I went along to see my consultant on Wednesday and luckily it was good news - well as far as it goes, anyway. I have a hiatus hernia, gallstones, a weak sphincter (a muscle to the bowel) and constipation. All very lovely, I know! Why can't I have some 'romantic' disorder rather than something to do with my poo and digestive tract?....lol. He's keeping my file open in case I need to return but in the meantime h's given me a prescription for medication to ease the symptoms causing the pain (it isn't constant any longer so I'll just use the medication when I need to).
I say as far as it goes as I still haven't found what foodstuffs caused digestive the problems in the first place, and of course the skin problems with Lighterlife, Cambridge and Slimfast. I haven't used any Slimfast packs for about 10 days now but my eyes, although now not as bad, and also not as bad as on LL or CD, are still very dry and pink looking. The patch on my chin has also got bigger rather than smaller as well. I've decided to let things ride for a while now and if in a few months the symptoms return I'll go back to my GP and ask for the referral to a nutritionist, as I wanted in the first place. I've had enough of doctors and hospitals for the time being.
I will admit though that finding I have the hernia and gallstones has definitely motivated me to continue on the weightloss journey. Doctors recommend weightloss for both conditions, especially if weight is held around the abdomen (not really my problem, but it can't hurt to lose a bit more). One thing to make Lesley laugh though: it's suggested that frequent bending forward and any abdominal exercise like sit ups etc. which increase abdominal pressure may exacerbate symptoms, so is that an excuse not to do my Rosemary Connolly DVD or use the Pilates machine?...hee,hee.
Thank you for your comments on my last post, Mrs and Cath, and I admire your abilty to see, Mrs, that I'm being undervalued and have many skills (please tell me what they are - lol, I'd love to do something else other than work in a building society as it's changed so much over the years, and I'm rather 'old school' I'm afraid).
I saw Ted and Pat's daughter on Wednesday. She and the family are of the same opinion as me; that it was the best thing that could have happened, not that they were both gone, but that they were together again. The post-mortem showed that Ted had had a massive heart attack, so much so that he wouldn't have known anything about it and that he'd gone before he hit the floor. That was good to hear.
Hope everyone has a good weekend. We're going to see Charlie tomorrow. We haven't seen him for a few weeks and he'll probably have doubled in size, still I can still have a good old cuddle, that's if I get a look in with Lizzie around! Then on Sunday we're off to Gravesend to visit Stella - she's staying at her parent's house before going off to build that house in Cyprus, so she'll be around for sometime, just not next door...
Let's pray for better weather. I hope none of you lot from 'up north' have had any problems with flooding.
Friday 29 June 2007
Tuesday 26 June 2007
End of an era
We've just got in from having a goodbye drink with Stella, our neighbour next-door. She's moving, after having lived here since 3 weeks after Elizabeth was born. Feeling rather sad! But, she's moving to Cyprus soon and we'll be invited there for holidays with her and the dogs (2 border collies). I hope we don't lose contact.
I haven't been to work today as I've been to a funeral. Do you remember Pat who's funeral I went to a few weeks back? Well it was Ted's funeral today - her husband. He lasted 7 weeks from when she went. That's love for you. They'd been married for 56 years and he just didn't want to go on without her, so he didn't. He was a lovely man, a gentleman, in the true sense of the word. Death can sometimes be said to be a good thing, and I honestly think it was in this case. They're together again now.
Ted was found dead at home so there had to be a post-mortem and I only found out at Church on Sunday that the funeral was today. So I phoned the office yesterday and left a message to say I wouldn't be in (remember, I'm only covering - I don't actually work there). The manager phoned me back, gave me the third degree and even moaned about the fact that my mobile was turned off and that she'd had to get me on my home phone!?! Honestly, I've had enough. I don't need to work. I like the company, but I really don't know whether it's worth it. Anyway, I'm in tomorrow but I'm leaving at 2pm as I've got an appointment at the hospital to discuss the results of the procedures I've had recently.
I shall let you know how I get on.
