It's good to see the veterans again

Nothing against you new post-ops & the pre-ops. We love you all & you're doing great but as someone over 3 years out (has it really been that long?), it's nice to see some gals who went through this around the same time as I. I miss you all. I don't get on here as much as I used to but try occassionally to get caught up. It sounds like everyone is so busy and I'm no exception. I have been unemployed since September as my job got outsourced. Like Judi, I am also in nursing school & am about to take my finals for my second term. I'm actually half way done with my LPN classes. LOVE school!!! I'm the oldest student in my class & even older than all my teachers but it doesn't matter. Sometimes age actually helps. By the time you get to my age (56!), I think you have heard of everything so when they introduce a subject, it just clicks in your brain & makes it easier to learn. I hope it continues for the last two terms. I've decided that because of my age, I may not be able to handle the rigors of long term care nursing or on the hospital floor so I am considering working in a clinic or doctor's office. Yesterday we spent 2 hours in an OBGYN office observing & I can see myself doing something like that, but not necessarily OBGYN. I'm hoping to do some job shadowing in an office over my break. Judi or Jesi(?) you might want to try this also. Many hospitals offer this & they let you shadow anywhere. Great way to see what "real" nursing is like instead of Hollywood's version. On the homefront, my beautiful grandaughter is now 15 months old & she has stole the hearts of all her grandparents & uncles. Uncle Matt is anxiously awaiting his wedding this summer & we are thrilled with the lady he chose. She fits right in with our family. For those of you who prayed for my sister & patiently listened to my concerns about her, I am happy to report that she is doing fine. She will always be on meds & be frequently tested to make sure her condition doesn't return. The doctors indicate that there is a 100% chance it will return someday and she is also likely to develope multiple myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer. They're just trying to hold it off as long as possible. The really, really good news is that Jeanne is finally in good enough condition to return, after 9 long months, back to work part-time. She isn't quite old enough to retire but if working turns out to be too hard, she'll have to quit. Hopefully she can go on disability for the year or so she has until she's eligible for SS. We're all just thrilled to have her with us. All her doctors say it's a miracle. Those of you who prayed for Jeanne, thank you again. You were part of that miracle. Unfortunately, my weight loss is not doing so well. I have gained back approximately 20 lbs & find it impossible to get it back off. I hate it & it is enough that it shows. Almost all of it went straight to my hips. They say the stress of nursing school causes you to gain but I'm trying not to make that my excuse. I know it' my fault. I've fallen back into some nasty habits that I need to get hold of & beat. I am determined to lose that before going to buy my dress for the wedding. Sorry to bore you all with my long-windedness. How about it, any other "oldsters" want to catch us up on your lives? Dixie

I agree Dixie, it is so nice to see people back on the board that are way out from surgery. I will be 4 years this June. It is hard to believe that it has been that long already. I have struggled with weight gain myself. My son will be 2 in April and I lost most all of the weight that I gained from him except 6 pounds and put more on while I was home with him the first 4 months. Bad choices on my part as well. I have tried several things to get the weight off and I am telling you it is very HARD!!!! I was talking to a fellow RNY person in my city and she said that we have to go down to like 200-300 calories per day just to loose weight again. I was like WHAT!!!! Have you heard of any good weigh loss techniques? I am trying to get through this however, it has been hard. I was hoping to get my panni removed this summer, but I don't that will be happening. I was going to get it removed and then I got pregnant with my son and things have not been the same since. If you have any diet ideas please send them my way. I am so glad that your sister is doing better. That was quite a scare that you and your family had. Take care and it was so good to hear from you again. Keep in touch. Email me if you want with some diet things. Thanks Stephanie

Big hug and Kisses to Dixie I have missed talking with you. And by reading about the schooling.....I am so proud of you It is Saturday morning and we are off to go to the Midevil Times place right outside of Chicago, so I don't have much time.......but I promise to get back on here and update. Take Care & promise to be back soon jesi

I second that it's good to see some of our "oldies" back on the board. And like-wise, no offense to the newbies. I am almost 3 years out. I'm up 9 pounds from where I was maintaining but really working hard on getting rid of it. Seems to be glued on. I'm really watching my carb intake and really focusing on protein. Part of my problem with gain has been this nasty hypoglycemia. My endo thinks I have NIPHS - noninsulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglcyemia syndrome. Something that shows up after about 2 years in some WLS patients. Lucky me. I'm going to Mayo at the end of March to be diagnosed and figure out how to deal with it. Right now I'm on Precose, a diabetic med that slows the absorbtion of sugar into the gut. It's working for now but he says this is progressive and the meds will stop working at some point. The only definative "cure" is to have 70% of your pancreas removed. I really don't have time for that right now. My son is getting married in 5 weeks and then 2 weeks later, we have a 2 week vacation planned to New England. No time to be sick! Since the Precose is now working, I have to change my mind set from eating all the time to keep my sugar up, back to eating less and eating the right stuff. It's hard. That's what's going on here! Lyn