Kat817

Walmart IS bad, but today, we had to go to the local Mall for some cell phone business. It was just as bad---worse in some ways. It was an assault on my senses... My DH got hurt at work day before yesterday, so he is not walking real well, so the closest place to enter the mall for the cell kiosk---was through Dillards. We walked in, and my sinuses immediately stuffed up---all the perfumes and aftershaves all mingling and SOOOOO strong---it was horrid! We get out, and have to stand next to a skate shop with music blaring---- The stinking fluorescent lights, are horrid in this mall---so even my eyes hurt! And you could not take a step with out some stupid little pre teen trying to roll over you on their heelies. I thought that fad was over---it is making a resurgance here. We got the phone dealt with, and DH said Let's walk down and have some lunch and a beer. We got 1/4 of the way there, and I just stopped and said I wanted the hell outta there!!! We come home, where it is quiet, the lights nor the music bothers me, and there are no brats trying to run me over. Plus the only perfume I have to smell would be my own....one single sparingly applied scent!!! The mall has nothing on Walmart....or visa versa! I must have been having a cranky day. I seriously wanted to trip one of the kids trying to run me down!!! I could picture sliding something under those wheels and watching them faceplant it in the mall with all their equally rude little buddies watching them!! Good thing I come home, before I ended up a story here!!! Kat

We have been out to dinner, then sitting around here, trying to get my phone back to something I want it to be when it rings---my DD got ahold of it....heaven help me!! Rick is watching 3:10 to Yuma....I am piddling, I read, then played with the phone, and now am here....need to clean, but don't wanna!!! Actually sitting here thinking---I want something sweet to eat!!! I have things I could eat----but I want something decadent!! Oh well, this too shall pass!!! Will check on all of you tomorrow!!! Kat

I'm sure you are talking to BK---but I will answer it from my perspective. I was able to lose some weight, and once I even lost 60 pounds with Atkins. BUT could I keep it off, or could I have lost over 100 pounds? Nope, I tried, and did everything I could. I counted calories, and carbs, and fat grams. I was so heavy, that I was unable to do much as far as exercise goes.... The band has been a blessing in so many ways!!! It put me in control again. I can control how much I eat, and be satisfied with it! I can control the cravings and urges to eat anything and everything...because it controls my hunger. I have recently had other surgery, so have not been doing much work with my band, have just levelled off--and it is allowing me to maintain, without any regaining of the weight! I was so thrilled to find that out! I had wondered about maintaining after the loss, I see now it is going to be a non issue! As the weight has come off, I find myself looking forward to physical activity, which seems so abnormal for me!!! I had turned into a real slug! Now I enjoy being out and doing things, I no longer feel like everyone is looking at me because of my size and trying to do things. I can shop in the Misses section of any store now---and not get looks like I am going to burst every seam! I tried dieting, and exercising to the best of my ability. But no matter if I met with some success during the diet -- it never lasted and it never stayed off. Studies have been shown that it is quite common, that something like only 5% of people who lose a significant amount of weight keep it off for 5 years. If I could have done it on my own, I would never have gotten to almost 300 pounds....I tried diet and exercise from 180 on up..... I LOVE my band!!!! Welcome to LBT! Kat

Sherry, my DD's had parakeets growing up. Manda had a blue & white one named Jo Jo....and Abbey had a blue/gree/yellow one named Confetti. Damn things bite! If it escapes....throw a towel (weight dependent upon how much you like the bird at the time.....) over it, then pick it up and deposit it back in its cage!!! Have fun! Kat

LMAO---Eileenie, that made a visual of Pat, I had never expected to have!!!! You crack me up!!! You too Pat! No hanky panky for me, Rick got hurt! Not my fault! But seriously hurt. He was on top on an iron truck ( the truck that hauls the pipe to a location) training a couple of guys, and one was opening a valve, and he thought it would be tight, so he really threw his weight into opening it, and when it give so easy, he lost his balance, and fell into Rick. Who was knocked backwards---off a semi trailer. He tried to catch himself, but instead hit the hinged rack....butt first. An inch difference in direction could have permanently altered his life! He has a divot of his right butt cheek down low just gone. Scooped out by the pipe he hit. An inch further forward, and he likely would have ripped the boys off. An inch towards the center....ay yi yi---you get the picture. He is black from bruising, all the way from front to back and the entire butt cheek. He finally saw a Dr. this morning, I was worried about blood clots with his recent bleed issues. The Dr. said "OUCH" Not much we can do, double your baby aspirin, and it should be ok. He said the nerve damage Rick thinks it caused is likely from the swelling. OMG I cannot tell you how painful it looks! BUT if he had hit the cement on his head, or the pipe on his head, or across his back....any number of things it could have been much worse. As it is----he is at work right now! Not for long---but he is still there! Mr tough guy.....more like Mr dummy!!:thumbdown: In regards to your question Pat---I usually gargle with salt water, or Listerine, several times a day. The childrens Mucinex helped with the congestion.....hope you feel better!!! Kat

