Kat817

Hi girls---just here for a minute to ask that you please pray for my little granddaughter. They put her in the hospital last night. As soon as she began to move around, everything I had managed to get into her come up. They have her on IV now, and are watching her blood. The concern has turned from a gastro infection to a possibility of an intestinal blockage. Each time she takes anything by mouth it comes back up. The concerning issue is that she does not have any diarhea with the nausea, which is unusual, and is what is making them think possible blockage. Her name is Kinsey--she is 2 1/2, and she owns my heart----please remember her in your prayers. I will update you as soon as we know anything. Thanks --- I am so glad y'all are out there!! Kat

I think the fill amounts vary depending on band size and by uindividual Dr. Glad it went well for you!!! You are off to an awesome start!!!! Kat

Wow I have no idea! A quick call to your insurance to see first if they need it, and if they do, whether the checks would do should be pretty easy. There should be a # on the back of your insurance card. I called asking all kinds of questions!!! When you call, take detailed notes, on who you talked to, what time you called, and exactly what they said. Anytime you talk to someone about insurance issues, take notes, they tend to change on you if it is anything like mine!!! Welcome to LBT, it is a great site! Good luck in your band studies!!! Kat

Thanks for the recipes, I am going to try them both. I always do a lot of pecans, and peanuts in either the glazed like your recipe Gina or spicy for the peanuts, and DH gives them to his guys at Christmas. This will be awesome---in the crockpot!!!! The salad may be my contribution the 4th of July cookout, that I just found out is going to be at my inlaws. Terry---I am very oddly built as well. I carried the vast majority of my weight in the top part of my body. I have thin hips and legs, and no butt to speak of. If this belly were gone, I could easily do a 10 or 12 max. I wear a 14 now, and the thighs are always baggy. I have lost lots of inches on top, but I remain top heavy. I am down 8 inches--or 4 sizes in the band of my bra, from a 48 to a 40....but the cup has only changed in the fact that now it fits, loosely instead of me bulging out of it. I was a DDD to start and am still a DD. But I lost weight all over, my shoes are too big! I went from a size 10 ring to a 7.5. Even my reading glasses, had to be adjusted, I would bend over and they would come off, my face had slimmed down so much! I know there was a time I was really dropping inches, and the pounds barely moved, but I have awesome tone in my legs. I have muscle definition! So I know I am in better shape, even if the overall size of them didn't change much. Originally I wore a 22/24 stretchy pants, and a 3-4X top. I am now in a size 14 (Misses in some womens in others) jeans, and a 1X top. And I do not do anything really super tight. My belly is still overly big for the rest of me. So I wear bigger tops attempting to keep it all under cover. I am also quite tall---5'9". My SIL who was banded at the same time, was a slow starter, she didn't lose very fast in the beginning, but when she reached a good fill level, she has really dropped it fast, and she passed me up in the amount she lost. She is a lot shorter, 5'4" maybe....and she carried her weight all over, but heavy through the hips and thighs---where I wasn't. I had the belly she didn't....and she is small chested. Now we wear about the same size pants, and she is in regular misses tops. Even years ago when I was thin, I had problems getting tops to fit. We have lost at different paces, we can eat different things, she has a lot of eating problems, where I don't. We have lost similar amounts, and remain differently built now!!! And we were banded the same day by the same Dr. Age, bone size & density, weight distribution all work in different ways----not to mention the way clothing sizes differ from style to style, or store to store. I bet I have 5 different sizes of things, and they all fit me! PLUS----using vaseline with those tools and wenches could help too!!! Slick it up!!! Hang in there your size 12 days are a comin'!!!!! I am home nursing a sick granddaughter today. My DD just got this new job, and it is an awesom opportunity for her, since she totally changed fields. From nursing to oilfield admin/asst. She is finally making some real money---and right off the bat she has a sick little one. She has already told them of the appointment to have her cast checked/removed if ready. so I told her I'd keep her today. Poor baby could not keep anything on her tummy, she threw up, and dry heaved all night, and morning. I took her to her pediatrician, and she gave me 3 hours to get her some fluid in, or they will admit her and do it via IV. She is pretty small, so dehydrates fast. Her heart rate was already elevated, and she has not urinated all day.....but her tongue was still moist so she gave me 3 hours! So we got the hydrating solution and I used a syringe and gave her 3 cc.'s every 5 minutes for the first hour. She threw up once early on, but kept the last of it down, so we went up to 5cc.'s, and are now about 2 1/2 hours out and I am giving her 10 cc.'s every 5-10 minutes, and am having to wake her to do it. I think it is working. Poor baby. But it has been a couple of hours that it has all stayed down. Well, she is whining rather than sleeping now between doses of fluid, so I am going to go rock her. TTYL Kat

I'd love the recipe Gina!!!!! Kat

Oooohh I would love the recipe Terry!! We have an abundance of pecans....so that would be even better!!! Sounds yummy! I actually walked outside to see about taking down some grass skirts, or things like that, and the temp on my back porch is reading 107.....so I marched my bohunkus right back into the house!!!! Got me a big lgass of iced tea, needed it just from reading that thermometer!! Will wait til evening, or tomorrow morning! Sorry about the sliming episode Jennifur-----they are never fun. But if you can avoid the full PB you are better off, the actual throwing up is pretty traumatic on the poor banded stomach. Feel better! Kat

I have a neighbor who "diets" one week a month....every month! The remainder of the month she eats whatever she wants. But during that week...OMG...she reeks! Her house reeks....She eats nothing but cabbage, lean hamburger and boiled eggs. Makes me shiver!!!! I kid you not, it seeps out her pores and she smells! Give me my "easy way out" band!!!!!! Maybe I should buy her a roll of red cellophane....for her week ya know???? Kat

