hi everyone

I am so sorry to have missed your get together in Jan. I have a new computer & I couldn't find my sign in info.  I'm getting so flabby, its been difficult to exercise because I'm so tired (which they say its after all I've been through).  But I am down to #170 (84 # loss). I have only 2 new pair of pants to wear and I'm getting a little more mileage out of my tops.  I still have little appetite & have to force myself to eat.  Healthwise: docs removed my stents & replaced them back, my kidneys are full of stones & I'm awaiting lithotripsy to break up the stones so they can be passed.  I am now permanently disabled and just awarded SSI and medicare.  I can't believe this I"m only 50 yrs old!  They tell me I 'm extremely lucky that I live in  CA - its one of the only states that award medicare even if you're under 65. I hope everything is going good with you all I haven't yet read all the updates.
                                                 Bye for now

Hi Janet, it's great to hear from you. We all have been wondering how you are doing and am glad to see your post here today.
Well done on your weight loss, that is an amazing feat. I know you still have other health issues to take care of, but you can't deny that having your body carry less weight is definitely better for you.
I'm glad to hear that you were awarded SSI too. Hopefully this will help ease some financial burden for you, and yes, very lucky that you live in CA.
Please do make sure to keep in touch, we worry about you!

It's nice to hear from you too.  How is your weight loss going?  Do you get catalogs ffrom "Diet Direct"?  I have tried some of their products & they are really good.  They have fruit drink mixes that have 15 gr of protein! Lots of high protein snacks,etc.  I bought their "Fitnutz' which a peanut butter powder - you mix with water to make the butter or I mix it in with one of my "Chike" shakes ( I can no longer stand the Costco protein drinks so I get the Chike from the same place you got us sample packs from.  And its adds variety of the flavors, its only 2 gr less than the Costco brand)  & then you add some fitnutz to add even more variety and it is GREAT with the banana flavor!  I'm tolerating all my foods but I still drink a protein shake a day. And how is school going?  Answer when you can, I know you are busy with work & school.
                                                        

I will definitely need to check out the Diet Direct items. I'll request a catalog today, I'm always trying to find easy ways to consume protein, that's for sure. I'm still drinking the Costco Premier Protein Shakes, I have to change back and forth between the flavors though so I don't get tired of them.
School is going well, and definitely keeping me busy. I'm in my final year at SDSU! WHOOHOOO!! I can't wait for school to finally be over with.
Weight loss is going strong. I'm down 116lbs so far, and am heavily involved with my martial arts. I train several times a week and can actually get through it all. I tell you what, I never would've lasted 10 minutes prior to surgery, but now I'm coming out fighting fit. I'm also running now, I don't overly enjoy it, but I know it's good for me and I'd like to be able to complete a few 5k races with not having to walk.
So far, having the surgery is one of the best decisions I've ever made. I'm happier than ever, and enjoy waking up in the mornings.

hi Janet,,,,so good to hear from you...I think about you alot. I, too, have been exhausted but according to the PB website, that is what happens. I'm doing a bit better and the hair loss is just starting to subside. I listed my house as a short sale and am already in escrow awaiting the  banks approval. I'm pretty sure that my big old house will be made into apts for the college kids....oh well, I'm over it. I am about at my goal of 160 so have lost 73 and like you, the clothing situation is slim. It's just about time for us to go shopping!!!! Yes, I have flab, too.......that again is a result of the fat softening so I'm hoping that it will get firmer when we stop the loosing spree. So, you are on SSI....is that a good thing or??????Can you stay wth Kaiser????Write when you can......sending my love:)D

Hi Deanna  -- I too think of you a lot.  Yes SSI is a good thing & because it means I don't have to work anymore & I kinda like that idea. Kaiser accepts Medicare which is good because I have so many loose ends to tie up there.  Yes, it is just about time to go shopping. I put on a nightgown the other day which I felt still  fit -not too long, meant to be loose-fitting.....until my boob fell out of the armhole!!!!  Your goal was to only get down to 160#???  My goal is 130-140# which now that I think about it I'm only about 25# shy!  I've been so pre-occupied with SSI hearing, paperwork, health issues, & just trying to figure out Medicare  has really kept me busy.  My main goal has just been to get exercising on a regular basis (not doing as well as I'd like to), having 1 protein shake a day and eating high-protein foods.  I still have to  force myself to eat sometimes.      So whenever we can get together (the later the better - I have to get some monies together - its been rough the past couple of months) & I'll have some money to buy clothes! Can't wait to see you, much love   Janet

Janet....you are still funny!!!!I haven't had any PARTS fall out of clothes but they are hanging on me and makes me look like a 100 year old granny!!! I have been able to do some altering so that has helped. Yes, I am happy at 160 which is where I am at right now but I can't eat much mroe so will probably naturally go lower. Glad that you are happy about SSI. I retire in June and will have to wait 2 years to go on medicare with Kaiser. My union has a health insurance that I'll buy at 200 amonth so I can stay with Kaiser. How is the new grandchild? I listed my house as a short sale and it is in escrow already with an investor. They will probably remodel it into apts for the college kids as it's a realy big house....but the bummer is that I get nothing. I'm looking for a nice but low priced manufactured home that i can move into my kids' property just north of Portland for my retirement casa. Let me know when you want to go to the Jones New York outlet....I'll come and get you and we'll go together...sending my love:)D

Hi Deanna.... Sorry for such a delay in responding to you,  I've been in & out of the hospital all of March.  I had a stroke (a small one, which I caught very early thankfully) with only the difficulty of finding the right words as I speak, so I speak a bit slower and haltingly as my residual effect. Then I kept falling hitting my head each time.  I've had the ambulance here 3x in nthe past month.  Give me some time to make sure i am stable for a week or 2 so nothing happens when I'm shopping with you.  Carlsbad is calling me to check out the mall!  When are you leaving? School won't be done until June, right?
                Sending my love right back to you,      Janet

Wow, your jouney has been so rocky. But, by now you must be thiking it is all worth it. Things must be easier and quality of life must be better.

Wishing you health and happiness.

I have to say this is the best thing I coud have possibly done done for myself. I feel alive and energized. It's like I'm not carrying a person on my back everywhere I go. 100 plus pounds off makes life so much easier.

Dear Becca,   well I'm still not sure it was all worth it --I've paid a high price.  Things aren't easier & I don't have a better quality of life yet.  I still have hopes that it will get easier & better -- but my pain is still the same & I'm still dealing with so many medical issues.  Sometimes I think my remark  I made when I last saw you, that I had made a" mistake" was that I had a premonition worse things were coming on down the pike. But either way I can't undo the surgery.  And I hope that with further weight loss my health will improve & my pain lessen.  If not, well I sure tried.  But I am sure happy that you feel so good.  Keep up the good work!
                                                                  Janet