My 8 year old granddaughter was attacked by a pit bull dog this afternoon. It happened at a neighbors house when she was playing in their backyard with the family's son. She went to pet the dog and it jumped up and bit her in the face and knocked her down and bit her right leg. She suffered   deep puncture wounds and tears on her leg and her mouth was lacerated to the point that her upper lip was almost ripped off her face. They had to get a plastic surgeon to work on her mouth and leg so we are praying that the scaring will be minimal. She is home tonight and on an antibiotic and heavy pain meds, but she was hurting really bad and can't eat anything unless it goes through a straw. I worry about infection setting in and pray she doesn't have much pain over the next few days. So far my son hasn't heard anything from DHEC or animal control about this and he had to call the police to see if anything had been reported and why no one had contacted him. The police filed a report and went to the peoples house but they weren't there and none of their dogs were there either, so we still don't have a clue as to what is going to happen. We don't know if the dog is up to date on its rabies shots or if she needs to be treated for that. It ****** me off when I see stories on the news about this happening to others and it gets attention right away, but we don't get so much as one call to even see if she is Ok or to find out what happened or what will happen to the dog and the owners. What is wrong with the system and don't they give a crap about a child who could have lost her life or might be scarred for the rest of her life. Most of all, why do people continue to keep dogs that are known to turn on people and risk things like this or worse happening. I know there is a risk with any animal but pitbulls are infamous for this and I think the owners should be held accountable for what the animal does. Anyway, thanks for listening and pray that everything goes well for her. Hugs! Mary

I started hiking at 5 months out, turned to running at 6 months, ran a marathon (which I am also proud of) at 10 months...but running is hard on the body so I switched over to biking. The weight does not come off as easy with running as it does biking. Today I only lost 5 lbs. When I ran the marathon I lost 9 lbs in one day---but it is so much more enjoyable on a bike. I highly recommend it, you can go anywhere. Back roads, I go down Woodruff Sunday mornings when no one is out...it just is so much more free-ing. And it is good exercise. It just starts with one step/pedal in front of the other (I sound like a song from Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer)!!!! I see your journey just started. I hope you make the most of it---good luck. Let me know if I can help you in anyway Chris

I apologize for being MIA. So much is going on....... When I first started working at Lander 3 yrs back, I was 350 lbs and had (undiagnosed) sleep apnea. It was a 62 mile commute ONE way, so 124 miles round trip I used to have to drive about 30 miles down 25 and pull over at the Hot Spot gas station and take a short nap. Because of my weight I could not EVEN DRIVE 1 HOUR without needed a rest.  Well I am still at Lander, am down 130lbs, pretty much at goal and today in the 90 degree heat (not the smartest move on my part-but I never said I had brains!!!) today I BICYCLED to Lander and back. I did 131 MILES on my bike today!!! With no stopping for a nap (I did stop to hydrate at every gas station I saw).....but I commuted to work and back on my bicycle!! Dr Bour told me the most he ever biked was 112 or 124 miles---so I wanted to beat him too (he still motivates me).  Funny how many demons from our past we are motivated to beating. I just wanted to share because I am PROUD DANGIT!! Chris

wow, I really thought it was going to be simple to drink 64oz of fluid a day. But, man was I wrong. I feel like I am walking around carrying a drink in my hand at all times. I was telling NINA the RD at MUSC and she basically said dont focus so much on the protein worry about the liquids. So I have been basically drinking almost every meal. Its getting real old.  And I def know I am the most impatient person there is. But man I am so anxious about losing the weight, lots of it.. ha ha. I check the scale everyday and I am trying to keep myself from doing it.

HEY THERE HAVE NOT HERD FROM YOU IN A LONG SO GLAD TO HEAR THE DAY IS HERE & I know you are so happy you have waited for this a long time ,