Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Smoke Signals

So for the last couple of weeks, I have been smelling/tasting "smoke" and couldn't figure out why. It's almost like I've been at a bar or tried to eat an ashtray at times. And I don't smoke or hang around people who smoke. It freaked me out at first because we're in an extreme drought in Central Texas and have had massive wildfires, so I walked around checking for fires for a few days.

Finally, I googled it...the most likely reasons are acid reflux and/or anemia. Apparently people who experience rapid weight loss experience this kind of reflux...instead of the usual reflux symptoms.
Or they don't absorb nutrients as well and that causes a lack of iron, hence the anemia. I'll be asking my doctor about this for sure! There are also some scary things that people suggested, like brain tumors, MS, seizure disorders, stroke, migraine, etc. But then I found this post and decided I like this explanation the best:


Some American Indian tribes believe that when you smell smoke and nothing is burning it is because spirits from your family are close to you.  Sounds kind of comforting to me.

Maybe mom and dad are just sending me smoke signals, letting me know they're with me on this journey. The smoke smell had to be dad's idea. I do think of him every time I smell cigarette smoke. Good one, daddy.

Monday, September 26, 2011

bones

The following is a real text conversation I had with my sister tonight...
Me: I just rubbed my arm and felt bone. I can't stop rubbing it.
Jill: Ha ha ha ha
Me: There used to be fat there!
Jill: Your whole arm???
Me: No, just the bottom part near my hand. I can feel the line of the bone. Yay!
Jill: I think they call that a wrist! :)
Me: Omg, you're right! I'm laughing so hard right now. I seriously didn't know what to call it!

Speaking of wrists, my carpal tunnel is completely gone. No pain at all since surgery...and I was contemplating carpal tunnel surgery! I'm now at 36 pounds down! And I bought an XL t-shirt at the Journey concert in Dallas this weekend. Not a 2XL or  a 3XL, but an XL. And it fit...in fact, it might be too big soon.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

XL

My sister just returned from a vacation to California where she bought me a t-shirt...one of those "girl cut," tight fitting t-shirts...and it's an XL. (Although I argue that you can call this tiny thing an XL, it looks like a 12 year old should wear it!) Before I could say anything, she said, "Don't worry, it'll fit you soon, I promise!" It'll be awhile and I still can't believe it will fit me, but I cannot wait to wear it. I took a photo of it next to one of my 3XL shirts I wear a lot. The green shirt was always big on me and not tight-fitting, but you can see what a big difference this will be when I get there. Wow, just wow.

Oh yeah! I've now lost 31 pounds since surgery!

Monday, September 5, 2011

Gooooooaaaaaalllllll!

Bust out the Vuvuzelas (or whatever those silly horns from World Cup Soccer were called)! As of today...and only if I'm completely nude...I have lost 29 pounds since surgery. That puts me at a benchmark weight I had hoped I would reach by Labor Day. It's a number I haven't seen in at least 10 years and I am so, so happy. With clothes on, I've lost closer to 27 pounds, but that's still cause for celebration! I reached my first gooooaaaaaalllllll!