hagerteresa

Hi Lori, Glad to see you hear. You'll learn a lot hanging out here, get your questions answered and make some great friends. Keep us posted on when you date is. Best wishes, Teresa

Lisa, I remember Donali saying that some of the signs of erosion that she found while doing research was 1) port infections AFTER the initial healings. Your still trying to heal from the original surgery AND the port removal. An erosion related port infection is caused by bacteria and acid from your stomach having eroded and coming into contact with the tubing leading to the port. 2) Loss of restriction and weight loss stopping or even gaining. Like Penni said it is VERY unlikely. You ARE having a rough day aren't you? Do whatever you need to do to ease your worry but I don't think anything is wrong with you. You never fully healed from the initial surgery. Teresa

Hello, It is good to meet you. You really have done excellent! I started off at 362 so I can relate with you starting off so heavy. I am a little over 9 weeks out and down 43 lbs so pretty happy about the band so far. Would love to see you on here more, Teresa

Oh Lisa, don't be too down at a BMI of 40. I started off at a BMI of 62 and I was really pretty darned healthy otherwise. Haven't shown a sign of dropping dead yet. On the other hand my in-laws were among the skinniest healthiest people I have ever met and they had nothing but horrible health luck. My mother in law died from pulmonary hypertension within 6 months of being diagnosed and my father in law spent 4 months in the hospital (while his wife was dying) recovering from an ascending aortic anyuerism and 5 strokes that followed. He is actually recovering health wise pretty good but emotionally he is still having a very hard time. Being skinny won't necessarily guarantee a long healthy life. Sorry if I added to the morbid feeling... You are fine as you are and you are just going to keep getting better feeling. Don't worry about the BMI, they are a bunch of stupid little numbers that don't tell all the facts. T

AWH- So sweet and sentimental sounding Lisa. I know what you mean though about wanting a child just to fall into your lap. Another fear I would have about getting pregnant is the weight gain part, ESPECIALLY if I get it all lost this time around. I don't know what I would do. LOL, Teresa

I don't think my hubby would object either. You just managed to make this whole board of women jealous though. LOL. T

Lisa, you took my greatest fear out of my mouth. I know after the depo shots it can take up to a year or two to get pregnant. I would happily adopt if I ever had to but I know that option is also really expensive ussually. I am perfectly happy with life as it is, but someday it would be very nice to have kids too. Don't know what the future will bring. As far as the property, you are welcome to come ANYTIME. Literally nothing is going on with it right now. It just sits empty. There were renters up till last september but they quit paying rent when they heard my father in law was in the hospital with an ascending aortic anyuerism and 5 strokes. They must have thought he would die. Don't know, needless to say we kicked them out after 5 months of no rent and they left us $700 worth of trash removal fees and lots of repairs. The house is stable but old. We replaced all of the bathroom flooring and have done the best we could with all of the cosmetic stuff but its not worth sinking a bunch of money into. It would be cheaper to rebuild. For now its just our weekend pleasure cabin. I'll have to email you or post some pictures of it soon. Teresa

Hey Lisa, That is too bad that your ex went that far out on the deep end. It does sound very sad for him. I am glad life worked out well for you though. Thank goodness you have a wonderful husband and family of pets now. Sorry Oregon was such a rocky experience for you as well. It is really just an amazingly beautiful state but it doesn't sound like you got much time to explore. Sometime you and your hubby should make the 16 hour drive and come for a visit. I can tour you all over the place. I went crabbing at the beach last weekend and it was so fun and beautiful. I could have stayed on that pier forever. Just a couple of months till we're down there. Yeah!!! Best wishes, Teresa

WOW, WOW, WOW!!!! That is amazing and fabulous. You give me great hope. Congrats to a job well done! Teresa

I am with you Lisa, I wouldn't ever join a colony either. But definitely prefer to go "buff" around the house. I have to remember to draw the shades though. I am a BAD girl. LOL. Oh, but I haven't ever been to jail so you must still be the BADDER girl. You reminded me of my teenage years when me and my two buddies just started driving, we would go up to the lake at night and all dare each other to go skinny dipping. One of these friends was a guy so I am sure he had a good time watching two naked chicks swimming around. I always just wanted to be and act normal, I rarely thought of my weight as a major hinderance except on the attracting a date front. Never had a date ever, until I met my hubby. I always did feel a certain "connection" with you Lisa. I can't wait to all get together for real. We are going to have soooo much fun. Teresa P.S. When's your birthday? Mine is March 3, 1974. I am one of those sweet aquatic loving little pisces.

Hello, I don't know if I can really help you. I haven't had a fill yet (don't need one yet) and can take my normal giant Vitamins pretty easily. I can kind of feel it going down and it doesn't seem to get stuck. I know you are supposed to take vitamins at a time of the day that you aren't going to be drinking a lot of fluids. For me that is at bedtime, I figure they can sit in my system all night. I follow my nutrician and Vitamin intake on fitday and can tell I don't get all my vitamins from food so I take them to help supplement. I would stick with the flintstones if I were you. Maybe take a couple of more??? I don't know, best wishes, Teresa

My second cousin still lives down there in Escondido. I've been to visit a couple of times. Your are welcome to come for a visit anytime you want darlin, just let me know so I have time to whip up the mexican feast. LOL. Teresa

Hi folks, I need a little gardening help. I love to garden and try new things. Last winter I tried a Soup recipe with tomatillas in it and I just loved it, so when I saw tomatilla starts at the greenhouse I got a few to try out. Now the things are as tall as I am and covered with little yellow flowers. Also on the branches are a different looking flower that looks like it is turning into the outer husk of the tomatilla. They are about the size of a walnut but are completely hollow inside at this time. Do they eventually develop the fruit in there? I tried to search on the net and mostly got recipes but little growing info. I did find something about them being proliferant producers. If anyone has any thoughts or knowledge on this plant please let me know, Thanks Teresa

Now THAT was a funny story Lisa, Oregon definitely has its own policies when it comes to laws and politics. So you lived up in the Portland area? My two best friends live up there now. Teresa

Hi Penni, I am not entirely sure they will come either but not only did I email them with the request, I also talked to Ann Marie at belighter with that request. She said she would get them on it. Ann Marie was the one that arranged everything so I figure she can help get everything settled. Anita Jordon never has trouble getting Nora's or Dr. Carmens attention. I don't know why some people have a more difficult time than others. She even got to go out and have dinner with Dr. Lopez a few weeks ago while she was attending the band seminar. Who knows... I'll wait a week and then call the hospital. I can make out some spanish and know plenty of people who could translate if for me. Best wishes, Teresa

Thank you for the responses. I am a little concerned now because I have peppers and tomatoes planted in the same bed as the tomatillas. None of them look diseased but ???? I think I should have ripe tomatoes, anaheim chilis and zuchini in the next week or two. I'll just watch the tomatillas and see what they do. Like I said they have the papery husks but NOTHING is in them at this point. I make killer enchiladas. I love mexican food. My mom was raised in Escondido (I was born there too) so I guess she learned how to cook good mexican food growing up there. I have taken her recipes and expanded them. I love to experiment. Anyway thanks again, Teresa

Hi Neicy, Don't feel silly, it took me weeks to figure out which one I thought my port was. I was asking the same question all over this board. I haven't had a fill yet but I am 99.99% sure I know which wound it is on me now. Since everyone describes it as the wound they had the most trouble with or was irritated by, I figured it must be the same for me. Mine is probably about 5 inches below my left breast. It not only was more painful and more swollen than all the other wounds but it leaked like a sive for a week too. Don't worry, I am sure they will know. Is Dr. Raumbaut transfering a copy of your records to the local doc? I am in the process of trying to get mine trasfered from Dr. Lopez's office. Best of luck, Teresa

Glad I'm not the only one who has waited awhile then. My stepsister/ best friend is 2 years younger and has two adorable little girls. It sometimes seems like I am the only 30 year old I know with no kids. We have been married 5 years and together 9 years. My husband was adopted. We have met both of his birth parents and siblings. He was glad to know he had brothers because he was raised as an only child. My husband and I also enjoy the freedom of not having kids. As it is our pets tie us down a bit. I have two house sitters that will come and stay at a moments notice that I can depend on so we are pretty lucky there, but I can't imagine packing all the stuff that goes with a baby. I watched my 20 month old niece last year and was completely baffled on how to work the car seat. I couldn't get her out!!! I finally had to finangle her thru the straps and she was screaming the whole way. I felt pretty incompetent. That visit was also the first and last time I have ever changed a diaper... LOL. Teresa

Hi Donali, I didn't want to say anything but since Michelle took the words right out of my mouth, I'll have to agree with her!!! Damn Girl!!! I am jealous!!! T

Vera, I am in absolute and total disbelief that you are 45. I would NEVER have believed it. You look so cute and young. As far as having kids, I don't know if anyone is ever prepared really. Now that I am 30 my time clock is ticking. I know people have them a lot older than that so I am not too worried but I kind of have nightmares that I won't be able to get pregnant easily when the time comes. I love that property, I just wish it was about a 150 miles closer. Southern Oregon gets a little warmer than where I live plus all of our close family is in this area. My husband is a custodian for the college which has wonderful benefits. Next year he will get 4 weeks paid vacation (right now its 2 weeks), health insurance, sick days, personal days, holidays, blah blah the list goes on. Once I am teaching it might be easier to relocate but his job isn't anything to blow off easily either. There is a college down there so its possible one day he could trasfer but he would give up seniority. He gets free classes at the college he works at so I keep hoping he will train to go into some trade but he hasn't yet. It is hard to take classes with a 40 hour work week. He has to go in soon for carpal tunnel surgery too. Glad your back Alex! Teresa

