Roll Call

Hello Everyone, Yes I know it seems kind of silly to do a roll call when there are a bunch of us who will be seeing each other this afternoon but I thought that it would be a good idea for everyone to check in and give an update of where we are and what we are doing these days. We haven't done this in a while so here goes.......... Well I still have some of my tan left from Cancun but boy do I miss the sun. I know I should have lived in a warmer climate. I had my annual check up with Dr. Bell this week and am waiting for the blood work results but he thinks that everything is going well. He estimates that I have about another 40 pounds to lose ( I have lost 104 so far) and that about 20 of those pounds could be extra skin. So now I need to break this damn #$##$$# plateau and get down to buisness. He did put in a referral for me to see the plastic surgeon but that will only be (at least I think in my mind) a consultation. Actually I think that my insurance won't even consider paying until after 18 months (Anthem, State of CT Employee) so there is no rush. I am just curious to see what the plastics people think. I am going back to the gym this morning for the first time in a few weeks. I have been babying my back and my foot since I fell but I can't stand not going anymore. Who would have thought I would miss going to the gym...... I also saw a new primary care physician this week. I like him alot. My old one was okay but had no interest in me or what I was doing. I decided that I don't need to put up with that kind of attitude so I am moving on. I have found that I am a bit more assertive than I used to be and I think it is because I don't want to waste time anymore with people who can't treat me as I treat them. There have been soooo many changes in my life in this short year that I guess I have gotten a new perspective also. So I am off to water aerobics, I watched the UCONN Women blow out Buffalo last night........Looking good Ladies . I hope the men do the same this evening :wink:. I will be seeing lots of you this afternoon at On the Border. Tomorrow I hope to relax and do somethings around the house that I have been putting off because of my back but I will see how I feel. I have to make matzoh ball soup and stuffing for Thanksgiving (at my sisters) and maybe I will make a sugar free desert. Last year I make this awesome Pineapple Cheesecake from Susan Maria's recipes (bariatriceating.com). Last Thanksgiving consisted of mashed potatos and jello for me with a tiny bit of the cheesecake but it was awesome. Have a great weekend everyone and remember that NOTHING FEELS AS GOOD AS THIN> Linda

I am glad you are getting back on track after your fall! I hope everything is feeling better! I have a way too busy weekend planned. I have to try to get some cleaning done this morning, and start putting up some Christmas decorations. Of course lunch this afternoon, which I cannot wait for!!!! I will stop and do some grocery shopping on my way home. Tomorrow I have to finish my cleaning/decorating and prepare my refreshment for the Avon Open House I am hosting. If anyone would like to stop by (no need to buy anything) I would love to see you. It is from 12-6pm, and you can stop by anytime. Just e-mail me for directions! My stomach pain is gone, Debby said if the pain isn't gone by next week they would do another CAT scan, but I don't think that will be neccessary. He did consider exploritory surgery when I was in the ER. Boy am I glad he decided to wait! I missed my swim class this week and can't wait to get back on track next week! Have a great weekend all! Carmen

Hi Linda- Seems I get pretty gabby with my food logs--so most everyone knows what is going on in my life! Its a great therapy for me-even if no one reads them! Can't wait to see everyone today--don't forget your grab bag gives for the gift swap! I need to remember my digital camera. Tomorrow is the last game my daughter has cheerleading for. Its the championship for the Jr division youth footfall. Go North Haven! My husband is going to cut his sleeping early-so we can all go out for dinner after the game. Oh--both my kids are grounded this weekend. Its amazing to see the 16 yr old and 11 yr old bonding...without TV..or video games! They are playing cards between the hard labor-- I have chosen for them. My laundry room is spotless..and my 'frig is to be cleaned today! Maybe grouding them at the same time is a good thing! See you all later! Love, Joanie

