Bloodclots are SCARY!

I have seen this come up more than once in BBGC.

Someone suspects they have a bloodclots… what should they do.
GO TO THE ER IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!

DVT— Deep Vein Thrombosis.

More commonly known as a BLOODCLOT.

THOSE WORDS SHOULD CARE THE SHIT OUT OF YOU.

It is like someone is following you with a gun with the site pointed at your brainpan. They could pull that trigger anytime. Anywhere.

What is it?
It’s a clot of blood that has set up somewhere in a vein blocking blood flow. In the limbs, the limb will swell up, turn red, and be achy.

Why is it dangerous??
Because it can MOVE to your lungs and your brain AND KILL YOU DEAD.

Did I mention DEAD???

Like QUICK DEAD???

If you even SUSPECT you have a DVT, GO TO THE ER!!!!!!!! Anytime you spend hemming and hawing and hating hospitals is time that clot can move to your brain and/or lungs AND KILL YOU????????

Or maybe just cause a stroke so you are a living vegetable for the rest of your life. (Nice!)

So How do I know this??
I’ve been there.

Started out my leg was achy. Since I had done some serious working out, I thought it was muscle aches. But then it swelled up, turned red, and started to seriously ache. Went to the ER. Before she even started the ultrasound, the tech was PISSED because the porter had taken me back in a wheelchair and not a gurney. I wasn’t allowed to MOVE for a week after that because as mentioned, that thing could move to my lungs or my brain and KILL ME DEAD!!!!

I was terrified. Spent the week crying hysterically or doped up on xanax.

But I did not die. Yaaay!!!

Another story…. The year before my experience…..
One of my BFFs one weekend was complaining of her leg hurting. We called her hopalong while we shopped. We were quite uneducated back then.
A week, maybe two, she was complaining of her upper chest area hurting. We tried to get her to go to the ER. She was stubborn.

A few days later was the 3rd of July when we had planned our party. I couldn’t get a hold of her and finally called her house and talked to her mom. Her mother was crying and upset and said my BFF had been transported to the hospital and it was bad.

The pain, was a blood clot. It moved to her lungs and she passed out at work. She works at a bank and was IN THE VAULT alone.
She kept a presence of mind to get out of the vault because likely, it would have been a while before someone looked for her in which time she could have likely been DEAD.

Thankfully, it has a happy ending. She’s fine, just can not take birth control.

I am fine and learned a valuable lesson about not tripping over things, banging my leg dramatically, and then driving 8 hours home immediately after.

So to sum it up:
If you even SUSPECT you have a bloodclot.
Go IMMEDIATELY to the ER.
OR YOU MIGHT DIE!!!!!

In all things, love yourself first.

Since weightloss surgery has become more prolific in the past years, the stress it causes on some marriages is beginning to be more prolific as well. Several people are currently in various stages of divorce. And sad to me, it was recently reported to me that someone who was really influential on my decision to have WLS was showing signs of disinterest in the relationship. (Vague reference in case certain people actually find their way here).

It is, however, not always the case.

My marriage is strong and I love my mister as much (if not more) as when we said “I do”.

I think it has to do with who we were when we got married and how comfortable people were with THEMSELVES first and foremost.

Cultures tries to teach that a person is only worth something if they have a boyfriend/girlfriend and therefore that translates into I have to be with someone to feel loved and important!!!

Often, what is missed To Thine Ownself be True.

Through school, I was the fat kid EVERYONE made fun of. I cried a lot. BUT I was blessed and fortunate to have a best friend who was also on the outskirts. (We are still BFFs today and are planning BFF tattoos!) I was lost but not as lost as I could have been.

Then I went to college and a whole new adventure began. I was young and idealistic and wanted to save the world. Amen and Amen. One singular event occurred that crushed everything I had ever believed about Faith and God and people.

At the time and for some time later, I was devastated but I am so thankful for this because I grew from the experience. Some people say I became cynical. I prefer to call it realistic. Things are what they are and no amount of glitter and rainbows is going to change it. The glass is neither half empty or half full. It is both.

And I also learned people suck and given the first opportunity, they will more than likely screw you over so the most important person in the world to take care of and make happy is ME.

ME.

ME.

ME.

If I was to depend on others to give me a sense of self and make me worth something, I was DOOMED.

