Roll Call

Hi everyone, Things are going well for me - the scale finally moved, and I've lost 2 lbs. Its been at a stand still for about a month! It can be quite difficult to go through a long plateau. This weekend we will be seeing some friends who also adopted from the same baby-home as my sons are from, and we'll be traveling to West Springfield to go to a Russian Deli for dinner. On Monday we'll be seeing all my husband's family for a cook-out (or cook-in if the weather is correct)! A few haven't seen me since Christmas, so it should be interesting. Other than that, we'll be doing cleanup around the Bilodeau house - anyone want to pitch in? Have a great weekend, God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau

Hi Kathy, Sorry I missed you the other night but I was doing something......... don't remember what!! I will be intouch once I get back to CT and I can organize the RSVP's. I need to get Chryssie the info on the kids and some info to Lisa for the name tags. Things are coming along but I thought we would have more responses by now. Must be the impatience in me. Please give your family a big hug for me. They are really special......all of them. Hope you have a great weekend. Are you coming on the 8th?? Linda

Hey Linda, Your favorite store( coldwater creek) is in my hometown Also it is closer to Maggie 's hometown too Kathy K.

Hi everyone, Well I'm actually starting to feel like a human being again after recovering from my gallbladder complications. Energy is starting to come back, thank god. I'm about 10 months out and have lost 132#. Started loosing again this week after a long plateau Trying very hard to minimize the carbs and start to excersize (not one of my favorite things), but I know it really does make a difference. Finally have the house back in some kind of order after having been away for about 4 months, boy the dust. Been working this week on cleaning out the closet and going thru all the bags that Linda and Kathy generously donated to me. It was really hard parting with my comfortable old clothes, Next job is to find a job, anyone hiring!!! Haven't worked in about 2 years so I'm really anxious and not quite sure how I'll do. Wish me luck!!! Not too much going on this weekend, have plans to do some visiting, trying not to obsess about picnic food, Everyone have a great weekend and hope to see you all at the get together on the 12th. Best wishes, Mary Lou p.s. thanks Linda for starting this, good

Now after responding to Kathy K I can update you on me! I went to see the surgeon today and we just went over my preop plans. He and the plastic surgeon have talked and come up with a plan that will work for all of us. I am still a bit scared but a lot less now. I have to tell you all this for those of you that know me, know I can be well, a smartass. My surgeon is feeling my hernia, like his fist is in my belly killing me, but I'm not saying a word. Then he asks this 3rd year med student if he wants to feel it and this young guy just places his hand on my stomach and I yell OUCH!!! He jumped back and was bright red and my surgeon was laughing so hard. I am so mean to med students. They come here (some of them) thinking they are already doctors, we just sometimes like to bring them to reality. Anway.......as of today I am 157 I lost another few pounds certainly NOT trying to anymore but I can't figure this one out. Never thought I'd have THIS problem, at 5'8" I am now thinner than I have ever been. MAYBE when I was 16 and a flower child but definetely not since. I feel good except for the hernia. I am staying real involved with our UCONN CT support group meetings. I'll update you all as soon as I can after the 8th. Or my angel Sharon Neva will ok? love you all! I am so sad not to be able to see you all again at the gathering. hugs (huge ones) Cheryl

Well Miss Smarty!! I could just see the med student's face!! Sounds like you are feeling better about this surgery. I have been reading more and more about it and feeling more comfortable with the possiblity of having it done. I don't have a hernia so I will be waiting a long time (at least until much closer to goal) but I will count on you to give me the real skinny!! I am sure your weight will fluctuate some and you will lose some more after the surgery just with the skin removal. Oh boy you will be svelt!!! . Please keep us updated we will be missing you but know you have a good excuse!!! Maybe I will make some of the other Cheryl's mini cheese cakes and come visit you!!! Take care and keep smiling. You are a very special person. Linda

Hello All I am continuing on my quest to finish my pre-op testing....just when I think I'm done someone comes up with a test I have'nt had. It's OK I will keep plodding along!!! One of my sons and his wife is leaving tonight to go to washington DC to participate in Rolling Thunder. This is an event where bikers across the country come to DC to honor all vets and mias. I am told it is a awesome emotional experience. One of my goals is to attend this event with my son(who is a Captain in the Army reserve) and to visit the wall. Hopefully by next year I will be able to do this. Have a happy safe weekend !!!!!!! angel

Angela, What a great goal for next year!!! I am sure that it will be an awesome experience. Hopefully you are almost done with all your testing and you can move on to the next step!! Please keep us updated on your progress in this process. Are you going to be able to come on the 12th? I am not home at my own computer and I don't remember everyone that emailed me......... Linda

Hi Everyone, I am still pre-op but feeling more confident about getting things done. I've had the initial meeting with the surgeon, Dr. Yood, down at St. Ray's. He was very nice and I felt comfortable with him. Has anyone had this surgery done with him? I've also done my psychological assessment with Chris Lodi, and I have my nutrition assessment on Wednesday. Onwards from there is the protien fast diet, which I suppose Diana Rosa will explain to me. I figure, how hard can it be? I've been cleared by my cardioligist (that was the big one), and although he didn't tell me NOT to have the surgery (as he told me NOT to have my son five years ago, but I did anyway and I love him with all my heart), he wasn't overjoyed. He did tell me that I am one of the most determined people he's ever met (hence my son), and I would probably wind up as the poster child for WLS when I had it done- I sure hope he's right! I need to be cleared by gastro also, but that appointment isn't until the end of June, so I'm hoping I can move along with St. Ray's until then to aim for a late July/early Aug. surgery (I'm a single mom and that's when my parents, who both teach, will be around to help with my son). So that's my update-I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend, I LOVE when I have three days off! Anne

Hi Anne, Welcome to the CT Board. I am so glad that you decided to join us. I can't say that I have heard of Dr. Yood, however I did hear that there was someone other than Drs Reinhold and Valin doing the surgery at St. Raph's. I know there was a woman doctor whose name escapes me now but have not heard of Dr. Yood or anyone mentioning his name before. I want to wish you well in your quest and your doctor doesn't realize that determination is the name of the game. You sound determined to live a long and healthy life with your son and this is the way to do that. Linda