Kat817

Blood and puss in the urine are not uncommon for many UTI's Pamela----are you getting a sharp contraction feeling when the urine stops flowing? That is what usually sends me to the Dr. They will prescribe some antibiotics for you (they always give me Levaquin or something like that)--but if you are having the burning or discomfort go to the store, and near the pamprin and midol they sell a product called AZO---it is a numbing type med, it eases my pain considerably!!! BEWARE tho---it turns your urine a bright orange, and stains everything it comes in contact with--so wear a liner or the laundry day panties if you take it!!! When I am hurting, it is well worth the color to ease the pain. Put your feet up, and try to relax. DO NOT take any left over antibiotics of any kind--it will render your UA negative, even if you DO have a UTI! Learned that one the hard way!! LOL Tracy---I am on MST----and do not have to leave here until about 11 Thursday---so will try to call, or you can call earlier that morning. I spoiled myself talking to you---so much easier than typing!!! Terry what was the feel for overall expense in Jax? Maybe a thought for a future Violet meet up???? Since you will be experienced in the area by then!! Jane---do you or does anyone in your shop deal with skin care? I wash my hands sooooooo much at work, and am messing with so much paper work, my cuticles are a mess, and I am getting my Mom's hands!! Which I love dearly on her----but she is 70+ I am not!!! Or if any of you have good suggestions for some serious moisturizing cream, I need them!!! We got our irrigation water on yesterday---I say we---actually Rick got the water going, and watered all day. OMG the difference in my yard is already noticable!!! It was getting green, and this morning, it looks like my yard again! Is supposed to be a nice week. We are getting up early tomorrow and going to watch the end of a meteor shower. Rick said when he gets home he will move my swing to the yard. Then we take blankets and kick back and watch the shooting stars.....once every few years we catch one where the skies are to be clear, and it is semi warm enough to even consider it!!! I have high hopes for this one. One of my favorite things Rick does, is getting things together to do this. Well it is time for me to get out of here.....gotta go make me a cup of cappucino to take with me---and I wonder why the weight is not dropping faster!!! It is going down s l o w l y.........I mean I have restriction, especially in the morning, but it is not dropping off of me like it did in the beginning--it likes me better this time around and is hanging out!!! SIL is still in the hosp----no update, altho I am sure I will hear from my MIL. You know her being sick is my fault. I researched the band for a year before making the trip to the seminar. SIL rode with me to the seminar, telling me all the way she would never do it, she liked eating too well. Only to be converted in the seminar. Then when I made a shift in plans to go to MX she come with me. So since I paved the way--her health issues are my fault. I feel so powerful.......I joke but it really upsets me when she dogs me for convincing her to do this horrible band. I did not convince her, I felt her weight on my coattails!!! EEEekkkk really gotta go!! XOXOXOX

Don't cha just know little Carson is wondering, What in the Hell happened??? I was so warm and comfy----and now THIS????? Hang in there Laura!!! Sending lotsa love and kisses to your poor little guy!! Terry---glad you are home, and that you had a great time!!! Missed ya!

Snakes??? NO thank you!!!! Brave girl there Fanny!!! SIL is still in the hospital. They were going to do a swallow study, and release her this morning, she swallowed, and back up it come! So they are monitoring her....hoping it is swelling, but there is a possibility of a fusion I am understanding, and she may be looking at partial removal of her stomach---sounds like a bypass revision.....scary crap!!! And no the SIL nor niece are nurses, niece has some medical training as a phlebotomist....but she does theirs, and several others. Hoping that had nothing to do with it. SIL has been throwing up for a lot longer than niece has even been banded. They are going to do more testing, but she is in the hosp. for minimally 2 more days. We spent part of yesterday at softball practice, getting started practicing for our late summer league. Everywhere I have feeling....I hurt!!! LOL I may just damn well be too old for this..... Yep, y'all need to check out the goatmilk soap.... Beth, I know what you mean about number breaking down. I went to work, about the time they cut DH's hours in about half. Then we paid off our car this month----so I put that amount into my auto deduct savings----and by the time I did my IRA as well---we are only a few hundred ahead!!! We almost broke even with DH's former hours. Pathetic!!! LOL Well off to soak in a hot tub!!! I have muscles I forgot about!!!