Beautiful Judy----awesome job!!!!! Kat

I intend on doing absolutely NOTHING today!!! At least until Rick gets home, and he will want to get all the tables put away and have the yard back to normal!!! But this morning is mine, and I refuse to do anything!!!!! I read a thread once about the omnipaque--and it said you would have less fluctuation in your restriction. There is a thread somewhere out there in LBT where a poster said her Dr. told her she was tighter in the AM, because the fluid settles into the band as she is still sleeping at night. And then as she is up and moving around it disperses, and some works back into the tubing, etc, so you feel less restricted then. They said in that conversation that the omnipaque does not move as freely, and so when you get restriction, it is a steadier thing. I have no idea. I was given the standard saline in my first fill, of 1.25, and when I went for the 2nd fill, he removed almost the entire 1.25. So he just bumped it up another .50, and I have never been back for a fill. I have rode with my SIL for her fill but that's it. Just about time that I think I will go have it tweaked, I begin losing again, and do something that reminds me I DO have restriction....and I do not want to start the battle with being over filled, so I guess I'll just continue to work this one awhile longer. The 21st of this month will be a year!!! I have heard that is good, and I have heard this is bad----go figure, who knows!!!!???? Lunasa, I believe Terri nailed it---you do have swelling from the bread continually trying to pass, and it will take some time to ease. If you did like she said and fell off a bike and skinned your knee, and got on again, and fell on the same knee over and over again, it would do nothing but get worse. Eating with a swollen stoma is the same. Same as you can ride still, you can eat still....it is the digesting that is the falling part of that comparison! Do some experimenting, and see whether it feels more soothed with nice cool drinks, or whether the warm drinks comfort you more, and baby that belly for a few days. It will help you feel better, and it will also jump start the weight loss again!!! When you finally do get a level of restriction (without the irritation) it helps you learn a new way to eat. I STILL get way too much food. Like this weekend, I had a plate FULL of food.....and ate maybe a quarter of it, possibly a 3rd! But I am learning! I find myself taking the slow road---I now KNOW I cannot begin to eat that much....before I was always surprised that I was already full!!! Now I am really trying not to get full---just to eat a little and quit.....heaven knows I can always get more if I need it!!! Someday maybe I'll 'get it'. I don't drink with my meals as a general rule. I have adjusted it over the last year, to fit what I am doing. I do often drink a little with my dinner. But I try to totally flush my pouch before bed, I sleep better, and have less reflux issue. So I guage whether I drink with the meal, or how long afterwards, by how long I wish to remain full. If I don't drink with breakfast, I could literally stay full all day if I didn't drink! So I give it a little time and drink. I try to have a high protein snack mid afternoon, and do not drink for awhile, because that is my worst snack time----the head hunger munchies get me unless I am already full. So-----I use the liquid to help balance my level of fullness throughout the day. That said, I still believe the smart thing to do, is follow the rules, and don't drink. My Dr. is the one who recommended me to flush the pouch at night----so I felt ok doing so. We are doing a firework show with friends, that the next town over does on the 3rd of July (so that you can be with family and friends on the 4th was the original plan---25 years ago or so!). We will meet up with them, and eat, and visit and watch the show. The 4th, I don't know what we are doing. Rick wants to ride up to a little mining town in the mountains, where they have a HUGE fireworks display echoing in the mountains...and camp out that night. Not sure what will be done. I know I do not want a cookout here at the house, I am sick of cleaning up after the BBQ's!!! What's everyone got planned??? Any good recipe ideas for me to take to our dinner with the friends? Last year at the fireworks I had my first PB type of thing!!!! On fried chicken.......eeeewwww, I slimed and freaked out, could not wait to get home and ask on here, if I was going to survive!!!! Hoping NOT to have a repeat performance~!! Gonna go surf the site---y'all take care!!! Kat

Nothing....glorious NOTHING is what I intend on doing today! The anniversary weekend has finished, it was highly successful, and I am so glad it is over!!! I loved seeing and being with the family and friends, and seeing my parents so happy, but ladies, I am exhausted!!!! I could not have done this 2 years ago---physically would have been unable to keep the pace I have for the last few days. The luau was so much fun, we took lots of silly pictures in the picture boards, and everyone ate their fill---we had tons of food. I would much prefer to freeze leftovers, than run out and someone be hungry! My Mom cried, and Dad was silenced by surprize when their wedding party showed up! It was a wonderful time. Last night they renewed their vows. I did not expect to get so emotional over it. The emotion in the church was palpable. My Dad is a jokester and I never expected him to be so solemn, and emotional as he said his vows to Mom. Mom was thrilled with her new ring....it is beautiful. I have the photos out of my Grandma's wedding album of Mom & Dad's. So I took it, and my friend who did the photos staged most of them to mimic the originals. All 3 couples have definitely aged in the 50 years, but it was such an eye opener to see them interact with one another, and their spouses. The reception went well, the cake was pretty, and moist, everyone laughed and watched the video of pictures. Once the cake was served, I actually wandered, and enjoyed my family! Thanks for putting up with my obssessing over this for the last few weeks! I am so glad I did it, and so glad it is over!!!!!! Thanks for directing me to the proper month Mandy!!! It would have been evening before I clicked!!! I am going to go surf the site for a bit....will talk to you guys in a bit----thanks again for putting up with me as I prepared this weekend!!! Kat

