Sojourner

It seems that the iPad will only allow a certain number of lines to a post before the text becomes invisible. Both bands and iPads are fickle! Dee, perhaps that is what is happening with your computer? I hate to lose postings too. I have not seen Dawn or our California girls around here...I surmise no news is good news... Many errands to run today...pick up the dry cleaning, get the copper sink back to FedEx to return for an exchange, and hope the replacement is in better shape, picking up the lumber for Jack to construct the flower boxes for the deck railings. I believe I will stay home to get the china cabinet ready to place some of the china and crystal in it. It arrived here intact, just with multitudes of smudges on every inch of glass and mirror. I hope all will have a good day...even if it is a minute at a time!

Good Morning... Diane, I certainly hope that your father's ring will be found...it does seem that that all of us have had some issues of rings too loose. Definitely I would consider resizing to have them fit again. Take a minute at a time if necessary. Your days off should be a nice change of pace. Enjoy them! Janet...let me know if you need any contact information from me. Ironically, our information sheets are one of the items I actually know where it is, along with my address book. I can't find just about anything else, but that info I have! See how important you are all? Terri, and Diane, definitely looking forward to meeting you next week!

Just a fast check in...all I can say is happiness is getting to sleep uninterrupted, lying down for the entire night. My band is still very tight...I've had to be careful even with liquids so far. But definitely I am feeling better. I hope all had a great day, and another one tomorrow...

Yes, getting stuck is no fun...and FYI: Boarshead deli turkey caused the worst stuck episode I ever experienced. It will be a good idea to be kind to your band for a day with a liquid diet...or at the least soft foods. You want the body tissues and your band to have a chance to calm down and avoid additional stuck episodes. It is through experience we learn...

Happy Birthday Nicole!

My internal medicine PCP has advised me that due to my long history being treated for GERD, I am not an acceptable candidate for the sleeve. I am currently having reflux complications with my band after just less than a year. It would be helpful for you to address your concerns with a qualified physician.

So, today Jack and I started our day by oversleeping by 40 minutes. No big deal for him, but for me almost a disaster. Have I ever mentioned I am not a morning person? A miracle, we were only 15 minutes late leaving the house, and arrived on time for my appointment in Asheville. I liked the surgeon, he had a good understanding of my situation, and was excellent with explaining my options in layperson terms. He totally emptied my band. There should have been 2.5cc of fluid, but after accessing my port twice, could only withdraw 1.5cc. He gave me the option of taking out only half of the fluid to see if that would be enough to allow for the reflux to resolve. Given the severity of my symptoms, I elected to have as much fluid as he could find removed. He is much less conservative with fills than my surgeon in Florida, and does not require you to wait an entire 6 weeks between them. He also mentioned removing my band...which I told him I did not want to do. He did seem surprised that I was experiencing the severe symptoms I have with such little fluid in my band. Hence checking for slippage and erosion. I'm nervous about that, but realize that it is a situation I cannot control... I will be going for imaging studies on the 26th in Asheville. He wants to make certain that the band is not slipped or that erosion my be a factor. I have an appointment to see him again in 3 weeks. Most amazing to me...and I cannot quite believe or accept this...is that the scale at their office had me weighing 2 lbs less than the last time I was weighed at Celebration. I wonder if they calibrate their scales on a regular basis...I wish I knew where my scale was so I would have a point of reference. My clothes fit the same...but I guess that is the "glass half empty" perspective in me. We are still on for the 26th!

Dee, what a great post...I guess no husband is perfect...but yours is a keeper with his awareness of how your weight loss has opened up the ability to wear what you always wanted to and could not! Diane...I like your choice to make today a positive experience even when those around you are being negative! We always have a choice of what perceptions we choose to focus on... Janet...I certainly hope you are pleased with your hair appointment! Glad Maddy's appointment went well. Terri...reads like a full day for you. I really need to get over to the gym up here, just have not been sleeping well and feeling out of sorts recently. I will make it a priority for next week. Friends of mine from high school have a house in Boone, so we will be seeing them Friday while they are in town. Tomorrow I have my first appointment with my perhaps new nail tech. Mari in Orlando is going to be a very tough act to follow...but we'll see. I am trying to keep an open mind, and perhaps she will follow the specifics of what I need her to do. Dawn...I hope that the weather has calmed out in the mid west. What do you hear from your daughter the world traveler? Is she taking classes? I remember that the only class that Brent ever failed was one which he took while in Australia. Just too many distractions...but he did have the time of his life. I know you are coming up on a number of major life events...it helps to stay in the moment and look forward. I can still remember going through those adjustments. Not an easy time for me. But there is an endpoint. Nicole, yes, enjoy your remaining time off! You are probably getting bored about now anyway. Wishing you continued success with your journey. Michelle...how's the balancing act going with school, work and family? That's not an easy combination to work through.