Hey girls~ Just checking in....was a great day. Rick come over and took me to lunch, we cooked dinner together, and then I sat down at the computer to pay some bills and renew registration on the car, and I don't know what happen, but I found myself in the WORST mood!!! Laura the pics are wonderful!!! What a sweetheart he is!! Michelle---sounds to me, like the school is pouting for not getting to "spin" things! Too bad...glad it is over, and soon when they realize exactly how much you did for the school, they will miss you! Pamela, I am so thrilled for you--getting to read a book for fun!!! LOL! They just finished state testing here. We had parents calling because they had let kids glasses go, and now suddenly they need them....like yesterday. They were scrambling, trying to get them for the kids, knowing the kids are not the ones at fault when they need to be brought in. Heather, I got your info added to the sheet----and will send you a copy....like Haydee, my computer is acting all wierd! Judy, I miss my Kinsey job something fierce!!! But she is loving school. She tells me about it. And Manda give me the password to see her at school---so I have popped in a couple of times and looked at her. She is always in a group of kids and laughing. She got to be teachers helper since she did so well writing her name, and helped the other little girl learn how to write a K. They said she is cruising without problems in the preschool part of her day--which is a relief. I am coming down with another cold. I expected it working with people again----and being more exposed than usual-------this one come from our receptionist I am sure, she has been sick. My SIL is still hospitalized, she had the surgery to repair the prolapse, and was to have a swallow study and be released this morning. She swallowed, and back up it come----so they are monitoring to see if it might be swelling, and she is in for minimally 2 more days. Then they will make a decision what is going on. Scary----she may end up losing part of her stomach! Would be a bypass revision I am guessing from the sounds of it. Jenn, sorry you are feeling so bad! TracyK---glad you got some alone time!!! Maybe we can squeeze in an early phone call on Thursday???? Haydee, your sisters party sounds wonderful!!! I am looking forward to summer, so we can have big gatherings outside!! Jane---I agree, try some water pills and see if that helps, and if not maybe a different Dr. is in order, that is something that would be difficult to do. I am sorry it has you so blue, I fully understand tho. Suzanne---sounds like you need a TracyK day away!!! Busy, busy, busy!!! Terry---did you make it home ok? Did you have lotsa fun??? Well I am off to soak in some bubbles.....aaaahhhhhhh If I missed you....it was not intentional, it is my old brain, I worked it too hard today, and with getting sick I feel all bumfuzzled.......yep that's how I feel! XOXOXOX

Busy day here too. Grandson has been here, got my house all clean, laundry done, groceries bought and put away....and we too are headed off to softball. Then we are all going to dinner after that. Rick pitched in and helped all day, was nice. He even did the sweeping and mopping in the kitchen!!! yay!!! Will try to get back in, just not sure when. As much as I am really liking my job, it sure cuts into my Violet time!!! Love you all!!!

Talk to us Susan.....what's up????? My SIL who was banded the same day I was is in the hosp. as well, she had a major prolapse. They managed to save her band....not sure how, I haven't got the low down yet!! She and my niece fill and unfill her so often, I was scared something would happen, but never thought about a prolapse. Let us know what is going Susan!!! We worry about you when you make cryptic comments like that!!!

Lu-----check into making goat milk soap---it is in high demand! And if you ever get serious, there are people who will come and milk for you just to get the fresh milk, as there are some infants who cannot tolerate formulas and for some reason goats milk is a close fit to Mom's. Very few milk allergies with goats milk. Around here, a single designer size bar of soap goes for about $5.00. I have a friend who makes it....the one whose kids raise the goats----she keeps me supplied, it leaves my hands soooooo soft!!! My Dad has itching issues, of unknown origin, and if he uses the goat soap, he has none... If it comes down to wanting someone to deal with it for you....look into your local 4H groups. Gotta go.....DH is cooking....aka we are goin' out!

