deboregon

Thanks, Mini. I would post a pix, but I am technologically handicapped and am happy when I can navigate the web:cool2: I still can't figure out the ticker thing, even though, mini, you have explained it to me a million times! I am not good on written instructions, unfortunately; I need to watch something done What can I say, when it comes to processes, I am a visual learner:closedeyes: No one mentions much about eggs. I am in between liquids and soft foods, so can I eat a couple of scrambled eggs to get some protein?:confused2:

Congrats, Mini, on entering the next "dimension"...i love the onederland title!:rolleyes2:Is there something for those of us who drop out of the 3's....drum roll, please....I weighed this morning at 299.2:lol::huh2: That's 22.3 since 7/28. God, never in my life would i have believed i would have celebrated let alone divulged a weight like 299:scared2: Guess it is all a matter of perspective. However, i know this joy will be short-lived, for once I start eating regular food, i will gain weight, right? Let me know, guys, so I don't berate and judge myself too harshly.:cursing: You guys and those "action" smilies....where do they come from? I want some, too:angry: Mini: maybe we older teammates could provide some other function on the bench: coaching, cheering, jeering, catcalling....whaddya think?

It's true, dee...she was warnin' me off....can I sit between the two of you or are our places determined by date of joining the team?

Shelbi:Good shot at crazy

I would imagine that individual who posted the negative remarks is exactly what Greenie has speculated and he/she won't waste time to see what the responses are as responses aren't what he/she wants. I wouldn't doubt that similarly/exactly worded posts are on the web about other doctors. Thanks, Green, for pointing out the underhanded techniques of competing offices; novices like myself wouldn't necessarily think of that. Dee: I am happy to see positive words from you again:smile2:. I hope that you are feeling better as well. You are an important element here on this thread. You are the one that I have come to rely on for accurate info and great ideas when problems arise.:w00t:

Denver: I haven't made reservations yet, but I do plan to make it as late in the afternoon as possible. I have never flown in and out of a place in one day before, so am not sure how I want to handle all this. I will keep you posted. Thanks for the invite

Green: Your thoughts are right on target. I am not concentrating on how much I am going to be able to eat, but on the idea that there aren't going to be a litany of items i can never have again. Just knowing I can taste those foods i love is a great relief. I, too, am focused on having put forth this much money, time, stress, etc. at 57 (almost) and do NOT want to blow it. I have to tell you, my attitude is soooo pumped; it hasn't even been a week yet but I am feeling great! Dr. K and crew were the best. Easiest of the three major surgeries I have ever had. Looks like I might be coming to Denver for a fill on about Sept. 25. Anything near the Aurora center that is a good meeting joint? I am in and out on the same day.

Adork: okay, I am down 6.2 pounds for the week...301.2, so that is 14.9 since beginning of challenge..:eek: 80s music, huh?: Bonnie Raitt, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Neil Young, CSN&Y, Laura Branigan, Barry Manilow, Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne, James Taylor.. etc. Kind of a different bunch from y'all. I think for 2 reasons: 1) I am a "tad" older than the rest of you (soon to be 57) and 2) born and raised on West Coast. Oh, and probably a third reason: Teaching high school during that period meant I had to listen to all the boy bands, etc. that my students just LOVED....ouch....But I do love all music and am not sure how popular TPetty's American Girl would've been without S. of the Lambs:rolleyes2: On a less appealing topic, how long did it take some of you to ever have a real BM again? Boy, nuthin' happening here except...shall I say...the squirts a couple of times? (sorry, didn't mean to be so crude, but i know you are a tough bunch and can take it:biggrin:)

Denver: I love the pre-op diet as I am a major carnivore!! Breakfast: 4 strips of bacon or slice of ham or leftover steak omelet (2 egg or 3) with cheese, mushroom, zucchini) Lunch: any kind of salad with chicken or turkey added (Cobb salads are great for this) with blue cheese dressing:drool: Or a grilled polish sausage with lots of mustard and cheese Dinner: Steak:drool:, pork chops, chicken, or fish (as much as one can bear) 2-3 small portions of steamed veggies. In between: sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles I often make tuna sandwiches (with real mayo), a little relish (dill) and slap the mixture between two large pieces of lettuce as my bread. Wow, just typing that makes me want some RIGHT NOW! I am just waiting to go to soft foods. Dr. K said it was pretty much up to me as an individual to make transition to soft and reg foods. How about you guys, did you stick with full liquids for two whole weeks?:confused2:

Well, ladies, here I am four days post-surgery and I haven't fainted, vomited, or any other type of projectile reaction:biggrin2:I have lost 5 pounds since the surgery, but am sure it will bounce around a while before it settles down. Went to see Melissa Etheridge last night....fabulous as always. The prolonged sitting (she played for 3 hours) didn't really bother me, but I was sapped of energy by the time I got home. Those '80s references cracked me up, as did the video. Thank god, i have NO pix with hair like that, where one actually WEARS her hair as part of her ensemble!! I never want to see those outfits again! The issue that gags me the most right now is that of getting my crushed meds down in some type of fluid. Yuck...bitter:crying:. Any suggestions on what to use to get that stuff down?

