Weight loss update and update on migraines.

Been a few days since an update, right? Busy, busy.

First, I had an appointment on 9/2/08 with my PCP. She was stunned and excited by my weight loss and congratulated me numerous times. I was there to hopefully get help with my recent issue with migraines. I wrote before about it.. I have been having them 3-4 times a week now. I hadn't had a serious one in probably 15 years or so. I talked to my doctor about it, and she wanted me to come in so she could help me with it. She ended up prescribing Topamax for prophylaxis and Imitrex for rescue when a headache comes on. WELL.. that was amazing for her to do that.. however, the copay for each of those is $50. The Topamax was for a supply for a month, and the Imitrex was for only 9 pills. Uh.. yeah right. I called the office back, and I ended up getting verapamil.. a generic with a much lower copay.. and still Imitrex for rescue but with 50 pills this time instead of 9. That is more like it. I can deal with that. The doctor herself actually called me twice to try to get things figured out after I had talked to her nurse a couple times. She really is awesome. I don't know how common it is for doctors to actually call you themselves.. but that impresses me.

A week later, I had my "3 month" followup appointments at MMPC despite the fact I am more than 4 months out from surgery. I am doing exceptionally well and feeling amazing, so I don't mind that the followup was a little late. The exercise guy was impressed with my overall activity level and loss so far. He is fun to talk with and genuinely seems like he cares about his job. The next appointment was the nutritionist.. and wow. It was a group appointment, which I was fine with, but the people all had had either RNY or Lap banding. The recommendations that the nutritionist was giving were so not really for me. She was telling them that they had to start taking calcium.. uh, okay.. I have been taking 2 calcium + vitamin D pills 4 times a day since I was like a week out from surgery. With all the vitamins and medications, I am up to 19 pills a day. There were some people in that meeting literally near tears thinking about having to take these pills. Also, I got my labs back.. my iron is borderline low but the PA was not concerned about that yet.. watchful waiting for that I guess. My vitamin B12 is trending toward the low end of things, so I have to supplement with 1,000 mcg a day with that. My vitamin D is now at 39.. which is actually good news. Preoperatively, it was nine. Yes, just nine. The PA explained that vitamin D deficiency is common in the majority of people in society. I am taking 50,000 IU in dry form now, so it is working and going up as it should. Good news.

My weight loss since the day of surgery is 78 pounds now, and a total of 139 pounds from my highest weight last year. Just a year ago at this time, I was in the hospital just having been diagnosed with diabetes and freaking out about life in general. I have come a long way since then, for sure. I have lost a whole person.. and I am still headed in the right direction toward my goal. If I had hopes for myself back then, I have far surpassed them now. I am actually proud of myself, and that is a very good feeling.

We have been occupied with planning for Heather and Ken's wedding. It's coming up quick on September 20th. We are all going out this weekend for a group bachelor/bachelorette party and a general good time. I can't wait. I am also going to visit and spend some time with my mom on Sunday, just me and her. We haven't done that in years. SHE invited ME.. sort of shocking. It's the first time she has invited me to do anything in.. wow.. I don't even know how long. A very fun and exciting weekend awaits!!