Lu, about all I can tell you about goats, pygmy or otherwise, is that is one is a male......make them a place far, far away from your house or anywhere you will be outside. The word smelly or stinky does not begin to cover male goats!!! OMG! My FIL come home from the Sale Barn one day with a couple of pygmy goats, and they roamed with his cattle--and the cows protected the goats one day when a couple of wild dogs hit after them, the cow actually stepped on one of the goats, trying to get between her and the dog, and broke the goats leg--so it ran around the field for a couple of weeks with a pink cast!!! Speaking of injuries------how is your ankle??? Anyway--the goats thought they were housepets-------followed him EVERYWHERE! We bought my inlaws a golf cart to get around the farm on, so they could go together, carry a bale of hay etc. The goats would try to ride!! They tried to follow you inside. But then come the fateful day they matured....and he began to smell....then he moved on to stink....and then on from there! It was horrid! We tried spraying him down in the summer------only made it worse! She had twins, and when they got rid of the babies, they got rid of them all. My FIL would go to feed the cows, and come home stinking to high heaven of goat!!! Couldn't even put his clothes in the hamper. MIL was livid over it. They are the absolutely cutest little baby animals you can imagine tho!!! I would LOVE to have one! I have a friend whose kids raise dairy and Boer goats for show, and a visit to her place and a little whiff of it, and the want for one passes......you will just have to post pics of yours and I can live vicariously through you!!!! What did you name them??? I KNOW you will name them....I would!!

Awwww Laura, I think you and Russell should have a dozen, since you make such adorable babies!!! He is soooooooo cute! The hospital pics have to be some of the best I have ever seen!!! Glad you were not in extreme pain all day! I have no earthly idea if this is even possible, but I wondered before when you were having such severe hip pain, if maybe the kidney being in a wrong place was causing nerve pain that was out of the ordinary---now I wonder if it blocked the usual pain? Whatever it was, I am glad the technology was there, to get you and Carson through it safely. The goal is having the child, not how you give birth!!! Jane, I have never heard of anything but a CPap what is the difference? It is still kinda cold here, I have a fire going. Supposed to start warming up today and be back in the 80's by Tuesday or Wed. No wonder everyone in the area has a cold, it jumps 50 degrees between night and day sometimes. My lawn is getting GREEN tho, and I have flowers blooming-all my bulbs are up and blooming, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths....iris are up, just not bloomed. Guess eventually it will be spring. I have this terribly unsettled feeling, and I cannot shake it. Like I am waiting for the other shoe to fall kind of thing. No idea why, but it is STRONG! I am off to pick up my Mom, take her to Target, then make the bridal shower. Mom forgot about it. I saw several affordable items left on their Target registry----so it should be pretty simple....buy a gift, a bag, a card, and hit the shower!!! Have you guys heard about this video game that has been such a hit for so long called World of Warcraft or something like that? It is multi player, you have teams (or some such thing) and do raids etc. It has literally caused many divorces. Rick is likely going to have to let one of his hands go today because of it. The kid has worked for him for 6 years, is single, and does NOTHING but play the game. Well he stays up all night, then can't focus at work. And he is around heavy equipment. He backed into a door last week, which will be his 3rd write up. He even brings his laptop and on breaks and lunch he is on it playing the game. A couple of weeks ago, they called Rick to the office to have him ask Chris if he had ever received his check from sometime last year, they were trying to close out the last quarter and his check had never come back. So Rick ask him, and he said he didn't know. So the next day he brought the check to Rick, and said yeah he found it in the console of his car, he didn't remember it was there----and entire paycheck, when you are 25 years old??? He told Rick he usually holds onto them til he has 3 or 4 and then hits the bank! He lives in an apartment here in town, I used to live in them, and they are nice, all utilities paid, so he just pays his rent, grabs food on the way home from work, and never leaves again. He has really dark hair, and his skin is ghostly white.... I read about the game being addictive and causing marital problems, but this kid is alone, and it is still causing him problems--he told Rick, do what you gotta do. No big deal. Wierd!! OK, I am supposed to pick Mom up at 10:30, so I better go. Everyone have a great weekend. Snuggle that sweetie Laura!!!