IT'S OVER!!!! I SURVIVED!!!! The vow renewal and reception went off without a hitch! I ended up being very emotional through the ceremony...which really surprised me. It touched me to the very core, to see the sincerity in which they said their vows to one another---you felt that they meant it. I have heard them said, many, many times. Even said them myself a couple of times!!! But as much as I love Rick, I was nervous, so was doing a lot of it on auto pilot!!! The vows they said were the standard, but you felt the love in the room....it got to many of us. It made me so proud, and made me feel so incredibly lucky to be their child! My Mom was flabbergasted by the ring!! And when Holly come out to sing, it surprised them both. The cake was pretty, and moist, the punch was good----and did I mention....IT'S OVER???!!!! LOL, it was fun, and I loved having the family here, but the relief that it is done, and all went well, is overwhelming!!!! I have my parents wedding album that my Grandma had. So I went through it with my friend who is the photographer, and we recreated many of them. Put all the wedding party into the same poses as 50 years ago....that kind of thing. I will take the pictures he took, and make them an album and a disc....they will love it! I have most of it cleaned up, but will finish it tomorrow. Thanks for hanging with me while I obssessed over doing the parties!!! Terri----YES----Count me in for an exercise challenge! I am finally losing again---and want to keep it that way! I blew off my Curves this month, it has been such chaos, and I miss it! I still walk, but to me that is more of a meditation time, than an exercise time! I walk fairly fast as a general rule, whether out walking for exercise, or grocery shopping, I walk fast. But when I go out early in the morning, it clears my head, and puts me in a better frame of mind for the day!! So Lunasa, you feeling any better? I thought about you and worried off & on all day!!! Sorry Tracy another happy hysterectomy girl here. Actually the hysterectomy was not "happy" I had uterine cancer in the endometrial lining. But---do I miss what they took? NOPE...UH UH...NOT AT ALL...!!! I had serious problems for many years, with endometriosis, and other issues, PCOD, I had very irregular periods for years, wouldn't have one for months, then have the period from hell for 3 solid weeks, ended up in the ER many a time...no one wanted to really do anything about it. Then the last time I hemoraged, they routinely sent off for the pathology, and it come back with cancer cells. The tests began in earnest then, and they put me onto a mild form of oral chemo---for 6 months, prior to doing my surgery! Then my hysterectomy was supposed to take 2 hours, took 7 1/2!!! Because of all the "misplaced" endometrial tissue from all those years, and since that was where the cancer was discovered, it took hours of cleaning, and making sure it was all gone. When they got in, my ovaries, were bad as well....not cancerous, but choked off with the overgrown tissue....so it is all gone. And instead of a 6 inch scar, I have one from hip bone to hip bone, and a center vertical scar (picture a +). And you know what??? It was worth it! Then we went to infusion chemo....I lost my hair, and felt like hell for 4 months.....3 days ago marked my 5 years of being cancer free.........so I am now considered by my oncologist as free as opposed to being in remission! One of the muscles they stitched ripped loose on the inside, causing my fat belly to sag more on the left than the right. With the scar I have a tummy tuck, and muscle repair is nothing!!! And yep-----STILL WORTH IT!!!! I always envied the friends I had who knew exactly what day they would start, and could maintain a normal life during their periods, I was never that way from day one. So in my case it was Good Riddance! Well I think I have wound down enough to maybe sleep! Early breakfast with some family, then they will all head home---and I can clean up my yard!!! Thanks for all the kind wishes---and sweet words of encouragement....even you guys almost reduced me to tears! It is sure nice to have the wonderful support. Hugs to all you Purple Princesses....Talk to you tomorrow!!! Kat

Morning all, taking a break with a cup of tea before launching into day 2 of the Anniversary celebration. The luau went wonderfully. My parents were surprised, Dad into silence, Mom to tears, when their wedding party showed up! The rarer of the 2 is Dads silence!!! We had about 75 people, the yard turned out really good if I do say so myself. I'll try to come and post some pics after the rest is over. Today is a group breakfast at the local Golden Corral (everyone can get what they want), then I am off to pick up the cake, and head to the church to decorate, and get things set up there. Met with the pastor yesterday, she is very cool with the surprises we have planned. Dad bought her new wedding rings, she knows nothing about, so she knows to include the ring ceremony. And one of Mom's old students, who was also a family friend, who has gone on and made quite a name for herself in gospel music, is coming in to sing 2 songs for them. They neither one know about that. So another busy day but it has been fun! Lunasa, I would not worry about doing too much damage. It sounds like the first part of your food fest, likely passed through quickly and without issue as both the fish pie and the cobbler were "mushies". The tea helped wash everything through.....but then came the dreaded sandwich!!! If you are not fully sliming and hurting, then you have not PB'd. It would have come back up. When I was at my tightest, the burping happen everytime something had problems passing. There are a few things you can try to help break down the bread and help it pass on through, then you will feel better. The first is to sip a bit of pineapple juice. Not a lot or quickly or it will simply back up. Sip it, allow it a bit of time to break things down. Something to do with the acidity. I have not had similar luck with other juices....just pineapple. Then if that doesn't work, and you are seriously stuck....you can buy Papaya Enzyme at GNC or similar stores---health/nutrition shops. It is chewable and is supposed to be not bad tasting, I have never had to use it, the pineapple usually helped....or sent me into a PB....and the issue was resolved that way. Now I have also heard of things causing blockages, that were more difficult to break down than your evil bread. I do not think you will have to resort to this---it is for informational purposes ONLY!!! It is for meat that sticks, or one guy I knew got a grape skin blocking his stoma and used it successfully. It is only the last resort before being unfilled to relieve a blockage. That is liquid meat tenderizer....a tablespoon full is supposed to help eliminate the blockage, and for the couple of people I know who used it----it worked! Stretching your pouch is very unlikely with one or even several occasional binges...it is usually caused by being too tight, and steadily overeating, just enough to stretch it without making yourself sick and PBing. When I was a kid in school, we had hot rolls on our lunch trays every day, and we would take the center out of them, and roll it into a hard, compact dough ball.....why I don't know, but we did it, and we ate it---it was not wasting!!! Well bread has a tendency to do that if we eat it, and the ball is bigger than our stoma....so passing it is hard. The best way is to find something to help break it down. Sometimes that is even eating a few bites of something else, to give it something to work with in there, now it is just bouncing around, getting nowhere, and making you a burp machine!!!! Hope it resolves soon. You made the biggest move in recognizing what you were eating was wrong. It was possibly done in a big sigh of relief at knowing others are finding it is difficult to find the sweet spot sometimes, and especially with the big band.....BUT it is also less likely to erode.....so there are trade offs!!! Hang in there, and I will check back and see how you are. Let y'all know how today goes when it is over----I am off to the shower, I went to bed following my shower last night, and my hair looks like I styled it with a live light socket!!!!! NOT the look I am going for today. I have to say----many of the family and my parents friends here last night had not seen me this last year, and a couple did not even recognize me!!! And one of my Mom's former co workers (now keep in mind she is 70ish---and her eyes aren't as good as they could be probably!!!) said to her..."I thought Kathy only had one daughter....?" As she points across the yard to my DD and I who were standing together talking. Mom told her that yes I only had one natural daughter, and she said "well that girl with her looks JUST like her!" Mom had to tell her that GIRL with her was ME!!!! She come over to me and said "Well my lands girl, you lost an entire person and look 20 years younger!" I walked on clouds and used that compliment to pass on dessert last night!!! I was so happy!!!! Gotta get my butt in gear, talk to ya later girlies~! Kat

