Kat817

Check out the Polynesian Culture Center. It is run by a church, but not religous based. They have a water parade, with all 7 or 8 of the Polynesian Islands represented, and dancing in full costume---they are all very different...some are slow and fluid like the slow hula you see, and others--the Tonganese for instance, are big on stomping feet, and do the really, really fast hula! They have shows for each island culture, you see how they bake in banana leaves, and watch them scale Palm trees, barefooted, learn how to break open coconuts, throw a spear, etc. It is realllly pretty too...of course most of the islands are!!!! Each of the islands has a small village for you to visit, and you can take canoe tours. I can remember some of the islands without benefit of looking it up, but not all...Tonga, Fiji, Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa....and I forget the other 2...oh yeah New Zealand........ Sorry, I remember it being fun, but I was vacationing not studying for a test!!!! Also check out Hanauma Bay---awesome, awesome place to snorkel. They rent the equipment, and are all set up for it, the reef is unbelievable, we spent hours following schools of bright fish, saw manta rays----totally worth going to!!!! You will drive through very desert like country, then look over the retaining wall into paradise!!! Buy a disposable underwater camera or 2!!! Of course Pearl Harbor is very sobering, and something you will be glad you saw. When you are there, you see for yourself exactly how our ships were trapped in there. They have a swap meet on Wed. & Sat. at the Aloha Bowl, PERFECT place to buy your souveniers to bring home----not a flea market---all items are new---just all around the entire football field is this HUGE swap meet! There is also an International Market Place...look it up, huge trees growing inside the marketplace!!!! Just a cool place!!! It too is in Waikiki, I think. Waikiki Beach is fun, sky scrapers on one side of the road, with shops selling 5K dollar purses, and beach a stones throw away. Fire lit tiki type of torches lit by roller bladers each evening while we were there!!! There is also a really cool aquarium on Waikiki. If you are not afraid of them, the glider rides, in the bubble top gliders are awesome!!! You see the island in a way you will not otherwise. The one we took was on the Dillingham Airforce field--on the north shore.....a beach you definitely want to see---wild wild waves!! Enjoy all the wierd Banyan Trees, with all the above ground roots, and the gum trees with orange and green bark, and Monkey paw trees that stretch all across the road from one small tree---and whatever you do.....sniff some Plumeria for me. I love it more than I can say!!!! My DD and her husband were stationed on Oahu for 4 years, at Schofield barracks with him in the Army. We visited---was good while it lasted!!!! Someday we will go back! But with the way we stayed, I have no suggestions for places to stay---sorry! Enjoy your trip!!!! Take tons of pics!!!! Kat

Yep, I took them off the plane too!!! I forgot about them. Unfortunately if you do end up overfilled, waiting it out seldom seems to work, the swelling defeats any weight loss loosening it up....is at least what it seems from reading all these posts about it. Be sure not to wait too long, it is dangerous for your stomach, and can lead to erosion....better safe than sorry! Post us a picture when you get your new bag---I wanna see!!!! For someone traveling a lot, it does seem to be more logical, than for a homebody like me!!! Kat