Just a quick note in case some of you didn't know..... Laura (FairyFacade) had her little boy last night!!! He is beautiful---7 lbs. 5 oz. His name is Carson. I am sure she will be in when she can to update everyone!!

I am so sorry both of you had to go through that. My experience was with my ex husband, and shame kept me quiet! I had good, honest reasons for staying---he threatened my other family members---and followed through with a friend, so I knew he would do it. I appreciate your wording it so eloquently Heather, I just wanted to yell and be ugly!!! LOL I truly do not understand how a person trained and seemingly caring enough to be a foster parent cannot get over themselves and put the kids first----my mind does not wrap around it. Lu---excellent point, file against the abuser or if it is founded to be a harrassing complaint, file against them. I sympathize with you. The friend my ex put in the hospital, was doing just as you all mentioned, trying to help me.... All of this still comes back to the fact that Octomom, NEEDS to be visited and kept under watch, simply to make sure she has enough help to properly care for that many children. She might just prefer to let them go wild like the first 6, and pocket all the $$$$. She needs watched, and investigated on a regular basis, before someone gets hurt or worse...

HI girlies! Well, Rick and I did some shopping after work---I have a bridal shower tomorrow, for Becky's sons fiance. Then we had a bite at Chilis---now home, and he is playing chopper!! LOL His sister, the one I was banded with, is in the hospital, in CO, where our band Dr. is at. She was in surgery for over 3 hours today, she had a major prolapse, and was throwing up blood. I kept telling her she was NOT doing what I did, when my intestine twisted, that something else was going on, but she was convinced it was the same thing....it wasn't! She is in ICU right now, due to the intestinal bleeding. They left her band in!!! OMG! I was so shocked. Her husband called my MIL and said "they left the band in, and wrapped it" what that means I have no idea! They say she will move to a regular room tomorrow probably and then be in for a few days. Scary stuff, but she threw up EVERY single day, sometimes multiple times a day---and not PB things---finger down the throat throwing up, because it felt better empty, and at night she refluxed if anything at all was in her pouch. Add to that, that she and her DD filled and unfilled her numerous times, I would guess upward of 20 times in the last year or so----and her stomach could not take it. She is lucky she finally went to the Dr. Lucky he TOUCHED her! Of course I am sure he knows nothing about her DD unfilling and filling her, or he likely would not have accepted the responsibility. He said it should be ok when she heals. My MIL is blaming the band 100% they are evil torture devices! Nothing that my SIL does is wrong, and her issues are always worse than anyones.....so shame on the band! Laura, hope you enjoyed your day of being a Mommy!!! Looking forward to hearing all about it! Going to go spend some shop time, and see my honey for awhile. Pamela I totally agree, there is nothing wrong with what you are doing.....it isn't like you put criminal activity in your acknowledgement for heavens sake! And you know, in this day and age, it might have places that it would be an advantage as opposed to a disadvantage---and like you say----why would you want to be there if that was the case. You go girl!! I found the coolest knives for my DH!!! They are made by a company with our last name, and made in the USA----so I am ordering a couple!! He will LOVE it. He collects knives, US made knives----we had never seen these, as we usually bought antique ones. This will make him happy tho!!! Jane-----you never did say how the sleep study went......and you have posted, so I am going to take a chance and assume you woke up ok!!! LOL Safe travels everyone, and you Texans stay safe, it is yucky here too--snowed even today....Grrrrrrrrr BBL~~

Well that is just wonderful!!! I am so happy he is here and healthy. My last 2 grandsons were c sections, and ya know they are just perfect!! Hope Laura is up and around quickly, and can't wait to see a pic or 2 of our Carson. Thanks so much for posting, I was heading to bed, and would not have known!! Congratulations Laura and Russell----I am sure he is perfection wrapped in blue.....enjoy your family time!

