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!