Welcome back Judy! Glad you had such a fabulous time. I don't think I have ever talked to anyone who did not enjoy that cruise!!! Alaska is so beautiful. Michelle, if you get to move into Pammy's closet---move over you are gonna have a roomate!!! Hey do we get cable in there??? We need our Lifetime Movie Network fix too!!!! LOL----Pamela please do not be offended by this---I just had this giggle when I realized what a beautiful closet you and Susanne now have to come out of!!! Pathetic sense of humor I know!!! My horrid dream did not come back last night, Thank You God! I have not had issues going to sleep, other than being afraid to last night. I was sleeping well, when this horrid vivid dream, that was soooooo real feeling happen. I don't know what I would do if it had become a recurring dream. Well I go to the Dr. today to have my mouth checked, I am going as a walk in, and they are going to work me in---could be a long wait. But it is now swelling into my glands, so something is going on---want it fixed before we go to Albq. for Rick's appointment, and they State Fair. Tomorrow I go get smushed---mammogram....I have been putting it off!!! When I scheduled my scan I scheduled all the icky appointments, in a now or never frame of mind!!! I keep having to stop and clap. Kinsey thinks every time she counts to 10 it is time to clap! We were in Olive Garden the other day, and there was a birthday or something going on in the next room and they were clapping, and she ask her Mama, what is that clapping? Across the table I thought she ask her "what is that crap?" Manda calmly looked at her and said I don't know---maybe a birthday party. I was shocked she let her talk that way, then she told me what she had said!!! She talks a lot, and very plainly for a 2 year old, but in the noisy restaurant especially, it is hard to always catch what she says. She has such a quiet voice, unlike my grandson, who could wake the dead! There is such a HUGE difference in the 2! My oldest grandkids, Mason is 7, and Ally is 6, they were very similar in temperment, and in how they acted. When she was born, Mason was gentle with her, and when we get to see them (which is very, very seldom, sadly) they are still that way. Not so with the last 2....she is quiet and tiny, and if given a choice of toys, will choose something small to carry around---Polly Pockets are (were til the recall anyway) her favorites. He is 15 months younger, has already outgrown her, is loud, and a wild child in every sense of the word---if given a choice of toys, he wants the biggest thing he can grab, and he wrestles around with it!!! The toy car in the back yard---Kinsey takes her babies, and gets them all settled in, and drives around the back yard. She uses the gas meter, and pretends she is at a drive through, and places her order!!!!! Connor on the other hand, prefers to tip the car over, and try to get all 4 tires spinning at one time!!! And they do not play well together at all!!!! Connor has a problems playing with anyone who cannot handle his roughousing, which includes Kinsey. It is going to be interesting watching these 2 grow up!!! Jenn, I too am retaining tons of water----going to see about having my diuretic Rx renewed at the Dr. today. Well I am off to clean the kitchen, surf awhile, maybe just be lazy, and sip a cold drink, see if it helps my mouth any! TTYL, Kat

When I was first banded, and worried about how to handle this possibility, I took the large red plastic Solo drinking cups, and folded a paper towel into the bottom of them, and had about 6 stacked and in my back floor board. I used one, once on the road because I was sliming like crazy---I slipped back into old habits with a bite of popcorn chicken, and only pretended to chew!!!! It worked as I slimed my way home....where I had my 2nd, and last actual PB. The cup worked really well for spitting in!!! Anyone driving past me, would have just assumed I was taking in, not spitting out. A man I used to know used these cups with the paper toweling to spit chewing tobacco in...yuck!!!! But that's where I got the idea to do this. The clutch sounds like it would be a good plan, but expensive I bet! And that would really suck, spending all your hard earned money on a pretty little bag to barf in!!!! Sorry, I just had to try to see the humor in our situation!!! One thing about it, at least we can find an alternative, when "dumping" hits---bags nor cups would do us a bit of good!!!!!! Kat

Hi Pam---I just wanted to remind you of something my Dr. told me to expect that maybe yours didn't mention. I was told that it is very common among women to get very emotional, easy to anger, have excess fatigue etc. during the first quick losing phase, and even possible at any time when you are losing quickly. The reason behind it that he give me, is that your fat cells hold estrogen, and when it dumps into the bodies system, every other hormone we produce has to go into overdrive in an attempt to rebalance our systems. At all times our bodies are working to stay in a balanced mode, and any number of things including just our normal menstrual cycles, can and do disrupt the balance. The sudden influx of extra estrogen is hitting the body in a similar pattern he said to what it does pre menstrually. So in other words, we go through an extended bit of PMS....regardless where it hits in our actual cycles....and regardless if we even have those anymore!!!! I had my banding after a hysterectomy, and I was not exempt!!! I suffered for years with migraine headaches, always hormonal based. I could never take birth control pills, anything with estrogen, it was instant visual distrubances, then the headache. Following my hysterectomy, I did not have a single migraine in over 4 years! Then when I got banded.....about 2 weeks out my first one hit! Luckily he had prepared me, and I knew why I was getting it -didn't help the headache one little bit though. I had a total of 3 in about a 3-4 week period of time, I was grouchy, I cried at the drop of a hat....just very moody. Nothing debilitating, or anything that serious. Just an explanation of WHY I felt so "bitchy". I won't flame you for eating when you are supposed to be healing---but don't be surprised if your Dr. does!!! Relax, the band will be successful for you, if you treat it right, and do your part----which begins with getting proper restriction after you have healed. When you can start the fill process, things will change for all of you. Maybe not over night, and maybe not with the first fill---but work with your Dr. and give both the band and yourself another chance-----you are all WAAAAY to early in the game to be getting discouraged, and doubting yourself and your successes. Kat