You know Patty, if there are always signs, why don't you tell the rest of us what all those signs are, so we don't have to wonder and will always know the right thing to do. That is the biggest load of BS I have heard (read) in a looooong time! Abuse, whether it be of a child, or spouse---whether it is physical, mental or sexual, does NOT always have signs. Abusers KNOW how to abuse without alerting outsiders--they know the threats and they know how and where to hit without it showing. I am not (was not) a scared child, and my abuser knew how to keep me quiet--and how to keep the abuse from showing to the outside world. Abusers KNOW those they abuse, they know their fears and their weaknesses, and they play on them. And those being abused try to be as normal as possible. If it is a child, they quite possibly know no different. A spouse often remains quiet, because they are without a way to move on....or they worry the threats made will be carried out. I spoke for several years on a Victim Impact Panel, trying to get stronger domestic abuse laws in my state---and I can tell you, I was shocked at some of the people who come forward as victims of abuse! Strong civic leaders----what signs did they show??? What signs did I miss??? There were people around me on a daily basis that love me deeply----and yep you guessed it, they missed my signs. I try VERY hard on this board to not call anyone out---to maintain a middle line --- but this rings way to close to blaming the victim.....there ARE NO hard and fast rules to SEE abuse happening. And if you have a crystal ball and can tell when there is abuse or not because there are signs---then Patty I think you should be travelling the country saving innocent children from the pain they are being dealt by abusers, because most of us have no way of knowing, only what we think might be happening.

MY guess will be 8 lbs 1 oz. at 8:32 PM her time...(or mine if it is closer!! LOL) Heather, I have never been weak stomached about things, this doesn't faze me! Long busy day, my back is killing me. I too kept checking my phone for a message! Hate to hear about Russ' Mom, that will suck not being able to comfortably hold that new little boy! Glad to hear that the epidural is working for Laura---she was worried that it would only do half her body, because that is how someone on here did. Good thing it is working as it should. Getting them is not always easy or fun, but I can only say that it would be well worth it!!! I have gone through the spinal tap when I had menengitis.....and it is nothing compared to end stage contractions!!! LOL Well I will be back to check in before bed. Pamela I saw an ad in a magazine earlier and it to me looked like the pics you have shown of Susanne, I will have to go see what the ad was for, so you can look at it!

Yes we have Pamela!!! And hey you might as well go on to Alabama and tell Laura's Dr. that you too are a Dr. to hell with what kind, and observe Carson's debut!!! LOL Glad you had friends there to celebrate with you! Carson is REALLY coming!!! What an exciting thing! It seems like just a couple of months ago she said she was pregnant!!! I know it went by faster for me than it did her!!! I will check my phone as much as I can, today is procedures all day. And we have to re-lacerate the eye boil that he did yesterday....omg what a nasty mess!!! Gross beyond belief, but like a train wreck, I could not look away! Well got interupted with a phone call, so better get this posted and head out. Call me!! I wanna know when I am an Auntie!!! Love ya all

