Early Roll Call

Hi Everyone, Well with the holiday weekend coming up I figure that everyone is busy or will have alot to write. For those of you will no real plans boy do I envy the time to relax!! This is a time to check in, update or just introduce yourself. I have had a very busy week once again. I think we sold the house or at least we have a contract but need to wait until these folks get a committment letter from the mortgage company. Looks like we will be closing on the new condo on the 23rd of July and this house on the 27th of July. Should be interesting. The 4th is my youngest nieces graduation party, the 10th I am invited to a 2 year old's b'day party (little girl from china that my friend adopted), the 13th is my middle nieces birthday, the 17th is my oldest niece's wedding (along with the rehearsal dinner the night before), the closing, moving and another closing and then Aug. 1st is one of my sister's 50th. Now along with all of that is a variety of other things I am committed to including going to see Carol King at the Mohegan Sun on the 27th!!!! I am tired and broke just thinking of all this stuff......... I have been working hard at setting up speakers for Dr. Bell's support group meetings. This months' (July 6th) a couple of people from my gym are coming to talk about exercise. The Aug. 3rd meeting some folks from Roche are coming to talk about this new device that measure's calories burned vs calories eaten.......you can check out www.healthware.com if you are interested. I am getting brochures mailed to me. The Sept meeting will be a medical (not surgeon) bariatric physician who will speak with us.....(can't remember the topic off hand....). This week has been difficult for me as I have been eating alot. I did pay for it one day and that helped to bring things back under some control. I have also been slacking at going to the gym but my body has been rebelling and I have been very achy all week. I will be back to schedule this week !!! My sugar is still or once again not where I want it to be. Its still running in the 130's-140's even taking the glucophage. I am not eating starches and I don't eat sugar although I do eat the sugar free candies. Can't figure it out but will keep plugging away. Have a great weekend and do something fun for yourself!! I plan to go hang out in my friends new built in pool tomorrow........ Linda

Happy Forth of July!!!! I am still doing pre-op testing....another sleep over at gaylord this week... learned to use the MASK. I actually slept some. Now I guess I have to learn to use it at hime. Went for stress test ,,,everything O.K. This has dragged on for so long I forgot all the nutritional stuff I learned. A bizzare thing happened...went to eye Md....I havent been for a while and I knew my vision changed....what I did'nt know was I have macular degeneration...not too bad yet but I do have some vision loss. This is also why I need more light and why my vision blurs in flouresent light. The bizzare part is I got my new perscription glasses and sun glasses and I could'nt see much better than the old ones. back to MD. they said I must be diabetic and when they tested my eyes my sugar had spiked distorting my vision......I need to have new glasses done with new perscription $$$$$$$$ Anyone ever have this problem? So here I sit waiting to hear when I get my c-pap ...hopefully last step before surgery On the happy side one of my sons is having a picnic Sat. and since I am now matriarch of the family I get to sit and have everyone wait on me I hope every has a safe happy weekend angel

Angela, I have an old friend whose mother had Macular Degeneration. It has been some time since i have even talked to this friend, but i remember that the doctor told her mom to eat lots of spinach because i guess whatever vitamins that are in it are very good for this fighting this disease. although you will never be able to fight it completely. Do as much research on it as possible so you can.. As for your surgery..good luck your day will be here soon..i am just in the beginning stages, but these next few months wil go by quickly.. have a great day !! deanna

Hi Angel, Wow sounds like you have been busy trying to get all your pre-op stuff done. Don't stress out about getting used to your Mask and Cpap.... I have had mine since October and I still fight with it just about every night. I am one of the people who have not been able to stop using it since losing weight. I even attended an insomnia workshop for 8 weeks. I will tell you what motivates me to keep using it faithfully though. My sleep doctor said to me that untreated sleep apnea slows your metobolism down therefore hinders weight loss!!! . That was all I needed to hear. Also as far as your eyes go, please talk to your opthamologist more about macular degeneration and do your own research. Also check with your optometrist about the change in your prescription. I know that some places will change the lens for free if it is with in a 30 day period. Enjoy your role as the matriarch!! You definitely deserve to. Linda