I haven't been to work today as I've been to a funeral. Do you remember Pat who's funeral I went to a few weeks back? Well it was Ted's funeral today - her husband. He lasted 7 weeks from when she went. That's love for you. They'd been married for 56 years and he just didn't want to go on without her, so he didn't. He was a lovely man, a gentleman, in the true sense of the word. Death can sometimes be said to be a good thing, and I honestly think it was in this case. They're together again now.
Ted was found dead at home so there had to be a post-mortem and I only found out at Church on Sunday that the funeral was today. So I phoned the office yesterday and left a message to say I wouldn't be in (remember, I'm only covering - I don't actually work there). The manager phoned me back, gave me the third degree and even moaned about the fact that my mobile was turned off and that she'd had to get me on my home phone!?! Honestly, I've had enough. I don't need to work. I like the company, but I really don't know whether it's worth it. Anyway, I'm in tomorrow but I'm leaving at 2pm as I've got an appointment at the hospital to discuss the results of the procedures I've had recently.
I shall let you know how I get on.
Thursday 21 June 2007
Such a long time since I last posted....
It's a week since I last posted, and what a week! I really don't know where these days go. It doesn't help though if you lose days! I haven't been to work today and decided to pop to Romford shopping. I've been walking around all day thinking it's Friday. Yesterday evening, I was as a Governor's meeting at the secondary school I'm a governor at and when I got home was a little peeved I'd missed 'House' - duh! that's tonight!
I must remember tomorrow's Friday as I have an appointment at the hospital for a pelvic unltrasound at 12.30 (a full bladder and a 6 hour fast - marvellous!).
A good week in some respects, not so good in others. I had a little 'disagreement' with a member of the management team at the Branch I've been covering since November. Nothing drastic, just rather annoying and frustrating. John was all for going along to the office to sort it out (My Hero!) but the girl is well-known for not having good people skills (that's in the opinion of everyone she's forever verbally lashing out at, and I've worked with her in 3 different branches) so I said 'forget it'. I shall continue working there whilst it suits me - the money's not bad and I get car expenses, but at least I know that if I want to I can just go. I still have my Saturday Branch where I'm contracted to work and there will always be other branches that need the help. I just don't need the aggro.....
The week has panned out quite well on the diet front though. Not that I've lost anymore weight - the 11's still seem very elusive (but only 2lbs to go as of yesterday, it just keeps going up and down though). What has gone well is the positive comments I keep getting. Apparently, so I'm told, my legs are getting slimmer and slimmer. My chest, apparently, is now smaller than Lisa's, and, according to Maria, I'm 'half the woman I used to be'. And the girls at work (my Saturday office) can't believe I'm still not losing weight. There you go! And that's without a 'proper' diet - just being observant and taking notice of what I'm eating.
I must remember tomorrow's Friday as I have an appointment at the hospital for a pelvic unltrasound at 12.30 (a full bladder and a 6 hour fast - marvellous!).
A good week in some respects, not so good in others. I had a little 'disagreement' with a member of the management team at the Branch I've been covering since November. Nothing drastic, just rather annoying and frustrating. John was all for going along to the office to sort it out (My Hero!) but the girl is well-known for not having good people skills (that's in the opinion of everyone she's forever verbally lashing out at, and I've worked with her in 3 different branches) so I said 'forget it'. I shall continue working there whilst it suits me - the money's not bad and I get car expenses, but at least I know that if I want to I can just go. I still have my Saturday Branch where I'm contracted to work and there will always be other branches that need the help. I just don't need the aggro.....
The week has panned out quite well on the diet front though. Not that I've lost anymore weight - the 11's still seem very elusive (but only 2lbs to go as of yesterday, it just keeps going up and down though). What has gone well is the positive comments I keep getting. Apparently, so I'm told, my legs are getting slimmer and slimmer. My chest, apparently, is now smaller than Lisa's, and, according to Maria, I'm 'half the woman I used to be'. And the girls at work (my Saturday office) can't believe I'm still not losing weight. There you go! And that's without a 'proper' diet - just being observant and taking notice of what I'm eating.