Hey there everyone-- Heading off to bed here, just wanted to tell Terry to have a wonderful time, and your necklace, is beautiful!!! I am so envious of your talent! I don't think I have any special talent such as that...I do enough things to survive and get by---but that's about it!!! Today I went to breakfast with DD and DGD, I like going with them, my 2 year old Granddaughter and I share a meal, and we do fine!!! She loves pancakes--it is just comical...she has finally decided what she likes, and wants it all together, she wanted pancakes and broccoli for breakfast!!! We settled on bacon, eggs, and pancakes!!! Rick and I went riding, and had dinner with the son and his family. I did nothing in my kitchen today except brew some tea!!! I have something wrong in my mouth...it started on the inside of my lower lip, and has now spread all over my mouth. It feels like very fine sandpaper---and is sore as hell. Rick said it seems brighter reddish pink than it is normally, but heck--it looks fine to me, you cannot see the bumps, but I can feel them with my tongue. Don't know what it is, but it hurts something fierce!!! Any ideas??? Jenn, hope your DD is ok, allergic reactions are scary! Pamela---my DH is very fair with the TV---if I see a movie I want to watch, he is as understanding with it, as I try to be with his....the difference is---a half hour into my movie (often Lifetime) he is as into it as I am, and a half hour into his (war movies--old westerns) I am into my book or on here!!! Have any of you ever had a dream so vivid and so horrid, you had trouble letting go of it? I had a dream early this morning, that woke me up in such a total panic, it still reduces me to tears to think of it, it was so freaking real---I am having difficulties with letting it go. It almost makes me afraid to go to sleep tonight...and I am soooo tired, but I could not go back to sleep and am putting off going to bed tonight. HELP! I am loco! Think I will go do a nice hot bubble bath, and see if it relaxes me enough. Terry there is one for your other thread, that I am too lazy to go find right now---I can get in and out of a bubble bath without issue!!! Night girls~~ Kat

I have never had regular periods, I have never been able to use that to give me an early sign of pregnancy. My first clue? Inability to get enough sleep. I was sleeping all night, and napping non stop!!! Then one day about a week into this unbelievable tiredness, I rolled over one day, and just that brought me wide awake, my breasts were so sore, laying on them was enough to wake me up in a hurry!!!! By the time I got past the first couple of months, these were non issues, and I got my energy back. So I predict soon you will be back to a pretty normal wake/sleep cycle. It was a VERY reliable pregnancy detector!!! I believe the "get rid of it" post did exactly what it was meant to do--it made you and everyone here VERY aware of where you stand and what you want to do. It MADE the Mama Bear in you come out. Most women fertility issues aside can be Mothers. That is not the issue, the issue is being a good Mother. Good instinct will help you along, but you are playing with a deck already stacked against you, and I fully support these "been there done that" Moms who say get some parenting classes. It is like cooking. Most anyone can pick up a box of Kraft macaroni & cheese and follow the directions, and make themselves something to eat. That does not make them a good cook! Having the ability to give birth does not make you a good Mother. NO matter who we are, or where we are in life, there is always something we could learn from. Just like the Mac & Cheese, I have no doubt with the help you receive, and your own desire to do so, will allow your child to survive....but the goal is to allow that child to Thrive. He/She will be born into an iffy situation between you and the Daddy. And a sometimes volotile situation with your Mom. And then there are the things over which you truly have no control---Childbirth often brings on Post Partum Depression, which will be coupled with your bi polar diagnosis. You just have a lot of difficulties, that perhaps some parenting classes could help you with. The new classes deal with lifes new challenges! My DD went to parenting classes when she was pregnant, she went with her husband. She had no doubt she could love and nurture a child, but she wanted to do it the best she could---she read, and attended several classes. She come in one day telling me class revolved around custody issues, and how that didn't help her.....ask her now if she is glad she paid attention??!!! She and her husband divorced when my granddaughter was a small infant. The classes are not going to be what you see on TV, of them teaching you how to diaper a doll. It is common sense, teaching you ways to cope when the baby has colic and has been crying non stop for 3 hours, and you only had 4 hours sleep in 2 days....they teach coping mechanisms. Something you will find useful when your child is a teenager. Going to a class does not show a shortcoming in you, it shows a desire to be the best Mom you can be, which your child deserves. It may have been acceptable 20 years ago to send your child to Kindergarten to learn how to tie his/her shoes, and how to count and write their name, but not anymore, they are expected to know that when they get there!!!! I would also call legal aid and make an appointment---whether there is a relationship between the 2 of you or not, the Dad needs to be responsible for the child. And you need things in order to protect the child if it should arise, from having an addicted Father. Just my .02 worth...... Kat

