Gwennaford's Journal

[Gwennaford]

I've been missing Kris (graceface) and Judie (snowbirdie) and wondering how they're doing.  Praying all is well. 

[Gwennaford]

Okay, for today's good news bout how Let's Do Lunch is giving me back my life and my health . . .

I was just telling Bethann that I no longer have painful flares from RA and degenerative OA.  I had ONE 4-year-long flare of RA and OA that were so torturous I didn't want to live anymore.  I was confined to a wheelchair within 4 months of the original flare/diagnosis. Pain like that is indescribable.  It scoffs at OTC drugs and standard arthritis treatments like they are some kind of sick joke.   I DIDN'T want to die, but I didn't want to live like THAT.  

I'm still taking Remicade infusions, but they are down from once every 4 weeks to every 8 to 12 weeks.  YAY!  

My hydrocodone use is down to 5mg once or twice a day (if I think about it).  As I no longer need it for pain, I'm working very hard to wean myself from the dependence.  Occasionally I take Tylenol for a headache or ibuprofen for muscle stiffness.

My rheumatologist was SO thrilled with my progress, and with my 100-pound weight loss (so far) he all but jumped up & hugged me at my last visit.

I am happy to say I'm no longer confined to a wheelchair.  I still have to use one to go very far, but I've been getting up & walking more with a rolling walker, driving my husband's SUV, & taking a few steps up & down.  Recovery & rehab is strenuous and uncomfortable, but not scary or particularly painful.  Unless the Lord miraculously restores my original knees (in which I wholeheartedly believe), I'm still going to need to get replacements.  The original equipment is shot - about 80% fused.

Today I rode in my power chair to a Red Hat Society luncheon at a member's condo.  She assured me the place was wheelchair accessible - and it WAS, until I got to her doorway, which had a 7-inch-tall step into her front door.  Another member toddled up behind me with her walker, which I snagged, hopped up the step & walked across her living room to sit near the bathroom.  I knew I would need it because I had eaten a bunch of lentils & seedless watermelon in preparation for the luncheon!  Good thing I did (sit near bathroom AND pre-eat).  I had to go twice AND she served 99% NON-LDL foods.  I was glad it was serve-yourself family style.  I was able to keep chatting to distract everyone from the fact that I was passing each dish along without taking anything from most of the dishes.  Just about the time it started to get embarrassing that there was nothing on my plate, along came the steamed broccoli and carrots and a dish that had some chicken breast slices riding atop savory white rice.  I was able to lift off a tiny piece of chicken without taking any rice.  YAY!  

I sat next to a wonderful 85-year-old lady (in a bright red engineer's cap) whose dietary restrictions are every more stringent than mine because she is on Coumadin and also cannot eat ANYTHING with sodium in it.  YIKES!  She said she pre-ate as well, so we bonded about that.

Okay - True Confession time ... #1 I did eat the deli ham & cheese off a small piece of sandwich, but I gave the poppyseed bread to the lady beside me.  Second, the hostess gave me a little paper cup of something yellow that she called "juice".  It turned out to be very strongly sweetened fruit punch of some kind.  When she kinda jokingly asked me if I wanted some Southern Comfort in it, I heard a voice say, "Yes, I DO!"  I was surprised to find that the voice had come out of ME!  LOL!  Two or three heads snapped around when I said that and the hostess acted a little surprised, too.  (Not sure why.  I heard her offer it to someone else behind me but I don't know if she accepted.  This is not the first time liquor or wine has been offered in this chapter so I'm not sure whether I made a faux pas.  In the future I guess I need to pay closer attention to see if anyone (besides me) ACCEPTS the offer.  :blink: )  OK, so that was indiscretion #2.

