Home Again, Home Again ... Jiggedy Jigg!

We had a fabulous trip home and arrived safely with luggage in hand!

I developed a raging ear infection the morning of our return and had left my ear medicine at home. So ... even though the flight was wonderful, I was in a LOT of pain. The flight attendant finally brought me some hot water in a bottle that I could hold against my ear. That felt better. Our first leg was 10 hours from London to Houston. I only lost one thing on this flight ... my rain jacket that I had just bought for the trip. I think I lost it in Customs. Oh well ... in a few months it would have been too big for me anyway!

Our second leg from Houston to Salt Lake was in a little, tiny Skywest plane. Lynn and I were stuffed in our seats like pigs in a blanket. We kept fighting each other for arm space. My ear was killing me at the higher altitudes and I was praying that we would soon touch down in Salt Lake. Before we landed, the pilot came over the loud speaker and told us that because of thunderstorms we were in a holding pattern and would probably be circling for the next hour! I was dying! Before too long we landed and headed for home. I grabbed the peroxide as soon as I stepped into the door and my ear medicine. Immediately it started feeling better. Then we jumped in the car and drove out to Angie's to pick up the dog. He was excited to see us. But I think he's been bored with just me at home and misses the boys and Sarge.

We left at 5:00 a.m. , Utah time, and arrived home just after 10:00 p.m. It was a long day, but Continental airlines is lovely and they have the best personal entertainment system. I watched a ton of movies. That's the way to travel!

Well ... I started my pre-surgery diet yesterday. For two weeks, prior to my Gastric Bypass surgery I have to eat 1,000 calories a day. Wow ... the calories add up fast! I had a breakfast bar in the morning for 140 calories. Then for lunch it was a toss-up between a cheese sandwich or a peanut butter sandwich. Since a 1" cube of cheese is 140 calories, or something like that, I thought I would be able to have more peanut butter on my bread than cheese because of the calories. Holy Cow ... a peanut butter sandwich with two tablespoons of peanut butter is 390 calories ... and that's with NO jam or honey! (I haven't gone grocery shopping yet, so that's why I don't have many choices for food just yet.) Then I only had about 400 calories left for dinner so I had a broiled piece of chicken and some corn. Then I went to bed early so I wouldn't be tempted to eat more!

The reason for the pre-surgery diet is to get your liver to shrink prior to the surgery. The surgeon has to fold back your liver to get to your stomache and if you shrink your liver some, it makes the surgery easier to do.

These next two weeks will be hard. We have a family reunion next week in Eden. I'm going to have to be very careful what I eat. The waiting makes me anxious. I just wish I could have it done now and then get on with my life. I have sooo much to do. Cookbook to publish, talks to prepare, stamping presentations to prep for. Hmmmm ... perhaps I should be doing those before my surgery??

Guess I'd best be stopping and get myself busy. Have a marvelous Thursday!

9 comments:

ClistyB said...

Im excited to hear all the details on the surgery. Just pray alot in the next two weeks for strength to stick to the lo-cal restrictions.
And for goodness sake, no reunion food is worth botching up the road to skinny, right??

Up All Night Stamper said...

Good for you and your commitment to yourself!

Eat several mini-meals a day to keep your blood sugar from dropping like a stone - that will make you SUPER hungry and you will have a tough time keeping your calories down.

Try filling up on things like leafy greens, beans, fibrous veggies like asapragus, tomatoes and peppers. Cut up some veggies and dip them in some fat free ranch dressing. Eat oatmeal for breakfast; the fiber will keep you going. Be sure to add a little bit of fat with each mini-meal to keep your liver occupied which will get all the bad stuff out. A big salad with lots of veggies, rinsed kidney beans or chickpeas (for protein), maybe a LITTLE avacado (for the healthy fat) and some of that calorie free dressing (in the salad section and it's GOOD) will keep you going!

YAY for you!!!!!

Diana Gibbs said...

So glad you are back, but feel bad you had to endure the ear ache the whole trip home...you are a trooper.

Good luck with your diet before the surgery...can you drink lots of water? That fills you up, and has no calories.

Hugs,
Di

crazy savages said...

Good luck with the 1000 cal. per day.
After surgery it will be about 400 cal. per day... Oh my gosh. I could totally not do that... I like my food too much!
Are you having the lap band procedure or gastric by pass surgery? I believe there is better success with gastric, but less problems with the lap band style. Good luck anyway. Do you need me to come and take care of you for a couple of days????
Your Big Sistee Ugler...

Natalie said...

You have to shrink you liver (I almost typed "lover")?? That sounds crazy!

Sorry you have to skimp before surgery. I would want to stuff myself silly.

luv2stamp said...

Hi Linda,
My friend had the surgery about 2 years ago. She is very happy with the results. She indicated that she has been successful because she followed all the guidelines set before and following her surgery. In fact following the surgery she had trouble eating ALL THAT WAS REQUIRED! I'll be praying for you - with God all things are possible!

Anonymous said...

Glad you are home safe and sound and that your ear is on the mend. I am thinking of you while you are pre dieting and may do it too! I could lose about 50 pounds myself. So you are great inspiration! Cheers!!!! just a little left over of your trip!

Lydia Fiedler said...

Hi sweetie - welcome home!!

Fast food is good because the calories are consistent and it fills you up. Chick fil a is very satisfying for few calories. Calorieking.com is a great reference!

xo,

Lydia

Shannon said...

Loved reading all about your trip, Lou! Can't wait to hear more--looks amazing! I wish I could've been there with you to hear all your "Noooooo!"s when they said "this building was built in the year 900." Your reactions always make me laugh!