Changing Seasons in Life

It's been a tremendous run thus far with lap band happening last March 12, 2009. Weight loss, life changes, no serious health complications today, tremendous energy level...back into life living and loving.

For all of us, we face various challenges and move forward. My challenge this winter, the cold. I find me wearing flannel jammy bottoms, a t-shirt and my Harvard sweeatshirt over it all. The cold this season is (for the first time in years) challenging me! I can handle it! As far as me, life is good, gooder and goodest. Hey, easier to handle than Tiger Wood's new world!!

You can see by my crinkled face above, I'm having fun just being a crazy 'bander'. It's hard to believe that one small tool can totally change lives, reinstate self concept, increase health benefits and allow one to live an energetic, full and happy life.

Through this journey, my friends have been so supportive. Love, concern, wishes for well-being and more. These are friends from old high school days, friends from a lifetime of work and experience. "Also, family has been wonderful in 'keeping tabs' on me and the progress. They all saw me when I was at my lowest back in 2004 and now they're celebrating the new me.

In the meantime, I have a special BFF that has been such a tremendous supporter for me. Always checking this blog, sending an email sometimes, 'you haven't posted in a while, are you ok'? Today I want to send her a bouqet of beautiful flowers, red roses and baby's breath and say, 'you were here for me ... now, I'm here for you.' She was diagnosed with breast cancer on Monday.

Suddenly, her world has changed and she is in a free fall of life challenging decisions and more. Let's not forget that sometimes, our small life issues are simply that. Celebrate life every moment for it's a one shot game. Enjoy the good things that come your way and reville in the friends and family you love. My challenge was suddenly diminished this week with her news.

She called today and we shared long moments on the phone through tears and brief periods of silence. I will be available for this bff. I will be a strength, a best friend, a great listener and a comforter. There is an old saying, "A friend in need..". I will be sitting in the waiting room with a couple of other friends when she has surgery.

My thoughts today for those reading this blog...if you're a bander, thinking about banding or other surgery...go for it. Do not let the grass grow under your feet. Live it, learn it and celebrate the life change you will/or/are experiencing. It makes me proud to know that I have friends and family who have taken the first step and are going to have some type of bariatric surgery to help them get back on track!

It makes me sad that I have friends in far deeper water than myself. It is the season...be kind and pass along some Random Acts of Kindness. Tis the season...PAY IT FORWARD. Life did not come with a written guarantee. It came as a blessing, an opportunity and a roadmap. We make our choices and set our course. Just because we sometimes took/take a wrong turn doesn't mean we can't correct our sights!

Be someone's blessing this season. And, as for my BFF...add her to your prayer list. Lift her up and pray for her strength and courage as we remember the many stages we go through in the face of challenge. As for me, thanks for always being there/here. You make all the difference in the world!

I hope you see less of me next year at this time!!!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a big hug!

Payoffs are Fun

Today is another dreary day in Humble Town...that's okay. Matters not to me for I have conquered the challenge to this point. Having broken the weight barrier this week has pumped me, stoked me and filled me with happy.

Hard work, tenacity and determination have become my 'side kicks'. Knowing that the reward is somewhere out there has kept me on target, waiting to see the numbers change again. This week, I have lost two pounds, broken the plateau and enjoyed delicious foods...but, with reason.

How does the band work, you ask. It's tight enough now that the first four or five bites, I sit and wait for the food to work it's way beyond the very small closure. Yes, I can feel it, and, yes, sometimes it's very painful. Just a gentle (sometimes harsh) reminder of why I'm doing what I'm doing.

It seems if I thinkkkkk I need to eat after 8 pm...it will always come back on me. Bottom line, enjoy a refreshing glass of Dole's Orange, Banana, Pineapple Juice and be happy! Habits have changed and each day brings a new enlightment to me. I reflect daily and ponder what I did...how I did it...what will/should I change? For the moment, staying on task and continuing the excellent habits day to day is the premium choice for me.

