Good Morning

Cindi B., You are on your way now!

I hope you have a special goodbye with your PCP. I know when I had cancer, my oncologist was so encouraging and genuine -- to me and to all of his cancer patients -- that I really developed a tender spot for him. He loves V-8 juice and I would bring him some to my appointments. Anyway, when I was discharged from his care, he took the time to write me a handwritten note and address the envelope himself and mail it to me wishing me well and telling me he enjoyed having me as his patient. I still have it as it's very special to me.

Safe travels to you and Sylvester.

Cindy P.

Hello Cindy.....sorry your room wasn't ready when you and Sylvester arrived.

You are getting a whole lot of rain....please be extra careful!! Don't push yourself if there is a danger with the flooding.

It will be nice for you to see your PCP. After 20 years you will miss him. I am sure he is very happy for you.

I too hope you get to your mom"s by Monday. You need to hear what the doctor has to say on Tuesday. I am praying all the news is good news.

I was enjoying the weather...it changed quickly about 1:30 and now the pain and Fibro fog is messing with me!! Oh well I had a few really pleasant days!!

Much love to you and hugs too....connie d

Hi girls, I'm here!!

I'm having a rare work from home day, and while it's been a very busy work day I wanted to take a few minutes to check in with my sistas.

I'm home this weekend, for a change, and actually looking forward to sleeping in my own bed and catching up on life in my own home. Our new little getaway is jut lovely and so much fun, but there is a buildup of cleaning and maintenance here in our full time home. Being on the road 4-5 days a week for work takes its toll.

Healthwise, I'm good. Hanging in there. The weight loss just continues and rolls on, though my appetite has returned in a major way. Well its time to focus in and stay with the program... I'm journaling again... because healthy snacks are still snacks! Have to stop the snack, snack, snacking. But I'm coming up on my 6 month surgiversary so I will post some new photos this weekend, to celebrate.

I have a cute story for you all. Ron picked me up at the airport last week after I returned home from a business trip and - get this - he drove by me. Thats right girls, my own husband did not recognize me. He sees me every few days but you see, with the change in seasons and weather, I was wearing different clothes. Clothes that fit. He drove away (to loop back around the airport) and I called him on his cell phone, telling him again where I was standing and wearing. He came back around and I walked off the curb, waving at him (so he would see me). The silly man stopped the car in the middle of the road and just stared at me. I thought to myself, now what is wrong with him, not even pulling to the curb. I didn't know what in heck was happening, you see. So I went to the car, opened the back to put my bag in - and my husband was just staring at me, mouth wide open, like he was looking at a ghost. I just kept right on chit chatting, loaded my bag, jumped in the car and reached over to kiss him hello. That when I noticed that my husband had started to cry. For real. So I started getting worried because, seriously, he was acting so strange. All I could say was, oh my God, who died? He hadn't even spoken to me yet, and drove away. When he spoke to me - and it took a while - he told me he didn't recognize me. He said he cried because all the changes just hit him all at once: my appearance, my ability to walk unassisted, to lift my own bags, all of it. Remember too, my husband has never seen me look like this. I'm almost 20 pounds less than he has ever seen me. He's freaking out a little bit. Pre-surgery, I was worried about how he would react to my weight loss - would he still find me attractive? (I know that must sound crazy but I worried.) Now, my macho husband confessed that he is the one worried. He worries that I won't find HIM attractive anymore. He notices men noticing me and is getting scared. Did any of your significant others react this way as you lost weight?

I just reassure him that he is my one and only, the love of my life. My Ron has always made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. I need to ensure that he knows I find him more handsome than ever - and that is the truth, for me at least. Any ideas or thoughts?

So anyway lets see if I can do some catching up...

Connie, you're anything but a wimp. Fighting as you do. You're a warrior I tell you, a wonder woman! Love you Girl!

Mary, my dear, I have only had one dog - my current dog, Ace. We trained him to go outside the same way you are - crate him when you can'****ch him closely, and until he gets the hang of letting you know he's got to go. Treats when he does the job. We also took him out on very regular schedule - giving him plenty of opportunities to do his business outside! Good luck :-)

Kathy, I hear you, I am already missing the sunlight. Try to keep your mind off the food! Hang tough my friend!!

