Kat817

Dyingbreed, I have no idea what the new stats are, I am personally no longer researching it! I realize it is not an ideal solution, I am fairly well convinced there is not an ideal. There are problems with any WLS, and drawbacks to any weight loss program, one of the biggest being that WE have to WORK it. The fact that most of us are not very good at that is part of what landed us here needing it. If they could band our brains, or bypass the problem areas of them, perhaps it would be easier! I made it to my goal weight, went through some personal problems, very emotional time in regards to my daughters health, and I was put on steroids due to recurring hives, and I regained almost 40 pounds. I have been unfilled for 3 years now. Not due to a problem, but I was unfilled in preparation for an unrelated surgery, and I have a history of vomitting with anesthesia, so I was unfilled, and never had an issue with regaining, so never had myself filled again. I have the old band, which will hold 4 cc.'s and at my fullest, I had 1.5. So I have NEVER been super tight. I prefer it that way. The band itself gives me mild restriction, and I am happy with it. Since that time, I have lost part of the regained weight, and I know, if I were to exercise, and be serious about it, I could lose the rest....I am simply complacent. I am in a size 10, and for my height of 5'9" I feel comfortable there. I would love to lose the wings I now have as opposed to arms, but......life goes on, and I wear sleeves! LOL I was in a car accident in January, and have been seeing a Dr. 3 X a week since then, I am now doing physical therapy, and lo and behold, I am losing some inches again! LOL I t works when I do. Sorry, I am not up to date on stats. I know they are out there, I found them when I was researching getting banded. Sleeves were not being done when I was banded, but I am still uncomfortable with removal of my stomach! I like the ability to be returned to my before shape I guess----not really, I am glad that shape is gone! Not sure what I would have chose if it had been an option, I know I would have researched it as well. I did the bypass, as well as the band, and another option at the time. Then made the choice I was comfortable with. It was still fairly new.......and as with all things, they learn more, with each one done, and as the days and years go by, and it may be that they learn that banding is not the best option. For me, it got me off of ALL prescription meds, for High Blood Pressure, pre-diabetes, arthritis........my blood pressure is normal, my blood sugars are normal, and my knees do not ache when I walk. I can go in any store around and buy clothes, I have energy, and the ability to exercise, where before it hurt! It might not be for everybody, and it might not be for any of us forever, but I know the last 6 years with the weight going down as opposed to up---have added not just length but amazing quality to my life! I have learned healthier eating habits, and through these boards, I have found a support system that I fully lacked before----they know the struggles, they know the daily work it takes, they "get it". Some of them, most actually, are still banded, a couple are now sleeved, and one is now bypassed.......but they are still support------we ALL just want to find something that works for us. It is not a one size fits all.

I am 6 years out of surgery, feeling great, no band problems at all. Dr Aceves in Mexicali, did my surgery, as well as banding a sister in law, 2 nieces and 2 friends, all are doing well. That said---the time was different in border towns 6 years ago----not sure what my take on it would be now. Also, the issue of US Dr.'s not wanting to deal with you---line it up ahead of time. People this is YOUR life---you can set those things up prior to surgery! I did, and I still see a Dr in Colorado who has no issue with me being banded in Mexico. He has done all my fills, my unfills for unrelated surgeries, he has no issue, but I made the appointment with him before I ever had surgery and was straight up with him, I needed the surgery but could not afford him cash pay. A couple of years ago I had some dental work done, I have had issues with it ever since----a partial holding 2 lower teeth was made. At a very expensive rate it seemed. Shortly after getting it, the dentist had a nervous breakdown, and is no longer practicing. I cannot find a dentist around willing to work with what I have, they want to make an all new partial. It is fine, just needs adjusted where it is hitting too hard, but it is not theirs so they will not work with me. Not one dentist, I have contacted several, and met face to face with 3. So it is a Dr. issue often times, not a country issue, you might find the same problem if you are banded by an american Dr. in California and find yourself relocated to Illinois or something.

