Blondetastics Diary

[blondetastic]

LOL doghouse sounds just fine Koh But seriously I just laughed and said well my clothes and the scales tell me otherwise. He can see it. Maybe his arms are getting weaker hehe.

Had a good week, hectic as usual and tired by Sunday night but I had a pretty good sleep last night and am feeling pretty good today. Up till this week I
having only seafood - flake, prawns and tinned tuna. I'm not sick of it - yet. But decided to switch things up a bit. Instead of flake or prawns for dinner I decided to give tuna steaks a go. I'm enjoying them. I've introduced beef mince back in to lunches. I want to change things up now and then before I get bored. Plus the weather has been a lot cooler so I'm not as keen on tuna and salad for lunch. Sometimes I heat the tuna in the pan with some curry powder, sweetener and veggies.

The way I do the fish for dinner is a little time consuming but well worth it. I crumb 2 crackers - I found I only need 11/2 if I use saladas but 2 if I use premium. (Crumble them in a coffee/spice grinder). Add just under a 1/4 of a teaspoon of garlic powder. Spread a teaspoon of low fat mayo on a plate to coat bite size pieces of fish in, then crumb it. Stick the coated crumbed fish on a plate in the fridge while I prep my veggies.

So for the veggies, I do a small bowl with a little diced tomato and cucumber - about 20grams. Add some apple cider vinegar, sweetener a little more garlic salt to make up that 1/4 teaspoon from earlier. Set this aside for later (its usually about 20grams of my veggie allowance.

For the rest of the veggie allowance - mushroom, onion, zucchini, capsicum, raw garlic to go in the frypan.

The some raw baby spinach leaves. Love these so much more than lettuce.
In 2 separate pans I cook the fish and veggies. I add either a 1/4 teaspoon of chilli flakes to the cooking veggies or to the apple cider vinegar mix to pour over the fish.

Add cook veggies to bowl. Top with raw spinach leaves, then fish with a little white salt sprinkled on then the vinegar dressing poured on the edge of the whole lot. Just have to make sure the combined spices are not more than a teaspoon.

Okay off to do a ticker update and try and connect another computer to the internet hopefully without having to ring our internet provider.

Have a great week peeps!!

[blondetastic]

When I restarted this in January, I didn't know if I could get to 77kgs before my operation which I later found out is on March 6, from 92.4kgs. I'm happy to say I got there today. I think, if I keep losing at the average rate I am per week, I could get to 74 by then. That is way beyond my original expectations. I'm hoping I can for 2 reasons: Obviously the more I lose the better for the operation, and I'm anticipating some stalling with weightloss during post op recovery. I'm not taking any short cuts to speed things up, just going to keep on doing what I'm doing. I'm still only working out about once a week if that, because I haven't been sleeping that great and I learned last year the hard way that not feeling tired and stressed is more important than working out especially on this EP. No more burning out for me!!

[Soon2BSlim]

That's fantastic BT!! Well done with the weight loss and getting below 77kgs before your op! What an inspiration to read your post!



Louise

[blondetastic]

Thanks Louise!!

Feeling a bit stressed about next week and the organizing it takes to get there. One day at a time.

Getting closer to where I want to be every day. Really looking forward to when I have less than 10kgs to go. It will feel like the downhill part then.



I no longer have to wash my hair every day. I have long fine hair. I used to have to wash it every day in the morning. I guess its because I'm not eating anything greasy etc. The other week I got away with washing it twice. That's been a rare occurrence for me. Talk about time saving.

When you loose weight your eyes look bigger - that's never a bad thing.

Anyway I better get off here. Hope everyone is travelling well.

[Kohinoor]

Hi BT,
Wow, look at you go !!! You have trodden a stalwart path from where you were, to where you are today. That is so awesome.

A few posts back you said something like "Maybe I am 'getting this' after all."

Well, my girl, I truly think you are getting it, and it must be showing by now. I know - still some more final sculpting to come with the last few Kgs that will knock your socks off..... But time enough for those once you are fully recovered from the op.

