ihomeschool4

After having my second child, I found that I couldn't lay down in bed for more than a few hours at a time. I have been sleeping most nights in a chair for almost 6 years now. If I slept in a bed, I would wake up unable to function for the first half of the day because of back pain. Well, for two weeks, I have been sleeping in my bed ALL NIGHT LONG!!! PAIN FREE!!!! I never thought I would get there! WOO HOOO!!!!!

It's been a LONG time...just checking in...We started back to school 4 1/2 weeks ago (I'm a MEEEEEEAN Mommy...), so life has been crazy...getting individual lesson plans worked out (six subjects for each kid) for the next 38 weeks, cleaning up the schoolroom and getting the kids back on a schedule...Whew! Weight loss is still happening, but it is slowwwwww. I'm not helping it alot, I don't guess. Just sporadic exercise, nothing on a regular basis. It's too darn hot! We actually had one day last week that was 107! Disgusting! I'm going to try and spend the next few days catching up a little bit on what's been going on with all of you. I read a little bit tonight, but have a ton more to go! Kat: I will pray for you and your doctors...that they will be able to give a proper diagnosis and treatment plan! Keep us posted!

Are you eating too much fish? There are several types of fish that have low levels of mercury in them. If you eat them too often, your hair can start falling out. Just a thought... You're looking great! Keep up the good work!

Hey there...just checking in...I. like Sara have been off for weeks...I check in every once-in-a-while to make sure everyone is okay, but I don't take the time to post...I guess I'm actually "stalking." Well, I had my first fill and it seems to have gone fine. I have had a TON of stress in my life the last week and it got to the point that I was too tight to eat until dinner time...if I ate ANYTHING - even ice cream - I would PB. That went on for 6 1/2 days and has finally settled down as of yesterday - the weight I lost during that time seems to have stayed off, though. WOOO HOOO!!! I guess I don't really have too much to offer right now. Just wanted to say hello! Hope you all have a great week!

We're still thinking about it. We really like Dr. Rumbaut's team and we really enjoy Monterrey...The only Dr. around here is an excellent doc, but he's also very expensive...

We (hubby and I) just got our first fills and my port was flipped on it's side. I think it happened when my darling wonderful 3 year old son hopped on my lap and landed with his hand on my port then to add insult to injury slid down off of my belly, digging in with his hand and dragging it right across my port incision. It really hurt for about 5 days!!! Anyway, it wasn't an issue with the fill. Doctor Lizcelly (Dr. Rumbaut's team) found it right away and held it in position while she stuck the needle in. I think I will always opt for fluoro just to be safe and avoid as much pain as possible... Just thought I'd share...Lizcelly said that it really isn't a big deal and not to worry about it.

Dr. Lizcelly did our fills. Which fillcenterusa did you go to? I have heard nightmarish stuff about some of the locations, but others seem to be really good.

it seems like forever since I posted...we've had TOOOO much going on, but things seem to have settled. I have caught up on most posts...just have two pages left to read... Hubby and I just got back from Monterrey. We had our first adjustments. EXCELLENT experience! He got 1.7 cc and I got 1.0cc. The fill amounts seem perfect. We are each eating about 1/4 to 1/2 cup food and feeling very satisfied. I have lost 6 pounds since Wednesday!!!!! Plateau is officially BROKEN!!! The fill consisted of this: I was put on an x-ray table ( i went after my hubby and it was already in the standing position, so they let me ride it back down to the flat position - Weeeeeee!) Dr. Lizcelly (Rumbaut's team) found my port with her hand then turned on the x-ray and showed it to me. She showed me the port and band on the x-ray and showed me that my heart was beating - what a relief! She numbed the site with a shot that felt like a bee sting, then using the x-ray inserted the adjustment needle - didn't feel it at all, but it sure was freaky watching that long needle go in there!! The x-ray table was mechanically moved to a standing postion and I was given some type of barium swallow. We watched the fluid go down and she injected 1.5 cc's. The fluid had completely stopped with the 1.5cc's, so she pulled out a little and had me swallow some more. She did this until she was satisfied with the amount going through. I ended up with 1.0 cc, she pulled the needle out and it was over...just a little band aid and NO PAIN afterward. We drank a cup of water while visiting the nutritionist then went back to the hotel on full liquids. We had to try to eat 3 small bites of scrambled eggs the next morning for breakfast. If there was too little or too much restriction, another adjustment would have been done, but neither of us had any problems. We got back home last night (Friday) and I had lost 6 pounds. What a difference!!!