Thursday 14 June 2007
Hospital - never again
I went into hospital yesterday and had the procedures. So much for not feeling anything!!! Both the consultant and my husband (who famously had a colonoscopy carried out by the same consultant) told me I would have heavy sedation, would probably fall asleep and would neither feel nor remember anything. Heh! I knew everything that was going on. The gastroscopy wasn't too bad but when he came to do the colonscopy, I admit, I cried (not balled, but I did try to stop him doing it and the nurse had to hold my hand away) and they had to give me an extra dose of pethidin.
Anyway, the consultant came round to see me a while later with good news. The colonscopy showed no disease or problems of any kind, but he did find that I had a hiatus hernia. Not knowing exactly what it was I looked it up when I came home and fond that it happens when a piece of the stomach pokes out through the hiatus, an opening in the diaphragm normally occupied by the oesophagus. Often symptonless but sometimes leading to acid reflux. I did suffer from acid reflux some years ago (prior to being really overweight) but haven't had any problems with this for a very long time. Apparently, though, hiatus hernias are more common in obese people - so there you go!! That's cheered me up no end. I have an 'obese' medical condition!
I still have to go back to the hospital next Friday for a pelvic scan and then back to see Dr Ashraf and hopefully I can come away with a further explanation fpr the inflammation and pain. I still think it's down to the scar tissue and adhesions from the endometriosis and surgeries; and also probably a food intolerance.
I had vegetables with a chicken casserole and brown rice last night and got up this morning in pain. Answers?? Today, I've restarted the Slimfast and shall be cooking a chilli and rice for dinner this evening, so I bet I don't have any pain tomorrow.
I got on the scales on Tuesday morning ( I forgot on Monday) and was upset to see that I'd put on again. I'd gone up to 12stone 5 and a quarter, or 3quarters, i'm not sure (can't see that small without my specs!) - but then I thought, well I've been eating nothing but bread and chips and no salad or veg for the last 3 or 4 days, so no wonder. Anyway, I reweighed again this morning and I'm down to 12stone 2 lbs. Oh, happy days! But come on you 11s!
Anyway, the consultant came round to see me a while later with good news. The colonscopy showed no disease or problems of any kind, but he did find that I had a hiatus hernia. Not knowing exactly what it was I looked it up when I came home and fond that it happens when a piece of the stomach pokes out through the hiatus, an opening in the diaphragm normally occupied by the oesophagus. Often symptonless but sometimes leading to acid reflux. I did suffer from acid reflux some years ago (prior to being really overweight) but haven't had any problems with this for a very long time. Apparently, though, hiatus hernias are more common in obese people - so there you go!! That's cheered me up no end. I have an 'obese' medical condition!
I still have to go back to the hospital next Friday for a pelvic scan and then back to see Dr Ashraf and hopefully I can come away with a further explanation fpr the inflammation and pain. I still think it's down to the scar tissue and adhesions from the endometriosis and surgeries; and also probably a food intolerance.
I had vegetables with a chicken casserole and brown rice last night and got up this morning in pain. Answers?? Today, I've restarted the Slimfast and shall be cooking a chilli and rice for dinner this evening, so I bet I don't have any pain tomorrow.
I got on the scales on Tuesday morning ( I forgot on Monday) and was upset to see that I'd put on again. I'd gone up to 12stone 5 and a quarter, or 3quarters, i'm not sure (can't see that small without my specs!) - but then I thought, well I've been eating nothing but bread and chips and no salad or veg for the last 3 or 4 days, so no wonder. Anyway, I reweighed again this morning and I'm down to 12stone 2 lbs. Oh, happy days! But come on you 11s!
Sunday 10 June 2007
Prep for Wednesday starts here....
Well, from today I start the preparation for Wednesday's procedures. That's no veg, salad, fruit, cereals, anything with fibre in, ie. no wholemeal bread, pasta etc, etc. What's left? White bread and non-fruit jam? White toast and marmite, methinks (luv it!! - what's your take on marmite? love it , or hate it?)
Then on Tuesday I'm onto 'the purge' - oh happy days!