Rock on, BT - you're a star !! And the best of luck for everything for next week,

Hugs,
Koh

[blondetastic]

Thank you so much Koh!! I can access the forum on my phone via tapatalk but can't log in to reply. Your post here made my day when I saw it. Happy I have my laptop sorted so I can reply. Your post seriously bought me happy tears, it came right when I needed it.

Wow, what a week!! I am happy to say the surgery went well and yes it was major. Everything went pretty smooth. But I completely underestimated the pain I would be in after, mainly from the drain which was in for 5 days, and the cramping from the carbon dioxide pumped into my abdomen.

I was released Saturday (ha sounds like a prison sentence) and got home after a 5 hour car trip at around 8pm that night. Surprisingly I haven't needed any pain relief other than Panadol since early that morning. At 3.30am I guess they didn't figure I would be awake hmmm, the male nurse came in, I was stretched sitting up, with my arm over my back scratching my shoulder when he undid my drain. no warning. It creates a vacuum and the pain was off the scale and lasted for about 3/4's of an hour before it even began easing. Did I yell at him and swear? Erm yeah!! He was planning on doing that to me in my sleep. It took him an hour to come back with pain relief and in the mean time his side kick decided to come in and fiddle with the drain again causing the exact same pain. You really dont want to hear what I said to her. Finally the pain relief came and all was good in my world. Aside from 4 nurses who had no bedside manner the rest were lovely. I was up out of bed with a lot of agony and effort the next day, then showering the same day and walking around albeit very slowly. They ended up giving me a walker which was great because I was pretty shaky and dizzy.

The eating situation was varied. I did part Cohens, part hospital food mainly because of toilet issues. My stomach was as hard as a rock and giving me grief. On the way home I got a subway wrap, a muesli bar and pitted prunes. I think the 7 prunes finally did the job Sunday morning. On Saturday morning I was 79.9kg. Sunday I was right back on track with the EP and am happy to say today I am 74.4kg. I am still getting cramping whenever I eat, but it can take awhile for all the Carbon Dioxide, anaesthetic, meds etc to leave the system. But pain is minimal now and managing with panadol when I have been sent home with Endone and anti spasm meds which I haven't needed, has been mind blowing for me. I'm up and about, not allowed to drive for another week, or do heavy lifting, but managed washing, shopping and doing dishes against my partners protests. I let him do some things when I'm tired but I want to be back at work on the 20th and am determined to do everything I can to help myself.

Had I chosen to eat only Cohens in hospital it was very easy. They had a fridge close to my room. My partner brought my meals in for every day that I had pre-cooked the week before. The first day I had chicken and asparagus soup which was perfect because I really couldn't manage any more than that. Even when I ate hospital food I was only eating a few bites anyway and on the last night couldn't manage my dinner before they came to collect the trays (I honestly couldn't stay awake for any length of time while I was in). But I had Cohens chicken and veggies in the fridge, so had them later.

I am really happy with how it all went, and my biggest worry was going off plan in the slightest was going to start up all the old cravings. What I ate Saturday night felt like a binge-fest. Actually I wasn't 100% on plan Sunday - I skipped lunch, but since then have had all my meals, all Cohens. But I think my worry particularly about the food Saturday on the way home was shown to me when I had a dream I was in the supermarket literally tearing off the wrapper of a twin pack Turkish delight and shovelled it in my mouth like some half starved waif. Haha it took me a few seconds after waking up, of feeling incredibly guilty before I realized it was a dream.

I go back in about 6 weeks to have the stent removed for the very last time.

I have officially lost 18kgs since January and the rest will soon be gone.

[blondetastic]

Today I hit 73kgs. In think I may have a tummy bug which has sped things up a bit. I am eating and drinking plenty of water. No vomiting but very similar to what I experienced after one of the surgeries I had last year, so I'm not sure if it's my body still eliminating all the drugs etc pumped into me in hospital.

I had to adjust my height down in my ticker by 2cm. So I can officially say today is the day I hit the top end of healthy normal whatever you wish to call it BMI - 25. In a much earlier post I remember saying I didn't see how I could get to the lowest the clinic had put as my goal range. I am planning on reassing at 62kgs. I can't believe I only have 11 to go after starting with 78 to lose. I'm so close now that all the doubts I had about loose skin etc are finally starting to go. I do feel 62 will be good for me but I remember when I was there before thinking another 4kgs could be lost to finish it properly. That was a fair while ago. Body composition changes over the years so it remains to be seen. Aside from this tummy bug or whatever it is, I'm feeling pretty good. And super happy size 14 is too big for me in most of my clothes.

