Growing bones in new places

This week’s accomplishment: 9/21-9/27/09

This was a good week- back in the gym. Our New employee is working out great, and I have been able to return to my desk and get a bunch of stuff done this week.

My workouts have been about 75 to 90 minutes this week- despite tendonitis in my left wrist and a kidney infection. Thankfully I am feeling better.

I am so very very excited about my trip to Florida and to the Magic Kingdom. I have been doing some research on the magic Kingdom and it looks like an amazing place.

I ordered a pair of jeans last week- they arrived this weekend and they appear to be too big. I swear I no longer know how to dress my body. I guess at some point I will need an intervention for clothing.

I have also begun to grow bones in new places- for instance the other day I notices that I now have bones around my collar area and in the hip areas. I wonder when they got there, and why they decided to appear at this age.

Thanks for all your support and love.

I want to wish everyone a Happy and Safe fast for Yom Kippur.

This journey is amazing and getting more amazing every day.

An awesome week

I want to start this week’s blog with a huge Thank you to all of you that commented on my post from last week. Thank you so much for the kind and wonderful words, your love and encouragement has meant a lot to me.
This has been a good week- Besides the lovely comments to my blog, several of our patients made a bunch of comments and compliments about how I was looking. THANK YOU
This was my first week back at the gym since my tonsil surgery. My ENT cleared me last Friday for a gradual return to life. I was warned to take it slow and not push myself too hard. So I have kept this week’s work outs to about 75 minutes or less.
Wednesday morning as I was walking into the gym my gym shorts fell to the ground… LOL NO I have not thrown them away yet- I did however put safety pins at the waist to keep them up. I know I need to get rid of them, but I seem to have issues parting with clothing that I paid so much money for and have worn for such a short time. The 1 trainer I have come to know laughed and said to the women he was working with- “See I told you she was working her A—off”. It was kind of funny.
My friend Dawn and I went shopping this weekend- it was cute- Friday evening standing in Burlington Coat factory – as I tried to convince her that the Beverly Hills Polo Club Polo shirt I had in my hand needed to be in the larger size and Dawn is saying no no no next size down. To my surprise the next size down fit perfectly. We then went to Wal-Mart and I bought 2 more tops and several packages of panties and a few bras. Several sizes smaller then what I had in my drawers. This is a very strange experience for me – as I feel like I am dressing someone else’s body.
Thank you Dawn for being my shopping buddy and for knowing what fits my body better than I do these days.
It’s getting cooler and I needed to buy some jeans as Dawn and Gina throughout the pairs I had- so I took my measurements and to my surprise I have lost nearly 10 “ from my waist and hips since the beginning of March, and 8” from my chest in the same time frame. When I first joined the Gym they took my measurements as part of my initial assessment, I have no clue what they were back in September. I have ordered a pair of Jeans and we will see if they fit. Yes I still hate shopping.
This week our Company’s New Marketing Director started- he is doing awesome so far and I am thrilled to have him on our team. Welcome Michael. I will be training him all week. Since we let the former employee go nearly 3 weeks ago- I have been doing double duty and feel a bit frazzled but it will all be ok.
In 10 days I will be leaving to visit my friends in Florida- I am very excited about seeing them and the trip to Disney. While out shopping this weekend I made sure to get some SPF 50 so I don’t burn. This is going to be a fun trip and I am so grateful to my friends Naomi and Dr. Steve for making this happen for me.
I noted a very amusing thing Friday night – Dawn and I went to Carraba’s for dinner- we shared an appetizer and then each got an entrée, of which more than ½ mine came home with me. It used to be that I could eat an appetizer by myself, my entrée and then dessert. NO more… Dinners frequently come home with me.
I keep saying this “Life is really great” and getting better. My coach once told me that I had no idea how great life was going to get- I get that…. Words cannot descript how I feel, beginning able to shop at Wal-Mart and Burlington, to have to be replacing my entire wardrobe, to be able to move- walk, swim, dance and have fun and not feel pain, winded or exhausted. LIFE IS GREAT…. THANK YOU Dr. Wood.