Pamela, I do a similar dish, the biggest difference is that I use the chicken tenders, and I cook them in a bit of olive oil, and season them up with garlic powder, season salt, etc. So then when they are done, I remove them, and use the seasoned oil remaining in the pan for mixing in my flour. I DO add the chilies!!! To everything doncha know!! Then the topping I sprinkle on top is a mix of bread crumbsm crushed fried onions (like you use on green bean casserole) and parmesan cheese. I have never used any mustard. It IS good, I haven't made any in awhile---kinda forgot about it I guess, I tend to do that!! Tonight if we don't go out, Rick wants tacos. Depends on how he is a sittin'!!! Will be back in awhile.... Kat

I have no stats for you, I know of people on here who say they have no idea why they slipped, but most of them are well out from surgery---none I know of within mere days or weeks of surgery. It is my understanding that the biggest culprits in slippage, are recurrant vomiting--or strenuous PB's, and repeated overeating which causes the stomach to stretch above the band. When they placed your band they put a few stitches in place to hold it for now. Those stitches will not provide enough stability when you begin eating however. You are on liquids while the body begins building scar tissue, or adhesions, to hold the band snuggly in it's place. That is why it is SO important to stick to your post op diet. Eating food, makes your stomach churn and knead as it breaks the food down and begins digestion...when the stomach moves like that the adhesions do not get a chance to properly form and heal. You may be completely healed up on the outside, but inside your body is moist, and the tissue different from skin, and it requires that time for healing. So babying your stomach, not putting undo amounts into it, and waiting for the Dr.'s ok to actually eat food, is simply giving you a good start with your band. I cannot imagine belching would cause you to slip your band---but I would not gulp air to force it either---let your stomach rest. Congrats on your recent banding, and welcome to LBT!!! Kat

Good morning Violets~ I slept in, read the paper, and here I am!! I actually have Kinsey for a short while this morning I think. I either will keep her here, or ride to Durango with her and Manda and keep her occupied while Manda has her treatment with the chiropractor. Wrist feels much better, going to continue to baby it for a couple of days....but much better! Rick on the other hand is not better. He was showing a couple of new hires how to open some valves on top of this iron truck---the truck that hauls the pipe to locations---and one of them he figures thought it would be really tight, and put his weight into it, and when it gave to easy, he fell forward---into Rick. Which was going to send him free falling backwards---he lurched forward to try to fall better, but the open side hinge caught him. He "landed" on a pipe. Butt first. Girls he is hurt! 1 inch in a couple of directions, and his entire life could have been altered! It got him in the right butt cheek, way low....an inch forward and he would have literally ripped the boys off! An in further towards the center....you get the idea. Well it took a HUGE divot out of him. About 3/4 of an inch deep, and an inch wide, it just scooped out the skin, tissue--everything! He bled all over everything. So by last night, he is black --seriously bruised! His entire butt cheek, forward the boys look like they belong on a different man! His thigh----all of it! Well with his blood history we are concerned with clotting---so he is off to the Dr. this morning. I offered to go....he declined the offer! He says it hurts when he first sits down or first stands up, but otherwise he is ok, he is just concerned with getting a PT check done, and see if the bruising is bad because his blood is too thin--or whether he is too thick which is what the United Blood Services lady thought---so it is best to check it out. Poor guy! I know there is a Violet wide cringe going on!!! Well Kinsey is on her way! Tracy, did they ever give Macy any antibiotics? You might take her in to get a round if she is getting a secondary infection, although with ear infections anymore, they let it run it's course with no antibiotics.... Speaking of ears, has anyone heard of ear candles? Can you explain them to me??? Girl is here----BBL~~ Kat

