Monday, January 16, 2006

First Post-Op Weekend Back in the 'head

Saturday I didn't do to much as it was my first full day home and I was exhausted. I cleaned my room a bit and did the treadmill. I hung out with my brother as he is still on break from school. He goes back today. He is a junior in the film program @ Emerson. He has a kick ass apartment 4 blocks from campus. But, enough about that. What else did I do on Saturday? Oh, a family friend came over to see me. Good times. She had an open Gastric Bypass 2 years ago.

I had a very funny conversation with my mom. I was taking to her about the very thoughtful presents I had received including flowers, and my mom asked me if I had the surgery for the presents? Now I must say I am a JAP (Jewish American princess)! I am however a whole lot better with it then when I was younger. Although I am a JAP, I am no longer a spoiled brat. I told my mom that I did the surgery for me, but that presents are a nice bonus!!! Prior to surgery I had thought about the notion of getting presents. Who wouldn't? My mom & I had a good laugh with that!!

Sunday I didn't get up till noon (only 13 hours of sleep). Marla was exhausted! Did the treadmill. Hung out with my brother. Watched my mom bake and frost my brother's birthday cake. It didn't bother me at all. I know I can't eat it & that was fine. SHOCKING!!!! My brother is turning 21 on the 23. He will be in school for his birthday. Although Boston is only 30 minutes away, it was easier to celebrate will he was home on break. The big party will be in February when I can eat solid food. My parents are going to us to The Medieval Manor -Theater & Restaurant in Boston. So exciting. Since my birthday is 3 weeks after my brothers we will celebrate both.

We also went to see Spielberg's Munich! I thought it was brilliant. WOW...just WOW!! The actress who played Golda Meir was great. She really portrayed Golda's tough & compassionate persona! FYI: The actress who played Golda Meir was Miranda's housekeeper on Sex and the City!!!!

Today: Monday I am going with my dad to drop my brother off at his apartment. Then my dad and I are going to Costco and CVS so I get some stuff. I think we are going to go to the movies again tonight. Hopefully we will see either Casanova or Tristan & Isolde!! My family are big movie people. We were this way even before I brother became a film student!

'nuthin is worse then chemotherapy

So I came back home to Massachusetts on Friday afternoon. So great to be back home albeit my parent's house. But, I love my parents. I am truly lucky that my parents are also my friends. My parents are just so cool. Through this whole journey they have totally been supportive. Without them and my friends I don't know how I would have gotten through this.

The same holds true when I was 9 and did my stint with chemo & radiation. Gawd, chemo fucking sucks. Gastric Bypass is a breeze compared to chemo. Who wants toxins pumped into their body? I was walking skeleton. But, I must say I was truly beautiful bald. Thank god I didn't have cancer. I had/ have a rare benign tumor (Aggressive Fibromatosis). So rare there is no cure, just amputation of the limb. Radiation stopped it from growing and I still have my arm!! I was lucky!

Everyone said I was brave. I wasn't brave. I just wanted to get through it and past it. I am a big believer in facing challenges and working through them. In fact I love a good challenge. Believe me, I have had my fair share! My motto is suck it up and deal. Sometimes you just have to.

Well, now people are telling me that I am brave because I had Gastric Bypass. Doing what needs to be done, doesn't make me brave. Atleast not in my opinion. I needed help. I needed to do something. And I did.

'nuthin is worse then chemotherapy!!!!

Friday, January 13, 2006

Back & 12 lbs. Lighter

Howdie y'all. I am back!! The last 2 weeks have been insanely bizarre! But, nonetheless amazing!! As, you all know I had my surgery on 1.3.05. I am almost 2 weeks post-op, yipppeeeee!!!! Sorry, I haven't posted in awhile. But, I was staying with my parents @ a family friends house in New Jersey. I had my surgery done in Manhattan. But, now I am home in Massachusetts!! Oh so exciting!!

The surgery went well, I guess. It was done laproscopically. There was a 10% chance my surgeon was going to have to perform an open. HE DIDN'T. It took 5.5 hours because of the size of my liver. I didn't loose all the weight my surgeon wanted me to. He took his time and was very slow and cautious. But, he told my parents and I the surgery would be about 4 hours. No one came out to tell my parents that it would be longer. Needless, to say my parents thought I had died or I was being sliced like a fish!

I spent 4 hours in recovery. My back hurt so bad I thought I was going to be paralyzed. And, I was so nauseas. I have had numerous operations and never had a reaction like this. I was transferred to my room at about 10:15pm. At which point I told my nurse I wanted to get up and go for a walk. She looked at me funny & told me that I didn't have to get up that night. I told that I wanted to get up and walk. And, I did. It felt wonderful.

I was discharged Thursday 1.5.06 and went down to South Jersey to recuperate. Monday 1.9.06, I had my one week follow-up appointment. All went well. I was down 12 lbs. I was slightly dehydrated and couldn't start pureed foods until I could get all my fluids in. This has been a big challenge. I haven't been in my own house. Was unable to create my own schedule. So I have been pushing protein shakes & fluids. By Sunday I will fully be doing pureed foods.

Starting weight - 392 lbs
Weight @ surgery - 380 lbs
1.9.06 - 368 lbs

P.S. As of 5pm Friday 1.13.05, I am back home. Love being back in my parent's house!!!!

Sunday, January 01, 2006

3-2-1 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It's gonna be a happy New Year. It is the year of Marla. I can not wait till Tuesday!!! Well, let me share with you how I spent my New Year's Eve.

I was alone in my place in Manhattan, CLEANING!!! I was supposes to go to a friend's party out on Long Island but I canceled that. Too much to do before surgery on Tuesday!! I dumped 14 bag of trash!! I now have a floor again. It is very exciting!!!

I watched the ball drop on TV. I couldn't watch Dick Clark. I feel so bad for him having that stroke. His speech isn't 100% yet, and watching him just made me sad. So I watched my favorite TV guy, REGIS PHILBIN!!! It was a very exciting 1.5 hours with Regis!!

I had an epiphany at about 11:45 pm last night. I was in Manhattan, 10 blocks away from where the ball drops in Times Square & I was watching this on TV. It made me chuckle and smile. The bonus was I had access to a bathroom. And was warm.

The rules for New Year's Eve in Times Square:

Once you go through security you can not leave your section for any reason and come back!! You are stuck.

No alcohol

People started going through security at 1:30 in the afternoon. There are no port -a-potties. The is way to long for me to be without and be standing in out spot freezing cold. Hence, I watched it on TV.

My next post will include my resolutions for the New Year! To tired to do it now. I hope everyone has a fantabulous & healthy 2006.