Post-Op Day 71 - Year 33 in review

As I soaked in my tub tonight, I realized I had forgotten something very important – write my Year 33 recap!

That’s right – tomorrow is my birthday! Man, what a year! It went by so quickly; yet, so much was packed into it. Things kicked off right after my 32nd birthday when I decided I wanted to buy a house. After a whirlwind three weeks, we signed on a house to be built, planned our wedding in a week and got married on April 3! That was the best day of my life. I love you Scott!

We then spent April and May watching our beautiful home being built. We signed on it June 4 and moved June 5. I got strep throat right after that. Blah! It took us a while to get settled in our home, but we sure loved it.

My parents came to visit me here in Texas for the first time after me living here for three years! It was awesome! Soon after, his folks came to visit. It was great showing off the house and our new furniture.

Another cool thing is in April I got to see my friend Mike Fincke launch into space to live aboard the International Space Station. He spent six months there. It was nerve-wracking, but it was so exciting to know an astronaut who was living off this planet. He was so good to me – calling me often and even doing a private video conference with me and my team. What was the best though is that he took my Hello Kitty to space. http://community.webshots.com/album/216849733SoSagY

Anyway, in August we bought new SUVS and in September I was promoted again. WOW – what a big undertaking! It all worked out in the end after many, many long hours.

In November I worked to get the gastric bypass surgery and in December I was miraculously approved after minimal waiting. It was life-changing news when I got approval. I think my journal proves that. Haha

However, I was blessed with a complication-free surgery – as well as blessed by a supportive group that included my wonderful husband, Mom, Dad, Granny, friends and coworkers. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, but wow – I DID IT!!!

And now, here I sit, less than an hour before I turn 34. I am 51.5 pounds lighten than I was 10 weeks ago (Yes I got my birthday wish!!!! Yay for me!). I’m sitting in my new home and just appreciating all that God has blessing with me with. My sexy husband is sound asleep in our beautiful bed; Mom, Dad and Granny are healthy back in Indiana and my precious dog Katie is asleep on her bedding. I have amazing friends, wonderful coworkers, a great boss and I work at the coolest place on Earth.

God – thank You for all the many blessing You’ve given me. I know I am not worthy, but I thank You for still putting them in my life. Please bless my 34th year and keep everyone safe and sound. I look forward to the new life You’re allowing me to have with this surgery. Please let me always respect and appreciate it. THANK YOU!! Please bless all those on this same journey. Together, we are one family.

Here's to 34!!

Post-Op Day 67 - Catching up

Another week down...the scale was stuck again at 277.5 (46.5 total). This morning I was 276.5 but it might have been a fluke. haha I am thrilled by the total weight lost, but I don't think I am going to get my goal of -50 by my birthday on Friday. :-( A girl can hope, can't she?

This week was busy. I finally got the coccyx pain subdued when it reared its ugly head again on Thursday. UGH! I had to go see Dr. Naaman too for my checkup. It was painful to drive two hours roundtrip!

The good news is that my checkup went very well. I am just a little dehydrated - other than that, the lab work came back normal and my weight loss is on target.

The even better news is that my surgeon is actually familiar with my tailbone condition - which is called coccydynia. He examined me yesterday and verified I had it. He is so familiar with it in fact that, if push comes to shove and it doesn't get better, he is skilled at removing the tailbone. So, I finally feel like I have an option in all this.

He also gave me some free samples of an anti-inflammatory pill that doesn't hurt my new stomach. Hopefully the meds combined with the heating pad will be the band-aid I need.

I wanted to give you some background on coccydynia:

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What is coccydynia?
Inflammation of the bony area (tailbone or coccyx) located between the buttocks is referred to as coccydynia. Coccydynia is associated with pain and tenderness at the tip of the tailbone between the buttocks. The pain is often worsened by sitting.

What causes coccydynia?
Coccydynia is often caused by an injury, but may occur seemingly spontaneously.

How is coccydynia treated?
Rest, avoiding re-injury to the affected area, anti-inflammation and pain medications can relieve symptoms. Some patients with persistent coccydynia are treated with local cortisone injection. This injection is simply performed in the doctor's office and can potentially dramatically relieve the pain and even resolve the symptoms for many. When patients have unrelenting pain, a surgical resection of the coccyx can be performed to remove the irritated bony prominence.

OTHER INFO
It is five times more common in women than men, probably because the female pelvis leaves the coccyx more exposed.

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Luckily, the pain has diminished again over the weekend. I even went out and did some dancing last night. I felt pretty sexy...my favorite thing! :-)

Other than that, things are going well. I just am eager to workout again. My energy level is still low but I doubt it is ever going to raise unless I get my butt to the gym!

Finally...this Friday is my birthday. I LOVE my birthday -so I am very excited! yayaya!

God please bless me and please bless everyone on this crazy but wonderful journey!