I's dint says nuttin about that there grammer stuff----youse guys just leave me outta it! Kat

You know Mandy, arguements can be made for each side, and I am sure when you are living it, your way feels right....but I too married young, and had Manda when I was young----but now, when I look back, I am so glad I did! I have friends my age, dealing with young kids, and I know what they have ahead of them. No matter how good a kid is, there is a certain amount of rebellion they have to go through....and I know all of that is behind me!!! I am young enough I am enjoying the grandbabies 100%! And when Rick and I have time off, we can go and do things together, totally enjoy one another. We love our together time! I look at how your life is evolving, and think back over what I have done an accomplished in the last 17 years, and it literally brings tears to my eyes. I can remember sitting on a brown fake leather couch on the morning of my 30th birthday wondering what in heavens name I was going to do??? I was scared, and alone and had nothing....I mean nothing! I had 3 boxes of stuff---things I had packed and left at my Moms, for her to give to Manda if something happened to me, and that, and the suitcase of clothes we flew home with was all we had. I did not marry a wealthy man, in Rick, but together we went on to build one helluva life!!! The years between were tough ones, but they made me strong! My point being, I may be 47---but I do not feel old! If I could overcome that, and go from that point to where I am today---girl you can do anything!!! You are starting at 30 damn near where I am at 47! Imagine the strides your life is going to take! The possibilities are endless! It is not a race to win----you just keep running---you will get your certification, and you will have years of students who remember you as their favorite wild tattooed teacher!!! You are 30 and simply a few pounds from goal----I was 30, and just starting to get fat! I ballooned from there, and spent the next decade and a half huge! Take those baths, read the books, roll on the floor giggling with your daughter----they are the things you do to make the life you are leading enjoyable. Find a free evening or morning here or there and have coffee with your husband---make time for yourself....you are not in a hurry to get somewhere----you ARE somewhere, now enjoy it, and keep moving forward. I admire the spunk, and the drive you have, and the braveness you face Abi's issues with....not to mention not only have you sat still for all those tattoos you have even given them to others!!! OUCH!!!!! 30 hit my best friend hard, 40 hit her hard....and she is staring down the barrel at 50, just like me, and she is already stressing it!! Just wanted you to know, some of us think you already HAVE it together!!! Happy Birthday!!! Kat

We have a place in Texas, I would consider central----a little town called Comanche....near Brownwood, or Stephenville. We keep talking about riding down one of our trips, but no matter when we go, we have work to do, so need the truck!!! Kat

I don't "get" the corrolation of wanting to look your best, to fooling ourselves. I mean, I can only speak for myself, and I know fully well that I am not 125 lbs and 20 years old anymore. So am I supposed to not try to look nice anymore? Is putting make up on and doing my hair, not accepting myself getting older each day? Standing up straight, and smiling, and turning a shoulder towards the camera is the same idea....I don't do it expecting anyone to suddenly see me 30 pounds slimmer! It has been mentioned hundreds of times over on the actual before and after thread, that the after pictures, people look half their before age. Many of us were ashamed of what we had allowed ourselves to become and as a result there were few pictures of us, and the ones we do have, are seldom flattering! We see a new us emerging, and feel pride in our accomplishments---and are no longer hiding from every camera. Then again, maybe I just prefer living in a way that I CAN fool myself!!! Kat