Who does your fills in the states? How much do they cost? We just got back from a fill with Dr. Rumbaut's team and it was WONDERFUL...but it sure would be nice not to have to take three days of traveling! That is my ONLY complaint...everything else was excellent!

Caught up on all my reading...tons of posts!!! I told my MIL I would call her right back (she called when I sat down to catch up)...that's been 45 minutes ago...WHEW!!!! Thanks again for the thoughts and prayers...my FIL (MIL and FIL are no longer married...have a Step-MIL) is not doing well. His memory loss seems to be getting worse instead of better. Today he spent most of the days in the mid to late 1960's. I explained as best as I could to my kids (8, 6, 5 and 3 years old) what was going on with Papaw then took them to visit...I was afraid they might not get another chance to see him. He was very sweet and gave them hugs and told them they were beautiful, but they each had to introduce themselves to him. He just knows me as "that lady with all the kids." LOL His PCP and Neurologist seem to be disagreeing on the best course of treatment for him, so that's not helping any! Hopefully they'll get it all worked out! Anyway, I'm gonna hit the bed...it's been a LONG day! Oh yeah, on my exercise challenege...it really has been a challenge. I got on the treadmill yesterday and made it for only 12 minutes before I totally pooped out and had to quit. I ended up with a migraine...hopefully it's just the anemia...Pre-op, I was doing 45 minutes on the treadmill at 3.0 mph...yesterday I only got up to 2.1 mph...YUCK!!! I know it will get better, I'm just impatient, I guess...

Michelle, Please know that you are not alone!!! You have a family here that is going to support you surgery or not, cancer or not, overweight or not!!! Keep your chin up and keep us posted so we can know how best to pray for you!!!

Laura - love the house pictures! It really is coming along...and what an awesome door!!! Teridoodle - WOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!! I'm looking forward to leaving the 300 club, but I've got quite a ways to go, and at this rate...stayed the same for about a week...it may be awhile...that's okay, though...I'll never go back up!! I'll live the rest of my life on liquids first!!!! Glad everyone seems to be doing well...and thanks Lunasa for being the resident counselor! I've really enjoyed your posts! It means alot that you are willing to take that much time to help out your "cyber-friends!!" Oh, my hubby's dad had another stroke (fourth since January), anyone willing to pray, it would be greatly appreciated. It seems that he is out of immediate danger. The effects so far with the first three have really been minimal, but this one seems to have taken a toll on the regulation of his BP and Heart rate AND it has taken him back in time. He thinks it is 1992...he's devastated that his baby is not 12, but 27 and he doesn't remember two of the children they adpoted (born in 1993 and 1994) or any of the grandchildren...my hubby is spending the night at the hospital with him...he took bunches of pictures of the kids with him so we can start re-introducing everything to him... Good night everyone...heading to bed!

Hey there! My hubby and I were banded by Dr. Rumbaut on April 12th. We'll be there for a fill on the 24th as well! Maybe we'll get to meet you! No throwing up yet, but some CLOOOOOSE calls! I drank some water through a straw this morning and just about lost it...I must have taken in a bunch of air and not realized it...Welcome to this thread! It's awesome!!!

Kat... How are you and Rick doing? Still thinking about you and praying for you!

Okay...any accountability anyone can offer is great... I commit to exercise (probably treadmill or track) 5 times a week and build up to 45 minutes each of those 5 days. Before surgery, I was there, but I'm having to build up again...can only handle about 18-20 minutes right now... I'll keep poppin my iron supplements and be good as new before you know it!! Thanks for the support!!!

Great job on the buffet!!!! Don't forget to add anniemac...I think there were only three while you were away, but I couldn't swear to it! Welcome to our board everyone!!!

At this point...it's still my friend...ask me again this afternoon!!