“So (I) packed up
Regrouped
Got a Grip
Came equipped”

(and kudos if you can name that quote!)

My life was MINE.

I learned the fine art of cut, run, and not just burn bridges but use every bit of C4 I could get my hands on to burn it good. BOOM!!!!!!

About my junior year I was seeing a guy who I learned had no sense of responsibility. We even discussed marriage. After I graduated I realized oh hell no. I am not signing up for a lifetime of that nonsense. (People are what they are after all!!)

After college I came alive. I was out of my parents’ house and employed. I was living! Going out with friends, partying. Enjoying life. It was not important to have a boyfriend. I just wanted to have fun!! And I did… even though I Was the “fat friend”. I barely even noticed that.

One belief I always held sacred was my soul mate would be in my life when he was meant to be. And I knew exactly what I wanted this man to be like. I would not settle for anything less.

And I didn’t.

I am my own person, but he completes me and makes me better.

Love and respect yourself first and foremost. You should not depend on others to do it for you.

Week One- completed (supastar!)

I do not like to run. It has always seemed pointless to me. I can do just fine with my power walking. I can easily knockout 5 miles. Time is usually the issue with that, not endurance.

Like I mentioned earlier, on my recent trip to Texas, Token talked about running. Ugh. And I realized, that is what all the cool kids are doing these days. There’s a 5K for everything!!! Since I do not want to be left out, I guess I will attempt to start running.

My very bestest friend runs. She started with Couch to 5K. And a few years ago we did race for the cure. She decided to run it with another friend and she ran the whole thing. Now she is kind of addicted. I think it would be fun to run with her. Though I don’t see myself as being addicted or enjoying it as she does. I just want to be a cool kid!

This week I completed the first week to the couch to 5 K program. First week was walk 2 minutes, run 20 seconds in 8 intervals. The first day, I didn’t do the second to the last interval and only half of the last. But by day 2, I did them all… Ok I stopped early on one because there as a group of tourist who thought they had to occupy the entire pedestrian bridge. (I hate tourists). But yesterday, day 3, I rocked it. I ran them all. Supastar!!!!!!!!

Next week, I’m going to repeat week 1 and then I’ll go to the harder stuff.

Not a big fan of the sweating and the breathing hard but I want to be one of the cool kids. (stupid peer pressure).

runnnin’ in the deep

A week ago, I was in the state of Texas hanging out with one of my dearest friends. We basked in the sun and attempted to solve the problems of the universe. Also, we went through a pitcher of margarita and ate the alcoholic fruit within. Thursday we shopped. I love shopping with this girl! We both found some pretty impressive dresses. We ate off the Wendy’s dollar menu as we preferred to spend our money on things like shoes. Friday we spontaneously decided we need to up our rocktabulousness with pedicures. That was an amazing place!!! Now only did the nails get done, they also massaged and used hot stones and hot towel wraps.
Then we were out by the pool, this time, Kaitlin joined us and we again solved the problems of the universe.

The three of us dolled up and met the others at Chueys for Mexican grub and margaritas. Amen and amen. We came in on the last of happy hour and took full advantage of it. I think we all had a few bites of whatever was on our plate. I hear Token actually ate.
Good times.

Saturday….
Lord have mercy. Shana got me up at the buttcrack of dawn on a frickin Saturday to do physical activity!!! Why am I friends with someone who does not understand the sanctity of sleeping in on Saturday?? (Kidding of course. Love her dearly). She, and Token, and Other Michelle ran/trotted while me and My Michelle, Shawn, and Barbara walked. And we were impressive too. My handy dandy Android app mapped us at about 4 miles in that hour. (Rock on girls!)

And then it was time for the North TX Support group with guest speaker Token . Topic:: endurance sports.
Ugh.
I don’t run. I do not like to run. But I left kinda inspired.

CURSE YOU TOKEN!!!!
I had a wonderful time with Shana and everyone else I had been talking to on the interwebs. It was like we had known each other forever and were old friends getting together for a visit.

I Met THE EYE also known as Waning Woman. She too was inspirational. She is so full of life and encourages everyone else to “own it”. Also, beyond the eye, she is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!! (and so is everyone else!!)

And we did… in pink stilettos and glitter stilettos.

And then I had to come home. The memories and inspiration have come home too.

