1-25-10 week 7 pix

Well I have made it 7 weeks now! Today was day #50. I have lost -43 lbs! YaHoo!!! I am so excited about my improved health. The future is surely brighter! The weight loss is just frosting on the cake! Oh... maybe that is POOR wording?!?!?! Hmmm... ok... I will say it like I have before... the weight loss is just an added bonus! No more cake and frosting!!!! The greatest part of all that... I DO NOT MISS IT EVEN!!! I really don't! Those foods just don't even tempt me anymore, thankgoodness I see it as just gross! I hope that is how I will always see them! The family had Pizza on Sunday night... and I didn't even want any!

The kids got out of school at 12:30 today, due to strong blowing winds, and drifting snow! Basketball was cancelled for them both.

Thank you again my Dream Team... you are all helping my dream of better health come true! Love to all... Eydie =)

1-23-10 NEW CLOTHES!!!

Neal & Shelby brought in my totes of stored clothes! These are items that I have collected through the years. Some I had bought, but were not able to wear.. or things that were given to me, and maybe had gotten too small, etc. Whatever the case... It was so nice to go through things, and realize I have a whole new warerobe! Funny though... Neal's mom came over while I was going through things today, and saw everything laying around the livingroom and said "Wow... you sure have alot of purple!" Well... is there really any other color?!?!?!

We were to have Shelby's basketball tournament here in Park Rapids today, but it was cancelled due to our ice storm! It rained all last night and this morning, then turned to snow! A nice combo... ice with a few inches of snow on top of it! Shelby was quite disappointed, but hopefully they will reschedule it.

I am feeling better now, not coughing as much, and I got my voice back. Sure looking forward to getting back onto my feet and walking in the school too. Things should be better again now since I am drinking more of those hot drinks and soups that I bought. They are between 80-90 calories, and have 15 grams of protein in them. I am getting 3 in a day now!

Some have asked about the Power Up 2010 that I mentioned. It is through the Community Education Office here in Park Rapids. Their # is: 218-237-6600.
I love the different names for the Team that you've come up with.
* Purple Power
* Eydie's 2nd chance dream team
* Go-celon's (twist off of Gar-celon's)
* Winning Losers
* Losing Winners

Kind of funny though.... they were asking for team names, but when we went in to register... they decided to use names.. so my team is called... Eydie Garcelon.. now that is original!!! But..... I still want to have a name here for my very special group!!! I just cannot tell each of you enough... how much I appreciate your comments, your encouragement, here or via emails, texts, phone, etc! It is such a boost to know I have such an awesome support group here, you truly are my team! Thank you SOOOO much everyone!!!!

All for tonight... love to all... Eydie =)

Name My Team

I thought "what better place to go than to my blog for this question!" Park Rapids is starting a Wellness Challenge... Power Up 2010. I have been asked to participate in this. It is an exercise program, healthy eating, healthy living, etc. This is my year! 2010. We are to choose a "name" for our team. The team can be 1 or more people. I am going to be the main person for the team, but the family will be included, as I am trying to incorperate these healthy lifestyle changes into the whole family!

Sooo..... what do you think everyone? What would be a great name for my team?I want all kinds of ideas! =)

Thanks everyone... More later... Eydie

1-20-10 Up-Date on health

Well, I am still here. I was to the doctor today. My cold is worse, coughing non-stop, losing my voice... which seems to be the most traumatic for me, ya know! Well, the report is I have a virus, bronchial, etc. So strong cough syrup, 7 day med, and the found out I am low on Potassium so they've added that to my vitamin list! But, all in all.... the surgery check up today was great, they are very pleased with my progress. I am very low on liquids and protein... so needing to get that boosted up in my system. Still trying to figure out how to do that, but... just trial and error I guess. It seems hot items go down better. I did find a site Bariatric Choice, that has great hot soups and hot cocoas, etc... with higher protein, so have ordered some of that! Hopefully that will help!

I do hate being sick, but the problem now is just the nasty cold, and soon that will pass, and I will be back on my feet... raring to go! I have come a long ways so far, and I really am amazed at the improvements in my health already! Just the fact that I am no longer a diabetic, makes it ALL worthwhile!!!! YaHoo!!!! The weight loss is just an added bonus! I have already lost 43 lbs just since surgery! (45 days ago). That makes -92 lbs lost total!

