My New Life

Back in 2015, I had a peri-anal cyst that generated probably from an ingrown hair (quite common).  While it was painful to take care of, at Mayo in Eau Claire, they offered to numb me up and pretty much perform surgery in the ER, rather than waiting for an OR to open up, and having to pay for all the OR fees.  All was cut out, drained, packed over and over for a while but eventually healed I thought.  Fast forward to October 2021.  I feel that terrible lump in my left butt cheek again with all the pain that came along with it before.  I knew exactly what it was.  I went into the local Dr.  And was referred to the surgeon because it had to be cut open, drained and whatnot.  So, this happened.  A big cyst was cut out, I was put on antibiotics and I followed up to make sure it closed up all the way and healing was good.   This has not happened.  It should have healed shut all the way a while ago, and it hasn't.  In fact it be...

Onto my surgery stuff!  I've been doing great!  I'm down 30lbs since surgery now, and over 50 since I was my highest after I got sick and was on the most amount of prednisone and not able to move!  I've been upgraded to be able to eat regular foods now, but my stomach doesn't really like the change so I've been sticking to my same foods which consist of Two Good Yogurt (mixed with PB Fit Powder), low fat cottage cheese (occasionally), hard boiled eggs, salmon or cod fish.  All I drink are water and tea (decaf).  I've gotten into the gym a couple of times now and started some exercising at home which is starting to feel great! Work has been amazing!  I absolutely LOVE it!  I feel like it is the perfect fit for me!!!  It is so nice to have a "routine" again.   I hope you all have Happy Holidays and stay safe and healthy ❤️🎄🎅

So many new and exciting things have happened in the last couple of months.  I'm continuing to loose weight.  Yesterday, I had my check up with Dr. Gray at the U and she was happy with that.  My trach looks good.  However, with the change in the weather and it being winter now, it is still quite dry in there.  Therefore, she had to do some work again to get me cleaned out.  But, it wasn't as bad as last time:). It's just a completely different way to do things with this tube compared to the old one I had, so she said I will get it, I just have to figure out how to keep it wet enough in there.   The most exciting thing is, I got my first job in two years!  I'm finally able to be among the working people again.  Even though it is only part time, I feel it is the absolute best fit for me!  And after having a couple weeks under my belt, I realize there would be no way I could work 40 hours a week 😂.  Between suctioning and I would...

It's Saturday night, and it's been a long time, so I figured I would give an update ❤️.   On September 28th, I was finally able to have my surgery!  Wahoo!  So that was 25 days ago.  Since then I've lost 18lbs and since my all time highest weight when I was sick and not able to move at all and on the large amounts of prednisone, I've lost 44lbs!  The 18lbs since surgery may not seem like a lot, and frankly I can't tell it when I look at myself.  But, I can definitely feel it in ALL my clothes.  So all things with surgery are going great!  No nausea or anything!   I was also given the go ahead to try to work part time. Nothing too strenuous lifting wise or where I could hit things with my trach (obviously).  But, I have been waiting for this for over 2 years now and you guys have NO IDEA how excited this makes me!!!  I have also been voted on the board for the 4-H Youth Dog Project.  Anyone who knew me in my youth, kno...

Not much new to post!  Still waiting on the darn insurance to make their decision!  Ugh!  Today is not a great day for my tummy.  Super nauseous.  But, I'm getting kind of used to having these days now and then.  These are days I take with grace and rest.  I've been losing some weight!  I think the apartment is helping with my bedroom on the 2nd floor !  And the nauseousness 🤣.  My community Ed obedience dog classes are going great!  It's something that I can do just for a little bit.  And, if I'm having a super hard time with breathing or talking I always have Dom to help!  And, everyone in the community is so understanding!  This week I have started my pre-op appointments for surgery, so it is getting me excited so I'm hoping to hear something soon!  Also, on Thursday I go see Dr. Gray at the U and she will do a good clean out of my trach which is always nice.  I hope everyone is having a great day despit...

This week I got a call from the U of M weight management team that they scheduled a date for my gastric sleeve surgery!!!  Yayyyy!!!!  I said "oh my gosh, insurance covered it????"  She said, "not yet now that we have a date in place, we can send it to insurance."  So, the date is scheduled for September 28th.  And, she thinks we will hear in about 2 to 3 weeks.  Since I got that call on Wednesday, I have had so many other calls with all these other appointments scheduled!  Pre ops, post ops, dieticians, pharmacists (because I'm on so many other meds lol) and of course a covid test.  So please, please say a prayer that this gets covered by insurance.  I need this surgery to speed up the weight loss process so I am able to have the tracheal resection surgery sooner, so I can get this trach out!  I will update as soon as I hear anything!   Thank you all so much for your prayers, love and support!  You have NO IDEA how much i...

Hello all!  I haven't done an update in a while, and I'm having an insomnia night, so I figure there's no better time than the present!  I haven't done an update because not toouch has happened.  But, all of that could change quite soon...possibly, depending on insurance. If you've followed me for a while, you know thaty doctors have wanted to do bariatric surgery to speed the weight loss situation up so that I'm able to be in optimal shape to be able to have the MAJOR throat surgery I need to get rid of the tracheostomy.  That is the throat surgery where she will go in and reconstruct that small area of my trachea that keeps growing the "bad" tissue.  She will do this with other parts of my body.  Well, because when I was on the vent previously I had a heart attack (not really, but really), and kind of haven't been in the best overall shape, she would like me to be at a normal BMI, which is completely understandable.  And with having the bariatric...