On Tuesday when I went back to work, I did day 1 of the couch to 5 K. I actually ran without feeling like I was going to die. PROGRESS!! Today, did day 2. Again, still managed to get through.
I realized I still do not like running but it is what all the cool kids like Shana and Token and my BFF. And talked to My Michelle and we decided ok we’re going to do this. Also, I want to lose 20 pounds.
I can walk a 5K (and then some) with no problems. Running is a whole other thing. I’d like to be able to run the LeBonheur children’s hospital Pumpkin Run on October 8th.

OK Day 3 tomorrow.
I’ll do it… and curse Token the entire time!!!
(love you Token!!!! )

You’re so vain and egotistical
You probably think this post is about you….

It could be…
if you want it to.

I will blast you with my mutant powers. Rawr.

Some people continually ask the question can’t we all just get along??  We’re all in this together.

For many of us, the only thing we have in common is we have mutant guts.

So no, we can’t always get along.  It comes down to agendas.

 

It is like The X-Men.  Xavier Vs. Magneto.  Both mutants.

Professor Charles Xavier opened a school for “gifted youngsters”.  Of course other adult mutants now fill the mansion as well.  His vision is to help mutants adapt to their abilities and function in the world.  He also envisions a world where mutants and humans live harmoniously.

Turns out, they also have to fight the bad guys.

Magneto’s solution to dealing with humans is to strike out at them because of their bigoted video and to assert that mutants are far superior than humans.

If you’ve had weightloss surgery, you are now a mutant.  Congratulations!!

There are different agendas out there.  Some groups want to provide support and education and some groups are more concerned with profit. Those focused on support and education want to equip WLS people with the tools to be successful and to function in the real world. Those who are interested in profit will be sickening sweet, to make you feel special so that you will buy what they are pushing.

And it’s the profit making sect who will lash out because they are afraid for their precious profit.

So no, not down with that.  I will not get along with you.

 

The heat is on and the lights are off

Was I supposed to blog about this???

ok here goes…

I walked 3.6 miles. The last .6 were a nice leisurely walk. The cool down.

today, the north side of the bridge was noticeably cooler. If it’s like that tomorrow, i’ll stay to that side as opposed to doing the polite thing and staying on the right side of which ever way i’m walking. I really hope I can keep this up. it is getting HOT. It’s in the mid 90s already!!! (and this is where I make a snarky comment to all those people I had to listen bitch about the cold and yearn for summer, well, here it is, bitches).

I love winter.
I love the cold.
I think it is going to be EPIC walking in the cold all bundled up.

Ok must stop thinking of those days before I curl up in the floor and start crying.

Back to my day.
Walked.
Ate a deliciously healhy lunch.
The plan for the evening was to start watching True Blood season 3 (Sookeh!) and eat the leftover bacon wrapped grilled shrimps, grilled veggies, and the other half of the hotdog from yesterday.

And then the fucking lights went off.

We were about 10 minutes into Brian Williams.
By 6:20 the lights were still not on so we ended up going out for dinner.
The Mister says we’ll just go easy and go to Burger King. I look at him incredulously and declare OMG do you NOT see how cute I look?!

Because I was wearing my adorably cute skirt. I looked nice.
of course he was bumming in gym shorts and a Tshirt… proper burger king attire.

He conceded I was cute and we went to Applebees. I had a chicken fajita roll up and mixed veggies. I ate half though I really really could have eaten the whole thing.
We came home and I shoved a half of a chocolate covered cream filled donut into my mouth.
I was about to gauge my eyes out for want of chocolate.
Again back to original plans… After the main news stories, i was going to bake my box of SF brownies. When we got home from dinner, it just seemed illogical to bake.

tomorrow There will be bacon wrapped shrimps, SF brownies, and Eric.

Emo mel is feelin’ a bit emo.

 

I love  weekends.

I love not having to get up, get ready, and be somewhere at a certain time .

This weekend, however, seems to have been LONG.  I have been in a funk for most of it.  You know, that funk that says I am so frickin bored and nothing sounds remotely interesting.  Needless to say, I haven’t done much.  Yesterday started to feel like I could curl up somewhere and cry. Today, feel the same.  Goody.

 

I really hope this is not my usual summer funk that doesn’t appear until end of July or August.  It’s going to be long summer otherwise.  The forecast shows upper 90s, bright sunshine for the usual 7 day forecast. I suspect it will be that way straight until October… possibly November.

