Reason #6 Skin Infections

As in, I don't want anymore of them. About seven years ago, I had a skin infection. There were two sebaceous gland cysts under my left belly that got seriously infected. I ended up in the hospital and had to have surgery. They made an incision six inches long and three inches deep between the two cysts. They did not sew it up. Instead, for the next several months my husband had to pack it with gauze. I was in the hospital a week.

Last September, I woke in the middle of the night with severe chills. In the morning I had a 103 degree fever. I thought I had a urinary tract infection, but no, I had cellulitis again. This time there was no cysts, but after a couple days the skin began to weep and ooze. For a month, my skin peeled and my husband had to care for the skin. This time it was with honey-infused gauze. I was in the hospital for a week and went home with a picc line for IV antibiotics. I was on them for a month and it took me near three months to recover my strength and endurance.

I thought I was "safe" for another seven years, but no. Just last month I woke up with chills . Not as bad as the previous time, but still I had a 101.5 degree fever and went to Urgent Care. Sure enough, they sent me to the hospital again. This time the infection wasn't as bad. There was no skin breakdown, I was in the hospital for less than a week and on IV antibiotics for less than two weeks. The picc line was in a bad place that time though - right above my right elbow - which made many activities difficult as well as being more painful.

I don't want to go through another skin infection. I really don't. There isn't anyway to prevent them other than losing weight. I was told many times that I have really good skin, no breakdown and I'm very clean. I guess this surprises the nurses with someone of my weight. So, it's not like I'm not doing something to take care of myself that I'm supposed to. I wish I knew something that would keep infections at bay. But meanwhile, I'm working as hard as I can to lose weight this time.

No more skin infections!

Weigh In: Down 4 pounds

Ahhhh. That's better. I will never understand the scale. Yesterday, still had no weight loss, today, down four. I'll take it! Also, hubby told me that from now on, I get on the scale ONCE during the week even if I don't show a loss. I guess I was getting too emotional there and he only wants to deal with it once a week. Not that I can blame him.

Today I start chair dancing again. I think I'll splurge for Bad Romance by Lady Gaga from iTunes. We are broke, but I think I deserve a little reward, yes?

June 13 Update

I've been stuck at 608 for the last two weeks and I'm feeling hopeless. If I'm plateauing this early, it doesn't bode well for the rest of my weight loss. I'm already reducing my caloric intake by 1,000 to 1,500 calories a day which should provide a solid two to three pound weight loss per week. It's not working out that way though and if I'm hungry all the time NOW what will happen when I need to drop my calories even more?

I'll be increasing my activity. My endurance is about 80% back after yet another hospital visit and IV antibiotics due to a skin infection across my belly. I'll start my chair dancing again this week and then will add my walking in place back the following week.

It is depressing that I feel little enthusiasm and hope for this weight loss journey. Yet I know that I have to keep plugging along no matter how I feel.

Weigh In: Down 3 pounds

Better than nothing, I suppose. I know the healthy amount is one to two pounds, yet I weigh so much, I consider three to be on the low side of an acceptable loss. I know this isn't healthy. But unless I lose five or so pounds, I don't consider it a "good week." Some of that "stinkin' thinkin'", I'm sure. But it is what it is.

I find it frustrating that it takes me twice as long to lose weight as to gain the same amount. And I was hoping the thyroid medication would take hold more than it has. I'm still fatigued, still cold and still not losing weight as fast as I'd like.

Meanwhile, I've added some walking in place to my exercise schedule. It's only for one minute a day but it's better than I'm doing now. So I currently get five minutes of chair dancing plus the one minute of walking in place. Next week, I'll add a minute to the walking and see how it goes. It feels ridiculous to do such short amounts of exercise; however, I guess I need to start somewhere.

Reason #5 Dog Walking

I want to take Maia, my three-year-old Shih-Tzu/Pomeranian, for a walk. The poor thing only gets outside to potty, go to the vet and go to the groomer. She gets enough exercise, we play fetch a couple times during the day. But I'd like to give her more and she could use the stimulation. Oh boy, could she use it. Maybe she'd be a little less neurotic if I could even take her for a short walk. Tomorrow I'm going to start doing walking in place. I'll probably be only able to do it for a minute or two, but it will be a start. Perhaps within six months to a year, I can take her for a walk around the block at least.

Reason #4 Garage Sales

I want to go to garage sales. They are a big thing here in Minnesota during the Summer months. I look for books, craft supplies and containers mostly. Since I can't stand for very long and they aren't conducive to wheelchairs (tight garages, driveway inclines and grassy lawns), I haven't been to one in many years. I want to be able to see a sign and stop spontaneously to peruse the goods.

Reason #3 No Cranes

I do not want to be on the evening news being taken out of the house with a crane or the emergency response having to knock down a wall to get me out. Right now, heaven forbid anything should happen to me at home. The only way I can get out of the house right now is on my own two feet. There is no way for them to take me out on a stretcher. Just not happening. They would only be able to have one person at each end. Unless they put me on the ground and pull me through. That might work. Anyway, still - no cranes.