Not pretty…

Let’s start off slow with a before shot.

Now it gets painful. Especially day one…oh dear lord, the hair, the eyes, the lank hair, the pitifulness…

Today’s pic, not as bad but I still have no defined nostrils but at least the eyes are not as puffy.

I did an up the nose shot but I decided not to be that graphic. See, I do care! I can’t wait to see the final product and I’m quite surprised there is no bruising but I had a septoplasty, so not as bad as a rhinoplasty and no bone breaking.

Deep breathes…

Today, I am breathing in and out of my nose. I’ve removed the gauze mustache because, dammit, I couldn’t stand it any more. I know that Deb requested pics and they’ve been taken (one – that’s all I’ve allowed so far) but I’m on the fence about posting it.

The one thing that I enjoyed the most about today was the shower. It was the first thing I did because I knew the cascading water would be a great soother. The water felt like it was removing the tension and pain that came along with the surgery. I felt somewhat human again.

And, I haven’t had to rely as much on the pain meds either today. Shameful, I know. I do hope that I’ll sleep better, since I have to sleep on a pile of pillows with my head propped up. Sleeping in the new position has caused me to find lost abdominal muscles that are now speaking up loudly.

My one downfall is that when I got my appetite back tonight, the only thing that I craved was a Quarter Pounder. I blame it on the steroids.

Owie…

Okay, I knew it would hurt. I had no doubts that it would hurt. And, actually, it hurts but it’s not that bad, so it looks like I’ll survive.

Most of my comfort is due to B taking such good care of me. He has waited on me like I was a princess even though I look a lot more like a toad. Surprisingly, there is very little bruising but a lot of crusting. Fun times people, fun times. I shan’t post a pic because I do want you to come back and I don’t know who’s eating when reading my delightful blog.

I’ll post more when I’m lucid and simple sentence structure doesn’t take 10 minutes a thought.

Don’t feed the beast…

Tomorrow is new nose day. I’m to be at the hospital at 9 am but surgery won’t commence until approx. 11 am. I’m not allowed to eat after midnight tonight. You can keep me in your thoughts and prayers but it’s B who’ll need your support. I’m a real bitch and a witch when I don’t get food on a regular basis.

Yeah, pray for B, he’ll need it.

Torture without anestetic…

Today, was my pre-op schnoz appointment. I thought that I’d go in, have my blood drawn, run through a CT machine and go to work. WRONGO! I had the lovely time of being preadmitted, prescreened, and a ton pre-ing.

I got to the doctor’s office at 7:40 for my 8 am appointment, since I was instructed to be there early to fill out paperwork. Now, I know there is a ton of bureaucracy that goes on, blah, blah…but OMG…FOUR different locations! And, then I get the some sort of high tech gladiator mask that I have to wear in the CT scan and during surgery. I have to admit, I’m pretty impressed by the technology. It’ll guide the doctor during the procedure to the proper places without him poking out my eyeball! I’m all for not taking out the ol’ eyes.

Another downer of the day is that I’m going to be on steroids for three weeks. Steroids and weight loss aren’t good bed fellows but I’m going to persevere, dammit! And, if I don’t…I got a great excuse!

The upside of the day, is that I have a HUGE script for vicodin. Please note, that I’m not a druggy but I’m an advocate for not feeling pain when there is no need. But, I do need to ask that you give me some lee way for the post-op posts that are nonsensical.

Look what I got…

And no, it’s not a ring.

But, someone out in the great wide blogosphere has nominated me for:

I feel special! Abigail of the infamous blog “Abigails Road to Nowhere” determined that I was worthy of this award and espoused her love. Here let me quote: “I can’t remember who found who, but it was love at first read for me. This girl reminds me so much of myself, but in reading her entries, makes me think she has her shit together a wee bit more than I do, like most people. I’m rooting for ya Jen!”

Everyone now, “Awwwwwwwwwwwww!” Thanks Abigail, it’s nice to have someone write such kinds words about me. I’m kinda blushing. With such greatness comes a bit of responsibility, I have some rules and then I, too, will be handing out awards of my own.

The award was created over at Ordinary Folk, and want us to preserve the good name of schmooz by setting up some rules.

The participation rules are simple:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs of people that you think are great schmoozers, conversationalists, or commenter’s

2. Link to original post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme and receive their award,

3. Optional: Proudly display the ‘Schmoozer Award’ with a link to the post that you wrote.

And let the award ceremony begin. Dim the lights. A gorgeous woman walks up to the podium and elegantly clears her throat.