Tomorrow, we will need to be on the road to Asheville by 7:30 to arrive at the doctor's office by 9:30. Praying it will be a good experience. My surgeon in Florida attended school with this doctor.. I hope everyone will have a good Tuesday... 'Gnight all...

Janet, I hope you enjoy the results of your hair appointment...would like to know how you are able to clean the house during those hours? Jack would have a fit at me. Remember my former home, when I would do laps to get extra steps in? I was only able to do them during the day or rare evenings when he was not home. He complained that the activity was "too much noise" for him. Dee, I hope you have stock in the company who markets band aids! Sounds like there is never a dull or quiet moment at your house...still hopeful you will post that picture of you wearing your sundress. Dawn, pleased to read that yesterday was an ok day for you, very happy you are back on track and seeing results! Terri, great news about your progress to goals! Happy for you... Michelle and Nicole..the California girls...all is well. There is much to be said for status quo..

Teri, you are correct. This is a major adjustment for both of us, and before Jack retired, I had a separate life. I made and kept my appointments, had a network of friends, and kept in contact and attended lunch dates. Now, I've only driven my car 1 time since arriving here 5/23. It has been out of the garage only 1 time. Typical, Jack prefers to drive when we go anywhere. I need to learn a bit more about the roads here on the mountain...which I am in the process of doing. Then I will insist on driving myself to my appointments, as I have always done. The only constant in life is the process of change. The last paragraph should be interesting...I can't see any text!

I find myself torn...I know that I need to continue progress with the house, but I also want to exercise. Anyway, I hope everyone has a great rest of the day, now that it is nearly afternoon. BBL...

Good Morning everyone, Happy Monday, I have an appointment at 9:30 in the morning in Asheville. With the help of the carafate, I was able to sleep through 6 hours uninterrupted, though it was propped up on pillows. Michelle, good to read that yo are staying with the exercise. I need to do that too. Right now we are at an impasse of sorts, until the new kitchen is installed. Typing with invisible text now...

Jack wanted to see the recent Star Trek film today...not my choice, but it is Father's Day. We also ordered all of the appliances for the kitchen today. Everything shows up in July...that will be a busy month. Busy is better than bored...and thinking too much.

Janet...no worries, we will be happy to give Diane a special hug from you! I will be in Asheville for lunch on the 26th, no matter what happens in the interim... Happy Birthday Nicole...early or late...wishes are the same. Terri, when I read your posts about quilting, it seems like a foreign language at times. I remember all of the years when our sons were growing up, either pancakes or Belgium waffles were our standard Sunday breakfast...good times! Our bodies do need some fats, especially if you have dry skin like I do. Besides, how much butter could you realistically put on 1 pancake? Dawn, hope you enjoyed your day with your family... Diane, Terri is correct regarding a time out from your mother's care. I could not please my mother towards the end of her illness, and she said some hurtful things. I've let go of them...try not to personalize anything negative your mother says. Dee, I hope you and your family are making the best of the summer, and enjoying the time out from the hectic schedules. You and Janet gave me the idea of going for a fitting also, when I get close to my goal weight. Of course, I have no clue where there is a VS round here. Michelle, you are not forgotten...keep up the good work with exercise.

Good Mrning all... Diane, good to see your post, and thank you for all of the useful information to manage reflux. You are so right, this is stress related. I was doing reasonably well until the recent crisis with Sushi. I will be calling the doctor tomorrow morning. Being on the carafate for the past 24 hours has helped. It was a better night last night, but still was coughing. Regardless, we will still meet on the 26th! I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday...

Today I went back on carafate, the medication prescribed when I had gastritis. I can't tell yet if it is helping, it certainly won't hurt. I will call the doctor's office on Monday. We had another productive day with getting settled. We have to do this in a stop-start manner, as most everything for the kitchen remains packed until we have the new one completed. The same for the master bath. The kitchen sink arrived today, unfortunately I will be sending it back for an exchange. There was a discoloration on a prominent part, not going to pay that much for a blemished finish. I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday...it's Father's Day!

