Nov 21, 2019

IN WHICH OPERATION GO BECOMES OPERATION KEEP GOING

Raise your hand if you saw this one coming....

The exam room door opened and Dr Goggins walked in (looking totally handsome in his scrubs by the way) and I immediately burst into the ugly hiccuping snotting all over the front of my Woman Within clearance sale shirt cry right there in front of him, JB, and everybody.

It's a go.

As of 10:10 this morning, I am officially cleared by the Indiana University transplant team to receive a new kidney.

A living donor kidney is obviously the best outcome, but now I am officially activated on the UNOS list for a cadaver kidney when one becomes available and it's my turn. Living donation would mean a new kidney within a matter of weeks/months.  A cadaver kidney might be another three to five years.

BUT.

Dr Goggins took amazing pity on me today and was very clear that this weight loss fight is not over. If I re-gain that weight the deal is off and I'll go right back to square one. Instead, he would like to see me just concentrate of steadily losing so that I have a buffer/wiggle room for the occasional celebration/slip up.

Operation GO was all about reaching a goal. I've obsessed about the number on the scale (and rightly so) for months now, and have driven myself to the point of hysteria with every ounce both up and down. It worked...but just barely.

Operation KEEP GOING is going to be different. Instead of setting a hard number goal, I am going to just try to make better choices and add a little exercise into the mix. That's it. No more counting almonds or weighing yogurt or having a nervous breakdown over a hot dog. I am going to eat food and live my life and try to get off my big fat heiney each day and take a walk or go for a swim.

I am still going to blog my progress on Fridays, Dearies, because I really am convinced that baring my soul on this here blog is the only thing that helped me get to this point. But instead of trying to meet a specific end weight, I am just going to make the goal to weigh less than the week before.  That's it. Whether it's one ounce or one pound...just less that the Friday before. And in between I'm going to stop obsessing and just get on with it,

If that number goes in the wrong direction, God forbid, then I know what needs to be done to get back on track. But for now, my brain needs rest and it needs to get back to fun stuff like stitching and annoying my JB.

I would be completely remiss if I did not end this post with the most sincere thank you of my like. Your constant love and support and encouragement and tips and noodges and help have been positively invaluable to me. I. Am. Just. Not. Worthy. Of. You.

Time for some stitching, I think. It is just as grey and rainy and gloomy as it can be outside today, so I am looking forward to some cozy time with Hoity Toity and the Flosstubes!

Happy, happy, GO DAY, Dearies!  Onward!


54 comments:

  1. Oh Coni, this is amazing!!!! Happyhappyhappy!!!

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  2. Mazel Tov. Coni, you got this. Now we pray for a donor.

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  3. Coni,
    You are one of the most worthy people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I wish you all the best in your continuing journey and have my fingers crossed that in a matter of months you will be celebrating your new kidney "on this here blog". Keep on keeping on. You're doing great!

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  4. I'm so happy for you! Good job!!

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  5. This so wonderful!! I will be praying for a new kidney for you as soon as possible!

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  6. Well done! Praying you get a new kidney quickly!

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  7. Bravo!!! One day at a time. One decision at a time! Congratulations Coni!

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  8. Oh My !!!!! I am snottin' all over my little cubical desk!!!! Congratulations! We all knew you could do it and you did. Keep Going!!!

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  9. That is some seriously happy news!! Congratulations on this milestone. I admire you greatly for your mind set moving forward to "Phase II". Prayers and cheer leading continue Coni :)

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  10. Congratulations on making your goal!!!!

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  11. Fantastic news!!! I seriously got chills reading about how you're now officially on the list for a new kidney! This is a great milestone & I also think your plan to keep going is a good one. I'll be continuing to pray for a new kidney as soon as possible!
    Mary

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  12. Coni...have you ever tried Weight Watchers? It works for me. Lost ten lbs. the first week. Next week, lost 1/2 pound. Maybe you could try it? L

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  13. Good for you. I like the
    attitude . . . . just something less than the week before . . . . now if I could just do that for myself ????

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  14. So WONDERFUL! So happy and proud of you! I will be amongst the first in line after your transplant to partake of the party you'll be having. Raising a glass of 0 calorie water to salute you! Luv, m

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  15. I'm not doing the ugly cry but I am jumping up and down in my head with a HUGE smile just for you!!!! Wonderful news. Keep up the good work but I agree, just good food choices, one serving of anything and moving more and you'll have that buffer before you know it! Congrats and be proud of yourself!!

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  16. I'm very happy for you! Weighing less than you did the week before is a great goal and one I might adopt too.

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  17. WOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!! Go Coni!!

    Here's hoping that the wait is short.

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  18. You are more worthy than you believe.. He has you here for that reason...Congratulations and may your dream come true
    sooner than later. Continued prayer, Coni dear, for the
    fruition of all our prayers for you.

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  19. Well done you! That’s a fantastic achievement and you deserve your new kidney sooner rather than later. Keep up the good work 😘

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  20. Congratulations!!!! What a wonderful day! Happy dance happening in your honor!

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  21. Wonderful, wonderful and justly deserved! The long wait will be gruelling at times but you know now that you can do it! Hang in there - we're all on your side. Elaine in Melbourne

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  22. Awesome and I love your going forward plan!!

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  23. Congratulations! Happy for you!

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  24. Woot, woot, woot!!!! Cheers, happy dance, and high fives all around!!!!

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  25. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  26. Congrats! I knew you could do it!

