Tuesday 24th October 2006

Had a really good nights sleep. Going to see Dr Dillemans this morning. Breakfast first ! Missing Al so much it hurts. The kids too, in a different way.. does that make sense ?



Later :- Had a good meeting with Dr Dillemans. There was a stuff up with the taxi to take us to the hospital and only 2 took the taxi and cleared off while the rest of us had to order another one each. We all got there eventually though. I had to see the dietician first which was ok. She weighed and measured me. I scared myself with how much I had increased my weight in the last week. I was 20 stone 7 with a BMI of 49. I thought that it really was not worth getting upset about though, because that was all about to change. She gave me some details about the post op diet plan which was all straight forward, and then I had to go and get some bloods done. After that, I had to wait til we were all called for a joint consultation with Dr Dillemans. He was running late so we kind of got aquainted with each other. Sera and Mo were sisters from Hackney in London. We'd seen them at breakfast time, but neither looked like likely candidates for WLS ! All the same, they were here for a band. Julie was the other lady, who was from Newcastle. She was pretty big too like me and I thought, 'she has to be having an RNY'. I don't think she even knew what an RNY was. She was having the band. When Dr D came, he started going through our folders and talking about us individually, and explaining the suitability of our chosen operation. I could see he was angling Julie toward and RNY, but could not come outright and tell her incase it was seen as trying to up his financial intake. It had nothing to do with money. I am sure the guy is rolling about in it, however it is to do with Julie and her husbands finances maybe, so if she has chosen the band, then so be it. It will probably give her 60% excess weight loss at least, as long as she sticks to the plan. I hope for her sake she manages to.
He seemed supportive of my operation straight away which was good. He could tell I had researched the operation and was not entering this with my eyes closed. He wanted to see me privately after the others had gone, claiming he wanted to see my previous operation scars, however when everyone else left, he never even examined me ! We talked about how I was keen on helping EOC and promoting it in Northern Ireland, and learning about Lap band fills. He was very keen for me to do this, and I really am, once I am back on my feet. Let's get tomorrow out the way first !
Dr Dillemans is a charming, charismatic man, with a wealth of information and experience oozing out of every oriface. He is very easy on the eye too !! I felt reassured by him. I was not keen on the joint consultation at first, but then i thought, what the hell, we are all big and all in the same boat here with our BMI's on the increase from our original estimate ! With all the i's dotted and the t's crossed, we got the bus back into town.
Ellen and I hit the shops and got lots of bits and bobs for the kids and Al and Frances. It was good to get that done. I have no idea what I will be like post op and would rather get things now than go back with a case bereft of presents for the kids ! Brugge has a miriad of strong sweet smelling Chocolate shops. It's almost overpowering to the point where it turns you queasy in some ! Ellen went daft in lots of them, and I was happy as long as she was enjoying herself. She has been so fantastic and I am so happy she is here with me. We went on a horse and cart ride which was great, but used up the time that I had hoped to have a waffle. It was my sole intention to have one last Belgian Waffle today.Once we got back after the horse and cart ride, they were all closing. I was really dissapointed but thought, 'ah well'.
We went back to the hotel and I went for a swim.I was looking at the clock and thinking how odd it was that last wednesday I was thinking, this time next week it will all be over. This time I was thinking, 'this time tomorrow, it will all be over'.
We went out for dinner. Just chicken and chips, nothing special. I was still lamenting the missed opportunity to have a waffle. Ellen suggested we take a wander round the market square after dinner. To our amazement and utter delight, we found one place that was serving waffles. I was giddy with excitement, and I was so happy to be able to have my waffle that I actually cried. The people around us must have thought we were on something, laughing like hyena's and me bawling my eyes out ! The poor waiter !!!! The waffle was heaven.It was a big waffle with cream and ice cream, fresh strawberries and warm chocolate sauce that sat in pools in the waffle holes. It was the most wonderful thing of my whole trip !!
Ellen and I had a long walk all around the different side streets of Brugge, looking in windows, talking non stop and having a ball. She made me laugh so much, and made my last night pre op such a better experience than I could ever have imagined. I will be eternally in her debt for tonight. Thank you Ellen, you are one in a million ! ( But you know that already !)
We watched the film 'Click' on my PPC tonight before going to bed. It was funny, especially when he'd lost a load of weight was left with a huge tummy flap. He was waving it at his ex wife and talking away like it was something to play with !
I called Alan and told him that I loved him and missed him, and the kids. If only he knew how much I was missing him. The space inside me is gaping. Not long though and I will be back in his arms forever more. I love him and our kids more than life itself and always will.