Dianne I totally agree, that your sister may deep down realize more than you know what her Mom was truly like, and much of her grief now may be that she has to give up the hope of her changing. Like Cindy I think it was said, she is grieving the loss of the dream of her being a normal Mom....She may also harbor some guilt, about maybe not loving her enough the way she was. Guilt mixed with grief is a difficult combination. She will work through it, and her anger and sadness now are things she has to feel to move on. She knows she has you there---and when she can she will likely turn to you for the comfort she might not be able to accept right now. Many years ago, I was married to a terribly abusive man. He kept me in the situation, by threatening my family. He would threaten to hurt my handicapped brother, or "go visit" my grandparents...a horrible man. He actually followed through and put a friend in the hospital, because I dared to defy him.....He was psycho. I however ended up pregnant. I prayed for a miscarriage. I lifted things, I refused to quit smoking---I was paralyzed with fear of being tied to this man forever. But the pregnancy advanced. He knew I was unhappy, and I didn't want a child, so he hovered, never giving me a moment alone, it was beyond description. In my 4th month, we discovered I was carrying twins. We also found that I was carrying in a placenta previa condition. The placenta was almost fully covering the cervical opening. By the final trimester, I had accepted that I was having these boys, and I knew I would do anything to keep them from that man. I had fallen in love with my unborn sons despite the fact that I did not want to be pregnant by him. I was scheduled for a C section on May 12th. I was getting VERY big, and there was not a lot of move room left. I got up on the morning of April 19th, and my water was leaking, so I called and planned to go into the Dr. By the time I got to the hospital (we bypassed the Dr.---my friend and I, my ex was afraid there may be police in the hospital, and he had a warrant---that I would have used in a heart beat to get him away from the hospital!) who was like 15 miles away, I was bleeding profusely. They did all the right things I am told, but by that point, there was no heart beats. I was delivered, and held my sons, and made arrangements---all alone. I went home and was beaten to the point of landing me back in the hospital...only because my friend called an ambulance when she found me----I didn't feel like I deserved to be 'helped'. I prayed not to be pregnant, and I had no right to mourn. It was without a doubt the most difficult time in my life. The guilt mixed with that grief, left me angry, at myself, and everyone who wanted to help me---I didn't think I deserved their help or sympathy, I was a horrid woman, who wished this on herself. It took many years to realize that as hard as it was, it was likely the only thing that saved my own life---and no child deserves him for a Dad. They are in a better place than they ever could have been with him around. No one knows how much your sister "saw" or knew. Or how she felt about her Mom disappearing and reappearing. When she left her with your Dad years ago, as a child, she may have childishly wished her dead. Those things do come back to haunt you. Just be there for her, and keep in mind that in order to get to the other side, you have to wade through the deep stuff. I know I had people so worried over me, in hindsight, but at the time I realized very little....don't take her immersion in grief personally. Big hugs to you-----my friend that was with me through it all, is still my best friend to this day. She is working by my side giving my parents anniversary party.....I thank God for her, and your sister will be so glad to have you and know you come immediately to her during this time. She is lucky to have you and will recognize that soon. Kat

I got an email not long ago very similar to this, I will re-read it a few times, and let some of it seep in!!!! Someone on LBT has a signature line that says something like Whether you believe you will succeed or whether you believe you will fail-----you will be right. Something to think about. Isn't there a book/movie about positive thinking and how it affects us that come out not long ago? I will ask on my other thread, they watched it I think. Gotta go hang grass skirts!!!!! Kat

Well heck y'all didn't think I wouldn't have to add my .02 did ya???? Lunasa, several studies have been done, and I wish I had the paperwork to cite for you, but I will give you the run down on what I remember.....these studies showed that when the body begins losing the sudden weight with the liquid phase, all the hormones that have been stored in the fat, are suddenly released into the body. The biggest one to cause issue is estrogen. It gives people headaches, causes weight gain (think PMS), and mood changes, including depression. If you go back to other monthly threads, and find them at the 2-4 month stages, you will find that they too slowed or even stalled at the weight loss, and are having similar issues as you and several others in the thread. Eventually the weight loss does slow down, and therefore allows the body to adjust to the increase of estrogen and other hormones in the body. Hormones work like a see-saw. If one goes up, others go down to compensate, or rise even higher, trying to keep things in balance. One of the hormones affected by the estrogen is called Gruehlin (I forget the spelling exactly), it is the hormone that alerts us to hunger. It is so closely tied together with the other hormone, that it is an expected and accepted thing that women's weight will change when they either go through menopause or have a hysterectomy, or even go on the pill. In the info packet in birth control pills, and many other forms of hormone based birth control, weight gain is listed as a side effect! When you get to the proper level of restriction, which can take multiple fills (and I am told this is optimal meaning you are losing visceral fat inside, where it is dangerous), you will begin losing on a steady pace, slow enough to allow your body to adjust to the changes, and yet fast enough to give your hope back. If you go to the Dr, and nothing shows in your blood, and you still have problems losing, and you are eating in a healthy manner---ask for a referral to an endocrinlogist, and let them look into it further. I personally believe, once you get past the flood of hormones in your body, you will be much better. In my case, I was older....I had also had a hysterectomy, so thought I was free----not so!!! I still had some of the issues, but had no female organs frantically producing hormones trying to help. Think of it in the same way our bodies try to help pass a stuck bite with sliming----it truly hinders as opposed to helping, but the body does it anyway. Same with the hormones, it tries to help get you in sync again, and many times only makes matters worse. Venting, and feeling free to say what you did, is great. My tendency was always to bottle it up, which did no good at all, for me or for anyone else. Who knows maybe there are several out there feeling the same way you are, and your voicing it will help you all. Hang in there girl, it will be worth it. YOU are worth it whatever it takes. And we will be right there with you helping when and however we can. OK, back to cooking and decorating for me. I sat down here with my sandwich, and got my LBT fix while I had lunch! Parties begin tomorrow, and now the weather says it may rain tomorrow night....makes me wanna cry! But I have been a cry baby lately anyway. Yesterday the lawnmower would not restart for me, and I got so frustrated I was in tears, today I was sewing a dress (the buttons over my boobs ALWAYS gap open) and I stitched the back to it in a place, and could not locate a seam ripper, and was reduced to tears. I think I must be hanging around my 2 year old granddaughter too much!!!! Talk to y'all soon!!! Kat

