Weight update for my own records....

Weight: 93.0kg ▼18 kg

Bum: 114 cm ▼ 13½ cm

Bust: 114 cm ▼ 14 cm

Tummy: 121 cm ▼ 15 cm

Waist: 96 cm ▼ 15 cm

L. Thigh: 65 cm ▼ 6 cm

R. Thigh: 66 cm ▼ 5 cm

L. Arm: 34 cm ▼ 5 cm

R.Arm: 36½ cm ▼ 2½ cm

L. Calf: 41½ cm ▼ 6½ cm

R. Calf: 41 cm ▼ 6 cm

Neck: 36 cm ▼ 4cm

Down 18kgs & 87½cm. Woo~Bloody~Hoo!

Yet another "up the clacker" ultrasound....

So the big black shadow is the 14cm'ish mass and that ball resting on the side of it is what's ruining all the fun. LOL If it was all just fluid it woulnd't bu that suss but given the solid bit in it (growing also) that's what the problem is. :-(

Went for second opinion with v. lame gyno (supposedly pelvic sub-specialist) and made me realise that the gyn/oncologist I'm with is who I need to be with. One good thing the gyno requested was a pelvic u/s from a specialist place that that's ALL they do, they were exeptional with their knowledge and their imaging pics.

Report read:

EXAMINATION: Pelvic Ultrasound

CLINICAL HISTORY: Pelvic mass
Previous history of hysterectomy
REPORT:
Consistent with the surgical history, the uterus is absent.

The left ovary measures 2.4 x 2.0 x 0.8 cm. It is normal in size, shape and echotexture. Colour Doppler Imaging showed no unusual neovascularisation. Posterior to the left ovary is a smaller tubular cystic lesion which measures 3.4 x 0.9 x 1.0 cm. This may be a hydrosalpinx.

The right ovary is not seen separately from a complex cystic structure which measures
14.9 x 10.7 x 11.3 cm. Colour Doppler Imaging showed no unusual neovascularisation with Resistance Index of 0.4. It contains faintly echogenic fluid within, multiple vascular septations and a fixed solid lesion which measures 3.0 x 2.9 x 3.0 cm. Vascularity is seen peripherally in the solid nodule on Colour Doppler Imaging demonstrating a Resistance Index of 0.4

There are no other pelvic or adnexal masses seen.
There is no free fluid in the pouch of Douglas.

CONCLUSION: The right ovarian cyst may be a dermoid but a cystadenoma is the other possibility, in view of its recent growth. Histopathological assessment would be of value.

It's just the damn size of the thing that keeps freaking me out! It's at the stage now where it's bloody painful. KInda feels like a prolapsed uterus that will fall out any tick of the clock, only difference being I no longer have a uterus! LOL

Best fly.....Endone & Xanax finally kicked in and I can move around without too muc grief so will go get come more shut eye I think. Thanks for listening to babble on, it's my speciality after all. ;-)

Dan x

Happy Joy-Joy. NOT!

Well nothing to do with my weight loss journey, that's the least of my woes at the moment! ROFL Decided to add my journey here with what's going on at the mo with my health so that friends/family can read where I'm at without me having to run through it 8+ times a day.





CT - CHEST, ABDOMEN & PELVIS (inc. delayed images)

History: Complex cystic lesion in the pelvis with mural solid component ? ovarian cystic mass lesion rather than hydrosalpinx. I note a chest x-ray done yesterday also demonstrated no discrete abnormality.

Technique: Post-contrast examination performed with arterial phase images obtained through the chest and portal venous and delayed images through the abdomen and pelvis.

Findings:

Chest: The trachea is situated in the midline. No thyroid enlargement seen. No thyroid nodule noted.

No significant mediastinal or hilar mass lesion identified. No chest wall or pleural speace abnormality detected. No effusion seen.

Minor lymphy glands are seen in both axillae.

In the lung window display there are two small nodular lesions present. One measures 6mm in size and is in the lung apex at the anterior aspect. The second one is located in the posterolateral aspect of the left mid/lower lung field in close poximity to the pleura and measures approximately 18mm in size. Despite reviewing the chest x-ray performed yesterday I cannot visualise these two lesions in the plain PA or lateral view. No other focal lung abnormality detected. No other mass lesion or sonsolidation identified. Appearance of these two nodules is non-specific ? granulomata ? more sinister lesions. Comparison with previous CT scan in May 2008 demonstrated these two lesions are new findings.

No other lung field abnormality seen. No pleural effusion noted.

Abdomen: There is a gastic band noted in situ and appears to be in reasonable position.

There is no focal abnormality seen ion the liver, spleen, pancreas or kidneys except for a cortical cyst seen in the posteromedial aspect of the right kidney at its lower third. This measures 19mm in size. There is also a smaller cortical cyst seen on the lower pole of the left kidney.

Gallbladder and biliary tree appear normal.

There is apparent splenomegaly with the spleen extending more than half the AP diameter of the abdomen. No focal lesion seen within the spleen.

