I have included in this post a couple of pictures of my mouth.
I know, it can be disgusting but I think you will see why I had the surgery and why it is a success. You can see how little airway passage I had in the first picture. I had an elogated and thick uvula. With all that gone, I have a clearer path to my lungs. I find I breath through my nose more all the time, and Tollie has stated I don't snore near as much, in fact hardly at all.
I went to praise team practice last night and sang with no problems, other than feeling tired in my throat and a little swelling last night. Tollie noticed that with that extra swelling, I did snore some. But that should improve over time as well.
I am really thankful for the 17 pound weight loss and plan to continue working on that. I find I don't mind the ellipitcal exercise so much because I don't get so breathless in a short period of time.
So, here is the plan. I eat a bowl of oatmeal or Cream of Wheat every morning. I eat a half sandwich or bowl of soup for lunch and then for supper, I eat half of what I would normally eat. I am trying to snack in the afternoon on apples, bananas and fruit or nuts and just taking my time eating and enjoying what I eat. I found while I was eating right after the surgery, that I had to eat so slowly to chew more and I would fill up sooner. So, I am trying to incorporate that now.
Thanks for the encouragement and I pray God will allow me to use this last opportunity, as I see it, to get my weight down. I told my husband I don't plan to be a model size, but I do want to get about 50 pounds off. That would be a huge difference.
This time does feel different. How? I am talking about it more, I asked Tollie for his help and I didn't even mind him helping me with some birthday cake the other day. After our son-in-laws birthday, I had a half of cake left over, Hummingbird Cake, which is my favorite type of cake. Tollie and I had just eaten a sandwich, I had eaten my half, and then cut a piece of cake. I sat down to eat it and Tollie just smiled and said, I will eat the other half when you are finished. I smiled, took a few bites and gave him the rest. I was okay with it. Then on Monday, as he left for his monthly Tyler trip, he asked if he could take the cake with him to give to the girls in the office. I helped him wrap it up and was actually glad to see him take it.
I think this time is different as well, as I see myself thinking in terms of help around each corner. When I went shopping the other day, I was rounding the corner where the ice cream freezers and thought I would get a pint of my favorite ice cream. They were pretty low on supply and I had to reach to get Blue Bell Banana Split, one of my choices. I struggled to reach it and walked away without it, thinking, "Thank you Lord, for keeping it out of reach from me." This type of thinking is unusual for me and I am happy to report is working as I see ways I want something, but God (or Tollie) intervenes. I really want to do this!
Have a great weekend and Happy Memorial Day.