heartfire---when I had the problem of throwing everything up, and I do mean everything, there was a point it was darker, but that was only a short time, and then it went to being exactly what I had drank and nothing else. My surgeon told me, if I was bleeding and it was going into my pouch or stomach and sitting, when I threw it up it would look like coffee grounds. He also said if I ended up with a tear in my esophagus it would be a RED blood as it would be fresh. In my case (I had a twisted intestine, and NOTHING was passing) nothing stayed in long enough for it to be old---be it blood or water. I drank, it went down hit the blockage like a trampoline and up it come! My DH had a really serious, life threatening GI bleed. He had heart surgery - his mitral valve failed. Then the local Dr.'s office mis managed his coumadin (blood thinner) therapy, and misread a chart from a 7.1 to a 1.1, and upped his dosage again. Or it could have been the other way I don't remember. Anyway the antibiotics he was on made him sick, and when he vomitted the first time, there was only a small red speck or 2-but noticable. Within minutes he threw up again and it was all BRIGHT RED. We head to the hospital, and you could see his abdomen swelling. They kept after him "are you sure it was blood?" he told them to give him something cuz he was fixing to show them. She handed him the little kidney shaped spit dish, and he grabbed the wash basin--and filled it with blood! Ended up he had what is called a double Mallory Weiss esophageal tear. They are very common in lesser severity among alcoholics and anorexics, because vomitting weakens the esophagus, and they vomit frequently! His Dr. called us in and told us he would likely expire (HATE that word) in the next 10 minutes, because he had so much coumadin in his system that they simply could not find a way to staunch the flow of blood. Ended up he and a surgeon tried an experimental approach with some balloons, and saved his life! Even with all the blood they gave him, every time it cycled through his liver, the liver and all the coumadin in his system, pulled the clotting agent from the new blood as well. He ended up in ICU for a week, and is now in several medical write ups!!! No bleeding of the GI tract should be ignored, but especially if there are extenuating circumstances, and her band is definitely one! She could be dealing with an erosion as opposed to a slip....they happen. That post scared me for her too. Wish we knew what happen!

Pamela---seein' as how you is so smart....I has a question fer ya! You have finished this MAJOR goal...... And in just a couple of months school will be out, and you will also be on break from Walden.... So WHAT are you gonna do??? And can Susanne survive it????????? I KNOW you have all the ansers now doncha???

Without being in the same room as the parent who is smacking the crap out of a kid, I have no way to know for sure what is going on. But if that kid tells me, or I see signs of abuse such as repeated bruises, or sudden emotional withdrawal ---you can bet your last dollar I will report it, because what a caring, responsible adult THINKS is going on damn sure IS relevant. To NOT report it and allow a child to continue to be hurt or killed, because I didn't WITNESS it? No way. My first call may not be to CPS, but I can discuss it with a teacher, or a clergy person, and get feedback, as to whether they think I am reading something that is not there. If it alarms me to the point of that, then I will call, and give my name and address, and whatever else---kids are worth it! And I am not alone out there. Nadya may have ditched the Angels, but she is going to have an entire nation watching her. Rightfully so. I had a teacher ask me once straight up about repeated bruises my DD had. I told her that my DD was in karate class, and that those were from kick boxing sparring matches, invited her to observe the classes, she did, and actually set up a small school assembly featuring kids from the school. I had nothing to hide.....and if she had reported me, I could have understood it, I would have been embarrassed by it, but the fact was she DID have repeated bruises!

:tt2: Congrats Dr. Bradford!!! I knew you could do it!!!! I am beyond proud of you.... :thumbup:Big ol group hug for you Laura---we will be with you in heart tomorrow. Hope all is smooth sailing for both you and Carson. April 16th----sounds like a good day for a birthday! Just think soon you will be gazing down into his eyes, deeper in love than you ever realized was possible! So happy for you!!! Tracy, TY so much for the message! I was doing a happy dance in the lab!!! I was involved in a REALLY gross procedure, so could not get to my phone! I was EXPECTING the good and positive news regarding Pamela, I had zero doubts that she would do wonderfully. But to realize she is REALLY a Dr. now!!! How awesome is that??!!! But I was not expecting Laura's news at all. And besides those things, it was just great hearing your voice!! We went to my inlaws for dinner, my bil was in town, so we did the family thing. Was nice. My sil that was banded the same time I was, was telling me she has the same problem I did in Sept. She doesn't, but she thinks she does! She said she couldn't keep anything down. But she is not doing like I was---NOTHING stayed down, it went like on a trampoline!! I hppe her band is ok, they fill it and unfill it so often, I worry about it.....just keeping my fingers crossed for her. I miss everyone! I go in late tomorrow, so will check in then. Giant Hugs to you all!!!

