Dad, do you agree?

"If you've ever tried to get wet toilet paper out of a tall oak tree you start believing in capital punishment". "Halloween" on the History Channel. Love it.

"500 Days of Summer"

"500 Days of Summer" was lame and slightly depressing. Who wants to go to the movies and not have a happy ending? Lame. I like fairy tales. If I wanted reality I would read my journal. There was, however, one exceptional scene where they split screen him going to a party at her house, one side: "expectations" the other side "reality". That was an excellent portrayal of reality. Loved it. The rest of the movie, not so much. If I didn't have to work in the morning I'd probably cry.

Weird

To qualify for the mini-gastric bypass (MGB) surgery I have to be a certain weight. When I started this process back in April I was over the qualifying weight by about 10 pounds. I have since lost that 10 pounds. Herein lies the problem, if I lose anymore weight I may not qualify, per insurance, for the surgery. Do you have any idea how hard it is to stay the same weight - especially when you're neurotic about it? Believe, I thought I was crazy before... My biggest fear about this surgery is that my insurance won't approve it. I want it to by my choice.

Just a glimpse into my life... I don't have a chair for my desk so I sit on my exercise ball. I just tried to adjust my position on it and fell off, taking down a lamp and a clock. They were small... Now I'm sitting in the dark. Embracing my inner klutz.

I'm off to go see "500 Days of Summer" with my friend.

Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery

I haven't written about this yet, I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk about it over my blog. I am very seriously considering having bariatric surgery in November. When I say "very seriously", I have a pre-op appointment and a surgery date. This decision hasn't come to me easily and I have concerns about it but I feel it is the best option for me and I don't know what else to do.

Most of you know I've been struggling with my weight since I was about 8 years old. I've tried so many diets and until this past year have been a pretty consistent exerciser. This year has taken it's toll. I had knee surgery a year and a half ago and developed impingement syndrome in my shoulder swimming last summer. Between the knee and the shoulder and working and not sleeping and the gallbladder, I'm a mess. I just want to be able to move again.

I found a surgeon in North Carolina who performs the "mini gastric bypass". The typical bypass surgery creates a stomach pouch, then bypasses and reattaches the small intestine in two places. I'd have to draw a picture as I'm not great at explaining. There are lots of complications with that surgery, my biggest fear being you can stretch out the small pouch and end up back where you started. The "mini" instead of making a pouch divides the stomach length-wise creating a tube then bypasses part of the small intestine and reattaches it further down. There is only one new connection point and the stomach is significantly harder to stretch. Additionally, the risks are significantly decreased.

To qualify for my insurance to pay for the surgery I have had to meet with a nutritionist and my physician for 6 months, have a psychological evaluation, have a support letter written and notorized, and write personal statements. September will be my 6th month.

As I go into the final months of preparation I'm getting scared. I'm afraid my insurance won't cover it. I'm afraid it won't work. I'm afraid I'll have digestion and malnutrition problems. I'm afraid I'll have loose skin. I'm afraid I'll lose unevenly and look funny. I'm afraid.

I've talked to loads of people who have had this surgery and other gastric bypass surgeries and I've yet to have anyone say they regret it. Many have said they would do it all over again - even if they had complications. I'm still working through my fears, obviously, and while I may sound awfully scared tonight, usually I'm quite confident in my decision. I know this won't be an easy path but I'm hoping to start a new story. I want my new story to be unhindered by obesity.

Montgomery County Fair

My friends and I went to the Montgomery County Fair last weekend... it was all a county fair should be... loads of fried food... farm animals... pig races... decorated toilets... and yes, fried Oreos are delicious!!! Oh, and it was pouring rain the whole time...

Jensen Family Reunion Scrapbook

Kelli put together these darling scrapbook projects for us to work on during the Jensen family reunion. I finally finished putting my photos in it. I LOVED working on this project - it even inspired me to make some cards and start on my London-Paris scrapbook (the trip was a year and a half ago). Thanks Kelli for the new hobby!

Random, middle of the night thoughts...

I've seen every version of "Persuasion" (pretty sure), most of them countless times. I've read the book, countless times. It's still my favorite.

I completely loved making scrapbooks at the family reunion so I bought a few things to make cards. I really enjoyed having a perfectly acceptable middle of the night activity. I may even do it again.

I got to go home for the Jensen Family reunion. We stayed in Placerville, CA for a few days. It was so great to catch up with my Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. I miss them.

It's really hot here.

Did I say I really love "Persuasion"? Capt. Wentworth is my favorite of the Austen men, sorry Mr. Darcy. It also makes me wish I lived in England.

I love my job. It kicks my trash. My favorite patient was the one who came in for menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding.... yesterday. No problems today.... just yesterday. She came in about 2am. Just curious, were the infomercials so bad she the ER would be more entertaining?

Being up in the middle of the night, alone, is weird.