Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays to everyone...I know this is a busy time for everyone.  (You can tell because these boards are DEAD)  I was away for the weekend and came back to the same messages as when I left .  I hope everyone takes some time for themselves and looks back on the past year and how we can improve things in the upcoming year.  WE ARE IMPORTANT to ourselves and our loved ones.  Take care and get off your duff and exercise, walk away from the cookies and get on here and share the good and bad times with us. ((Hugs)) Ellen

Season's Greetings, Ellen and thank you for posting...5 days without a peep from anyone IS pretty lame.  I guess I am as bad as the next guy about that but when no one is talking there's nothing to respond to. My holidays have gone well so far.  We -did- have a little setback with credit card fraud but that was resolved completely within one week.  I have experienced a 5 pound gain but many things factor into that...monthly fluid weight being the major cause.  I play with the same few pounds every month so I am not real concerned.  I have been eating my Hershey Kisses, though.  I will stop that now that the season is coming to an end.  I have a bunch of them leftover and will give them to my kids...they love them as much as I do! Suture rejection is still a problem.  I've been pulling those barbed stitches out almost daily for over a month now.  I think I have removed most of them now, with just a couple of areas that are still trying to pop through the skin.  What a pain, literally.  The open ulcer wounds are finally healing on my incisions.  Once I got the sutures out, they started to heal really well.  Whew, I was really afraid I would need grafts to close them up. My 2 daughters and I will be traveling to Michigan on January 5th to attend my niece's baby shower.  She doesn't know we are coming and we haven't seen her in almost a year, so she will be surprised.  My family is anxious to see the new me so it will be an exciting visit. Since my plastics on November 7, I have lost about 25 more pounds.  The skin on my legs and arms is really loose now and I am concerned about being able to wear shorts next summer.  I am going to check into memberships at Curves to try and tone up that skin a little.  I could have more plastics but after this bout with suture rejection and the delay in healing, I just don't want any more surgery.  The scars I have now are wider and bigger because of the problems I've had but they can be hidden under clothing.  The legs and arms won't cover so well so I'm not having it done.  If I was younger and single, maybe.  But being married and pushing 50, it's just not a priority. My goals for 2008 are to tone up a little, be more physically active, and get back to work full time.  Year round, full time work is hard to come by here in Slower Lower but I am a cook, and people will always eat so I am positive I will find something.  I have a seasonal job during the summer locally and have commited to that from May-September but after that, it's back to the grind. I hope everyone's holiday went well and wish for great blessings to all in the coming year. KathyG

Kathy,   Thanks for the good wishes...you have gone through a lot in 2007 and I know 2008 will be great for you.  Good luck with the job hunt and keep us posted. Ellen

Hello Ellen and everyone else.  I have been away on vacation (with my honey) since the 14th of December.  It was an awesome time and if this year is any indication of future holidays I can't wait.  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and that you had time for yourselves to enjoy the "gift" that we have been given with this surgery and our new lives.  I know I did quite a few times and thanked God and the surgeons in my head several times.  I took a bad fall on Christmas Eve morning and hurt my back, butt, neck and a few other body parts, but I am healing.  It just hurts to sit for long periods of time. I hope you all have a wonderful new year and maybe in 2008 we can get this board back up and running, along with growing the support group meetings. Happy Holidays

Deanna,  I am so glad you had a great vacation.  You always plan good ones for everyone else and deserve one for yourself also.  I am sorry to hear about your fall.  I hope you are feeling better each day.  Have a great New Year and I know I will see you at the support meetings in the near future. Love, Ellen

Happy Holidays, Ellen!  (and everyone) 2007 is rapidly coming to to an end.  I lost a great friend last week (he was 82 years old).  He was a  rheumatologist *****tired in January but led an active life.  He was contsant source of inspiration for me and the entire community he served.  Luckily, I never had to use him professionally, and he was in awe of the way I was able to change my life over the past four years.  The rest of the holiday was great, and I look forward to an awesome 2008. I plan on having a big finish in 2007.   Let's get Delaware back on track in 2008.  PMRI has several new meetings planned for 2008.  They are trying to coordinate a picnic and other activities.  Delaware has  a lot of independent support groups and we are always looking for new attendees.  So how about showing up next year!  Make a commitment and follow-through.  Tell us what's happening in your life and on your journey.  No more lurking, come out from behind the screen and type. See you in 2008. Rob

Rob, I can always count on you to respond to posts and encourage people to stay focused.  I hope they listen to you and start posting all the good and bad things on here so we can support them.  I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear friend.  I know it must be hard for you.  Let's hope 2008 only brings out the best in all of us.   Have a great New Year and see you soon. Ellen