, a transfusion was in store for me.
I got to a regular room at 6:00 AM on Saturday morning. I am grateful that I was on the back side of the ER and that I did not have to hear or witness any of the Friday night crazy that takes place at Vanderbilt's Emergency Department. Those folks who work there are to be applauded!
I spent four days at VUMC. I had a pap smear and biopsy on Sunday morning. Now, because of my age and symptoms, the top GYN Oncologist came in Sunday to do these procedures. Can you imagine what that is going to cost???
And, I got two units of blood. First transfusion for me - it went well and I didn't have any kind of reaction.
The preliminary lab results were negative for cancer - great news! So on Tuesday, the top GYN Benign doctor (who is married to the top oncologist!) did a D&C and another pap smear.
The great news is that there was no sign of cancer anywhere. I am doing better, still very weak and on iron, etc. with continued follow up on the anemia. I will have to have some surgical procedure soon to be sure this doesn't happen again - still trying to decide on that one.
More in next post!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Moving Day is Near
I've been really trying to get everything ready for the move - this fatigue I'm feeling is wearing me out more than I like, and just about more than I can tolerate. I sure hope that once I am moved and set up and can really relax some, the blood pressure will be lower so that a lighter dose is required to keep it down so low. Of course, I'm still going to feel fatigued because my BP is low and my heart rate lower, but I'm hopeful it won't be as bad as right now.
The last few days have been tough for me physically. Besides the pain of the PT and trying to work on that, I've had other problems. I won't be too graffic, but, this is really personal and not something I usually talk about. But, after I've told everyone my weight, I suppose there isn't too much left to hide.
I had not had a monthly cycle for over a year. I'm sure that was because of the weight gain, the tremendous stress of dealing with my son and his problems, and the fallout from those. I had hoped that part of my life was over and it had gone quietly! Sounds too good to be true - believe me it was. With the combination of 150 pounds lost and the medication, Mother Nature decided to do some housecleaning. Now that I realize it, that's why the fatigue is so much worse. So, in a day or two maybe I will feel some better. Any change in normal I have to report to the coumadin clinic at Vanderbilt - I imagine this is something I need to share with them. Those numbers may be quite ascue Tuesday!
The coumadin clinic is now in charge of monitoring my INR and all things to do with my blood. This is not something that will change - I will be on anticoagulation therapy the rest of my life. They are very nice to deal with - and they are really on top of their game. I had blood drawn last Tuesday about 12:50 - they were on the phone about 2:15 with the results and the changes I needed to make for the week. I normally only get blood drawn every two weeks, but they requested we go weekly for awhile too so that can get a clearer picture of changes, etc.
Maybe I should have got an apartment on the Vanderbilt campus!!
The last few days have been tough for me physically. Besides the pain of the PT and trying to work on that, I've had other problems. I won't be too graffic, but, this is really personal and not something I usually talk about. But, after I've told everyone my weight, I suppose there isn't too much left to hide.
I had not had a monthly cycle for over a year. I'm sure that was because of the weight gain, the tremendous stress of dealing with my son and his problems, and the fallout from those. I had hoped that part of my life was over and it had gone quietly! Sounds too good to be true - believe me it was. With the combination of 150 pounds lost and the medication, Mother Nature decided to do some housecleaning. Now that I realize it, that's why the fatigue is so much worse. So, in a day or two maybe I will feel some better. Any change in normal I have to report to the coumadin clinic at Vanderbilt - I imagine this is something I need to share with them. Those numbers may be quite ascue Tuesday!
The coumadin clinic is now in charge of monitoring my INR and all things to do with my blood. This is not something that will change - I will be on anticoagulation therapy the rest of my life. They are very nice to deal with - and they are really on top of their game. I had blood drawn last Tuesday about 12:50 - they were on the phone about 2:15 with the results and the changes I needed to make for the week. I normally only get blood drawn every two weeks, but they requested we go weekly for awhile too so that can get a clearer picture of changes, etc.
Maybe I should have got an apartment on the Vanderbilt campus!!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
I Understand Fully Now!
When I started taking metorprolol - I didn't think I was experiencing quite the fatigue the doctor described. But, I was only taking 1/2 pill twice a day. Last Tuesday, he switched me to one pill twice a day - and can I tell a difference.
You know the fatigue that sets in when you've physically exerted yourself, muscles feel a little weak with a little burn to them? I feel like most of the time now. I even get tired chewing - which may be a good thing - I got 10 chicken nuggets yesterday and after 5 was too tired to eat any more.
This is supposed to be normal - and I guess if my heartrate is down to 60 and my blood pressure down to 120/70, then I would feel a little weak after some exertion. But I'm not liking it at all.
FYI - today's INR was 3.5 - so they called to see why it had gone up a little too much. The only explanation is that I've eaten less in the last week because eating makes me tired! Imagine that - so my dose is cut back some.
I did go to physical therapy today to try and work out some problems with my left hip since the fall last fall - two sets of 5 at 20 seconds each - I was ready to go to sleep on the ortho bed!
