RumpusParable's Social Journal

I'm happy

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:10:00 PST

I'm almost two weeks out and I'm so happy. Actually happy. Excited, jubilant. I am so thrilled I had this surgery... I am loving my tiny meals - so far so yummy! - and the scale has started downwards finally. I'm hoping this is the beginning of the Big Loss to come. Only getting my water in is tedious; I'm also enjoying my walks and looking forward to the gym again! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

8 days post-op

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:55:30 PST

Doing great so far. Getting in my 80oz od water a day, my hour of walking, my vitamins, and have just yesterday been cleared for mushy foods.

Pain has been a semi-rough ride. At first I was on Lortab. It would drop my pain level down to a 2-3 for about 2 hours then the pain would start creeping up. I eventually called the NP and told her this and she switched me to Tylenol 3... Which was like taking NOTHING. After one dose I went back on the Lortab until I ran out and then had 2 days on Tylenol 3 again before I went to my week follow-up. On seeing the level of pain I was still in, the NP put me back on Lortab and I'm back to functional again. Have to be careful and I have one weirdly placed spot that hurts bad when I get up or walk, but for the most part my pain is back to a 2-3.

Drinking my water takes up my whole day.

My two meals yesterday were non-fat refried beans with Daiya cheese and a little bit of mild salsa. So yummy. Today we're gonna try a tofu scramble. Chael's never made one before, so we'll see how it goes.

I have a Frankenstein's monster tummy with all those staples.

After surgery my weight started moving upward and stopped at 8 lbs higher. Today it's lower so hopefully I've started the move downward.

It's going well so far. I'm happy and excited.

Surgery day

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:33:59 PST

Woke up too early. Can't get back to sleep, so am passing time online. Today is my laparoscopic gastric bypass. Major surgery but my seventh surgery, total, in life. Everything should go fine, but I've packed a few items just in case I need to stay in the hospital longer than two days.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Getting excited

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:05:34 PST

Been going back up. Been doing well on my pre-op diet. Absolutely no cheating, no strong urges to, actually.

I've lost 15lbs in the past 9 days - would've been better except I gained back for a few days due to drinking a higher fat boullion. Even though I was getting in the same amount of calories as the day I lost, the new boullion had my weight going up. But! I started back on a no-fat boullion again and dropped the 6 lbs I gained in one day to a new low.

I've got pretty much everything I should need.

Around the house I just need to tidy my room so that Chael can sleep on the floor at the foot of my bed so that I can get him if and when I need him at night. Just a few more days!

Pre-op diet

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:39:46 PST

I'm four days into my pre-op diet and 12lbs down. So far it's going alright, a little hungry today but then I haven't been drinking broth like I have other days. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Liquid diet

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:51:45 PST

Tomorrow I start my pre-op diet. 3-4 protein shakes + clear broths and a very limited list of green vegetables each day.

This is for two weeks til surgery on the 16th.

I'm getting excited and nervous about it all. Excited about the diet starting, even though I'm sure it'll be no fun, nervous about the surgery and all it affects.

Chael is working on becoming vegan and is intending to go super healthy with me.

I am basically planning to stop taking depo due to it's affect on weight. It may keep me from losing correctly. I'm looking into my other options. I do not want to ever have a period again but can't figure out how to make it happen short of depo or a hysterectomy, which they don't exactly just hand out.

So that has me a bit upset. :(

Paid the bills this month and bought me some jewelry for my ears. Day after tomorrow I meet with the surgeon, am hoping he tells me I can leave plastic in my piercing during surgery.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Date

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:34:16 PST

Got my surgery date, having gastric bypass I decided: Jan 16, 2012. I start my two week liquid diet on the 2nd. Excited but also bothered that it's so far away (had hoped for a December date).

Gonna be a big Christmas here: got Chael a craviola and a bunch of accessories, a bunch of foods for his stocking (way more than it'll hold), and a bathrobe that should be huge on him.

I got my Cure concert, am getting jerky, some Lush, and a bunch of jewelry from Bodyartforms.

Once everything is here we'll probably have our Xmas early like always. We have a Tofurky in the freezer and just need to buy instant mashed potatoes.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Nightmares

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:10:25 PST

Doc upped my Risperdal dosage by 1mg and the pills arrived 3 days ago. For the past two nights I've had horrible nightmares and my "strange/paranoid" thinking is increasing.

Added am nervous about sleeping tonight and Chael has duty so he won't be home. Lights on, maybe won't sleep.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Home

Surgery date!

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:53:36 PST

Just went on a two-week road trip to Hollywood and back to see The Cure perform their first three albums in a row, then random hits. We did two days of H-wood site seeing and on the way back saw the AZ meteor crater (very big and very cool), and the UFO museum in Roswell, NM.

