It occurred to me last night that what I have written on this blog may lead some of you to believe that this process has been, and will continue to be, a walk in the park. And while it is for me, I am reminded that I am not the one doing the sacrificing!
For example, on Saturday, Gene got in most of his protein and fluid requirements and STILL only consumed about 550 calories. Therefore, his energy level is pitifully low. We went to a nephew's birthday party last night, and while his brothers stood in solidarity with "Jr." and didn't eat, that didn't lessen the fact that cake and ice cream may come and go, but Gene will stand by and watch. I drove us to that party and back because Gene said he just didn't feel "right". These observations that I have made are minor in comparison to the internal battles minute by minute that he doesn't share with me.
Of course, we NEVER want to get back to where we were. Where were we? Living in the land of Food, where Gluttony is the capitol and the inhabitants of the land pay homage by planning lavish gatherings filled with delicasies approved by our beloved leaders, Excess and Indulgence. Those days and that reign must end.
So this is for those of you who may be considering the surgery. It is not a "cakewalk" friends, and you need to go in with your eyes open and your chinstrap buckled! And for those of you who want to keep up with Gene's progress, perhaps you could add these issues to your prayer list for him.
Thanks for listening.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Refried Beans and Cottage Cheese!
On this happy day, 17 days post-surgery, Gene has heard (and seen, check out the pic!) the good news of a 29.5 pound weight loss!
As if the massive weight loss weren't enough to set his head a'spinnin', he now gets to add some pretty tasty provisions to his daily diet. Check it out: small curd cottage cheese, no sugar added juice (off canned fruit), refried beans, scrambled eggs, oatmeal and chicken! Of course, these items will be eaten only 3 times a day, 1.5 oz. at a time. He still has to drink his 64 oz. of approved liquids and get in 75 g. of protein daily, but these additions will make that seem like a walk in the park! We are both "super-excited"!
To celebrate Gene's grand news, we took the fam to see "Kung Fu Panda"...and oh my, some among our happy band felt a certain kinship to that fluffy fellow! Be that as it may, we had a good time and looked a little like tourists with our giddy picture taking before the show. (And yes, Gene LIKES white shirts. Note the presence of ink pens in the pocket but the important ABSENCE of a pocket protector!)Embarrassing? We moved past that a long time ago; you have met our family haven't you?
Well, Gene and I will now head to bed excited...because when we wake up, he can actually have FOOD to eat instead of merely a protein shake (shame on you for thinking what you were thinking!)!
Happy chewing!
As if the massive weight loss weren't enough to set his head a'spinnin', he now gets to add some pretty tasty provisions to his daily diet. Check it out: small curd cottage cheese, no sugar added juice (off canned fruit), refried beans, scrambled eggs, oatmeal and chicken! Of course, these items will be eaten only 3 times a day, 1.5 oz. at a time. He still has to drink his 64 oz. of approved liquids and get in 75 g. of protein daily, but these additions will make that seem like a walk in the park! We are both "super-excited"!
To celebrate Gene's grand news, we took the fam to see "Kung Fu Panda"...and oh my, some among our happy band felt a certain kinship to that fluffy fellow! Be that as it may, we had a good time and looked a little like tourists with our giddy picture taking before the show. (And yes, Gene LIKES white shirts. Note the presence of ink pens in the pocket but the important ABSENCE of a pocket protector!)Embarrassing? We moved past that a long time ago; you have met our family haven't you?
Well, Gene and I will now head to bed excited...because when we wake up, he can actually have FOOD to eat instead of merely a protein shake (shame on you for thinking what you were thinking!)!
Happy chewing!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
STARDATE 06212008 WIFE'S LOG...
Encountered older looking gentleman yesterday who goes by several names,"Gene","Jr.","Big Chief", and who claimed to be celebrating his "date of origin".When asked why the strange flaming sustenance on the plate before him, he explained the odd tradition of "cake, candles, ice cream" he once used to celebrate previous dates of origin (this being his 54th). Interesting indeed. His plate did not appear to hold any of the above and when queried responded by explaining that a protein shake would not support a candle, hence the well-chopped scrambled egg.What fun that must have been for him.
Will check in on the old fellow in coming days.
Will check in on the old fellow in coming days.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Jeopardy!
ANSWER: Spend the day in the hospital receiving IV fluids!
QUESTION: What happens when you can't get down needed fluids/protein following gastric by-pass surgery?
As you may guess, Gene didn't come close to getting in the needed fluids (64oz daily) or the needed protein (at least 75 grams) and had to spend Tuesday at Parkwest Hospital. He took his Bible/books/notebooks and assorted pens and had a nice day doing whatever it is he does with those things.
The good news is that according to our scales, he has lost at least 18 pounds in 8 days! Our scales only weigh up to a certain point and the day before the surgery, Gene's weight would not register. Today it did and from all indications, he is indeed, losing weight! Whoo-hoo!
The bad news (for those who may be caregivers) is that this particular caregiving is a monstrous pain in the neck. Here is what you will hear:
QUESTION: What happens when you can't get down needed fluids/protein following gastric by-pass surgery?
As you may guess, Gene didn't come close to getting in the needed fluids (64oz daily) or the needed protein (at least 75 grams) and had to spend Tuesday at Parkwest Hospital. He took his Bible/books/notebooks and assorted pens and had a nice day doing whatever it is he does with those things.
The good news is that according to our scales, he has lost at least 18 pounds in 8 days! Our scales only weigh up to a certain point and the day before the surgery, Gene's weight would not register. Today it did and from all indications, he is indeed, losing weight! Whoo-hoo!
The bad news (for those who may be caregivers) is that this particular caregiving is a monstrous pain in the neck. Here is what you will hear:
- I feel full ("You haven't had your full 2 oz.")
- I don't like the taste of that ("Tough. Drink it you big baby.")
- I'm hungry ("No kidding.")
...and others. The words in parenthesis are the words you WANT to say plus a few others we will just think and not say! So, buck up friends, this is not an easy road for any of us but we know it will be worth it all!
Happy sipping!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
There's a monkey on my back!
Some months ago, Gene realized that he was getting nowhere battling this obesity beast. What a horrible word: obesity. But, tiring of the fight he decided, and I agreed, to at least investigate the lap-band procedure and gastric by-pass surgery. We sat in on one informational seminar in our area and although I was sold, Gene could not yet buy into the procedure.
I remember being furious at him to the point of tears (it was dark and he couldn't see my misty eyes) and wondered what in the world it would take to get him to see the seriousness of the matter.
Some few months passed and FINALLY, his cardiologist Dr. Clint Doiron of East Tennessee Heart Consultants, suggested Gene accept the fact that he was not making any headway in this battle and go ahead and seriously consider surgery.
Our internist, Dr. James (Stephen) Alley of Knoxville Internal Medicine, agreed and recommended Dr. Stephen Boyce with Parkwest Comprehensive Weight Loss Center and the next thing you know, we are filling out paperwork, gathering old records and scheduling the required psychological evaluation.
To the best of my recall, the paperwork was filed with our insurance company on a Friday after 2pm and at 10am the following Monday, we got a call from Dr. Boyce's office that the procedure had been approved and Gene needed to come in and schedule surgery! I cried. Again. But this time, from happiness and relief! I cannot yet put into words what Gene's weight and subsequent health problems has done TO our lives.
Most of our friends are of the faith-based nature and have been in "religious" circles long enough to be familiar with the philosophy that sin you cannot beat is simply considered a spiritual weakness. Be that as it may (or may not), we have found comfort in Matthew 5:29 "If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell."(New American Standard Bible)
So, that is what Gene has done. He has "torn out" his stomach (except for a 2 oz pouch) and will be reminded of his sin and the grace that God provides to endure, every time he has a hunger pang...or smells food(s) that he loves...or comes to one of the many fellowship meals we enjoy over the course of a year with dear friends and family.
Here is my question, not only for you but myself as well: how serious am I willing to be about dealing with the "sin which so easily entangles us..." (Hebrews 12:1, NASB)?
And on a more light-hearted note, I am attaching a picture taken on May 31 at Uncle Bubba's Restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. You may recognize him as Paula Deen's brother. Once he found out that Gene was prepping for gastric by-pass (which, by the way, is what he had on June 10, not lap-band) by eating his way through the south, Uncle Bubba brought out the plate of food to Gene while we waited for our table! Needless to say, we are now huge fans of Uncle Bubba and no, he and I did not dress alike intentionally, but we do look lovely, don't we?!
I will report on Gene's progress here and of course, attach photos as he melts down. Those of you who pray, please keep us in your prayers and those of you who don't, we will pray for you!
I remember being furious at him to the point of tears (it was dark and he couldn't see my misty eyes) and wondered what in the world it would take to get him to see the seriousness of the matter.
Some few months passed and FINALLY, his cardiologist Dr. Clint Doiron of East Tennessee Heart Consultants, suggested Gene accept the fact that he was not making any headway in this battle and go ahead and seriously consider surgery.
Our internist, Dr. James (Stephen) Alley of Knoxville Internal Medicine, agreed and recommended Dr. Stephen Boyce with Parkwest Comprehensive Weight Loss Center and the next thing you know, we are filling out paperwork, gathering old records and scheduling the required psychological evaluation.
To the best of my recall, the paperwork was filed with our insurance company on a Friday after 2pm and at 10am the following Monday, we got a call from Dr. Boyce's office that the procedure had been approved and Gene needed to come in and schedule surgery! I cried. Again. But this time, from happiness and relief! I cannot yet put into words what Gene's weight and subsequent health problems has done TO our lives.
Most of our friends are of the faith-based nature and have been in "religious" circles long enough to be familiar with the philosophy that sin you cannot beat is simply considered a spiritual weakness. Be that as it may (or may not), we have found comfort in Matthew 5:29 "If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell."(New American Standard Bible)
So, that is what Gene has done. He has "torn out" his stomach (except for a 2 oz pouch) and will be reminded of his sin and the grace that God provides to endure, every time he has a hunger pang...or smells food(s) that he loves...or comes to one of the many fellowship meals we enjoy over the course of a year with dear friends and family.
Here is my question, not only for you but myself as well: how serious am I willing to be about dealing with the "sin which so easily entangles us..." (Hebrews 12:1, NASB)?
And on a more light-hearted note, I am attaching a picture taken on May 31 at Uncle Bubba's Restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. You may recognize him as Paula Deen's brother. Once he found out that Gene was prepping for gastric by-pass (which, by the way, is what he had on June 10, not lap-band) by eating his way through the south, Uncle Bubba brought out the plate of food to Gene while we waited for our table! Needless to say, we are now huge fans of Uncle Bubba and no, he and I did not dress alike intentionally, but we do look lovely, don't we?!
I will report on Gene's progress here and of course, attach photos as he melts down. Those of you who pray, please keep us in your prayers and those of you who don't, we will pray for you!
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