Yesterday after work I decided a little retail therapy was in order. We were going to a BBQ for my uncle's 70th birthday in the afternoon and I wanted something new to wear. Not wanting to spend fortunes I looked in Mark One. I haven't been there for ages (other than for Elizabeth), but, and I say this with utter surprise, things fitted me, and looked good. I started trying on, but as they only allow you to take 3 items into the changing-room, the assistant kept most of the things I'd picked up outside and said to call when I needed them. So there was me, standing in the changing-room in my bra and knickers, calling, "Hello, Hello". So much for that; I gave up. Came out into the shop again, walked round, picked up loads more bits and pieces (including a few teenage bits for Lizzie) and just went and paid - £171.00 worth of stuff. As I've said before, I'm the take-back queen. But do you know, after a massive fashion parade when I got home I'm keeping most of mine. And all the tops were size 14! Not so lucky with Liz, though, but we'll just go and change the sizes for her.
So off I went to the BBQ wearing a pair of smart white crop trousers and a very nice jersey low-slung crossover top, with a fitted vest and peplum waist (to cover any visible tummy bulge). I'd also had my hair cut on Friday, so I felt good! I haven't seen a number of the family since before LighterLife and the compliments were flying - on the hair, the clothes and the weight. Oh, it feels good when things come together doesn't it? Don't feel too good this morning, though - just a 'little' fragile (my cousin would keep filling my white wine glass up!)
I hope everyone has a good Sunday - looks as though it's going to be a bright day.
Then on Tuesday I'm onto 'the purge' - oh happy days!
Yesterday after work I decided a little retail therapy was in order. We were going to a BBQ for my uncle's 70th birthday in the afternoon and I wanted something new to wear. Not wanting to spend fortunes I looked in Mark One. I haven't been there for ages (other than for Elizabeth), but, and I say this with utter surprise, things fitted me, and looked good. I started trying on, but as they only allow you to take 3 items into the changing-room, the assistant kept most of the things I'd picked up outside and said to call when I needed them. So there was me, standing in the changing-room in my bra and knickers, calling, "Hello, Hello". So much for that; I gave up. Came out into the shop again, walked round, picked up loads more bits and pieces (including a few teenage bits for Lizzie) and just went and paid - £171.00 worth of stuff. As I've said before, I'm the take-back queen. But do you know, after a massive fashion parade when I got home I'm keeping most of mine. And all the tops were size 14! Not so lucky with Liz, though, but we'll just go and change the sizes for her.
So off I went to the BBQ wearing a pair of smart white crop trousers and a very nice jersey low-slung crossover top, with a fitted vest and peplum waist (to cover any visible tummy bulge). I'd also had my hair cut on Friday, so I felt good! I haven't seen a number of the family since before LighterLife and the compliments were flying - on the hair, the clothes and the weight. Oh, it feels good when things come together doesn't it? Don't feel too good this morning, though - just a 'little' fragile (my cousin would keep filling my white wine glass up!)
I hope everyone has a good Sunday - looks as though it's going to be a bright day.
Thursday 7 June 2007
Not the eyes!!
Hi, girls. sorry to keep you in suspenders but I couldn't get onto the laptop. John's been hogging it the last couple of evenings. But I shall catch you up on the hospital visit in a mo.
I have a more pressing dilemma though:
Since I came out of ketosis about 6 weeks ago I've found it really difficult to lose anymore weight. I had managed to get down to 12stone but have found the holy grail of the 11s becoming more and more elusive. I thought of trying to get back into ketosis again by going along a high protein route but the thought of going on a severely restricted menu for the forseeable just gives me nightmares. I know when on LighterLife and Cambridge I wasn't eating any food and I managed fine, but the willpower and the 'counting calories' is doing my head in.
So, I thought I'd give Slimfast a go. I tried it quite a few years back with a little success, but this time within a few days of trying it this time..... you've got it!..... my eyes started itching! Out has come the green base foundation again. It's nowhere near as bad as before, but I can't believe it. I checked the ingredients and the vitamin and mineral composition and the are some similarities to LL and CD, but I honestly don't know what's affecting me.