Awwww Patty---I am sorry I missed your birthday---hope it was relaxing and happy!!!! I was gone all day---went to Albuquerque with my DD to take Kinsey to the zoo. We went to the zoo, the aquarium, and the botanical gardens....it was a wonderful day, but it is almost too much for this old granny in one day!!!! Will check in tomorrow!!!! Kat

We have seen George in concert twice---once Kathy Mattea opened for him, and we also saw the year Terri Clark was his opener. He is the same, on TV, at awards shows, and in concert---both years on stage he was gracious and put on a great family concert. Kat

HI Girlies! I am home---we just pulled in a bit ago, what a wonderful day!!! I had so much fun watching my granddaughters amazement at things, and my DD's joy at watching her DD. It was a great day, we went to the zoo, the aquarium, and the botanical gardens...then I ate very, VERY little, at Olive Garden, and we come home! It is my DD's favorite, so we indulged!! Manda looked as stress free as I have seen her in several months--the situation at home, is not great. Terry, you ask about Lindzie, and things are not real good. They are in a battle now, the counselor has suggested suspending visits with her Grandparents, unless they are willing to work within the boundaries set forth. This is (gonna get confusing here!!!)my daughters boyfriends---Mom and his stepdad. They married when he was only 2. He was raised by the 2 of them, and had open and steadt visitation with his real Dad, and eventually his stepMom. Well he graduated, and the year after, his gf ended up pregnant, by the time she found out they had already broke up. He took responsibility, and paid for everything, was there when Lindzie was born, and went to see her almost daily after work. Then one day she showed up at his Moms, and said "here take her, I can't do this, I don't want to raise a baby" and dissappeared for a couple of years. During that time, he moved back in with his Mom and stepDad. He and Lindzie lived there for about 3-4 years, and he bought a house. Well being on call, with his job, he still ended up leaving Lindzie quite often with them...and they took spoiling very seriously. The stepDad never had any children of his own, and he VERY seriously wanted to be the most important person in Lindzies life. So fast forward another year, and my DD is in the picture, and all in all things are going pretty well, they have gone to court and got full legal custody of Lindzie...life is good. Then his Mom and stepDad drop the bomb that they are divorcing. And it is not going to be a civil divorce. He is trying to take her retirement, and she won't move out of the house to sell it....on and on. Then they drug Lindzie into it. Lindzie calls them Mamma & Papa...and Mamma tells her she really isn't related to Papa, so she isn't going to see him anymore, and then when her Daddy says BS, and lets her go, Papa bought out the toystore...and said bad things about Mamma. So on and on it goes. And according to Lindzie, they say bad things about Kinsey. But it has escalated, to being a dangerous situation, so the councelor made the suggestion she not be allowed to see them at this time. Lindzie pushed Kinsey off the boat at the lake the other day! She ALWAYS has on life jacket, and thankfully the boat was docked---but purposely pushed her off! About 2 weeks ago she told Kinsey to put her finger in the fan, and before the StepMom could open her mouth in went Kinsey's finger! She is focusing her anger at Kinsey and the puppy---she slammed the sliding door closed on the puppy's head! Manda said she is on the verge of moving out, just to keep Kinsey safe. Lindzie is refusing to cooperate in school, just not even trying to do work. Not that she isn't "getting" it, just not attempting it. She has not been back to her Mom's house--nor has she ask to go, she talks about her little brother, but nothing else. The counselor, has done several sessions with her, and he says the one thing she centers on each time, is her Grandparents divorce, not saying much one way or another about Mom or even the boyfriend. So we are hoping the anger issues with the boyfriend of hers was all she was wigging out about---that there was no molestation etc. He has seen nothing to suggest it he said, and nothing to cause traumatization of the exam. So....after all that...to see my daughter relax, and enjoy her daughter all alone, and happy---was a wonderful day. Lindzie and her Daddy had a special day too---they went to the rec center, and went swimming, and to "buy her something" that was the day she requested. The "special" days were recommended by the therapist---and we fully enjoyed ours!!! Ok---long post to answer a simple question!!!! But there is nothing simple about all these family dynamics anymore!!! My DD has half siblings, step siblings, step parents.....and so does her bf...so the kids have it even worse!!!! Me, I was the first divorce in my family pretty much---my grandparents, and parents all made 50+ years of marriage!!! I have a brother....period. No steps, no halfs, nuthin'!!! Talk to y'all tomorrow! Kat

