Surprise, Surprise!

I am probably going to shock the crap out of you all by resuming my blog after so long.  I had even forgot my password and had to use the reset password to get in!  But here I am!  Thank you all for being patient and supportive during these long months.  I just needed time to figure out where I'm going and how to get there.  A problem we have all grappled with at some points in life and are still looking how to get there.  But enough heavy stuff!

Here is an update for those of you not on Facebook.  Gee, who is NOT on FB these days?!  :)

I now weigh around a 160, down from 398.  The bariatric surgery was a flamin' success!  It's hard to believe all that weight came off in 2 years.  I still have a little more to go and a tummy tuck is in my future, but I'm satisfied for now.  :)

On June 15th of this year, I woke up with the left side of my face swollen.  It was hot, red and very painful.  I thought the top of my head was gonna pop right off!  I went to the ER and was admitted with  methicillin resistant staph aureus( MRSA).  Yikes!  Probably got the little buggers from my nursing jobs. I have taken care of so many MRSA patients, I have lost count.  The cultured my nose and blood and my nose was positive for MRSA.  So in the hospital I stayed for 9 fun filled days of IV Vancomycin.  I will say the cable TV was a treat, as we don't fave that in our room.  I recovered just fine, but my poor hair fell out nowhere else BUT in front!  It looks positively horrible!  I am forced to do a comb over with the hair on my side to partially cover my bald front.  And to wear hats!  I sure hope this is temporary.  At least I am alive.  And the moral of this story is to always wash your hands after the potty, before handling food, after being in any public place, but especially after visiting hospitals and clinics.  MRSA no longer lives JUST in hospitals and nursing homes!

Then, on July 16th, my husband, Frank was rushed to the hospital with left lung pneumonia and pleurisy.  He was in terrible pain on that left side and his vitals were crashing.  I almost lost my best friend that day.  Thank God Banner Thunderbird knew what they were doing!  He was in ICU for 4 days, then a step down for another 4 days and then the remaining days on a medical floor.  He finally came home this past Saturday and is recovering nicely.  I don't know why pneumonia loves him so much, but this is the fourth time in as many years, it is almost a tradition!  Or maybe he was competing with me for the longest hospital stay.  Well, he wins!  What a contest!

My lower back has gotten extremely bad this year.  I had an MRI on June 4th and it was a three page report of all that's wrong with my back!  Herniated and bulging discs, a cyst on one of the discs and I no longer have the spongy material between the discs that serves to protect them from friction.  So what I have going on is bone on bone action and it is incredibly painful!  I am back to using the walker and I've got so many drugs, a drug dealer would be jealous!  I am finally going to have surgery August 13th.  It is the point of no return and my last option if I want to get my life back.....and to resume college to become a medical assistant.  I am scared to death, but I'm gonna keep plowing through with my head held high!

My last bit of news is our furry little kitty boy is not eating. I have a whole buffet out for him....tuna, seafood medley, pork and beef.  He will smell it, then turn his nose up at it.  He hasn't eaten in two days.  Although he had a little bit of "people" tuna and not cat food tuna.  He either is sick or playing us to spoil him even more than he already is!  He probably goes back to his hiding place and chuckles to himself how gullible we are!  At any rate, he has a vet appointment on Saturday.

This has been fun!  I promise to write again soon.  I will keep you posted on how my surgery and recovery go.  Without a hitch, right?  :))

     Me, with my hair!  GOD, I miss it.

      Me with my mom's favorite bear, Harley.  Hard to believe she has been gone 5 years now.

I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!  And please leave a comment if you like.  They lift my spirits.

Until next time,

MISSY

Sharp Dressed Cat

Howdy, everyone!  Hope you all are having a pleasant end of summer.  It has rained here yesterday, but as usual, it doesn't stay for too long.  But it was glorious when it lasted!!!

I had a doc appointment yesterday and I didn't lose any more weight.  I've hit a plateau, I think.  My hubby and I will be hitting the gym!  I did take a recent picture of myself, though.  Here it is:

Not too shabby.  Even if I don't lose another pound, I'm proud of how far I've come.  It's been a rough road, what with the nausea, heaving, diarrhea, diverticulitis, the whole bit. And we can't forget that dreaded protein drink I have to have everyday!!  But it's worth it.  I can now fit into 3x clothes and don't have to go to a tent shop for a shirt anymore!  LOL!

My sister-in-law was so sweet and she made Jack a new "coat" and sent it to me.  At first, all he would do would lay down and not pose for me.  Then he got used to wearing it and was his usual self.  I took some cute pics of him in his new attire.  :0)

Isn't he a cutie?  And boy, does he know it!!!  If you want your pet to have this, visit my sister-in-law's site called "Rockindogs" at www.rockindogs.com  You won't regret it.  She has many designs and colors and is always full of fresh artistic designs.  She's the best!!!  Thank you again, Patty!  And Jackie thanks you, too.

Nothing much else going on here.  I hope you all have a great week and be safe!  I pray for my dad and Gina who are on the road going back to Oklahoma.  I hope they have a safe and sound trip.

Big hugs to all,

Dad Update

Howdy, everyone!
Thank you so very much for your prayers for my dad.  He is now back on his seizure medications and is at Gina's house for the time being.  He fell on her porch and had to go back to the hospital for x-rays on his shoulder!  Poor guy!  I'd say, what can happen next, but we ALL know to never say that!!

As for me, my fibro is acting up a bit.  Gee, wonder why?  I ache all over and sleep in little bits and pieces and have been having very strange dreams.  The Savella I take for the fibromyalgia can sometimes cause strange dreams, though.  My hubby is doing better after his fall over our kitty gate, but his ribs are so sore that he is using those lidocaine patches that help numb the area.  Hey, Dad, you should ask for a lidocaine patch or some lido cream for your shoulder.  It really does work!!

Jackie is his usual self, in "his" cabinet with my towels and vitamins.  Dont' worry, everything is sealed tightly to keep a furry kitty face out of things!!  Here's his picture:

He just cracks me up.  I think he is the most special kitty to date that I've had the honor to own.  He's so very spoiled on kitty treats, though, and loves to snuggle.  Very affectionate for a cat!!  Don't tell him this, but next month is his grooming session.  How he loves those!!!

That's it for now.  Just trying to survive the 115 degree heat.  And we have to go to the grocery store in that!!  Thank God for air conditioning.....

Hugs to all,