Kat817

What you are experiencing is quite normal! There are several causes! Like you mentioned you wanted the control! You used to control what you ate, not any more.... You used to control what and how you cooked, not any more! It goes on like that! You are pretty early on, so while you are experiencing success---you likely still have some worries that it won't work for you---or wonder how long it will work, or how long it will take. What your life is going to be like....there are lots of questions, and not lots of answers presenting themselves yet! Another issue that was mentioned during my seminar, and is seldome brought up---is hormonal. Each of the hormones in our body goes through highs and lows. When one surges, all the others in our bodies have to adjust to try to balance. 2 of the hormones directly affected are the one excreted in the stomach---he called it Gruehlin (he said it---he did not write it, so I have no idea if the spelling is even close!)---it is the hormone that signals fullness. So before banding, it took a lot of food to hit the nerves that signalled the release of this hormone. Well now it is being released on a much more frequent time line, and in a different manner than normal, so all the other hormones are working to react with it, and balance. I am afraid I am making a mess of explaining this, and the surgeon told it in a manner that made such perfect sense! Sorry!!! Another hormone directly involved in weight loss---is estrogen! Estrogen is stored in fat cells. So as you lose fat the estrogen is dumped into your system. Once again making everything else work overtime trying to balance. With it being estrogen---it causes symptoms like PMS. Emotions are all over the place, cravings increase, headaches are common. Some people have very sensitive systems to estrogen. I do. I used to get migraine headaches once a month minimally due to fluctating estrogen levels---I could never do birth control pills because of the estrogen. When I had my hysterectomy 5 years ago, I quit having any type of problem. Until my banding, and suddenly I had several migraines. They went away as my body learned to deal with the changes it was experiencing. Same thing will happen with you I predict!!! #1--you will see that you do still have control of your eating, in fact you have more control than when you shoved everything handy in your mouth!!! Sounds strange---but when you CHOOSE what you eat it feels like a victory! You WILL be in control! I bet when the fears and questions pass----this will be a form of control you will love.....controlling your own destiny! #2 the hormones will settle down, it just takes a little while! It is very common. Depression is not uncommon, anger, quick temper, tears----you are not the first, and will not be the last! Soon you will be here assuring those entering bandland behind you, that it will get better!!! Now....better go find that new frog a home!!! Hang on----it's gonna get better!!! Kat

Bull Hockey Jennifer! You looked heavy---but not horrible! You might have been dealing with some more serious depression, but you did not then--nor do you now---hate yourself. You have to love yourself to let others love you too----and you and your kids deserve that! You look thinner by far, and happier by far----but look, even when you were heavier, you were smiling, and you were not standing there alone-----others love us, even when we are not feeling particularly loving to ourselves. And now you got us!!! And we love ya!! Kat