Me too with the Prilosec OTC---I take it every day. My Dr.'s think I once again have a hiatal hernia. It was repaired during my banding, but I am apparently prone to them. Both of my parents have them as well. So when I began the reflux several years ago, I figured that was the problem. But when it began after the band, of course I panic, and assume it is band related. But my band and esophagus looked wonderful.....but they could see a shadow on the diaphram, looking like I once again have a haital hernia---funderful! Finished the picture boards today---they look pretty cute, I think they will be fun! Tomorrow, is decorating the yard, cleaning the house, and some prep work with the cooking....cutting, boiling eggs, etc. Friday I will do last minute things, and then hopefully have it under control enough, to actually have some fun, and time to visit with some family I seldom get to see. New avatar looks great Cindy, Sherry is such a whiz.....glad we have her!!!! Betty- sorry about the pool----maybe you should open a spa and charge for mud baths!!! I'd help you clean it up if I were closer! Miss Beannie, hope she is ok........ YEA!!!!!!!!!! Last night when we were working outside, the skeeters were biting, so today I called Vector control, about spraying, and I hear the truck going down the alley----my guests won't end up getting ate alive! OK, I am off to the shower...Take care y'all. Will check on you all tomorrow!!! Hugs! Kat

Wow Denise, you and Michelle both have made amazing progress!!! GRREAT job girlies!!!! It sometimes seems so slow, but in the end, it is such a difference! I mean when I think back to sitting at this computer researching, and dreaming of losing weight! I thought if I could do the low end of average, and lose a pound a week, then I would be down over 50 pounds in a year! It seemed impossible, and I ended up doing much better than that---and even though at times it seemed slow---it now seems like such a short time, to make such a drastic difference! You'll see!!!! Jennifur----I too will be saying special prayers for you, that you will find a job well suited to you. My DD just changed fields completely, and is loving it. She has worked as a nurse for several years now, and she is now an administrative assistant for BP Amoco. She said it is kinda nice dealing with people who aren't sick! Hopefully something will come up for you that was worth waiting for. I do know how hard it is, I was a single Mom for several years, and we struggled many a time. I consider myself very lucky now that I am not in that situation still, but things can happen that would land any one of us there, in short order. Know we are thinking of you, and pulling for you. Well I am off to ride the eliptical for a few, my dinner is not moving---just sitting, which causes me to have massive reflux, if I try to lay down. Sorry to all of you dealing with the hair loss, it sucks so bad! I too thought I would go bald, it was not pretty. It finally stopped though, and is now growing back, but it is pretty straggly! Hang in there. I never found a cause, nor a cure. I tried the increase in protein, the bioten, zinc.....it was all money wasted in the end, as soon as my body adjusted to the changes, it quit. My Dr. warned me. Mine may have been worse, since I have a history of losing my hair---due to chemo---I don't know, but it was traumatic. Big hugs to those of you dealing with it. Keep in mind it DOES quit! You will soon be both thin, and have a head full of hair again! Talk to you all soon. Got a lot accomplished towards my parties today---got a busy few ahead of me though!!!! Kat

Hi girlies! You look like you had a blast Cindy!!! I am glad you got to spend special time in a special place with special people. We never seem to get enough of those times! Dianne-what a perfect job for you! You always have such an upbeat attitude towards your banding, and you have done such a great job working yours! Congratulations!!!! My SIL that was banded the same time I was told me today that her oldest and youngest DD's are going to be banded in August, and will be going together. How lucky for them to be getting the help at the youger ages. One is 33 the other 29 or so.... I never really had a problem with my weight until in my 30's----I would have loved to have the 15 years back, to live at a normal weight, without the years of obesity. Lots of you are younger, and I think it was a great move getting it done then, not waiting! Anyway.....I have no doubt you will prove to be excellent at your new job an a real asset to the medical group! WTG!!! Mandy---you too would do good at something like that---but girl you know those kiddos need you!!! I am exhausted! I cleaned the garage today!!! I also got the flowers done. My SIL come and helped me, with the flowers thank goodness. Rick built my picture things tonight, so I will finish them tomorrow. I have these vinyl cling like things of the Surf Guy, with the ripped muscles, and the Hula Girl, with all the perfect curves. They are like 5- 5 1/2 feet tall. So we are mounting them on sheets of board, and we cut out the faces, and made holes in the board. So you stand behind them, and put your face through. They are going to turn out pretty cute I think---I'll try to post a "new" after pic!!!! He also used our old desk and built a Tiki Bar. I am going to have several of the sun tea jars with tea, some flavored tea, and lemonade in them, as well as one of the big pails with iced soda's. My inlaws are VERY anti alcohol, so there will be none! I have a full day of shopping, and lawn work tomorrow, and then the next will be split between cooking and cleaning. Then it will be over soon!!!! I have horrible "farmers" tan on my arms after this last weekend on the bike, and my dress is sleeveless....not gonna be pretty! I never buy sleeveless, because I have some pretty scary scars on my arm....but went for it anyway, and now the tan only highlights them! Oh well, they won't be looking at me anyway---and hopefully if they do, they will notice the weight loss, and not the arms!! Cindy---ask Sherry for some help with the avatar, she helped me. I need to make a new picture.....but even though I know that one was taken over 40 pounds ago, I don't feel like I have changed much. Betty---been getting in any riding? I know everytime I see the weather it shows y'all getting more storms. I bet it is so green there!!! Gotta show us your yard! I keep trying not to stress over our weather for these parties---but it is hard not to! So what's everyone got on the agenda for the 4th of July? I can tell you what I am NOT doing!!!! There will be NO parties here at our place for the 4th!!!! Be willing to bet they expect there to be though!! Well, I am off to cruise the site a bit, and then head off to bed. We had dinner late, so letting it settle before laying down, or I reflux----ewwwwww! Talk to y'all soon!!! Kat