Well, my Dear friends and family... thanks again for all of your encouragement!!!!
Love to all... Eydie =)

1-20-10 A "before" dress!

YEAH........... I have lost 92 lbs total now, and this is one of my dresses from "before"!!!! Kind of funny.... falling off the shoulders, and it was dragging on the ground!!!

1-19-10 week 6 pix

Well, here it is 6 weeks post surgery! I am really feeling a difference in my clothes! I have found some items in my closet that I now can wear, but it won't be long and I will need to buy some things! What a great feeling!

1-17-10 Sunday

Wow... it's been a few days since I have written. I am still alive and fairly well. I have had a couple of days that were a bit off again. I am still doing great on my program... still have a fantastic attitude, and am SO optimistic about the future! I and the doctors just have a few "kinks to iron out" I guess. I've had a few days that I have felt very light-headed. Drs adjusted some of my meds again, but still one that was affecting my blood pressure. Also, I am not able to eat enough, so my body was weakening from that as well. I had started exercising quite a bit, I had felt SO good, but then I was using far more calories than I was taking in! That sure sounds crazy, but... I am just not able to eat much a day and had been getting 150 calories to maybe 200 calories again. That doesn't go far, when you are walking and trying to exercise!

Saturday, January 16 we were out of town (New York Mills, MN about 50 miles from us) all day for Benjamin's Basketball Tournament. They played great, and placed 3rd all around! Benjamin was really playing fantastic as well, so was really proud! Ok... I won't go into all the details about his awesome skills! =)
Anyway... I started my day with my protein shake, then later had a yogurt. But then wasn't able to eat anything else that I had brought, jello cup and cheese stick. The games were all played in 2 different gyms, so lots of walking, and of course I used TONS of energy cheering Benjamin! So by the time the day was ended there, I had only had 175 calories, and I wasn't able to eat anything more! When we got back to Park Rapids, I knew I was in trouble, so we went right to the ER. My blood pressure was 97/60, my oxygen level was 79, the Dr looked at me and said "we are going to be hooking up IV's right away, you are dehydrated". But.... they tried in 3 places, 2 different people, finally got one to work somewhat! It "blew my veins" not really sure what that means, but the last one was able to work for awhile anyway! SO they pumped me full of fluids, took some X-rays, and finally took me OFF of the last of the meds!!! =) I am very happy about this! Hopefully I will start to feel better again, and maybe can even start to eat a bit more! I am still WAY behind in my calorie and protein intake! A little problem now also, I am getting a cold, so coughing a lot, and my shakes are made with milk, and that causes congestion too! Oh my... I really am sounding like a sob story here I guess... I am sorry! I just want to tell how I am doing now, why I hadn't been on for a few days, but really..... I am doing SOOOOO good! I really can see beyond this as well. I am going to have a few little speed bumps to get over... maybe I am hitting them a little too hard and a little too fast... so maybe hitting bottom on my way over??? Not a problem though! Maybe that is just the "Magsam" in me?!? =) These are just little things I am working with the doctors on. I will have to say, the support of the clinic and hospital here is AMAZING!!! Day or night, for any reason, I can call in! They even give out their cell phone numbers so we can call the different ones direct!!! Like I said... that is AMAZING! It just feels so good though to know they are holding my hand through all of this!

Ok... on a brighter note... My Benjamin is going to be 11 years old on Monday the 18th! Can you believe that???? Wow... where have the years gone! I was up at 5 this morning and put the roast in the oven! We had the family birthday party, with aunts and uncles and Grammie here for lunch. Then at 3 pm some of Benjamin's friends came over for a little while for another party! A fun day all the way around!

So my Dear Support Team... I am glad to be back chatting with you! I am really doing well. Still have NOT had one single bite or a sip of ANYTHING that I am not suppose to have!!!! I AM going to make this work!!! I will be the next "poster child" for Gastric Bypass Surgery! =)
Happy Monday Morning Everyone! Love to all... Eydie