Hey ladies! We are back---had a great day yesterday---we walked tons! Had a great time, and I ate pretty good--my only downfall was I did not drink very well--I did a large 32 oz. tea during the bike show, and then had 2 glasses of tea at dinner--yeah I know!!! BUT!!! I needed to get some fluid in. I was trying to do a balancing act, it is not a busy area between me & Albq. bathrooms are few and far between---so ya gotta plan on holding it for a hundred miles, so I kinda slacked on the water! I had a frito pie for breakfast!!! Well it was 11 ish---Becky & I were having good luck in the casino and missed the breakfast buffet!!! So I hit a vendor at the rally/bike show and had a frito pie, which was 90% chile. I told her just sprinkle a few chips on top--was good, I didn't even eat all of them! Then we had steak, ribs, and salad for dinner---so it was ok---no candy, no sweets, no alcohol!! I behaved so good I almost didn't recognize myself!!! The bikes were awesome! And the body exhibit show was incredible we spent a looooong time there. Coming home in the dark---yeah we stopped and I won another $63.00--early in the day I won $62.00---both of those are subtracting the $5.00 bill I started with!!! I had won more at a point, but luck turned!!! Anyway coming home in the dark, Becky and I were snoozing, and out of the dark comes her voice....I saw dead people! Cracked me up---course I was so tired everything was funny!!! TracyKS--yes I was banded in Mexicali, MX by Dr. Alberto Aceves. Someone mentioned contacting WasABubbleButt for info---we share the same Dr. He has a link on the bottom of the home page. Contact me anytime, I was thrilled with my experience! Terry---I love the rings---they look so summery and fun! Jenn---big huge change in those pics----I too like your hair! Looks like you were having fun! Judy---Kinsey sleeps here like it is not a big deal--this truly is her home away from home!!! She has her own room! I bought her the cutest little flip flops in the Disney store yesterday! TracyK---congrats my dear!!! It is hard to make the decision to quit! I quit on April 1st, 1991. Cold Turkey, without a doubt one of the best things I ever did!!! Rick quit in 1990....we often speak of what if we both still smoked, and the cost....etc. He used a product they had back then called Cigarrest....he had gum, and a tape to listen to, but it suggested a lot of the same things they say today!!! When it gets hard---call one of us! Or walk over and lean down and say kissy sweet things to your honey---cuz your breath with be FRESH!! Michelle---sorry the soccer did not go great, but glad you had a safe trip!!! Suzie---a pool!! How fun!! I was terrible at the upkeep on a hot tub---I know a pool is beyond me!!! Denise---glad you got your card, and hope your day was a great one. Laura---your Mom was lost without your Dad--that is sweet though! Go to the Dr. you may have asthma kicking up due to the illness. Lunasa-glad you come by again!!! Keep it up! I like the sounds of the Dr. he seemed very intuitive! Glad you are working it again! Pamela---It looks like Rick and I might be going to see his buddy in Fresno---sometime this summer! I will be in touch before then of course....probably every single stinking day!!! LOL Anyway I was excited at the thought!!! I was teasing him.....ok I told him, drop me at Pamela's on your way!! I like his friend, but he is single, and if his kids are with him for any of the time, it seems they think I am the entertainment!!! Although his DD is entering teens now, so they may think I am too old to bother! LOL Jane---did your customers show up??? I love the Viagra story. My neighbor is a goofball kind of old man, he popped off the other day about wanting to just once have to call a Dr. for a Cialis overdose before he died....and walked off muttering about 4 hours! HE was talking to Rick and Spence another neighbor---not me! I was just within ear shot! Gina---Where ya been at girl??? Today we got all my FIL's cows branded! Rick and I did it all by ourselves! Lenny helped us round 'em up, and herd them into the corral---but sending them through the chute, squeezing them, branding them, innoculating them, powdering them---we did all the rest on our own! It is a job for 4-5 people. 2-3 on the chute and 2-3 in the corral. I operated the chute ON MY OWN! Rick ran them in to me--I would lock in their heads, and drop the back gate,and squeeze them. He would come out of the corral, squeeze them a bit tighter, and grab the brand. Then I held onto the squeeze bar for all I was worth while he burned 'em. I'll tell ya one thing, I was more effective at that job, a hundred pounds ago!!! Those damn cows toss me like a fish out of water now!!! I would be hanging from the bar---literally putting every ounce of me into it, and they would be bouncing me all over the place! My arms are SORE!!!!!!!!!!! Mouth is not much change--sore, teeth go in for a couple hours, then out for a couple hours. I am trying. Will be going to the dentist again Mon, or Tues. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that this is my week for good news from the insurance on my TT!!! OK--caught up---this is the last of my book!!! The End Kat

Many reputable Mexican surgeons, DO require you to have aftercare plans. My surgeon offered lifetime fills through him, in Mexico, when he knew I was not feeling that would be feasible, he spoke with a more local surgeon who I was planning on using to do my fills---and he thought he too was too far away. I am in a rural area of New Mexico, and there are no band surgeons here--so the closest at the time was 6 hours away. The MX surgeon thought that still too much of a distance, and had me make plans with a local Dr, for emergency care. I made an appointment, at my own expense (although they ended up not charging for the appointment---I was prepared to pay it out of pocket) with my former oncologist, since his office was used to accessing ports. He agreed, and spoke with the surgeons involved. All of this was set up prior to a surgery date being set, prior to a single penny being paid. There used to be a Dr., a surgeon doing lap bands out of Albuquerquw NM---which is 3.5 hours, but would have been closer--but he had his license removed----for malpractice reasons, as well as insurance fraud---from what I understood.....and he was inside the US of A. It is OUR body they are opening up and working on--it is OUR responsibilty to make an educated decision regarding who is doing it, and what your plans are for follow up care. Years ago, my DH and I lived out of the US for work purposes----I would not have had an option if I had required surgery ---such as appendix, or gall bladder, back then. We do not all live or have access to the few big WLS centers. I can only wish!!! Kat