The best thing of all a POSITIVE attitude!!! Post op sometimes is not easy to follow through with, but is SOOOOOO worth it! I too really liked the tropical SF popsicles. I also froze the Isopure, mixed with SF koolaid, made it more palatable and helped with my Protein counts. The other thing I found that helped post op at home, was a dining room chair right next to the bed, gives you something to help manuever around with. And maybe a walking partner----walking is the best thing you can do, to move the gas, and help you recover! Good Luck to you!!!

If insurance requires a Dr's statement saying the surgery is recommended, they don't usually have a care who or what Dr. recommends it as long as it is not the surgeon himself/herself, or anyone affiliated with the office who will financially profit by you having the surgery. So your Neuro could do that no problem. You will still likely need to have your PCP in the loop, as you will need copies from your file of your weight over the last 5 years it sounds like. Your PCP can also indicate any other issues you may have that are weight related, if you do not have the documented 5 years. If you have to contact an old Dr. for the copy of a page from your chart, showing your weight 5 years ago, expect to pay up to $6.00 a page---I have paid $2.00 a page generally. Your PCP, can also provide records of high blood pressure, or high blood sugar readings, or high cholesterol, previous complaints of back pain, or other joint pain, any symptoms of sleep apnea that might be weight related, possible PCOS, even depression.....all of them can help you qualify for surgery if your insurance requires co morbidities. Find out EXACTLY what your insurance requires and follow it to the letter! They are all looking not to have to pay for anything! Find out if you have a 6 month lead in----many do. Back when I was banded our particular BCBS plan, had a 12 month physician supervised weight loss requirement, as well as a monthly visit with a dietician. I live in the boonies, there was no licensed dietician! So I had to go through the insurance to get them to allow my PCP to act in the dietician role---so I had to go see him 2 times a month---for a year. Co pays on each visit. Once he just weighed me, and documented it, with me telling him what my exercise had been, and the second he counselled me in nutrition (I could have taught him a thing or 2, even if he was skin and bones!!!!). Well I did this for 10 months, 10 and a half technically, I had just come from the 11th visit with him in the supervisory mode, and I was in a car accident---not my fault---I was hit from behind and pushed into a light pole, pinning my knee between the dash, my door and the pole. I ended up in the hospital having knee surgery. When I went in to my next appointment, the office manager ask me into her office to explain to me, I would have to start my 12 month pre op work up again, as the visits have to be in 12 CONSECUTIVE months, and due to my surgery I missed the 11th dietician one! I was going to have to start over! I wrote insurance, and called insurance, did it all, they turned me down 3 times. They would pay for it, as soon as I did 12 months consecutive. First thing I did was change Dr.'s-----these people knew me, my DD worked for them, and it was them that reported me "not showing" for my nutrition appointment. THEY could have kept it on track, he come to see me in the hospital---but not as a nutritionist! In the end.......I received a settlement from my knee, took the money to Mexico and had surgery, and by the time my next year would have rolled around, I was down 75 pounds!!! Point to this long story-----find out what EXACTLY the requirements are----have them mailed to you----take names of who you speak to at the insurance company---document times and dates you call and what you were told-----and follow the guidelines to the letter if you want insurance to pay! Also not to discourage you, but much of band surgery takes place AFTER the original surgery. Fills can run up to $600.00 I am told! Think about whether if you are going to be without insurance you can afford the aftercare. Good Luck to you!!!

