I'm here!

Hello friends, Sorry I have been MIA. I have been so busy with doing research for my classes that I had to force myself not to post anything. Once I start, I cannot seem to pull myself away from the board, and I really had to focus on some projects for class. I have been reading everyone's posts towards the end of the day thinking I could get on and talk with you all, but I just had to keep myself away so I got my work done. I am glad that it sounds like everyone is doing fairly well. I have been feeling a little depressed too, I don't know why, I think the plateau thing really got to me, then I found out I don't dump on sugar so that doesn't help either. I am happy to report that I have gotten down to 364 today. My next short-term goal is to get below 360 by Sunday this week, that'll be the day...HA! I seem to be running on a 5-pound mark of up 2 pounds, down 3, up 4 pounds, down 5...Oh this is driving me nuts. I did notice, like Andrea said, I wasn't drinking enough water, when I started to make sure and get all the water in, I dropped like 4 pounds overnight and stayed there. I am so sorry to worry any of you especially with the passing of Jessica O. I read some of her profile and it really sounds like she had a hard time from the get-go. She was way to young to die, and for her doctors to have shrugged her off the way they did, no one should be treated like that. I can't image what her son is going through right now. It just saddens me to no extent! I remember when I was getting ready to have surgery, all of the appointments and such, and we explained to my son, who is 6 now, about what I was doing and why, he said that they could give me a big pill and I would be ok and not have any pain ****pt that to myself until the day of surgery). Then, I remember the day of surgery, my husband and I got up and ready to go to Ypsi, and my son said the same thing, only I started to cry, not in front of him, but my throat welted up the tears that wanted to come down. As soon as my husband and I got into the van and headed down the road I looked over at him and he had a concerned look on his face, the what-if look. I told him what little "g" had said, and he started to get tears in his eyes, this from a man I have only seen cry once when my grandmother passed away in 2001. All my concern was that I would never see my son again, but if I didn't have the surgery I am sure I wouldn't even make it to 40 years old. I was so scared. Thank you all for thinking about me...if I don't post enough it is because I am divulging myself in my classes again. I will try and keep a better update going on though. Love to you all! Mandie P.S. I am very concerned about Cheri Bratz. I emailed her twice, nothing. I even tried to explain to her that if it was too personal, just let us know that she was ok. I am worried, her last postings were over a month ago, and her husband was having problems. I am also concerned because of the phase of depression we are all going through. She needs to know that we are here for her and will listen to anything she needs to say. I hope you are out there Cheri...We are here for you!

I'm so glad to know that you are ok Mandie. Read Kim's post about Cheri. Hang in there honey, it will get better!!!!