If you look up martyr in the dictionary, you will find my MIL's picture! She has the attitude, and the actions down so pat, we all know what to expect from her!! They tend to make me crazy as well. My SIL (their DD) and I were banded together, and she has dogged my early success, and said how horrid the band was, until SIL finally hit a sweet spot, and began losing, and now the band is wonderful, and it is too bad I am regaining my weight---which I am not BTW!!!!! If we do not run away, they tend to try to monopolize every spare minute my DH has off of work. He just had another heart procedure done (he had open heart this year) and they were hinting at HIM to come buck hay. I ended up doing it. They rely way too much on him----and he is responsible and will do it for them or feel guilt from his siblings who live out of town, and they too expect him to do it all. There are times I am ready to move to a foreign country to escape them! They are not bad people----but very selfish people without question. They are 80 years old, been married for over 61 years....and VERY set in their ways. And they expect my DH to take care of things for them, it is the nature of things as they see it. I agree to a point. I have no problem helping out----but they don't want help, they want him to do it! My FIL is too old to grow alfalfa, and raise cows, he simply cannot do what needs to be done. But will he quit? Oh hell no! Let my DH go by every day after work, and deal with it. His heart surgeries have been a real problem! When I personally have to lift 200 bales of hay out of the field, onto a trailer, then off the trailer and stacked in the barn----I get pissed! I want the animals GONE! I want the fields GONE! I want the huge garden GONE! When we come to spend time with them, sit and visit with us, talk to us, don't send us off on yet another chore for you----but they see it much differently! So do the siblings.......like I say it may be time to learn a foreign language!!!!!! It is rather refreshing to know I am not alone!!! Kat

Hi everyone---haven't found much time to post. Spent 2 days getting the hay in, and then we ran away!!! Went to Mesa Verde National Park (HUGE Indian ruins). We camped out, and stayed away from phones!!!! Will be a busy week---my parents anniversary things are this Friday, and Saturday. I have multiple trips to the airport---and lots to cook, and I need to clean....and shop some more, and decorate....heck I am making a list of lists I need to make!!!! I will try to get back soon!!!! Hugs to Dianne, sorry about the leg! I miss you all!!! Glad to see Darcy checked in!!! BBL!!! Kat

Judy, your sons wedding looked wonderful, sorry I missed wishing you a happy birthday, and anniversary----hope they were both great!!! Thanks for sharing your special times with us!!! We got home late tonight, we escaped for the long weekend. It is sad to say, but if we had been home, Rick's family would have had him busy. He saw the Dr. on Thursday, and was given a release to ride, so we went camping with our friends---we rode up to Mesa Verde National Park just outside of Cortez Colorado. It is an amazing ruins. We hadn't been in several years, and it continues to grow, as they excavate. History such as that is one of Rick's favorite things, he loves the ruins, and the museums. So does my friends husband, so Saturday they toured several ruins that we opted out of (one you have to crawl through tunnels, and I am claustrophobic....the other involved ladders, and she hates heights!) So we hungout at camp, and we took a swim, and read, and caught up with gossip! Was a great weekend. I seriously needed it. I spent a good part of last week bucking hay. It was our 2nd cutting, and we had to get it in, we couldn't wait for Rick to heal, so I worked my butt off!!! Lost a couple of pounds for the effort, hope they stay away! We put a couple hundred bales in the barn, so I earned some time off! I got stung by a bee on the ride up Friday, and it is still HUGE and swollen and hot, I am doing cold compresses, and benedryl cream----hoping it goes down soon, will look horrible with my dress for this weekend! When we come home, Rick helped me build the Tiki Bar I wanted. Our Tiki Bar will hold tea, flavored and plain, lemonade, and soda----but it looks cute!!! The Luau is this coming Friday, the vow renewal, and reception on Saturday. My Dad bought my Mom a new ring, a gold Anniversary band....she has no idea, and won't until the pastor gets to that part of the ceremony. I convinced Dad to buy himself a new band as well, so Mom won't feel bad, and he had lost his trimming trees a couple of years ago! He went with a simple gold band. They both still have no idea that their original wedding party will all be on hand to stand up with them again! They think my brother and I might stand up with them, so they won't be at the alter alone. But both couples who were their attendants 50 years ago, will be in Friday!!! 3 couples, all married for over 50 years----impressive! It was in the newspaper today, and I think everything is going along ok, except there is a chance of showers on Friday, when I have the outdoor party planned.....of course!!!! Oh Well----I keep telling myself, it rained when we were in Hawaii, and it did not ruin anything, this won't either. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!! Denise, my port was so sore following the 2 days I spent bucking bales, I was convinced I had flipped my port. It is actually pretty easy to feel now----bizarre!!! When I had it done it was under several inches, and difficult to find....now even I can find it!! But it has quit hurting, and I am feelign fine, so hoping all is well, glad yours quit hurting! Amanda---welcome, you have found one of the best groups around, they are supportive, diverse, and have become great friends!!! You will enjoy the lack of drama....at least the lack of drama between members, we all share all of our ups and downs and personal dramas.....and their support goes well beyond our bands. I felt like I had a whole new support system when my DH had surgery. You will feel at home soon! Terri---I too love Steamboat! We go once a year in the winter at the very least. Usually once in the late spring as well. My DH takes a few of his guys at work to Steamboat to the Bridgestone Winter Driving School. They have a huge area, they flood, and it is a VERY cold place in the winter, so it freezes, and they teach them driving techniques on the ice and snow. He says it is the most fun you can have on 4 wheels! Then we have gone in the Spring for several years to a softball tournament, with my niece----but this was her last year to play, she graduated.....now we need a new excuse to go!!! We got to watch the International Ski Jump competition one year----incredible! I like the little shops too! Well I need to go make a list of lists I need to make!!! The parties are upon me, and I need to finish all the last minute things. I am still keeping the girls (granddaughters 6 and 2) as well, Kinsey (2) is still in her cast (broken ankle, little daredevil, still tries to jump---in her cast no less!!!), so entertaining her is a priority too----should be a busy week, will check in and am so glad to see everyone is doing good----I am so proud of y'all!!!!!! Hugs! Kat