Pamela, glad you are back! Ended up being kinda a yucky day here. The weather was nice for a change, and so I decided to take Kinsey for a ride in the sun. We rode randomly over my Uncle's property, I usually ride the river, but it is considerably cooler---so we just wandered, saw a couple of deer, just looked at the snow, etc. She fell asleep coming back in, so I pulled the car up next to the barn, put her in her car seat, and let her sleep while I did some grooming. I think my cousin is right, the colt has vision issues, she threw her head into me, hurt my wrist---bad! Typing is not fun! I can't figure out what the vision difference is, but usually a horse only throws its head back to look at something directly in front of it...and she tosses it when you are in her peripheral vision, and yet other times, she sees you without issue----I think she has (my VERY uneducated thoughts) like a floater or something she thinks she sees out front, sometimes when she knows you are next to her--so when she is seeing binocularly, she thinks she sees something in the monocular vision, and tosses to try to focus it too. I don't know, I just know she got me, she flipped my wrist all the way backwards. Took my breath away, and almost made me pee my pants! Hoping rest will ease it. Denise, congrats on the new house plan!!! Every now and then we think about buying something bigger, the family continues to grow and the house doesn't....but something about this one being paid off keeps stopping us!!! Our original plan is to build out on our property in about 5 years or so, when Rick retires. Sounds horrible I know, but we realize we cannot do it while his parents are able bodied so to speak. They own the adjoining property, and they would have Rick hooked up working 24/7. They have no issue with expecting him to wait on them....he sees it, he knows it is not the time now. Which is sad, it would be nice to be able to check on them easily, and be near our livestock---but he knows we can't. If we stop in to visit on a day off--his Dad will put him on chore after chore after chore. He will not sit down and visit with Rick, nor will he often even stay where he is working, he has been known to come in and nap, leaving him working! So we don't ever stop by anymore until later in the evening. When Rick gets his fill and says no more, he is on a day off---he gets the pouty treatment from them, and the siblings get an earful, about it----but I notice they stay the heck away too!!! I hope you find a perfect house for you with room for a big nursery!!! Jane, any news from your friends involved/witnessing-- the shooting? Well girls I am off to bed soon, need to make Rick's coffee pot, and junk then calling it a night. He got hurt at work, and is not doing great tonight, so better go check on him, we are quite the team today! Night~~ Kat

Awww Betty I am so sorry about your Uncle---my heart goes out to you, losing someone you love is never easy...no matter what. Big hugs to you, and I am sure he knew how lucky he was to have a niece like you to love him. Patty good to see you, was just wondering about you!!! Glad life is being kind to you now!!! You deserve it! *****HAPPY BIRTHDAY***** Hope you had a wonderful day....you are very special, and deserve the very best!! Mandy---I told Pat, our ENT recommended Rick try the Tea Tree Oil for his constant and recurrent sinus infections, and pain even when infection was not present. He told us to get a bottle of nasal saline spray---and add 3 drops of tea tree oil, and for Rick to use 2 sprays per nostril morning and night. He has been infection free, and pain free ever since. We have made several bottles since, and have both Dads using it as well!!! I turned 30 during a dark time of my life! I was living in abject fear...had well over 60 stitches healing on my body---and a husband on the loose with the intent to kill me. So....I had a few things on my mind! I have to be honest, my biggest issue with the day was that my headstone would have birthdate 08/17.....date of death 08/17....sad but true! That was 17 years ago---and I celebrate birthdays now, I appreciate them! I earn them! Chin up Hon, I am here to tell you life could be so bad! You have a loving husband, and a beautiful daughter, a new job, a new exciting position in your neighborhood. What I would not have given to have had my life so together at 30!! Spoil yourself....it is your day! Will try to get back and finish personals---Sherry, Eileenie, Dianne, Chrispy, Pat----all of you, I think of you often....Hugs~~ Kat

Back over 2 years ago when I began my pursuit of the band, I chose a surgeon, and began the process. Due to crap with my insurance ( I was 10 1/2 months into a 12 month supervised program when I was involved in a car accident, and it interupted my visits, they were going to require everything to be started over---it must be consecutive months---bunch of BS), I ended up opting to go self pay. By that time, I had met with my intended surgeon, and had hoped to use him anyway. His price was way beyond my ability to justify depleting our savings. When I discussed this with him, he directed me to the Dr.'s who proctored him....in Mexico. He is doing my follow up care. Even with that, the surgeon who did my surgery was not satisfied that even he was close enough and had me make local arrangements if I were to need an emergency unfill, so I did....my surgeon, my follow up care and the local Dr. all spoke. I have a surgeon here----he has done my fills, does my visits, checking on me since my surgery. I have only required 2 fills, I have seen maybe a dozen times. He is 6 hours away one direction. I am in a rural area, and he is the closest surgeon to me, that does lap band. Due to the distance, I do not have support meetings, either dietary nor psychological. I do have him on the other end of a phone ANY time I have called day or night. They have told me anytime I need just get in the car, and he will see me when I get there. I agree the scenario you present would be for the best....but it is not always an option. Making a realistic plan for aftercare is a MUST! But, to say that going out of the country will cost her in the long run is just not proven. I could often times catch a flight to my original surgeon for what the cost of gas is to make my 12 hour drive....BUT the Dr/Surgeon I use for fills has done my follow up, and I continue with him, as he knows ME. MANY US surgeons do not ever see their patients once they place the band. PA's do follow up and fills. Read around, there are issues with seeing some Dr.'s or getting timely appointments. It is not simply an issue of where the Dr. is located it is also an issue of who the Dr. is. Simply because some of us chose an out of the country Surgeon does not mean we do not have proper follow up. Preparation, and research can make most things possible if you are willing to do the work to make it happen. I feel my lap band has been a great success. I am getting close to my goal weight, I am off of all my former prescription medications, I feel wonderful! I am able to eat all foods in moderation, and the weight loss has allowed me to be active again. In the end I did not have surgery the way I originally envisioned it. Instead circumstances forced me to look into other options---and I am forever grateful I did! I got my life back! Like you, I do not intend this to be a war of words---I have been around LBT awhile now, and I am not one to argue every little statement. I just wanted to let the OP know my experience was not that aftercare was not available to Mexican banded patients. Your surgery and your aftercare will be what you set them up to be, being prepared, however you do it is the biggie! Kat

