AMAZING VACATION!!

SO it has been awhile my friends, but with getting ready for vacation, selling our house, camp etc. My head has been spinning. YIKES! but we finally got on vacation, I got to spend beautiful moments with Layla Rose and Eric. It was an adventure for certain, and one I will never forget. We really had a great time and we can't wait for our next adventure! Here are some more pictures of our trip! I love sharing these moments with you because they are so special and fun for us that we want you all to enjoy it as much as we do.

Mini update and pics! YIPEE!

Ok so 23 days in and I am feeling like this will never freaking end! ARGH!!! lots of weird feelings in the arms and still only about 60% mobility. back to doctors tomorrow with some good news hopefully....I am hoping I get permission to go back to the gym, at least for cardio and that it will help the mobility. The opening is still not 100% closed and so I am pretty sure I will not be allowed back on the ice just yet F#$%! However I did go to zumba this morning and did armless zumba ( I looked ridiculous and it is harder than it sounds) and at least that was good for the soul!

Here are a few fun pics and hopefully next time I check in I will be more mobile! PLEASE!!!

No I won't give it up...it mine!

Wearing my new suit! Thank you Auntie Karla !!

Getting ready for vacation !!

I can do it Dad...watch!!

Chilln with my cuz Samantha!

don't let the stink eye fool you! I love my cuz Amanda!

Baby whisperer...note how Layla Rose is leaning into Uncle Des!

I just love my little dragon! (Thank you Tatie Karine for the boots! look how cool they look !)

GIRL TIME!!!

I can reach!

Got them!!

Happy and Horrified! LOL

Ok so this is 16 days after my surgery and the pics are below...however before we get to that...what the heck was I thinking posting those last 2 shots of me....haha! Now I look at them and my kitchen is a DISASTER!! and I look like the biggest dork EVER!! OH BOY!!! I would like to blame the meds...except I wasn't on any..eesh any ways... I will attribute it to being super excited that the wraps were off and results are a bit more obvious. So anyways now I am at 16 days and pretty happy with the results BUT I AM GOING CRAZY!! How do people stay home every night and watch TV ...holy crap! I NEED to get back to the gym and hockey...I go back on the third and hopefully I get permission to go back to the gym so I am ready to play on the 9th. The rip in my stitches may work against me, but I mean come on this is crazy... no wonder why it I sso easy to get and stay overweight ( I should know) it is like you get into a rut and can't pull yourself out...I am also finding it hard not to snack out of boredom so I am even more motivated to GET OUT!!! phew ok...I am done my little rant. Voila the pictures!! YAY!!! so still a little swelling

Follow up

Today was my follow up with Dr. Schwarz and yahoo the bandages are OFF! yahoo!! Still no exercise or anything but at least I get to be a little freer in terms of not being mummified. LOL!! Here are the pics without the bandages and without the wings of glory...AMEN!

Day 11

So here we are 11 days out of surgery and healing is slow and steady...let me reiterate slow. I will say I am not in an enormous amount of pain, but I get these huge shocks through my arms, like electricity. The skin is tight and I have limited mobility in terms of how high I can move my arm. Today was the first day I was able to blow dry my hair ( sort of). Picture this: I cant reach my hair standing, so I am sitting on the floor in the bathroom in a sit up so my arms can stay bent below my shoulders and my head is down near my knees...my abs got a good work out! LOL! Plus my hair doesn't look so bad! 3 weeks from today I am supposed to be back on the ice....HMMMM.

Ok so would I do this again...good question. My arms look amazing ( to me) and even if they look as they do now I would be able to wear tanks and t-shirts. YAY! there is still A LOT of healing to go and I can only imagine how normal they will look then. super excited!! I won't lie, this hurts and it is hard. I still can't get fully dressed by  myself and cooking is still difficult since lifting pots and pans are heavier than usual. Today I made muffins and it took much longer than usual..ugh. Also I am much slower than usual and so regular thing take much more time and I get frustrated. The worst of it all is I can't pick up Layla Rose by myself. Eric has to put her in may arms and it is so hard because she grabs on to me and I feel like a horrible mom...ugh. So selfishly I am so excited to be able to look like normal and wear normal clothes , but truthfully there is a reason why (other than money) rich people do this, it's because they have help to cook, clean , care etc. ( my assumption). But anyways what's done is done and I am excited to see the results in a few weeks! here are the pics from today:

6 days post op

Ok so first on the agenda today... a shout out to my 2 friends Katie and Nat who  have begun their own personal lifestyle change. Ladies your courage to begin this rollercoaster inspires me to keep going. Stay on it ladies , all of us who care about you are right there with you!! I have had many high highs and some of my lowest lows on this ridiculous and wonderful road I am going down. So Hang in there !!

2 tips for everyone: (lessons from my lows) 1. build yourself a good support group that will get you through the down lows (love my goddesses) and 2. one meal, piece of cake or drink will not undo all that you have accomplished. I have  a big problem in that area and hope that my pitfalls can help you to avoid them.

So day 6 of my healing...and..............OUCH! ok so today it kinda hurts. I am feeling the "tingle" ( electric shock) of the wound and working through it, skin is super tight and movement hurts a bit more. BUT I feel like my arms look great. I actually put my arms down by my sides and the touched, no sacks a fat and skin in the way and I feel like I could wear a tshirt and not be ashamed. I wouldn't even care if the scars don't fade..whatever.

Funny things they don't tell you:

• forget putting a bra on by yourself
• unless your husband is unique , forget having him help you make a pony tail
• you walk like you should be on walking dead
• hope you know someone at work who will put your coat on
• teach your man to cook before :) Luv you Eric
• Find a friend who will wash your hair...5 days no shower...oh boy LOL

:)

Here are the pic from day 6

4 days post op

ok yahoo! I got to take off the bandages today. Thank goodness because they were killing and sooooooo itchy!! I got to see the initial results...super encouraging! YAY!!! my arms are super tight and I feel like I have biceps of steel ( skin is tight due to swelling) but a big difference from before and I am super excited to see how they will look over time. healing will take place over the next 6 weeks and then the scar takes 12-18 months to completely fade. I can now take a shower (thank goodness) and am allowed to drive if I feel ok and I can start walking on a treadmill as of Saturday if all goes well. Next apt. is Monday to do another follow up and make sure all is good in the land of no wings of glory..AMEN! P.S. who doesn't love Monday with Dr. Hotpants...oooweee!

here are the pics form today and the incredible braid Eric did...WONDERFUL DEAR!