In Search of My Body vol. 10 - taking it one paper towel at at time

[AKASnowWhite]

And I sold in approximately three months in a saturated resort town for ten thousand more than I paid with no agent commission.

That's awesome Lisa! Congrats to you. Now. Do you have your eye on something already or are you just starting your new house hunt?

I am a bit freaked out about the ramp that is not a hill but is a hill. I have not trained for hills, I don't have any by me to train on. I hope it's really not that bad is it?

It is NOT a hill. Florida does not have HILLS On ramp. Silly little on ramp. No big deal. It goes up a bit on one side, then down again on the other. Piece.of.cake. (it's all in the attitude honey )

I wanted to ask you,,,,,,
the disney shirt you get in your race packet. Does it run small?
I ordered an XXL and I am worried it may be to big.

hmmm. I'd say they run pretty true to size, but maybe just a touch small? The ones last year were made by Champion. I don't know for sure if the shirts are the same this year or not. But my personal feeling is I can always wear it even if it's a little big, but not if it's too small.



Did my run this morning - 5.5 miles. Horrid. Nasty. Brutal run. Mostly because I did leg work yesterday and my a$$ is KILLING me today

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

It runs small. I got an XL and was wishing that I had done XXL, so we can switch if it's too big.

Deal.
I will try it on, on friday and let you know if its to big

 

[AKASnowWhite]

It runs small. I got an XL and was wishing that I had done XXL, so we can switch if it's too big.

Kat, I think you're right. I just went and looked at my shirt and I'm glad I ordered up last time.

BTW - anybody have any insights as to what color the official shirts are this year?

 

[3DisneyKids]

I wanted to ask you,,,,,,
the disney shirt you get in your race packet. Does it run small?
I ordered an XXL and I am worried it may be to big.

Yes, they definitely run small. Between all of us, we have a bunch of different sizes and can switch around if need be. Plus, you might be able to switch right at the Expo. I saw people doing that last year.

Official shirt color--crap. I was *supposed* to call Disney Endurance and ask. Totally forgot! Sorry! Remind me and I will do it on Monday. But I have some educated guesses...I would say either pale green (Tiana) or purple (Rapunzel). Those are the two new princesses from the last year and they are pushing them hard.

 

[lisaviolet]

Kat!!!

No last year shirt that you were giving up. I'm out of luck, eh?

Nancy - thanks. We looked last week - the market has changed drastically since we moved - so VERY small. On it Monday/Tuesday.

Thanks Jo for the support and I'm sorry on that - I enjoyed selling it myself. We've sold two condos with agents. And liked that as well but with agents I was ALWAYS so stressed with keeping things clean. When I was in control this time it was nothing. And I actually enjoyed open houses and showing the house. Really enjoyed it - as in going to miss it. Yes, me - the introvert.

Also, we shouldn't have had one issue with this woman. She was an agent buying for herself.

But she was just so casual on EVERYTHING. Cheque due Monday by Wednesday - nothing. Contract witnesses not signed. Cheque comes (don't you just love Canadian "check" - isn't it pretty? ) and it's a personal cheque - she should know better. Waiver comes AFTER time she dictates herself. She called my lawyer ANAL. I love our lawyer - he's just like no, no AND let me see no. I ADORE him. I think I lean to anal - I can't stand casual activity around contract situations. It stopped us from putting in offers - all her delays.

It feels good today - cheque redone - contract witness fixed. DONE. DONE. DONE.

Now I'm homeless on a date I won't even share because I based it was okay before they changed my OR date.

Life is so grand, isn't it?

 

[HockeyKat]

Kat, I think you're right. I just went and looked at my shirt and I'm glad I ordered up last time.

BTW - anybody have any insights as to what color the official shirts are this year?

I was being optimistic about weight loss when I registered for the Princess. Sigh. When will I ever learn?

 

[3DisneyKids]

Word. Me, too...

 

[lisaviolet]

So I never shared my fantastic kidney/heart news.

And I think I kept this from you all. This part of what happened just after I was cleared. I think you know I've been fighting with the transplant team from day one. I'm confident it's not all about the "mouthy I hate lies" me. Because I had zero issues/personality conflicts with T's team/hospital and they wouldn't let us move. I loved them.

