Tony's Journey: Volume One

I've been giving this entry some thought for quite a little while now and for once, it has nothing to do about me, my kids or husband, my unemployment status or my financial woes. It does, however, having everything to do with someone that I happen to think a lot about.

Yes, I realized that for something that has nothing to do with me, maybe my picture should not be included. But you know, I've got a mom who will love stuff like this.

Allow me to introduce you to my brother. I have another photo identical to the one above with the exception of the fact he is holding bunny ears up behind my head, bridal veil and all. I've got that one safely tucked away in my wedding album.

I've talked about him before and that same bunny ear picture. You can read here all about him becoming a new grandpa. He's been through quite a lot in his life and has got one remarkable testimony, in my opinion. One day I might try to talk him into sharing that. For now, though, I asked him for permission to share the current journey that he's about to embark on. He readily agreed, but I gotta warn you ~ he doesn't mince words. He says exactly what he thinks and doesn't hold anything back. That's one of the things that makes him... well, him.

Through Facebook, he has been sharing bits and pieces of a surgery he has been preparing for since last year, I believe. I thought it would be interesting to sort of document everything on here as well. I really think this is a story others will find to be informative; maybe there are those out there who are thinking about having the same kind of procedure done. He thinks that same way. In fact, he said that's why he has been sharing on Facebook and why he is so thorough in his details (and another disclaimer here, these accounts can be pretty detailed; he is my brother after all).

Anyway, I am not sure how often I will update via this blog. If he keeps me supplied with enough material, it could very well be a weekly thing. There is no plan here, just an opportunity to talk about someone I happen to love very much and am very proud of. And by the way, his name is Tony.

Here's a recent picture of him with his new grandbaby. He likes to call her his little buddy.

And here is a mini-journal of sorts about what is going on in his life (copied with his approval, although the grammar teacher in me cannot avoid correcting mechanical errors... Sorry! I've been without a red pen for far too long. The words, though, are definitely his).

January 25, 2011

Well, today is my 44th Birthday, And everyone that has called or text me, are SHOCKED that I am at work. I haven't worked on my birthday since 1991 and I was in the desert during the gulf war. In fact that night we were being bombed by Saddam. Oh what a fun birthday that was. For the record, I am getting ready to have my weight loss surgery so I didn't want to miss too much work. I am dedicated like that. LOL

Well, I got back from the Doctor, and the countdown is on. My Surgery date will be the 21st of Feb. My last really good meal is going to be on the 9th of Feb. And TRUST me it won't be a TV dinner. Oh, for those that don't know I am going to have Gastric Sleeve Bypass, they are going to remove 80% of my stomach. Hope they let me keep it in a Pickle Jar on the shelf. LOL

February 11, 2011

Well, the countdown is on for this really, really fat guy to have the “let’s make you skinny” surgery. I had a busy day today, EKG, blood work, X-rays, and the class on learning how to shrink up your organs so they can cut 80% of your stomach out.

For the next 7 days, my eating habits are going to really get hammered on. I get a protein shake in the morning, a protein bar for a snack, 4 oz. of meat, chicken, fish I get to pick one, and I get 1 oz. of stupid veggies. then I get another... protein bar for afternoon snack, the for supper it will be the 4 oz of meat, fish, chicken and 1 oz. of veggies. on my 8,9,10 day I will be on a liquid diet of 3 protein shakes and 3 protein drinks. That is it, nothing else. On my 11th day I go under the knife. From Sunday (20th) to Tuesday morning (22nd) I will have NOTHING to drink or eat. Tuesday morning I get 1, yes, I said one piece of ice every 30 minutes. This goes on all day. The ice has a blue dye in it. This way they can see if my new stomach is leaking. There is more to the story but I'll stop now. THIS SHOULD BE FUN

Today is the official start of my 10 day diet before my surgery on the 21st. I weighed in at a tip-toeing 385.0. It was 4:30 a.m. I was wearing just my drawers with about 4 inch of crack showing. I want you to feel like you was right there at the weigh in. LOL For breakfast was 7oz of 1% milk mixed with strawberry flavored protein mix (made by Chike).

So now you can see where this is going. If you're interested, look for the entries with this same title. If you're not, well, just move on to another cup of coffee and cozy up with this one about my two grandmas. If you have any questions and/or encouragement about the surgery (and notice I said questions and/or encouragement... this is not the time for opinions or doomsday predictions), ask away in the comment section. I happen to know my brother visits my blog often and has made a few comments of his own from time to time. He said he would answer any questions he doesn't cover in his Facebook updates.

And with that, my dad is calling me.

And a girl's got to go when her dad is calling.