Concert was great. Sites were cool. On last day driving we drove through a sand storm which was fuzzy and in some parts opaque. Scary.

Got approved for my surgery and got a date: January 16th, 2012. I have two days of pre-op testing: Dec 30th for a tests and labs, Jan 3rd to talk to the surgeon.

Excited but bummed it's so far away.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Home

Yongsan, Seoul, Korea

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:31:50 PDT

We had a chance to go to Yongsan but the military said, '"no, the requisition is filled". That and when we contacted Branch we were told my EFMP packet needed updating before we could be sent anywhere...

...so I'm getting to talk to the doctor to update the paperwork next week (or the week after that, if they say my other doctor needs to do it). Hopefully this will make it so that we can be sent there, as the major Army hospital for Korea is located on the Yongsan post, in addition to the fact that I've been doing overall well.

It will be the last time we have any say in where we go, as Chael gets out in a few years... as in, we may stay there for the rest of his time in, not just 2 years, if we like it.

I love going to and living in new places, countries even more so. Been reading up on Seoul via the internet, sounds really good. I love cities. It's somewhere I've never been so I want to go there, basically.

So wish us luck.

sleep study, apnea, bi-pap

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:06:43 PDT

Got put on a Bi-PAP machine after a sleep study last night for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Basically, due to fatness I stop breathing once a minute. They also have to crank the thing up to an obnoxious level -24/19 if anyone is medically inclined. Basically, for those not, it means I have a tremendous air pressure being blown at me while I breathe with a mask on.

And I mean intense airflow. I was fine sleeping with it last night as they adjusted it up as I slept, but when getting my own machine today the lady put it on me at my level while I was awake and I almost scratched the thing off my face; I couldn't breathe and felt like someone was trying to drown me, it was so intense.

Thankfully the machine has a slow-increase function that she set for 45 minutes for me. Now it starts at a reasonable pressure and works its way up to the full level while I'm falling asleep.

I tested this out today during a nap and it worked awesome. I didn't notice the increasing and passed the heck out hard well before it got to the top intensity for me.

So yeah, BI-PAP, sleep apnea, mask wearing. Not pleased I need it, but love having it due to its lovely effects!

Microdermals

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:44:24 PDT

Where should I get them?

I have a few ideas but I can't decide between them:

Combo 1: One on each side, half way up, my neck; one inbetween my clavicles; one on the back of each wrist

Combo 2: In two circles of twelve, one below each clavicle (or as many as I can afford to start this design... may be waaay too pricey for me, gotta get a quote)

Combo 3: One 12 point circle placed just below the meeting of my clavicles

I'm definitely thinking I'll get the ones on the back of my wrists re-done... but what else? I don't often get up to Dallas to get such things done, so want to get a few at once while I'm up there.

Maybe I'll start small and get some that I can expand a design on later: back of each wrist, each side of neck, one under each clavicle, one between clavicles. That's 7 and pretty pricey, but they said they'll give discounts on multiples. As said, I gotta figure out what I want to get a quote.

Gastric Bypass and Other

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:02:11 PDT

I've read and looked and visited and decided to go with the Gastric Bypass surgery instead of the Lap-Band. Higher risk during surgery, lower incidence of long-term issues.

Am living in Copperas Cove with Chael, have been for several months. It's totally podunk, but it's nice to be with him and I have MUCH better VA care here than I did in Dallas.

Just got back recently from a trip to my parents' and Camp Crucible. Was great to hang out with all of my House, Delta Sigma, and to see the beauty of home again. Went wine tasting with mom and sister.

Step-father lost his mind on my sister's daughter one night, totally apeshit and abusive, yelling bad names at her, mocking her crying, etc. Unsure if I'll go back and stay with them again, at least not again without my car with me so that I have an out. As it was, I was trapped there... it ruined the entire rest of my trip, having to see him and act like nothing happened, since that's how my mom and sister handled it and I had no way to leave til they put me on a plane a week later.

I don't want to see him again. But have no current issues with mom and sister that would keep me from visiting, so is tricky.

Am going to see Transfomers 3 with Chael tonight, plus go by Sally's for hair bleach and dye. I'm feeling up to re-coloring my hair, finally, so need supplies.

Lap-Band

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 16:40:36 PDT

I love me and my body; I'm not a me-hater. I am beautiful now heavy as I was beautiful when I was underweight and then when I was ideal weight -but my body fat level is starting to impact my health. It is becoming limiting and uncomfortable.

So I'm looking into Lap-Band surgery. My sister had gastric-bypass and there is no way I will ever do that... not after seeing how it has changed her life (she lost the weight but can no longer eat healthy foods and has had a lot of side effects from the g-b). I want to go a route where I can continue to eat healthy, vegan meals; am not at risk for malabsorption issues (part of my sis's problem); and can be undone if needed for any reason.

