Where Oh Where Is Superman?

I have a concern! Where has Superman gone? What happened to my energy level? I realize I am only 11 days out of surgery, and things are progressing nicely, but where is my energy? I am walking a little bit everyday, but that just wears me out. Let’s not even talk about taking a shower! It takes almost an hour to re-coop from that experience.

It seems I am having a little difficulty with water intake. I’m really pushing the minimum of 64oz. a day and I make that most days. But some days I don’t! I’m worried a little about protein. I’m in the full liquid phase, and I can’t find anything in that phase that includes protein. So I am drinking EAS protein shakes. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I know I will be OK! I’m just a little lost without my energy. I have always been the man who could keep on keeping on when everyone else stopped! I guess it’s that machismo aspect of being a guy. I just want to know…Where is the Superman I used to be. He’s here somewhere, I just have to dig deep and find him. Maybe he’s just taking a break and will surface when I truly need him.

Until then, I will continue being that 3 year old who cries and whines when he can’t have his way. “I WANT MY ENERGY BACK!” I think I have a lot of examples I can call on!

I realize that everything will be OK in time.

Hey, have a great day!

When do you feel full?

When did you feel full? That is a question that Beth and I have discussed for a while now. In the past, I felt full when I was miserable. You know the feeling...when you can't put another bite in your mouth. That's when I was full. When we had meals that I truly loved, I would gorge myself to the feeling of stuffed, That feeling when one more bite would put you over the edge. And we would always ask each other, "Did you get enough to eat?" Wow how things have changed. Before surgery I would listen to my body to know that I had enough to eat.

Today I progressed to full liquids. Now I know what I am going to say will anger or upset some people, but I need to say it. I made turkey chili for dinner. When it came time for me to have something to eat, I had chili. I of course took the immersion blender (I call it the boat motor), and completely liquefied my chili. I did not take my normal bowl, but a much smaller one. Instead of listening to my body to tell me that I ate too much, I listened for that feeling that I was OK! I honestly felt full, but not from pain. I felt full from a feeling of , "OK, that's enough". After eating each little spoonful, I asked myself where I was at. Am I full, an I satisfied? I think there is a difference in those 2 questions. I walked away from dinner, not finishing my bowl of chili, but feeling satisfied!

Last week there was a time that I was second guessing my decision to have RNY. It was that "buyers remorse", that you hear so much of. This week, I welcome the changes that surgery will bring. the changes for a new life. For all that to happen, I need to stop and listen to what my body is telling me!

When do you feel full?

Have a great day!

Random thoughts while deciding between "Chicken Broth or Beef Broth"

Hello all! It seems I have survived the eerily surreal depths of RNY surgery! I am on day 5 post op, and I feel better each day. Mind you I still get tired very quickly and need to stop and put things into perspective. I realize I just had major surgery and it will be awhile before I turn into Superman again. But that time will come! My plan is to take things one day at a time, of course:

Sip, sip, sip, and walk, walk, walk!

Fluids and protein are not a problem, though I am only getting in the minimum daily. Friday and Saturday both I ended up with 69 grams of protein and 82 oz. of fluids. So, I guess that is a good start. My biggest decision with the clear liquid diet is whether to have chicken or beef broth?

When I went in the hospital, I weighed in at 298.9 (at home). I came home on Friday and weighed 294.5. Shelia has said I might be one of the few that actually lose weight in the hospital. I think this was due to the adhesions that were cut away. It seems the fear I had after my sister’s surgery came true. When Dr. Dyer went in, he found an extreme amount of adhesions, and spent the following 2.5 hours cutting them free. As for where they came from…who knows? So, because of all the extra cutting that went on, I actually lost weight while in the hospital. O yeah, its Sunday morn, and I weigh 285.6! Scary if you ask me!

The hospital was not as bad as I had anticipated. I think the biggest problem in the hospital was the boredom. Yes, there were times I was in pain! Especially on Thursday! But I survived, and like I said, “Getting stronger every day!” I really want to Thanks all those who made it to the hospital to see me, and also those that were unable. I knew I was in your prayers and thoughts!. And a real big Thank You for the “Losers Bench”. That was an unexpected gift. I even carried it a step further and had almost everyone who visited sign it when they visited! The only one I missed was DocWill’s wife. It was after she left, that we came up with the idea! Don’t worry Will, the idea of your gift will be passed on, just as you passed this one to me!