Eileenie--- feel better!!! You poor thing. Best advice I can give you is---TUCKS! Sorry Hon! Sherry---I know it makes your workload crazy--but DO NOT let them work you to death! I cannot believe they just keep adding to your list of work, and nothing is changing--but it getting worse! Poor you!!! My mouth is semi-better. The socket is slowly healing, and the partial is less painful than in the beginning, it is still not something I can do more than a couple hours running. We took off yesterday, and went to Albuquerque---which is 185 miles away. We hit a couple of casinos and we went to a Motorcycle Expo show, and we went to the Body Human exhibit---where they have several bodies on display in different manners, showing the entire skeletal make up, circulatory systems, all the organs---muscles, tendons---incredible, they are preserved through a form called plastication. They had healthy organs, as well as diseased on display. Had a human head, sliced in 1/2 inch wedges, so you could see it like an MRI, in person, and then one done up and down, so there was a slice that showed the shoulder, another with segments of heart, and stomach.....absolutely amazing!!!! Very graphic, nude human form---but so detailed! We are totally incredible us humans!!! Today, we spent the mid part of the day branding cows--------my FIL is selling off all of his, and we are getting rid of last seasons calves....waiting to start calfing again. Still no word from insurance on my surgery.....keep thinking I will call this week! Not sure I have nerve---I want them to approve it soooo bad!!! Well just wanted to touch base----miss you guys!!! Jessica--when is it you are leaving? Pat--how's the healing? And the son/BFHIL (my own new acronym for B*#ch From Hell In Law!!)? Check in girls----monkeys are gonna be working over time, Cindy? Betty? Heeeellllloooooooo???? Kat

We are home, just went and grabbed some Chinese here in town---it is quick, cheap, yummy & easy!!! I eat a spoonful of rice, and a spoon of whatever entree we decide on, and I am done---it takes VERY little chinese to fill me up fast, but I have to eat it VERY slow!!! I eat maybe 1/8th of what Rick does, and we usually have either some crab rangoon or he has soup----and he still beats me by a good 10-15 minutes!!!! I will lose it if I do not eat it super slow, and chew like crazy!!! I will be back to click the link for Kinsey on Monday Pamela! She has mastered the mouse movement in and of itself----she does a coloring program, and she has some games, most of which are beyond her at this point, but she has a couple she loves! One she is making cakes, she has to make it like the picture, it can be round, square or heart shaped, chocolate, vanilla or strawberry, and can have any of the same variety of frosting. So this customer comes in, and orders a cake----and it shows a picture, and she has to manuever her mouse around to get the right cake baked....shape and colors. She is not going to win any speed records with it yet, but she has it figured out!!! And she has one that just makes a pattern, and she has to complete it...green dot, red square, green dot....and she has to find what goes next. She just gets really bored with that quickly! She likes the cake game the most so far. I hope there is a lot she can do on that site, I love watching her succeed, it is such pure joy! Well...think I will go play a couple of games and go to bed. Will check in when we get back tomorrow night if it isn't too late, if so, will see you Sunday morning! Hope it is a fun trip. It kind of ended up differently than I planned, but Becky and Gary are going with us. I love them, was secretly looking forward to alone time with Rick----but how do you say NO when they say they wanna go too!!! They are needing to get away, they have been fighting like crazy----so it will be ok. Talk to you when we get back! Hugs! Kat

Nah----you will just be one of us answering the question over, and over, and over....and thinking to yourself, that you sure are glad you explain it more than you experience it!!! LOL Kat

Sarah...DD is Darling, Dear, Damn, Doofus, Ditzy....Daughter---you pick!!!!! Same with DH=Dear husband......DW=Darling Wife..... It all depends on the mood!!!!! Kat

I had a nephew by marriage who was blind, due to issues with juvenile diabetes, he went blind at a very young age. We used to take Dave to Elitches Gardens---a Six Flags Amusement Park in Denver where he lives, he was sooo much fun, he loved making the ride attendants freak out, by screaming before we even moved or anything. He was the best fisherman I have ever known---he told my son it was because he could hear the fish coming, and when he was young, he believed him! We lost Dave to his diabetes, a little over 2 years ago. He taught me a lot---and was just like you in his willingness to share what he obviously knew a lot about! Finding you here with the same attitude, brought a fond smile----miss that prankster something fierce!!! Hope all goes well with your goal of being banded!!! Kat

