Settled into The New Lifestyle

Greetings to everyone! I felt it was time to write and talk about new discoveries. This entire experience has been completely life changing for me. I've lost weight, I've finally corralled my mind and old habits, I feel tremendous every day and I have not one regret. Surgery was the best thing that could have happened to me.

At age 61, I'm back to running errands, walking dogs, biking with a dog and walking a foot race in any department store or Walmart! Knowing that I can move and breathe again without having to hesitate due to lack of oxygen if a wonderful gift for this girl.

I've had so many individuals talk to me about my experience and, even the sweet lady behind the deli counter at Kroger is completely fascinated with the changes in me. She told me the other day that all people should get to hear what I say 'cause it's more than just weight loss!

A cousin or two have talked to me about the life changing decision and they are deciding what direction to take. For any who suffer with diabetes, meds, high blood pressure, etc...run, don't walk to the best PCP you can muster and ask for help with your health!

Remember, you only get one shot at life...make it your best shot!

Our dinner last evening was panko crusted chicken thighs (with lemon) pounded thin, greens with potatoes, onions and small hamhock for flavor and the most delicious gravy that was Morrocan flavored with the taste of cinnamon. Yum and yum again! All of that had all the marvelous flavors in the world, but cooked and designed for ME.

There are days, as I head home from observing teacher interns, that I'll pull through Whataburger, Popeye's or Kentucky Fried and bring something home to Michael for a treat! He loves it, I have no desire to eat anything from those places as I come home to eat my stuff here. It's a win-win these days and I feel proud to have come this far down the road.

Filling my time is no problem lately. I have beautiful hanging baskets, large pots of plants and a green, plush backyard again. Many times throughout a day I will go out and simply stroll around listening to the birds, the sound of the gentle breeze and perhaps the yapping of a dog clear across the community. That's life, for that moment.

I've hung a brightly colored basket by the kitchen window and there are some gorgeous, painted butterflies that come and visit. As I stand and watch them flutter, I admire their brilliance in color and the tenacity of their behavior over a bright flower. The hummingbird feeder is hung, waiting in silence for the first signs of that hovering little wonder. Intrigue is all around if you simply take time to stop, look and listen carefully.

I saw my surgeon two and half weeks ago. The next visit with him will be three months from that date. I'm swimming in the blue ocean now. Nope, not alone...my medical staff is only an email via MY CHART at BCM or a phone call. I have a private number to Dr. Sherman's lead nurse if I should ever need them. It makes me feel great to know that I'm in the center of a large, medical circle now.

As I grew up, I had this tremendous fear of doctors. Anxiety blood pressure plagued me, deep seated fear of them finding something wrong illuminated my imagination and the thought of them looking for whatever scared the 'bajeebers' outta me.

Not these days. Those individuals have become my knights in shining armor and good friends. You see, for anyone going through this procedure, assuming they have chosen excellent doctors, they will have such an improved quality of life from here on.

I encourage everyone, fat, thin, short, tall, gorgeous, not so gorgeous, go get the most out of life. It's not about how far you travel, how much gold you possess or who's the most famous person you know. It's about you, deep inside, fulfilling your life with the simple things when the more complicated things will leave you alone. If you have your health, you have everything!

My weight is coming off slowly now. That's alright. The purpose of my surgery was to rid me of all the complex issues I was dealt! It worked. I'm energized, healthy, happy and on the right track. This is a never ending challenge in a obese person's life. The game never ends, it just improves over the years. This began in July, 2008...today is October 03, 2009 -- I've been a million miles today!

14.5 months of learning, re-educating me, moving away from the danger foods, controlling the urges to eat junk and beginning to exercise regularly. My inner drive keeps me moving...I never wish to return to those issues that were life-threatening for me.

Anyone who wishes to contact me...
txspatter@aol.com
I don't know it all, no one does, but sometimes, ya just need a friend who'll listen...someone who's walked that mile in those shoes. Just a sec, I'm going to check my email! Wait, is that a hummingbird?