Hi--if you will go to the top to the search bar, and type in Scar Stages, you should pull up a picture filled thread of everyones scars. I am 17 months out, mine have faded, and only 2 can be found now, and I have keloid factor so scar badly---so they did VERY well. Good Luck! Kat

Rose, to be losing, and not have any fill, is an accomplishment in and of itself. It is simply dieting as we have all done before. But just you wait, til you begin the fill process, and get to a good level---your DH better watch out, you will change so quickly the mans head will spin, I'd bet on it!!! Many men have no idea how to handle emotions, of any kind so they resort to the ones that are safe for a man, anger, sarcasm and indifference. I don't believe they feel the way the act a good portion of the time...but it sure makes life difficult. My ex husband, was a nice guy back in the day, but if anything vaguely emotional was said, the sarcasm dripped off of him. My DD says he is still the same....My DH now is more vocal, and willing to talk-he has been my biggest supporter, I am so sorry you don't have that. I bet if your kids are anything like mine, they will not hesitate to rub Dads nose in it a bit when the weight really starts coming off!!! Hang in there---come and vent anytime! Kat

WoooHooo Tracy!!!!! Way to go girl!!!! You will be in Onederland before you know it! I am SOOOOO proud of you!!!! I would rip the head off the responsible party at the court house, let it be known far and wide what happen!!! On an up note imagine how surprised Shrek is gonna be when he sees you!!! I took Kinsey and we went riding for awhile today--it was so much fun!!! My DD wants me to ride to Albq. with her tomorrow and take her to the zoo. It sounds like a lot of fun, and I think DD could use the break, and time away...but that is such a boring drive, it is 3 1/2 hours, and I am going to have to go down again on the 13th, then again on the 16th....for Rick's and my Dad's Dr.s respectively---it makes going for fun not seem so much fun!!! We'll see. I am like Tracy, yawning my fool head off! Laura--you going to get to go? DH feeling better? lilnena sorry you are sick---feel better! I need to go change out laundry---we are either really clean people or really dirty---good grief there is only 2 of us!!! Kat

NM Sunshine, it isn't food actually sticking to the pouch section of our stomach, it is food getting stuck IN the pouch, not making it through the narrowed opening where our bands are placed. Sometimes you get stuck for obvious reasons---too big of a bite, or not chewing well enough. Then there are other times, that there is no rhyme nor reason why something will not go through. I know a girl who cannot eat jello---she PB's it EVERY time, all we can figure, is that instead of working its way down as the stomach works to digest it, it pushes it back into her esophagus. There are many who require a few sips of warm liquid to relax the esophagus, which for some reason will occasionally spasm, and nothing wants to swallow on down. Most times, you can figure out what will or what won't pass pretty easily---and figure out if it is something you did or did not do...and adjust accordingly. If it is one of those things your band just doesn't like, about all you can do is avoid it for the most part, and occasionally try a small amount, as the band is known to change its mind!!! Has your Dr. shown you HOW they will do the surgery? Why we refer to it as a pouch? Ask away---its the best way to get answers I was told!!!! Kat

