8/16 roll call and goals and challenge

Hi Folks: Well, do I have to talk about this week? It's been pretty bad. I did get my water in. I was horrible about posting on the web site. I missed most of my excersize -- developed a sinus and upper resperatory infection and I have asthma, so excersize has been impossible. I also noticed that my 6 year old, has been going to the bathroom more than he should and he has been complaining about his stomach hurting so I took him in to the Dr's today. His urine test shows high levels of protein (that's not good.) So we are retesting first thing in the morning. He is adopted from Korea, so we don't have good biological parental history. My pediatrician thinks there may be kidney disease. This is not helping the stress eating issues. On a positive note, I took another 8 bags of clothing and stuff to Salvation Army this week. That makes a total of 30 large bags this month. I am determined to get rid of clothing and stuff that I no longer need. I'm looking forward to the Davenport support meeting Wed. My new goals are to: 1. get rid of the sinus infection 2. Finish sorting through my bedroom and library stuff -- clean 3. Get a handle on the rest of my house and clean it 4. Try to get back to excersizing 5. Get of the asthma meds and steroids 6. Read the posts on this page daily Thanks Andrea, for making us evalute and plan. It really helps me. Nice to see so many new people posting. Welcome! And great work on your walk this week. It's terrific to read everyones accomplishments and to see that I'm not going this road alone. You guys are great on this page. My son starts school on the 30th. I'm not even kind of ready. But I think he is. Keep on posting, Eileen

Eileen, Oh my, sounds like you have had a rough week. Eating badly is understandable during times like that. Also, I understand that you can't exercise when you can't breath - take it easy on yourself and get back on the ball when you can. Certainly hope that little Alex is better and you don't find too much wrong with him. When my niece was younger, she went potty very often and the doc said she had a small bladder. When she felt the urge to go, she was to count at least to 10 and then higher to try to stretch her bladder out. It must have worked because she is 8 now and doesn't have problems anymore. Good luck - saying a prayer that all is well. By the way, he will do great in school - try not to worry too much. Hang in there, my dear and see you Wednesday. God bless, Andrea

Hello Andrea, I agree with Michelle S., this is a new week. Except I am going to pretend it starts on Tuesday, as my Monday was not a way to start the week. Had a 'difference of opinion' with the upper echelon at work. (I work midnight shift on Mon and Tues, so I was very tired to begin with this am). Went home a little disgruntled. Made a couple of phone calls. One was to the surgeons office who said " we haven't received the written approval, once we do it will take us 2 weeks to contact you". I rec MY written approval last Thursday. Sigh.....but okay......it will happen. Needed to call the ins co ref a couple of claims they didn't pay, but just didn't have the mental strength to do so. MAybe in the am.... So then I think, I'll go pick that red tomato off my one vine....the one I've been watching closely for a week.......it was rotten on the bottom.......another deep breath.....now I'll stay outside, get some sun, play catch with the dog.....was outside for 15 minutes and it clouded up and started to thunder.......okay.....now I know the forces are against me............still to agitated to sleep, I watch my soap opera and drink a glass of AE's FF choc milk sweetened with Splenda. (HAve you tried it??)....... I finally go to bed and don't sleep well at all. Get up and watch the news, seems I have slept right through some really bad weather. Tornadoes and such about 5 miles from me. And now you expect me to set some goals.......other than just pulling the pillow over my head. 1. put on a smile and greet Tuesday with a positive attitude...... 2. start taking my medications again, took a week off, (don't ask... ) (I'm sure that contributes to my mental status and poor sleep) 3. await patiently the call from the surgeon......sigh 4. keep reading these posts for the encouragement to survive Have no kids to send off to school but my little niece starts pre school next Tuesday. We went shopping Sunday night. She likes to go shopping with Aunt Shea. I think her first words were 'clearance rack'. hoping for a better week.... Sheila

Wow, Sheila, sounds like things have been rotten for you, besides just that tomato. Hang in there. Get back on meds and work hard toward your goals. Smile and know that we're here for you!! We patiently await the call from your surgeon also. Let us know when you have a date set. God bless, Andrea

