I'm On A Mission

In my last post I talked about wondering what my purpose in life is.  I do a lot of driving around the city, Rochester, NY, for my job and often come across a homeless person, holding a sign.  Since my work can sometime be unpredictable, I never leave the house without snacks and water.  For several years, when I come across someone holding a sign, I always give them what I have.  Usually it's just a few granola bars and bottles of water.  About a year ago, I started extreme couponing and found myself with more food then I could eat, before expiring.  So I came across a blog about a fellow extreme couponer who keeps a gift bag in the back seat of her car, filled with food, drinks and hygiene item and every time she passes a homeless person in need, she hands it out and than replaces it with a new one.  I thought this was an amazing idea and started doing the same.  I have felt really good about this, but kept thinking that I could be doing more.  So a few weeks ago, I started purposely driving through areas that I have seen the homeless, holding a sign.  I leave my house a few minutes early, so I'll still make it to my next appointment on time.  This has worked out very well.  I have passed out many more gift bags and my stock pile is starting to dwindle.  Yesterday was Mother's Day, and, of course, we had leftovers.  Not much, but enough of a meal to feed one person.  It was roast beef, with carrots and potatoes and half a loaf of homemade bread.  So after dinner (when the leftovers were still warm) , I drove to an area where I have seen homeless people in the past.  Within ten minutes I found a homeless woman at the side of the road and handed her the homemade meal and a gift bag.  She was sooo thankful and I felt good.  I want to start doing this more.  It's a little tricky, because I may not always come across someone in need and the worst thing, I guess, is that I return home with a home cooked meal, but I want to give it a try.  Tomorrow, I'm going to make some pasta, homemade sauce, with sausage and homemade bread, and hopefully, on the way to picking up my son at school, I'll find someone in need.  I'll have to pack it good, so it stays warm and doesn't make a mess.  I'll let you know how it goes...

What Is My Purpose??

Ever think that you are not on the right path.  Have you survived a tragedy and wondered why?  Do you think that you should be doing more than just getting by day to day?  Do you feel that you have been so into yourself, that you have forgotten that there are people suffering around you? 

Well, I survived a horrific childhood.  I should have been a drug addict, alcoholic, prostitute or runaway.  I should have been any or all of those things, but instead...I survived.  Why??  What for??  Today, I'm a college educated wife and mother.  I tell myself that God figures that I have had enough pain in my life, and gave me a husband and son  who love me.

I do alot of driving for my job and I'm often cutting through the city to get to my clients.  I keep a gift bag in my back seat that I pass out when I come across a homeless person, holding a sign. The gift bag contains food, drinks and hygiene items.  I passed one out today.  The man said "God bless you."  Every time I pass one out, I cry as I drive away.  Usually I cry for them.  This time, I was crying more for myself.  I have two blood parents that wouldn't piss on me if I were on fire and here was a complete and total stranger saying "God bless you."

I was meant to do more.  I have the means and the education.  I have my degree in Social work, yet I have never worked in the field.  I believe in fate and not in coincidence. Everything happens for a reason.

I hear you UD and I'm listening.  Keep talking, I'm a slow learner.  I will follow my path, no matter where it leads...

Books to Eat contest 2012-Second Place!!

2nd Place!!

This is my entry for our local 'Books to Eat' contest, held at the downtown library, Rochester , NY.  The book is made out of cake, half chocolate and half almond, covered in butter cream and fondant.  The table is made out of graham crackers and pretzel rods.  The benches are made out of candy bars and pretzel rods.  The bread is bread and the disciples and Jesus are made out of fondant.  This was a VERY heavy cake.  Last year I made a cake with my cousin and several people were still talking about it this year.  It was a really great cake.  We won second place last year.  Here is link to that cake: Purplious. 



The judges really liked my cake.  They were impressed with the detail!!