I find it amusing that an outlet such as Facebook has provided a tremendous avenue for spare time and boredom. Involved in games, friends, old high school classmates and family...I entertain myself without conflict. It's a great way to wile away the endless hours of a long day some days. I've met people from all over the US...common interest are games such as Age of Castles, Mafia War (yes, I kill people), Farmville, etc. It's neat to connect with folks and once in a while say hello other than sending just a gift from the game.

There are a few Baylor folks in the area I've connected with as well. They're cool because they attend the games and send updates via Facebook. What a hoot!! Ya neva know what it may be used for. But, regardless, it's a connection and a fun place to kill time. I believe it's been noticed that senior adults are taking advantage of the site and living it up!! Too funny.

Other than those things I've mentioned, I'm seeing teacher interns all over the area and loving it better than ever. To sail into a building, up the stairs and back down is exhilerating to me...I am no longer challenged by those things or oxygen deprived. Thank you dear Lord! Life's better than it's been in a long time, healthwise. It's wonderful to feel so great!

I hope life is bringing joy into sight everyday for everyone. If not, pull back the drape and seek some new ventures. If you have your health, you've got everything. It remains imperative, for anyone needing any kind of bariatric surgery, to move on it. You're burnin' daylight as John Wayne would say, if you're just sitting around wondering about it.

New life, new energy, new habits, new challenges. Go for the gusto and git er dun!! I did!

Just A Note

October 4, 2009...I have begun the descent, again! Since last visit to doc, -5 and...the barrier remains broken.

How good is this? I am pleased.

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?

TODAY WAS THE DAY....

Hey, friends, I have broken the plateau with the scale!! yippee and yippee again. I am thrilled and what a boost of regenerated energy and enthusiasm for this 'ol girl. It's been a while coming, but I knew it would.

Michael and I discussed our evening meals and agreed that I needed broiled meat, two veggies and be done! We started that two nights ago and EUREEKA!

He'll continue cooking his favorite pasta dishes, etc...but, I will continue on this journey. It's all good, the rewards are many and it's worth every ounce of effort!

Just wanted to post and share the excitement!! If anyone's considering Lap Band...GO FOR IT, AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

I welcome all comments, questions, etc. It's a great Friday!!

Something Old, Something New

I went today to make visits to classrooms. Observing teachers is very enjoyable to me and it keeps me in touch with the 'world'. As I awaited the 12:30 clock today, I cruised down Bellfort and pulled into a Fiesta parking lot hoping I could pick up a signal for my Notebook.
Alas, not so. However, as I backed out of my distant parking space, something caught the corner of my eye. At the edge of the curb sat an aged, weather-beaten, senior adult woman. She was perched on the seat of her walker. From the blue carry bag that sat at her feet, she slowly reached inside to pull from it...a half full bottle of syrup.
Slowly and carefully she examined the contents, turning it all the way around and finishing with a gentle pat on the bottle's side. Carefully, she replaced the trashed syrup in her blue bag and began to 'fish' for another prize.
Sadness overwhelmed me as I pulled into the street to return to the campus for my visit. My thoughts rumbled and it dawned on me that we are never as 'bad off' as we sometimes allow ourselves to believe.
In the midst of gray, drizzly day...people are out searching for life. They have far less than many Americans and they are striving to survive. My main thought was shame on America. Why are so many of our own people suffering so terribly.
With the picture of that feeble, elderly shape hovering over that blue bag, I suddenly realized that a hiccup now and again means nothing. It made me even more grateful for my surgery and new lease on a good life.
Nope, I don't have all the money in the world, but I have my health back again. Folks, that accounts for everything. I take tremendous pride in striding up a sidewalk, climbing the steps to the entry and walking confidently and quickly down the school halls.
Life is what we make it or, sometimes, allow it to be. Seeing some of the sites in the somewhat 'ghetto' areas of Houston, I have a new lease of life. Don't sweat the small stuff, dance in the rain and hesitate while the wind wafts through you hair and mind.
Make it a good day or not...the choice is YOURS.