The journey is taking me too many destinations- and I am enjoying every one of them.

This has been an incredibly amazing year.

This has been 1 incredibly amazing year

It was a year ago today that my coach Dr. Joe Wood extended his hand to me and WOW what a year it’s been.
At this point last year I weighted 149 or so pounds more then I currently do… I could barely walk, I had a hard time getting out of a chair, I could not even shower without having to sit down as soon as I got out, I was scared that the stairs at our new office would be too much for me and I would have to quit my job, and mostly I was terrified that I would end up like my late husband Edward, bedridden and needing someone else to do everything for me.

Today life is GREAT and getting better and better. Those stairs at the office are not even a challenge; I go up and down them multiple times a day. I spend 90 to 180 minutes at a time, 5-6 times a week at the gym working out. I eat right, feel great. My nephews have a better Aunt, My boss has a better employee, my friends have a better friend, and I have a better me.

This weekend was the annual Reister’s Towne Festival- this was our company’s 11th year participating in it. In past years I have helped set up the booth and then just sat at the booth because I knew trying to walk around would have been impossible. This weekend I walked around the festival several times, and totally enjoyed it. Yes it was cold and damp yesterday and I was frozen, but today was bright and sunny and LOVELY. Despite all the incredible bad temptations of food- like deep fried Twinkies—YUCK- I managed to make good food choices- a polish sausage grilled yesterday and a pit beef today

My ENT cleared me on Friday I can doing really really well. Tomorrow will be 4 weeks and he was kind of surprised I had been back to work for 2 weeks, able to talk, and able eat and swallow most normal foods. He said he has seen patients my age need 4 to 7 weeks off from work. I was off 2 weeks.

Last year when my coach and I first talked we set some goals. (Beyond the Aston Martin) my goals were –
I wanted to be an inspiration for others, I wanted to make a difference for others, I wanted to dance at both my nephews weddings, I want to hold both of my nephews babies in my arms. I want a husband who is honest, sincere, genuine, humorous, loving man, who will love my cat and accept me for who I am, who will let me know everyday how great it is to wake up next to me. I don’t think I have met any of these goals yet, but life is a work in progress.
I still have my affirmation hanging on my bedroom wall and say it every morning: I am loved and protected, and a very special person, unique and I of a kind, and that makes me a priceless creation of God’s.

Last week my coach said he was proud of me and that he expected much more- he didn’t elaborate and I did not ask because I know whatever it is- I will be able to accomplish it, for anything is possible once I have set my mind to it.

As for the Husband when God is ready for me to have that- he is going to put the man in my path.

There are lots of great things happening in the next few months- On October 1st I will be flying to Florida to visit my friends, this trip is going to include the Magic Kingdom – I have never been to a Disney park and am very excited. The day after Christmas I am leaving for a week in Jamaica- I am giving serious thought to purchasing a bikini for this trip, and come January we will once again be going to Parker Vegas – Las Vegas is the MOST awesome place.


I am not an island and have had some great support thru out this year and I really do appreciate all of it, of course my coaches guidance , support , love and belief in my even when I didn’t believe in myself has been amazing. THANK YOU DR. JOE WOOD!!!!

The top photo was taken today, the bottom 2 are me at my heavest- you will notice the cane in the 1 photo.

What a week !!!

This week’s accomplishments: - 8/31/09- 9/6/09

What a week!!!!