There is also minor lymph glands seen in the mesenteric root and adjacent to the mid abdominal aorta but based on size criteron they are likey to be of no clinical significance.

There is also a fairly prominent proximal left ovarian vein noted extending from the inferior aspect of the mid left renal vein.

In the pelvis there is a large sepated cystic mass lesion seen occupying most of the pelvis and lower abdomen. This measures 14 x 9.3 x 11.1cm in size and demonstrates septation and predominantly fluid density. At its right posterolateral wall therte is also a slightly denser and minimal contrast enhancing mural nodule present. This measures approximately 17mm in size. I note the history of possible hydrosalpinx but I feel this lesion is too rounded and septated in appearance and likely represents a cystic tumour of the ovary ? right ovarian origin rather than hydrosalpinx. Suggest correlation with clinical history. I note there was a question raised previously with possible oophorectomy in the CT report in 2008. In understand the patient is to have a second gynaecological opinion tomorrow.

Minor pelvic side wall lymph glands are also seen but no significant mass lesion or significant enlarged lymph nodes identified. The inguinal regions on both sides are normal.

No lytic or sclerotic process identified.

No obvious hydronephrosis or hydroreter detected in the delayed images.


CONCLUSION: Large septated lobulated predominantly cystic mass lesion seen in the pelvis occupying nearly the whole of the pelvis and compressing onto the bladder at the superior aspect and extending into the lower abdomen. There is also apparent mural solid component present. Appearance is likey that of a large right ovarian cystic tumour.

Nodules seen in the left lung field in lung apex and in the posterolateral aspect of the left lower lung field. They were not seen in the precious examination in 2008. ? Possible secondary lesions or granulomata.

No hepatic secondary or pleural effusion/ascites seen.Splenomegaly.Bilateral renal cortical cysts. No over intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy identified. Minor lymph glands seen in the para-aortic region.



So yeah I'm in a v. weird headspace at the moment. Reckon my Zoloft dosage musn't be right coz I figure if I can still cry they're not working. ROFL Off to see a gyno pelvic sub-specialist this morning for another opinion....it's a given that the blob needs removing me but it's not sitting well that I have to wait until the 18th May for surgery. It's now causing pretty major discomfort 24/7 and I must admit not being able to take anti-inflammatories for my aching joints is doing me in. I kid you now I hobble around like some 75 year old hunchback old woman. I wish I could walk properly but all of the joints just aren't working right, tis a real pisser.

Well I must say dragging this blog up it's made me realise I should probably measure up and see where I'm at weight wise - I know I've lost a good few more cm's even if not so reflected on the scales but with all this other hoo-hah on at present quite simply put the size of my thighs is of no real importance right now. Nice though as when it's out and I've healed from surgery (and hopefully I can talk the surgeon into taking out a little extra abdominal fat for the road!!) perhaps my ahem, girth, will be a good smidge less. YAY!


Thanks for reading whomever you are and I'll keep this updated as kinda nice being able to talk to myself and get my feelings down on paper (for lack of a better description) as helps me plough on through the day and not get so discouraged by new findings that keeping rearing their ugly heads. Push comes to shove my CA-125's aren't too hairy and I won't know if it's anything cancerous until the gungy bits come out and all get biopsied. Brill, then I've got full-blown menopause to get my head around.....my poor delicious husband and poor children, it'll be hell around her for the next few months! LOL


Laughing at the irony though because I was thinking back to when I made my decision to get the lapband in back when I hit 39 and saying to myself "For my 40th I'll give myself the gift of good health and quit being an obese fattyboomstix so I can be around a looooong time for my kids....and then this ovarian tumour had to go and ruin all the fun. :( So much for losing 20 kgs, feeling marvellous for it but now staring down the barrel at all this carry-on. Just want it all over with (the surgery) so I can know one way or the other. Think that's pretty normal too.


TTFN peoples!!!

Dan x

Well made up with the below stats! Sometimes I stress it's all not happening fast enough however I must remind myself I've hardly employed the services of a personal trainer 3 days a week! I really must start exercising, even if just a walk everyday, however I seem so fatigued at present I truly just cannot be assed. Very poor kidney function tests came back so much to sort out this week on that front........ I was so happy to see the back of 2008 that even now as I welcome in 2009 I have a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that this year will be hard slog for me, health wise that is. Oh well still gotta be good considering I've said goodbye to almost 17 kg that I'll never see again - that's got to help enormously - surely!



Weight: 94.2kg ▼16.8kg


Bum: 117½cm ▼ 9½cm
Bust: 114cm ▼ 14cm
Tummy: 125cm ▼ 11cm
Waist: 100cm ▼ 11cm
L.Thigh: 68½cm ▼ 2½cm
R. Thigh: 68cm ▼ 3cm
L. Arm: 36cm ▼ 3cm
R.Arm: 36½cm ▼ 2½cm
L. Calf: 43cm ▼ 4cm
R. Calf: 44cm ▼ 3cm
Neck: 36cm ▼ 4cm


▼ 16.8kg & 61cm. Woo~Hoo!


On track to look semi-decent for when my husband turns 50 and when I turn 40 .... much to look forward too!

20th September 2008

It's working!! ☺


Weight: 104.2kg ▼6.8kg

Bum: 123cm ▼ 5cm
Bust: 117cm ▼ 5cm
Tummy: 130cm ▼ 6cm
Waist: 102cm ▼ 9cm
L. Thigh: 72cm ▼ 1cm
R. Thigh: 70cm ▼ 1cm
L. Arm: 37½cm ▼ 1½cm
R.Arm: 37½cm ▼ 1½cm
L. Calf: 44cm ▼ 3cm
R. Calf: 44cm ▼ 3cm
Neck: 40cm ▼ 2cm

▼ 6.8kg & 38cm. Woo~Hoo!

The "obsession" with food still continues *hmmmph*

I guess one of the things I got my head around when I chose to go down the Lap Band road was that my love affair with food must come to an abrupt halt. The sheer fact that to me food = joy, rather than food = fuel. I gave myself repeated stern talkings to in the lead up to surgery that obsessing about food was going to be (dammit!) a thing of the past....yet here am I am on Day 7 post-op and I can't see there ever being a time that food won't be my obsession. Bit peeved about that. Now it's not because I just can't stop dreaming about how heavenly a piece of turkish toast laden with butter & vegemite would taste right now but because you so have to stop and T H I N K about everything that passes your lips and even more so when it passes your lips - so all winds up a bit of a logistical headache to be perfectly frank.

Yes, one has to remember to cease drinking ½ hr before eating and not to recommence till an hour or so afterwards, that alone does my brain in. I had my baby girl in hospital last night and was trying the tempt her with some boiled rice and without even thinking popped some in my mouth as to show her it was yum. THEN I remembered my lacky band and crapped myself! Never bolted to a bin so quickly in my life and spat something out - my 4 year old cracked up laughing because it all must have looked so funny ~ Mama putting a tiny bite of rice in her mouth, then panicing, then bolting to spit it out. Cheeky madam! So yeah things like that happen and it kinda scares me a bit. I wonder if people ever 'forget' they've got a band and just Go for Gold without really realising....? Anyway that's just spooked me a bit because it made me realise that from here on in anything that passes my lips will have to be a thought out decision, and in my eyes that kinda sucks as that sure takes a fair bit of spontainaity outta life hey?


So I'm on Day 8 now and deseperately trying not to be a SW (scale whore. LOL) Gets a bit stupid when you get on the bloody things every morning, leaves nothing to look forward to next Monday morning I reckon. Do I feel any different? No, not really. Have I noticed a difference in my clothes? Nah, being a SAHM and living in trakkies it'll take a while for me to notice I reckon. ROFL Already had one comment that I'm looking slimmer and this is from a chum that knows nothing about the surgery - so at least I know the comment is kosher and not just to pump me up. ;-)


Best fly and do some housework. Have 1000 steps left to do of my quota today, loving my pedometer!


Dan x

Shit, a lot can change in 3 months hey?

Realised I'd cranked this up and thought easier to just add to it rather than do another one from scratch...

'Tis now end July and after going up another coupla kilos (yeah those TF shakes were realllllly good *insert rolling eyes*) decided to bite the bullet and hit the husband up for a lazy 6K and pick some poor bastard to whack a lacky band in my stomach. Said lacky band now in place and I'm sitting at about Day 9 post-op. I'll be bloody honest and say that this sure sounded like a much better idea a fortnight ago but in for a penny and all that old tosh hey?

Bit of info:

4 days after I turned 39 I was in hospital having Dr Roy Brancatisano from "Circle Of Care" (cheesy business name but top set-up!) whack a Lap-Band in me. The day of the OP was a bit of a shocker and was really only on about Day 5 I didn't feel like I needed to be so gingerly with it all - bloody still hurts though, make no mistake!! Took all the dressings off tonight (mmmm, there's a vision - DON'T hold that thought!) and seem to be healing up okay'ish but tonight my shoulder tip pain is the worst it's been since the procedure - bloody kills. Must say the box of Endone is winking at me but trying not to be all wussy and pop (read: crush) pills if I reallly don't have too.

Anyway some stats whilst I still remember them:

8th July - initial consult with CoC - 113.2kgs. (Farrrrrrk a duck!)

18th July - after Optiyuking in preparation for the surgery ~~~ ↓ to 110.4kgs

23rd July - Actual operation

28th July - Weigh in was ↓ to 108.4kgs


So yeah in 20 days neat I'd shaken 4.8kgs. Bit bloody happy with that just quietly!! 'Tis funny because if somebody said that to me I'd be piping up with "Oh yeah, sure it was fat.....if it's that much of course you're only losing water. Duh!" but knowing what had passed my lips since the 8th of July I would bet my house that I have really lost the weight - Christ how could one not?!


Shoulder tip pain doing me in so will scoot.....youngest daughter going in for tonsills/adenoids out tomorrow so bit sidetracked stressing with all that - keeps my mind off being hungry though (which I'm actually not) I guess hey?


Nice Chatting,

Dani