whippledaddy

Farrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Out! You look GREAT! What a wonderful NSV! Does this make you our poster child?

Ah Denise, hope all went well. All these surgery dates for people I know from this place. Makes mine seem more real, more.....................imminent. Let us know how you're doing will you? I'm on pins and needles here! Good luck and God Bless.

Steal the show? Paula posts like these ARE the show. And you are right. Here, in this place, with my dogs about me, and the fall wind laughing outside, I feel accepted. Family and friends have ulterior motives. In Laws have ulterior motives, and a skewed view of us. Everywhere else we go we are judged. Well wishers point out those unfortunates who are larger than we. Loving friends cajole us to diet today, and offer us pie tomorrow. A cruel world discriminates against us with flimsy chairs, eternal stairs, disgusted stares, and they only make the ugliest clothes in xxxxx large. We are judged, discriminated against, and criticised at every turn, and the cruelest and loudest critic of all is...........ourselves. Here, I notice, I can even accept myself. Be kinder to me than when not reading LBT. And I wish that for all of you. Stop being your own critic. Don't make excuses either. Just be. We are all seeking to improve our lot. We are not less, we are more. We are striving to be better, healthier. But we must see the truth, and not color it with years of trained prejudice, to change what we must to lead a normal life. I wish you all the desire to accept yourself the way you are today, with the knowledge that you strive for a better tomorrow.

Nancy, your tale, told so well, like a mini novel, reminds me of a story I once heard: This man was driving his luxury car down a gravel road, it was a backwoods area and there wasn't a house or even a mailbox in sight. The road was narrow, highly crowned, with a deep ditch on either side. But this wasn't stopping him from speeding, no. You see he was an important man, with important things to do. He was on a schedule. As he sped down the road he heard a loud noise, and felt his car shake just a bit. He hit the scrunchers and came to a fast halt. He had opened his door and stepped out of the car even before the dust had cleared. He immediately noticed the dent in his driver's side door. Looking back he sees a large rock laying in the road. He's sure this is what caused the dent but who threw it? There was no one in sight. Then he heard a voice, coming from the ditch back down the road. He walked back and looked down in the ditch. There he saw a young boy standing over another boy, the second boy's limbs didn't look right, so the man guessed that the overturned wheelchair was for the prone lad. The standing boy looked up, there were tears in his eyes. "My name's Billy. I'll pay for your door. I take my brother for walks every day, but the road is kind of rounded, and the gravel can get slippery when there are lots of stones. I couldn't stop him from rolling down in this ditch. He's way to heavy for me to carry, and the wheelchair is as big as I am. I heard you coming, but you were so much in a hurry, and wrapped up in your own life, you didn't see me waving. So I had to get your attention, so I threw the rock. I knew you'd stop, 'cause you'd be mad that something hurt your fancy car. I hoped you would be a good person, and you'd help me get my brother out of the ditch and back in his wheelchair, even though I dented your door." Tears were in the man's eyes. The boy's story had hit home. He was a minister, and his sermon last Sunday had been that sometimes God has to send us a little wake up call, for our own good. The preacher was crying because it took the wisdom of a child to teach him the lesson of his own sermon. He helped the boy get his brother out of the ditch, into the wheelchair and back to his home. Sorry to hear about your mini stroke. Guess you got a rock thrown at your door to get you to stop and look around. Glad it happened because now you're gonna live. Now you will be around to share your specialness and teach through your beautiful soul.

Thanks, a little Reiki sure couldn't hurt!

RSD: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It's a problem of the Sympathetic nervous system. It most usually manifests after an injury to the neck or shoulder area. It affects only limbs, and poses no direct threat to life, though if undetected for a prolonged period it can led to paralyisis, even quadraplegia. Simply put it is pain for no good reason. Something that should feel pleasureable is painful. A gentle warm wind upon an affected limb feels like it is immersed in boiling Water. As you can see this causes the patient to feel cut off from loved ones who can no longer hug or caress them. There is no cure, only treatment. The earlier it is diagnosed, the better the rebound will be and the more normal the life the patient will end up living. Patty's RSD is in her right leg, and right arm. Since her shoulder is severely damaged, and there are bone spurs in the joint itself, the arm is difficult to manage. Each little movement will cause an RSD flareup. She has a Neurostimulator in her lumbar and thoracic spine to keep the RSD in check in her right leg. This was necessary as it was very swollen and the swelling couldn't be brought under control. The Tunnelled Epidural Catheter will place powerful pain meds directly on the nerves involved, allowing for a huge dose to the affected area, with only minimal doses for the entire body. This reduces side effects and lets the nerves be directly medicated by steroids and narcs without sending them systme wide and causing more harm to the body than pain relief. MRSA is a type of staph infection that is resistant to antibiotics. So far she has responded well to Vancomycin, and should it become resistant to that, there is at least one more big antibiotic gun to use. If it mutates enough and becomes resistant to all antibiotics death is usually imminent. It is easier to contract it after you've got it once. Probably TMI but these things seem so complex that simple answers don't do them justice. Thanks for asking.

She's having a Tunneled Epidural Catheter placed. It's one of the more radical treatments for RSD. The catheter is in place, and by now they are administering the first mixture for the drip. The catheter will stay in place in her epidural space for six weeks. Then she will have it removed. In the meantime she will have home health care helping her. The doc put this off as long as he could as invading her body is very chancey. She has MRSA, and no surgery can be done until the risk is worth it. It isn't that I listen all that well. But her nickname is "She Who Must Be Obeyed" for a reason, lol.

First, let me say that this is one fantastic thread. I'm gonna want to talk to each of you as I progress on my book about this band. Yes, I AM writing one. Couldn't help it. You folks inspired me to do it. I've got 3000 words right now (a drop in the bucket) and more are roiling around in my fevered little mind somewhere. Now, my moment: I was at a training seminar. We were on the CPR part. I had just successfully saved the truncated dummies life and I couldn't get up. I had to crawl over to a table on my hands and knees to get up. When I stood up, and had to pull up my pants (of course, it's like the fat guys national hobby) I looked around. Everyone in the course was staring at me. Some had looks of deep sympathy, some looked disgusted even sickened. Today that room is clear in my mind. I can recall every nano-second. My pulse was thrumming in my head, my eyes felt enlarged and distended from the effort of standing. But most of all I could feel those eyes. The stares washed across me like a shower of hydrochloric acid. Those eyes actually burned. I didn't sleep that night, and the next day got in to my family doctor. He had always said when I was ready to tackle my weight to come to him. First he weighed me, something I hadn't allowed up to now. 366 lbs. My heaviest. Ever. Then he talked to me for nearly an hour. We discussed all the times I had dieted. How sometimes I lost weight really well, but it soon crept back. Finally he asked me to consider the possibility of Weight Loss Surgery. He told me of the Roux en Y, and of the Lap Band. He set me up with a learning meeting with the surgeon. There I was familiarized with both surgeries. Now I knew about the RNY because my wife had it. It was too invasive for me. But the band caught my eye and my intellect. So here I am, going to be banded on 11-16. Gee, I wonder if they call it the lap band because after being banded you get your lap back?

Good luck! See you when you're a Banded One. I'm not far behind ya!

Well, maybe. But who said the scientific, even if correct, explanation was BETTER? I gotta go convince my wife it ain't my feet, it's PHANTOM SMELLS.

When my first marriage broke up I didn't know why. Not really. Well the ex's girlfriend was kind enough to explain to me that my "weight issues" were too much for my wife to bear, and that's why she always got falling down drunk in order to make love to me. Well, no matter. All people of girth have similar warm and fuzzy stories. Bottom line is my first wife did me a favor. For without her leaving me, I would never have met my dear Patty. She has been the love of my life for sixteen years now. I am a lucky guy. Perservere and you will have a happy ending as well. If it ain't happy, it ain't the end.

Now is the time to remember who your real best friend is. Now is the time to look within, fearful but courageous, and to not color anything you see there with emotion and self criticism. Now is the time to nurture and care for the only person who can get you through this. What ever you do, don't sell your best friend out for anything. Of course I'm talking about you. You'll find out that you are not made of steel, but you are strong enough to perservere through the pain. You'll find resources within yourself that you never knew you had. Don't shy away from the pain. Don't ball it up, put it in the bottom of your gut and pile food on it. Feel the pain. Let it run its course. Let it flow through you like the flu, or a cold. Let it pass. Then let yourself heal. Let yourself be okay. Above all, do not take your self image from another human being. You are loving, and you are loveable. Don't let one man's opinion count for all. You lose much in any breakup. Make sure that all you lose are material things, for they can be replaced, even improved upon. Don't lose your sense of self worth. Somewhere there is someone, who is waiting for their epicenter. Somewhere is someone, waiting for the perfect one. Only you will fill the bill. Don't cheat that kind stranger. Be kind to yourself, let the wound bleed, then let it heal. It is obvious from reading your post that you are a beautiful person, now you've taken steps to become healthier, and even more beautiful. The world spins, the sun rises and it sets. It shines upon both the vanquished and the strong. And one day, sooner than you think, you'll feel the light of a new morning shining on your brow. You'll lift your gaze and see a sky bluer than it has ever been. You'll know then, the future is as bright as you light it. I only know these things because I have been there, done that. Be well, vent anytime. Here there are people who care, and listen.

Since it looks like my surgery will go off on time I had a hard decision to make. Today I put my bike up for the winter. Earlier than ever before. She needs new tires, and an oil change and the headlight is out, plus one of the running lights is cracked by a stone peck. It just makes sense to do it. New tires now, to sit in the frozen garage all winter, plus new oil to do the same. And I still have all my other winterizing to do. Put air conditioners away, weatherstrip, caulk, rake, deal with Patty's flowers, the lawn mower, the storms. So I washed the Roadie. I dried her and eased her into the garage. I promised her I would come out and visit during the winter. I lovingly put the StaBil in the tank, and removed the battery to bring into the warm. So the world will coat my horizon in white fluff, whose kiss is a bitter as a slap. I will crawl into a cage and travel on four wheels hearing the slop of gray city slush instead of the throb of a mighty engine. My boots will be of rubber, not cowhide, my coat fleece lined and turned up against a biting wind. I'll slip and slog from building to truck, a dark speck of humanity in a world of white, blanketed by an ashen sky. I will stare out blurry frosted windows, and wonder where the warm breath of spring is, and I will not hear the Voice of the Roadie in the land. But, one day, after an age made longer by waiting, the sun will shine, and the practiced nose will catch the scent of honeysuckle on the wind. Above will be the music of the Canadas returning to the fields of the south. And the waiter, the watcher, will turn a face upward, and under a shielding hand, he will see the sun rides higher in the sky. Then a new, lighter, version of me will reverse the process, adorn his ride with tires, lights, and nourish her with new oil. And she will fire, and he will relax, and they will dance together, shift, lean, shift, dream......................................

HarleyNana, Yes it is a bummer to get ready for something then have it pushed back, but the comfort of knowing an experienced MD will be with your doctor should outweigh the inconvenience, tho waiting is the hardest part for me so far. Your Doc should do several bands with the Proctor before striking out on his own, so it is a good thing. It'll happen, and these wonderful people will be here for you through it all. Aren't they all great?

I noticed that a lot of us are on line right now. Was gonna invite all to a chat, but can't find chat room. Did a hurricane get it?

Since we can't find the chat room here I can give us one. go to this address: http://forums.delphiforums.com/thoughtfuless/start You'll notice it is a forum owned by me (whippledaddy) It doesn't get much use and we can use the chatroom. I'll try and be there on Fridays 10:00 P.M. Eastern. I think a mod has to be there, so if there are other times you all want to chat I'll make someone a moderator for chat if you step up and say ya wanna.

How about Nair? Shaving the legs isn't so bad, as long as I do it and not that crazy woman from the hospital. She'll be sanding THEM next! I have a little hoop to jump through again, tho. The Echo had some little thing in it, My family Doc just wants to discuss it, no emergency or anything.

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Theresa, tell your hubby to get to healin', spring's coming, and there's no longing like the ache to ride when the weather gets mild, and that special scent is on the wind. Yep, we'll both be November Bandster babies. It's good to have family, and this family really cares. Unlike that other family. OOps! Did I say that?

Penny I am so sorry to hear you are going through this. It sounds like this person is high in your esteem, so keep those loving thoughts at the fore of your mind. Love can conquer grief, tho grief is healthy for a time. Hope things get better for you soon.

The ct scan shows no mass in the lung, the blood test shows no renal failure, the ekg, and ecg and stress test shows no blockages or prolapse. I'm good ta go! Thanks for listening to me whine, and moan. Thanks for all the support. The people at LBT so totally ROCK! The psych eval shows that I am no menace to anyone. Not even folks back on my home planet.

Bald chicks are hot. Just not Sinead O'Connor. 'member her?

I was thinkin' about taking out the "F". OBG. Old bald guy. Don't know if I wanna be a stud. Sounds awful energetic to me. I'm a Caddy not a Vette, I'm built for comfort, not for speed.

It is strange how different the BCBS system is from one location to another. I have BCBS State Health Plan ppo, and it pays for it. If one BCBS says it's okay, why would another deem it "investigational" You're in the Michigan folder, are you from Michigan? If so, how close are you to alma? Dr. Cudjoe has a very efficient staff member, Janet Quinn, who will help you fight to get approved. Others might provide the same service, just check out the main forums. It's in your surgeon's best interest for you to get approved. You shouldn't have to mortgage the house and go to another country to get this now that it is so prevalent here in the states. Good luck!

Well Denise, I guess it's appropriate (and maybe a little silly) to say that I know just how you feel. You'll do just fine. You'll make it through. They just want to be sure that you'll come through surgery fine. Overweight people have systems a little more stressed than others (or so the conventional wisdom goes). And you can use these tests to ground you, to galvanize you for the battle ahead. If you've been reading a lot here, you know it is a battle, and we are lucky enough to be in contact with these successful Lap Band Warriors. Those tests are glimpses into the future, into the land of might have been. They show our lives as they could be if we don't get this surgery and take charge of our disease. They paint a picture of beautiful spirits crushed under growing folds of fat, a sad and dark tomorrow of food, fear and self loathing. They show us the end of the road, should we not take the fork. Failure is not an option. Jump through their hoops, smile all the while. Your day of change is fast approaching. Your future looks brighter with each test. Let 'em test. You can do it. I must admit, some of the things they discovered recently have been, well, surprising. I'm starting to think there is a political side to this thing too. Every complication, every death, that can be linked to WLS is magnified beyond belief in the news media. We had a local doctor who was virtually forced out of the area because an early patient died. He was a caring man, who understood our plight and only wanted to help. But he made a great scapegoat. Look at us! Look at all of us awaiting something to help us! Look at our BMI! We have been diagnosed with Morbid Obesity! Morbid. From the Latin, meaning death. Morbid conditions kill people. I hate to sound callous, but if I'm dying anyway, how terrible is it for me to take a chance? I want to ask each physician this question: If your car were hanging over a bridge rail with a rocky river hundreds of feet below...........and you could feel it give a little every few moments..............and you knew it was a deserted road, little chance of help..........would you put it in reverse and take the risk of plummeting to your death now...........or would you just wait, heading toward a gradual, but certain doom? I'll try reverse. And you can too. You can do this.............You can do this................You can do this.........You can.