Michelle, You are already on the right path to discovering alternative coping tools to manage stress. Running instead of eating is excellent. Other tools include the dialogue you are telling yourself, internally. In the field we call this self talk. You already know that eating is not going to help resolve this issue, so ask yourself how is my eating going to help my daughter? What can I realistically do assist my daughter? Why should I give myself a negative consequence for my jerk SIL? The more internal dialogue processing you do, it helps you to discover, identify, and revise your using food to cope with adverse family issues.

Insightful words MG... The individual with the addiction must "save themselves", no one else can rescue them. The motivation for the process of change in addiction recovery must come from within the individual.

I believe that the Governor chose to disclose his WLS procedure to the public. If in fact there were HIPPA violations, the people responsible for the disclosure will be held accountable. There are strict and enforceable penalties for violating an individual's privacy rights. Regardless, the entire discussion is moot. We all have the right to pursue our own choices with regards to what we believe to be what is right for us.

I did have an endoscopy done, though it was several years prior to my band. I have been on Nexxium for years. In January my doctor increased my dose to 2 Nexxium a day. I feel fine really, until I dare to lay down. I'll be calling the doctor in Asheville on Monday, even if I feel better. All of this incepreased reflux started to happen the day we first took Sushi into the vet. I did discover that the flavoring for my water contained citric acid...so no more of that for me... Good to know all is well...Diane was out this evening with her daughter, which was good to read. Dee, how was today? Thank you for your advice re: the doctor. Terri, looking forward to the pictures! The colors should be beautiful... Janet...thank you for sharing what you were told. I am clueless as to what I am dealing with here, but I know it is driven by autonomic reactions to stress. Wish I could figure out how to control them. Dawn, I hope you have a safe and enjoyable weekend...and ride some more miles. Nicole, hope you are feeling well...and the same to you Michelle. Enjoy your down time! Sweet dreams all...

OK...I've read conflicting information on the Internet about dairy and reflux. I was under the impression that low fat, or no fat products were acceptable to use with reflux because they were not high in fat. Other places said no dairy... What do the other great minds here know about this topic? Please, I definitely would appreciate any feedback...

Good news all around, with the exception of Dee's sweet furry pet...I also sent condolences. They are just like family... Terri, so glad for your progress...I'm hoping in the future to be able to have my life ordered enough to get with scheduled exercise and stay with it. Janet, glad to read you had a good night. I can't imagine the pain from your knee...and hobbling so far. Happy that you are feeling better today! Me, it was worse than the night before. I tried to just have a couple of plain crackers, and only enough water to get my pills down. Then I waited 90 minutes before I tried to lay down. No rest for the weary today. I'm beginning to dread going to bed...

We will be driving south to Ft Benning to spent one more evening with Seth on the 24th...he will then be leaving on his deployment. We are doing our best to be supportive, it's difficult for many reasons. The kitchen cabinets will be delivered on 7/17. The installation will be a bit longer than normal, as we will be building a half wall as part of the island. We cannot get that done until we have the cabinets in place. We still have to purchase the cook top, the microwave, and the dishwasher. Still taking a day at a time...BBL...

Good Morning all, Happy Friday! Dawn, thanks for your caring words...I hope to get some answers by the end of the month. How has the severemweathermaffected your area? Whenever they mention themseveremweather in the upper mid-west, I think of you. Glad that you are getting accostomed to your new life at work! Janet...don't forget, we want to see pictures of your completed quilt! I hope you are feeling more like your normal self after all of the chaos of the move. How is Ange feeling? Dee, thanks for checking in. I feel your heartache. We will be there too, just don't know how much time we have bought for Sushi. Keep in touch...more big hugs to you and your family. I hope and pray that Diane is doing ok with her ongoing challenges with her mother. I'm concerned...I hope she will join us in Asheville... Terri, everything still "go" for the 26th? I hope so, I am looking forward to it! What other summer travel plans do you have? Nicole...taking no news to be good news. Good to know that you are doing well and enjoying your time off. Michelle...be careful at the gym...all I can say is ouch! It could have been worse, and glad it wasn't.