Good Morning! Welcome to RvingDi! Nice to have you! Well, I think I'm going to try and attack the treadmill today. I don't know how far I'll make it, but I'm feeling pretty good...no migraine, no cramps and I'm not fatigued...Maybe I'll be able to start an exercise challenge for May after all!!!! Wish me luck! I'll let you know how it goes! Gonna go run some errands...

Welcome...The lady who adds everyone has already signed off for the evening (Tracy). She'll add you in the morning. This is a great group of people to get involved with! Great support!!

Family went to a local chinese restaurant this evening. I had: Egg drop soup with a few of the soup noodles soaked in it Mandarin chicken (small bites of chicken, broccoli and onion with garlic brown sauce) I asked the waiter to be sure they OVERCOOKED my veggies. Oh, and we told him we didn't want the rice. The chicken was small bites, the veggies were well cooked and fork-tender (though I did only eat the heads of the broccoli). It all went down well and I didn't finish but about 3/4 cup of it...I was very well-satisfied (even though I have very little restriction). I am looking forward to solids so I can have something that won't move through so easily. As I ate this evening, I could feel some of the food moving on down. I did stop when I no longer felt hunger. I didn't keep eating til I was full...NSV!!!! We can do this!!! If I can, I know EVERYONE else can!!!! Have a good weekend! DOn't know if I'll be able to check in before Monday morning.

Hey Jill, I think the issue is the ibuprofen sitting in the small stomach...call your doc and see if you can take some of the liquid children's ibuprofen...if you happen to have migraine medication, I took my fioricet today and it KNOCKED out my cramps...they were bad enough that I couldn't stand up straight this morning...30 minutes after the generic Firoicet, and they were history!! Anyway, I would think the liquid would be fine. I'm having to take iron supplements and birth control pills because of other stuff going on (you can read back through posts if you want the whole story)...I am making sure to have room in my tummy to be able to take the pills, then eat something right after so the meds get pushed down into the lower stomach as the food (still mushies) is digested. Good luck!

Hello all!! A get together sounds great...cruise sounds fabulous BUT...you must remember us poor people...we are a one income family of six...we'd have to plan two years in advance for something like that!! Pamela - have you tried spicy foods yet? I was under the impression that they would be a no-no...i typically grow a HUGE variety of really hot peppers and my hubby and I make salsa, hot sauce and pepper salt (seasoning). My pepper plants that I started back in January are sitting in their containers dying cause I didn't bother to put them in the garden this year - why grow them if he can't enjoy them??...if he might be able to eat them (he was banded, too), then maybe I could get them into the garden this weekend?!?! Let me know what you think...anyone is welcome to chime in on this one!

Pamela: Had to come up with something...I still haven't figured out my OSCAR...Oh, and congrats on the job!

You must recite these to yourself EVERY 10 minutes until your attitudes are good again!! RAH RAH REE!!! No more hurting knees!! RAH RAH RASS!!! Look at my shrinking...bootie! CISS BOOM BAM! I'm shrinking, yes I am! CISS BOOM BEE!! Let's hear it for ME!!!

thanks for your thoughts and prayers everyone...not alot of answers as to what's going on, but definitly got all the info I wanted...I have a small (about 4 cm) fibroid cyst. The doctor said she's not concerned with that...the concern is with a very thick endometrium...the lining the uterus produces each month and then sheds. Most probably a hormonal imbalance...fat cells store estrogen which is what causes the edometrium to thicken...progesterone causes it to shed...the pills I am on are progesterone. Things seem to be getting better physically...less bleeding, more energy (although I've been battling a migraine for a few days). I go for blood tests in one month and have to call and check in. In four months I have to go for a procedure where they'll actually take a "plug" form the uterine wall and run some tests. If the hormones have balanced out, they won't find anything - if that was the cause. The new doc said she is fairly certain that we will find the hormones are the culprit... I am relieved... Other good news...If the bleeding continues to slow, she says I should be back to my normal energy level in about a week (and I may even get to quit taking this HORRID iron supplement that they DID NOT design with bandsters in mind - ugggghhhhhh!!!!). That means I should be able to start exercising soon and maybe I can break this plateau I'm on!!!!:clap2: