Holy Ulcer Pain...Batman!

What a night! Jen had cooked chicken spaghetti for supper. About 9:30 I started having abdominal pain which I associated with a gall bladder attack. I haven’t had one of those in a long time, but what I do remember is that eventually they go away unless infection has started. Infections would be accompanied by fever and I did not have fever. Well……about 12:30 after being doubled over in pain in the floor I realized that I could not overcome by myself. Soooooo……...The ER was friendly and courteous. I found out that I have an Ulcer or severe acid reflux. (I capitalize the word Ulcer out of respect demanded by the intensity of pain it holsters) They gave me a cocktail of numbing liquid. It worked in around 15-20 minutes. They took my blood and determined that it had nothing to do with my gall bladder. So praise God that my gall bladder is ok. I can afford to treat an ulcer/acid reflux. I can’t afford a surgery to remove my gall bladder. Anyway, next week I will follow up with Dr. Jansen. I finally got back home and in bed by 2:30-3:00. It was a long night. By the way Jen had just as bad of a night…not with pain….but with trying to take care of me. I love that women. She is amazing. I know you would say that she is supposed to take care of me. The truth is she had to work today too. She could have gone to bed and left me to deal with the pain. Because face it…there was nothing she could do….wait….that’s not true…she could love me…AND SHE DID. We are both at work on little sleep. Not a renewed energy for the day, but a renewed love for my wife. That will do.

Jen's Bringing Home The Bacon!

Jen's got a new job! She starts Tuesday at a local doctor's office as a file clerk/receptionist. I am so proud of her. She set out looking for a job that she wanted making sure she didn't settle on something just for a paycheck. I knew she would get a good job....pretty people just have it easier than us ugly folk. Anyway, please help us pray for God to bless her new position and the office that hired her.

Gettin small in the waist and cute in the face!

I know it has been 3 months since my last post. Sorry my focus has been on other things. I have a blood fat/lipid problem. My triglycerides were out of control. I also was diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. You can check it out on WebMD if you want. The main thing to know is that I needed to live a healthier life style.

The good news is that since my last post I have officially lost 48lbs and still losing. I went from 265 to 217. How you ask....ANCIENT CHINESE SECRET!!! Diet, exercise, and a personal trainer that would make Julian on "The Biggest Loser" cry. The personal trainer helps keep me accountable. If I eat fatty, high sodium,and carby foods...the scale will show it. The scales don't lie. Then the mean spirited ex marine corp drilling instructor motivates me to get back on track. (That is putting it lightly.) Another significant thing I have learned is what and how much to eat. You may not believe it, but at 265 I thought I was eating healthy. I would have looked you in the eye and told you I was eating healthy. WOW! That sounds so dumb now. I would exercise, but wouldn't get results because I was eating 2-3x the fat, carbs, and sodium I needed in a day.

Anyway, I have worked my butt off (no pun intended). I am almost done with this 12 week commitment and am focusing more on what to do after the 12 weeks to maintain the weight loss. One thing is for sure...I have worked to hard to allow myself to gain it back.

If you are reading this thinking you can't lose the weight. I have been there...I know how trapped you feel. I know what it feels like to try and try with NOTHING TO SHOW FOR YOUR SACRIFICE. Here is my advise. Get help! I found out that I didn't know how to do it on my own. Help is out there and life it too short to live one more day unhappy with yourself. I knew that if I had continued the lifestyle I was leading my girls (2 year and 7 year old) would be fatherless in about 10 years (if that). You can do it if you have the right knowledge and desire.

By the way, my triglycerides are now where they should be. I think I will be around for awhile longer. At least I know that if I go it won't be for something that I am doing to myself.