#3 -- Technically I HAD eaten protein at lunch but they were such tiny morsels and I was very hungry by the time I got home at 3 pm.  But Neil wasn't hungry and wanted us to take a nap instead of eating.  LOL - In order to truly appreciate my dilemma you would have to understand what our life has been like since he came home from the hospital at the end of July.  Before he went in, I could NOT get him out of bed.  All he wanted to do was sleep.  After he came out, he had developed all kinds of anxiety & claustrophobia issues that keep him from being able to lie down in bed or even a recliner.  He even has trouble sitting in a chair for more than a few minutes.  Therefore, he NEVER sleeps and he likes to have company while he's doing it (not sleeping).  After staying up all night last night* following several weeks of not sleeping well, then having that nice shot of Southern Comfort at lunch  :cool: I was having trouble keeping my eyes open, so (semi-reluctantly) went for the nap instead of another lunch.  (did I mention I was HUNGRY?) He finally woke me up at about 7:30 wanting his dinner and I jumped up with that disoriented kind of feeling I had when I dreamed I had forgotten to pick up the baby from daycare (that never happened, but I used to dream that it did - very upsetting).  I'm sure Mike will psychoanalyze that for me, so I'll leave it for now.

THE POINT is . . . at about 8 pm I ate a big juicy hamburger patty with some more lentils and watermelon.  It was SO satisfying, exactly what I wanted.  I don't often eat a lot of meat, but every once in a while I can turn a little carnivorous when my body wants it.  I know myself well enough to know that if I hadn't eaten it I would have picked around all night long, eating a bunch of fruit, popcorn, soup, & veggies with dip and I still would have gone for the meat, and possibly something much much worse.  I still ate two bowls of popcorn after dinner.  Roger is right that alcohol can diffuse your will power and make you feel hungrier than you would have without it.  He was probably talking about the immediate effects of drinking it, but I'm sure the unaccustomed jolt of sugar in my system had some residual effect on my appetite later in the day.

I wonder if the meat craving is because I'm working to build muscle in my arms & legs?  Could be.  If so, YAY!  It's working!

*Okay, the bone-headed stunt of yesterday was, Kayce was flying in from Tulsa at 11:30 pm, so I stayed up all night waiting for her to arrive in her rental car, taking the opportunity to do some intensive house cleaning while I waited.  Neil wouldn't let me sleep anyway, so I'm getting used to burning the candle at both ends this way.  Well, she never came    She never called, never answered her cell phone.  Her husband never answered his cell phone.  I was praying up a storm while I kept busy - refusing to believe anything bad had happened.  I finally laid down from 5 to 6 am, then got up & waited some more.  When I hadn't heard from her by 10 am I started calling again.  My knees turned to water & my heart fell into my stomach (down from my throat) when she answered the phone, all safe & sound at her home.  

I had gotten the dates wrong.  She's coming NEXT weekend.  THIS time I'll make sure to get her itinerary! ! !

[crickadoodle]

Oh, Gwen, what you have overcome!  God bless you!  So many inspiring stories and inspiring people here on the LDL website.  Has you weight stall ended yet?  I've been praying that it would and you'd see a budge in it.  Wow, though, the good reports from you keep pouring in.  You are doing some walking and driving and so much you weren't doing for so long.  It so blesses my heart to read about these victories. 

Wouldn't it be so cool if the Lord healed those knees?  My mom had double knee replacements when she was in her 70s.  She was amazing.  She put all the younger ones to shame with her diligence to do her exercises and rehabilitation.  One thing that really helped her was that before she had her surgery, she spent several months exercising those muscles around the knees.  This helped speed up her recuperation.  I read that the knee replacements they do now are so much better than years ago, and have a fuller range of motion than the ones my mom got. 

I'm so glad that your daughter is OK and you just got the dates wrong.  Those hours must have been excruciating, though!  Well, you got a clean house out of it!    Hopefully that will be easy to maintain until next week, so you don't have to do it all over again. 

Have a very blessed day!

[Cyndy]

Hey Gwenn!  You are such a great storyteller.  I love to hear your tales.  You have overcome so much, you deserve a day off LDL.  I can relate with you on the Pain Meds. I just came off of them the hard way...I just stopped after taking them forn a year.  It was not fun.  And to have lost 100 punds already!  WOW!!    You are an amazing person.  You take care.