My one and only tree is a pre lit fake!!! It is up, and Kinsey decorated it and it is beautimus!!! I had Rick help and we moved all the Christmas the other day---from the shed tothe attached garage. but I moved the trunk today alone, and that was a challenge!! It is a big camel back antique trunk that was my great great grandmas. Parents are here bbl

LOL Deb, I have those stories, and am fully sited.....just clumsy!!! Went to the Dr. with Kinsey---she has a bilateral ear infection---and restricted air ways. They do not want to call it asthma--for insurance purposes. She is home, and I guess we are going to decorate....the fun just never stops. My Mom has left me messages to call her, and will not answer either phone---irritates the hell out of me when she does that. Bugs the crap out of me, when I am in the Dr.'s office, and have my phone off for a reason, then she won't answer. GRRRRRR not in the mood today. Actually, to be totally honest---I was in a decent mood until I logged in at this site. The pages won't load, I am still not getting notifications, and my personal PM's have went unanswered.....left swinging in the wind----leaving things half done has ALWAYS been a pet peeve....went round and round with my kids over that. Not interested it doing it now, I don't wanna be a site mama! See ya on the other site......almost seems like the other side!

It is under the same title over there, under support groups. Oooops not under support-----under clubs and groups. Same name for me.

No Suzanne, I did not get it.......so sorry! I sent the owner of the other site a PM letting her know of the influx, and to assure her we are not all transferring over due to some big blow up that required members being banned or anything. I have not heard back from her. Not sure where to start the thread at over there----I saw Tracy there, and Ashley.....so.......spread the word. And Suzanne, you or anyone else can call me anytime!

Hey y'all! We survived Black Friday! We left about 3:30 AM, shopped for several hours, then had to bring some things home, we went to a little Bistro here in town and had breakfast---they have homemade everything! OMgosh it is sooo good! They slice big slabs of homemade bread for the toast. I used to order an extra....now I cut mine in half, give half to Rick, and still never finish my half. It is sooooo good! LOL Then we went back did some more shopping, finally come home and vegged out. We went to bed early, were planning a great day----and he got called out to work. Doesn't it figure??? Oh well----hope he makes it home early enough this afternoon for us to catch the movie we want to go see. He told me to take Manda and go to Burlesque, but she is sick, she has the stomach bug that seems to be everywhere right now. Poor thing. I bought some of her Christmas for her yesterday since she couldn't get out there. We are also doing Kinsey's birthday, which is in a few days, and I was doing some for Manda who has a birthday tomorrow. Then maybe I can concentrate on Christmas! As for the other site---if they question the influx---I think a simple explanation will take care of everything quickly. Like I said they used to be members here too----moderators, very involved, supportive members. The only reason I chose to stay here, well I go back and forth, have all along. But I spent more time here, because it was busier, faster, and I got more response to my questions etc. Which was what I wanted, and needed at the time, I was looking for what I have now with all of you! Now, other than to attempt to help moderate, I mostly stay with y'all here, and chat occasionally in other rooms with friends. Which I can still do----BUT I never know when they say anything to me anymore. So, that is not an issue anymore. Anyway---it is (or was when I used to know more about it) a married couple who run the other site, and they have a family---so let the holiday settle and I would imagine there will be response and approval. I will go see if you have a thread yet Tracy and see if who I knew is still around. If anyone see's Debbie or anyone else, don't forget to let them know-----I wil message Terri---but I am not sure if we are getting notification of all messages or not. Ihave members pissed off saying they PM'd me, and I have got nothing from them. So who knows. And remember it is not .com it is .net. That is where I always lost them!!! LOL