Well anyway when I was finally cleared I mouthed off/questioned/backed their lies into a corner in a way. The nephrologist had seen me and cleared me and her words were used by me. She said - actually shouted "there is no way _________(test) is not done - you would never be in my office". It wasn't. They tried to back track and I used her words to say "lying".

Then they played school yard.

Remember I was CLEARED. So without a phone call she fired back with a requisition for another test that I didn't need and took away my clearance. And it was a slap in the weight area. Long long story but it was something that was not a concern because my BP and cholesterol were perfect and the EKG, ECG - and Stress Echo were fine. And a test that you only do if there is a concerning number surrounding it. So it was her being _________.

So when I went in for pre-surgery fun for all. I got results. I ROCKED that test. Yes sir. Take that annoying disrespectful don't call me to say now not cleared doc!!!!!!!!!!!

AND I'm sorry but I'm thrilled. I am BEYOND HEALTHY. I had to see a boatload of medical personnel. And they all said the same thing.

The surgeon was asked. Well let me say something about kidneys first. You can live with one because some of us right now maybe even on the thread - without you even knowing it - without a clue - might have a kidney that is not even working or very low capacity. It happens sometimes in testing they told me - someone comes in to donate and they find out. And they have no idea.

Plus, one grows - or tries to - to try to improve the situation when one comes out. Fascinating, eh?

So one comes out - the other might grow to get you to 75% of where you were. Maybe but if it stays at 50% of where you were it's fine.

So surgeon is asked by me where I was at - less than 100%? Where?

He sighs. And shakes his head. And says "Lisa - ummm about 125%. Here is the rest of the population and here are YOU. I need to send that boy back to medical school because 125% makes no sense. Winking.

So I say "lucky, eh?" "genetics". And he says neither lucky nor genetics can cover all of that Lisa.

And then the anethesiologist goes over my stress test. Remember that fun in the summer! She starts off with I don't want to alarm you with the EKG first.

Apparently, my heart does something that it is not supposed to do - goes down when it should go up. She couldn't explain it to me. It's strange but not a concern because it does it in a pattern over many ECGs. And one of my kidneys has two arterial veins/arterties instead of one - - so I'm keeping that one. Genetic freak. I LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!! It so makes up for the legs.

(She did mention that there was a marker of something in the valve area - that was of no concern - I thought of my mom because you are born with faulty valves - oh well who knows - she said it was nada - just a notation)

SO the stress test. I told her I'm very interested in the cardio of that. She smiles. I LOVE her. . She says Lisa - stress tests are done on people without heart problems (end up not having any) and that are testing like you. Many many people beg to get off at a "4.5". 2 is us here talking. 4.5 is dancing. 6/7 is jogging - aerobic. We got you off - asked you to stop you were at 10.4 - that's running. Your HR was beyond capacity over 100% and you were still on.

OMG, THRILLED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And beyond thrilled it was all so effin' fascinating.

(I interrupt my own lovefest to tell you all get a EKG after 40 so that if there are issues at 50/60/70 they have a baseline to compare - plus heart disease is the major killer of women - more than anything)

Okay, back to pompous me.

Why am I so thrilled? I can't even explain to you how thrilling this was for a girl who was born at almost ten pounds - reads obese on a BMI because I'm simply big and heavy not fat fat - at a great size will still read overweight - never was small - will never be small - who no one thinks is fit - is called fat because she's merely BIG . Is always underestimated in this area. You know how many times I've wanted to yell at someone "you have no effin' IDEA what's inside here" . You know that's a lie. I started to actually BELIEVE society. And that's the saddest part of it all. I lost my own voice and knowing at times.

It's like the SWEETEST REVENGE - in my head only -ever. I guess it's the way you all feel when you finish the race. It's so wonderful.

It beats ANY weight loss.

And I know this sounds VERY POMPOUS and PATRONIZING but I can't help but think that some of my difficult emotional work in life is producing some of that health in my body. I'm a big believer in mind/body. Yes I'm lucky. Yes genetics for sure. Yes I'm good to myself food/exercise wise for the most part. But I smile with all my emotional work. It's been a long road and payback is not always apparent.

Okay, done. That part.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Now I'm homeless on a date I won't even share because I based it was okay before they changed my OR date.