[Kohinoor]

Hi BT,

I do feel 62 will be good for me but I remember when I was there before thinking another 4kgs could be lost to finish it properly.

Maybe the change in height will affect this, but, according to your ticker,at 62Kg you are at a BMI of 21.2 A further 4 Kgs off that weight will take you to around 20 (I'd need to know your height to know exactly) - now, in observing many finish their Cohens Plan, I recall most were in the BMI 21 thru 23 range. 20 is not Underweight, but it is approaching that mark.

There can be other reasons to go lower though - one biggie is ethnicity. You are probably aware that Asian girls are a very slight build, while Polynesian girls are larger frame. As such, their BMI's "Normal" range is different to caucasians. So, if you are an Asian girl, then your goal could well be showing such that your BMI might read 20 and even lower.

Anyway, BT - your body will tell you when it is time to stop. Just be sure to have your Refeed ready to go when needed.

Rock on,

Koh

[blondetastic]

Koh my height is 171cm. My ultimate goal isn't a number on the scale but during the fat losing stage I have to consider than and bmi etc.

My ultimate goal post Cohens is to be lean and to use a word that PT's hate - toned - not to the degree that people who are really into go to - that really muscular almost manly look. Just to look strong, and fit. After a lot of research, I came to the conclusion, this EP is the best way to lose the fat - ie get it down to a low percentage. I'm at 69.4 now and can literally see where the my body is deciding the fat is coming off each week. In the past I've been skinny fat. Mediumly skinny fat, and frail skinny fat. Yes I want the lowest fat percentage I can achieve, but I also want the muscle tone. So far I have concentrated on the losing the fat. Due to the fact that I am feeling a lot weaker in my legs since recuperating from the surgery I started back with walking yesterday and at least 3x a week doing some weights etc. Doing it this way - as long as I am balanced about it will keep the fat burning going at probably the same rate, while building the muscle underneath. Doing it the usual way - not on this EP, but checking macros, eating clean but with more variety - will achieve the same results but take longer. I want my whole lifestyle to be focused on health AND fitness. Maybe I'm wrong but my reasoning is the women who take it seriously to the point they are competing get to extremely low fat % during comp time, and the fat % goes up a bit when then aren't competing. Since I have no desire to compete, I don't need to get my fat % to such low numbers. However I am aware I still have fat that can be eliminated faster through this EP, OR just making sure I stay within the macros that would work for me. One thing I heard in my younger years was a woman in her 30's - a PT - say "it's normal for women to have a bit of a belly". Yes it is. I have a friend who is training to become a certified PT. She told me that is her problem area. It never used to be mine but it is now. I know why. Because I took my natural muscle tone there for granted. I didn't know back then that the methods I used were going to catch up with me later and to get that flat toned stomach back didn't require doing hundreds of crunches a week, but mainly just eating clean more often as often as I can. And that eating clean doesn't mean tasteless and boring.

A few years later I read an article about how abs are made in the kitchen. It is 80% diet. Interestingly I am starting to see my abs coming through, and I haven't done an ab workout for 2 months. I'm lucky to have decent muscle tone underneath my fat, which is showing through more as the fat is disappearing. I have never reached my full potential in the past because my REAL problem area was my butt. I never persisted long enough to get rid of enough fat there to get rid of the bit underneath that makes it look saggy. I believed if I worked it hard enough it would become more harder, less saggy. It is just literally fat, and under that fat I have strong muscle. This time I want to do it right. I want to go long enough with losing the fat and then see what I need to do regarding the workouts to improve it. My friend who says her tummy is her problem area I see tagging healthy recipes on Facebook, walking, working out. Then at work I would see her making a thick shake. Eating cake. Yes, it's called balance in the long haul. I am not going to live a life depriving me of the odd sugar fix forever. I will have a balanced life in that for the most part I will eat clean. Educate myself about treats that are ok in moderation because they can be good for me, eg a couple of squares of real, dark chocolate. More bitter than normal chocolate and not to everyones taste, but honestly after so long without sugar, and having had it before, I like it, but not enough to over indulge where it's a problem. A glass of red wine - A GLASS - not a bottle, now and then, great anti oxidants. And on occasion I will go out and have a latte. ON OCCASION. Not the daily treat it was. Go out for a meal and enjoy it, occasionally. But what I'm looking forward to the most is making walking an everyday thing, hiking, anything thats fun and active. Looking at recipes and meals that I can tweak to make healthier at home rather than grabbing junk on the run or eating out regularly.

My first goal after maintenance is to prove that eating right can get rid of that lower belly, to something flat and toned. If I can't, I can't, but why not try it the right way for the first time in my life and see? At least I will know. If I can but it's unsustainable, I am more than happy for it to stay. I am not going to live an extreme life with no room for the small indulgence here and there. It's just because I know that I have never really given it a red hot go. Sometimes we can achieve something in life but we know we can't keep it up and we have to find a happy medium. I'm looking for that. But I wont know if I can achieve it and possibly maintain it being balanced if I don't at least try and I don't want to live my life wonder what if? Only we can work out what our individual real potential is and whether we can reach and sustain it. I'm tired of cutting myself short, mainly because I was going about things the wrong way. I may try it and still not achieve it but I'm going to be damn happy I tried. At least then I will know what my body is capable of and not. And if I do achieve what I want, but can't sustain it, I will never complain about my body. Because I know it will be in the best sustainable condition it can be in and that is good enough for me.

I am really excited about all of this. I am still loving being on the EP. I haven't allowed challenges to derail me this time, and I've been using the time to continue educating myself. The weightloss is slowing up slightly as the fat I have left to lose is becoming less. I'm ok with that. It's all still headed in the right direction, and the cms are still coming off. My whole attitude about food and lifestyle has changed and I'm working on happiness from the inside out.

Society assigns our gender roles when we are born and they are promoted through our entire life. This is what often influences especially women, to lose weight. I've been there. But finally I am happy to say it's not about losing weight, it's not about the number on the scale, it's not about anyone else. What it is about is setting myself reasonable challenges and seeing how strong I am, in character and in body and amazing MYSELF for the things I can achieve no matter how small or how big they look to anyone else. It's about investing in my health. That is also something that looks different to everyone because we are all unique. I do know my fitness hasn't suffered at all during my recovery. My cardio fitness is better than ever, and I'm feeling strong again. I realize more than ever my investment in my body, treating it with love and respect, not beating it into 1 size fits all which society pushes on us every day, is what matters. I am not going to look like her or her or her. I don't want to look like a woman on the front of a magazine, fitness or otherwise. I want to be inspired and amazed by my own body, what it can do physically in a day and how it decides my muscle tone will look with what I give it. I don't want to be a skinny waif. I want to look like someone who can stand and deal. Someone who knows her body and knows how to make the most of it to get the best from it.

The number on the scale has a part to play now. But there will come a time
when it wont, because the food I'm eating and the workouts I am doing will at a certain point see that number on the scale either go up, or stay the same, but my body will look better because of the difference between the same amount of muscle weight as opposed to the same amount of fat and what it weighs. The scale can't differentiate.

I'm lucky to have a partner who is on board with the same goals. We are on different programs at the moment, but we are looking forward to the not too distant future where we are prepping our meals together, sharing recipes we find, working out together, being there for each other through the challenges and the victories and when we want to go out for a meal or on a holiday allowing a treat because it's not an every day or every week thing, be not just another meal out but something special.

This was an extra long post. It reflects the things I have been thinking about, I guess especially when I consider how well I bounced back from surgery. I attribute that largely to this EP and some of it to the fact that I am a strong determined person, but not always. I appreciate more than ever the body I have been given and what it does for me every day, and it deserves the best to keep it going. All in all the last year or so has made me stronger and made me realize the strengths I already had. I look forward to the future, facing new challenges that show me areas I can further develop good character traits and gain new strengths.Probably the biggest thing I have worked on is getting a balance between what I KNOW I can push through, and knowing when to stop and rest. I don't have to push myself to the point of exhaustion whether it be at work at home, no matter what I am doing. No I wont give up at the first sign of hardship. But I wont let my determination to prove anything rob me of my health. Happiness is an inside job and it starts with us.

[Kohinoor]

That's a helluva good post, BT !!! Well done.

How nice to have a partner who is on the same page and can "get" you (even if not on quite the same program - the end results/goals sound in tune with each other).

You go girl !!

Hugs,
Koh

[blondetastic]

Thanks Koh!! Yeah I am pretty lucky to have a partner who is motivated and has goals. And even better now I weigh less than him haha.


I have been feeling a bit impatient over the last week. It felt like I was stuck between 69.8 and 70.4 for ages. Up down, up down. I have finally got under 69, and when I look back over the last 4 weeks, I have still lost 6kgs. Thats pretty much what I lose every month. I'm glad I have stuck this out this year, it makes it so much easier when things start to stall. You just know they will start moving again, and that the scales don't tell the full story.

Health has been tricky to manage but I get by. I'm looking forward to bigger advances with it after May when I finally get the last kidney stent out hopefully forever. It makes me tireder than usual, and this time round have experienced more pain than the last 6 months. Nothing as far as anti spasm medication, or drinking more water gives consistent results it's very hit and miss. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[justakiwig]

Hey

Whoa u have coma a long way congrats - I’m just hoping that I can do the bulk of my weight loss in 12mths I really don’t want to pay for a whole new program - so I’m going to be extra good and keep going this time round - it was just shocking the changes that happened to my body last time and I freaked out.

Now I know what to expect and am hoping people leave me to do what I have to do for myself. I’m glad there’s someone around that has lost around about what I need too -

Just

[blondetastic]

Hey Just!! Thank you. You can definitely lose the bulk of it, if not all of it in 12 months. If I had stuck to this in 2015 I would have been there by October. Better late than never.

I did a long post just before and got logged out and lost it. Have to go to work soon so a bit short on time now. I just looked at the date of my last post 10/4. I was 68.8. It felt like forever to get to 66.6 but it was only 10 days. I have felt a bit more challenged with the EP on the odd day here and there lately, however I'm determined as ever. It's mainly just tiredness. I'm not allowing the blah days to interfere with reaching my goal. I'm tougher than that.

Will try and get back on the weekend to visit diaries. I really need to look at putting some before and now pictures up. It's just having the energy or the desire to do it when I have been so busy. My hope is that they will help someone to see how far I had to go and where I am now and that knuckling down and doing it is totally worth it. You really have to get past a certain point in your mind so that your goal becomes tangible. Thats different for everyone. I believe if you have a lot to lose like I did, it can be done in about 10 - 11 months. If you have a moderate amount to lose definitely 6 months and if a little well it's a matter of weeks. Come on people, your goal weight in less than a year? Ready for next summer? How good is that?

[Kohinoor]

Hi BT,

Hey, this should be wrtten across every page in the website I reckon !!

Up down, up down. I have finally got under 69, and when I look back over the last 4 weeks, I have still lost 6kgs. Thats pretty much what I lose every month.

That is true for so many - i.e. it can SEEM endless, and a plateau can drive you nuts, and time moves slowly.... But then that highlighted bit comes true

Most people DO lose much the same each month (after the first one of course, which is awesome, but a one-off) as long as they stay true and "just keep swimming" !!

Have you ordered your Refeed yet? Your ticker tells me you are SO CLOSE now. Rock on, BT

Koh

[ConnieK]

Each time I have done the program whatever I lose in the first 4 weeks divided by 4 is what my average loss is across the program. Some weeks more, some weeks less but always even out to the average over the program. Even with a huge plateau the first time the average was still the same at the end.

Connie

[blondetastic]

I think that's a great way to look at it Connie!! It all evens out in the end

Got my refeed Koh, not quite ready to start yet. But I reckon its not far off.

I finally got my stent out on Monday, and it was instant pain relief. First time completely pain free in 18 months. Feeling better than ever. Now I can get back on the vitamins and I should start feeling less tired!!

We had a few days of very cold weather and I was hungrier. I cheated a little - nothing major and certainly not uncontrollable in fact extremely minor compared to what I used to do. It got me through and I still lost but I'm not going to repeat it. That was the week before I had the stent removed. During our brief time away, I went out for coffee with a friend and indulged a little. Straight back to it when I got home. The cravings for the old stuff haven't reappeared, and I'm as determined as ever. Food is so different for me now. I prefer strong flavours from the food rather than the blandness of sugar. Junk food does not taste as good. It tastes a lot like eating sugar straight out the packet. I would rather have the strong taste of coffee or chilli without the sweetness. Real food, real flavour not all the chemical rubbish. I'm so looking forward to discovering new recipes that are all about that. I'm planning the next couple of weeks to bee 100% on plan and have devised a way to space out things so I can do just that.

About to go for a walk this time knowing that I wont be feeling pain and am so excited about that the rain isn't even putting me off. I've become a person who once she decides something is worth doing she is going to do it.

Will be back to post again after the weekend, and catch up on how everyone else is doing.

[Linlou]

Hi Blondetastic,
Well Done on your journey so far, results are fantastic. You said you have re-started the program a few times. Did you get a new program each time or just use your original one? I was on the program years ago, then joined again a few years back and got a new program. I need and want to get back on the program but wondering if a new program is really necessary?

[blondetastic]

Hey Linlou sorry for the late reply. I did get a new program once, the variations were minimal, results the same. I have just stuck to that one when I've restarted. I think it's worth giving your original program a go. Mine definitely worked

Since I last posted, life has been challenging. Nothing new there, particularly where my health is concerned.

Thought all that was behind me. About a week after having what was meant to be the final stent removed I got a severe virus which took weeks to get over. And all I wanted to do was eat. I was constantly hungry tired coughing headaches sore eyes. The lines got blurred as it morphed into the start of a kidney infection or what I thought was that. I have found everything extremely difficult since then. Fast forward to June 25. Off for the 800k round trip for scans to ensure kidney is draining properly. We stayed with friends in the city. It was my birthday. Appointment is at 10. At 9 I get a call to reschedule. This happens frequently. The reason this time: There was no tracer available anywhere in Australia required to do the scan. The conveyor used to make it broke down. They don't store vast amounts due to short shelf life. And it would be some weeks before they would have more as they new conveyor has to be gov. approved, there was a radiation spill requiring cleanup AND a pilot has to be located who is willing to fly a large amount of radio active material. When I explained I had organized time off from work, made a 400k trip etc they said they had a small amount for emergencies and country patients. Every time they call me to cancel they have my details including home address in front of them. Sigh. So I get to hospital. Start scans. Am told on viewing old scans from 2 years ago that I had at a hospital 1/2 an hour away from where I live that I could have had them done there. That was after I was told back in may that no that hospital does not do those scans, after I insisted I have had them there before. No one listens to me.

I had 6 scans then waited an hour to see the specialist. Starving, freezing its now nearly 5pm. The specialist then tells me the major surgery I had to correct things wasn't successful, they would have to get me to come back, put another stent in and then repeat the surgery at another time.

I cried. I saw another 18 months of pain, uti's, kidney infections, constant tiredness etc. Then the pain of the major surgery, more money making trips back and forth, time off work no pay.

I said I don't want another stent in. He said there is no choice then sent me off for another scan. Up at the clinic where I had the scan the nurse tells me their CARDIOLOGY specialist said I have a good case for asking them to remove my kidney and I should be referred to a nephrologist to discuss that.

Return downstairs to specialist. He reviews latest scan and says no, urine is not leaving kidney. I ask why did the surgery fail. You went up with a camera, you saw the kink around it, you went in an snipped and rejoined it. His reply? They may have done the internal stitches too loose or too tight.

I said I want to be referred to a nephrologist and find out about having the kidney removed. He said no. So I said I guess I have no choice then but to have another stent and go through all the pain and angst again. By this time I was so over it. Exhausted, depressed you name it. I walked out crying. My partner told him its dragged on so long and I'm over it. The specialist said while my kidney is functioning they wont remove it.

