The Bear Hunt Song

Can't go over it. Can't go under it. Must go through it.

It has been longer than I had intended since my last update! Mostly because I have been spending a lot of time living this new life and loving this new body! But also because I have spent a good amount of time since the end of June with gout. So perhaps that's where I'll start.

In my last post I updated that I had been down and out with gout. Since that time, I have had an attack about every two weeks. Each time it has been bad enough that I have been unable to walk without crutches or a knee scooter. The last really bad attack I had was in both feet, both ankles, and my right hip. Pain like that and being so limited with mobility definitely took a toll on my spirits. Even being so thrilled with how great I am feeling otherwise, I have spent a good amount of time being really frustrated and sad the last three months. I am very grateful that I have a job and employer who has been understanding through the whole ordeal and has given me the flexibility to work from home as needed until I am past all of this. It's been a major blessing. The good news is, that I am learning what symptoms prior to an attack feel like and I have Colchicine (a medication for acute attacks) on hand to take as soon as I feel the onset of symptoms. It seems to help decrease the severity and length of the attacks.

I titled this post "The Bear Hunt" in reference to the well-known children's song. A sweet friend and colleague of mine sent me the nicest message the other day saying that as she has observed my journey over the the last few months, I reminded her of the song. "Can't go over it, can't go under it, must go through it." I am not sure she realizes how much that meant to me. But it was something I needed to hear and given at a time I needed it most. So no matter what comes my way I will keep on keepin' on and go through it with tenacity, gumption, and a grateful heart. Okay...onward to the exciting stuff!

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Transformation Progress

It's been nearly 12 weeks since surgery and I am amazed and the transformation I am seeing. As of this morning, I am officially down 78 pounds and at the lowest weight I have been in the last 15 years. I am also down four sizes. My closet is dwindling rapidly. I am trying not to buy too much new because I know it won't be long before I am out of it. On the occasion where I have had to buy a new top or pants, I continue to be shocked at the size I actually need. I will typically grab two sizes too big off the shelf and think to myself  "there's not way this will fit." And I am right. It doesn't fit because it is too BIG. It's definitely a great feeling.

I have also had a significant number of "non scale victories." Here are just a few:

• My feet are shrinking.
• My fingers are shrinking and my wedding ring is getting too big. Ken might need to get me a new one. ;)
• I can cross my legs.
• I am not afraid to squeeze between people sitting at dinner tables in a restaurant.
• I am no longer worried about a booth being too small for me to sit in.
• I have lost my fear of flying and worrying that the seat belt won't fit.
• I am sleeping better.
  
• I am no longer hot all the time. I am actually frequently cold!
• I have more energy than I know what to do with.
• I went kayaking.
  
• I no longer agonize over what to do with my arms when I am seated.
  
• I presented at a conference to weeks ago and didn't ONCE have a thought while I was presenting about what people were thinking about my appearance.
  

I am excited to see what my progress looks like over the next several months. I am enjoying life in a way that I haven't in a long time. And it's a beautiful thing. Here are some progress photos. Thanks for your support and encouragement!