I was "homeless" for 3 weeks with a 4 yo, 2.5 yo, and a 3 week old. Roaming nomads. I honestly survived that whole part of my life by singing Hakuna Matata constantly.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Why am I so thrilled? I can't even explain to you how thrilling this was for a girl who was born at almost ten pounds - never was small - will never be small - who no one thinks is fit - is called fat because she's merely BIG. Is always underestimated in this area.

Fit, Fit Lisa. All of that is such great news! And I agree on the whole size to fitness ratio crap. Meaning, I think its CRAP! My sister practically starved herself thin when she was in high school. Litereally. As in my mother made her watch the Karen Carpenter movie. Scary thin. But, in her mind, it's the one thing she can control in this world of uncontrolable circumstances. So, she does. And she will readily admit that just because she is thin does not mean she is fit. She is so not fit. She's not physically strong, no muscle tone at all. Cardiovascularly speaking? Nada.

So yeah. People need to wake up and realize that thin & fit are two completely different things.

(OOH!!!! Becca is singing. OMG that girl sings like an angel. You can't even believe. amazing, amazing gift she has)

 

[lisaviolet]

Okay, I had to argue with the surgeon. Not smart. I'm aware.

Let me explain this hospital from he!!. ONE of the surgeons is still doing the old/traditional transplant - as in he won't progess in life. (my take) AND THEY TRY TO SELL IT TO YOU LIKE THE USED CAR SALESMEN THAT THEY ARE.

There are doctors in Maryland doing one incision laparoscopy through the belly button. Someone in England's kidney was taken out ******lly. (Let me try to EDIT that what was edited by the DIS - hmm what oprah calls vajayjay - why can't I write a woman's body part -the real word. MY goodness). Probably not a transplant but still. These are both experimental but just showing you how far some hospitals are progressing.

One nutso doctor at this hospital is still doing traditional/muscle cutting nonsense "but he's perfected it by not taking out a rib". Blah, Blah. Blah. I was having none of it.

I call him Doctor Snatch and Grab.

Let me pause here to say this has nothing to do with the health care in Canada. My other testing was all for laparoscopy (if I was a good candidate) . And some people can't have new surgeries done because of something in the makeup. And some are very experimental. However, the vast majority these days are new surgeries minimal incision laparoscopy.

But here at Loonie Toon Hospital the loonies are out in full force. The run the show. Have annoyed my life for a year now. And they've told lies to sell you the sh!t. Like six weeks recovery on both. Recovery is the same. Nope. Lie. Blah - blah - blah.

And I'm now wondering if despite my "i'm not having the OLD surgery (which they call traditional ). I might be still hooked up with Doctor Snatch and Grab.

So let's all pray. I walked in and he said "we can do the surgeries two wa......" I interruped him promptly. No we won't. We will be choosing door number two.

So I'm unsure if they've effed me because I'm a problem child. Probably not. But shady.

So suddenly this laparoscopy is six incisions and most are 3-5 around the world. It makes me go hmmm.

But I just found all of this out just this week and I can't exactly have anywhere to mouth off. So I'm venting here!!!!

It can't be good to make the surgeon feel I'm threatening him. So I just asked a few pointed, educated questions.

So here's my documentation of the nonsense. My cordinator hates me the most. So call her out first.

to all.

 

[lisaviolet]

Fit, Fit Lisa. All of that is such great news! And I agree on the whole size to fitness ratio crap. Meaning, I think its CRAP! My sister practically starved herself thin when she was in high school. Litereally. As in my mother made her watch the Karen Carpenter movie. Scary thin. But, in her mind, it's the one thing she can control in this world of uncontrolable circumstances. So, she does. And she will readily admit that just because she is thin does not mean she is fit. She is so not fit. She's not physically strong, no muscle tone at all. Cardiovascularly speaking? Nada.

So yeah. People need to wake up and realize that thin & fit are two completely different things.

(OOH!!!! Becca is singing. OMG that girl sings like an angel. You can't even believe. amazing, amazing gift she has)

I want a Becca.

Nancy, thanks.

And it's so hard because of my size AND I don't LOOK fit besides the size. When you see me you'll see. Mama, Jean's Mom, used to use the words "skinny fat" all the time. There were so many intelligent statements that came from the country in Jamaica that were just said and more and more I understand them all. And some of them are funny.

