u/Humble_Delivery257

The title says a lot!

I’ve been hoarding to some degree or another for decades. The last 22 months have been the hardest and I’m finally starting to deal with it.

My beautiful mom and I lived together for quite awhile and we did a FAIR job working together as housekeepers.

Mom died July 11 2024. This broke me.

4 days later, I fell and broke my left shoulder in 3 places.

For the following 2 months I couldn’t drive, clean anything, laundry was not done. I truly hit bottom and have done nothing to reverse this behavior, until about a month ago.

I’ve taken before pictures but I’m not strong enough to post them yet. I will when there is forward progress. I’m hoping that posting will help discourage the level of procrastination I exist in.

Thanks for reading and any encouragement is appreciated 😳😁

It’s been a while since I’ve posted but I’m here daily.

I’ve lost 108 lbs, which still amazes me! The changes in my body are dramatic. Wearing smaller more fitted clothes, I can cross my legs!, I had to move my car seat several inches forward, I’ve been unrecognizable to folks who have known me for decades.

Now for a surprise I am so grateful I didn’t ignore.

I’ve had varicose veins for decades (inherited from dad), some are unsightly, I want them gone! I was thinking I was just being vain “oh doctor, please make my legs pretty”.

I went for a consultation and got way more than I bargained for. After a thorough ultrasound exam I have been diagnosed with venous insufficiency and varicose veins. The insufficiency causes blood to pool in the lower legs and due to many factors, the blood can’t return to the upper body especially the heart and brain. The weight loss “exposed” more ugly veins than I thought I had.

I won’t go into all the symptoms but having this knowledge has helped me correct a problem I was blaming on the MJ, my diet, lack of electrolytes. I’ve been dealing with lightheadedness and dizziness that was interfering with many parts of my life.

This condition isn’t immediately life threatening, however, it is progressive, it’s not curable but there is treatment that can slow the progression.

1. wearing compression pantyhose daily

2. walking is good, I still have to find out what exercises are recommended and which ones to avoid.

3. I’ll have further treatment in a few weeks. Radio frequency ablation.

I’m still in the learning stages.

I guess I’m being long winded here, but my point is not to panic folks but to suggest you don’t ignore surprising changes, get yourself checked out. Thanks for reading my post.😊