Mayster Roll Call (geez...26 Months already)

Greetings, all! Haven't been around much here or anywhere else. Just pop in and out and about. Life has been busy. I'll quickly summarize... 1. Weight is holding. Got down to 148 for a day or two but now am at 160. Would like to get down below 155 again. Think I want that to be my "place". 2. Had my 5th surgery since 12/27/06 late June. Lumpectomy, re-excision lumpectomy, bilateral mastectomies, emergency surgery for a rupture blood vessel under the skin which caused my breast to expand to huge proportions and then implant swap out. 3. End of June my ttemporary expandible saline implants were replaced with silicone implants. The silicone feel much better. Think I need a tweak on placement. Will discuss it with my plastic surgeon when I see her late this month. Think they need to be a bit more towards the center. Not sure if I'll go for secondary reconstruction... which is recreating areolas and nipples either surgically or via tattooing. I have all the time in the world to decide that. Having a bear of a time figuring out what bra size I wear. Was frustrating shopping today. Need to get measured by a pro, I guess. 4. Haven't been exercising due to lower back disk problems. Had back surgery 5 weeks before WLS and I suffered some more compression of the disks. Been a rollercoaster of pain up and down from bad to not-so-bad. Cortisone shot didn't help at all. PT did help a bit. 5. My FIL has been been in the hospital more than me off and on and even for a few hours yesterday. Most of his trips for ummm rectal bleed. He has 'roids and he forces things. Nuff said, eh? Most of the trips to the hospital were unnecessary honestly. He doesn't get it. But the real problem is that it appears he has cancer. His PET scan showed spots in each lung, lymph nodes, lower spine and not sure if some was in the liver too. He had a lung biopsy a few weeks ago but the darned pathologist who was there for the test to verify that enough tissue was taken did a crappy job and they didn't have enough to make a diagnosis. So, back he goes this coming Friday for a repeat biopsy. He did have prostate cancer in 2003 and had radiation so I'm not sure if that spread or if he has lung cancer that spread or what. 6. We are planning to go on a cruise with my family in September. Rich and I haven't been on a vacation since 2004 and never even got a honeymoon when we got married later that year. The crusie is to celebrate my sister's 50th birthday so my sister, hubby, Rich, I, my father and his S.O. will be going. I hope Rich's father is in good shape so that we can actually go. Guess that brings everyone up to what is going on with me. It has been a rough few months. Miss you all! Hugs, Kathy

Hey Kathy, So sorry to hear all that youv'e been through. You always seemed to the be the rock around here. Take care of yourself! I am doing great! Just learned Friday that I am pregnant. We only tried for two months so I feel very grateful. I am on the pregnancy board alot now. Still pop in here to see if anythings new with anyone. I am still maintaining nicely between 150-155. Very nervous now that I am preggers. Gained 45(pre op) with my son and hoping to slash half of that with this one. Still have issues with the sweets but have learned for the most part how to control it. Was going to look into plastics for my legs if I wasn't pregnant this month but I guess I got the answer to that. Nothing much else is different here, Hope everyone is doing good. I miss everyone! Candy 263/150-155

Candy, I'm so happy to hear your big news! I believe I remember you posting that you wanted another child. That is fabulous news. I hope that all goes well for you and that it is a happy healthy pregnancy. Hugs, K

Im still around... mostly lurking.... Im hovering between 165-172, Very frustrating as 160 would be 100 lbs and I cant quite get there. aghhhhhhhh bigger changes underfoot. Hubby and I are divorcing. Think he had a midlife crisis and found someone else to talk to online... hasnt met anyone but as this is the 3rd time hes done this in the 9 years we have been together... I cant take it anymore.... actually we are getting along quite well. Sad really but I guess we werent meant to be. Also moving back to PA... job situation has gone from bad to worse with my boss telling me to my face that i dont know what im doing... NOT motivating me to want to please her thats for sure. So am job searching online and via phone. Thats it for me!!! hope others check in Karen

Karen, Sorry to hear your news but hope that your move and job search go really well for you. I hope the future presents great choices and adventures for you. Hugs, K

Hi Kathy and all, I don't post often but check in every now and then. I am so sorry to hear of your troubles, you have been instrumental in keeping us all on track so early on and I thank you for that. I am hovering between 187-192. I was at 185 for a few weeks but that was long ago. Since I started out at 370, I called the day I hit 185, half off Julie day. I am going in for my first round of plastics in 2 weeks, LBL/ Breast lift and augmentation. I am so excited. Needless to say, I have been hanging around the Plastic Surgery board, a wealth of information there. I feel great, I work out regularly, and I am ready for my next step. I hope to hear from more of you and I hope you are all doing well. Julie

Julie, Thanks for checking in. Good luck on the upcoming plastics. I hope the surgery goes really well for you and your recovery and nice and smooth. Hugs, K

Hi Kathy and other Maysters, Wow lots can happen to all of us during the last couple of years. I was the odd ball in the group who had the VBG, it has continued to be an effective tool for me and I am hanging around 147 from a high of 264 so not to bad! My husband and I have been able to take 6 mile hikes in the mountains with no problems.. now that is a big change. I do have some sad news to share with all of you and have waited until now since I hate to bring everyone down but it is something I have to share. My son was killed on May 26th over in Iraq, he was driving a Stryker and made the decision to move it and protect his men that had left the vehicle and came under fire. He was given the Bronze Star, Purple Heart you name it we got it. I am so proud of him and so sad at the same time. He was a young man that joined the military to care for his family and felt he was doing the right thing, life was always a struggle for him financially but he left his wife and baby very well off and is a hero both here and in Idaho his state of record for enlistment. All of you hold your kids close and love them because time passes so quickly! We always think there is tomorrow but sometimes that just never comes. My son had his memorial on his 24th birthday.. talk about hard on a mom and was buried on June 9th. Sorry you guys, but have to share with all that have been here for our WLS ride. Love you lots.. so now go hug those kids for me! Jody

Jody, I'm very saddened by the news about your son. I'm glad that you could share this with us. Your words were a poetic tribute to him - the man, son, husband, father, soldier and above all hero. Take good care of yourself and your family. I'll be keeping you all in my thoughts. If I had kids to hug, I'd definitely throw many in there for you, me, etc. Hugs to you, Kathy

Jody, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I appreciate your son and what he has done for the country. Thank you so much for sharing.