Mid Month Update

Hello all! Where is this month going? Between all of the appointments, working, and craziness at home I'm not sure where the time goes anymore.

I don't have much to update on the debt free journey as the last set of paychecks went to living expenses. Mortgage, heat, power, water, etc. We will both get paid again this month and after paying the rest of the bills (insurance, a few medical bills), and filling the envelope with our cash, I will pay another big chunk to the debt. Woo!

I had mentioned before that I was using EveryDollar to do my budgeting, but I am an Excel junkie and made my own fantabulous spreadsheet that I am now using. It's one less thing to log in to and one less password for me to remember. I still love Every Dollar and recommend it to people just getting started with budgeting (since it's free!) but for me... I like to customize everything to my liking and my aesthetic tastes........ plus I'm addicted to Excel spreadsheets.

Dean had his check up for his tubes and there was some blood in his left ear so we are putting some drops in them to try and clear that up. He is doing amazing, though, and we have noticed such a HUGE change in his demeanor and even his personality. He's so much happier and is talking so much more!

I had my meeting with Carson's therapists at The Autism Clinic and his scores have improved dramatically in the 6 months that he has been there. Everyone at the clinic adores Carson and he is definitely a favorite. He's such a sweet and lovable boy. I'm so proud of him. When he first had his assessment he was at an 18 month level and now he's gone up to being at a 2-3 year old level. He's improving!

I have finally gotten in to see a new podiatrist about my plantar fasciitis and had an MRI done on Tuesday so that the doctor could take a look at all my tendons and muscles and recommend which type of surgery he thinks will be best! *insert happy dance gif here*
This doctor can do one of two surgeries. He can either cut the fascia completely so it can no longer pull and get tight OR he can make an incision, poke holes in the fascia and cauterize them and then make an incision in my calf and cut that muscle to loosen it up. The first surgery would require me to be in a cast for 2 weeks and I wouldn't be able to put ANY weight/pressure on my foot. The second surgery would put me in a boot for 4 weeks but I would be able to walk on it right away.... carefully. I am all for the second method of surgery since I have children and being off my foot for 3 weeks?! That'd be kind of difficult....... especially since I don't like to sit still.

My current struggles (because I said I'd be completely honest) are:

• Food. Still. I am a binge eater. A food addict. I haven't lost any weight since November.... but I also haven't gained any weight since November. I'm at a stand still. I need to focus and get my butt in gear.
• Sleep. Carson is still waking up most nights from 2am-5am. It's making both Andrew and I zombies and some days I just want to scream and cry. 
• Work. It's frustrating me right now because I'm not as happy as I once was at Hy Vee. Sometimes working in Customer Service makes you angry. Most days all I hear is "bitch bitch bitch. Me me me. Complain complain complain." and although we have some AWESOME customers, it's hard to block out all the negativity. 
• Work. In the sense that I'm not making a ton and I wish I could contribute more to our family finances. However, I am needed at home. Every week is full of appointments. There isn't a day that I don't have something to do. Except Sundays. Sundays are my saving grace. 
• Autism. Autism is hard. Autism is expensive. Carson is an amazing little person but he's not easy. Some days I lose my cool and snap at everyone around me. Imagine having a 4 year old with the developmental mentality of a 2 year old. It's. Hard. 
• Spending. I still have trouble with buying things I don't need. Am I going over my budgeted amounts? No. But I could be using the money more wisely. 

I know this wasn't a very exciting update but I promised to take you all on this journey with me so here we are. Happy Hump Day, everyone. 

Weigh In & Surgery

Wednesday Weigh In:
Weigh In: -1
Total Lost: 2.4
Pounds to Lose: 100.8

I went to weigh in at 9:00am because my surgery was scheduled for 1:30 and I wasn't going to make the 12:00 meeting. I was surpised for my loss because all I've been able to eat lately is carbs and not a lot of healthy things.

Now, as you all know,  I had my gallbladder removed yesterday. The surgery went well and I am now at home recovering. Yesterday I didn't feel as much pain because I was on morphine and Vicodin but I woke up this morning around 4:00am and I was in pretty severe pain. I took some Vicodin and got back to sleep for a little bit but then woke up again at 7:00 and still felt pretty crappy. I couldn't take any more medicine until 8:00 and now I'm just counting down the hours until noon when I can take more.