It still seems to me, that those non payers and the ridiculous amount of overbilling is what is causing my insurance premiums to go up, and them to cover less. There are people in my husbands company who choose not to buy the insurance that the company offers, and when they need a Dr. they hit the county hospital ER, where they cannot be sent away----and those of us who opt to pay the outreageous premiums each paycheck, just pay their way too! Not sure what the "right" way is, but our insurance and medical system is in shambles!!! BCBS and I went round and round until I finally opted to self pay----and I spent just over $7K in Mexico, by the time I spent my out of pocket maximum, which they would have required, I was only out about 4 thousand bucks--was well worth not waiting another year-----but that is what they wanted me to do! Pay it myself, and continue to pay my monthly premiums!!! Kat

There is also a lot of hormonal changes going on with the weight loss, that leave you with emotions similar to an ongoing PMS---until your body rebalances. Fat cells hold estrogen, and it dumps into your system as you lose weight. When you cannot deal with the PMS feelings, by eating as we always did....hello depression! Sorry you are getting hit with it. Can you honestly say before surgery you never looked in the mirror and ask yourself what you did to your body--letting it get so big??? If you had required a c-section you would not kick yourself for a scar. Well you don't have a scar from trying to help your child live, you have a few very minor ones, from trying to help yourself live a healthier, happier, longer life. Are you exercising yet? Sometimes that helps when depression hits. Feel free to say ANYTHING here that you are feeling. If you are feeling it, it is not wrong. It simply is what it is....and we can do our best to try to help that way. Hang in there, you are off to a wonderful start-------35 pounds GONE!!!! Next time you go to the store, walk over and try to pick up 7 -- 5lb bags of potatoes, and see what you have dropped already! Kat

My cousin got irritable with me when discussing why I went with the band as opposed to the bypass. One of my reasons was not cutting my innards!! She told me---as I figure she talks to her students---like she knows MUCH, MUCH more (not a teacher statement---a cousin statement!). "Well, Kathy, now think about it, if this is a band as you have described it, and it is circular, your intestines nor your stomach has openings for it, your intestines must have been cut somewhere for the round, hoop shaped, band to slide on." I told her in the same condescending voice, that No it goes in flat, and is then circled around the upper portion of the stomach and is set into place with a buckle type of fastener. She decided then and there that is the weak link, that is what is going to make the band fail, it will pop back open when you gain too much weight! That talk was over 100 pounds ago--and my band has never been mentioned again! She and her Mom---both much bigger than me now--------avoid the subject! Kat

Click on the forum Lap Band Surgery FAQ and References--in it, one of the Sticky's in Abbreviations and what they mean--------it will help a lot! Kat

To BUMP a thread just means to post in the thread----so that it brings it back up on the front line again. Some areas of LBT move pretty fast, and people can miss a question, so if you "bump" it you're getting it back up there so someone may see it this time, or to bring a subject back to the forefront. There is a thread, with all of the acronyms on it....I will look and see if I can find where---it explains a lot of the other initials people use. Kat

I agree---decide what you DO like to do, and incorporate it in. If you like music, dance in the privacy of your own home. If you like to shop, do your walking in the local mall. I listen to books either on the Ipod, or on disc, and only allow myself to listen while I either walk on the treadmill, or the elliptical--I actually find myself going beyond my planned workout so I can finish up what is happening in the book!!! They have a wide selection at our local library. It gets easier and you find yourself feeling better, and that in itself is addictive. I know you don't believe it now----I didn't then either!!! Kat

When it comes to me, you are preachin' to the choir!!! I SOOOOO understand where you are coming from!!! I am just wanting to hear from my insurance! I am calling next week, so knowing that has let me relax a little-----unitl the mail comes, then I get all antsy----just to find I AM APPROVED, for 3 more credit cards, and a car loan to boot! But not a single thing from insurance!!!! Keep thinking, not hearing is better than a denial! Wait.....maybe it is me in denial....what would be new about that???? Hang in there Steph, maybe you will get a cancellation appointment, I got my first one moved up that way, she said they are quite common, sometimes it takes people scheduling them a few times before they get the actual nerve up to come in--------not me I was right there for all of my consults-I am READY!! Just like you! God......grant us patience....but please HURRY!!!11 Kat