My Journey to Weight Loss

Up again, down again, up again, down again, up...up and away.  Through the years my weight has been up and down.  In my 30s, about 10 years ago, I lost over 60lbs and got down to my high school weight.  Now, here I sit 80lbs heavier and I'M SOOO SICK AND TIRED OF BEING FAT!!!  It is here where I will document my weight loss journey.  I'm sure that there will be many ups and downs, but I hope to look better and more importantly FEEL better!!  This is about me and for me. 

On 3/19/12 I started my diet.  I ate about 1000 calories in hope to jump start my weight loss and keep myself motivated.  That day I weighed 195.8.  I felt hunger pains for the first time in a long time.  And it felt good.  The next morning (3/20/12) I weighed 192.2.  Not a bad start.

3/21/12
192.4
I worked out today!  I feel good today.  I'm drinking lots of water and watching my calories.  I'm running out of veggies and need to go to the store tomorrow to stock up.

3/22/12
191.4
I worked out today!  I went to the store today and bought a ton of veggies and some apples.

3/23/12
190.6
I worked out today.  Sugar free gum is my new best friend.  I'm REALLY hungry at bedtime.  My diet has been veggies, fruits and dairy.  No bread or meat, except for liver and onions, yum!!  I'm still under 1000 calories.  I'm looking for quick weight loss.  I'll go to the store tomorrow and buy some more cucumbers (I like to eat them before bed) and vegetarian food from Bocca or Morning Star.

3/24/12
188.6
I worked out today!  Went grocery shopping today and bought more veggies, veggie burgers and liver.  I also bought some squash.  I can't wait to cook it up.  Getting sick of the same old veggies.

3/25/12
189.8
I worked out today!

3/26/12
188.8
I worked out today!  Had a little harder time sticking to my diet today.  I'm baking and decorating a cake for this weekends "Books to Eat' contest.  I had a few pretzels and graham crackers.  Sooo hard to resist!  I'll try to do better tomorrow.

3/27/12
188.4
I worked out today!   Need to go to the store tomorrow to get more veggies and squash.  Ate some chips and salsa, but counted out a serving size and skipped the cheese and soar cream.  I REALLY want a banana split from Russells!!

3/28/12
188.4
I worked out today!  Busy allll day.  Had a wonderful facial this morning.  Went to the store tonight and bought a bunch of veggies.  I was soooo hungry!!  Forgot to get squash.  :/

3/29/12
188.6
Went to the store today and bought a TON of squash.  Worked early this morning, no time for a workout.

3/30/12
188.8
I worked out today!  Still hovering at 188.  I feel REALLY good!!  My pants are big and I FEEL thinner and it's only been 7 lbs.  Cooked a ton of squash last night.

3/31/12
187.8
I worked out today!  FINALLY passed 188!!  That's 8 lbs!

4/1/12
187.8

4/2/12
188.0
I worked out today!!  Spent three and a half hours at DMV and surcomed to a garbage plate!!

4/3/12
190.0
Paying the price today for yesterdays garbage plate!  Hopfully tomorrow will be better!

4/4/12
188.2
It has been over 2 weeks since my diet and I have lost 7lbs.  I go to the grocery store about twice a week to buy fresh veggies.  Sometimes I REALLY get sick of them and try something different.  I've been eating fat free yogurt and cottage cheese, eggs, fruit, squash, cucumbers, peppers, snow peas, onions, scallions, tomatoes, salsa, veggie burgers, oh...and my new best friend...Sugarfree Gum!!  I'm SO SICK of lettuce!!  I eat stir frys and veggy salads (without lettuce!).  I drink filtered water (Brita) and sugarfree icetea.  I eat VERY little meat, bread and sugar.  I did have a garbage plate the other day after a 3 and a half hour visit with DMV.  Definitely a stress eater!  I try to workout everyday and I record my workouts here.  I feel GREAT!!  And I feel like I lost much more than just 7 lbs.  I'm becoming one with my hunger pains.  The gum helps.  My goal is to get down to 150lbs.  I might treat myself to a bannana split this week!  You gotta have fun!