Hi everyone Katie starts school tomorrow & so does granddaughter Courtney... it's school or wrath of me they prefer school I had such a great weekend. AND compliments. One gal told me yesterday she hardly recognized me on Sat! Now that I can live with! When I started this journey it was sizes 30/32 (profile says 26/28 but I gained a bunch) sizes 3x or 4x. Now I'm size 18, xlarge with the loss of 50 lbs. I'm loving every minute of every day now. My dad usually teases me, tells me to turn around lets see if you are really losing weight...he's as nasty as me can't ya tell! He told me the other day he is really proud of me & only wishes mom was here to see me. I don't think there was anything anyone else could say that meant as much as his compliment. Walking is coming easier for me, still have some problems with the hip/leg but not like before. And I'm able to get in more water daily. So my goals are: Keep walking go an extra block daily Drink more water Maybe accept a date ( just had to say that Andrea) Lose 12 lbs per month so I can be at goal by Christmas! The kids always ask what I would like for Christmas & I said maybe a gift certificate to buy new clothes! I'm having fun looking at "real" clothes instead of hitting the Plus Size clothing. I have cleaned out my closet, literally nothing to wear now!! I have saved back the jeans & shirt I wore for the pic that's posted here. Plan on putting them on at Xmas again just for the heck of it. Did anyone save a "fat" outfit? Take care! Carolyn

Carolyn, What great goals - love that one about a date!!! It sounds like you are doing really well. Keep up the good work. Remember that when you buy new clothes, don't buy too many because you will be out of them quickly. Have a great week with kids back to school! God bless, Andrea

Welllll... 1) Walk at least 5 days this week for 20 minutes. I have my shoes at work, I just have to make myself put them on and go get on the treadmill. (it's been so nice outside I could walk around the pond, but it's going to be humid the rest of the week 2) get in more water!!!! I've been averaging only 32 oz. Even with my mug at my desk. UGH!!!! 3) protein protein protein. YUCK!!! I know it's a necessary evil...however...YUCK!!! I've got a box of the Isopure right now. Can't stomach it. I can only get about 6 of the 12 oz down before I feel like I'm going to puke I need to get to the store and get Protinex to try. Amazingly...my hair is falling out LESS than it was before my surgery...I wonder if it's the vitamins and calcium I'm taking on a regular basis. 4) Try some different recipes. I can have soft chicken, turkey, and flakey fish right now. For the past week I've only been eating Carl Buddig lunch meat and tuna salad (with diced dill pickle and a few pepper rings for zest, egg, and a little low fat mayo) Well...and split pea soup. Which I love.... time to branch out though... Hope everyone is doing well! I'm starting to get into all my old clothes I've had hanging in my closet for years. (pack rat...good thing huh?) I finally am starting to feel like it was worth it. (though I still crave pepperoni and anchovy pizza so bad!!!!...yes...I like anchovies...sorry Bye all! Kelly B.

Kelly, So glad to hear that you are doing well. I'm a bit concerned about that fluid intake, though. I'm sure that you have heard about if from the surgeon/dietician, right??? Be sure that you are drinking all day to get in those fluids. Have you tried doing an 8 oz protein drink instead of 12? Are you buying the pre-made? I love Elite chocolate mint and chocolate protein powders. The mint taste like a thin mint Girl Scout cookie. YUMMMMMMMM I order them online - let me know if you need an addie for them. Have you tried any refried beans yet? I liked to eat them with some melted cheese shortly after surgery. I would put them on a fat free or reduced fat cracker. Now, can't stand them much, but that's okay. Also, have you tried any s/f, f/f puddings with added dry milk powder? Great for part of a meal, you feel like you're getting a treat AND you get extra protein. So glad that you have some clothes that fit - wish I did - my students are NOT going to like seeing a naked Mrs. Denger!! Keep up the good work and God bless, Andrea

Hello I didn't do well on my goals. But I'm trying. This week, might be a little harder. I may be going in for surgery on Thursday, to get a hysterectomy. I've been bleeding for now 4 1/2 months. I'm in constant pain, I do NOT want to live off of Pain killers. But until Thursday, I'm going to walk walk walk. Found out last week, that my Grandpa who is 93 years old has colon cancer, and the doctors insisted on doing surgery to remove the cancer. Grandpa did NOT want to do it, but he is going in on the 27th. Then school starts the 30th. I can't wait until school starts. Dad and I are arguing again! This time it's over his Internet problems. He makes me call the Internet service provider when he has problems. He says you know more than I do. Well, I kind of do, but I think he needs to know how to fix things when I'm not here. I don't know. Well, talk to you all later Take Care Lisa Young

Lisa, Certainly keeping you in my prayers. Hope that you can get things figured out and taken care of Thursday. Constant pain can certainly be stressful. I'm sorry to hear about your ill grandfather. Hope that surgery goes well for him, also. You have a lot to deal with and a lot going on. Take a deep breath and then focus on Lisa for a few minutes. You need to be concerned about your health, also. Take control and do what you know you have to do to keep YOU healthy. Remember, we are here for you! Have a good week and God bless, Andrea