:tt2::tt2::tt2::tt2:Well, I am home from Denver! Surgery went fine, except my pulse went down to 33 so they had to jump me with some drug. I feel great. Out of hospital at 5, up next morning and at Dr. K's at 9, on the plane at 2, and home by 5. No real pain, just some pangs at incision sites and the ever-popular gas that moves around in one's chest cavity! What a great bunch of people Dr K has working for/with him. :thumbup: And he is absolutely darling. I was sooooo comfortable that I am going to fly to Denver in September for one day for a fill. My question is, could anyone pick me up at airport and take me to Aurora clinic? I am coming in on a thurs. or friday morning. Probably be the third or fourth week in Sept. Any takers?? Mini: I AM ON THE LOSERS' BENCH FINALLY:lol::sad::tt1::tt1: My mom is on a great high about this; says I sound more positive and up than I have in a while!! I didn't get a chance to read all the entries as I am still trying to figure out how to work the pill crusher:tongue2: Remember, I am an English teacher, not someone who works well with "stuff":biggrin2:

Ador: congrats on breaking the "2" barrier:thumbup:My initial weight: 316.5 Week 1: 313.1 (-3.4) Week 2: 307.8 (-5.3) (In the week of July 28-Aug 4, when we started, I had lost 5 pounds...just because? no dieting persay:glare:) Well, tomorrow morning I will be on a plane headed to Denver. It was horrible getting a place to stay, even when I booked a motel last May. We are staying at some place called the Sleep Inn at Denver Tech:confused2: in Englewood about 9 miles from Crown Pointe. PLEASE don't anyone say "Yuck!!" as it is paid for and I can't get my money back from Priceline.:thumbup: Am anxious as well as eager for this day (Wednesday). I won't have access to a computer until we come back on Thursday, so won't be able to give details until then. Ador: have to say I was sooooo relieved to see all the responses to you about pain of gall bladder surgery surpassing that of the band.:wink2: I had my gall bladder removed in 1997 and I still remember the pain of trying to just get out of bed!! Dee: hope you are feeling better; you have been such an optimistic inspiration for me, to hear/feel your heart aching makes me sad. You are a strong, beautiful woman who is loved by many. Come back here soon, okay:blush:

hey,all..my computer is all frozen up...over a week now,,am on a friend's computer. haven't had time to read all posts carefully, but am mindful of the difficulties several of you are experiencing and you are in my thoughts. Adorkable, don't know how to calculate exactly since I started keeping track on July 28...and have lost 14.3 since then. I think it is 9.3 since Aug. 4 (was that our starting date?) Exercise...gawd, i hate it...worked two hours spreading barkdust this morning. Other than that, not much this week. (Temps have been near or over 100) Hate to sound dumb, but what does PB stand for and how serious is it? Well, girls, it is only 4 days til I fly to Denver (19th) and 20th is my new life date. Then we leave 21st for home. Wish I could hear all your support and such between now and then, but don't know if my computer will cooperate. Wish me luck....

Forgot Tucker update: He is doing better. Personality has returned but appetite, not so much. Needs to eat to get his strength back but is not too cooperative. We just keep trying! But he is sooooo improved. Mal: how is Buster? Mini: how are your newbie and oldie doing?

Oh, I forgot to update on Tucker: He is doing better. His personality has returned, but his appetite not so much. Dr. Jeff is a little concerned as Tuck needs to get weight back up to get strength back: his hind quarters are still pretty weak. Mal, how is Buster? Mini, how are your new and old dogs getting along?

Hi, all, back from vacation in Ashland, where we saw 3 great plays:smile2:, sat in the sun:biggrin2:, and started my 2-week preop diet:unsure:. Heck of a time to start a diet...300 miles from home in a town filled with great restaurants:thumbdown:..Oh, well, I prepared by taking several hard-boiled eggs for the mornings and slices of cheese and sugarfree jello for snacks. Ate steak and salad a lot. Mmmmm... Glad to hear about new jobs, successful fills, haircuts that are "reborn" the day after, renewed flirtations:tt2: Adorkable: I would like to amend my challenge numbers. Make the pounds 10 instead of 8 and the exercise 30 min. three times a week (everyday isn't realistic and I don't need the feeling of failure, ya know!). Am not wanting to put down a weight number just yet as mine is higher than everyone else's. I leave a week from Tuesday for Denver. Gettin' kinda nervous:ohmy:..Can't believe it is really going to happen and that I am about to join the ranks of the Losers' Bench:thumbup:

Anybody else having trouble when trying to write a message? Have to log in every time instead of just hitting reply? Plus what is with all these ads placed in between posts??Sheesh... Wish I could have seen bbq pix to put faces with names. Glad everyone had a good time. Too bad we didn't start challenge last week as I bought a new scale, tried it out, looked at the number, and got depressed again. But then when I weighed this morning for challenge, I was down 5.1 pounds! Oh, well.....doesn't matter when it goes, just so it goes. Off this morning for Ashland and Shakespeare, so I won't post again until Friday evening. It will probably take me most of the night to read the week's entries since y'all are a talkative group! Bye, guys, have a good week.