You aren't joking we play head games with ourselves!! I thought to myself as I read your post....well of course they will notice Jane---you have lost over 100 pounds! I was going to look at the exact amount, and comment. When it hit me, we have lost the same amount of weight, and I am still unsure and kind of surprised when people DO notice, and kind of disappointed, and unsure, when they don't.....unsure of myself being the one continuum there......lol! Well we took the grandkids to see Horton Hears a Who. Rick was not thrilled, but you would never know it! He sat there, and within a few minutes, Kinsey was snuggled up in his lap, and they shared popcorn, and gummy worms, and he helped her understand what was going on....the whole idea of it being 2 worlds was a bit confusing for her---so he explained the WHO's lived on the speck. Now she wants a speck, and she assured us she would not let her dogs eat it! Needless to say, he is glad he went! It was that, or he was feeling guilted into going and helping his Dad some more, and he didn't want to do that, it is windy bad here today, gusting 35-45 mph.....yuck! Kinsey and I both sported wind proof hairstyles today....hello ponytails! Not sure what the plan is for the evening....think our son may come over and we were going to grill, but the weather is uncooperative. DIL and grandson went to Arizona to see her folks. So he is alone, maybe we will figure something to cook indoors!! Rick probably ate enough popcorn not to want much! I used my newest diet aid....formerly known as the torture device!!! It is extremely painful to eat with it. So.....I wore it in....did not take a purse of course....so I was stuck with it, and therefore unable to eat popcorn. If I had been given this thing years ago, I might not have gotten fat!!! Yeah right!!!!!! Gonna go look through my email, see what's goin' on------what is on the agenda for everyone this weekend??? We are leaving about 7 in the morning for Albq. Should be fun! TTYL~~ Kat

The toilet story I read in the paper this morning, said he gave her clean clothes, and food in and she was not in one position the entire time, but had sores on her that had adhered her to the seat, and that the stench in the home was horrid, eminating from the bathroom....and her. Both are believed to be mentally challenged----gee ya think??? Well.....looks like a windy day! We are wanting to go motorcycle riding. Might end up Becky & I taking the kids to the movie instead! I would like to take Kinsey....I guess Lindzie is going on a school field trip to see it Monday and has been rubbing it in! I mentioned to Becky waiting til mid week---definitely do not want to go if entire classes are going to be there....LOL! It is gonna be all kids anyway--but classes full----no thanks! Hate to take Kinsey before Lindzie gets to go, but.....dunno what we will do. So I forgot to tell you about the dream I had! I dreamt that I got my approval, but they would not pay for disposal, so the surgeon explained to me, that I would have to make my own arrangements for disposal of the removed tissue and residual fat! So I am sitting up in bed, admiring myself (seriously!!) and in they walk with a zip lock bag marked Hazardous Waste! It is not a small bag by the way!!! And it had been frozen! So here is this huge slab of me handed over in a bag!! Rick picks it up and he says "Wow! woman--this was a lot of weight they took off!" We looked at it---and oohed and ahhed and we were laughing,I was in amazing shape and moving....like nothing had happened!! Then everything had changed and we were in Lenny's new house.....go figure, I hope this does not take as long as it is going to take to get his house built! He is talking 2 years! I am also hoping not to have a frozen Katsicle to carry out of the hospital!!! LOL Well they just called and moved my blood donation up to 10:20----so I have to hit the shower and get ready. I WILL be exiting the bathroom---no need to hold our bash in my bathroom! Oh Terry---Shelley is 41-42, and Marci would be 35 ish. She was in my first group of HS volunteer readers....and as hard as it is to believe it happen that many years ago---it did!!! Now Marci is an assistant with the childrens advocate part of CYFD---a state organization. And Shelley does title work for several local real estate bunches. Marci is talking about staying home now! Wild! Happy for them, I think they are all pretty used to explaining and adjusting the kids with their different lifestyle from the norm---around this redneck country, so will be able to make this work without some of the issues that come immediately to mind. Hope it all works wonderfully for them! Ok off to the showers! Kat