On searching, it looks like Tricare Prime will cover it 100% for me. I just need to set up a PCP and get a referral through them. I'll work towards that starting Monday.

Wish me luck.

420 Needle Project/Performance

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 20:56:28 PST

There's been a lot of hassle and difficulty in getting a location and date that everyone necessary can come, but it finally got all worked out:

This Saturday, Nov 27th Redeye42011 and I will be attempting our largest needle project to date: 420 needles, taking about 4 hours, in a design down his back, arms and buttocks.

We're going to be doing it at the local club on NEAAL night now that we've MsDawn's a-ok. I double-checked and the lady she has hosting it that night is aware of what we're planning and is also fine with it.

We are taking up a corner of the front dungeon and setting up my own lights, table, etc. and will be both videoing it and taking pictures.

I'm nervous for how pretty the design will hopefully come out and that it's going to be hard on both Redeye42011 and I (though in different ways). I've planned at least a break in the middle for us each to catch our breath and we're to each have an assistant (Lily for him, Chael for me) to keep us hydrated and to help me work as quickly and easily as possible.

Then, next day, I am working the vendor's fair at the same location doing permanent piercings and small temporary piercings at 25c/needle or cheaper with negotiation of large numbers. Miss Lilly and I are trying to figure out a way to pierce her for charity donations later that night at the play party. She's not sure if she might chicken out so we've no workable solution yet.

Tiring two days for me, upcoming. Phwoo.

Before then is Chael's and my Fall Anniversary on Wednesday (I train down tomorrow and then we'll come back up either Wednesday night or Thursday morning) and then Thursday we're having Thanksgiving with PSOGirl, her master and another friend of theirs. Just a small get together for the holiday.

Raw transition

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:52:11 PDT

I'm trying out eating more raw foods and tweaking my macronutrient intakes to the 80/10/10 ration... Not sure if I'll entirely go there, but I'm tinkering with my diet to see what works best for me health, weight and energy-wise.

Well, it's been 10 days and I've lost 25lbs... I'm eating about 80% of my food raw, about 3K calories a day, and have more energy than usual.

Hm. We'll see if/how this goes and lasts. Personal experiment time.

Staying here + deployment = move

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:43:50 PDT

We aren't leaving TX. Chael has been placed in a new unit that is deploying in March. We're staying here.

Happily, at least, he'll be going to Kuwait rather than Afghanistan. For how long again, we don't know.

So, after some talk and some up-coming arranging MissLilly and Psogirl have decided to let me move in with them. I'll be renting the top floor of one section of the house where they've had other friends rent out before.

I think this is a good move. It feels like the right thing for this time with the right people.

Once I get papers from Chael I can put in my 30 day notice here and start moving into their next month when I'm back from the Crucible Lock-Down in DC.

Speaking of, I'll be seeing members of Delta House there that night and having a grand ole time most likely... can't bring much for toys since I'm training to there, but will pack a few items and make the most of just plain spending time with friends. Maybe I'll get suspended, would love that; it's been too long.

First night's sleep

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 09:13:12 PDT

First night of sleep on it and it's going to take some getting used to. Not in a bad way, but it is a change.

So far I slept in chunks rather than one long period (which isn't abnormal for me) but when asleep I slept harder and with more noticeable dreams than usual.

Tinkering through the night with bed positions and sleeping positions I ended up in my usual way of on my stomach, but with the foot raised a bit more than the head. Won't be suitable for days I am dealing with a lot of acid reflux, but for last night it caused me to just pass on out.

Oh, and as a side topic, my cat loves this thing lol.

Adjustable Bed & memory foam mattress

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 09:12:29 PDT

This is gonna sound like a commercial 'cuz I'm so please, so be warned! lol!

I just bought an adjustable bed with memory foam mattress from SimplyRest and it arrived today.

I have back, knee, foot, and hip pain + hiatal hernia, ulcer, and GERD + pain and insomnia as problems from bipolar disorder. Oh, and migraines.

I needed to be able to sit up when the acid reflux gets bad, lay flat and raise my knees when the migraines hit, and arrange various ways for the rest as suits me.

I have only had it today so far and I am already SO pleased.

I'll update as it goes or answer any questions folks may have about the adjustability and mattress.

I'm sitting here typing and my back feels so comfy. My hips are so comfy.

I got the Wave model and I tested the massage features and they are deceptively simple. At first I was like, "hmph, it vibrates, that's no big deal"... then I started noticing the "wave" shifting of the vibration and almost fell asleep in the middle of the day just testing the bed.