My neighbor has similar issues to what Wendy's husband has, she has serious disabilities, although not readily visible. She parked -y'all are gonna love this--at Walmart, and a man and woman began screaming at her about parking in handicap spaces, she showed them her placard as she hung it on her mirror, and they kept on---telling her how morons like her kept handicapped people from being able to get to the stores. She said the man was really big, but other than being old, she could not openly "see" what made them handicapped either. Well the arguement went back and forth for awhile he kicked her car door, and someone called the cops. Cops come, checked her handicap placard against her Driver License and confirmed she was rightfully parked there. Well the man was still raising hell he wanted to know why she qualified. She said she kept telling him, she had MS, and she also only had 1/2 of one lung, among various other issues, and he was scoffing at it all. So he told the officer he wanted a copy of the report he was going to file a civil complaint against my neighbor. Now mind you he ended up parking in the same space across the aisle--the front end of their cars were nose to nose, so he was not put out of a place by her! So....the cop finally gets him to leave, and everyone goes about their business--she comes out to find something all over her car. She said the smell was horrid, so she went in and called the cops back, and they got the surveillance tapes, and saw the man dumping a bag of something over the car. Well, they knew who he was, he made the big deal of making a report. Ended up, he dumped his colostomy bag all over her car!!! She sued him, he had to pay for her car to be painted--he has been arrested for the same thing since he did that to her, he made the evening news the second time around!!! There are some crazy people out there!!! Kat

As far as the boob issue---hell I figured the tossed one over each shoulder and gave themselves a nice free work area!!! OK, maybe not quite that big, but damn near!! My upper incision was almost centered between them, so without a doubt, the fell out of the way for them!!! As for the catheter issue, I did not have one. I ask specifically, he told me some do, he does not unless he is concerned with time, then one can be inserted at any time. He said if I did not drink after midnight as instructed, and theIV was not started until just before surgery, then he felt it was not worth the infection possibilities of a catheter for such a short surgery. Now each surgeon has his own way of doing things, but not all surgeries with anesthesia require a catheter. I just recently had thyroid surgery, and was not catheterized for it either. I never even ask about it for that surgery---but did remember to ask for my banding. After the fact it was mentioned with my thyroid---and it had not been in and out while I was out. So there is a possibility of having it done without a catheter. I know this has come up in the past too, and some have and others have not had them. These Dr.'s all do things so differently it amazes me!!! Kat

Oh my--Tracy and I must have been posting at the same time--sorry Macy is sick again! Glad this morning is better, but it is so much safer to keep her down a bit that worry about a full blown return of her flu....hugs Tracy! Kat

Sounds very promising Jennifer....I will be sending good thoughts and prayers up for you today, both on the job issue, and that you make it through this rough day. Hugs!! Michelle---I bet you are just vibrating across the floor with excitement!!! Secrets like that would be sooooo hard to keep! Have lots of fun---take lots of pictures! Jane, I feel so bad for your friend, to have sit and watched that happening, and not know if you were next or not, would have been scary as hell!!! Those poor families. My Kinsey is still not feeling well, her poor little nose is raw. I put some diaper rash cream on it! Not sure it will help, but it is something made to not burn when it is in contact with raw skin, it is supposed to create a barrier from the moisture....and help it heal, all things her little nose needs to do. It said external use only, it did not say it could only be applied to baby bottoms! I feel so helpless when she is sick! She is not terribly so, just miserable with a cold, not like Macy with the flu--thank goodness! I felt so bad for you when she was that sick Tracy, I remember those times! Will be back to check on everyone later! Terry---will be thinking of you and Mom today----big, big hugs! Kat