I mean look at stomachs for looks only for example. Some of the most unfit girls will often have the flattest most beautiful stomachs for sure. I have some fat there (but it's my best part still) but besides that it's really the muscles for my body shape that pop out. I have a big curve in my back - which affects the front.

It was just a BEAUTIFUL moment with all the tests.

In fact, it shows improvement too. One issue I had with T's testing - they told me my liver was showing signs of becoming fatty. No huge scare but definitely showing signs. This time - perfectly normal - no issues. So it's incredible what one can do with changes in exercise/diet. Incredible. So fascinating.

And take that stress test technician who was like "oh you're sweating so much" in a tone as they asked me to get off. Ummm, yeah BIG MAN - 10.4 baby - over my maximum HR nutjob.

Nancy, that must have been very stressful with your sister for everyone.

Fitness doesn't always bring smaller either. Sometimes yes but not always. Whenever I'm off my workout schedule - like this week or so - I notice my legs are SMALLER not BIGGER.

I need a BECCA.

 

[lisaviolet]

I was "homeless" for 3 weeks with a 4 yo, 2.5 yo, and a 3 week old. Roaming nomads. I honestly survived that whole part of my life by singing Hakuna Matata constantly.

Oh boy Nancy. You win. I just have baby Jean. Holy cow Nancy. You know me and Lyz and maybe even Liz - laughing - well the curiosity is overwhelming on that tidbit.

Actually Jean and I - fine. We have many options. It's the cats. That vetoes many. Lord it's the cats that bring me stress for their peace and safety and finding something. Did I tell you all that I'm a dog person/hated cats and have two (Jean wanted them so I lovingly said "okay") - so thankful - cats teach you a boatload - you can't be a controlling nutcase. They simply don't care. They take all your control issues and tell you to get over yourself.

Nancy, this reminds me - was that YOUR house on facebook - snow? OMG, that is one BEAUTIFUL home. Yours? Sister's?

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Many many people beg to get off at a "4.5". 2 is us here talking. 4.5 is dancing. 6/7 is jogging - aerobic. We got you off - asked you to stop you were at 10.4 - that's running. Your HR was beyond capacity over 100% and you were still on.

Lisa, THAT ROCKS!!! You showed them!

Two years ago I went to the Dr. to find out WHY I couldn't lose weight when I had been exercising AND eating all raw vegan (basically just veggies, fruits, & nuts) and she really went off and told me I wasn't getting enough protein or vit B and THAT was why I was still overweight (which makes no sense, really). So she did a whole battery of tests of me because she was SURE that I had a whole list of deficiencies. Tests came back and you should have heard her on the phone! She was mumbling and I asked her to speak up when she told me that my protein levels were great, no deficiencies at all and I was as healthy as can be. I couldn't help but feel a bunch of satisfaction that she had to eat her words!

 

[3DisneyKids]

No, I've got dibs on Becca. I love her snark!

Lisa--GREAT news. Just wonderful. So happy really...so PROUD of you. For so many reasons. Not only are you doing this in the first place, but you have stuck through it will all of the BS and then openly (and LOUDLY!) spoken your mind when you knew what was right/best. OF COURSE you are fit and healthy. We've known that all along, haven't we?

Ok, I know you have mentioned dates, but I've lost it. WHEN is the surgery?

 

[3DisneyKids]

Side comment...I love, love, love it when Nancy brags about her kids. Because she SHOULD. Amazing, those kids. And she does it in the best way, not in the "my kid is better than your kid" way.

One of my absolute favorite memories from the Princess last year had nothing to do with the race at all. We were all hanging at the villa and Nancy's cell rang. She let out the biggest excited shout...it was Seth! And OMG, I have *never* seen a face light up like that. (For those who don't know...it was Seth's first year and they get very limited phone time, so she didn't get to talk with him much.) But OMG, she was so, so, so happy. And she went out on the patio and sat down and talked with him for quite a bit. She didn't know I was watching her, I'm sure, but really, it just made me so appreciate a mother's connection with her son. It was a precious moment.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

I want a Becca.




I need a BECCA.

Oh boy Nancy. You win. I just have baby Jean. Holy cow Nancy. You know me and Lyz and maybe even Liz - laughing - well the curiosity is overwhelming on that tidbit.