You work with your band Dr. to find acceptable ways of taking your meds....and you might be surprised at how many you can discontinue after you are "conned" out of some of the extra weight!!! I not only was "conned" out of over 100 pounds, but several wardrobes, a couple of high blood pressure meds, a high blood sugar med, and also one for high cholesterol---all total that con saved me over $100 bucks a month in copays!!! Kat

Jenn---if I had any ideas how to make it happen, I'd come knock on your door and tell you!!!! Kat

Welcome to all of you!!! Success stories abound on LBT! For starters go to the General Lap Band Discussion, and find the Before and After Thread---talk about some serious inspiration!!!! On any support site you will also find a high number of people having problems, and needing support or advice. Keep in mind as you go through those, that the biggest number of people you view in the before and after are not here every day posting threads, about having another trouble free day! We chat and visit, and are very thankful to have everyone out there when we have our own questions!!! This is a much more active site than some others I have visited. It too has its busy times, and slow times, depending on the work day etc. I think you will see a huge difference though!!! Once again welcome to LBT, and blue...welcome to bandland as well!!! Kat

This thread was started a long time ago, and I haven't seen Strawarts around in awhile, to know if she ever had another horrid episode. Personally, I was banded 17 months ago, and have had 2 "PB" episodes---neither of them as horrid as what she went through. Of course, I am paranoid of ruining my band that has worked so well for me, so I probably would have chosen different foods....especially before knowing what would or wouldn't work. As has been pointed out, mushrooms are difficult to chew, into proper consistancy to pass, especially if she were already begining to swell from something else...and it could have been anything!!! My PB's were not pleasant, not something I would stand in line to do by any means...but I knew to spit--not swallow---the slime from the get go. My DH once ask me about the slime, what the hell it was? I told him it was spit so stick and gooey you could spit on your finger, walk across the room, stick it to the wall and hang clothes off of it! It is bizarre!!!! BUT----get this----it is NOT limited to bandsters!!! Not too long ago my DH learned first hand what sliming was like! He choked on a piece of chicken, it went down past his trachea, so he could breath, but it blocked off in the esophagus, and his body did just like ours, he slimed for an hour before the body gave up. He finally had to be scoped and have it cut out, because the esophagus, spasmed around the offending chicken. He hs a whole new understanding of the golf ball, and sliming. Unlucky for him, he was not able to PB it up, it took minor surgical intervention! Too many people refer to PB's as a minor inconvenience for them all to be as bad as what Strawarts experienced. I have to imagine part of the pain was due to the type of food she was bringing back up---all the spice on the tender esophagus causing massive burning etc. I am sorry she had this horrible experience, but not everyone does. Kat

I listen to books on CD while I walk on my elliptical trainer. I often find myself going past my workout time, just to continue listening. I don't allow myself to listen at all, unless I am on it working out. I check out books on CD from the library---when they run out, I will down load them, and use my ipod---but this is the easiest for me now. Of course some books make me want to work out more than others!!!! Good Luck, hope to get some good motivation ideas from your thread here!!! Kat

Susan---you are asking US---a bunch of unusual and wierd people to tell you if you are unusual or wierd????? Yep it's wierd!!! j/k---work it however it works for you. Some people weigh every day saying it keeps them in check, others choose weekly weigh ins, others only know when they go to the Dr. We each approach all the aspects of this in our own way---maybe we ARE all wierd and unusual!!!! Welcome to bandland, and welcome to LBT!!! Kat

Vomiting a lot is not the usual with lap band. If you are, then you usually just need some saline removed, and the band loosened. We all have the occasional problem....we went a lot of years stuffing ourselves freely!!! I have been banded for almost 17 months, and have had 2 PB's that caused me to "vomit", other than that, the only time it has happened is when I caught a virus from my granddaughter. You learn to take small bites, and chew them very well, so that it does fit, and you find you can only eat small amounts. To get food stuck, or to overeat, and feel it back up into your esophagus, is painful--it is aversion therapy. You and your body figure out that it is not pleasant to eat that much or that quickly anymore, and you quit doing it! I do not eat like a slow motion robot!!! I eat normally I feel, I just don't eat like I am having a race anymore. I amazes me to go out and realize how big of bites people really take, and that they hardly chew at all!!! No wonder the antacid companies are surviving so well!!! Following the guidelines given you when you opt to be banded, vomiting is not an issue. If it becomes one, then you have a problem that needs to be dealt with. Good Luck and WELCOME to LBT, we are glad to have you here!!! Kat