I agree, I was just stating that trying to color ALL social workers with one brush was ridiculous! With workers in ALL sectors, race, sex, religion, you name it, and you will find good and bad-----excellent to terrible. It is a very difficult job---actually a career---every social worker I know, or have heard speak, has gone into the line of work in an effort to make a difference. It is not a job you get like in a fast food restaurant---on the spur of the moment. The SW's I know, were not on an invesitgative level, I met them through a victim impact panel I used to speak on, and they were caring individuals, who were just out there trying to do the right thing. You cannot tell me Patty that every single person the Angels lined up was bad, and out to get her.....unless she truly needs to be "got". I am sure having the publid eye on everything you do is not as fun as she expected it to be. It has not come with the dressing room and make up artists I believe she was expecting. BUT I also fully believe SHE invited the scrutiny. SHE CHOSE to have a litter of children, while not caring for the ones she already had. SHE CHOSE to alter her face into something abnormal looking. SHE CHOSE to be in the public eye. Sounds like a case of being careful what you wish for.

I'm up, and don't wanna be!!! Rick left, and I could not go back to sleep. He had to go in early for a safety meeting, so he will get off an hour early on Saturday---since he cannot go over his hours allottment. I lay there thinking, I hope Pamela is not too nervous----she is gonna kick a$$!!! And just think---we knew her "when"!!!! Terry, I loved the Hero pic. I know just how he feels!!! That is similar to how I looked day before yesterday, trying to find a comfortable way to sit or lay down. My torso is better, not normal yet, but better. Wierdest thing!!! Jane....2 days with no sugar! Way to Go! I have these stupid pecans Rick brought me from TX----some are chocolate covered and some are Amaretto Frosted....and they are my downfall right now. I am proud of you! If my band wasn't restricting me, I would have finished the bags of pecans, and been onto something new already! On the + side----I did not eat a single solitary Reeces Peanut Butter Egg this year. I had one little Reeces rabbit----a single Cadbury chocolate hard shelled egg, and 2 peanut M&M's. That is it! That is all the easter candy I ate the entire season! And I have avoided the store, so I do not see the mark downs and tempt myself!!! Well Friday afternoon, I go for my bone scan. I have officially begun to stress! I will go straight from work there---which is like around the corner. I am hoping to stay busy enough that day not to be totally freaked out. I actually leave work at noon, go over get my injection, come back to work, drink, drink, drink----and then go at 2 for the scan. This is the first scan I have had with serious restriction, not sure I can drink the huge amount of liquid they want---36-44 ounces in the 2 hour time line, and then be able to lay flat---without refluxing all that liquid! I bet my belly glows, where it is restricted going through my band! I normally have 4 big BRIGHT spots on the scan....the injection site, my bladder, and the 2 tumors. I have been wide open for the scans the last several times, and they know about the band....so guess it'll give it a new twist!! The wind is howling out there! I HATE the wind! LOL The sky looked brown yesterday, everything you touch is gritty with sand. It shows we live in a desert when it blows like this! And every idiot in town wearing contacts needs an emergency appointment, something is wrong with their contacts, they hurt, and feel like something is in their eye! Duh --- Yeah!!! I don't answer the phone unless the receptionist is on another line or busy, but I swear there are some serious idiots out there!!! And they want you to GIVE them everything! A lot of that is our culture here in the area. They want the vitamins the Dr. recommends for macular degeneration given to them, all their eye drops, replacement glasses, cases, neck straps, there are even those who get mad at me because Medicaid will not pay for most eye surgeries. They will cover cataracts etc, but not lasik----they will cover glasses but not colored contact lenses. They will tell me, the gov't. is supposed to cover it all for them! It gets really frustrating. I have only been there ---this is my 3rd week----and one woman has already replaced her sons glasses twice. Medicaid will replace them daily if needed. Mom just has to document what happen. Now if another kid who has private insurance, loses his or they break, Mom & Dad are out the $$$ to replace them or the kid does without. Once again the responsible have to teach their kids responsibility, and the irresponsible show their kids how to continue to be irresposible. Well time to get dressed. Will see y'all after while! Hugs!