I apologize for my chubby tummy, but here are my battle scars:

Cute huh? the surgeon said I had one HUGE gallstone that was causing the problem. Now it is gone though and I can get back to myself once I am recoverd. 

Want to know the worst part about yesterday? I've gained so much weight since my wedding that my ring was basically unable to be removed. The doctor would not take me back into the operating area unless it was off. Needless to say after all of the lotion, ice water, twisting and tugging... the ring wouldn't budge. So they had to cut it off. I cried like a baby. 

There it is. 

I have the ring insured at both Kay Jewelers and with a personal insurance policy and it shold be able to be fixed but I was still really upset. I think I was more upset that I had gotten so big that this had to happen. I was so embarrassed. I know it is just a ring, it can be fixed, it isn't the end of the world... but I coulnd't help but cry. The nurses felt horrible but I assued them it wasn't their fault that it happened. It was mine. 

Anyway.... the only other thing I have to say is that my husband is taking very good care of me and I am so thankful to have him. In fact, today he even painted my toe nails and is letting me watch whatever I want to! This morning has been Mystery Science Theater 3000 marathon on Netflix. Love it! 

Isn't he sweet? 

Anyway, I'm going to get some much needed rest and continue to drink tons of soda, chicken broth and water. Yum! 

Surgery and Other Stuff

I have my surgery scheduled for Wednesday, August 21 at 1:30pm. It was the first opening they had. Therefore, I will suffer, poop and have attacks until then. Ha! They tell you to eat a "low fat" diet and no fried foods. HOWEVER, anyone who has ever had gallbladder problems will tell you that even if you eat PERFECTLY.... you can still have an attack. That's just the way it goes. I have found that plain noodles do not bother me. Neither do crackers. Unfortunately all I am doing is getting a lot of carbs.... but until the 21st (and even after) it is what I have to do to hopefully avoid severe pain in my abdomen and back.

Friday Weigh In:
WI: +1.4
Total Pounds Lost: 3.0
Pounds to Lose: 100.2

That really wasn't an expected gain, but it happened. Not being able to go to the bathroom and eat properly has thrown my body out of whack. I'm not really concerned about it.

This whole gallbladder things sucks, but one good thing will come of it! Tonight we are going to the State Fair because we have tickets to see Head East, Styx and REO Speedwagon. While at the fair, I cannot eat ANY fair food. It is all fried and icky. Now, I will be tempted and feel like I'm being cheated, but I don't need any of that crap. So, I am going to save a few points for a couple of beers (because alcohol doesn't seem to bother me at all) and that's it! I will probably pack a couple of snacks (crackers) in my purse.

This morning I had to follow my husband to Sundown so they could troubleshoot his car stereo (he has all that fancy stuff with the big subs in the trunk and it wasn't working) and I decided that the dogs needed to go with. Well, on the way home both dogs decided that Andrew was the perfect seat companion and it was hilarious because Hyatt is not a lap dog!

Before daddy got in the car

In the parking lot at Sundown

At a stoplight near home.

Hyatt wants to be like Caesar. He wants to be able to snuggle up in your lap. It's so cute. 

Last night Andrew and I played LIFE and apparently Hobbs wanted to play too. It wasn't long after that when Rhea decided she needed to be a part of the family fun too and she laid right on top of the board and starting smacking Andrew's car with his family all over the board. It was hilarious. 

Breakfast this morning: 2 HB eggs, 2 lean turkey sausages, Skinny Latte. Thankfully none of that bothered my gallbladder!

Well, those are my only updates for the day. I will probably take some pictures tonight at the fair and do an update tomorrow on how I did and how the concert was! I have already seen REO Speedwagon in concert so I know they do a great job. I'm excited to see them again! Plus, my mom won backstage passes off a radio station so hopefully we get to meet them!!!

 Make it a good day friends!!

If I Could Have a Superpower.....

I would have the ability to change my appearances and being able to manipulate electronics.

I just started watching Heroes. (I know, I know... I'm way behind the times.) Anyway, when you're home sick and in pain you tend to watch a lot of TV or read a lot of books. Me, I've been watching Heroes. LOVED Season 1. Still a little unsure about Season 2. I am hoping it will pick up.