 

I do not like summer. Not one bit.  (Unless I am in a pool… which is usually not the case).

 

Back to work tomorrow and I will take my lunch and walk on the pedestrian bridge over the Mississsippi River.  I’m counting on it not being too bad in the Southern Heat since it is elevated and there are breezes off the river.  I can pretend I’m losing some pounds and it also breaks up my day.

 

Also, a great viewn. Just me, my tunes, and occasionally my rambled thoughts.

 

Pictures with Arty Farty android app.

is mine the same as yours?

Blog blog bloggity blog.

You know you’ve missed it!
BBGC—wow. Sstarted out as a little fringe group on twitter, then blasted onto facebook, and now a full fledged forum page. Awesome isn’t it?

And with the growth of BBGC comes the haters. Like the former corrupt mayor of this fine city used to say… People been drinkin’ the hater-ade.

BBGC obviously poses a big threat to others out there. My theory, BBGC deals in TRUTH. What you see is what you get. WLS is not always pretty. It is OK to mess up now and then. And there are some people in the world who just want your money.
Pretty horrific right?

I am a realist. The glass is neither half full nor half empty. It is both. It just is. I don’t want to make things sound worse than they are or better than they are. Not everything is rainbow and glitter nor is everything all gloom and doom. I generally stay away from both types.

I do not like false people. I can easily spot false people. People who say they care and want what is best but all the while, they are belittling you with demeaning pet names and encouraging you to spend your money on marked-up products. And there are people who need to be “nice” in order to stroke their own egos so that everyone knows just how wonderful they are.
Real People.

Over drama on both extremes and false people are detrimental and could lead to serious health issues. Not everyone will have problems, too much emo might lead a newbie to think OMG I’M GONNA DIE! Not everyone will go through WLS with roses and glitter. Not everyone cares about you and your health.

You are your own best advocate. But it is AWESOME to have honest to goodness help from others who know. Others who do not have alternative motives. Others who respect you for who you are and will be supportive.

Others who speak TRUTHS (the good, the bad, and the paisley).

I’d rather be criticized for doing the right thing and being truthful than being worshiped for being wicked, tricksy, and false.

I talked to the experts so I know whose ass to kick (kick some ass)

There is quite the talk (and whining) of WHY DON’T PEOPLE USE THEIR TOOL! Usually followed by I have been a WLS person for X number of years and I am as close to a WLS god as one can get.
Point the first: there is only one expert where I am concerned and that is ME. I know my body. What makes you dump big buckets will not make me dump.

Point the second: TOOLS. Yup, WLS have what is usually considered a tool in the whole weight loss gig. But here is the thing about tools… everyone uses them differently.
Gasp! I know!!!!!!!

Let’s consider a screwdriver. (no not the drink). The first basic use of the tool is to pick it up. My mister and I do not even pick it up the same. I am left handed. He is right handed. He picked it up to screw in railing for a window. I picked it up to open a can of paint.

BUT I wrote a book and therefore I know how to use ALL tools!

(Bully for you, bitch)

Now, let’s consider my very favorite tools… crochet hooks and knitting needles. I use both. There are several authors who have written books on how to use crochet hooks and knitting needles. I have looked at them. I turn them sideways and upside down and realize their way does not work for me at all.

Their way, is not my way and there is no possible way I can make it work for me. As mentioned, I am left handed. I have to make it work for ME. Also, I hold hooks and needles differently than anyone else I have ever seen! Most have this nice dainty work with the fingers while I grip like a preschooler grips a crayon. But guess what, this works for me. I can make beautiful stuffs and I do it my way. (STFU Frank Sinatra!)
So if someone published a book that is the be all and end all of something, then hot damn, I want to see someone who has read a Bob Villa book use those tools come to my house and make the most wonderful yard EVAR!!! Also, if you’ve read Paula Dean, you’re coming to my house and making me a fucking feast that is guaranteed to send me into an orgasm.
No takers???

Didn’t think so.

Explain to me why you are not a yard or food guru b/c you’ve read these books?
So the Point… no one is an expert on you other than YOU despite those who claim they are experts b/c of X Y, Z, and run a business reasons. No one else can or should tell you otherwise, no matter what they throw out as credentials.