Anyway, this morning I went to the GP to collect a form the GP had completed for the insurance company and Sue, one of the receptionists, said, "How are your eyes, Chris? Oh, I see they're still not cleared up.".....thanks, Sue.I then took the form onto the hospital for completion by the consultant before I go in next week. Yes...I need a 'procedure'.
I went back for the results of the blood tests on Monday evening. Dr Ashraf was pleased to note that there were no real 'horrors' revealed but he did say that there was evidence of inflammation which couldn't be traced without further investigation. This, along with the fact that the pain returned a couple of days after my 'purge', suggests that a colonoscopy and gastroscopy are in order. I'm going in next Wednesday as a daycase and need to do another 'purge' on Tuesday and a low-residue, low fibre diet from Sunday. Do you think I'll lose any weight next week? I hope so.... (LOL - with reservation!).
If nothing shows on the Wednesday (and he has a feeling that that will be the case) then my problems could be down to a hernia - because of the acute pains, and scar tissue and adhesions, due to my history of severe endometriosis and the number of surgeries I've had.
At last! Someone who agrees with me. I've said to two GPs that could this be the reason for my problems but they've just looked at me as though I was an idiot. Some idiot! Even an endocrinologist I was under at the Middlesex Hospital in London asked me, because I was so knowledgable of the condition, when he was writing a book with another consultant, to read and comment on a chapter he had written on endometriosis before publication. Yeah, some idiot!
OK! I'm putting this in writing so I MUST follow through. I will not weigh myself until Monday. Too demotivating when losses don't show.
I have a more pressing dilemma though:
Since I came out of ketosis about 6 weeks ago I've found it really difficult to lose anymore weight. I had managed to get down to 12stone but have found the holy grail of the 11s becoming more and more elusive. I thought of trying to get back into ketosis again by going along a high protein route but the thought of going on a severely restricted menu for the forseeable just gives me nightmares. I know when on LighterLife and Cambridge I wasn't eating any food and I managed fine, but the willpower and the 'counting calories' is doing my head in.
So, I thought I'd give Slimfast a go. I tried it quite a few years back with a little success, but this time within a few days of trying it this time..... you've got it!..... my eyes started itching! Out has come the green base foundation again. It's nowhere near as bad as before, but I can't believe it. I checked the ingredients and the vitamin and mineral composition and the are some similarities to LL and CD, but I honestly don't know what's affecting me.
Anyway, this morning I went to the GP to collect a form the GP had completed for the insurance company and Sue, one of the receptionists, said, "How are your eyes, Chris? Oh, I see they're still not cleared up.".....thanks, Sue.I then took the form onto the hospital for completion by the consultant before I go in next week. Yes...I need a 'procedure'.
I went back for the results of the blood tests on Monday evening. Dr Ashraf was pleased to note that there were no real 'horrors' revealed but he did say that there was evidence of inflammation which couldn't be traced without further investigation. This, along with the fact that the pain returned a couple of days after my 'purge', suggests that a colonoscopy and gastroscopy are in order. I'm going in next Wednesday as a daycase and need to do another 'purge' on Tuesday and a low-residue, low fibre diet from Sunday. Do you think I'll lose any weight next week? I hope so.... (LOL - with reservation!).
If nothing shows on the Wednesday (and he has a feeling that that will be the case) then my problems could be down to a hernia - because of the acute pains, and scar tissue and adhesions, due to my history of severe endometriosis and the number of surgeries I've had.
At last! Someone who agrees with me. I've said to two GPs that could this be the reason for my problems but they've just looked at me as though I was an idiot. Some idiot! Even an endocrinologist I was under at the Middlesex Hospital in London asked me, because I was so knowledgable of the condition, when he was writing a book with another consultant, to read and comment on a chapter he had written on endometriosis before publication. Yeah, some idiot!
OK! I'm putting this in writing so I MUST follow through. I will not weigh myself until Monday. Too demotivating when losses don't show.
Sunday 3 June 2007
Day off!!
Just remembered. Had to tell you this one.....
We drove back and got home at 8.45 Friday evening so that I could go to work on Saturday because, as you know, I hadn't been given the time off.
