Treadmill and 1 Year...

Well, this time last year Dave & I were in Baltimore and I wasn't feeling, OR looking, too hot!! I had the Temporalis Tendon Transfer (T3) done at Johns-Hopkins performed by Dr. Patrick Byrne on March 28th. Even though I had complications after I returned home and thought that was a nightmare (see last year end of March and April), overall, I am VERY pleased with the outcome. From a perspective of losing weight, I almost wish I was back not being able to put anything in my mouth except a straw again!! Not really...Emee asked me the other day, "Mom, weren't you supposed to have that surgery to fix your smile? (YES) It didn't work out so good..." Well, from her perspective, I guess it didn't - she was thinking that I would have a TOTALLY normal face again. BUT from mine, I am overjoyed about ANY movement I have gotten back!! Since my face has looked funny her WHOLE life, she is used to it not working right and she is too young to see the little changes. Thank you God for still working miracles in our lives today - I believe that God gives Dr.s the knowledge and ability to perform "modern day" miracles every day...let's always remember to give God the glory for ALL that HE does in our lives!!

On another note, I RAN on the treadmill yesterday...I know that doesn't sound like that big of a deal, but for me, it was. I can run on the ground and I can walk on the treadmill, but I couldn't ever let go and run on the treadmill. It had something to do with the dizziness and insecurity - I just always knew I would wind up on the floor like a cartoon character with the treadmill flapping away and making horrible tread marks on my face!! :o) Last week, I decided that I was going to do it - thank goodness, I knew I should not attempt this without help!! I talked to one of the trainers and told them that for my safety AND the club's, I would like for him to be there. We couldn't work it out last week and I kind of forgot about it, but when I walked in the gym yesterday, he asked me if I was ready. He went with me and straddled the belt and helped me - he said I looked great (I think I was really worried about this - I am so vain!) and I was doing great until I tried to stop it! When will I learn that anything that involves JUMPING or HOPPING is probably NOT a good idea for me?? I decided to "hop" to the edge to stop and I don't really know exactly what happened but thank goodness he was there to catch me! I'm sure all the other gym-goers were wondering what we were doing!! We decided that it would be better for me to wean down the speed and then stop!! Again, not a huge accomplishment for others, but a big deal for me - a first in 13 years!! Well, I have procrastinated as long as I can...time to head for the gym again!

PS- I put some pictures on here - this is not the best "after" but I like it and that is what truly matters, I guess! I have requested my official "before" and "after" so I hope I might get those up here later.