AnneLyze

Sleep is such a private intimate thing, something you share with loved and trusted ones only.  It's the ultimate moment of intimacy, when your guard is down and you are at your most innocent and vulnerable.  I wish I could say I've been sharing my nights with Christian Gray ( Fifty Shades of Gray ), but I haven't been. Instead I've been reporting to the sleep clinic in an effort to get pulmonary clearance for my Gastric Bypass. A week ago Tuesday, I visited the sleep clinic again.  This time I was fitted to the CPAP machine and face mask.  It's an interesting experience but maybe not the most restful I have ever had.  After filling out a questionnaire you are escorted to your assigned bedroom. From there the sleep technician discusses your bedtime preferences and starts hooking you up to the monitor. At the bedtime you pick, the lights go out, no reading in bed, no watching TV, instead they just want you to sleep.  Electrodes are placed all over...

When I first saw Dr Atiles about undergoing a Gastric Bypass, I was given a list of clearances required before I could qualify for surgery and insurance coverage.  My immediate goal was to get through the list as fast as possible.  I’m not a competitive person, but I wanted to get through that list faster than anyone and to be the best behaved, most compliant patient ever.  I set about making my appointments as fast as possible.  And with each one completed and checked off the list, I felt a sense of accomplishment.  At the beginning of this week, I had two more to go and I was getting excited about scheduling my surgery. Note of approval from my Primary Care Physician:   check Psychiatric Evaluation:   check Upper GI and Ultra Sound of my Gallbladder:   check Attend Pre Surgical Support Group:   check Cardiac Evaluation with Echocardiogram and EKG:   check Nutrition Clearance and Weight Loss of > 15 pounds: ...

Happy Birthday. You were born on a cold, but beautiful sunny March day. I remember noticing how there was still snow on the ground and it sparkled like diamonds.  I was so scared  but I was also so excited to meet you.  I had a c section because my blood pressure was so high and I knew ahead of time that you were a boy.  After waiting and not wanting to know, I weakened and found out a few days before.  Your name was picked out early on because my father called me Sam when I was a little girl. Your Dad got a little light headed in the delivery room, he'll tell you it was because he was hungry, but I think he was a bit freaked out.  After all, who wouldn't be.  You came into the world at 12:30pm, screaming like crazy.  My favorite part of this story is when the Neonatologist, Dr Bartiloti, boomed "you have a healthy baby boy".  I cried with joy, my tears tracking down my face when I looked at you.  After we were settled, your Dad had a ...

Ben wants a dog.  I wouldn't mind one if it is not my responsibility.  The cats would hate it. The qualities needed in a dog in order for it to live here would include, no barking, jumping or sleeping on the furniture.  Being house trained and no chewing is a must.  No fleas, worms, or other critters are to live on or in the mutt.  The potential dog cannot beg at the table, eat the cat food, slobber in any way and absolutely no fur left all over the floor and furniture.  No anal gland problems, requiring anal massage or expressing, enough said.  Most importantly, it cannot bother the cats.  Ash (my cat) is in charge in this house and he will not tolerate any change in his routine.  An angry Ash is not good. Ben wants a dog to run and play with in good weather only.  In order for Ben to have a dog he must accept the following responsibilities.  He must walk the dog morning and night, no matter the weather and without complaint. P...