Funny funny leatha, yes perhaps I should wear bubble wrap and broken bones totally suck. I happened to have broken my ankle in some unusual unique way that required major surgery and 3 months of nothing but a wheel chair. My husband had to do some wildland fire fighting to pay the bills so I was on my own most of the summer. I couldn't even get out of my front or back door on my own. HORRIBLE! Never want to do that again. I don't know what it is but I do get injured. I think I got that trait from my dad, as he has nearly killed himself several times over on horses and motorcycles. Fortunately maybe my graceful side has kicked in since I haven't required stitches or casts in the last several years. Oh wait a minute, I forgot I had to get a couple of stitches this spring after having a mole removed from my scalp. My parents frequently blame me for giving them a lot of gray hairs and my younger brother is right behind (or in front depending) on wounds. He crashed an ATV a couple of years ago and it nearly killed him. Fractured his skull and broke his leg. He layed on the hot dunes for a couple of hours having seizures before rescue came. His girlfriend who was riding with him broke both of her legs, sprained 1 arm and broke the other. All 4 limbs were restrained. I don't know what it is... Donali those look tender... Rub ointment on them and hopefully they will heal up just fine.

I don't know where they got the bad-rap either. We had a pit bull when I was young named Sugar and she was the sweetest thing. Kind of marked like yours but with a much lighter golden color where yours is dark. She was the color of white and light brown sugar swirled together. I sure admire yours Lisa, she looks like a lovely dog. I have no idea what my boob size is while we are on the topic. I always dream of going to one of those custom places that take all your measurements and make you the perfect product but I would be far to embarrassed. As I said I am NOT big chested and I am not likely to run or do anything to make them flop around so I figure I have been safe up to this point. I am sure that will change if I ever have kids or loose ALL my weight but in the meantime I am happy. My parents were kind of hippy people when I was little, dad was a vegan nudist even joined a nudist colony a few years ago. Now that is SCARY!!!! My mom ended up being the sane responsible one after they divorced. LOL. Teresa

I kind of wish I had kids sometimes. It would sure make the holidays more entertaining. We want them but never feel ready I guess. I am really in debt from school and need to work at least a few years before I think about having them. I hate it, I kind of wish I would just get pregnant and take the decision away from us. Unfortunately I use those depo shots which I love but they are also very protective, not much chance for a slip-up. LOL:) All of our parents are begging for children. We are still renters and live in the most perfect 2 bedroom apartment (been here 8 years) in the coziest tiny town in Oregon. We have 14 officers for a town of 900 people! Yet we are 5 minutes away from two big towns. I can't imagine trying to make room for a baby here though, we have already kind of outgrown our space. We inherited a peice of property last fall that is 2 1/2 hours away from us. It is my dream property. The problem is it isn't where we want to live right now. The other problem is the house is dilapidated and we are not sure what we are going to do with it yet. Needs to be torn down and rebuilt or put a manufactured home on it or something. Don't know when we could ever relocate so in the meantime I think we are going to put an RV pad on the place and try to rent it out. I love the gift but it has been nothing but a big headache so far. It is nice to go camping at though. The house is still functional and fairly sound so we sleep on air mattresses and can use the bathroom and kitchen, still kind of feels like roughing it. We own 3 acres, including a small pond, a river, fenced horse pasture and garden plot. It has been in my husbands family for 3 generations and his uncles own the 2 adjoining pieces of property. It is sorrounded on two sides by BLM forest. Nicely enough it is only 5 minutes away from the nearest town. I always said when I owned my own house I would feel comfortable having children and strangely enough, now we own the house but ????? what do we do with it???? Vera, I have always thought you are the cutest thing. You have a very cute childlike face just full of mischief. I would do anything for hair like yours. I have the most miserable, fine slightly wavy (just enough to be annoying) dull colored hair. I don't even see a hint of heaviness in your face picture and I loved your beach picture you posted a long time ago.

Hi Donali, So glad to see you. I wasn't on much over the weekend and kind of missed all of you. Looks like a few people were gone over the weekend. Best wishes to you, Teresa P.S. It should heal fine. I never get perfect healed scars. I tend to get Kiloy (spelling) scarring and they always form all raised and and wierd looking. It seems I can cut myself on anything. When I was about 6 years old I fell on a jagged edg of a little hard plastic swimming pool, got 6 stitches then, @ 12 I got hit by a car head on from a bicycle and got about a 100 across my head, @ 18 I got bit in the face by a dog, got another 6 across my eye brow (fortunately that one healed nicely and blends in with my eyebrow), since then about every couple of years I need a few. My family says I have always tended towards the clutzy... LOL. Had 1 broken wrist at 6 and a broken ankle at 25 years old.

Hi Penni, Sorry to hear about the surgery. At least Dr. Billy is nice to look at (so you've said). I know it is a bummer for you though. Like everyone else, I am extra jumpy about my port incision right now too. Especially since I also had Dr. Lopez as my surgeon. I look for any odd bumps frequently. None so far thank goodness. Hopefully you get it all taken care of soon. Teresa:)