Have a blessed and glorious day!
Cyndy

[Bethann]

Hi Gwennaford,
I have been thinking of you!  :rose:
I wanted to drop in and say Hi!  :)
Thanks again for the advise! It's been helpful!  :rose:
I haven't been able to spend as much time as I like reading on here but there does seem to be a lot of very helpful advise and education and great people! etc. Now that the 2 weekends of weddings are over and the company gone I hope I can learn more and try more LDL recipes.
I have read a bit on your journal and Wow! -there has been a lot going on in your life!!!!  :rose:
I am so glad to hear that you are doing better with your health! Impressive!
Some of the testimonies I have had a hard time finding but maybe I just need to spend more time in here.
Talk to you later and have a wonderful and restful night!  love and prayers from-Beth

[Gwennaford]

Let’s Do Lunch Skinnytown Junction Song

(Sung to the tune of the “Petticoat Junction” opening theme song
With apologies to Paul Henning and Curt Massey)


Come ride the growing train
That is rolling down the tracks
To the Junction -
(Skinnytown Junction!)

Forget about your cares
It is time to relax
At the Junction –
(Skinnytown Junction!)

Lots of beans – You bet!
And even more when you get
To the Junction –
(Skinnytown Junction!)          

There’s a big hotel
On the LDL Ranch
At the Junction –
(Skinnytown Junction!)

It is run for Lunch
Come and be our guest
At the Junction –
(Skinnytown Junction!)

And that’s Roger Troy
Faithful friend to girl & boy
At the Junction –

Skinnytown Junction ! !

‘BOARD FOR PIXLEY, CRABWELL CORNERS . . .

AND . . .TWOTERVILLE ! ! !



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-0YBr-6IxE  

[preachwife]

We need to sing this song at San Antonio...

Preachwife

[snowbirdie]

Hi Gwennie,
    Just a note to tell u I sent you a personal message.
                    Judie

[Gwennaford]

Hi Everybody!  I for the first time in 7 years, I finally made it back to TWOTERVILLE!  My official weigh-in was 299.0.  YAY!  And my BMI is down below 50 again.  YAY!  Temporarily posting my ticker to celebrate.

Today is the second day of beautiful Fall weather here in paradise.  Nighttime temps in the low- to mid-60's.  Daytime low 80's with very low humidity - makes it feel 10 degrees cooler.  I've had the house opened up since yesterday morning, roasting squash and cooking vats of different soups.  Neil's back to work part time and out of my hair (his words).  I'm skinny enough that I can fit behind a steering wheel again, so am DRIVING to appointments & errands in Neil's truck.  I use a seated walker and a folding wheelchair that I throw into the back seat when I go.  YAY!  

Life is good.

When this arthritis was first diagnosed and was so bad I had to leave my job, I refused to label myself as disabled.  It took me three years before I filed for my City disability pension even though we needed the money badly.  I could NOT force myself to admit to this stigma.  Once I had the label, THEN I began to lose my abilities and started accepting being crippled.     Now, after losing more than 100 pounds on Let's Do Lunch, I finally realized that I needed to focus on my ABILITIES, instead of my disabilities.  I stopped listening to talk (including self-talk) that I can't do this or that.  I began to imagine Mike's voice saying, "Why not?"  

Looking back to a few weeks ago, when I put myself on this self-imposed rehab program, I could barely stand, even after losing 100 pounds and eight years of physical and drug therapy.  But I could stand!  I needed to lie down across the walker to take a few steps.  But I could take a few steps!  My legs, arms & back muscles were atrophied from sitting in wheelchair for eight years. But I wasn't in pain anymore!  When I showed up at my therapy appointment this week (under my own steam!) Mike asked me how I feel about my progress.  Typical therapist question, right?  But I like it 'cause it gives me a chance to reflect on my feelings & how far I have come.  It has taken a lot of hard work and spiritual, physical, and emotional stamina, to get myself back to the place where I automatically say, "Why not?".  I love this feeling of actively working to figure out how to accomplish what I want to do, instead of accepting that I can't do it.  Bottom line, I told Mike -- I feel LIMITLESS!  

Okay, enough of that.  I have other things I want to do in this gorgeous weather, in my first day in TWOTERVILLE! besides spending the day on the 'puter.  The weather is invigorating, but it does have a tendency to make me feel introspective and nostalgic.

--------

Posted my Chunky Split Pea Soup recipe on the recipe boards.

[crickadoodle]

Yeah, Gwen!!  Twoterville!!  Gwen is losing weight!  She is no longer stalled!  She's gaining her life back.  We are all rejoicing!  [/size]

Gwen, I'm so happy for you.  Leave your ticker up.  It is so inspiring to see how far you've come and to root you onward to reaching your goal.  You are going to do it and I'm so glad you are gaining your confidence back.  You really have begun a new transformation!

[Gwennaford]

I wish I had one of those giant electronic scrolling message boards to put in my house.  I would post all your comments and reread them continually to make me feel as good as I do right now.  I love you guys.

[tprouty]

Yay, Gwennie!!    

That is such awesome news! Your renewed focus did the trick! I'm dancin' for joy over here in Idaho for you! Even as much as the news about your arrival in Twoterville, I love the empowered and limitless new Gwen -- and your renewed freedom. Yay!! -- again and again!

 
Terri

[Jazmyn]

Oh Gwen! I am absolutely thrilled for you!  You are getting your life back and you are such an inspiration in so many ways to us all! TWOTERVILLE! OMG how cool is that? I am so proud of you...walking and driving and making that scale move. The stall is over...watch out world..here comes Gwen! 

Many hugs and much love,
~Jaz 

[Bethann]

You are such an inspiration! Thank you! 

[mrsj]

Gwen, I'm so happy for you!!!!!  Twoterville, BMI down, standing, walking, driving AND feeling limitless.......your youth is being renewed like the eagle.  I'm wanting to cry happy tears for you.  Hmmm, can I do the dance of joy with happy tears?  You bet!
Look out scuba diving and dancing..........here comes Gwen!!!!  Woohoo!!!
Love,
mrsj

[Gwennaford]

Little Mary told me there was something exciting going on here, and BOY, was she right! Just think about it...it finally happened...Grape Girl's Twoterville!...all praise, glory and honor to our Father and Jesus in Heaven. Cheerleading...Twoterville, Twoterville, Twoot, Twoot, Twoterville!

We are sooo proud of you, Grape Girl!

With sooo much love,

Neets, Mom and me

  Roger Troy leading the Twoterville Cheer

Roger Troy, thank you so much for your good wishes.  It means so much to me that you would take time out to stop by.  I'm very excited about the progress.  I thank you sincerely for your attention and efforts on my behalf.  I don't know if you have had a chance to glance at my food diary, but I want to thank you for offering -- it gave me the kick-start I have needed.  

Once I started posting everything I eat and drink, it was a real eye-opener.  Not the foods I was eating -- I'm convinced I am eating acceptable foods -- but the timing was all wrong.  I was skipping many meals, going too long without eating, then making up for it by munching my way through two hour grazing sessions, or eating in the middle of the night.  My main boggle has been postponing my meals then going to lie down with a full stomach.  The only thing that feels better than a nice warm comfort food meal is lying down for a nap afterward.  I'm trying very hard to break that habit, and I'm seeing improvement.  I have started to reverse the order -- having the nap first, THEN the meal.  It seems to be working.

Many thanks and loves to all my friends:  EnJae, mom, Doodlebug, Cyndie, Bethann, MrsJ, Preachwife, Judie, Little Mary, Terri, Jazzy Jaz...  This is just a small sampling of all the special ones who make it such a joy to spend time here.

----

The "T" on her letter sweater stands for ... TWOTERVILLE!

[Sneaky Snoopy]

Yea for the 2's.  before long it will be mid 2's and then 1's.  You are doing so good.  I  can't wait to meet you in person at San Antonio. 

[glow=red,2,300]Yea for the 2's[/glow]    YOU  DID IT!    WAY TWO GO!  

[Beth B.]

Congratulations!!!!!  Keep up the good work!!!!