Hi everyone Looks like I'll be the sad sac of the group. Nothing in my life has really changed, except there is a good chance I will lose my job due to not being able to work on pain meds. (I can't get through a day at work without them) My boss has been wonderful, but it's going on eight weeks now and the Drs are nowhere with finding out what it is after two hospitializations. I'm frustrated to say the least... I have made myself promise to be more active on the board and stop withdrawing. I know you all are here to support and I need to learn to lean on ya. I just feel like a broken record, but emotionally, I'm at my witts end. One Dr did suggest that it could be my gall bladder, but the ultra sound he ordered while I was in the hospital last weekend was cancelled by my cardiologist. I finally said enough is enough and called my surgeon to see it they could help me. I'm happy to say that it looks like I'll be having my ultra sound in the next two weeks. Thanks to Cheryl S. for giving me renewed hope and helping me to understand that this is not in my head and they need to do something about it. Your post really was a lifesaver. I am going to try really hard to see you all this afternoon, but I honestly cannot make any promises. I am so depressed these days and I feel like this pain has just taken over control of my life. It has been so hard having felt so good and being so active to literally doing not more than resting and an occassional trip out... Hugs to everyone, Sorry to be such a downer, Maggie

Morning Everyone, Good thing i pay attention to what i read..Linda..sorry ididnt know you fell....i must be out of the loop, or thinking of other things... life has been very busy working two jobs and selling Avon.... My promotion goes into effect on December 3rd. Absolutely cannot wait because i could use the raise...Dec 9th is my surgery date..getting very anxious and nervous all at the same time....with less than three weeks to go, i am freaking out that for some reason insurance may not cover it...but others at my job didnt have any problems, so why should i???....giving up selling Avon and my last day at my second job is Dec 2nd.....time to focus on me.... okay enough babbling..have fun tonite !! and if anyone is going ot the casino (the sun) goby the motorcycle and stop and say hi Deanna Deanna.

Hey Linda - Hi Everyone... Well I have been so negligent on getting to these boards and supporting everyone that I deserve 50 lashes with a wet noodle! Now it used to be that I'd eat that noodle before you got a chance to swing it at me - but these days - no noodles for Carla! Here I sit at 12:20pm and I really should be in the shower getting ready to see everyone this afternoon! Push me - I'm coming....I'm just so tired after another sleepless night and getting up at the crack of dawn to hit the sales at Sears today. You'd think I didn't love to shop or something! But mom was with me and she HATES shopping, so she took the joy out of it for me... I'll have to go back without her! Anyways, can't wait to see everyone this afternoon. I will be your Queen of Registration...so show me the $$$!!!! And then we'll grab a drink and toast to the holidays!! As for me, well let's see. I am now 8 months post-op, down 123 lbs and putting myself in financial ruin with all my clothes shopping! It has been quite the year for me. Starting with my Guillian barre (CIDP) last fall and finally getting diagnosed and treated. Thank God for finding a fantastic neurologist! Anyways, happy to say that worked and I was able to walk without a cane again. Then came the bypass in March which went smoothly (knocking wood) and as if one abdominal surgery wasn't enough - God says - HA HA - and so I had a second surgery in September (this time a complete Hysterectomy) because they suspected Ovarian cancer. Well, thankfully, everything turned out benign. But now I'm in instant menopause!!! AACCKK!!!! I have slept in 10 min. increments for the past 2 1/2 months...one minute too hot the next too cold. OYE!!! Pass the hormones please.....!!!! Anyways, now it's November and I had my followup appt with the neurologist. Yes, OF COURSE, you guessed it! The neuro condition is on its way back! I have tingling in the hands and feet and loss of sensation, and I'm starting to lose balance ever so slightly. So - I'm thinking of joining a clinical trial my neuro is running along with Bayer pharmaceuticals. At least I'd get my same treatments that I had last fall, and I'll be helping to prove that these drugs work for patients like me. We'll see!!! My My, have I droned on and on long enough??? Sorry...but I warned you that it's been a while since I've posted!!! Hugs everyone!!! See you this afternoon.... Carla