Eileen, sounds like a very nice dinner they had for you! I'm glad they remembered your night shift. The new apartment looks nice, too!

Julia, Greetings!! I am just under 6 months post op and still not drinking any alcohol. I also pu****er in a wine glass for parties and socials. It makes me feel more festive!

Vickie, CONGRATULATIONS! It will be so fun to shop for little girl! I love the new technology that lets us get such beautiful and clear pictures of our little ones in the womb. The reveal picture of Carrie is adorable.

Trish, love the pictures of your family. I love it when we share our family photos. I have to do more of that myself!

Judy, you truly manage a funny farm. Don't let them get to ya, girl!

Cindi, happy trails to you! I've missed the story of where you're headed but I will catch up. :-)

Cindy, I actually love the very early hours. I miss being able to sleep as I did when I was young but those peaceful early morning times are my favorite!

Love and light to all,

Christine

Christine, your story of Ron's reaction is heartwarming. I loved reading it. Thank you for sharing. As for suggestions on how to reassure him, I think talking about it is one of the best things you can do. Telling him how much he means to you just like you've been doing. It must have felt really good having him not recognize you. I remember not recognizing myself when I would see myself in a store window or some such thing. It was a good feeling.

I hope you and your family have a nice, relaxing weekend.

Cindy P.

Hello Christine our Rock Star!!!!

I would be doing cartwheels now if I could!! So wonderful to see your post!!! YOU have been missed!!

WOW...a work from home day and a weekend off....you need it!! Don't spend it all on cleaning.

I love your posting about your husband was so touching. I had tears. I am so happy for both of you!!

Thanks you for the kind words to me. I am hardly a wonder woman I just keep pushing on as best I can.

My hands are hurting bad so I will go for now.

I love you my dear friend....HUGS....connie d

Hi Christine!!!

Always a treat to hear from you...

Your story about Ron was so touching! I am sure if any of us went thru the same situation in reverse we would have the same feelings of fear and insecurity. Poor guy! He was having one of those 'wow' moments when things really sink in...

I would also suggest reinforcing how you feel about him and maybe do a couple extra special things to remind him of how deeply you feel. It always amazes me how easy it is to perk up Jim with small stuff like a little love note left on our bed before I left for a 12 hour work day day or a trail of Hershey kisses from the front door to our room when he had been out all day. The random, unexpected stuff seems to mean a lot.

Finally, with me closing in on almost 70 pounds gone now I only outweigh Jim by 11 pounds. This is the closest I've ever been to his size. When I said I couldn't wait to be smaller than him he said he never minded me being big. I think I always knew that bc I was 40+ pounds bigger when we met and he never complained as I continued to blow up over the years. But you know how it is...you always worry and wonder if that's really true and if the next few pounds are gonna be the deal breaker.

I think we are two lucky ladies in addition to the other vistas here whose men stood by them. This is such a major change for both partners in a marriage.

please post some pics! You've done so well. Your pic on FB looked like you were about 25! (You & Connie - look like kids!)

I saw the surgeon today. The surgery will be scheduled around Ictober21st. I have to have two X-rays done next week. A ct scan on The 7th and an upper GI in the 9th.

I'm on a back to basics eating only about 2 to 3 ounces and three times a day.

Ill be in Chicago maybe six more weeks. Maybe I'll send Carl home on the plane.

Today was his Seventyth birthday and we all went to a Cajun fish place for dinner. Of course I couldn't eat anything so Vinnie and I shCarlaared chicken fingers. After three bites I was done!!!

well it's time to sleep!

im nauseated and sleepy!

Hi, Carla. Good to see your post this evening. I'm hoping they can get your surgery scheduled for sure soon so you know what the plan is. I assume the CT scan and upper GI need to be read before surgery can be scheduled. Is that right?

I'm sorry you are nauseous (sp? -- I can never spell that word). Hope you get some good rest tonight.

Cindy P.