A new year, a new me?

Well... looks like this *is* actually going to happen! It's been hell, let me tell you! I was in a GREAT headspace, I realized back in Oct/Nov that I *could* actually do this! However, since then, I've been dealing with not being approved, then being approved, but only for 1/2 of what I needed, doing fundraising, begging for donations (something I HATE doing!) You name it... But, it looks like it *IS* going to happen! Currently, the procedures are scheduled for next Wednesday, however, as my $$ from my school refund (the final amount I need for the surgery), I may need to wait til Thursday. Being home for the holidays was also a HORRIBLE mistake! My parents, of course, aren't really on any sort of 'diet' right now, as they claim to be going 'organic' (not the *claim* I'm not going into that right now!!) so, not doing strict Adkins, etc. They told me that *I* didn't give Adkins a fair shake, but now they've gained a substantial amount of weight back. Yet, they have the nerve to lecture me about how horrible it is to 'resort to surgery.' On the upside, my mom now FINALLY gets the whole gallbladder thing!! I had like 3 attacks when I was home (not bad for being there about 5 weeks!) And, I'd mentioned that I was having 'temperature regulation issues,' which has always been something that's happened for my 'stomach issues.' Meaning, I'll be fine one minute, then the next I'm sweating profusely & my stomach feels like it's trying to escape from my body! Apparently mom had the *exact same* symptoms! So, NOW she believes me!! She's also started to come around that I *NEED* to do all of this for my health. I'm starting to have knee issues. Anyone who's seen my mom knows that she literally 'waddles.' She doesn't bend her knees, pretty much at all! She, of course, refuses to accept this & yells at me & tells me how horrible of a person I am & how disrespectful I am for saying so! I'm like 'you yell at the dogs for being 'in your way,' all you have to do is PICK UP YOUR FEET! If you bend your knees, there's no issues...' Again, she just glares at me... I keep trying to explain that I will NOT become her in another decade! I plan to be doing yoga & bellydance, and traveling & walking around, etc. when I'm her age!! Just like I used too! I'm just trying to get to the point where I *CAN* do all of that again & not have it be too hard on my knees! So, anyway, yeah, looks like this will be happening! I'm sure that I'll be posting more in here after the procedures. (By 'procedures' I'm doing the sleeve surgery (which should also stop the ulcers I have from yrs of pain meds, as my mother refused to believe I was sick or in pain!), also having my gallbladder out, and they had 'hiatal hernia' on the orders, but I don't believe there's actually a problem w/that, as per the previous testing. But, I'm good w/checking, as they'll be in there anyway! Better 1 surgery than 2-3!) And, as the internet has been my refuge for many years now, I'm sure this is where I'll be trying to deal w/stuff after everything's done...