will accepts Illinois Medicaid card and does the gastric bypass? I have called. emailed. wrote and searched and found no one...over a 4 month period.... Desperate...Cams

Thanks Becki--- I will have to try out that stuff from GNC! Thanks for letting me know about that! I am not sure what academy I will be attending yet since I still have to take my exam but I need to prepare now, b/c we are hoping to move and get me into a job in the next few months....so I am lifting like crazy! I started my full program this morning, I am doing weights 3x a week with 20 min. of cardio, the opposite 3x per week will be heavy cardio days with 45 min on the elliptical or treadmill and 1 hour of Tae Kwon Do. Of course I still play paintball 2 times a month so that will fill in for my heavy cardio on 2 saturdays a month...LOL! Girl, don't underestimate yourself... you have tons of courage, I did pilates once and never went back! LOL! Jamie

Waaahhhhaaaa... my Kate is in distress! NO!!! Not fair! OK Kate, you know I would give you huge hugs right now if I was closer to you! We'd just sit on the couch and cuddle your blues away... I am sooo sorry that you are going through this. Going from one extreme to another has got to be the scariest thing in the world. I hope that they get your referral and dilation done ASAP instead of this who 4 week wait thing. You should be priority, this is absolutely rediculous. You are right, at your current rate, you will not make it to their appointment! WTF!?! I need to come cook for you! I can guarentee that I could "fatten you up" with some southern cooking! Where's my bacon fat? LOL! I have not been able to cook like that in years! LOL! OK, come on... laugh dang it, that was funny! If you need to vent just send me an IM! I love you girl! You can make it through this nightmare! You are stronger than you let yourself believe girl! BIG CYBER HUGS~ Jamie

I take vitamins from Sam's. I take 2 multi-vitamins, 3 calcium, 1 iron and a Vit B-12 a day spread out throughout the day. I will be having my bloodwork done soon to see how everything looks, but I feel good Another friend of mind who had wls a year ago takes all her vitamins from Sam's and all her bloodwork came back great so they should be just fine to take..hoping anyway lol. Deanna

Good luck Kate Many Hugs coming to you God bless, Syndi