Hi Everyone!! Wow - it feels like a year since I last checked in. Life has been busy to say the least. I teach jr. high and the the school year starts for me the 3rd week of August. This year has been the HARDEST start to the year in anyone's memory on campus so that took a lot of energy. Then, to add insult to injury, I started looking for my first home right before school started. I've looked at somewhere around 75 homes, put in 12 offers, and FINALLY went into escrow Tuesday. I should hear from the underwriters on Monday and then I might relax about us closing. I'm pushing for a 3 week escrow so that we'll close on the 21st. Long story there as to why that date. On the health front, doing great. Blood pressure is more often normal than low, liver enzymes are basically back to normal, irregular heart beat went to occasionally instead of consistently, went back on Elavil for sleeping and actually have energy again and have stopped non-stop snacking! (amazing how sleeping helped with that) My lowest weight was 132 with my goal being 135. My body just couldn't regulate itself there so I've upped my goal range to 140-145 (which is why I think a lot of the physical issues have gone away) and am presently at 142.6. Unfortunately, since I exercise very sporadically, my body composition has changed and I've gained enough inches to go from a size 4/6 pants to a size 8/10 (though I have some 6s that I can still get into). Really, really need to exercise more regularly. I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was wonderful and that you're looking forward to all of the December holidays. Dawn

Hija, I'm in... just a month behind. I'll start officially on the 3rd. Dawn

This may be a stupid question, but what is IVC?? I have heard of neuropathy in WLS patients who don't take enough vitamin B-12. Is there a WLS surgeon in your area that you might be able to talk to? I hope you find some answers. Check on the main board too. Someone might have some insight for you there. Take care!

Hey Tammy! Thanks for posting! I haven't gotten my butt out there walking yet either! But it's always there on my mind! I have been having some serious shoulder/neck pain for about 3 months now. Had an MRI last month and they found 4 bulging disks in my neck. Been on pain killers and going to the chiro weekly. Gets better and then I am back to hurting again. I have to go see a neck/spine specialist to see if they want to do surgery or give me injections. Of course I don't want either of them! My chiro thinks he can make it better without surgery or injections. Seems to be helping but with the way my desk is arranged at work, it feels like I take two steps forward and one back. I have a work order in for the maintenance dept to come fix things. Hopefully the change in positioning will help. We shall see! But my goal is to check into the local gym here this next week. I found out today that it's only around $20 a month just to go in and use the treadmill etc. I think that is a pretty good deal. I don't need much more than that! And with the icky weather we have been having here, it seems like a good fit. I don't have a working scale at home but I think I have dropped a couple of lbs since my weigh in with the surgeon's office. So I feel good about that. How is everyone else doing? Miss you guys! Lori

Hi Everyone Hope you all had a great week. Of course my goal for last week was to get my treadmill back into my house & get moving. Did I you ask well no... .....but I did do some massive housework on Sunday & I did walk a mile today. Boy it felt good to get out there too. So this weeks goals....walk at least 1 mile 2 to 3 more days this week & cut back on carbs.... My weight.......not good I know that I had been holding around 184...& yup I have gained 10 lbs... This morning 194........ I refuse to go up any further. Will be back below 190 by this time next week... Hope you're all doing well. Take care Tammy