4/5/12
186.6
I worked out today!  I lost 9lbs!!!

4/6/12
187.8
I worked out today!!  I seem to be hanging around 188.  I think I need to step up my workout!  I'm thinking that I'm going to mess up my diet this weekend, since it is Easter.  I'll fast on Monday and it will probably lose the weight by Wednesday.  I baked a ricotta cheese pie yesterday and I plan on making some Italian cookies today.  I feel REALLY good!

4/7/12
188.0
I worked out today!  I ate too much today!  My weigh in tomorrow is going to be bad!!

4/8/12  Happy Easter!!
187.8
I worked out today!

4/9/12
188.4
I worked out today!

4/10/12
188.6
I worked out today!  I REALLY need to get back on the wagon.  It's sooo hard with all these left overs from Easter!!

4/11/12
188.0
I worked out today!!

4/12/12
188.2
I worked out today!!  I really need to go back to calorie counting.  Too many Easter left overs!!  I SHOULD just freeze them or throw them out!!

4/13/12 ( Friday the 13th)
188.4
I worked out today!

4/14/12
188.6
I worked out today!  Ok, this is getting a little ridiculous!!  I lost 7 lbs the first week and have not lost anything in the last 3 weeks.  I feel like I lost more than just 7 lbs and I feel GREAT!!  I'm starting to HATE my scale!!

4/15/12
187.2
I worked out today!

4/16/12
187.8
I worked out today!

4/17/12
188.4

4/18/12
187.4
I'm trying not to eat at night.  Soooo sick of this.  I haven't lost anything in the past 3 weeks.  Thought I'd weigh less.  Hating my scale!!  Clothes are big, though...

4/19/12
188.2
I worked out today!

4/20/12
187.4
I worked out today!

4/21/12
187.2

4/22/12
187.2

4/23/12
188.4

4/24/12
187.6
I worked out today!!  Today I started the 'Couch to 5k'.  Woohoo!!

4/25/12
187.4
I worked out today!

4/26/12
187.0

4/29/12
I worked out today!

4/30/12
I worked out today!

Full Circle

When I was 16 years old, I had a performance test in voice class.  This was our final exam, a very big deal.  I had been in chorus since grade school and in choir since 9th grade.  This was quite an honor for a 9th grader to be in choir.  I was very shy and unconfident.  I'd try out for solos and although I could sing, I was so nervous that my throat would close up and I sounded just terrible.  So the choir director suggested that I take voice lessons to help with my confidence.  So, like I was saying, it was the day of the final exam.  I had been practicing a piece for months.  We had to stand outside the music room, wait to be introduced and walk in (in front of the class of about 7 people) and perform our piece.  The strange thing was that I was not nervous...at all.  I was dressed in gray straight-leg corduroy pants, bright yellow 4'' pumps and a light green over-the-shoulder shirt, very '80's.  With one hand in my pants pocket, I entered the classroom.  As I stood besides the piano with my teacher playing it, I sang 'The Lost Chord':

Seated one day at the organ,
I was weary and ill at ease,
And my fingers wandered idly
Over the noisy keys.


I know not what I was playing,
Or what I was dreaming then;
But I struck one chord of music,
Like the sound of a great Amen.


It flooded the crimson twilight,
Like the close of an angel's psalm,
And it lay on my fevered spirit
With a touch of infinite calm.


It quieted pain and sorrow,
Like love overcoming strife;
It seemed the harmonious echo
From our discordant life.


It linked all perplexed meanings
Into one perfect peace,
And trembled away into silence
As if it were loth to cease.


I have sought, but I seek it vainly,
That one lost chord divine,
Which came from the soul of the organ,
And entered into mine.