Yeah, Jenn, I was mad, and I am just frustrated. Frustrated with the site screwing up---I seriously did NOTHING to cause my post to vanish---so I figure they must be screwing with things still. But what frustrates me the most is the fact that we do not warrant any updates. Even as a moderator, and I do not see myself above a member, but they want us to help them, but they refuse to help us help others......Grrrrrrrrrrrrr I DO have another thought on the matter, there is another lap band site. it is not as busy as this one by far. It is done by former LBT-ers. But it also changes much less, and is smaller overall, but has much the same overall format etc. If things don't change here, we could move our group to the other site, you can go check it out if you like. It is www.band2gether.net see what you think. Would still allow us to have others join as they do here----and we would still be on a band site. I feel many things over this. I know alex is going through some things, I get that----but come on. He has told people with problems to contact him, and then he ignores it---so they dog me! He does not keep anyone except maybe Susan in the loop. Just tired tonight maybe----but seriously considering giving up on LBT. I will keep up with everyone through FB. With no email notifications and all, it is an irritant to get here, not the excited looking forward to seeing what my friends are doing that it used to be. This is not all due to the upgrade. For weeks, maybe months, when a complaint comes in, there are 2 of us who respond. Period. I know for a fact he is getting as sick of it as I am, he has PM'd me over it. I am just ready to let them have it all. Rick and I are doing the Black Friday shopping in the morning!! WooHooo!!! Not really anything serious we need to get---plan to do Kinsey's shopping at Target if I luck out----I want the keyboard they have on sale----as well as an Easy Bake oven!!! Then I want to go to Home Depot and buy a new washer and dryer! Seriously---so much $$$$ but the sale makes me wanna pull it from savings and do it now. My washer is on its last leg, it does not agitate well.....which agitates me a lot!!!! We are going to go look anyway! Anyway, we have a few things to get, will get as much of our shopping done as we can---and then go have Breakfast, then come home and go back to bed for awhile!!! It is tradition with us! This year it is going to be COLD below zero cold! So no standing in line for us! but we will show up at opening time and hope for the best! He is so good about doing things like this with me! He stays in a good mood through it all! We had a nice dinner today, I ate WAY too much. Enjoyed it all! Sent everyone home with lots of food, took plates to my inlaws who were sick---but they wouldn't have come anyway---part of her martyr thing, if Rick's sister and us will not all get together, then she will not go to either one of their houses. They stay home and do without Thanksgiving and it is all our faults.....waaahhhh. I do not have room for their entire family here in my house. period, end of story. Ask Suzie, my house is little! His sister does not invite us over there.....so. She can do without! LOL No, I sent food. But refuse to be "martyr bullied"!!! LOL Rick even told her "Go to Brenda's, it will not hurt my feelings, GO" but nope.....if the family is not getting together, then she has no reason to go. Ok fine! LOL Was a nice gathering with my family! Well better get some sleep so I can be jolly come morning! Happy Thanksgiving my friends!!!

Piece of shit site, just ate my post.....when I had 3 letters left to type! I cannot type the things I said! Will cut to the chase. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. I hope you know you all rank very high in the things I am thankful for. I would be lost without your friendship and insight. I hope your holiday tomorrow is everything you are hoping for. Tracy hold your head high, and if anyone says anything to you about your sisters email, just tell them you forgave her and let them wonder what she did~!! Hugs to you all. Maybe I will try again to post my other stuff----it seriously pisses me off!

This brine I am using is not a flavored brine, it is from the food network, it is supposed to tenderize and moisten the turkey, you just rub it down inside and out with Kosher salt, cover it in ice Water and leave it for 24 hours. Then rinse, dry off, rub butter into the skin, stuff the turkey---with either stuffing or moisture releasing veggies, such as onions, and cook as usual. Well I normally buy what I consider to be a decent turkey, and use a roaster, so it is moist. But this year, the company give Rick a turkey, and I have no room to freeze it, so plan to use it, and it is a store brand---so not sure of its age....moisture etc. so, researching it, the answer seemed to be a brine soak. Gonna try it. I just put it in. I didn't have a way to cover a 20 lb. turkey, so I put it in a cooking bag, filled it with water, closed it, and put it in an ice chest with ice in case it leaks! Will le tya know!! I am hoping over a few days the site will become more navigatable. I am still concerned with strangers being able to come in here and link our posts to FB. That worries me. I have no problem moving to FB, but at the same time, I do go around the site, so will be here, regardless, and we have some new people here, that we would never have found without being here, where the band gives us a common bond. I hope he continues to tweak it over the long holiday, and soon we will be comfortable with it. I still plan to ask about the share thing----well I HAVE ask, just received no answer. Well, I have veggies begging to be chopped! Gonna go cry some more. I have onions to chop! I was watching a Hallmark Christmas movie earlier, and you know they are made to be tear jerkers anyway, and I am a movie crybaby anyhow, so I am crying, and freaked my dog the heck out! She kept laying her head in my lap, then adding a foot, then another foot---and she is not small! Then she brought me her duck toy---her favorite! She is concerned with me being upset. See what she does with the onions----my crying will probably take a back seat to her hope that I will drop something!!! LOL See ya'll in a little bit! The only hint I can give right now, is to go to your deleted files, find an old link to an email notification of our thread and bring it back to your inbox. It will always take you to Tracy's first post, but just click last page, and maneuver from there. I have faith those things will all be fixed rather soon.

