I'm still here!!!

Hello, my name is Sara, and I'm a bad banded blogger.  It has been more than 2 weeks since my last blog (confession.)

What can I say?  I'm not really going to focus on what's been going on, only to say it is less chaotic now.  Work is finally settling down for the first time in months, and my burn is finally just about healed.  I can even wear pants again :-)

I went to the doc today for my 2nd fill.  I needed it - both the fill and the visit.  When I was researching my surgeon, I kept coming up on people who said he wasn't that "nice."  I'm not a person who needs nice for this, I need somebody to call my bullshit, which is exactly what he did.  Nothing overtly mean, just said "I'm hearing lots of little rationalizations, which is not going to help us, only add up to bigger problems."  I am just now getting to the point that I can say I am truly addicted to foods, and I need someone who is okay with telling me these kind of things straight out.

With regards to the fill, I got another 2.2 cc's.  1.5 the first time so a total of 3.7.  I think the first time I was so nervous that I thought it was tighter than it was (my doc does the drink this water until you feel it way of adjusting).  I'm on liquids for 48 hours.

I am going to follow the rules.  I have been doing great with the not drinking, but have been choosing horrible foods.  I am aware.  I understand that the band is only a tool and now that life is not as crazy, I'm taking the time to really learn how to take advantage of this tool.

Checking in

Trying to check in more often, as I realize when I'm talking about my issues, I tend to make slightly better choices.

Last December I got to go to Jamaica for my cousin's wedding. It was fabulous!  Her photographers were very sneaky, and it is so funny that every 3 months or so, about 200 more pictures get put up on facebook.  Most of the time I run to untag, because let's face it, they are usually pretty darn hideous.  I was very surprised to see one this week, that wasn't horrible.  Usually I have 1 profile pic (Its on blogger as well) that I use.  Its actually from 2006, but I like it, and it is my "universal profile pic."  After the recent bout of wedding picts, I switched my profile picture! I do enjoy the attempt to cover my "chins."  I still have no eyes, mostly because my cheeks are large and in-charge, but overall, I'm happy with it.

Here's one more: 

I will admit to cropping the large belly out of the 2nd picture.. so sue me.


On to other, more painful things.  I went to the clinic Thursday morning after the big burn on Tuesday night.  I stopped by the pharmacy first and asked if there was anything over the counter that I could get, or if I needed to go to the clinic to get a prescription.  I am an obsessive researcher, and by this time, I was pretty certain it was a solid superficial 2nd degree (partial thickness burn).  She said I needed to go to the clinic.  I went, paid my $20 copay, got a prescription, paid $10.99 for that and realized it was the same damn thing I could get on the shelf!  The same units of "active ingredients" and everything!  GRRRR.

My burn looks gross.  Apparently 2nd degree burns look worse after a couple of days.  I have no problem with "icky" pictures, but be aware if you are squeamish.  I posted a pic of my burn the day after on Wednesday.  Here is what it looked like on Thursday.








Are you sure you want to look?

ICKY!  And of course, the first kiddo I see for therapy on Friday - kicks me - and busts half of my blisters.  GRR.  I'm finding it difficult to keep covered.  Official measurements 6.5 x 4.4 --- Its a fairly large area.  I bought some large surgical dressings but can't seem to find tape that will stick to my fatty stomach.  The burn is below my belly button - on the "pooch."  Right in the way of all my pants.  A zipper is a no go.  14-21 days to heal.  ICKY!  So I've been wearing maxi dresses / skirts for the last couple of days, and had to go buy another the other day just for variety.  It doesn't really hurt unless rubbed against, so if I just hang out, no problems.  I did attempt to tape it up with some athletic tape (on the borders of the dressing last night) so that I could go to the gym.  About 35 minutes in (just walking on treadmill) I had to give up.  Icky sweat made things rub and chafe and it was getting rather painful.  I'm not really sure what I should do.  I'm out of my aqua classes until it heals, and can't yet find a way to do land stuff.  I really am ready to get back on track, and I don't know that its going to happen for at least a few more days.  :-(  