Well, I am home and it’s taken me a little while to write this post. In other words, “I’m getting tired!” I have placed a picture of the Losers Bench below. I hope each and everyone of you have a very Merry CHRISTmas, and you each get all you’ve asked for. I’ve already received mine and am working toward 2008 as the year of the NEW ME!!!!!

Have a great day!

Snow Ball Fight '07

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I'm scared...there, I said it!

How do you describe fear? Is it that empty feeling you have in your stomach, or is that the liquid diet having its effects on me? I don’t know. Because right now…I finally can say I’m scared. I’m like most human beings; I’m scared of the unknown.

My surgery is less than 24 hours away, and I am a little perplexed. You see I’ve done all my research. I believe I have educated myself on the rearranging of my innards. I know what is involved, how I will need to eat afterward. I completely understand the dynamics of all this surgery encompasses. But I am still scared!

It’s the “what ifs” that frighten me! You understand? It’s the unknowns that are waiting for us. Those nice little “gotchas” that reach around the corner to grab at your mind and soul when you least expect it. It seems like a lot of people I’ve talked to have felt the same way about this surgery, or any surgery for that matter. So, I know I am not alone in this thought. Does that make me any less frightened? No! I guess what it really makes me is……human.

My surgery is less than 24 hours away, and I am a little…ready! You see I have placed those “what ifs”, the “gotchas” and all those little things (and they are little in the scheme of things), in Gods hands. I serve an amazing God. A God who delivers. A God who is all reaching, compassionate, all knowing! Those unknowns might be unknown to us, but to Him, not a problem!

So friends, this will probably be my last entry for a little while. I promise, soon as I return from the hospital, I will blog and let you know how I am. You are all special to me. I am indeed blessed to have you in my life!

Have a good, God filled day!

Party, Party, Party!

Well, that pretty much sums up this week! Beth, (my wife), has come to the conclusion the more weight you lose, the more active your social life becomes. Sorry, no true data to back up that hypothesis, but it sure feels like it’s true. At least this last week does!

Let’s see, where do we begin…..last Saturday (12/8). We started the day with R.J.’s football banquet at 11:00. A fantastic time was had by all at the Hendersonville Skating Rink. Even I put on a pair of skates. It was fun except for two different thoughts:

1) Big people should not have wheels attached to their feet. Wheels belong on automobiles.
2) The day after skating, you no longer feel 48. You wake up wondering if this is what an 88 year old feels like!

After skating, R.J. had children’s choir practice. They performed their Christmas program at church the next day. Sorry the pictures did not turn out. The lighting was very dim. He did a wonderful job! I’m very happy he feels good about attending New Life. From there, we prepared for our Weight Loss Surgery Christmas Party. I don’t know how many people were there, but we lost 2196 lbs. Over a ton lost. YEAH!!!!!

Now, that was just Saturday! I won’t go into the details, but it sure seems like everyday is just as busy! Is this due to weight loss? I don’t know. What I do know is this, As we lose weight, our energy level skyrockets! In the 12 years Beth and I have been together, I have never seen her so active. I think I like! Maybe I will be able to keep up with her after mine. Who know?

Well, I’m off to get ready for the next round of what ever. I guess I need to check my social calendar. Wow, I’ve never had one of those. Maybe Beth’s hypothesis is correct!

Have a great day!

Weight: 297.5 lbs.

Breakfast: EAS Chocalate Shake

Fa la la la, la la la liquid

Good morning y'all! Yesterday was the first day of my liquid diet. Not to bad, notice I said "not to bad". there were moments that I thought I would scream. Like the time a co-worker stuck a piece of pizza in my face. Or when someone else savored a "Cheezit cracker" like they were eating a slice of ,,,well you get the idea. Otherwise, I think I did pretty good.

So, today is a new day! A day filled with hope, promise, and the undeniably smooth taste of liquid! My theme song for today is..."Deck the halls with tons of fluid, Fa la la la, la la la liquid"

Weight: 298.0 lbs.

Morning Snack: 1 cup Homemade Sugar Free Egg Nog

Breakfast: EAS Advantage Low Carb shakes

Morning fluid intake: 4 cups decaf coffee

Lunch: Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup

Carb Masters peach yogurt

Dinner: Sugar Free Jello

1 cup Homemade Sugar Free Egg Nog

Water Intake: 68 oz. (4-16.9 oz. bottles)

Have a nice day!

And the journey continues...