I'm home too. Was a busy day----but it flew by. Rick's hours got cut back again....and they keep holding the "at least you have a job...for now" thing over their heads. He has his welder buddy here, and they are assembling the frame of his chopper---so he is just like a little boy he is so happy!!! I had steak to throw on the grill, but with him having company out there, and I offered him dinner, and he refused, so I am eating left over pizza--well I am eating the toppings!! LOL I need to eat now, not in another hour! So anyway, Rick getting off earlier is already not a good thing. He gets the mail. So he has already freaked out over the phone bill. And now he is harping about it! I told him the bill has been the same for 2 years, it includes my DSL, and there is seldom any long distance on it, but I showed him there is no charge even if there is....but he just hadn't looked at the bills in forever. So then he was upset that we don't have more money in the Credit Union account.....nope you spent all that on motorcycle stuff, that was your bike account remember???? Well now he wants to put a little in there here and there. I told him fine, I would keep $50.00 cash out of my check each week, bring it home and he could go by and deposit it on HIS lunch hour!!! He has full access to all of these things, always has--the bills are all kept in one spot, in a small tote in the desk, along with stamps, envelopes, address labels, etc. Every month.....those that don't get paid that way get paid on the computer and he is on it every day, we have one email account, and the checking accounts are all joint. He has always just kinda let me deal with it. He does this same freak out when I send him to the store for something. He comes in obssessing over the price of things! LOL. He is just getting a wake up now that he too gets to deal with things!!! Wind os blowing something fierce here. Supposed to be that way all day tomorrow and cold. I want SPRING!!! Pamela---I am thinking about you!!!! Tracy, you can call my cell, and I might be close enough to answer, or leave me a message. I agree, that you have 2 angels pulling for you like no other!! Well here come the guys....will check in later. XOXOXO

MY band Dr. is 6 hours away. I had VERY similar things going on last Sept. NOTHING would stay down. I tried to let ice melt and absorb through the tissues, to stay hydrated, and there was no way! It too was a weekend of course!! And my DH was out of town. So I called, and my Dr. called me back, he had me go to my PCP here locally to check my hydration levels. They were DANGEROUSLY low!!! I was borderlining renal involvement! So my PCP spoke with the band Dr. and they decided I needed immediate IV fluids, and I rec'd IV fluids for 3 days until I was at a point they thought I would be safe to travel without fluids for 6 hours. I got to my Dr, they X rayed, and the band looked fine....but everything STILL come up! So I did the swallow test....and it ended up to be totally not band related, but I had a twisted intestine! I had emergency surgery-------they were able to manipulate it back rather than resecting it. I was on a pretty wild high caloric/diet for awhile, getting myself well again. Usually dried blood in the vomit this way looks like coffee grounds. If it is bright or a true red, it is usually a tear in the esophagus they told me. Now keep in mind this is MY experience, yours may be totally different! Sipping a teaspoon of Water at a time is not going to be enough to keep your body hydrated and your electrolites balanced. I think you should call your BAND SURGEON, and have them be in contact with a physician in your area. Messing around with something like this could cost you your band-------and if you end up infected, it could be even worse! If you begin running a fever, or if your family feels your mental status is affected in any way, go straight to the ER-------and ask that they contact your band surgeon directly. Good Luck I know how miserable that is.

OK, and all bandsters were lazy, fat slobs looking for the easy way out so we had surgery. Same idea of a generalization-------not all bandsters identify with the above statement. Not all SW's are out to get people. It would be a VERY difficult job, seeing some of the things I imagine they see. Being lied to as often as I am sure they are, and being expected to know the difference. As jaded as you sound with the system, I believe you are wise to be away from the foster care program. Kids pick up on how we feel about people, and those poor kids need to feel they can trust someone in this world! Just as Nadya's kids NEED someone looking out for them. She loses kids when there are only 6 of them, she has no hope with 14. I hope SW's breath down her neck 24/7.