Wow--I cannot believe how much trouble I am having with the site again. I cannot post half the time, then when I do, it shows up multiple times....Anyone else having issues??? Rick is doing really well. His swelling has gone down, and his heart rate continues to be normal. Hoping this did the trick, and he is on the road to full recovery again---it has been a tough year. Kinsey (my granddaughter) is coping well with a cast for a 2 1/2 year old. She is not using it much yet, the ortho said if she will walk on it to let her, she just won't, says it hurts her. She went to see her Dad for Father's Day, and he drew all over the cast, it looks awful, he even let her have the marker, and she got it all over her leg, which is hard to wash without getting the cast wet...what a moron he is!!! We had a cookout for Father's Day. It started out small---son was going to cook for Dad. Well of course the girls (our 2 DD's) and their families were included. Then naturally we added our Dads, who both come with Moms......well that is when things got out of hand! His Mom invited EVERYONE!!!! Seriously pissed me off to put it plainly! Rick just got out of the hospital---and none of them took that into consideration!!! His folks have 13 acres......lots of space for a get together, his sister has a really nice place 7 miles away----but nope, none of them seemed to consider that he was recovering. He was on lifting limitations until today---nothing heavier than a gallon of milk. So I spent all day getting things ready----dragging out picnic tables and cleaning them, cleaning the grill---even the dadgummed son didn't get over here to help----he was on my list too!!!! Him, but mostly my DIL. She refuses to control my grandson. And if DS tries, she gets huffy, and brings the baby in, and ignores us all. I still consider him a baby (he is the youngest of our grandbabies) he is 16 months old. She about went toe to toe with me when I told him if he pulled my flowers again, he was going to Granny's corner!!! She snatched him up, and went out into the yard to ignore him out there. She didn't come back around me until it was time for food---and she is never far from the food, she is where I was a year and a half ago---so I try to be understanding with that. So food soothed things between us, but I feel it is only temporary. I have had 3 other grandbabies, and I cannot count how many children through my home ( I ran a day care, begining in my home for well over 20 years) and have never had a child as destructive or one who has had less guidance. And this is my grandson, not someone elses kid!!!! So I spent hours chasing him around, taking away pop cans, and putting the solar lights back together, keeping him away from the other kids swinging...it wore me out!!! DS was cooking...but DIL just takes a break when others are there to do her job, but when you try to correct him, she gets offended. So I was wiped out by the time it was half over! Only to have all these people fill up and take off leaving me the mess. The kids stayed, and picked up all the food, and put away all the tables etc. But it is still lots of clean up-----and it ALWAYS ends up at our place. I told Rick I am going to take it....but only for the summer. While we can be outside, when the winter holidays come----I am refusing! If they choose not to get together then so be it! Sorry ----and thanks for listening!!!! This has been making me crazy!!!! Dianne glad you are home! Fill us in when you get rested!!! Mandy---glad the appointments went well. Hope you find a Dr. that is ready to work with you---none of that is fun. Kinsey has ask me a couple of times to take the cast off. But for the most part she has adapted very well. It just looks so pathetic!!! DD took her and the granddaughter to be, and had their pictures made today. Her BF is in Houston at a school for 2 weeks, he missed Father's Day, and today was his birthday, he missed it too! While at lunch with the girls, she mentioned the girls bought him a new wallet, and I suggested she find some pictures to put in it, and she had a coupon for free pictures, so they went and had them made this evening. They color coordinated around her pink cast! I realllllllllly wished then her Dad had not decided he was an artist! Oh well, it is a cute picture, and commemorates her injury!!!! Patty, Eileenie, Betty, Sherry, Chris....I miss you all. I vote to send the monkeys after Beannie and Darcy!!!! Hugs to you all!!!! Hope Cindy is smiling in her sleep she is having such a good time! Kat

Wow--I cannot believe how much trouble I am having with the site again. I cannot post half the time, then when I do, it shows up multiple times....Anyone else having issues??? Rick is doing really well. His swelling has gone down, and his heart rate continues to be normal. Hoping this did the trick, and he is on the road to full recovery again---it has been a tough year. Kinsey (my granddaughter) is coping well with a cast for a 2 1/2 year old. She is not using it much yet, the ortho said if she will walk on it to let her, she just won't, says it hurts her. She went to see her Dad for Father's Day, and he drew all over the cast, it looks awful, he even let her have the marker, and she got it all over her leg, which is hard to wash without getting the cast wet...what a moron he is!!! We had a cookout for Father's Day. It started out small---son was going to cook for Dad. Well of course the girls (our 2 DD's) and their families were included. Then naturally we added our Dads, who both come with Moms......well that is when things got out of hand! His Mom invited EVERYONE!!!! Seriously pissed me off to put it plainly! Rick just got out of the hospital---and none of them took that into consideration!!! His folks have 13 acres......lots of space for a get together, his sister has a really nice place 7 miles away----but nope, none of them seemed to consider that he was recovering. He was on lifting limitations until today---nothing heavier than a gallon of milk. So I spent all day getting things ready----dragging out picnic tables and cleaning them, cleaning the grill---even the dadgummed son didn't get over here to help----he was on my list too!!!! Him, but mostly my DIL. She refuses to control my grandson. And if DS tries, she gets huffy, and brings the baby in, and ignores us all. I still consider him a baby (he is the youngest of our grandbabies) he is 16 months old. She about went toe to toe with me when I told him if he pulled my flowers again, he was going to Granny's corner!!! She snatched him up, and went out into the yard to ignore him out there. She didn't come back around me until it was time for food---and she is never far from the food, she is where I was a year and a half ago---so I try to be understanding with that. So food soothed things between us, but I feel it is only temporary. I have had 3 other grandbabies, and I cannot count how many children through my home ( I ran a day care, begining in my home for well over 20 years) and have never had a child as destructive or one who has had less guidance. And this is my grandson, not someone elses kid!!!! So I spent hours chasing him around, taking away pop cans, and putting the solar lights back together, keeping him away from the other kids swinging...it wore me out!!! DS was cooking...but DIL just takes a break when others are there to do her job, but when you try to correct him, she gets offended. So I was wiped out by the time it was half over! Only to have all these people fill up and take off leaving me the mess. The kids stayed, and picked up all the food, and put away all the tables etc. But it is still lots of clean up-----and it ALWAYS ends up at our place. I told Rick I am going to take it....but only for the summer. While we can be outside, when the winter holidays come----I am refusing! If they choose not to get together then so be it! Sorry ----and thanks for listening!!!! This has been making me crazy!!!! I didn't hear anything about threads moving either, but like I say, I have been having problems with the site. Then this morning I logged on - was half way through a post when we had a power outage, power went off and right back on....just enough to unset every clock in the house, and shut my computer down----aaarrrggghhh!!!!!! hair loss------mine was sooooooooooooo bad, I hate to tell you all! I lost well over half my hair. It began 4 month out from surgery for me, and continued for several months. I have fairly long hair, and it is pretty straggly now. I used to have to buy clips etc. for thick hair, now my pony tail is about as big around as maybe a nickel. It is pathetic! It is however growing back now. I have short 1 1/2 inch long hair all over, I see it in my bangs big time. In a few months it will be much better. My part no longer shows as badly as it did before. It got very wide. I almost burned up a very expensive vacuum, with all the hair wrapped around the beater bar! And the drains had to be cleaned at least weekly---no joke. I have ALWAYS maintained my Protein. I did not cut out fats ever....I tried the bioten....the Vitamins for hair & nails, all kinds of things....zinc....you name it! My Dr. said it happens to some and not to others. And in different degrees. I felt mine was BAD! It is recovering though. My only thought at the time that helped was that if I was thin, I could wear a wig. If I had a full head of hair, I could not put on a thin suit! Mine may have been more severe, because I have lost ALL my hair before, due to chemo....maybe that predisposed me for it or something. Now when it fell out then it was straight as a board. It grew back darker and curly----I keep wondering what I will get this time!!!! OK going to go try to post this book!!!! See ya soon Shrinkers!!! Kat

