deboregon

Dee: Don't fret the 50 mark...remember 50 is the new 30 and you will be a new person before that! (By the way, no DH here; just me and my partner...and three dogs, of course:tt2:) Tucker's first night home was a calm one. He slept well. He is taking his meds with no probs. Hopefully, all will continue to go smoothly.:tt2: Ashland trip will be just two of us, my best friend and I. JL has volunteered to forgo the trip to stay with Tucker as we don't feel we want to put that responsibility on an outsider. Plus we would both be worried the entire time being over 300 miles away. I was wondering if anyone had an answer for me on the liquid painkiller and also what is brand name of protein powder that is tasteless and can go into pretty much anything?

You guys, I am soooo happy:tt2::thumbup::tt2: Tuck has been home now about six hours. We have several meds to give him, but we are so relieved he is here in his own abode. Again, thanks for all the support and prayers. Okay, now lapband stuff: tonight I went to pharmacy for some meds. Asked them about adult portion liquid Tylenol. Reply: don't make it anymore. Is that true? Do we have to have liquid T. or can it be another liquid pain reliever? As I get closer to date, I forget what I am supposed to have. Plus, with Tucker's situation, mine seems meaningless.

HOORAY! We get to bring Tucker home today!!:tt2::thumbup::wub::w00t::w00t: Yesterday afternoon when we took Dollie (my avatar pix) to see him, he looked more like his normal self than he had that morning. He was waggin' and lickin' and lovin' us and Doll. She then proceeded to do her normal routine: cleaning his eyes and ears. (Years ago the vet said he had never seen a drop-eared dog with such clean ears!!) She is a little nurse dog! However, he still wouldn't eat. We came home alone and disappointed. Then when I called at nine last night, the dr. said there may be a serious infection at trac. hole that would require surgery:sad: So we spent another anxious night. This morning the dr. said he decided he was hungry in the middle of the night and ate for them! She wants to send him home with a variety of meds. A respiratory specialist said she thought the esophagus was inflamed, not damaged...more good news!! Thanks to all of you for your good thoughts and prayers. Thank you to Brutus as I know those canine vibes help! By the way, congrats to Lap for new grandbaby....hell, let him wear pink!! He is alive and healthy!! Dee, good job on weight loss. Sorry to hear about losses and funerals. Hugs to you. Newbies: I haven't met Dr. K yet but through this site and my conversation with him on the phone, he is the best! Gotta go and get ready to get the boy! I am soooooo excited.:w00t:

i think the artist's idea is a fabulous one! it would set off the tree and blossoms and make a beautiful scene

Green, Shelbi, Mal: Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts. I talked to the vet again about an hour ago, and she said she is a little more concerned now because Tucker regurgitated when they took him outside. It is coming mostly from the trach. hole. She thinks 1.) his esophagus is severely irritated which means time and meds to heal or 2)what we don't want--that the emergency trach. done at beach might have injured his esophagus and they will have to sedate and go in to look at it. Poor guy...i have been reading all this stuff on internet about LP (laryngeal paralysis) and i am not sure what to do now. I just keep praying it will be irritation in his throat that will heal and then he will eat.:smile2:

It has been a tough 2 days here.:biggrin: My choc. lab Tucker went to the beach on Tuesday with some friends (about 2 hours away). Shortly after arriving, he displayed difficulty breathing; then he went into severe distress. They rushed to a local vet; the first had no idea, thought it was a lung/heart issue and there was nothing to do, but put him down. Then the second vet came out, took one look, and said his trachea was paralyzed. They called the emergency hospital in Portland and discussed the issue with the surgeons there. Three hours later they did a tracheotomy and heavily sedated him so that he would live on the two hour trip home. Meanwhile, I am here and crying my eyes out with worry. They arrived at nine that night and immediately put him in an oxygen tent. We left hospital at 10:30. I called at 8 next morning; they had taken him off oxygen at 3am; dr. would call at 10am. Dr. called and said that his larnyx was paralyzed, but we were in an "advantageous" position as it was only one side. He could still breathe on his own. We had a choice for surgery (with which comes the possibility of aspiration and pneumonia) or we could not have surgery and make sure he lives his life without excitement. It was the excitement of being at the beach that triggered the trauma. We decided not to do surgery--for now at least. I talked to our regular vet, who is an alternative/wholistic believer, and he wants to put together some Chinese herbs for calming and look at doing some acupuncture to relieve the distress. This morning (Thurs.) I called to check on his condition as we might be able to bring him home. Well, he is breathing on own, but he hasn't eaten/drunk anything and they won't release him til he does. We went in to visit him in hopes that our presence would coax him to eat something. No luck. :sad:He looked so pitiful with the hole in his neck, hair shaved, sad boy. We are going back this afternoon and are taking his girlfriend, Dollie, our Jack Russell. Maybe he will perk up seeing her. Sorry this post is so long, but I think most of you know from your own experiences that pets can be like children. I have no kids, so to speak, so my dogs are my life's blood. Please pray, cross fingers, chant, or do whatever that Tucker gets through this. I would appreciate positive thoughts.

