mousecrazy

I am happy that all is well, and only property damage was sustained. I bet her heart is still racing! Blessings, Cindy

Stunning! Lucky you with the looks and the great husband! Cindy

Thanks, Pat for the compliment! Patty...sometimes we teachers can't see the whole picture. And, frankly, some teachers are so overwhelmed they don't have time to figure out the big picture. Does she/he understand your situation? If so, enlist her aid in figuring out a way to get this all done. Do they have special tutoring time in the afternoons? A mentor program? A big sister/big brother program? Sometimes high school kids volunteer to help elementary kids who need some extra attention. I'm just trying to give you some ideas. Something will sound like its doable, and then you can give it a try. Eileen...your hair color sounds fantastic! A change can really lift your mood, or it does mine! I've colored my hair since forever...I just am not ready to have gray hair, and an 8 year old daugher. Everyone would be saying, " Your granddaughter is sooo cute!" Urrrrgggghh. Our garage door opener wasn't working, so we called the co...well, after 6 days and several delays, the guy just showed up at 7PM. Connected a little wire and charged us $75!!!! In my next life, I"m going to have technical skills instead of a Bachelor's Degree! Okay, I wouldn't, but dang! I love the moon and cloud stories. I am looking forward to seeing my mom in my dreams. it has happened before with other relatives....I keep hoping. Found out tonight that my grandma (92) has had a stroke of some kind...she has a Lifeline thing, and when she didn't push the button that says she is okay (when she wakes up) they sent my cousin to her house, and found her. I don't know the details, but she had fallen and hit her head and had a black eye. I hate that part worse than the stroke. I don't know yet how severe the stroke was, but I am worried about her. I'd appreciate any prayers you feel like making, that if it is her time to go, she goes easily. I'd prefer not to lose her now, but one thing I know...it's never our choice. Until tomorrow, Cindy

Hi, cousin! (I just made that part up...but since we're family....LOL) I am so impressed that you evaluated your situation, came to some conclusions, and acted on what you saw to be the issue. We all understand your situation...emotional eating, stress, depression. All the reasons you had LapBand surgery in the first place, still exist: your health, the well-being of your children, and things like that. Put them first, now. It always seems easier to motivate for other people, especially our children. That gets me through some times when I think I would be lost on my own. Welcome back, looking forward to our visits! Cindy

The only idea I have to offer is selling things on Ebay. We started about a year ago, and both teach full-time, so haven't had all kinds of time to really get the thing off the ground...right now it is more of a tax deduction than anything else. However, in a year when I retire, I will put more oomph into it, and should be able to make a little money...I don't know if it would be enough to live on, but it will be a nice supplement to my retirement. I agree with Penni...really think about what you love and are good at...and start there. Let us know, Cindy

I just wanted to say good luck, and come here often for info, support and encouragement. It has helped me, and I know it has helped many others. Glad to see you found LBT! Cindy

Congratulations, Ray! And, yes, my tummy makes all kinds of noises! Cindy

You all are one great group of supporters, and I appreciate the heck out of it! Betty, thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I know everyone has to suffer loss, but it still helps to know from friends that they understand. Thanks to all for the encouragement. Beanie, keep working through it. You will find a way. I was thinking about JQPublic...I don't remember why he did not get the lapband, but I've read his posts and they are hugely inspirational...do you know who I am talking about? I thought maybe reading his stuff would boost your spirits? What if you put the down payment on the surgery, and then succeed with your insurance co.? Would they pay the remaining balance? I know I am saving lots of moneyu Zan, what a disappointment...it is so aggravating to be rescheduled over and over...I just read a post by someone whose dr. sent her FLOWERS to apologize for that! I don't imagine that happened to be your dr., huh? I've got curriculum meetings this afternoon, so no playing around with you guys until later! Have a good day, Cindy

Never heard of them...I'll go cruising on the internet to see! Cindy

Good luck, Paul! Everyone has the jitters to some extent before surgery! You will be fine, you won't have to stay on a liquid diet forever, and soon you will be taking on the next hurdle. You can do this, and you'll do great! Cindy

I read this idea in some of the literature I got with the band, but I just passed it by and didn't give it any credibility. My dr. did tell me about someone who drank cake batter, but I think that might be under the heading of eating disorder...like Anwyn says, I still eat chocolate, but not a whole bag! That's a big improvement, right? The band is what you make it (under most circumstances!). You will succeed or fail based on how you work with this tool. Don't let that warning get to you! Cindy

Thanks for telling your story...I am sure you provided support and inspiration to someone, just stopping by these boards, who is making the same decision! Congratulations on your great progress! Cindy

Good luck! Post when you feel up to it! Cindy

Thanks, Eileen...I think we talked about your sister before? I would be so sad to lose my sister...we are good friends. You sure have been there, haven't you? I think I would cry more, I sure feel like it, but I don't want to in front of my students, or too much in front of my daugher...I do talk to DD about missing mom, and how much, and when it is harder, etc. I know it is important to keep these things out in the open, and I appreciate all the support I get here in that regard. It really can and does make a difference! Enjoy the chili! Cindy