It may be that death's bright angel
Will speak in that chord again,
It may be that only in Heav'n
I shall hear that grand Amen

I still know the tune, 28 years later.  As I sang, my maternal grandfather was sitting in the back row.  He was leaning forward in his chair and I felt a sense of calm and peace.  I sang like I had never sang before.  When I finished my audience clapped vigorously and my teacher rose from his seat, clapping his hands and praising my performance.  I'll never forget the look on his.  It was like, 'I knew she could do it!'  He went on and described to the class all the wonderful things about my performance.  He LOVED how relaxed and confident I looked when walking into the room, with one hand in my pocket.  I was proud, yet embarrassed.  I kept thanking him and he kept saying, "Don't thank me, I'm just telling the truth".  By that time I had forgotten about my grandfather, but I remembered years later...

It was my maternal grandmother's birthday.  My cousin called me and asked if I wanted to go in with her for grandma's present.  We were both pretty broke. I was working full time, living on my own and putting myself through college. She said she found a poem book that she wanted get and I told her that I'd pay half.

Years later, we were helping grandma clean out her house.  My aunt and I were going through grandma's books in the living room.  Grandma had a TON of books.  My aunt looked at one book and said to me, "Here, you'd like this" and handed it to me.  I didn't even look at it, but I said "Ok", and put it aside. 

Since then, I had move a few times.  Thing got shuffled around from place to place.  I was sitting on my couch one day and was looking for something. I came across a book of poems.  At first I didn't recognise it.  I opened the front cover and I saw an inscription from my cousin.  OMG...This is the poem book that we gave grandma for her birthday.  This was the book that my aunt gave me while we were cleaning grandma's house.  I start skimming through the book and there it was.  But it CAN'T be, can it?  My song was a poem? The song I performed for my voice final in 10th grade.  In 10th grade, when I felt the presence of my grandfather watching me from the back of the room?  A poem, made into a song, that my voice teacher picked out for me to sing, as my grandfather watched, in a book that my cousin pick out as a gift for our grandmother, from us, years later? 

I love you Grandpa!

Hysterectomy

So...I was at the doctors office because I was sick.  As I was checking out, the receptionist realized that I was due for a physical.  I made an appointment for 3 months, just before Christmas.  I forgot about the lab work I had to have completed prior to the appointment and had it done just a few days before.  I called the doc's office to make sure that they had the results in time for my appointment and they did. 

During my appointment my doc says that there was alot of blood in my urine, so he wanted to redo the test there at his office.  He did so and received the same results.  He said that it was a symptom of cancer and I needed an ultra sound to see what was going on.  The receptionist made me an appointment at the imaging center for me for the next day.  Now "Cancer" is going through my head and it's getting louder because this MUST be serious because, "What doctors office gets you in the next day"??  So I go home and start planning my funeral, I decide that I'm going to blog this journey to death and I'm going to write letters to my grandchildren (who are not born yet and not even conceived), and try to come to terms with the fact that at least my last 20 years were sooo much better than my first 20. 

The next day, I go to the imaging center to get an ultra sound.  I just wanted to cry as I was sitting in the waiting room.  In fact I think I was crying.  Fortunately there was the most beautiful little baby boy with his grandmother who kept me pleasantly distracted. 

My name was finally called after waiting an hour!!  The technician started my visit by telling me what a terrible day she was having.  This wasn't a great surprise to me.  It happens ALL the time.  Sometimes I think that I have my degree tattooed on my forehead, Lori, BSW, (that's Bachelors in Social Work).  Newsflash...I REALLY don't care about your day.  I have my own problems!!

So, she's doing the ultrasound which was really a pain in the ass, because I had to drink a glass of water an hour before the appointment and hold it.  So because they were running so late, hence her 'bad day', I had been 'holding it' for two hours.  For those of you who are under 40, you may not think of this as a big deal, but I assure you it is.  To make matters worst, while she is doing the ultra sound, she has to 'push' on the area where she is taking the photo and keeps apologising for having to do so, as I'm thinking, "Don't apologise to me...you're the one who's going to have to clean up the mess!"  Now I can't see the computer screen of what the ultra sound is recording, so instead, I'm looking at her face.  This woman has a TERRIBLE poker face!  I knew my results were going to be bad.  That and she kept on asking me (5 or 6 times) "So you're here just from a routine physical?"  I'm sure this woman was very competent in what she does, but don't they teach these people good 'bedside manners'?  Professionalism?  WTH?