I had a vague idea of what she spoke....it is something I had heard before. I believe it is one of those things my Dad is always trying to throw me with. He is well known for that! I think someone bought him one of those "word of the day" calendars when he was young, and he insists on trying them still to this day!!!! This one at least we could figure it was something to "carry" Crystal Light----he usually leaves me totally in the dark! Kat

Just hearing the news you spoke of Jane...brb How horrible! According to our local news, they don't have a motive yet, but said 2 Police Officers were shot---do you think it had to do with one of them? They went from that to an Albq. story about a news crew riding along when the officers were serving warrants, and a guy tried to avoid being arrested by using his own Grandma for a shield---he was even biting his own Grandma! He had been arrested 22 times before! Terry---yes my ex is still in prison, but not on my attempted murder charges anymore, he has been extradited to Oklahoma to serve a sentence for Armed Robbery, and shooting with the intent to kill. When he attacked me, he left TX. He robbed a small pharmacy, shooting the couple who owned the store. He will be up for parole by my understanding in 2009---but they said his behavior inside, will push that back to probably 2011. I am notified of any time he is moved from one facility to another, or when he comes up for parole, I will be notified. I was when he come up in TX--but it was paperwork only since he was simply being transferred. According to the attorney I spoke with, they are concerned that the elderly couple will not be able to testify if that is an option....it is a mess, one I seriously hope to avoid. By testify, I mean, we have an option to speak to the parole board, or have a statement read on our behalf. It is something I have serious mixed feelings about. I have no idea why he is able to be eligible for release. This is way more than his 3rd serious felony charge---but he seems to always get through the system, he always has according to the officer who flew home with me from SA. Go figure. My face is throbbing, so I am going to hit some Tylenol----and call it a night. I have Kinsey early in the morning...I am hoping she is feeling better...poor baby! My son is getting the royal run around---the company has had one problem after another getting some jobs done, and up and ready for him to set the well heads on---so he is stuck, they have put him off coming home now for another 2 weeks. He has already been gone for over 2 weeks, his little boy is missing him so bad! He hears Ricks voice and gets all excited, they sound so much alike, then he looks so sad when he realizes it isn't his Daddy...I miss him too, I want him to come home. Talk to y'all in the morning! Kat

All this talk about pets combined with the original subject reminded me of my late dog Chelsea. Back many years ago, DH had been hunting, and killed an elk. We had most of it processed, but kept out several pounds to make Jerky out of. I had dried and made jerky out of about 5 lbs of meat. One of my nephews knocked the zip lock off the counter when getting a drink. I heard it, then something else caught my attention, and we left. I come home to find the bag shredded in the kitchen, and no jerky left. You could sit across the room, and hear Chelsea's stomach rumble, and she would let loose with the most foul odor...made you gag! She would lay there a minute, give us the dirtiest look imaginable, like WE were responsible, and she would move off to another area of the room. She chased herself off all night long! It was dead of winter, and she was a house dog--but I was so afraid of what might happen when it really went through her intestines, I locked her in the garage! It took a week to air it out from all the gas that poor dog let loose---good thing she did not ignite with the Water heater pilot!!! Kat

