Kimber-lilly

I had a hysterectomy before being banded and was on a small dose of premarin. I battled HUGE waves of hot flashes when the weight started to come off. I told my doctor(not my surgeon, but my family doc) and she didn't say much, but then called me and said, "you need to increase your dose of premarin for a bit--estrogens are stored in fat, and since you have less fat now, that may be why you are having trouble". Probably not related to your cold issue, but sort of along the same whacked out thermostat line....

Oh! this is just what I need! I wanna play, too!

Thanks! I love freebies!

Well, I don't know how much I weigh--have been camping for three days (as opposed to weighing myself at least 5 times a day when I am home)--so I know what the number is in a general way (I know, I know, I shouldn't weigh myself like that but I can't stop it)...... So we go camping--it's me, hubby and DS age 6. We have a pop up camper, a big honking canoe and all the stuff you have to lug along with you to "camp". We had never been to this park--but it looked pretty so we went. All weekend we were on the go--Lugged that canoe down to the lake, hopped in, paddled all over the place--all stuff I would NEVER have tried when I was pre-band--and it was soo fun! I can barely lift my arms over my head today, but what the heck, my shirt buttons up the front! ha ha After we were done canoeing--we lugged that sucker back to the campsite, had lunch and then went on a two mile hike that meandered in and amongst some pretty spectacular waterfalls and scenery. It was up and down a million steps and hills--I would have been sweating and breathing like a maniac before, but it was a breeze for me! (well not a breeze, but very DO-able!). today I am sore, but so happy and proud of myself! My biggest NSV this week has been only ONE tiny PB--no more of the daily stuff! (that was another thread you might have seen last week). I couldn't wait to get home and tell you all about this--

I had a hyst in 2001, for major mechanical problems unfixable by other means--I delivered a mondo huge baby (for me, he was 10 pounds 9 ounces) and that pretty much ruined me. I was so ready to be comfortable and leak free when I finally decided to have the surgery. Told my doc I was spending my kid's college money on pads just to stay dry! (sorry if that's too much information!). So, I am saying that for whatever reason you have a hyst, my hope for you is that you will be as comfy and carefree as I am now! ( now, if I could just lose the rest of my weight then I will be all set!)

I am in the process of studying for my first CLEP (one in a series of them). Anyone ever take them? I wondered about test length, difficulty, etc. I am a good student and so far have not found anything in the study guide that made me confused--it seems like the task is really memorizing the key words -- Any comments appreciated. Thanks Kimberly

Thanks! I appreciate the info!

and that is what I am taking these for--my BSN.

No big surprises? Were the tests long or short? I am typically a quick test taker--never go back and change answers, etc....... Nervous!

That is FABULOUS! WOOHOO!

My son is an only child. He is six. Minds other adults beautifully, but won't do a darn thing I ask him to do without being lippy, lazy or just not doing it! It drives me crazy! I have tried everything I can think of--and for a while during the winter taking his gamecube away was effective for "punishment", but we don't let him use it in the summer because it's so nice outside. Like right now, I asked him to clean up his toys and he did it kind of half way but still left most if it in the middle of the room. I sent him up to his room and told him he was there for the rest of the night (it's almost bedtime and he was up really early today)--so I go in his room and there is just stuff everywhere--all over the floor, toys, videos. So i got a garbage bag and bagged it all up and told him I was going to throw it all out tomorrow when the garbage man comes. It's not just cleaning, but eating dinner is a battle, going to bed is a battle, taking a bath-- just everything! I am so frustrated! DH is also in agreement that this is a problem, but I don't know what to do to fix it! Help, I am desperate. So upset. I feel like a failure.

Regarding your intrathecal pump--the pump itself runs on battery power, the PORT and it's tubing does not run on any power. It doesn't need power because it doesn't do anything. the reason I said it should be clearly documented and well know by all your healthcare providers is that you don't want someone putting the wrong thing in the wrong port, as they are identical devices. Hope that is more clear! Pump has power, ports of any kind do not.

I am assuming that you have a Medtronic pump and when you go in for your fill of medication, they will wave a wireless "mouse" over your pump to "read" it--it will generate a read out of how much is left in the pump, etc....then they will fill the pump thru the port. Lap Bands have a port identical to the one on the medtronic pump. Lap Bands have no "electronics or bells and whistles" to interfere with the operation of the intrathecal pump. Your intrathecal pump port is not electronic. Your main concern, I would think, would be that whom ever fills your pump know exactly which port to use--you should wear a bracelet and it should be clearly documented in your medical record which is which.

I used to work with patients who had intrathecal pumps. I can't think of a reason why they would contradict each other. I would talk candidlyl with the MD who inserted the pain pump and the surgeon before proceeding, tho. Good Luck to you!

