Hi Everyone!

Hi Jeanne! Thank you My Colombian experience was just wonderful! My surgeons, doctors, personal guides, private nurses, hospital staff, hotel staff, drivers, everyone... just wonderful. There are 6 million people in Bogota alone and I guess because it's in the mountains, the smog was terrible. Sometimes it made me sick, especially when I left the hospital for the hotel. And due to the mild temps, there's no a/c in the hotel or hospital so the smell comes in when the windows are open. That's the ONLY thing that bothered me. My hotel was a 4 star hotel, very nice. And it was surrounded by their military police with M16's... at the doors, walking on the rooftops, etc. I'm not sure why but that didn't bother me. I knew to expect it I guess. They were also at the airport. Certain places like the airport and the hospital, people approach you trying to offer you rides, and there are so many different taxis, if I hadn't of had my personal guides and drivers, I would not have liked that...because I wouldn't have known which were safe and which were not. But I would definitely like to go back to Colombia. Maybe not necessarily to stay in Bogota but from what I saw on T.V. and in books, Colombia is a country filled with amazing beauty in nature. And some of the architecture that I saw was just stunning.

Hi Lisa - welcome back to the boards - and belated Happy Mother's Day to you, too. I've been thinking of you and hoping things were going well for you. I'm so happy to hear that you found a surgeon to follow-up with here at home. Glad you got to spend some time with your daughter! Its terrible when your kids live far away. Look forward to seeing your posts......warm regards........... Bonnie

Hi Bonnie Thank you! It was GREAT spending time with my daughter, AND meeting her finance! But I have to say that now she's in Texas, I can handle that a lot better than Korea & Iraq. Texas seems so close in comparison . After 6 years she's finally decided to get out. October will be it for her (IF they'll allow her discharge with that law in effect). But her momma sure was happy to hear THAT decision! How have you been, Bonnie?

I've been pretty good....no real serious complaints. I have only had one thing that made me vomit......baked haddock......and I won't be trying that again too soon, but everything else seems to go down pretty well. No dumping (of course, I haven't attempted to eat anything I'm not supposed to) and no issues with food intolerances. (I think the haddock may have been too dry.) I can't understand why anyone would shoot a cat. How cruel....and I hope the person who did it can be charged with animal cruelty. I hope you got good news from the vet's office. I know how difficult it is to lose a pet but losing one due to animal cruelty is just beyond my ability to forgive. I know what you mean by being tired......I'm six weeks out and seem to be tired more often than I was at 4 weeks out. I haven't been sleeping well......I am not in any pain or anything like that........just having some insomnia issues so I think that is why I feel so tired so often. If it keeps up I will ask my surgeon or my PCP to prescribe something to help me sleep. Again, I'm so glad to have you back!!! Warm regards........Bonnie

Your a strong woman - back to work already. I'm 4 weeks out today and just went back yesterday. I stayed home today because I was so tired. I'm used to sleeping in in the morning and when the alarm goes off so early I just can't get my body going. And eating and drinking was terrible at work yesterday, I was totally thrown off balance all together. I'll try again tomorrow. I just need the rest. I vacuumed for the first time today and not sure if I should have or not. Just that no one was doing it and I hate to say it but asking my family to do housework is like pulling teeth. (teenagers - they're so self centred). I've been doing all the dishes since my second day home. I also need to mop the floors too but I'm thinking that may be too much right now. Wow you've lost 29 lbs already and god knows how much since.....that's great I'm down 26 lbs today at 4 weeks. I'm ok with that I guess hey 1/4 way to my goal of 100 lbs. Keep up the good work just don't overdo it. Carolyn

Hey Girl, I know I just talked to you on the phone but you did not tell me about your cat that is terrible, someone was probably being cruel it is sad what our world has come to you know, not like it was when we were growing up. any how you sounded great on the phone I am so glad you are doing ok.......I hope you get to eat real food tomorrow glad to see you back on the board,I have missed you hugs and love lisa