Peace, Love, and Protein Shakes: Vanessa's Bariatric Blog

I found this questionnaire while looking through old magazines at the treatment house, and I finally had some time between collaging to answer it. Here are my responses. This came from an old issue of Marie Claire . 1. Dream career: Writer or entrepreneur of something 2. Best career advice I've gotten: Don't work for your money; make your money work for you. 3. Most gracious response to career setback: Hugs and time to process 4. Least gracious response to career setback: "When are you going back to work/get a job?" 5. The three qualities that got me where I am today: Compassion, Intellect, and Humor 6. Most agonizing career decision: Deciding whether or not to attend Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas when I was 18 with no car or much money. Then, leaving shortly a few years later before I could graduate due to bipolar disorder. 7. Easiest career decision: Becoming a home health aide for my late mother, Norine Amanda Rhaburn. 8. Kind of work I'd do for ...

Back at the treatment house after a week of being at a treatment hospital for suicidal thoughts. Upon intake at the treatment house, the interviewer felt it was best for me to go to the emergency room. After a few days, on the 20th, I was admitted to the psychiatric hospital. I spent seven days there.  Yesterday afternoon, I was sent back to the treatment house. I had a good day. I slept fairly well, but I am now dealing with some natural issues with my body. I should be fine in a few days.  My estimated check out date from this house will be on Tuesday if all goes well. I'm thinking it should because I am staying on my medications. I also have a meeting with my case manager on Monday morning. I hardly ever see her, but I'm guessing they worked something out since I had to go to the hospital and everything. I'm happy to report that I am glad I held on to my life and decided to continue on my journey, mentally and physically. The weight loss will come in time. I also need to...

Happy New Year! I know that I haven’t updated in months, and for that, I most humbly apologize. I wish I could say that a lot has changed, but honestly, it hasn’t, and that is something I really want to address this year. In March, it will be two years since I had gastric bypass. It feels surreal. The good news is that I have been able to maintain a majority of the weight that I have lost since surgery. The bad news is that I have yet to make it out of the 200’s. “Onederland” is so close, yet so far away! (“Onederland” is being in the under 200 pound range, by the way). I’m not afraid to say that I am over 200 pounds, though, because before surgery, I was over 300 pounds, even closer to 400 actually. So I’ve improved quite a bit. Yet I know that it is not enough, and that is why I will continue to work on my diet and exercise program. I know what I’ve done, and I know that I can change it if I try harder. I need to drink more protein shakes, even if I get sick of them at t...