At first she told me, when we were done, that I could go home and the doc would call with my results, but then she that there were special instructions and I needed to wait because the doc wanted to know the results immediately.  So again, I sat in the waiting room impatiently awaiting my sentence.  More funeral plans floating through my head,  maybe I'll write a letter to my future daughter-in-law (who also does not yet exist) , too.  Oh, and maybe she would want to wear my wedding gown when walking  down the aisle.  The tech finally came out and said my doc would call me.   

That afternoon my doc called and said that I had an 8cm fibroid tumor.  He said that I needed to call the imaging center and have them send the results to my OB/GYN.  WHAT??  I have to call them and have them send the results to my other doctor.  Isn't that what receptionists are for??  So I called the imaging center do the work of a receptionist.  I got there answering machine that said they were closed and then preceded to give their hours.  Well they close at 4:45, but it was only 4:15 and I knew that they were closed the next day, Friday and would not open until Monday or Tuesday, because it was Christmas weekend.  GREAT, more time that I need to sit back and wait.  Don't they know that there is a tumor growing inside of me!!!! 

On Monday I called the imaging center  to have my records transferred and I called my OB/GYN to make sure that they received them.  I happened to have an annual appointment scheduled for the following week and asked the receptionist if I should keep that appointment or would the doc want to see me sooner.  She said that the doc was not in that day (big surprise), but that she would be in the next day and either her or the nurse will call with further instructions.  So, again I wait...and wait...and wait.  The doc never called. 

The following week I went to my OB/GYN for my annual appointment.  Now mind you, I have Fybromyalgia.  Stress, alone, can put me in bed.  I'm looking online for info on fibroid tumors (since my docs aren't giving me ANY info) and learn that I may need a hysterectomy.  Ok, I'm 43 years old, I have one son (who drives me NUTS, he's 16) I'm DONE having kids.  I'm ok with that.  The problem lies in my crappy health insurance, Healthy NY, and I'm self employed, no paid sick days.  Now I'm in the examination room, waiting for the doc and the tears start flowing.  I blow my nose, wipe my face, try to get a grip.  I tell myself, "Don't cry here, cry at home."  So I suck it up before I hear the doc outside my room flipping through my file.  I know she's thinking, "Oh, hell...How I'm I going to tell her that she can't have any more children?"  So she comes in and starts with the small talk, which I have NO patients for and I get to the nitty gritty.  She starts circling around  and beating around the bush.  She has a nervous smile on her face and seems to be trying to search for the right words.  Growing more inpatient by the minute I say, "Do I need a hysterectomy?"  She still had that nervous smile and hesitantly asks, "Do you want anymore..."  and I quickly cut her off and say, " No, I don't want anymore kids.  My only concerns are a) will my health insurance cover it and b) what's the recovery time since I'm self employed?"  I hear an audible sigh of relief and the doc is now able to give me the info I need. 

Right now, I'm in the process of trying to find out if my insurance will cover the whole procedure.  I know that I will have a $500 copay for the hospital and about a $200 copay to the doc.  I also have Aflack insurance that, I think, will pay me $500 for every day that I am in the hospital.  I'm hoping that this will at least cover my copays. 

To be continued...


1/10/12

I went to the docs today to have another ultra sound.  This appointment was sooo much nicer and more relaxing than the first one.  I had to drink more water, but I didn't have to wait for an hour in the waiting room.  The office was soo much more pleasant.  I was early for my appointment and I still only waited for about 5 minutes.  The women who did my ultra sound didn't tell me about her bad day and she didn't frown or make funny faces as she was doing my ultra sound.  She actually was the exact opposite.  She had a very flat affect and I found this very relaxing.  My next appointment is in a few days and I will find out the details of the surgery.  I'm feeling calm...