I was going to suggest the same as Terry did above!!! Another thing you could do to help convince him is to go to the Before and Afters and show him where you could bein 4 months---many people are down by even 50 pounds in that length of time. Keeping in mind, the more you have to lose, the faster you will lose it...but 4 months can make a huge change!!! Good Luck! Kat

You know, I just love having you guys here....but it truly sucks, when we have allowed ourselves to care for one another, but when one of us really needs us---we can't be there. I would love to swing by and pick up Terry, and let her takie me shopping to show me how to get started beading....then we could run by after school and check on Pammy on her hard day ahead of her. Stop in and see how Jenn's doing, whether she got a call about her interview. Then we could call up everybody, and meet for a tiny, tiny dinners!!! I felt the same way last week or so when Denise was in such pain with the situation going on with her DD---which by the way---how IS it going? It is hard to be just an online friend, when you truly feel connected. I was gonna swing by the nunnery while we were out and make faces at Tracy in her sexy jeans---but heck she too may be at the lawyers---so can't even tease her!!! Maybe we all need to go to TracyK's get her little one and go to the park...I could bring Kinsey, I am sure they would have a blast!! I know!! We could all meet up and surprise Judy as she returns home!!! We land on her doorstep with all these problems she is gonna be praying for guidance for sure!!! Sweet Judy---I do miss her when she is gone, but I am so thrilled they had this surgery, and are out living it up together! Anyway---just so ya know---if I could be there---I would be there! Hugs to everyone for what all you are going through. Pamela---I nursed my Grandma, and there were times I was sooooo pissed off at my Mom for her harshness with Grandma. She and I stayed at odds for awhile over it, she seemed to have no patience---she grew frustrated so easily. But my Dad, he was the gentlest man with his MIL as she was dying....he impressed me. But when it was his Dad, he was the short tempered one, and my Mom was the saint. Now.....years later, I find myself being short tempered with my own parents. I love them so much, and they drive me crazy so quickly!!! Wonder why that is? You mentioned secrets....my Grandma also died of cancer, and she was on Hospice for the last 8 months (she too pushed her time limits---stubborn as the day is long!!!) The last few days she moaned like she was hurting, so they upped her morphine, and left it for us to inject...if she had lasted much longer hurting....I cannot say I would not have given her more than I was told....I know my Grandma, and she would have wanted that. I am ever thankful, she took the decision out of my hands. But we have all seen cartoons, where inanimate objects begin talking...I swear to you the syringe mocked me for 2 days. Hope everyone makes it through today, with lighter hearts for the weekend! ((((HUGS)))) Kat

Stephanie, that makes as much, actually more sense than anything else I have read. Upon thinking about it, I have heard many older women (read as older than me!!!!) complain of thinning hair when menopause starts. That really could be an avenue to consider. Have any of you been on anything such as birth control pills or something of the sort that would regulate hormones more? Interesting thought......thanks! Kat

You are suffering right now with an influx of hormones into your system as you begin losing weight/fat quickly. Some people get super grouchy--others sad. It is kind of like a long lasting PMS---very moody. Eventually your body regulates, and your dosage should be ok. Stay on top of it, especially if you do increase your meds. Fat cells store estrogen, so as you lose the fat cells the hormone is dumped into your body, and every other hormone your body produces has to go in to overdrive to figure out how to react, trying to be balanced. Since you already have issues that way, it may seem even worse. Hang in there, it does level out, and you feel better. I turned into a bawl baby for awhile, look at me wrong, and I'd cry! Just about 3 weeks after my banding, my DH was diagnosed with heart trouble, and it was very difficult to take it all in, and try to remain strong. But I did it and so can you!!! Kat