SO great so far. I can't believe I waited all these years, wondering, to get one.

assignment almost

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 07:51:59 PDT

We're on assignment, but they haven't told us where-to! Darnit and yippy.

vegan Chael?

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 07:51:27 PDT

I went lacto-ovo veggie, then a while later he went lacto-ovo.

Years later I went vegan (about 1.5 years now) and he is this week trying his first go at veganhood.

I've never pushed him to cut more animal products out as I have as I've felt that such choices had to be his own to be solid... but I've been so proud of him becoming veggie and hoping he would go vegan; now it seems he might.

He also wants to join me in eating less processed foods (I rarely eat such at home when I've no guests).

I'm so proud of him. :))

Still Waiting

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:01:00 PDT

Still no word on the move... it's been "we'll let you know next week" for months now. The NCO in charge is trying to get our fence lifted (what keeps Chael from getting reassigned and is holding this all up) but no luck so far.

I don't mind, even enjoy, moving... but this not knowing if or where is getting old.

Things here at home are good. Chael is getting more used to being home and, despite some minor sniffles and such, I've been pretty healthy lately over-all (well, except meds fun, but that isn't "sick" that's "meds").

Big change in my life coming up in 2-4 weeks:

I ordered a bed.

I haven't slept in a bed regularly in 12 years. Haven't owned one. Chael and I both sleep on the floor.

It's become part of my identity, this manner of living and it's something I've slowly been altering lately. I bought my first ever couch last year, this year it's a bed.

I feel like I'm devolving. Becoming plush and soft and materialistic. I don't want that.

I have the opposing traits of being a collector and deeply valuing the ascetic lifestyle (that is part of my veganhood, my bdsm practice, how I didn't have tv for 10 years -another thing I got a year ago for the first time, etc). I'm a mix of these two things and they war inside and outside me in my life.

I have 225 eyeshadows but for the past 12 years have slept on the floor for comfort and spirituality sake.

Now I'm getting a bed and I am excited and disappointed in me at the same time.

I'm trying to balance these views in me about this and do have to admit that the bed isn't fully a matter of extravagance; I have a hiatal hernia and bad acid reflux that meds only minorly help. I also have migraines where the only help is a very specific knees-up sleeping position.

The bed I am getting is an adjustable bed which will combat the vomiting in my sleep and migraine pain, as well as hopefully avoiding my knees locking up at night as often.

So, it is useful as well as luxury... but the luxury side still pains me some. This isn't another cheap set of earrings or a $2 nailpolish, this is a large, expensive, luxury item that changes my whole life in some ways... and certainly part of my identity.

I just want to be excited while not getting too unhealthily tied up in the luxury of a bed and the materialism it represents.

I doubt this makes much sense to others as to others a bed is a normal thing. :/ But let's just leave it that this is a big moral deal for me.

First class, sherry, fw

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:03:07 PDT

Am at dfw airport killing time til boarding a flight to NJ for Floating World where I'll see Patrick and other friends.

I got a cheap upgrade to first class and checked both my bags cuz it was free this time (had small backpack with me I was going to take as carry-on).

Then, on going to my flight I found a wine bar that sold La Bodega de Mitchell sherry (heavenly pralines-and-cream flavor) and sat for a glass.

15 minutes til they're supposed to start boarding. Hate waiting. But the flight is only 3 hours and I'm sure to sleep through most of it. Then Patrick picks me up and we grab grub on way to the event.

Waiting.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Unnamed Rd,Grapevine,United States

Chael/Grey and slavery

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 14:21:01 PDT

I called him today and said "I know you hate the word but I'm going to use it right now because of what I want to say.... I think you're a really good slave".

He replied, "I think so, too".

squee.

13 years of being a slave to me but hating the words "submissive" and "slave" and last month he acknowledged being submissive to me. Today he accepted the word "slave" as applied to him and took some pride in it.

I love the changes he's making in this and being able to talk about them more than vaguely (I was always vague and used different wording out of respect for his feelings... I didn't care what words we used so long as the relationship was what I wanted).

He always and continues to make me so proud.

Austin if not moving, then moving

noreply@blogger.com (RumpusParable) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:10:52 PDT

We still have no word on when/whether we're doing a full PCS move in the next month, sigh. If we do, we could go anywhere in a very short amount of time.

If we don't move for some reason, then Chael and I are leaning towards me moving to Austin so that we're closer (and I get to nom on the awesome vegan food there). I want to stay in a city but want to be closer to him.

This means more distance between friends I care a lot about, but I could still visit them. I'll work out some schedule with them that I can maybe come stay a couple days here and there. We'll see what works for them.

I found some really nice apartments online for Austin, so am kinda excited about that. We'll see what they *actually* look like on visiting sometime.