I am married, one son, don't watch much tv (except for the news and weather), endure football season with a husband who is a die hard Green Bay Packer fan, and we have a cat. I live in Northern Wisconsin.

I, too am a nurse and I can't imagine the trouble she will be in once her supervisor finds out what she has done. It is a HUGE error for her to do this to you, or anyone--and she should be removed from her position as bariatric coordinator for it. It's a fundamental rule of nursing--no talking about patients, no sharing of information, ever. You weren't even a patient of this doctor for whom she works so she is in direct violation of the HIPPA act and that will get her in HOT water with her employer, not to mention the state board of nursing --to whom she should also be reported for unprofessional behavior. I can't remember the name of the board, but it's part of the "department of professional regulation" in Jacksonville. My uncle and cousin are both MD's at that particular hospital, coincidentally..... Good luck to you and report it NOW--she needs to be roped in tight and fast!

I went back to school I go swimming in a decent looking suit without embarrassment Play with my son without feeling like I will die from lack of oxygen Improved my cooking skill/interest so whatever tiny bit I DO eat is fab! That's all I can think of for now---

I love JJill--in person and they have great end of the season sales on line! I find they are generously cut/roomy and stylish without me looking like I am trying to be 20 years old!

Oh! and Mousecrazy, I totally agree with you about sassy TV! He has been limited to videos only until recently and I definately see where the sass is coming from. Only allowed to watch certain channels that are kid oriented--but it took us a while to figure out which ones were appropriate for our family and which ones were not! but it's still tough to be sure of what he is watching/hearing, so it is strictly limited/supervised. Definately a "treat" for him to watch commercial TV, otherwise it's videos up in his room (disney, veggie tales and the like).

Vines, you are a wise Momma! Thanks for your support!

Well, I decided that I just needed to go to bed last night, and I did. DS was already asleep, so nothing else to do but that! No, I don't think they are well behaved all the time, Vines! ha ha--but because I don't have more than one, and most of my friends have much older children (I had my DS when I was 37)I didn't have much to compare to! And the fact that he is so well behaved outside our home makes it so frustrating! I will take the advice about choices and see how that works--will give it full week to see any result! Today is a new day! Thanks all!

Thank you for your kind reply-- You are right about picking your battles and finding age appropriate tasks for him to complete--and it ISN"T going to be done the way I would do it, and I have to let that go--maybe all this is the result of a very long day and both of us overtired. The eating thing just frustrates me--I can't eat much, so I have really tried to ante up my cooking skills, so what we do eat is fab--not exotic, but good. he always has an option of a sandwich if he doesn't like what we have. I don't us food to punish, either...whatever he decides to finally eat, he will eat a bit of it, say he is full, then beg for the rest of the night for "junk"--cheetos, ice cream. I offer yogurt, cheese and crackers, fruit--and all he wants is crap. Just frustrating. His basic personality is sweet and funny and I am not trying to change that, of course--he is well loved and knows it. I just don't understand why he will immediately do whatever is asked of him at school, church, my parents, friends, complete strangers etc....and I have to ask him 15 times. How do I modify that? I can't bag up all his videos everyday- I was watching dr phil a long time ago and he said to figure out what your kid's currency is and use it as a bargaining chip--I can't find out what it is--of course he was upset when I started putting his stuff in the bag--but I don't know--maybe he has too much stuff and there is too much to care about.......we have pared down and purged alot of stuff that he had outgrown and didn't play with because I thought he was overwhelmed when it came time to put stuff away. You would think that he could take a video out of the machine and put it back in the sleeve....but no! So there are videos all over the place all the time, unless I sit down and put them all away. he can read, so it's not like he doesn't know which ones go where. When I say I will help him do something, he jsut sits there --won't participate, so i either do it or it's a stand off. Just using the videos as an example of how he doesn't listen/do what I say. This is typical? I have a friend who has 7 kids and they are an amazing family--each child does EXACTLY what she says to do the first time they are asked. And cheerily, not crabbing and sassing the whole way.....

That happy little face just made my day! Absolutely adorable!

My brother sent my son 6 huge "real" Wonka candy bars for his birthday. I sat in the dark of the movie with him and my DH last night and ate one whole candy bar--YUM! Didn't have dinner or ice cream afterwards, of course--it was worth every bite. I don't know if they are widely available or not--my brother got them in NYC at Dylan's Candy Bar --which is a very cool place, I have heard.... Mud cake and candy bars......ok once in a while, don't beat yourself up!

Good Morning-- The testosterone is a clear gel that comes in single dose packets. It should be applied to the upper arms--as this is an area that is least likely to come in contact with me or our small son. He must thoroughly wash his hands after application, lest I grow a Magnum PI type mustache! ha ha