One Year After Surgery - Minus 155#

after

before

haircut 1 year post op

haircut a few days pre op

dentist 1 week pre op

dentist 1 year post op

dentist pre

dentist 1 year later

Well, here are my before and after pictures.  So totally embarrassing!  I don't show these to just anyone (okay, no one except my synchronized swim team members) so count yourself lucky.  They are very hard to look at.  I was so full of fluid and fat and misery!  These pictures really make me sad. And happy.  And proud.

9 months out, 150# down

May 3, 2014 @ SCAD walk

 Bob and I went to a 5K walk today to help raise money for research for SCAD, a rare heart condition.  It was at a beautiful forest preserve near Naperville.  I did not walk the 5K even though Sandy, my sister-in-law, motivated me by pledging money.  I did manage to do the fun 1.12 mile walk, and because we veered off course I'm going to go with 1.22 miles, and Sandy still pledged because she's just that good.  (Thanks Sandy!)  

It was fun looking at the old stables, the cool weather vanes and awesome statues.  But the most fun was just being able to walk!  There were many firsts today.  First time I've ever signed up for one of these things with the actual intent to walk it.  LOL  First time I've ever gotten a t-shirt at one of these things and could actually put it on and wear it.  Usually the largest size wasn't even close, and now I don't even need the largest size :)  First time in a very long time I was able to ride in a car that far and enjoy the ride because I didn't swell up and gain 15 # en route.  The whole day felt wonderful!  And the company was awesome :)

Been feeling pretty good these days.  The past 2 months have been pain free.  I'm forcing myself to eat a wider variety of foods now.  This sounds easier than it is.  I have a healthy fear of eating something and having pain and vomiting.  I feel just like one of Pavlov's rats - I've been conditioned!                

The new jeans are already getting baggy on me - it's a problem I am okay with.  

Had to throw this in, even the toes got skinnier!  And Christy wanted to see the pink she recommended.

On a more serious note, the reason we went to the 5K today was to support our cousin Shelley Simonton who was diagnosed with SCAD.  This is a rare heart condition.  Shelley has survived 3 heart attacks.  Unfortunately, very little is known about this disease.  Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) blocks the flow of blood to the heart, which can cause a heart attack and sometimes sudden death in generally young and healthy people.  Research is on hold (and Shelley's blood on ice) waiting for the funding to find some answers.  Please help if you can.   

Your donation will help to advance SCAD research and education. 

SCAD Research, Inc. is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) charity

http://www.scadresearch.org/

A night out......

feeling happy!

feeling good

It's been 8 months since surgery.  I have lost 130#.  I am very happy!

I am down to 3 pills a day.  To put that in better perspective, I used to take 21 pills a day!  Every time I take pills I feel as though I am forgetting some.  LOL  And of course, I will always take vitamins and calcium.

Last night we went to the Civic Center in Peoria to see Jim Gaffigan, a comic.  Here is a comparison of what it would have been like for me before the surgery and what it was like last night.

Pre-surgical night out:

• nothing to wear
• need dropped off at the door of restaurant, can't walk from parking lot
• at restaurant before show, worry about fitting in booth, request table
• need 60 to 100 units insulin to cover dinner
• need picked up at the door
• swelling worsening as the night progresses, feeling short of breath
• need dropped off at Civic Center theater door, can't walk
• worry about making it the short walk to the theater, looking for benches
• rest twice on benches before reaching theater
• as soon as I am in, look for chair to sit down, back pain
• rest 15 minutes so I can get to my seat
• make it to my seat, miserable, swelling really bad now
• difficult to enjoy show, wishing I were home in bed
• thankful when show ends, completely in pain now
• takes me 30 minutes to get back to the door, resting several times
• get picked up right outside theater, unable to stand for more than 2 minutes waiting for car
• miserable ride home, so swollen from head to toe, short of breath
• home, straight to bed to try to get some fluid off, thank goodness I don't have to work!

Post-surgical night out:

• what should I wear?  I have choices!  and they all look good!
• walking from parking lots? no problem!  wish I could walk further it feels so good
• restaurant, I fit everywhere now, love booths!
• insulin?  3 units :)
• no swelling!  
• breathing great!
• easy walk from parking lot, didn't need a bench, didn't even look for one!
• standing, no problem!
• found our seats, so comfy, lots of wiggle room
• loved the show
• no pain
• easy walk out, easy ride home
• got home and worked all night, no problem!

That's the best way I can explain how different my life is now.  Just having fun feeling normal again :)

Jack and Diana

  

6 months out