Well my surgeon and I had agreed I could go back to work this week, if I only worked 5 to 6 hours a day, well that did not happen. In fact I worked 3 consecutive 12 hour days at the beginning of the week, 8 hours on Thursday and 5 on Friday, and another 8 today.
Unfortunately, I had to terminate one of the Chiropractic assistance that worked for us, it really hurt my heart and soul to have to do that, but my boss and I had no choice. For those of you that have ever had to terminate someone you know what I am talking about, you invest so much in to them and then are left with little options. On the high side- we did some interviews late in the week and 1 of the candidates was just a great fit, so we offered the job and have a new employee starting next week.
My throat is doing better, still a bit sore but I am finding that if I keep it moistened with cold liquids it feels better. My shoulder is also nearly totally healed- now just reaching over my head provokes pain.
Next Sunday will be a year I have been working with my coach….. It’s been an amazing year and I feel so good. Seriously no price can be put on being able to move and live life. For the last year or so my friend Naomi has been on my case to come to Florida to visit her, well later this month I will FINALLY be doing just that. She is having a ball planning all kinds of fun things for us to do including a visit to the magic kingdom…. A year ago I would have made excused to not go- for fear I would not be able to keep up with her- not now, while there is a small bit of anxiety about all the walking involved with the magic kingdom- I am excited about it, and excited about doing 1 of the things on my 101 things to do before I die list.
Ariel has not been happy this week, she had not liked my return to work, nor that she has been left alone during the day. She is spoiled but loves me, and wants to spend every moment with me, as I write this she is sleeping on my feet…. NOW if I could only find a man that would love and adore me so much.
Today would have been my Late husband Edward’s 52nd birthday. He was taken home so young- but I know he is at peace and not suffering.
Life really is good.
The journey is getting great… hold on tight..

A better week

This week’s accomplishments: - 8/24/09-8/30/09

A better week for sure, the Demerol fog has lifted, and the last 4 days I have been able to eat and swallow real food. Tomorrow is return to work. Hopefully the doctor will clear me Tuesday for a return to the gym Wednesday.
Wednesday was my first real food- thanks to Dawn who took me out for lunch, it took me about an hour to eat a 4oz chopped burger but it tasted very good.
Thursday I did work for about 3 hours at the office- I did payroll and got the stuff together for the practice management seminar we were attending in New Jersey.
Very early Friday morning we left for the drive to Jersey City New Jersey- despite some detours getting to my boss’ house to meet him, and some heavy rain on the way up the drive took only about 4 and half hours. The seminar was awesome the Hotel was lovely- many of the folks attending I had not seen since early November and they were all very shocked at how different I looked. Lots of compliments this weekend.
I did the driving up and back and really felt pretty good- other then I got tired out very easily, both Friday and last night I was in bed by 10 and out as soon as my head hit the pillow. But I guess being tired is just part of the healing process.
I have done some serious thinking this week- thinking how lucky I am to have an amazing boss that really does respect me, wonderful friends, and a great family and last September God blessed me with an amazing Coach. I have done so much and feel so incredible. I thought it was taking a long time to recover from the tonsil removal, till I talked with the ENT the other day and he was amazed at how well I was doing and feel so soon, so I guess I was just being impatient with myself again.
I cannot believe it is already September- where did the summer go? Next weekend is Labor weekend WOW- time is flying by…. Living life to its fullest …. Making the most of each day.

As always I really do appreciate each and every one of you that takes the time to read and or comment on my blog posts. Thank you so very much- your love and support really do mean a lot to me.
I want to wish everyone a safe and happy Labor day weekend.

This is an amazing journey- hold on its about to get better for sure.

A week not as I had planned

This week’s accomplishments: - 8/17/09-8/23/09

No gym allowed till after September 1, no exercise allowed either. (I’d make a pouty face but that hurts the facial muscles too much)

This has been a very low key week for me. Monday morning at 7AM I checked into GBMC for my second tonsillectomy. My friend Dawn drove me; we were home by 12:30 or so. A few minor complications during and after surgery, but no big deal. The Doctor had a hard time getting the right side of my throat to stop bleeding because of the old scar tissue, and then when they were trying to wake me up my blood sugar had dropped down to 30. Both were a bit scary but completely handled by the hospital staff.

Of course my coach is going to groan when he hears that the way they brought my blood sugars up were to give me 2 regular ginger ales and a grape Popsicle.