You know the fatigue that sets in when you've physically exerted yourself, muscles feel a little weak with a little burn to them? I feel like most of the time now. I even get tired chewing - which may be a good thing - I got 10 chicken nuggets yesterday and after 5 was too tired to eat any more.
This is supposed to be normal - and I guess if my heartrate is down to 60 and my blood pressure down to 120/70, then I would feel a little weak after some exertion. But I'm not liking it at all.
FYI - today's INR was 3.5 - so they called to see why it had gone up a little too much. The only explanation is that I've eaten less in the last week because eating makes me tired! Imagine that - so my dose is cut back some.
I did go to physical therapy today to try and work out some problems with my left hip since the fall last fall - two sets of 5 at 20 seconds each - I was ready to go to sleep on the ortho bed!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
This Week's Weigh In
After struggling with excess fluid for the whole month, I was afraid of the weigh in on Tuesday. I actually didn't think I'd lost anything else and was figuring I'd put some weight back on. Great news - I didn't gain - I actually lost 8 more pounds!
Definitely not the 30 I'd been looking forward to - but still progress. My doctor was actually relieved, he said I only needed to lose 2-3 lbs per week from now on, anything faster would not be healthy. Still some concern over my kidneys so I had more bloodwork done to be sure we weren't blowing them - so far so good!
So, that's 144 pounds altogether - which is almost 1/4 of my original body weight.
I start physical therapy this Tuesday. I had asked about it because of my lack of stamina and movement after the fall. Since I've managed to get this much weight off - it's a good time to start some kind of program. And, with me moving into Trevecca Towers later this month, they have a workout room and indoor pool. I'd like to get a routine down to use in those facilities that helps me build strength and muscle - I'm already seeing some really flabby skin.
He did increase the metorprolol to 25mg twice a day - my blood pressure was still 143/80 with all that I'm taking, and my heart rate was 80. He wants to get my resting heart rate down to 60 to give it time to fill and rest more. That sure seems slow to me - but then again, I'm not the one with M.D. after my name!
Thanks for all the support and prayers I know friends are sending my way. It helps me tremendously to know that you're rooting for me when the times get tough!
Definitely not the 30 I'd been looking forward to - but still progress. My doctor was actually relieved, he said I only needed to lose 2-3 lbs per week from now on, anything faster would not be healthy. Still some concern over my kidneys so I had more bloodwork done to be sure we weren't blowing them - so far so good!
So, that's 144 pounds altogether - which is almost 1/4 of my original body weight.
I start physical therapy this Tuesday. I had asked about it because of my lack of stamina and movement after the fall. Since I've managed to get this much weight off - it's a good time to start some kind of program. And, with me moving into Trevecca Towers later this month, they have a workout room and indoor pool. I'd like to get a routine down to use in those facilities that helps me build strength and muscle - I'm already seeing some really flabby skin.
He did increase the metorprolol to 25mg twice a day - my blood pressure was still 143/80 with all that I'm taking, and my heart rate was 80. He wants to get my resting heart rate down to 60 to give it time to fill and rest more. That sure seems slow to me - but then again, I'm not the one with M.D. after my name!
Thanks for all the support and prayers I know friends are sending my way. It helps me tremendously to know that you're rooting for me when the times get tough!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Updates
So I'll have more updates after I see the doctor on Tuesday - but - this week my INR was 3.1! That's just about where they want it to be which is great after more than two months of changing the Coumadin dose every other week. Now, we'll see if I can maintain where I'm at on the dosage I'm on. I was really glad to see it where it's at - it's been so low I wasn't getting any benefit, and so high I was scared of a stroke. It's been as high as 12 - the doctor said at 15 you can begin to seep blood thru your skin and are in danger of a stroke that would be deadly. Pretty scary stuff!
I am hopeful Tuesday's weigh in goes well - I know this - yesterday morning I put on my jacket when I left for work - and for the first time since I've owned it - it would snap around my hips and stomach. It has been at least 10 years since I've had a jacket that would close around that part of my body. I can usually snap the top three or four buttons, but that would be all. That was pretty cool! Of course, the top of the jacket can almost wrapped around me twice because of the size it is, but, I'm making progress.
Other good news - I am looking at an apartment on Tuesday morning at the retirement community I'm moving to - so moving day is coming soon! I'm excited about the opportunity to lessen the stress in my life and hope that leads to more physical rewards in the improvement arena.
I am hopeful Tuesday's weigh in goes well - I know this - yesterday morning I put on my jacket when I left for work - and for the first time since I've owned it - it would snap around my hips and stomach. It has been at least 10 years since I've had a jacket that would close around that part of my body. I can usually snap the top three or four buttons, but that would be all. That was pretty cool! Of course, the top of the jacket can almost wrapped around me twice because of the size it is, but, I'm making progress.
Other good news - I am looking at an apartment on Tuesday morning at the retirement community I'm moving to - so moving day is coming soon! I'm excited about the opportunity to lessen the stress in my life and hope that leads to more physical rewards in the improvement arena.
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