Sorry, wish I could help you or had answers for you, but I don't. I told Alex when I agreed to be a moderator I was all but computer illiterate----and it is seriously biting me in the butt right now! Hope it gets better soon, I have lots of people saying they will just keep in touch via FB, they no longer trust the site.....which sucks!

There are without a doubt lots of glitches still getting worked out. I am a little concerned over the "Share This Topic" does it share the entire post straight to Twitter or Facebook or the others listed? That is not a good thing in my book. I LIKE having them separate! I do not want my opinions I share with friends here, posted to FB! I mean seriously even my MIL has a FB account! LOL My screen tends to freeze when attempting to change font or size or italasize something.... Have no idea where my PMs are! I am getting tons of PMS as a moderator with questions, and believe me, I am as in the dark as anyone!

I was trying to say pretty much what Cindy did, but this damn mess of a new layout....I was trying to increase the font size and froze it up----grrrrrr. Not a happy camper with all this nonsense! I agree, that you handled it in a wonderful way. I would not let her deter me from attending ANY function I wanted to, and I would not ignore her as requested, I would speak, and move on, not act like I was begging for a relationship with her, but also letting her know she could not write me off to make herself feel better!!! LOL I just have the one brother, and he is challenged, both physically and mentally. He is self supporting, but has an attitude of a young teenager, so he tends to be quite obnoxious much of the time. If any of you that have or deal with kids, can imagine a 14 year old boy who has worked hard, and has no real friends, and is saddened by that, and you know how they act when they have to be around the family all the time!! That is my brother. Problem is he is 48 years old, forever stuck being a kid. He argues about everything, so adults get fed up with him quickly, he gets along great with other kids---but it is not appropriate to be hanging out with kids when you are an old man. And they all grow up on him.....it is sad, and frustrating. But when he hurts me, hurts my feelings---he is not violent in any manner----I can give him the benefit of the doubt, and know he has a problem. I am sorry, you have to deal with a sister being this way. You deserve better! StrangeDZ---you come in while I was gone, and I am sorry, I don't know another name to call you! I am Kat. I was banded in April of 06. I am down a hundred pounds, and sitting tight. I have no fill, but am comfortable where I am, and not working it like I should! I am married to a wonderful man, Rick. 99.9 % of the time when I refer to DH it is Dear, or Darling Husband the other .01, it is Damn husband! Together we have 3 kids, and 6 grandkids. We live in New Mexico, in the nrothwest corner, just a few miles out of Colorado, we also have property in Texas, which is where I have been. I ask in the mod forum about the sharing, also about email notifications, and taking you to new posts, and why the font and size freeze, and why ALL the changes at once! Good grief, it just frustrates me! I have so many PMs as a moderator asking me questions, and we have or at least I have not been told a single damn thing! So you wanna change the logo---change it! You need to add advertising space to pay for bandwidth, do it. But to change EVERYTHING all at once is asking for problems. what is wrong with a gradual upgrade? Eh female brain vs. male brain Rick says. So all night and all morning my jaw hurt. I have a cracked filling, so I called to set up a dentist appointment. She told me she just had a cancellation and if I come right then they would see me---I whipped around, to head back, called my Dad to get Kinsey, and went to the dentist. Well the filling is still cracked, but the Xrays are clear, and he thinks it is from the swelling in the glands under my ear, causing the pain---the teeth look good. So that eased my mind. I call my Mom to tell her I am on my way---I woke her up! She and Dad fell asleep and forgot to get Kinsey from the bus! I was in a state! Well I had my phone off in the dentist office as the sign said! When the bus come and I was not there, they honked, and my neighbor heard it, she went out, and when Kinsey saw her she told the driver it was her auntie Connie---so they let her go there! She was in their house eating milk and Cookies. Scared the crap out of me----and out of my folks (who kinda deserved it!!!). Dad come FLYING up here, before I could let them know where she was and that she was safe---so he took her home, and Manda picked her up there. Her Dad actually DID come in for Thanksgiving and her birthday. He told her he was coming for her birthday and she was counting on it! I am so glad he did not disappoint her. so she is spending the night and day with him tomorrow, so I have a free day to prep for Thanksgiving. I am putting my turkey in a brine this year for the first time ever---anyone do it??? Well I better see if this posts or gets lost in cyber space, or shared, or whatever!!!!