Patty, excuse me while I pounce on your offer!!!! My DD (8) adores Tinkerbelle, and pretty much all things Disney, but the princesses most of all! What info do you need? PM me and let me know...WOW! That's cool! Cindy

Yes, I would request another test, and make absolutely sure that I followed the fasting regiment to the letter. I, like you, would resist medication if at all possible...my experience has been that the more meds I take, the worse I feel. Or, maybe it's that Trudeau book, I don't know. 221 isn't all that horrible anyway. Another thought might be if you are following a low-carb/high protein diet, you might be adding more cholesterol to your diet than you think? Ask for another test...that's my 2 cents' worth! Good luck! Cindy

HI to Patty! Get a cup of coffee and join us! I am a Disney-a-holic myself...I knew Disneyland opened in 55 because that is year I was born, and Disneyland is celebrating it's 50th anniversary, and me, my 50th birthday! I bought a sweatshirt there that has 1955 on it...I couldn't resist! Beanie, maybe that lawyer Eileen knows is something to check into? There HAS to be a way! How can we help? Finally, finally, a cold front is making its way through N. Texas...shock! It might be close to freezing tonight! Of course, I love it! 3 more days until a week off!!!! I am going to my grandmother's in Kansas for Thanksgiving...she is 92, and after my mom's death, I just feel like I want to be with her for the holiday. I am already feeling the sadness building up...this happened the week before my daugher's and sister's birthdays; at least now I know what that feeling is. I don't know how many of you have already goe through the grief process for a parent, but it's a struggle. Not a day goes by that I do not miss her terribly. What are everyone's Thanksgiving plans? Have a good day, Cindy

Just want to say hello, and welcome! Cindy

If not Gas-X, then Gaviscon, or simethicone drops like babies use. Chewables would work, too. Get something! I promise you will wish you did1 And if you're in the lucky percentage of those who are not bothered by gas pains, you are a lucky dog! Cindy

For me, it was about giving up the way I ate and what I ate...it is a source of comfort and stress relief. I still miss not being able to eat more when it tastes sooo good. It's like learning to walk again after a knee replacement or something like that...you can still walk, just differently. I can still eat, just differently. More carefully, more consciously, and less. You can see my stats...it's not flying off, but I'm happy with the pace. I am on the verge of 50, and my skin is doing okay so far. I know looks are important, but health is more important. You'll look better if you are healthier! Cindy

I am so excited for you, Ira! Try not eat that cracker in one bite! Pat, that is a beautiful view, and I thank you for the mental break just looking at the picture provided. How very peaceful....oops! back to reality as I sit in a room of at-risk teenagers! Eileen, sorry about your back...hopefully, as you keep losing weight, that will also improve? Beanie, I haven't even been to IKEA once! You, like, live there! I do not remember every screaming for a teen idol, but I was pretty pumped up about just seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan! I always liked George. And Mickey from the Monkees. Betty, hope you had a good ride this weekend...beautiful weather! Zan, how's the Big Apple? Did you get some rest? Yes, being around children will flat wear your behind out! I can definitely feel restriciton on this fill... a protein bar will last about 3 hours...a big difference! Happy Monday! Cindy

I am guessing they suggest liquids because there is no room for error...when you start trying to cntrol the amts of food, I don't know about you, but I might "fudge" a little here and there, and then....well, you know the rest of the story, or you wouldn't be considering lapband, right? I weirdly kinda enjoyed the challenge...it was hard, but I did it. Cindy

My husband does as much cooking as I do, and is just as good. When I was on liquids, he took care of the meals most of the time. It was about 2 weeks for me. Then, when I was eating regular food again, I would make sure I could have the protein portion, but would skip bread or stuff I can't have...but I'll make it for them. It's no big deal to me. For sleepyjean...I felt like you do once upon a time, but then I met DH, and now I believe!

Well, sure...I had some big doubts, too. Of course, the idea of surgery was sort of thrust at me by a new orthopedic surgeon, who I had gone to see for relief of ankle pain. He shocked me at the time by saying if I was going to weigh 285+, there wasn't anything he could do to improve the situation. I was shocked, but DUH. He was right. he recommended a doctor who did LapBand, which was his suggestion...I was at a point where I said, fine, I'll check into and I did. I liked what I found out. I have a young daughter who I want to enjoy. I was tired of fighting the battle of the bulge. This way, at least I have a weapon. I'm sure most of us understand your struggle...you'll figure out what is best for you.

It all depends. More than likely, they will be conservative. I felt some restriciton, but not much at all on my 1st fill. EVERYONE is different, so you'll just have to see how it is for you. You should have liquids for about a day (dr.'s differ widely on this!), then mushies, then regular food. Take each stage slow and easy, and test the waters. You'll soon decide what you can tolerate. I just got my 2nd fill last Thursday, and there is a HUGE difference between #1 and #2, for me. And for now. Sorry, I don't have any definitive info for you...it just depends, and you can judge by all our individual responses what might fit for you. Good luck! Cindy