She is darling!!

Hi, all....my computer wouldn't let me on this site for about 5 or 6 days. It was so persistent that I panicked thinking I wouldn't be able to communicate with y'all again!!:w00t: But all is well now. Why? No clue!:tt2: Congrats to the newly-banded. Have to admit your rough flights and hard times here at the beginning have me feeling anxious...even tho' I still have a month to go. Dee, what a woman you are! How fortunate for all of us flying in from out of state/town to have someone like you (and others) on that end cheering us on! I certainly hope we are able to meet when I get there. Adorkable: yeah, you are--without the "k"! You look gorgeous. Good job:lol: Mini: I hope that the new pooch works for you. Saving abused dogs is such a selfless act. Don't even get me started on what I would do to those who abuse animals...or children...or old people...all the groups that can't defend themselves:cursing::cursing::eek::angry_smile: not much happening here. only anticipating the two-week diet before my surgery. it will start as we are on vacation in ashland for the Shakespearian festival. Won't be too bad though: lots of steak, lobster, eggs, veggies...a few glasses of wine in there. And of course all this while enjoying wonderful theater, hot weather, and the swimming pool with my best friend of 43 years :tt2::tt1::thumbup:(yeah, I know, I am old....the oldest one on here, I think!)

Dee: I am panicking; I can't log on to our regular thread!! So I haven't been able to catch up in over 5 days!!! I don't know how others are doing and I don't know how to get a hold of anybody before I come in August. I am still trying to figure out what is wrong. The computer keeps saying something like "A script on the page will take an extra long time; do you want to abort?"????? Help!!!!

Lap: Great artwork! To those who replied about achin' feet/knees: thanks for confirming what I thought. my doc today took xray of right knee; looks like possible torn miscus (?)...next step is mri to confirm. Right now, it isn't acting up, of course. So we are on a "wait and see" mode. He agreed; wait until after surgery and some weight loss to see what the effects might be. To those getting ready for surgery tomorrow(?): good luck and am thinking of you. Mini, be careful about all these invites to the bench; there won't be room for my big ass on it!:embaressed_smile:

Lifesaver: I add my hugs to everyone else's. Good job on taking steps to help yourself physically and emotionally. Shelbi: Have you ever seen KG live? Too funny. Question: those of you who experienced aching feet/tendons and bad knees, did some of that pain go away after losing some weight (like how much)? Am going to orthopedic surgeon today to have knee checked. Want to avoid surgery if weight loss might mitigate pain.:confused2:

Does the red-headed woman on top of home page remind anyone else of the comedian Kathi Griffin?:confused_smile:

Good evening, all. Lots happening here in the last few days. Whew..tough to keep up with it all:smile:Mini: glad to hear you aren't suffering too badly and are losing pounds, too! helps my nerves to read those good things! I have been on paxil for about 7 years. Went from teaching at a school for 23 years and having seniority to a new school in a temporary position. The job was GREAT, so I couldn't figure out why i felt as if i had pressure on my chest, couldn't breathe or sleep. Dr. told me it was anxiety. I couldn't figure out why since life was going great. He explained any kind of change can do it. When I inquired about how long I would have to take it, he said forever. I have found that to be true. If I don't refill a prescription for a few days, I find my body starts to react oddly, my head feels buzzy, start to shake. True, such drugs do impact the libido, but I wonder if our weight doesn't have some impact on that also. My two cents:unsure:

Munchkin: Glad u decided on nights. I agree with what everyone else said, particularly liking people with whom you work..sooo important. Now the extra $ can pay for those extra sitters!! Brandy: Hope the heartbeat issue is a small one. fingers crossed here. Marcy: Wow, girl! You look terrific! What a difference...look younger! Mini: what breeds are you considering? Adork: Congrats on hooking up with new doc (not hooking up in contemporary meaning, of course:tongue2:) Having that kind of confidence in a dr. can make such a huge difference. My dr, whom I loved, retired in April and I still haven't made the move to find a new one; I hate the thought of it. Not much happening here on the West Coast except great convertible weather: hot and dry.:sleep::confused:

Mini: good ideas for liquid stuff:smile:Brandy: my thoughts are with you. as mentioned earlier, sounds as if the worst is over. Question: how many of you on here are in medical field, nurses, techs, etc? Seems as if i run across hospital references all the time! Just curious. I have to have a potassium test done a couple of weeks before surgery. Since I am self-paying, I will have to pay for this too:angry:. Does anyone have a clue about how much such a test will set me back?:confused2:

Also, at the drugstore there is a product called Nightguard, a plastic, moldable piece. Costs $22.

