15 lbs!

"My name is Beth... and I am a Gastric Bypass drop-out"

"HELLO BETH"

That's not exactly how it went but I was a little fearful of going to the "re-activation" class at Kaiser last week.

There were about 8 of us there... all drop-outs. Not everyone confessed their reason(s) for not staying with the program initially, but it didn't really matter... we were back! (My excuse/reason was a romance-gone-wrong but I won't bore you with the gory details.)

I was anticipating some serious finger-shaking but there was none of that. The nutritionist was quite friendly and encouraging. She reiterated the same stuff covered back at the first orientation I attended (back in July of 2006... head hanging in shame!) and some new facts. The most surprising information was that you were hospitalized for just 24 hours, vs. 4 days like they had stated in 2006. Wow... big diff! They even said that many people go back to work "the next day". YIKES!! I mean, I had planned on getting back to things pretty quick since I don't have any disability insurance (because I'm self employed) but next day? Really? I will take that to mean they really have this down to a science... in and out via a couple holes in my stomach.

I was really happy to discover that I had not gained back any of the initial weight I had lost... YEA-ME! I have 15 more lbs. to lose before I get my surgery scheduled. I can do that right?

I am starting their recommended 1,200 calorie/day diet tomorrow. My goal is to have the 15 lbs. off by the end of February. In theory, I could have my surgery in late March/early April. Pretty exciting huh? Check back for updates. I promise to be better about keeping this secret blog current!

Thanksgiving Divorce

A man in Jacksonville calls his son in San Diego the day beforeThanksgiving and says, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough".

"Dad, what are you talking about?" the son screams.

"We can't stand the sight of each other any longer," the father says.

"We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you callyour sister in Denver and tell her."

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this."

She calls Jacksonville immediately, and screams at her father, "You are NOT getting divorced. Do not do a single thing until I get there. I am calling my brother back, and we will both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?" and hangs up.

The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. "Okay," he says,"they're coming for Thanksgiving and they are paying their own way."

Do not underestimate the older generations.
They may be crazy, crazy like a fox. :-)

I Feel Lucky

Had just enough Capt. Morgan/Diet Coke
to sing "I Feel Lucky" with Shari @ the Port Hole!
GO ME! [LOL]

New Years Day Road-Trip!

I was suffering terribly from Cabin Fever. The Christmas stuff was down... I wasn't the least bit hung over from New Years Eve (which means I went to bed early... bummer!)... I needed to GET OUT... so Chelsea, Scott, Brayden, Joe & I headed to SAN FRANCISCO!

Joe grew up in SF so was the perfect guide. We didn't do all the touristy stuff but instead went to some places in Golden Gate Park that I've never been to (Stowe Lake). We also drove through the "Avenues" where he lived as a child. Rich didn't live far from there... 41st & Judah.

We walked around Baker Beach a bit, drove by Ocean Beach then to the other side of the GG Bridge to Fort Point (at the base of the bridge).

Then we headed to Sausalito and places north!

Took this out the sunroof!

It was a great day... wound up driving along the coast for a while, went inland and ended up at a great Italian Restaurant in San Rafael. It was just what I needed!

Here's to a GREAT 2008!!!

Yikes! I'm 46!

Crazy friends and family helped me ring in my 46th in high style. Well... maybe not high style, but it was time to remember... well... I remember most of it, the rest I fill in with pictures taken to document the big event!

Above is Lori, Sue, Shari & Jamie. I'd show you what they gave me for my birthday but promote this blog as being family-friendly so I better not! ;-)

Rob even made it out... that was a nice surprise!

Everyone had to be photographed in the Martini Glasses that my "daughter" Theresa brought! She came all the way from Clearlake!

Even Cowboy Joe wore them! hehehe!

A BIG THANKS
to everyone for making it such a special day/night!!

Halloween 2007

Scott: Dr. Blood! Alex: Cute Dragon!

Chelsea and friends... are they even IN costumes? LOL

Mom Update

Mom & Ken @ Scott's 10th Birthday Dinner

I'm happy to report that Mom came through the 7+ hour surgery really well. Doc Brian assured me he took great care in getting a nice, clean margin this time. We really don't want to do this again. Recovery was a pain for sure... she had a tube than ran through her nose and into her stomach where she received Ensure type of liquids for the first week or so (she HATED that thing). She also had 2 drains that came out of her neck where her lymph nodes were removed. Her tongue was tethered to her teeth for a while to ensure the skin graft would take (didn't want it flopping around!). She was such a TROOPER!

She's pretty well healed now but is still struggling with her speech a bit and swallowing too. She's supposed to get into Kaiser for speech therapy next month (she wishes it was sooner but that's ok!).

A BIG "Thank You" to everyone for their prayers and support. It has meant so much to all of us. I will continue to post updates!

((HUGS))
Beth