Yesterday, Bro. Brian brought a message about urgency. The sermon focused on the shepherds who were in the fields. You know, when an angel of the Lord appeared bringing Good News of a baby's birth. The urgency focused on the shepherds dropping everything they were doing and moving toward Bethlehem. Brian spoke that when God calls, we should drop everything and move. That's a pretty hard thing to do! Even as Christians, we know whats right and all, but still pretty hard! It was a great message on heeding God's will.

This morning, that journey I'm on continues. And I feel an urgency, if that is a feeling. Who knows? This morning I start my liquid diet. Something I have been dreading! There's the urgency! For the next 8 days, I will be on a liquid diet prepping for surgery. I thought by journaling my food, or should I say...liquid intake, might make me a little more accountable.

So, here goes!

Weight: 300.9 lbs.

Breakfast: EAS Advantage Low Carb shakes
1 cup decaf coffee
1(16 oz) Homemade Caramel latte (made with fat free milk, sugar free caramel syrup)

Lunch: Campbell’s Tomato Soup
Carb Masters peach yogurt

Dinner: Homemade Potato Soup

Water Intake: 68 oz. (4-16.9 oz. bottles)

The journey continues...whether with me or you. The journey continues!

Have a great week! I'm going swimming!

Football Videos

I have been really busy lately. Between work, upcoming surgery, and my hobby, there's not a lot of time left. That said, I got up this morning at 2:00a.m., and started on a gift for our football coaches.

Football Videos

It seems I have been very busy latley. With work, surgery, hobbies, and life in general, I still found time to put together a little something for R.J.'s football coaches. Now, that time I found began at 2:00 a.m. this morning, but that's a different topic for another blog! Anyway, here goes! Hope you enjoy!

Are you ready Christmas?

I don't know about you, but we are almost done! R.J. has finally decided that Santa does not exist. Can he be that old already? Anyway, 99% of the shopping is done. Everything is in place for my surgery. And of course, we have been prepping for the holiday season daily. In fact, you can click on the link below and watch all the festivities involved. Now, be patient, it takes a while to load.

Merry Christmas!

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Click here for ther O'Neal Family Exercise Video

It's been a while...but I'm home!

It’s been a week since I blogged! I can’t believe it’s been that long. Anyway, my surgery is 16 days away! As Mr. Rogers would say, “Can we say nervous”? Yea, nervous but excited as well! It seems I am all over the place with my feelings. At one point, I can’t wait to start this new part of my life. On the other hand, it’s like “what the heck am I doing”? From everything I have read this is all normal. Now with Christmas right around the corner, there is a sense of urgency right around the corner. But I’m OK!

It’s been a while since Beth, R.J. and I have been to church. I mean we attend, but that’s about it! We attend! Last week, I made a decision to become more active with my church life. Now this is not because of my surgery, but more because I know what’s right. R.J. loves going to New Life. He enjoys the youth and his teacher. Who by the way was a teen in a youth group I worked with several years ago. I’m getting old, no way around it! In fact he went to his first Lock-In a couple of weeks ago. Memories flooded my mind of eating goldfish, mixing all types of food in a blender and drinking it, and doing really stupid things. I totally blame Jay Victory for this time in my life! OK, blame him and Thank Him at the same time! My time with Jay, Bronie, and the gang at Riverside will always have a special place in my heart! Beth enjoys New Life also. She enjoys the freedom of worship as well as the family and friends that are there. I honestly think she feels comfortable for the first time in many years!

Now for me…It’s like coming home! This morning I sang in the choir. This is the first time I have sung in a choir since my days at Riverside. In fact the last time I sang period, was the last service Riverside had. What can I say, while I was singing, I felt a warm feeling, an embrace, a reminder of what worship is! There is nothing like knowing God never leaves your side. That God will wrap His loving arms around you and forgive. That God is no further than an out stretched arm waiting for you to invite Him home! This felt good! Oh yeah, the last time I sang in a choir, I wore an XL choir robe, today…a Large! Whoo Hoo!

Now I realize this post is all over the place, kind of like my feelings! Anyway, keep us in your prayers; there are unseen forces at work in our lives right now. Love you guy!

Have a great big God filled week!

Holiday Quiz!

This is what people do that have too much time on thier hands! Not that I'm bored or anything!

Merry Christmas!

1)What's your favorite holiday TV show?

2)Best gift under $20 (to receive or give)?

3)Ever take a pic with Santa? Do you still have it ?

4)Do you send the same holiday card to everyone or pick out different ones for different people?

5)What's on the Christmas Dinner menu?

Just copy and paste in the comment section!