Linda! Congratulations on selling your house! That must be a load off your mind. I am also in charge of helping Dr. Giles setting up speakers so I will look into that link. Thank you. thanks also for emailing me yesterday. I woke up this morning and it is very sore. I am hoping it's just from all the shots he gave me. I just can't wait to leave for FL and I can't wait for my daughter to come home Sat. I miss her so much. Whenever I find I've had a week that I've eaten too much and get down on myself, I do what Kim and I did one time and it works. We went back to liquids for one week. We did all protein drinks Atkins, you name it. It actually jump started us and we lost again. I was amazed it worked. You can even start out like we did and say 3 days that way it doesn't seem so daunting. I am working on Monday so I can comp it another time. I have so much to do (being the diligent state worker I am) I figured it would be quiet and I could get all caught up before vacation. I'll be on the laptop in FL so please keep me updated everyone. To everyone having surgery in the next 2 weeks. Hang in there, it isn't easy, but it IS worth it! Chryssie, you are a doll, thank you for the card. Natasha-back at you hun! Kathy F-you made me laugh so hard last night it hurt. I am also a spender, another thing we have in common. I love you all!! Linda, you are the best. Please help my angelette Chryssie out since she is having lap like you did. She's a wonderful person. XXOO Cheryl

Cheryl, Please don't forget to take some time for yourself this weekend!! I know you are a dedicated state employee and in the long run it will make your life easier to go in when its quiet but remember that you come first and the work will still be there. That never seems to disappear. I will be more than happy to help Chryssie in any way that I can. She is a sweetie and I really like spending time with her and chatting. She knows she can always ask me anything. Glad your daughter will be home soon. Speaking of which did you see how well Diana did this week??? Elena who??????. I am beginning to jones. November won't be here soon enough for me. We will keep you updated while you are away. Have a super duper time. Linda

HI everyone, Gosh Linda, it sounds like you are one busy woman...where do you find all the time??? Cheryl......good luck with all that you are going through i will put you in my prayers. As for me....this weekend my two brothers are coming down from Maine for a picnic at moms house on Sunday. i am very excited to see them as i dont see them too much...i will undoubtedly go fishing with hubby on Saturday and lucky for me he is doing an all nighter Sunday night into Monday morning fishing with a friend... On Wednesday, i had my psych evaluation..went find and she said they should have my paperwork to Dr. Bell by August 1st. I have my Nutritionist on July 9th and my bday the following day...looking forward to the group session on Tuesday teh 6th and i start a second job tonite which i will be working a few nights a week and on satuday nites too..but we need the $$ so..gotta do what you gotta do.. everyone have a great weekend !!!! be safe !! Deanna

Hi Deanna, Well it sounds like you are moving right along with your pre-op stuff. Hopefully everything will be submitted quickly and you can then begin the most painful part of this whole process...... That is the wait!! At least for alot of us that was the worst thing. However please come here and whine, vent or just chat anytime. We love that. Your husband is a true blue fisherman from the sounds of things. I have a cousin (lives in Rochester NY) who is like that and while I fail to see the attraction it is fun to do once in awhile. Maybe with your second job you won't have time to go anymore???? Will see you on Tuesday, have a great weekend!! Linda

Hi Linda, That's good news about selling your house. Selling and buying are so stressful, it must be difficult to do both at once. Now that things may settle down alittle for you I am sure you will put yourself first again with your food, etc. You are a great role model, don't be down on yourself for being human! This weekend is busy as usual for me. After work today we are picking up my new car! I am extremely excited. Then tonight we have fireworks at our mall. Tomorrow we go to the Yankees/Mets game at Shea stadium - go Yankees!!! Sunday it looks like we are going to Misquamicut Beach in RI. First time going to the ocean this year, one of my favorite things to do. Monday I am delivering my old car to my daughter who needs one. Seems like there is always so much to do, doesn't it? I have to work at keeping to my food/drink schedule on weekends. It is really easy at work, breakfast at 8, lunch at 12, protein drinks, and water in between...I really have a tough time doing that on weekends. But I am working on it. Have a great Fourth of July weekend everyone!!! Anne

Hi Anne, Wow sounds like you have a very busy and exciting weekend planned. Congrats on getting the new car!!! That will be such fun to tool around in a new vehicle. I am sure that going to the game will be a blast. Would be sooo cool if you do get to meet with Angel in the parking lot!!!. I too love the ocean and am somewhat jealous that you are going without me.... I do know what you mean by our schedules being thrown off on the weekends. It really is easier when you have a specific routine. Take care and have lots and lots of fun this weekend! Linda