I AM STRUGGLING....

~Monday, Post-op day #7

Hello friends!! I hope your day has been full of God's blessing's!!

I am excited today, yes, I know my title doesn't seem to show any excitement, but we will get to that later.

Day #7... what does that mean to me and why is it so exciting?

Well, the most exciting part of today was that God granted me another day to rise, shine and show my love to someone! I want all of you to know that I LOVE YOU!!!!!!

Secondly, I got to take my FIRST bite of solid food today!!!! YAY!!

Now, it wasn't much, but it sure was GOOD! I was able to take in about two ounces of soft scrambled egg!! Now, usually, you could keep your soft scrambled eggs, because I like mine hard scrambled and a little touch of brown on them, but when you haven't had anything solid for nearly two weeks, you take what you can get, and it was EGG-CELLENT!!

1st meal!!

Thirdly, I had my first post-op appointment with the doctor today, but I will keep my excitement to myself for a minute or two and tell you some of the things that has gone on the last two days.

Yesterday(Sunday) was a pretty good day. Mom and I sat in the room, she enjoyed her Gates ribs that I sent my brother to get the day before, and we watched Joel Osteen. He gave a very good message "Being Pruned so you can Bloom", and I took that message in several different ways, one being that I was just pruned on last Monday, and I am looking forward to my new blooms! I know that God has so much in store for me!!

Here is a message from Joel Osteen on his topic for yesterday's sermon.

Being Pruned So You Can Bloom
Life is full of different seasons. There are growing seasons, where we’re seeing increase and promotion and making all kinds of progress and then there are seasons of trials, difficulties and hardships where it seems as if we are taking a step backwards. It may seem so, but it’s during the pruning seasons that God is positioning us for something greater.
If we are going to become everything God has created to be, just as we receive the growing seasons in life, we have to accept the pruning seasons, as well. God will never take something away without putting you in a position to receive something new. What you think may be the worst thing that could have happened could turn out to be one of the best.
When you’re in a slow season and not seeing any growth and it seems as if things important in your life are being taken away, stay in faith; the disappointment and loss wasn’t meant to work against you, but for you. If you will stay in faith, that season will come to an end and you will come into a new season of growth, opportunity and new friendships. You are being pruned for one reason: so you can bloom, so you can blossom, so you can spread your wings and be everything God has created you to be.

~~~~~~~

I actually got fully dressed yesterday and enjoyed a walk in the driveway a couple of times. It was a little cool, but I enjoyed it! I watched the Chiefs do what they do best, and we all know that it ain't winning at the game of football!! LOL!!

I was in quite a bit of pain yesterday, but I refused to take that NASTY pain medication, so I dealt with it and kept my mouth shut, I didn't want to upset mom, nor did I want her to force me to take the pain killer! I guess you can tell that I really am not a DRUGGY!! LOL!!

I spent some time visiting with a few family members in the early evening, food was brought to mom so she would eat, however, I think she enjoyed her Gates Ribs that she ate for breakfast more than anything. One of mom's friends came over to visit with us, she had the same surgery back in April..........Pause............and I had the CRAP scared out of me!! You say why, well, mom's friend apparently took very ill(nearly lost her life) a month after surgery and spent the entire summer in the hospital. Apparently her body was lacking some sort of vitamin causing her to have a disorder called Dystonia. Dystonia affects the nuerological system in your body. She has problems with her eyes and has to walk very slowly with a four footed cane! She has lost 100lbs., but I will tell you, it was sad to see her move so slowly! So, in saying that, I know that I have to make sure that I pay close attention to the changes in my body and react quickly when something's not right!!

OK, SO, ARE YOU READY FOR MY EXCITEMENT?!?!?!

Day 7 and I have lost...

27 POUNDS

This morning I actually tried on a brand new IZOD shirt that I purchased several months ago and it fit me really nice and comfortable!!

I am feeling alot of body changes, my body structure is also changing, but I am feeling great and I am getting stronger everyday, actually, I am going nuts being tied up in the house for the past week!! Maybe tomorrow someone will come see me and get me out of the house for a little while!!

Sending out HINTS!!

I am of course very weak, sore and still have quite a bit of pain in the lower left abdomen, and that will take some time to go away, but I do feel so much better than I did just a day or two ago.

I took advantage of an offer from my loving mother-in-law, and went to the store and gathered a few items that I will be able to re-introduce back into my diet. My list consisted of these things:

~ Cottage Cheese(lowfat)
~ Yogurt (fat free, light)
~ String Cheese (lowfat)
~ Refried Beans
~ Thin Deli Sliced Turkey
~ Tuna (water packed white/light)

I enjoyed my walk through the grocery store, however, it was really starnge not having the super sized buggy and filling it with all my favorite diet food!! LOL! The walk wore me out so I went back home and after a little jello, I decided to chill and laydown for a while!

Ok, so, onto the reason why I am struggling...

You know, protien is a major part of staying healthy and keeping the nutrients that I need after my surgery. Well, the first week and many weeks after consist of drinking protien drinks. I am STRUGGLING to get the amount of protien in everyday because I can't stand the smell or taste of the protien drinks. See, I began drinking these several months ago to prepare myself for the after surgery diet and I was tolerating them very well. No one told me that your taste buds and sense of smell hightens after surgery and mine have apparently hightened off the charts. I cannot stand the taste of them now and one of them even gags me to open the lid. Oh, well, what do you do, well I better keep holding my nose and sipping to get at least 60grams in a day. Now, since I can add a solid protein everyday, beginning today, that will help me get the 60grams that I need.

So, I am asking you to pray for my tastebuds, that they will begin to tolerate the taste of the protien drink. It is vital that I get the protien I need on a daily basis. Also pray for my strength as I am still very weak, although, each day does get better. Keep mom in your prayers as she is exhausted, tonight she looks very worn out, but she refuses to leave me home alone at night. Pray for her strength as she drives back and forth this week to Cameron, MO..

I will close tonight by saying THANK YOU to everyone who has continued to support me during my journey!! I LOVE each of you more than you will every know, but remember that God loves you more!

Remember.....

YOU ARE #1 IN YOUR LIFE!!!!

Until the next post....

GOD SPEED!!

Tony