Welcome to bandland!!!! That is too bad your surgeon and his staff were so alloof. Kind of makes you feel like just another $$$ and that was all that mattered! Be sure to get your rest, but walk lots, and keep sipping! Sounds like you are doing great! Hard to say where your port is, they put them all over!!! It could be the gas causing the pain and residual swelling.....no way to know at this point---where are your incisions?? That should give you a general idea.... Hope your recovery continues to be easy and pain free!! Kat

Yeah----her skin had literally grown to the seat!!! Too wierd.....her bf took her meals to her in there!!! I thought that was totally whacked! We just went to Chili's---shared some fajitas with Rick---beef, chicken and shrimp. Had some veggies, and meat...a bit of cheese, sour cream, and was a happy camper, left the tortillas for him! Becky and I are talking about taking the grandkids to see Horton hears a Who tomorrow....the guys are not on board!! Still no insurance news in my mail today. Think I will give it til next week, and call my insurance company....one of those things I am almost scared to hear the answer. I know if they go by their own guidelines and take my Dr. at his word, it is a covered condition if medically necessary---but they live for loopholes as we know! Saw my dentist again today. He adjusted things a bit more. He does not want to get carried away --- slowly letting the swelling go away, and working with it every few days. I actually wore it all night, and through til dinner tonight! So....it is getting better. Don't know that I can ever eat with the dang thing tho! I have this friend Marci, she used to work with me when I had the day care center---she and her partner, Shelley have been together now for 7 years. Shelley has 3 kids, they are all on their own now---well the youngest I think lives with her Dad. They recently---5 months ago or so, found out that her 17 year old DD was pregnant. She told me today, they are delivering the baby Tuesday by C section, and she and Shelley are raising the baby. Shayla, the DD is in an alternative HS now, but is planning on going on to college, and was considering adoption, instead her Mom and Marci are going to raise the baby----Marci is on cloud 9!!! So I need to go tomorrow and find a baby gift! Well I think Rick is finally ready to go to bed! He has been watching a Drew Carey comedy special from Iraq. Drew Carey is taking over for all the old Bobs!!! He is doing a USO kind of tour, like Bob Hope....and doing The Price is Right, like Bob Barker!!! LOL---better than sitting on a toilet for 2 years eh??? Talk to y'all tomorrow! Nighty night! Kat

When those cravings hit---you did the right thing---come to people who have been there before! I used to come here, vent, and then cruise the before and after pics, until I got it back in my head what I was doing this for!!! I don't know how people do this without LBT!!! Good job.....keep up the good work! Kat

I'm glad you got it checked, and found what it was! Hope it heals quickly and without much pain!! Kat

Wonder what the stats are for obese women dying of a sudden heart attack, or stroke????? Bet they are not much different. If it would ease your mind, write a letter to be given to your DD in the event something happens, in it tell her you had the surgery wanting to better your life, to live it more fully with her......tell her what you would want her to know----and then when you come home, safe and sound you can Celebrate by burning the letter!!! Kat

hatmama--I too lost mine due to chemo---I lost it all....hair, eyelashes, all of it. It happened suddenly, and there was little need to shave it, within a couple of days it was mostly gone---the remainder we used duct tape and pulled! Sounds painful...I don't remember it being, but honestly I was in such a state of shock...it is hard to say for sure. Now when I lost it, I lost lighter blonde, stick straight hair. It grew back in darker, and curly!!! And I am not nearly as hairy as I was before. My arms, etc....pubic hair....most of that did not grow back! My hair thinned drastically with banding. Not sure if it was because I was predisposed to losing it or what? It began about 4 months out---and lasted til about 11 months out, when it quit falling out and began regrowing! I tried all the biotin, and nioxin shampoo, Folicure shampoo....all kinds of diet issues, my protein stayed high, I added special fats....not sure what the issue is??? I recently had to have my thyroid mostly removed----in November, and I am now dealing with hair loss again! So it is surgically related for me. Hoping for a TT in the next month, get all this damn surgery over, and let my hair be for awhile!!!! I can't explain it---I can say it will stop---and it will grow back! Kat

My belly is similar, but I have more hang.....and I have the whole FUPA thing goin' on, he explained what and how he would address that, which was one of the deciding factors between the 2 surgeons I had narrowed it down to.....I am calling next week. I hit the mailbox each day holding my breath! If they are going to turn me down, I want to know that oo--------just something!!!! Thanks for the timeline!!! Kat