Christy & Sara, it is so good to see y'all again---we been a wondering!!!! Well the news I have to share on the hair issue is not pretty....on a good note, though it is not permanent (no pun intended Tracy!) I began losing hair about 4-5 months out from surgery, and continued losing hair, at what was an alarming rate to me for several months. I was getting proper protein, so that was not an issue. I have never eliminated anything from my diet, so I don't think it was lack of fats....I tried the biotin, and it made no difference. I ended up with very thin hair, and a very wide part. I could see the shape of my scalp through the hair on top of my head. I don't know if the fact I have completely lost my hair before due to chemo, made mine more succeptible maybe....but it was getting to a poiunt I was looking at wigs on line....and it quit! It did not stop until I was close to a year out though. I almost burned up the vaccuum....from hair being wrapped around the beater bar. My hair too is fairly long. I was constantly cleaning out the tub drain. It was scary, and upsetting! But I now have new hair---it is abut an inch and a half in the new sections. With it being summer, I wear it up a lot anyway so it won't show so bad, the little short frizzies!!! Then next fall I'll likely cut it, to make it blend better. Relax if you can, it happens to some of us, others say they had no loss at all. I think stress only makes it worse----and I stressed over it! I repeat, it is not forever, it gets better......promise!!! Well we have all the kids coming tomorrow for a cook out---love the kids coming, and the parents, could do without all the siblings, and their kids, they come and eat and take off, leaving us with the mess. His niece will show up with the bag of chips she always brings (and money is not an issue) and she will have her 2 teenage sons, one of their girlfriends, her daughter, a girl she provides care for, the current boyfriend, aka as the prospective next husband ----#4 or 5. They will be first in line to eat, and first to take off. Never helping prepare or clean up. But she was trained well, her Mom, my SIL does that as well...... There is just no way around having them though, My MIL invites EVERYONE whether we want them or not! Laura, the difference in your pictures is great----just look at your upper back, it has changed so much as well!!!! Good job girl!!! And Christy---you have lost almost 50 pounds!!! WooooHoooo!!! Sara, sometimes it takes awhile to get the the right spot. I started out losing great, and did good for months, my SIL who was banded at the same time, didn't do too well at first, and about the time I stalled out, she jumped up and the weight began falling off, now a year out, we are at about the same loss!!! We are both nearing the 100 pound mark....do not be discouraged....we all do differently. Glad you girls come back!!! Christy, hows the girlie problems going??? I am driving a friend to the hospital next week for her to have a hysterectomy done, and she is so scared.... Well I am off to bed, Rick just finished in the shower, he is doing great!!! Will talk to you all soon!!! Kat

Yes you are entitled to half of the assets. But before even mentioning this to him, find an attorney!!!!! You do not have to leave the home, even after having him served with papers. Having him served will keep hom from withdrawing money or stocks, or selling anything, without your approval. It will also keep him from removing you from insurance policies, or joint accounts, without your knowledge, without being in contempt of the courts. When he gets served all hell will break loose----expect it, but get it legal BEFORE even discussing it with him. His temper sounds way too volatile to have a reasonable discussion over this. If you cannot get to an attorney THIS WEEK....then start a file, showing bank balances, credit card balances....begin looking carefully over those bills. Keep record of what you have at this time, and make detailed notes of WHY the paperwork is being documented. It will protect you. It is all admissable. Anything you need an EXACT date on, print up, then mail to yourself, leave it unopened once you receive it, even if you have it mailed to your parents or a friends. The post mark will show WHEN it was documented, but only if it is in an unopened condition. If he calls you names, or threatens to pack you up out of the house again, document the time he said it, exactly what he said etc.....it is verbal assault. There may come a time you need the history to prove it. When you tell your children, they will likely have serious problems with it, but they are adults, heading through the same life we are, and they will adjust. Just keep in mind that surely you do not want your DD to think that she is expected to stay with her DH regardless of how she is treated, you want her to be strong, and never take this crap----! She may hate you leaving her Dad, but when it comes down to it, in the end they will respect the decision. I was divorced many years ago, but had a DD go through one more recently----and the big thing they pounded into her was DOCUMENTATION!!!!!!!!!!! Anything and everything that can be beneficial to you----get ready to prove it! Find the cell phone bills, copy them! Look out for yourself! If you ever need to vent come here, if you need to talk, let us know we will listen, heck, I'll send you my #. Keep in mind he may be able to keep track of what you are doing on the computer-----cover your butt! Keep your head about you, let some of the emotion come out in getting yourself organized----it will not hurt, even if everything in the end works out. ((((HUGS))))) to you-----been there, and it sucks, but NEVER as bad as living the life you are now. I realized it was much lonlier in the room with him than in the room alone. When alone I didn't expect anyone to speak to me, or relate....with him there, I did, and we just didn't connect anymore...... I feel your pain----and we WILL be here!!!! Kat