Hello Delaware,
Well I am happy to say I have completed with what I think is success on the 5dpt.  It was so easy to do, I didn't cheat at all, I followed the program to the "T".  Today we were allowed to have firm protein (chicken & beef) well for dinner I made this crock pot garlic & thyme chicken and I measured out 4 ounces and I could not finish the 4 ounces at all.  I was full, before I did this I would have ate the 4 ounces, some mashed potatoes and a veggie.  I am so glad I did this, it really took me back and made me see my mistakes and what I need to get back to doing.  Our surgery is just a tool and if we don't use the tool correctly it won't work.  It is kind of like trying to use a hammer to screw in a screw, it just doesn't happen the way it should.  I have found some great new recipes and will be using them in the future.  I am going to Ocean City, MD with my churches youth group for the Peninsula Delaware Conference annual youth rally, but I have decided I am taking an egg bake for my breakfasts, a case of water, 3 protein bars and some other healthy things for me to eat.  There will be no Dough Rollers pizza going into my pouch or anything else that is bad for me.  I have complete control of my pouch and the head will not win this one. 

I highly recommend anyone who needs to get back on track to try this plan, it is very helpful and fairly easy to do.  I am going to try to do it about every other month too, just to keep me on the straight & narrow.  If anyone has any questions please feel free to contact me, I will answer what I can. 

Have a great day.

Hi Joanne, Cambridge is not that far from me, about 20 minutes, I know there is one in Easton also which is about 45 minutes away.  The one in Easton usually meets at a Denny's but I can't remember which night of the week/month.  I am really busy in the evenings with church meetings/bible studies, so it is hard to get out for the meetings.  I will look into the Frist Place Program, that sounds like it is awesome.

Tuesday found me at the Work Incentives/Voc-Rehab office in Georgetown talking with Mr. White about my disability benefits and how I can work and still keep my checks.  I had already done my homework so I knew the steps required by Social Security when you go back to work.  I am not working anymore so I have to call SS and let them know that I used 1 month of my trial work months before leaving the job, and the reason I left.  I went to WalMart and Food Lion to get the ingredients for a big pot of chili....a family favorite around here.

I got all my test results back from having the hand x-rays and labs this past Saturday.  All of the bloodwork for rheumatoid arthritis came back "normal" but the pictures show moderate changes in the left hand and more severe arthritis in the right hand.  My cardiac profile/lipid panel was awesome!  I haven't taken any of my heart meds since the first week of August and my total cholesterol is 148.  Excellent.  Good cholesterol(HDL) is low at 35 so they want it above 45; bad cholesterol(LDL) is just 81, and triglycerides are 158.  Those are excellent numbers for me, and for most normal people with NO history of coronary artery disease.  It's encouraging to see that part of my health issues improve so much, but at the same time, the arthritis is worse than before surgery.  I am having chronic UTI's and they said there's tons of bacteria in the culture so I am back on the Bactrim, this time for 7 days instead of 5.  They don't know why I am carrying these germs around for so long but assume it's a result of not enough water intake.

I will see the GYN again on Thursday, just to discuss my cardiac risks of anesthesia for my endometrial ablation on Monday.  I already have cardiac clearance and have never had problems with anesthesia so I should be ok.  Friday I will see the pain management doc, have the surgery on Monday, get my permanent crowns put on the following Monday...so a busy couple of weeks ahead.  In the meantime, I have my hands full with the grandkids.

Oh, and the chili is awesome.  It never lasts very long around here.

Its great to see some new people on here.....WELCOME.  I live innew castle near bear too. I live on 273 near rt 1.  I hope to make it to victory this month and maybe the meeting with DR wynn too, I just have to check the work schedule.


Amy

Tiffany, Nice to meet you too. I know I am from Lower Slower Delaware ( Sussex County )  but my daughter and I come up to the Victory Meeting the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Hopefully we will meet you there sometime. See you lighter. Joanne