Thanks to the Demerol prescription I have been sleeping a lot this week. My coach always tells me to listen to my body, it’s the best doctor in the world, and well this week my body has been saying “sleep so we can heal”. So I have listened and slept. I have been told that the body heals much more rapidly while asleep then awake.

Last weekend my Boss and I attended a Chiropractic meeting in King of Prussia PA, my coach was there, he told me afterwards that I had a glow, that it was the life energy radiating from with in... Well there is no glow this week. In fact everyone that has come to see me has commented on how pale and wiped out I look. Amazing how that changed so fast. In many ways I feel like I have let my coach and myself down this week. I was fully planning on being back to work by Thursday or Friday of this last week and feeling much much better than I do right now… In a nut shell this surgery kicked my a- -.

I have this wonderful cat- a year or so ago when I was first looking into getting a kitten I was told that cats were a source of unconditional love. Well my Ariel is just that. Late Tuesday night I got up sick to my stomach, I sent hours in the bathroom. Finally falling asleep early Wednesday morning. When I woke up Wednesday afternoon, Ariel had pulled both her blankets, her pink teddy bear, her white teddy bear, her squeaky mouse, her crunchy fish and both her jingle bell balls on to my bed, and had them laid out next to me. I am told that when cats bring you presents like this, it’s to show love and comfort. I am not really sure what I was supposed to do with all her toys but I thought it was a very lovely gesture. Ariel has been at my side all week long. She hasn’t left me alone long. That is her in the photo above.

This week has been made a lot easier by some of the wonderful friends in my life- Thanks to Dawn for taking me to and from the hospital, getting my medication filled and checking in on me all week. Thanks to my brother, sister in law and the boys for the lovely flowers, pudding, soup and slurpees. Thanks to Gina for the ice crusher I couldn’t have made it thru this week without it. Thanks to Vicki and Neil for the greatest chicken motzah ball soup I have ever had. Thanks to Margie for calling and coming by to check on me. THanks to Joe for seeing to Ariel's needs. Thanks to my boss for keeping the office running in my absence and for looking in on me. Thanks to my coach for the lesson “always listen to your body”- that has been an invaluable lesson this week, and for being my champion even when I am feeling down. And of course thanks to Dr. McCorkle and the staff at GBMC’s Sherwood surgical center for all their great care.

Tonsil surgery is but a bump in the road on this journey.

Frantic week

This week’s accomplishments: - 8/10/09- 8/17/09



Monday I did an hour of deep water running

Tuesday I did 90 minutes of water aerobic, 30 minutes of deep water running

Wednesday I did 90 minutes of deep water running

Thursday I did 2 and ½ hours of aerobics, running and laps

Friday I did 90 minutes of deep water running and then 3 hours of swimming and sunning outdoors

Saturday I did 90 of deep water running

Sunday – Stretching and driving for 5 hours





This has been a busy week- well frantic as I have been really working hard at making sure everything in our office is done so my boss isn’t too stressed next week while I am out. I am really hoping to be back in the office by late in the week. My ENT’s note said off work till September 1, but I think I will go nuts being home alone all that time. We will see.



Today we had chiropractic Mastermind Meeting in King of Prussia PA.- which is about a 2 and ½ hour drive from here. It was amazing to be driving up I-95 this morning and embracing this great day.

My Coach was at the meeting and adjusted me so that the power is turned on in my body for tomorrow. THANKS DR. WOOD. All my doctors agree that I am healthier going into this surgery then I have been for any of the other 15 surgeries.



My boss took me for a wonderful dinner at Bone fish on the way home... I had mussels Josephine, Imperial Long tail which is a fish with crab, and scallops on it… Totally Yummy.



Tomorrow Morning at 7 I need to be checking into GBMC, for a tonsillectomy, for the second time..



It’s all part of the Journey, and it’s all good…



Again thanks for all your love and support- for those that live close feel free to stop by this week if you would like to visit..