Cindy---the little white envelope under the posters name is for PM's. I have no idea on other stuff. I am going to ask in the mod room about sharing in threads......I suppose it has always been possible in a cut and past way, but this seems more apt to be misused. Will be back after dinner.....

Share this topic------can only the poster share their post, or anybody put it out there on FB? Unlike that seriously! We may have to pursue different avenues for discussion of our lives!

Wow Tracy, you ask me if I could post because I was a Mod.....and now, my posts have disappeared! GONE!!! Look....I put my long, I am home post AFTER the Cheetos pic, and it is lost in cyber space! I also started a thread in the mod section to see if there was any news on the update, and it too is poof! Well I tried to italisize that, and got a bunch a junk, we will see how it posts! LOL Still hurting this morning. I have a sinus infection and ear infection. Had to go have my nose cauterized yesterday, it would not quit bleeding due to the pressure. I feel miserable, but think it is some better. Just took my 3rd dose of my antibiotics. Please hurry and help. Thanksgiving is in 2 days, I have people coming. Thank goodness Manda said she would come help me. Tracy----tell us your story! Talked to Suzie on FB last night, was having LBT withdrawals! Hope everyone finds us soon, and the bugd of the new update get worked out quickly.....it always takes awhile......

Leaving early in the morning.....think 3 AM!!! Will meet you any day....just let me know! I'll figure it out! Call or text me, I will PM you the # again, just in case. Will check in with y'all if I get a chance, or will see you in about 10 days. ((((hugs)))))

Awww Michelle, sorry you are feeling so crummy, sounds like the round of antibiotics might be in order. I had ear infections for years, actually burst the right eardrum 2 different times, but knock on wood, it has been years since I had it that bad! Hope you get to hole up in the house, and heal quickly! Jenn, of course I will be thinking good thoughts and praying for you, and the new job. With my crazy old office manager, I understand exactly where you are at! My heart goes out to you! Cindy, I had no doubt you would do well with your class being watched----but it IS still traumatic!!! It is always hardest to "be yourself" when someone tells you to! I am sure you aced it! I hope my grandkids get such good teachers! Tracy, Let your body settle for a couple of days. I would always do that, lose, lose, lose. Then stall, and bounce. I sometimes even had to increase what I ate, so it would start again---it is all a crap shoot, and it will happen, you are doing the right things! Suzie---You will be having surgery right after Mom, be sure you let us know as soon as you can, maybe someone can text me? I hope to get better service with this phone....but not holding my breath!!! I have email on it...will check in when I can! I will be sending good thoughts and prayers for you Debbie, has anyone said anything about the other guy playing again? I hope he doesn't keep trying to horn in...... Terri, have fun in Phoenix. Part of me is wishing we had gone, I REALLY liked the truck. But, I am still scrambling, getting things ready to go to TX, let alone having it done,and be on my way there!!! Plain----hope things are going well....thanks for the ok to pout! I did too!!! In the end, I am still not comfortable with the decision, but my Mom is, and I am trying to let that be enough. Learning to let others feel their own feelings is hard for me! Angela, WOW, Zach has really had some issues with that arm! And he has not let it slow him down has he!? Will be thinking of him too. I will PM you my cell, so you can call or text me if we find a way to get together! Shar---where ya at? Check in!!! Ashley, glad you got decorated. I usually put ours up the first of December. I don't go as overboard as I used to when I had kids at home. I used to wrap all the pictures on the walls, even! I have a lot of snowmen, and enjoy having them out. I have scarecrows, I put out for Halloween, and leave through Thanksgiving, so want some time to enjoy them! Well heck I gotta get to bed, Rick is going in at 4. I am going to finish up my stuff then, and as soon as Kinsey gets on the bus I am headed to town, I want to buy some new shoes before leaving!!! Wooohooo! Will check in tomorrow, but doubted I would have time for personals!