We were in the process of building our house (where we now live) and selling the one we lived in. The *fabulous* couple that bought our house insisted on having the closing on November 27th, knowing full well that I was due on November 27th. After much angst, we finally consented. Well, Becca was born on November 13th. So here I was, with a 2 week old, sitting on the floor in my living room the day after Thanksgiving as my family packed up my entire house around me. (well, really I mean my mother and Stephen's family. Not "my" family. Lord no.) We then stayed for two weeks in a fully furnished condo about 30 minutes away that the company that Stephen worked for owned. But, the company was moving a new employee up from Missouri (Bolivar. Hi Karen ) so he and his family were to have the condo. We knew that, but our house still wasn't quite ready. So, we moved in with my parents for a week. No sooner had we moved in with my parents when the new employee informed the company that his family wouldn't be joining him until after Christmas. Stephen's boss tried to get us to move BACK to the condo and the new guy would go to a hotel. But really. We had already moved our crap out. Not moving again. So, right before Christmas we moved into our new house. And I, like an idiot, hosted. Hakuna Matata.

Nancy, this reminds me - was that YOUR house on facebook - snow? OMG, that is one BEAUTIFUL home. Yours? Sister's?

Which house can you see? The red one maybe? That's my neighbor. That's the house we USED to own. Oh - did I mention that we built our new house right next door to the one we lived in? Now there's a story for another time.

No, I've got dibs on Becca. I love her snark!

Me too. She's a riot that one. I just took her to her friends house. Apparently they are making Mexican Lasagna for dinner. So, I innocently asked what they put in their Mexican Lasagna. "Mexicans of course No, really, I expect ground beef, and taco seasoning, and cheese and other Mexicany stuff. Like sombreros and maracas".

One of my absolute favorite memories from the Princess last year had nothing to do with the race at all. We were all hanging at the villa and Nancy's cell rang. She let out the biggest excited shout...it was Seth! And OMG, I have *never* seen a face light up like that. (For those who don't know...it was Seth's first year and they get very limited phone time, so she didn't get to talk with him much.) But OMG, she was so, so, so happy. And she went out on the patio and sat down and talked with him for quite a bit. She didn't know I was watching her, I'm sure, but really, it just made me so appreciate a mother's connection with her son. It was a precious moment.

OH! I remember that. Yeah, that was awesome.


Poor Stephen is out shoveling the deck to get to the grill. Yep. Grilling tonight

 

[Ronda93]

Nancy - grilling sounds great. I'd have to shove a path to it. I have before. I was homeless for one night after the closing on my sale and the closing on our purchase. All of my possessions were in two PODS in a undisclosed, secure location. Can't imagine nomading with a newborn.

Lisa - so right on the cats... "those are your issues, not mine". Great news all around. fit <> skinny.

I did my 14 miles this morning. It was a combination of treadmill and parking garage. Our building is largely empty on the weekends so I was able to run on a level without entry/exit so no traffic. Four on the TM, four in the garage, three on the TM and expected to finish in the garage. My knees started to ache/hurt. I did another mile. I decided it was the concrete and returned to the TM to finish out. No pain. Good pace, averaged 11:50.

It's trivia night. Our role = dessert. I baked brownies and cookies last night and picked up some caramel corn this afternoon. Sugar high, coming up.

DGF ran at the Y this morning. I called on my way home and she lovingly drew me an ice bath. She walked dogs at the animal shelter and has been busy with laundry since getting home.

Hope everyone is doing what s/he wants this weekend.

Ronda

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

WTG on the 14 miles Rhonda!

 

[HockeyKat]

Lisa, yay on house and telling off the icky folks at the hospital and being super fit!! I knew you were anyhow.

Never homeless but found out at 4PM the day before my scheduled 9AM closing that it would be 3-4 weeks before we could close. Had sold all our furniture but the bedroom and had furniture waiting to be delivered, movers scheduled, etc. and the lease was up on our apt in 5 days.

Long story short, thankfully we got the furniture store to hold the furniture for 3 weeks (helped that D's mom worked there), the movers rescheduled, the apt folk to extend our lease a month, the builders (who were at fault) to pay the rent and to buy us a futon to sit on, and also got some major concessions out of the builder (patio, landscaping, etc, plus paying the movers).


Ronda yay on the 14 miles!!


It's supposed to be 56 and sunny here tomorrow and I am hoping for less cold symptoms, so I think I might wog outside. Hoping for 5-7 miles, likely mostly walking.