So I come back in apologize for my reaction and he said he can admit me tonight as an emergency case and have the stent put in. I didn't want to stay in that hospital overnight. I had barely eaten. I would have to fast until they could get me into theatre. The nurses on the ward would be annoyed and take it out on me like they did when they flew me down at 2am in the morning. They are so busy they dont like last minute admissions.

He said if I promise to come back at 7am tomorrow, I could go back to where I'm staying that night. I promised. Then left and cried again. A nurse hugged me and said she would put down no beds available so I wouldn't have to stay in the following night as long as I would be round for a couple of days in case anything went wrong.

I got back to accommodation at 8pm. Next morning back at hospital at 6.15am fasted from 9.30pm the night before, told my partner to drop me off. I sat in admissions with only a book, no phone, no purse nothing. Because I was going home after the stent insertion. I sat there till 3pm.

Finally got taken up to the ward. I had to insist to about 5 people I was not staying in overnight. I've had this procedure so many times over the last 12 months they always let me out.

Finally get into theatre around 4.30pm. The specialist who had the night before told me I could leave the hospital tonight tells me "we will keep you in overnight and talk to you in the morning" OMG no no no no. I just said I AM NOT STAYING HERE TONIGHT, we discussed this yesterday and you told me I don't want to. If I have to I will just leave now. He smiled and nodded and told me but we need to consult with you tomorrow. I said fine I will come back tomorrow. Procedure goes fine. I had literally just woken up in recovery. Starving hungry, in pain, wanting to pee. Hanging for a drink. I get a sip of water and the nurse tells me the specialist has good news. I say the only possible good news would be that I dont have to have another pyleoplasty.

Specialist comes in and says we will keep you in tonight, AGAIN I said no, I am leaving this hospital tonight!! Like we keep discussing. He smiles and nods then says but we need to talk to you tomorrow. I said fine I will come back. Then he says the good new. It was almost all worth it to hear this: I don't have to have another pyleoplasty. The blockage is tissue which they can just laser away. GRRR why not check it out before telling me the other news!! I am deliriously happy now. What he didn't mention that I highly suspect is that its scar tissue from the pyleoplasty where the stitches healed.
Hmm.

Anyway I get taken back to the ward my partner turns up to take me home and the nurse says they will be doing 4 hourly obs. SERIOUSLY!! AGAIN I said no, I'm not going to be here that long. The doctor said I can leave tonight. She says well my hands are tied, we have to follow protocol. If he said that he needed to put it in our notes that 4 hourly obs are not neccessarily. I said I don't care, I'm leaving as soon as I can. She left to talk to doc. The rest is a blur. I *think they said I could go. They took my canula out, so I got changed and made sure I had a script for pain relief (they told me the pharmacy at the hospital was closed which is rubbish because I had scripts put in there later than that.) Then I left.

There is more to this. I have to get to the shops before they shut, but will tell the rest in the next post.

[blondetastic]

Can't even post about what's been going on since I last posted. Just hectic. Been back to hospital again and going back in about a month. I've been put back on overnight shifts with other shifts thrown in at the last minute. I've been on a backwards slide and fast tracking to nowhere. It has helped me realize how important eating right is and being extremely organized, and also how a lot of people think you can just keep going and don't take no for an answer. There are some things that are out of my control and it's time to take back control over the things I can. I refuse to let theae challenges get the better of me. I'm thankful I have a job, a partner who has stepped up after months of trying to get him to understand I need more help and emotional support. At times he has quite a short fuse and that's presented it's own challenges. And while the health issues have been ongoing, there is still a time when they will be resolved. The best part is then weather is improving and the days are getting longer.

I am really disappointed I can't get Natural Vaalia yoghurt any more and the only alternative I can find in town is Chobani. So I'm probably going to have to make my own with the easiyo. I don't think Chobani meets the criteria.

Anyway its onwards and upwards.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[justakiwig]

Hey blondtastic

I was sick twice (flu lol) the first time I didn’t take anyt meds and suffered for over a week - eating stopped and then started and then stopped, the second time I got sick was pretty soon after and I took anti biotics and it went really quick although again my eating suffered. It took or has taken ages to come right and the scale is still not moving but I’ve had other wins so I don’t care what the scale says lol

Hope alls well soon

Just