Okay, Adork, you talked me into it; i probably will lose something on this two-week preop, but will go back up after surgery, right? So, if we are going for a month from now --2 weeks before surgery and 2 weeks after--put me down for 8. Exercise? Well, I am on vacation starting tomorrow in a very hot town where walking won't work. But, oh!!!, we will have a pool!! So how about 30 min. per day (in pool this week! and treadmill and bebopping around home the next week; don't know what energy level is like after surgery)

I can hardly wait until I can join in the challenges!! Dee: Sounds as if the relationship thing is going in the right direction! Have you two exchanged pix yet? Hope this guy realizes what a great woman he has found:biggrin2: Whereabouts in CA is he? Hope y''all have a good time at the bbq today. Wish I could be there, too, as grillin' and chillin' with friends is the best:drool: Okay, Brandy and Dee, where do you get those bananas? I LOVED THEM! If kids only knew how immature their parents truly are, they would be even more embarrassed! Aren't we all still 18 and silly in our heart of hearts? Mini: man, your vacation place looks wonderful:tt1: Maybe we could all just take over the resort: a beach of bandsters!

Pix: You guys look great!! Lap: love that smilin' baby! Mini: I want a trip like that! Denver: He told me no potatoes, no rice, no bread, and one more high carb thing I can't remember right now:frown: So it wasn't absolutely NO carbs as many veggies have carbs...but just think meat and veggies and you will be fine. I called and paid my final $9800 today. Have to say I am getting nervous, guys. Don't know what about exactly...probably the immediate time after and the travel home, although the flight isn't that long. I guess I fear I won't have the right stuff around the house after surgery. I have had a couple of sleepless nights over this (in addition to the ones concerning Tucker.) Update on the Tuck-man: Emergency hospital called yesterday to report on the bacteria culture they took from the wound around the trach. hole. It is E.Coli, so the Clavanox they had him on was doing no good. He needs a new antibiotic. Called Dr. Jeff as I was concerned about the E.Coli; he said "No worries! E.Coli is everywhere." The meds, however, are something else!! A 10-DAY SERIES: $124...the tech called the company "Nazis" as they have monopoly on this particular drug and charge 4 times its worth:cursing::cursing: Phone just rang: A/C in my truck: $1100.:scared2::scared2: Boy, I am glad I have good credit as that is $10,000 just today!:ohmy:

Green: great job! Mal: sounds as if boy's condition isn't as traumatic as first thought: good news! Mini is right: teenagers are idiotic! I taught them for 32 years...I have seen it! Denver: happy early bday.:wink2: I am hoping to have gotten my act and body around by the time I am 60 (i will be 57 in Sept....told you I was oldest here!) Took Tucker to his vet (wholistic/alternative) this morning. He took Tuck off all the pain killers, esophagal "coaters" and prilosec. Said the pain killer (Tramanol?) wasn't needed and was not helpful to recovery:bored:. We are continuing the antibiotic and 2 Chinese herbs. Plus dr. said tuck's pulse was so slow, no wonder he was weak. Dr. did first acupuncture treatment on Tuck and I could visibly see his panting and shortness of breath decrease.:hurray: He goes back next week for another treatment. Today was the first day he acted more like himself: doing what i call the "bee dance" (going around in figure eights rubbing against me on each turn!):lol: He is sleeping and eating well. Just no more chasing sticks and balls: the labrador's reason for living!:party:

Brandy: good luck to you on this next step. You will prevail!! Mal: So sorry to hear about son's friend. I send positive thoughts for the friend, your son, and you. (Tucker has y'all in his prayers, too) Denver: I told only a close circle of friends and then more recently my parents, who swore they would tell no one. No one needs to know unless you want them to. This is a very personal journey and each of us needs only good, strong support, no doubting Thomases or "I told you so's"....

Happy Birthday, Dee!! ( I know it is a little late:frown:) General question: do you know if anyone has had to have only a fill or two before hitting the "sweet spot"? Just curious since being so far from Denver, I won't be going for his free or cheap fills. Tucker had a rough night last night. He feels the difficulty breathing and then panics; thus, making it more difficult to breathe. vicious cycle. But at least he is home, and between the two of us right now he doesn't have to be alone. Keep those good vibes comin':biggrin2:

Hey there! I am in Portland and will be going to Dr. K Aug. 20. Where do you plan to get fills?

Good on ya"