1/13/12

Today I met with the surgeon.  We discussed surgery in detail.  She wants me to keep my ovaries, but she wants to remove my fallopian tubes.  She said that I need to decide if I want to keep my cervix.  I need to look up some more info on that.  I'm thinking that I may keep it.  I have two fibroid tumors.  One is 8 cm and it is located in my uterus.  The other one is 4cm (I think) and is located behind my uterus.  They are going to do the Da Vinci technique.  It is several small incisions instead of big ones.  The procedure takes a little longer, but the recovery time is only about 2 weeks instead of 6.  It is said that it comes with less pain, also.  I just want to get back to work as soon as possible.  I still don't have a surgery date.  I hope they can get me in soon.  I should know next week.

1/18/12

Found out my surgery date.  I rearranged my work schedule.  I just need to find out how much money I will get from Aflack.  I'm hoping it will cover my co-pays.  I'm starting to get nervous, again.

1/26/12

Surgery is coming quick.  I should get $500 from Aflack which will cover my hospital co-pay.  We're having our taxes done before my surgery.  It's one less thing on my mind.  I'm going to clean the house this weekend and go grocery shopping.  I took 10 days off from work.  That might be a little optimistic.

1/29/12 
Still nervous about the surgery.  I wish it was over , already!  I go for blood tests tomorrow.  Paperwork is filled out.    House is almost totally cleaned.  I made chicken soup yesterday.  Taxes are done.  I downloaded some free books on my computer from Amazon.  Time is passing slowly...

1/30/12

I had my blood test today.  House is almost clean.  Went to the bank.  Hoping to pay somemore bills before my surgery.

1/31/12

Tomorrow is the big day.   I have to be at the hospital at 9am.  The house is clean, laundry done, food made for my men, including a ricotta pie for my son.  I had a garbage plate today for lunch to treat myself.  For those of you who are not from Rochester, this is what a 'garbage plate' is!  "White hot plate, everything with mac and french fries".  YUM!!!  Actually, I don't even need to order, they just yell it out when they see me pull in the parking lot!  Sometimes they yell it out as I'm walking through the door and everyone at the counter turns around wondering, 'What the hell!!'  It cracks me up!!

This evening I played wii bowling with my husband to try to work off the anxiety. My cloths are packed.  I'm bringing my computer, too.  I downloaded a book on it in case I can't get online.  I can't eat or drink anything past midnight.

2/1/12

Today's the day.  It's 6:45 am and I'm DYING for a cup of tea!!! I can't eat or drink anything.  Surgery should start at about 11:15.  I have to be at the hospital at 9 am. 

It's 9:40 pm.  The surgery went GREAT!!  No problems.  They even took me early.  It lasted for about 3 hours.  I woke up groggy and SOOOO thirsty.  The nurses and Docs here are sooo nice.  I can't say enough about them.  I'm in a double room, by myself.  It is sooo quiet and pleasant.  My bed is comfy.  I have a pitcher of water, chapstick, eyedrops, cell photo, laptop, cable and a catheter.  What more do I need?  I don't think I'll EVER want to leave.  This is the life.  I just went for my first walk.  I feel a little pressure where my incestions are and it mostly just hurts when Don makes me laugh.  I took some hydrocodone a few hours ago and a benedrill (I was itchy on my neck and face).  Just chilling out. I'm wide awake.  I think I'll go to bed at about 11 pm.

2/2/12

Slept like crap last night.  I read until midnight and then was wide awake at 3 am and decided to read for a few hours more.  I came home this afternoon with a bottle of percocet, my new best friend.  I don't feel my five incessions, but I feel a lot of pressure under my diaphrame.  During surgery they pumped my stomach with air and I am still feeling the pressure.  The docs said that walking would help relieve the gas and this does help.  I came home today with a bottle of percocet, my new best friend.  I can't drive for a week and can't lift more than 15 lbs.  I'm thinking that I'm going to need more than 10 days off.

