1-30-10 Saturday

It's Saturday night, a good weekend! Everyday is getting easier and easier! My health is improving, I am getting stronger everyday as well. I am SO glad I took this step to improve my future, to improve my health! I up-dated my medication list today, and was amazed... just not much on it anymore... just my vitamins! I am feeling better now, than I have in years! I am able to get in a bit more protein now, a few more calories too. It is so incredible, I just don't get hungry anymore. Or should I say, I do feel a hunger in my stomach, and then I realize that yes, I do need to eat, but there are NO cravings! I just want to eat the most healthy of foods now, and when I eat just a tiny bit... I am completely satisfied! For example: this morning I had a cheese stick, 60 calories, and 6 grams of protein, and I was only able to eat half of it at first, then a little later, the rest of it! That little cheese stick held me over for 4 1/2 hours! I am doing better with drinking water now too! So hopefully won't get dehydrated again!

All for tonight everyone. Thank you again for your wonderful support!

Love to each.. Eydie =)

1-28-10 Thursday

Good evening my Dream Team! Not much to report... I have felt great all day, eating and drinking is easier, but still just tiny amounts at a time! My total calories for today were 305 and the protein grams were at 40, so getting there. Protein intake should reach 65.

We had our support group tonight, and so encouraging, all of the success stories! The most amazing though.... the way the health issues are taken care of. People tell their stories of blood pressure dropping, their cholestrol, blood sugars, pains, etc, etc, etc! So like I say... so wonderful being so much healthier, and thinner... and it just all works together for good!

More another night everyone... thanks again for your help!
Love to all... Eydie =)

1-27-10 Wednesday

Good evening my Dream Team! It seems unreal that just yesterday I was in the hospital having the dilitation procedure done!!! Today I have done fantastic! Taking my vitamins was fine, eating was fine! I actually was quite worried that now I'd be able to eat too much though. But... I couldn't eat any more really... just what I did eat, went down so much easier! It didn't get stuck, and it didn't come back up!!

I was to the group nutritionist today, and they go over all of my food journal, checking protein intake, calories, and liquids, etc. I can hardly believe, today was Day #52 and I have kept a food journal every single day... and it shows every single thing I have eaten for these 52 days!!!! I have been set back to stage 2 like I had mentioned before, mostly liquid protein shakes, soups, etc. But my throat isn't sore anymore, and just really felt great all day today. The biggest thing for me though.... I want to start doing more things then, but I just relaxed most of the day, I did run some errands this afternoon, and took the kids to their basketball practice, but I did not walk in the school. Will try and wait a couple of days, to get my strength built back up!

Kind of a bummer this morning... I did gain 3 pounds due to the IV fluids they pumped into me yesterday... before and after the procedure. But.... I know I needed the fluids SOOOO bad... and actually they were my life support, as I was so dehydrated again!! I surely am not discouraged at all, in fact, I am SO optimistic! I look at how FAR I have come... my health is better now than it has been in years!

Well... all for tonight my dear family and friends! My Dream Team!
Love, Eydie

1-26-10 Day in Hospital

Well hopefully things will get better from here now. I have had a bad cold for about a week now. Also, from the beginning I just have not been able to eat much, and really just plain not enough, or drink enough.The last 3 days or so, more trouble keeping things down. When I would take my vitamins, or eat something... more and more, I was throwing it up. I just figured it was due to my cough, lots of gunk in my throat etc. So I just wasn't too worried.... this too will pass... I still could see beyond this... this is just a temperary inconvenience, and such. Well, last night it got so bad, that I couldn't even keep down a sip of water or broth, so I knew there was a problem. I was afraid my little straw size tube leading into my stomach pouch had probably shrunk too much. That seems to be a fairly common problem for some patients. Also, due to the fact that I have been dehydrated a couple of times, that also can create a problem there with the tube shrinking. Anyway.... come this morning, I went right to the clinic, checked in at the desk, they called back to the surgical nurses.... yep... they said "register her in now". So began a very full, but very good day all in all. They got me registered, then into the surgical department, hooked me up to IV's again to get me rehydrated, then into surgery with the same doctor and team that did my main surgery.... such a fabulous crew! They went down my throat with a little scope, with a little balloon attached to the end, once down there, they blow up the balloon, and it stretches the opening. I was put to sleep, so did not feel any of that, or know about it while working! =) The procedure took about 15 minutes. Then back to my room to wake up. Neal, kids, my Aunt Julie and Neal's mom Helen were there waiting. Then I was hooked up to another full bag of liquid nutrients, through IV's that took about 2 hours to complete. Then I was able to get dressed, and then I was set free to go home. I had driven to the clinic, but now have been parked again, for at least 24 hours due to the strong meds/sleep drugs, etc. So some vehicle shuffling with Neal and Aunt Julie. My van is back home though... just waiting for the "all-clear" tomorrow. =)

So, this afternoon, I was VERY amazed at just how well I was feeling!!!! Really, I can't believe it. My throat is a little scratchy, maybe a tad bit sore, but I am sucking on sugar-free popsickles and they taste SO good... so nice and cool. I've taken some of my meds tonight... and no problem at all!!! So, wondering if that had been a little bit of my problem all along.... the opening was just a little too small even from the start! My diet is to be stage 2 again for 5 days, but I had gone back to the liquids anyway, trying to get in more calories and protein, so they said that was going to be great! My potassium level was back to normal now, so they had discontinues those pills for now as well... good sign.

My blood sugars at the clinic today were 105. My blood pressure was 99/54. When I left, blood pressure was up to 104/64.

Well, my Dream Team... thank you again! Just wanted to give a little up-date here. I really am doing great tonight... I feel great... and so looking forward to the next few days. My cold is finally doing better, and looks like all is going to be good! Wish me luck. You all take care... Love you.. Eydie

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