I walked into work on Saturday morning and the girls wondered why I was there. Then, Elaine, the Manager came in and said, "What are you doing here? I thought you were on holiday." Honestly, they hadn't bothered to let me know I could have the day off. Bliming typical!!
We drove back and got home at 8.45 Friday evening so that I could go to work on Saturday because, as you know, I hadn't been given the time off.
I walked into work on Saturday morning and the girls wondered why I was there. Then, Elaine, the Manager came in and said, "What are you doing here? I thought you were on holiday." Honestly, they hadn't bothered to let me know I could have the day off. Bliming typical!!
A lovely couple of days away....
Hi everyone. We had a great couple of days in Norfolk. The B&B was very nice. John and I had a room in the loft and the stairs were so steep to get up there that we had a rope to hang onto to help with the climb (that's along with the bannister). The B&B owner didn't ask if we were agile enough to get up there so my voice must have come over as 'youngish' when I made the booking....LOL
I wasn't looking forward to going away as, for one thing, the weather had been so bad at the beginning of last week, but literally as we got in the car on Wednesday afternoon the sun came out and it didn't stop shining all the time we were there. We went to family on Thursday and then on Friday we drove across the county to Great Yarmouth to see a house we own in the town and then on to meet a letting agent we've recently employed. We had trouble finding the house as quite a few of the roads didn't have visible road names and we'd never been there before (yes, we did buy a house we hadn't seen). We employed someone 2 years ago to purchase a house in the area for us to let out. A few people have made comments that we hadn't seen the house, but it wasn't something we were going to live in and I know myself only too well - I wouldn't have been unemotional about what I was choosing. My rather flip answer to people was that the Duke of Westminster (him of immense property) wouldn't have looked at every property he bought. And I trusted the purchaser and we, ofcourse, also had estate agents and surveyors, mortgage companies and solicitors working for us too. Well, we eventually found the house and, yes I was right, it wasn't a house I would like to live in, but we have tenants who want to live there and that's what we want.
All in all a worthwhile trip.
The only problem with the trip - I wasn't as good as I wanted to be with the food. I didn't have lots of 'bad' food or desserts, but I did have more than I 'should' have (sorry, someone put me right about not using the 'should' word). I shall probably be a little put out when I get on the scales tomorrow morning - but I'm prepared.
We're off to the hospital tomorrow eveing for the results of my blood tests. I wonder if I'll have another x-ray. Might not be a bad idea as I've been having quite a bit of stomach pain over the last few days again.
Hope you all have a good week coming up.
Night, night.
I wasn't looking forward to going away as, for one thing, the weather had been so bad at the beginning of last week, but literally as we got in the car on Wednesday afternoon the sun came out and it didn't stop shining all the time we were there. We went to family on Thursday and then on Friday we drove across the county to Great Yarmouth to see a house we own in the town and then on to meet a letting agent we've recently employed. We had trouble finding the house as quite a few of the roads didn't have visible road names and we'd never been there before (yes, we did buy a house we hadn't seen). We employed someone 2 years ago to purchase a house in the area for us to let out. A few people have made comments that we hadn't seen the house, but it wasn't something we were going to live in and I know myself only too well - I wouldn't have been unemotional about what I was choosing. My rather flip answer to people was that the Duke of Westminster (him of immense property) wouldn't have looked at every property he bought. And I trusted the purchaser and we, ofcourse, also had estate agents and surveyors, mortgage companies and solicitors working for us too. Well, we eventually found the house and, yes I was right, it wasn't a house I would like to live in, but we have tenants who want to live there and that's what we want.
All in all a worthwhile trip.
The only problem with the trip - I wasn't as good as I wanted to be with the food. I didn't have lots of 'bad' food or desserts, but I did have more than I 'should' have (sorry, someone put me right about not using the 'should' word). I shall probably be a little put out when I get on the scales tomorrow morning - but I'm prepared.
We're off to the hospital tomorrow eveing for the results of my blood tests. I wonder if I'll have another x-ray. Might not be a bad idea as I've been having quite a bit of stomach pain over the last few days again.
Hope you all have a good week coming up.
Night, night.
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