The New Me!

Today while I was talking to my sister on the phone, she mentioned that she went thru my whole blog and did not see one picture of me. I purposely take the pictures so I dont have to be in them! I have never been comfortable getting a picture taken because of my "weight"...there.. I SAID IT.

The problem I am having now is that when I look at myself, I still see the same person. I have lost 55 pounds and can still wear some of the same clothes! I just don't get it. People ask if I feel "better" ...actually...the answer is no. I am very hard on myself. I have lost 55 pounds and beat my self up because I am not down more.

maybe some of the changes have to come from the inside. I go to a weight loss support group and Dr. Bob always says thin wont make you happy. I FINALLY get it! I have to change the way I see myself.

So with that in mind....I am posting a few pictures. The first two are obviously before and they are the pictures that I was looking at when I decided to get the lap band. The third one was taken today. This is what 55 pounds less looks like!

Franco Family Update

Well...hard to imagine January is almost over and this is my first update of the New Year. The year has started on a rough note and I'm hoping this is not an indicator of what 2009 has in store. John's mom is not doing well. She is 93 years old. Helping prepare the kids to say good bye has been tough. The kids know she is sick and that she may be going to Heaven. Tori takes these things to heart. She is very sad about the current situation. She is also looking ahead and fearing that she may have to say good bye to John and I someday. How do you explain all this to a smart 6 year old? Next up...Tori. She had been sick to start the new year and then developed a rash which the pediatrician thought was Fifth's disease. Which once the rash comes out they are usually fine. It continued to get worse and when she woke up Friday she was so swollen her eyes hurt. Off to the doctor to find out she was having a major allergic reaction to something. We are still not sure what and we will investigate after she is clear. In the meantime, tomorrow will be a week since she first developed the rash and although better she is still breaking out. The doctor said she came very close to being hospitalized! That was Friday, so Friday night I had her sleep with me. Only to be awakened by John Jr in terrible stomach pain and vomiting all over the house! He has had these episodes before but never as severe as this one. Poor little thing could not walk he was in so much pain. He managed to deplete his body of all fluid very quickly and needed to be hospitalized for 2 days to rehydrate. We are now home and will start looking for causes to these episodes. So.....how is your 2009 so far?