Last night after I took my pain meds and was going to sleep I thought to myself, "What powers would I want?" There are a lot of really cool abilities on that show and of course you'd think you'd want to be Peter because he just absorbs everyone's powers and then can use them for himself. Well, I didn't want that. To me, that would be too much. I want Claudia's power of visual manipulation and Micha's power of computer/technology manipulation. My reasoning behind those two? Well, one, I would never have to want for money. Now, I wouldn't steal from people... I'd just manipulate my account to always have a decent balance. I wouldn't live ridiculously, just... comfortably. A high rise in Chicago or something. Plus, I'd still want to work but I would have the funds to do exactly what I wanted with no worries of ever going broke. Now, as far as the visual manipulation, I would only make my body the way I see myself on the inside. I wouldn't want to look like anyone but me. I'd want my face, my hands, my hair, my eyes, etc. The only thing I would change is I would be a nice size.... 4 let's say and I would be very healthy and physically fit. I think that is a pretty good place for me mentally to know that I am happy with my looks except my body. I'm happy with my face and certain features about myself (I LOVE my hands.) There you have it. If I could have powers like on Heroes those would be the two I choose!

What about you?!

WeightWatchers & Health:
Well, my food/drink intake hasn't exactly been normal due to this stupid gallbladder issue. If you have a problem with poop talk, please skip down a bit.
My menu has really consisted of juice, ice cream, jell-o, saltine crackers and last night I ate a few chips because I thought maybe that would get things moving in my bowels. (grease/fat)
Here is a snapshot of how my diet has been the last few days:

Juice has been  my best friend. That and jell-o.

Now, about the part I told you to skip if you have a queasy stomach. I have not had a full bowel movement since Friday, Aug 2. That's day 6 I am on now that I have been completely backed up and miserable. I have taken laxatives, stool softeners, drank prune juice and done just about anything you can think of to try and make stuff move. I have discovered that people will gallbladder issues can also have horrible constipation and pain. My doctor has prescribed more pain meds, but that isn't going to solve the issue of me not digesting and disposing of anything in my body. I know I haven't eaten much the past few days, but Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday I ate pretty normally (not greasy or fatty) and that stuff has not been disposed of yet. On Tuesday night I was awake until 4:00 in the morning with the worst pain of my life. Not only was my gallbladder acting out, but the pain in my lower stomach was excruciating. I had my husband call the Emergency Room because I didn't want to go unless they were going to be able to actually operate and get rid of the damn thing. They said they couldn't make any guarantees so I sucked it up and after pain medication I finally got some sleep. 

I haven't worked all week except for 4 hours on Monday and I am doing 3 hours today. I cannot handle sitting up for long periods of time because the pain gets too bad and I get severely nauseated. I'm actually regretting coming in today but I wanted to get what work I had done so that I'm not completely out of the loop. I have the most amazing employers and they have been SO understanding and have told me countless times that my job will be here for me and I just need to focus on getting better. I've never been more blessed with a job before than I am with being here. 

*sidebar*

I just heard on the radio they are making an Indiana Jones 5. WHAT?! Wasn't the last one ridiculous and horrible? Why? Why would you do another?! Oh, I know, so Rifftrax can make another Riff... like this one!

*endsidebar*

Holy stomach cramps, Batman. I think I am done updating for right now. I don't have much more to say besides the fact that I meet my surgeon tomorrow and I am PRAYING that they can get me in quickly. I don't want to wait 3 weeks to have this taken care of. 

Dear Gallbladder:

I wish you were gone. I wish when I went to the emergency room they would have taken you out of me. However, you are still inside my body and causing me ridiculous amounts of pain and frustration. The pain medications help, but now they are causing other issues. I cannot wait until my surgery. Then I can get back to somewhat of a normal life (once my body is not used to having a gallbladder.)

Sincerely,
Becky


Friday, August 2 Weigh In:
WI: -1.8
Total Pounds Lost: -4.4
Pounds to Lose: 98.8

I was very surprised that I lost. Glad, but surprised. I think my fear of eating because of my gallbladder has helped in my weight loss struggles. Except now I am unable to eat raw fruits or veggies which really puts a damper on my snack options and meal options. I'm eating too many carbs and not enough non processed foods. However, if avoiding vegetables keeps me from getting a gallbladder attack then I will do whatever it takes.

I don't have much else to update. On being debt free.... well, our emergency fund has once again been spent on my trip to the emergency room. Thank God for health insurance, but man the copay is not fun.

I hope everyone else is doing alright. Hopefully I will be able to post soon saying "It is gone! No more gallbladder!"