Long X-post - Update on Eleanor

[Guest guest]

Well, last weekend (as some of you know) I was in Washington state with

a bunch of Grads. Had a blast!

Some firsts, which relate just to me. Sorry if they sound egotistical,

but so there!

I had NEVER been to a waterpark, and NEVER been on a waterslide, except

the little ones about six feet high in people's swimming pools. Well, I

went to a waterpark, didn't care how I looked in a swimsuit, and went on

waterslides. Again and again and again and ... I went so many times my

ankle started twinging from climbing to the top. I broke my ankle back

in the 80's, and I think that's where it was starting to twinge. Did it

anyway though. Also developed a real nice sunburn. Worth every ouchie!

Got blood drawn today for the first time in too long. I had requested a

long list from my new PCP, and she didn't give me any argument at all.

Just started checking boxes and writing in the oddball ones. So the lab

was almost empty, which was kinda nice. First the reception person has

fun looking up the code numbers on some of the tests. Then I get sent

right into the little room with the vampires, er, phlebotomists. I had

accordion folded the long strip of labels that printed out to go on the

test tubes. The look on the face of the lady who got to stick me was

kinda fun as she started unfolding, and the strip got longer and longer.

I explained I had had gastric bypass and track my own labs. Well, her

jaw dropped, and there were a couple of other ladies standing around

waiting for new victims, er, patients, and they all started listening.

It was like they didn't believe I had had the surgery! I showed them my

scar, and answered bunches of questions like what was my starting

weight, how much had I lost, how did I feel, did I lose my hair, etc.

Kinda fun being practically an ambassador or something!

Got my first Dexa scan a few days ago which showed in my lumbar spine a

T score of -1.0 which indicates I'm only twice as likely to suffer a

fracture as compared to a 30 year old white female. My T score in my

right hip was -0.5, which means a smaller risk. I think that's pretty

good at 47, but I'll get repeats on an annual basis to make sure those

numbers don't get worse.

I'm now living in an area where no one has seen me fat. Heck, my little

boy (turning five August 30) doesn't even remember me being fat. It's

almost like a form of anonymity.

I'm also starting to get scared. I'm now two years out, and have

discovered that so far, I've gotten away with everything, except for

slight regains, but those are relatively easily dealt with. I'm afraid

of the Arrogant phase, with good reason. Right now I CAN eat sugar, and

I don't dump. I wish I did! Fortunately I do drink the protein drinks,

so I at least don't have the " grey ghostie " look. Hm, I wonder if the

lack of the grey pallor is part of what surprised those ladies in the

lab today? I did tell them I'm a firm believer in protein drinks.

Anyway, I do NOT want to take this incredible gift for granted. I know

far too many who have had major regains and/or health problems, and not

all their faults. In some cases they outate their surgeries, but in some

cases, their surgeries failed. Anyway, I don't want that to happen to me!

I want to remain an active participant in my life, rather than just an

observer like I used to be. I want to be able to outrun my son, at least

for a few more years. I want to be able to continue not worrying about

whether I'll fit in seats in restaurants or theaters, or on airplanes,

or wherever. I NEVER want to walk into Lane or The Avenue again,

or worse yet, depend on those catalogs that I have FINALLY convinced

them I don't want any more, because they don't have clothing my size.

Now I'm trying to figure out what I want to do with my life! I have no

limitations, or practically none. I'm vaguely considering going into

nutrition myself, since I see a real need for professionals in the field

who have been there. Far too many of them seem unable to grasp the

concept of malabsorbtion. Hey, if I don't malabsorb, then why did the

surgeon bypass any intestine, instead of just doing the lap band? Oops,

I guess they tend not to like it when I ask questions like that. Spit

disturber? Moi?!?

On the other hand, I have many years of varied computer experience, and

I really do like working with computers, especially if I'm in a

situation where I have a certain level of freedom to take a look at

where things can be improved and do it!

Or maybe I want to become an interior decorator. No, probably not that.

But I do like using my creative brain in addition to my logical,

analytical brain.

What do I want to do when (if? don't even go there!) I grow up?

Well, this has been something of a ramble. Two years post-op, and life

is good! Please God, don't let me lose sight of where I am, where I was,

and where I could return to! And if I can help others, either by serving

as an example, or by relaying information, or an example of

don't-do-this-it-bit-me-in-the-butt, I guess that's a good thing too!

--

Eleanor Oster

eleanor@... (personal address)

www.smallboxes.com/gastricbypass.htm

San , CA

Open RNY (100 cm bypassed) 07/15/2003

P. Fisher, M.D., Kaiser Richmond (CA)

~5'9 " tall

05/09/2003 319 Orientation

07/15/2003 ~290 Surgery

Current 150-155 Goal until plastics?