The first winner is: Callallillie – By using the internet as a medium to discuss old architecture and human interactions in an earlier era, bring it back to the present to be studied and examined, let not be forgotten. Also, she and Younga came up with a brilliant idea to connect people using the art of letter writing. I enjoy finding new correspondence in my mail box on a regular basis and how often the post man remarks on the letters I receive.

The second winner is: Jenifer at Quarter Life Crisis. First and foremost, she spells her name correctly! Second, she’s a great writer. She speaks from the heart and shares her dog, Sierra, with us. What more could a reader ask for?

The third contestant I bestow this great honor on is: Smittenkitchen! If you’re not familiar with Deb and her fantastic cooking, click fast to her site because it’s THAT GOOD! I’m making one of her dishes tonight and I wish I had room for all of you to come over and enjoy.

The fourth blogger to enjoy this award is: Dishing it Up, Family Style! Kristen always amuses me with her family anecdotes and goings on. She also has a great food site, Dine and Dish. Just don’t drool all over your computer looking at the pictures.

Fifth, but not least, is: Nanette of Say it! Don’t Spray it! fame. I want to be her when I turn 30! She has a rockin’ life with a rockin’ husband. Ummmmmm can I just be her? Also, she’s another gal on the Weight Watcher train who’s kicking ass!

There you go. It only took me three whole days to write this post but I really do enjoy the blogs that I anointed. And, with that, I’m taking my prize and watching TV.

Weigh (week 19) in review…

This week’s review is going to be short and sweet. Though, I’ve determined that there appears to be a correlation to me bitching about my weight and losing it. I state this because….

DOWN 2.6lbs!

*Shakes a skinnier booty*

Complete honesty…

Yeah, I’m putting it ALL out there. You guys are great, accepting, and, frankly, make me feel like a rock star during my weight loss. So, I’ve decided to be honest with you guys and myself. It’s not to ask for accolades, but to show it’s possible. Actually, I’m proud of my current weight and where I want to be. So, below you’ll see my highest weight ever (four years ago) and where I’ve been. My ultimate goal is to be around a 140lbs. And, then to run out to the plastic surgeon.

First WW: 248lbs BMI: 40
Second WW: 198lbs BMI: 32
Current: 178lbs BMI: 28.7

I can’t wait to hit 155 and no longer be overweight! And, for those wondering, I’m 5′6″…which is phenomenal because my mom is only 4′11″. There it is without pithy comments and the what not.

Synopsis…

Just a quick update:

– Mood – better – Thank you all for the lovely comments and Kristen for kicking my ass. Can you come and do that in Texas? Okay, thanks!

- Back – worse – But, I’m treating it the best I can while I determine when the best time to start physical therapy (for the gallionth time)

- Weight – not saying – I don’t want to jinx it.

More to come when I’m less medicated on opiates Edit: CODEINE – That’s what I get for typing while on drugs!

Debbie downer…

That’s me. My scale and I are still fighting, even though I’m behaving and following all the stupid cake-free rules. And, yes, I ate 1/2 a cupcake and threw the rest away. I made B validate it, so I can have a witness to my one moment of will power. Though, the scale is going up before it needs to go back down. And, don’t bother to mention the E-word. I can’t right now. My back won’t let me. It’s having it’s own damn pain party and it invited all the rest of my body to join in. Then there’s my face. UGH. I’m pretty sure that I had an allergic reaction to an Aveda product. *gasp!* That’s another thing that has to terminate itself.

Also, I’m having a bit of anxiety over the nose thing. How much pain am I going to be in? Will I blow out my stitches (and cuss out all of Houston) if I sneeze? What about sleeping? I know I shan’t be doing the whole laying on my stomach thing, so I’ve got to get use to a new position on a tower of pillows. How long will I be out of commission? I know I have a no flying ultimatum for two weeks (that I’m not really that upset about – but I don’t get to eat my magical weightloss inducing pastries – seriously, eat those things and I behave for the rest of the week!)

And, to top it all off, I get to go to a wedding. A semi-formal affair. Typically, an occasion to go dress shopping lifts my spirits greatly. I know that the dress will be in sizes that I haven’t seen in a long time, ones that have been out of reach for a year or so. But, I’m not feeling that either.

My bright spot in all of this is B. He’s willing to put up with my Grumpy McGrumpypants and solve all my problems with kisses. And back rubs. Kisses and back rubs, what more could a Debbie Downer want?