Well I am home, I no longer hurt for now, anywhere but my pocketbook. I ended up with it breaking off down in the root, so the tooth has to go, but has to be removed by an oral surgeon :regular_smile: Not sure if that face fits more due to the fear factor or the cost factor. Then to bridge it is not a good option due to the tooth next to it being filled-----so I will end up with a partial plate for it. It will be like a retainer with a tooth on it. Best option for what I have to work with. I hear ya Laura, my teeth have been worked over, and over again! I did good til my ex, when we married, I had some discoloration from minerals in the water where I was raised, but I did not have so much as a cavity in my head! Now I have spent tens of thousands of $$$ trying to save what I can after him! Oh well, find out tomorrow when the oral surgeon can do it. We did the impressions today so the partial can go right in. Sounds painful to me.... Anyway, I pretreat because I have a heart murmur--had it from day one and it has never worsened, but they require it due to the chambers that are responsible for the leak----it is an aortic leak, so it apparantly makes a difference. Yep the pork chops sound yummy---I was thinking to myself---wow I can go buy a mortar and pestle!!! Then I thought yeah, then I have to store it!!! the grinder will work, same as it works for everything else!!! I put about 1/4 of a slice of bread in the coffee bean grinder, clean it out with the bread, and then grind any kind of spice or whatever in it!! Use another part of the bread to clean up after, and I am good to go! Will try it on a night I can chew! Oh Pamela, so sorry you had that yucky kind of PB! You poor thing! So far I have been able to make it to a bathroom---but I have such loose restriction, I don't have much issue with PB's these days. If my bloodwork comes back good, I might see about a teeny fill before seeing a PS. IF this dental thing does not eat into my look good fund! Hey I could just get the fill, and get really skinny, and let my teeth rot, then they would think I was a druggy! I would fit right in in some places! Terry-how is Mom tonight? Tracy--lucky you in your new Garth T shirt!! Isn't Pamela a sweetie to think of you like that!!! Jenn----you hanging in there? Susanne, is the new fill still keeping the hunger at bay? Judy--do you find yourself looking at Ethan sleeping and thinking "Oh how sweet he is", then in the next thought thinking "Oh my he is really recharging!!" I do with Kinsey....poor girl had such a cough today. She did wonderful with my Dad could have cared less I was leaving, she crawled up in his lap, snuggled in and ignored me! Michelle--it is almost time!!! TracyK--everyone recovering at your house? Maybe getting my tooth out, I will jump start things by doing liquids for a couple of days...not that I will ever catch you again....but I feel so inadequate!! j/k!! Oh I think I will keep my DH---he called and said he was bringing dinner home...what a relief! I did not feel like standing in there, and I had a simple dinner of Shrimp alfredo planned, but it will work tomorrow! Yep, he gets to stay another day!!! Guess I will go brew me some fresh tea to drink tonight--- Hugs all around!! Kat

I am VERY unhappy right now---You know how everything can be going along fine, and something from your past jumps up and bites you in the butt....that happen to me just now! Sitting there reading Kinsey a story on being thankful. My Mom had brought her a bag on M&M's, she kept trying to feed me one, so I was pretending to eat it, and crunch-eating nothing but air, I broke a tooth! My teeth are bad.....we are working on re-doing my bottom teeth, thousands of $$$ later, we are moved on to the bottom. Thanks to my ex husband----many of my teeth were broken or literally knocked out. This one happened to be shattered, and filled, and was apparently weak, and when I made the crunch sound of my teeth together to "pretend eat" for Kinsey I broke it. So when I need someone to watch her when I have her--I have my Mom keep her. BUT my Mom is not available, she is taking her neighbor who is in her 80's----to the dentist!!! How ironic huh? So I put my appointment off until 1--and hopefully Mom will be back by then or soon after. My Dad can normally deal with her no problem, but with her sick---she is wanting extra attention!!! He is so good with her, but he has trouble hearing her, her little voice is in a pitch he is hard of hearing, so she gets Very frustrated with Papa! Especially when her little voice is whiny as it is now! I hate that this tooth did this, I don't want to lose another tooth! And I did not want the expense.... Speaking of whining...I want to whine too! Going for work like this is such a nightmare, I hate having dental work done, and it is double bad, I have to pre treat with antibiotics, and the liquid form is so beyond nasty!!! Then it often upsets my stomach.... Oh well at least I like my dentist, and they like me well enough to work me in today. Better go re read Kinsey's Be thankful book. Wish me luck.... Kat

I wore a hospital gown open in the back in to the OR, with nothing underneath. Once I was out, they removed the gown, and draped me with sterile drapes, where the only area "showing" was the abdominal area....most of the work was done with the surgeon looking into the scope attachments...being it was laproscopic surgery. When I woke up in recovery, I had on a hospital gown again. I was always told when you check into a hospital to check your modesty at the door and pick it up again on your way out! But don't worry, there have been multiple threads through the time I have been here on this subject, you are not the only one to worry about it! The occasional patient who happens to be on her period during surgery, is usually given a hospital style pad to lay between her legs for the surgery, and it is not uncommon for that to happen, since we tend to alter our cycles during times of stress, and surgery is stressful! Point being, even then they do not leave you clothed in any way. We all survived it~~you will too~~ it IS worth it! Kat