{Announcement} I’m Having Weightloss Surgery

I announced on Facebook earlier this month that I would be asking my doctor to put in the referral for weight loss surgery. I was so overwhelmed with all the support and encouragement I’ve received since then by my friends, online and in “real life”.

I want to take a moment and thank you with all my heart and feels for your support. It really means so much to me and is a relief on my mind.

Anyone that has ever thought of WLS as a possibility knows how hard this decision is. I have been putting it off for a year now. But at this point with the onset of increasingly bad headaches my IIH isn’t giving me much of a choice, its either WLS or LP Shunt surgery.

I wanted to wait until I had been approved before writing this post. I received a packet yesterday afternoon telling me I’m approved.

I had a very long survey to fill out about my overall mental, physical and living environmental health. From here I have some consultations and an 8 week course on weight loss, nutrition and health.

I’m still unsure of my surgery date(February or March). But I’ll be sure to let everyone know when it is and keep everyone updated on my recovery and personal experience with this journey.

That is still 2-3 months away, so I am continuing to take the advice I received last month from the nutritionist, seeing my therapist and making it to the gym.

1. When it reopens Jan 2nd

2. If I don’t have a headache(which is the most frustrating thing EVER)

I’m still logging on My Fitness Pal, so add me! We’ll be buddies and can encourage each other.

Do you know anyone or have had WLS? I’d love to hear about those experiences, please share!

Art School Drop Out…For Now

I designed that typeface/font

Many of you know that I am a current Illustration major at the Art Institute of Portland as well as a full time Security officer. The struggle I’ve been having with Intracranial Hypertension since the broke ass foot weight gain has really taken a toll on my progress toward my degree.
I’ve realized that if I continue to work full time AND continue as a student that it will only make my weight loss quest more difficult and they are both hindering each other.
I just had major surgery on my eye because I haven’t been able to lose weight and send my IH into remission. I don’t want that to be for nothing. Because of it I’ve been having trouble keeping up during my current term, I’m afraid I might even fail both of the classes I’m taking. I also find it important to point out that my surgery was only a band-aid in a sense. It bought me some time to lose this weight or I could still go blind.
I’ve talked to my husband and we’ve agreed that for now it will be best if I put my education on hold for the next year so that I can focus on my health.
Art is my passion and it is killing me to have to do this and even writing this post I am crying. I’ve learned so much in my time at the Art Institute. Of course this will not stop me from creating artwork on my own and studying independently. But I might not be illustrating your kid’s next book or animating anything until my mid thirties.
Today is a sad day for sure.

One More Time With Feeling

Surgery it is, unless the specialist I was referred to has some sort of miracle pill to offer. The procedure is called Optic Nerve Sheath Fenestration

“Optic Nerve Fenestration
When sight is at risk and drug therapy has been unsuccessful, an optic nerve fenestration (also called an optic nerve sheath decompression) is usually performed. The operation can be done on one optic nerve sheath (unilateral) or on both optic nerve sheaths (bilateral).

During surgery, a small window-like opening is made in the sheath around the optic nerve, which allows cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to drain behind the eye and relieves optic nerve swelling. This surgery is done primarily to save vision, rather than to alleviate headaches.”

-Excerpt from IH Research Foundation website.