Well hey there y'all~ As normal around here, things have a way of changing! I took Mom to the Dr. for her pre op scans, and actually spoke to the Dr./surgeon. He is not going to put her completely out, he plans to send her home within a couple of hours. The tumor is not cancerous, but it is the 2nd one she has had, the other was years and years ago----20 + or -. She told him to assure me it was ok to go to TX!!! He laughed and said he foresaw nothing to cause problems. And my Mom was almost in tears in his office, and told him if I wouldn't go, they needed to postpone! So I am going to Texas. Manda is off, and my Aunt will be here as well with my Dad, and the preacher will be with them. I feel like a horrible daughter, but when I agreed, she was a happy camper. She has been happy and animated the remainder of the day. Go figure. I mean I understand......I would encourage Manda to go.....but still!!! But we are not going to Phoenix tonight, like we thought about doing. We would be pushing it time wise, and we do not want to rush the decision on a truck. We are paying cash for it.....and we want to make a wise choice. So we will watch, and when something else catches our attention, we will take a long weekend and go. If we went tonight, we would be renting a car, so we would not have to drive another back, it would be 13-14 hours driving round trip there, then turn around and another 12-13 to Texas! Speaking of Texas. Figure us out a place, and I am there! I told Rick I was going to go away for a day! LOL Look on your maps, I am going to Comanche. It is on Hwy 36 coming out of Abilene. Have a look at it, and see if there is somewhere we can get together!!! How exciting! I have laundry done, all but the vaccuuming done housewise. Pack & vaccuum, and I am good to go!!! Mom is on the phone now.....

elcee, my Dad's cardiologist and us were just discussing this during his last visit, the beginning of October. My Dad has coronary artery disease. He is 77, has had 2 rounds of bypass surgery----over 20 years apart tho! He had his first surgery in 1979 or so, and has diligently followed a low fat diet, and he walks---daily 5-6 miles, in the hills, at a very fast pace. He is able to work circles around men half his age----but still he has had to have both carotid arteries operated on, and thick (and surprisingly HARD) sections of build up removed. He is on Rx medication, and his cholesterol is under 100 at this point, BUT he still suffers from the disease. The Dr. said that it seems every study out contradicts the last one done! Now he never told him to go on a Twinkie diet either!!! I just agree, that consensus says if you do the right thing,and take the appropriate measures and medications, it should help.....but it doesn't always. Then again, we have no way to know what he would have been like had he not taken care of himself as he has......