Pasta is Dangerous & weekly weigh-in

So, 1st things first.  Last week I maintained.  This week I'm up again (+1.2).   :-(  It really sucks.  I do realize however, that I am pretty much not following the rules.  I don't have to take small bites, I can eat pretty much anything I want.  No issues.  Once or twice I've noticed something had had to slow down a bit, but nothing painful.  I've been a slacker at the gym.  I find excuses.  It is no good.  I realize this.

So yesterday, I had a revelation.  I was ready to go.  I texted my work out friend (who has been crazy stressed at work and not as able to meet me at the gym) that I was going at 7:15.  Going to hit the elipitcal / treadmill for 30 minute or so, and then meet her at yoga at 8.  I was ready.  I figured I would eat some dinner before hand (it was about 5:30).  So this is where the "pasta is dangerous" title comes in.  Obviously I know pasta isn't the greatest.  But it is easy to make and easy to measure, so I decided to have some for dinner.  Somewhere in my crazy mind, I had a klutzy / stupid / crazy mishap, and in trying to drain the pasta, poured half a pan of boiling water down the front of me.  On my stomach.  HOLY SHIT!  WTF! (I know I don't usually like cussing on here, but it was definitely a "colorful" set of words I used.  I threw down the pan, stripped the shirt off and ran to the bath / shower to try and get it cooled off.  It has blistered.  **At this point, if you are squeamish DO NOT SCROLL DOWN!**

While it looks much worse in person, I will point out that it is not as pink and somewhat brown in real life --- and has large blisters.  This is a pic taken this morning (sorry for my HIDEOUS Stomach!) over 12 hours later.  I am wearing a cotton maxi skirt kind of thing, because the idea of putting a zipper over this... NOT GOOD!  So in closing.  Not only is carby pasta bad for your diet, but it is also dangerous.  STAY AWAY!  This has been your PSA for today.  

Who fell off the face of the planet?!? Me!

It has been another long week(s).  I used to have a pretty slow moving life.  It seems like things have just been stressful and icky lately.  It is no good!  Work is still crazy.  I would like, just for a bit, to only have to do my job.  Right now, I'm juggling like 3 different jobs, and it is driving me crazy!  The other big thing is that for the last week-and-a-half I've been dog sitting for a friend of mine.  Now, normally, one would think that would not add a whole lot of stress.  However my counter top currently looks like this.

None of these meds are for me.  They are all for one of the two dog's I'm watching.  I've never had to deal with the loss of a pet (we didn't have pets growing up, and my dog is in excellent health), so I can't judge others.  All of these meds are for a 7 lb chihuahua.  She was a rescue, and has always been fragile.  She's been on meds for at least the last 4 years.   It has really gotten bad the last 2 years or so.  She has a doggie version of COPD, an enlarged heart, bad knees, and is now deaf.  However, she's not really in pain, eats her food, enjoys company with the other dogs, etc. Because of her health conditions she gets meds 3x daily.  Here's the list of instructions that came with the meds.

Needless to say, it is a lot of work! She did really good for the first week and a half I had her (my friend is in Ireland for 2 weeks) but on Tuesday night, she developed a nasty cough.  So I've had to up the meds, take her heart rate regularly, and sit on hold a lot with the vet to "report in."  My whole goal is to keep her healthy and living while my friend is gone.  It has been more difficult these last few days!


With regards to me and my band, things here are chugging along.  I actually maintained this week.  Which I'm good with since it was my icky TOM and I still really don't feel like I have any restriction.

Anyway, that is this week's story.  Really hoping things start calming down so I can blog a bit more often!

P.S.  IT is EFFIN' HOT here!  Going to be 106 tomorrow - and that is without the heat index (closer to 112-114)