2/3/12

Slept like a baby!!!  I was on my own today.  I showered this morning and it was WONDERFUL!!  After I showered and surrounded myself with everything I would need to keep me happy for a few hours, I took my pain meds.  They really make me groggy and dizzy, but they work GREAT on my pain.  And I did have pain!!  I don't like how the meds make me feel, but I like not feeling the pain.  I tried not to take another pill this afternoon, but I couldn't take the pain.  I watched tv, read, did some laundry and slept.  No one bothered me and I was able to relax.  I REALLY wanted to bake a cake for the superbowl, but I just couldn't do it.  Maybe tomorrow.

2/4/12

Slept great again last night.  I baked a decorated a super bowl cake for my son's fundraiser, www.the-fish-lady.com/fundraiser. 

I think I overdid it.  My back is KILLING me tonight.  I took more meds and have a heating pad on.  I'll take it easy tomorrow.  I guess I'm NOT Superwoman...

2/5/12

Slept GREAT again.  Did some couponing today as my husband drove me to two of my favorite stores.  Too tired to go to the third.  Read this afternoon and watching the Super Bowl tonight.  No party, just taking it easy.

2/8/12

Went to a docs appointment today to see my surgeon.  She said I was doing well and healing nicely.  I was going to return to work next week, but I think I'm going to rearrange my schedule.  I'm still on pain meds, so my husband drove me to my appoimtment.  I take it easy during the day.  I'm on my 3rd book.

2/9/12

Only took two pain meds today.  I'm going to try to go without tomorrow so I can drive.  I REALLY have to get back to work next week.

2/10/12

Went without pain meds this morning so I could drive this afternoon.  I was sooooo tired today!!!  I took pain meds tonight and it really upset my stomach.  Did bills tonight and we are really hurting.  I'm going back to work next week.  I really need the money.  Playtime is over!!

2/12/12

I've been sleeping well, but my back is  KILLING ME!!!!!!  I'm trying not to take my pain meds, so I can drive and function, but I can only take so much.  I'm taking meds at night.  I'm starting back to work this week because I REALLY need the money.  I hope some Aleve will do the trick.  If not, I'll be calling in.

2/14/12

Scheduled 5 tanks today, but only cleaned 2.  SOOOOOOOOOO TIRED!!!!  No pain today.   Can't keep my eyes open.  Canceled my clarinet lesson.  Happy Effin' Valentines Day!

2/15/12

Happy Birthday to me!!  I worked this morning and had off in the afternoon.  VERY TIRED!!!  Watched movies with my man, while he played hookie.  No pain today.

2/16/12

I felt GREAT today.  I did some cleaning and cooking and worked this afternoon.  I'm tired now, but at least I have a reason to be.  No aleve and no pain today.  Woohoo!!

2/20/12

I've been VERY tired.  I'm working, but I only work in the morning OR afternoon, not both.  I walked, indoor, almost a half mile today.  I can't bike for another three weeks and I miss it.  I think exercising will help with my fibromyalgia.  One day at a time...

2/21/12

Worked this morning and sooo tired!!  Fibromyalgia in full swing!!

2/22/12

Slept well.  Relaxed most of the day.  Studied my Italian.

2/29/12

Today is exactly 4 week post-opp.  I saw the doc today.  She said that I can resume all normal activity!!  Woohoo!!  I gained 4 lbs in the past month and look forward to working out.  And she said that I will not get my period!!  I'm still tired.  I either work in the morning or afternoon, not both.

3/18/12
This will probably be my last update on my hysterectomy.  It's been almost 7 weeks since my surgery.  It took me about 5 weeks before I started to feel like myself.  After 4weeks my doc said that I could start exercising again, but I still haven't gotten back in the habit.  I'm dieting starting tomorrow...famous last words, but REALLY I am.  I'm so heavy.  I'll be blogging about this new journey. 

Masters in Nursing...

This was is a cake I made for my cousin.  She received her Masters in Nursing.