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  27. The greatest early Christmas gift in the world ! Prayers will continue. Congrats.

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  28. You made my day! I am do happy for you. Your plan for continuing your progress sounds very sensible, and I am looking forward to more happy Friday reports. Enjoy your stitchy time, Coni.

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  29. Way.To.Go! I agree that trying not to obsess about every little bite will be to your benefit. Try to make good food choices. And you're right, exercise will really help. One day at a time.

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  30. Coni, after all you have faced, experienced and accomplished you definitely can keep going. I pray for a kidney soon for you. We all are so proud of you!

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  31. You did it!!!! Hugs and kisses and a great big, I Told You So!!!!!!
    You are amazing!
    Yes, walking will definately work. I was not a believer until I did it. Just 10,000 steps a day and magic. Who knew!!! You've got this! This is the easy part!!!!

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  32. Congratulations! I haven’t been following your blog for awhile ( or any others, kinda took a break), but I enjoy your openness of your struggles. I’m happy you’re on the list. I’m a big gal too & I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 6 months ago. I’m telling you this because it helped me discover Dr. Joel Fuhrman and his plant based way of eating. I’ll admit I’ve struggled because it is different and initially takes a lot of planning. I’ve also had some setbacks because of a family situation, but I’m working to get back to this way of eating. I lost 20 pounds, but the main thing is I felt so much better and had so much more energy. And you don’t count calories. You might want to look into it. Best to you in your journey.

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  33. Best news. Sharing your "goal" with us each week is the accountability to keep you going. We've got you!

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  34. Connie, I have followed you quietly for a long time and seen your ups and downs. Sincere congratulations to have reached this stage and I really hope you don't have to wait too long for the next stage. I think you have been incredibly strong and brave so please keep going and take care of yourself. Warmest wishes and good luck.

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  35. Best news ever first thing this morning - I am so happy for you! I won't pack away my cheer leading floofs just yet, maybe your next target is on the agenda. The more weight lost means more ability. I lost almost 3 stone, was still huge, but I climbed up one of the Glencoe mountains - not as high as some, but it was an enormous achievement for me. I even felt fitter (did have a few stops - gentle climb they said - no it wasn't dread to think what the hard ones were like) but coming down was easy - mostly sliding on my bottom! Maybe there's a place or swim target you can aim for next? But whatever happens we know you will put that determined face on and go for it! Oh yeah - rah rah rah Coni! xx

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  36. Congratulations! That is so exciting and promising. I like your attitude about the continued weigh loss and exercise. It is good medicine for all of us.

    I hope that you have a fun filled weekend and I will be praying for you at Mass.

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  37. great news--hoping for even better news soon!

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  38. Way to go on completing Operation GO! I hope Operation Keep Going goes as well.

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  39. yeah!!! whoo-hoo!! you go, girl!

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  40. You did it!!! This is so fabulous!!!

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  41. BLESS YOUR HEART ....YOU DID IT!!!!! KEEP GOING!!!! and when you flop pull up those big girl panties and get back in the saddle. You're only human so don't be so hard yourself during your weekly weigh-ins. LIVE LIFE!!!

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  42. Woo-hoo! Way to go! You are such an inspiration!

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  43. First time commenting, but a devoted follower, you made my day. So proud of you.

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  44. Congratulations on your fabulous news!

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  45. So glad to hear your wonderful news Coni. You've got this. Just keep on with what you are doing and all will be well.

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  46. Congratulations! Huge accomplishment. I know of what I say because I have always fought the battle of the bulge and it's a hard one. Your attitude is great....make wise choices, keep moving, and don't beat yourself up for an occasional slip. I reached a plateau and it didn't matter how little I ate ( no sugar no carbs) it just didn't come off. Walking was the secret for me. God bless you. Patty McDonald

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  47. Wow! Good going, and a very hearty congratulations. You've earned that ugly cry, and we are all in your corner rooting for you. YOU are a blessing for us, not the other way around.

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  48. Congratulations, Coni! You reached that major goal and you're a "GO" with Dr. Goggins. There's nothing better than great news like that to start the holidays. Santa knows you've been a good girl this year, and perhaps a kidney will be in your stocking in the next few months. (<-- yeah...I know that sounds kinda nasty, but you know what I mean!) So, so very happy for you! Big warm holiday HUGS!!

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  49. Congratulations for a job well done! You should be proud of yourself. Sending prayers that a donor will be found very soon. My 33 yr. old Daughter-in-Law had a liver transplant in March as they found cancer in her bile duct. It was a very scary time, but God was good and a live donor presented in a very short time, I pray that the same will be true for you. She is doing wonderfully and I am sure you will be right as rain as well!

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  50. Congrats Coni!!! Wonderful news! I am so happy for you!

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  51. You've done well and I'm happy for you. But I do disagree in a small way. Set a target weight, but do it in 10 lb increments. Don't take your eye off the prize. Yes, you need the occasional break from the very healthy food choices (occasional not daily), but I know from experience how easy it is to slide back when you aren't looking. So make your choices, but always check yourself so you don't regress. We are all cheering and praying for you.

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  52. I have to put visual reminders in my line of sight to keep my focus steady. Post-It notes, taped up encouragement memes, whatever. On my computer monitor, on my bathroom mirror, on my coffee maker, on the dashboard of my car. It helps me not let myself down. And ... believe me ... an ugly cry is usually the best thing for clearing out the soul.

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