Good Morning~ Lets hope it is!!! LOL Pasta is not a taboo subject with me, I eat it--actually fairly frequently. I just cannot eat much of it at all. Seriously---1/4 of a cup will do me! And I am with an unfilled band! something about what little restriction I have, it sits, then I am guessing absorbs stomach fluids, and swells. I used to be able to eat huge plates of pasta----and be hungry again before bed! Now, I can eat a small, small amount, and not want to eat again the remainder of the day because it is not a comfortable full feeling. I have to chew VERY well, it does not mush like you would expect pasta to. Rice is easier for me, IF I have like soy sauce, or something like that on it. Spanish rice is usually still too dry, and plain fried rice the same. Potatoes---mashed are great, baked are great, fried are iffy, and french fries are hard! Again, it takes less of them than ever to fill me. I tend to avoid these things only because they keep me from getting any sort of nutrition at all, because they fill me so. I was cautious of the high GI foods prior to banding because I was what they were deeming pre diabetic---my #'s were getting up there. They put me on Metformin for awhile, but after banding it was not needed. I am going to my meeting today---not tonight. They are offering it several times through the day. So, will be able to go to dinner with Rick afterall. Looks like we will be heading to Phoenix Friday. We had our friend go check out the truck we are interested in, he took it to a mechanic friend. They agree it is a good buy----and in sound shape. It is used. But we just want something comfortable to take the folks back and forth to TX with, that we can still haul things with. The van is super comfortable, but......we HATE towing a trailer with it, it is not made for that, and the tranny is getting old, our cars have tons of miles! We want to try a truck of this type before committing to making payments or something. I will add a link, if it will take. The guy is holding it for us to get there. Gluttons for punishment, Phoenix is 6.5 hours away, so a 13 hr drive. Then 12 the next day to TX. Manda should speak to her boss today. My Mom is in tears, because she wants me to go, hates making my life hard----she keeps saying she would do anything to see the boys, she wants me to go. I am so torn. My stomach is in an uproar. Oh well, it will go the way it is supposed to I told her. Time to change the laundry!!! BBL

You have mine Tracy, or do you need it again? Suzie, it really isn't too hard to shower with a leg cast. I used a lawn chair in the shower, so I was not standing on it, because it could be slick. Put a trash bag over the cast, and tuck it in around the top. Then use the Press and Seal type of like waxed paper---wrap a ring or 2---even Saran Wrap pulled tight works well. Sit down, and prop your foot up if possible to avoid water running straight down it----you get to shower, shampoo, shave the other leg!!! I was in my cast from just under the knee to the edge of my toes, for 9 weeks----believe me, you learn how to shower!!! Another option, probably not as available to you is a seriously hilarious one!!!!! Go to the Feed store and ask for disposable gloves, for large animal testing. They will be big enough to slide over your cast, they are really tough. They do have fingers, but they can just flop around!!! The gloves are made to go past the elbow, for pregnancy testing and embryo transfer!!! They work REALLY well, less bulk than trash bags! Less likely to leak too!!! But not everyone has those around I guess!!! I really didn't either, but I DID go buy them! And FYI----I have NEVER used them for what they are for! LOL Our cows get confirmed by giving birth! And we have never had an animal so pricey we did any transfers! LOL Got all the boys Christmas wrapped tonight. Sure doesn't feel like Christmas is around the corner. Well, my neck and shoulder are still killing me-----not sure why. I hate taking anything, and now it is too late, it would reflux on me. Oh well, I am tired, it will relax I hope. Will check in in the morning. Manda never even saw her boss today so no idea about what is happening still.

I know y'all are probably sick of me, but I had some amazingly fabulous news just now I wanted to share. You know I worked for years on the Victim Impact Panel, working to stiffen our domestic violence laws in NM. One of our issues, and one you all know I have been stressing is victim notification. Well our 11th judicial district FINALLY passed it! We now have what is known as VINE. Victim information and Notification Everyday. Anyone can register to be notified about any offender. When they are transferred among facilities, when they have bail hearings, or bond assessments, if they post bail, escape, or are released. The information goes out within 15 minutes. You can register up to 5 each of phone numbers and emails addresses to get the info. I have been invited to be on a panel----I go to training tomorrow night. Which could have been problematic....it is Rick's and my anniversary. I called him, and he said by all means GO---make it an anniversary present to us, to ease our minds (and our hearts, imo). He has no idea how much more that made me love him, for him to understand this. OMG it happened! Jimmy is not going to get out without me knowing. I can't quit crying! It happened! We did it! YAY!!!!!! Ok, you can go back to your day now.....promise to only bother you a few more times today!