Shelbi: Don't freak...in your head you know it is a psychological thing...you will get through it...breathe.....you will do great:wink2: gw and jill: i don't start my preop diet for a while yet, but i know the panicky feelings you are talking about! You are afraid that any little mistake will screw up the whole surgery thing...you won't lose enough...etc., right? Relax and have that big ol' omelet or steak or cauliflower with cheese sauce....oops..making myself hungry:sad: Mini: i am a computer illiterate (witness: no ticker yet..can't figure it out), so I don't know how to put pix on computer!! Remember, I was an English teacher who still believes in the power of the PEN not the keyboard, so I don't know any little computer tricks....ahhh....my students used to laugh at me:redface: Isopure? Is that a protein drink?

Cute car!! I bought a new Bug convertible last Dec. It is sapphire blue with gray top/gray interior. I love it!:wink::wink2::thumbup:

Hi, everyone. Welcome back to those who have been away and Hi to you as I haven't met you before. Mini: how was it going back to work? R u feeling better with each day? How much walking are you getting in? (Can you tell i am already getting nervous about my surgery:ohmy:) Dee: the oats thing is for cholesterol probs, right? Not banding as such? I thought maybe i missed something . Brandy: Nice supplement on the testosterone!! I missed that day in lapband class:lol: May I get some suggestions on the type of scales to buy to keep track of weight loss to the 1/2 lb? Thanks.

Dee: I KNOW i have the BEST parents. My friends have always been envious of the relationship I have with my folks. We enjoy each others' company and laugh hard and often when we are together. My mom's sis is 2 yrs. older than she and is just as ornery and funny. When her 4 kids (my first cousins) get together with the rest of us, it is one LOUD raucous family!! Hope y'all have a good Monday! I have my art classes....love 'em!:thumbup:

I have found if LBT takes you back to homepage, I hit "back" button and I bounce back here.

Happy Sunday morning to you all!! Dee: name change....you li'l devil! 100 lbs. in six months??? My god, I didn't think that was possible! Good on ya!:biggrin2: Are people going to be using the other thread? Could get confusing, eh... Mini: glad to hear all is going better for you. Guess I won't look at anti-nausea stuff if it gives a huge headache. I am sooooo impressed and inspired by all of you and the tremendous losses you all have accomplished. I hope I can be even a fraction as successful as y'all. My dad hasn't been feeling well since the 3rd (He is 82 and has neuropathy in legs/feet and has arthritis), so when I talked to mom this morning, I told her to tell Dad that he better get to dr. and feel better so he can witness his daughter's metamorphosis! he can't have tried to help me for 40+ years and then sign off before it actually happens!! she laughed and then said she would share that info. I would hate to lose him before i get my life back (get it back??shit, I lost it at age 12!!). Maybe my determination will give him motivation to see dr. regularly and do what he needs to do to stick around:smile2:

Dee, YOU LOOK GREAT!!!!

Okay, girls, now I am getting worried/anxious! Retching on the flight?? I am flying home the day after surgery....what do y'all suggest I do to avoid that kind of nausea? What are the protein bullets? Isopure? I need to find out about all this stuff!! Does the dietitian give me that info when she calls? Does one of you have a list for a post-op emergency box?? Dee: I didn't get the pix with you in it...Can you send me one? The pix of the three of you looks great!:thumbup:

Mini: good to hear all is going as well as can be expected!! Sorry to hear about the gas, but I will now know to have lots of GasX. Lap: What a thoughtful, well-written piece. The opening segment about dreams was particularly poignant. You obviously have been writing for quite some time, right? if not, i think an online writing group would be a good place for you. You are talented. Nicole: good job on the loan. mine was a home equity loan so I can write it off my taxes next year!! Also, since we are self-pay, we should be able to write off all the medical costs on taxes next year!! Well, guys, I told my parents today about the whole plan. They were so happy for me. In fact, they had talked three weeks ago about the idea and that they would PAY for me. Jesus, they are both on soc. sec. as their only income and they want to pay for me!!! I said no way would that have happened! but i think it shows how special my folks are...they both have been very supportive, never negative. I love them both so much and now they are as excited as I am!!:thumbup: