Kat817

Good morning, Sitting here trying to warm up! Rick got up to answer his cell phone at 4:30 or so, and the fire was still going, and the fans on, but by 6 it was COLD! So he built me a roaring fire, and I went back to bed for a bit, let it warm up! Now here I sit with my mug of hot chocolate! Good Luck today with your MRI TracyK----I so do not envy you. I am somewhat claustrophobic and usually let them put me in a Verced daze before doing my tests like that! Years ago within a 3 month time period, Becky, my neighbor Connie and I all herniated the same L4, & L5 discs in our backs! Connie fell, Beck did hers with repetitive movement at work (she was a meat wrapper) and I strained mine helping move a washing machine---then later that night Rick had massaged my back and I was rubbing his, bent too far, and you could literally hear it pop! I saw spots, and thought I was going to pee in the bed it hurt soooo bad! But with PT, I managed to work through mine, both Beck and Connie have had surgery! Connie twice! I did several MRI's with it. Then came the cancer Dx, and they found the other tumors in my body, so I had waaaaay more than my share of MRI's, bone scans, CT scans, then PET scans.....just drug me up baby! LOL With some help from pharmacueticals, I can do a self hypnosis kind of thing, and just zone myself into somewhere else. Otherwise I am a basket case! But the best thing about the MRI is it gives you a quick DX of what is going on where in there, so you know how to get the relief quickest. I didn't hurt mine first, but since I was private insurance as opposed to medicare (Connie is on SSDI) and Becky was a workmans comp case---they were much quicker to act on mine. I had my MRI and was in PT before they even got started! I may not (ok I DON'T) get my cardio exercise in each day, but I stretch my back faithfully--it is as much a part of waking up as opening my eyes---I do them before I ever get completely out of bed! They neither one did their PT or their stretches, and both were smokers at the time. I think all of it played a difference! I need to go buy my brother a birthday gift today. Tomorrow is his birthday. Mom is having family in for cake....wonderful!!! LOL Ahhh hell who am I fooling, I would have found something to eat I shouldn't anyway! Anyone have any opinions on the Oscar nominees??? I haven't got to see enough of the nominated movies to make an opinion! Kinsey should be here within the hour, and will be with me for the next few days. She was so excited, she has been wanting to have a sleep over she said! Hope Granny holds up! Well I am going to go find something to do, I am making myself sleepy sitting here getting warm! See y'all after while! Kat

It could be a fat burning phase you are in known as ketosis. It gives you a bad taste in your mouth, and total dragon breath!!! It is your body switching over to burning stored reserves of fat, I believe. I remember ketosis, just not remembering exactly WHAT it is!!! Been awhile! If you are having cream Soups, then I would think the Jello would be fine, as would a taste of tomato sauce. I know it used to be if you left jello on the counter it thawed....not so anymore, you can actually buy it jelled on the shelf in our stores! So, perhaps the Gelatin in it is more solid than you planned on it being, chew it a bit, and as soft as it is, it will break down, if it is still uncomfortable, try drinking something warm. It could have possibly just filled you up too much as well, which made your food come up high enough in your pouch/esophagus to be uncomfortable. The acid reflux is on the money too..... If you are really curious you can go to Walmart or to most any pharmacy and get ketosis strips. Little paper strips you hold in your urine stream, and it changes color to let you know if you have reached the point of ketosis. There are some REALLY smart people on the boards, someone will chime in and let you know exactly what ketosis is I betcha!! Good luck, and welcome to bandland!! Kat

Awwwww Tracy I feel your pain, I felt it many times, with the way I was built that was a common issue! Plus I spent all my fat years around dozens of kids! I cannot tell you how many times I was ask if I had a baby in my tummy. Then when I had the TT I told Kinsey I was going to go get my fat tummy cut off-------so what does she do? Tells my Mom she needs to go get her fat tummy cut off like Granny did.....ay yi yi....what can you say? What can you do? And they ARE kids, they are not trying to hurt you---not like vindictive older people can....and if they know they hurt your feelings they get soooo upset. Hugs Hon.....I know where you are at emotionally. We love you!!! Kat

Irregularity is VERY common following being banded (or actually any surgery OR any sudden weight loss). Even if your cycle does not get screwy do not be surprised by extended PMS type symptoms. Fat cells store Estrogen....and as you lose weight, and it is usually a sudden loss with surgery, the estrogen gets dumped into your system, upsetting your balance. Eventually it will level out, and your body will get used to factoring it in, as it balances hormonal levels. I had estrogen surge induced migraines for years, they went away when I had a hysterectomy years ago. Then when I was banded wham I had them again! Only a few, and then it eased-------but it was the estrogen dump! Hang in there. AND another thing to keep in mind, especially those dealing with PCOS-----fertility often increases dramatically!!! So be extra cautious!!! As for weight loss during TOM--usually it actually causes a gain of a couple of pounds due to Fluid retention, but it goes quickly as fluid retention eases. Welcome to bandland all of you!!! Kat

Sorry you are down sick again Pamela! That sucks in a big way. Pulled Pork--------this is my way!! I usually use a pork loin---or a nice roast, whatever is on sale to be honest! I put a package (envelope) of pork gravy mix, and a can of chicken broth in the crock pot, stir them up....and drop in the pork--if you can cut it up in a couple or 3 pieces it will cook quicker. I sprinkle it with some garlic powder, or whatever seasonings are handy. We really like the Montreal Seasonings. I usually let it cook minimally all day, often overnight. By the time it cooks that long, it is literally ready to fall apart. There will be lots of natural juices by then--so I pull the meat out, dump the juice into a heat proof bowl (will explain THAT info later) and then using a couple of forks, just shred the meat up. Then flavor with the natural juices or your favorite BBQ---or some of both, depending on how strong of a flavor you want. You can cook onion in with it if you like the flavor, it cooks into nothing, so you can shred it right along with the meat. When I want MEAT and am feeling lazy I do this or toss a brisket in.....mmmmmmmmmm I refered to the heat proof, because I could not believe my MIL this past fall in TX, was wanting to drain the bacon grease out of the electric skillet so she could scramble eggs, and at home she always uses a can, but there she had no can, so she grabbed.......a disposable styrofoam cup! OMG the mess she made, and it is a miracle she did not burn herself seriously. It ran onto the counter and not onto her thankfully! Styrofoam melts!!! Well Kinsey and I were stood up by my parents and my own stubborness today....which then I felt bad so I made nice!! They were supposed to call me so we knew when to meet them after Moms Dr. appointment, she is needing surgery on her hand. And they NEVER called. Well I saw them at the restaurant, but refused to go in! Mom said Dad let the cell phone battery run down, and without the cell phone they do not know my cell #. So I didn't try to make them feel bad, which I seriously thought about doing! Was not nice, and I just needed to cool down. But we left the restaurant parking lot and I was going to go get some cash, and when we drove by Rick's work, he was in the parking lot, I called him, he said he was heading to Walgreens to get a drink. So we whipped into Walgreens, and we wandered around the store for 10-15 minutes and he never come in, so by then I was in a mood so we left there too, and there he still stood in the parking lot BS'ing with someone. I grumbled to him I was leaving, and Kinsey and I were going to go eat, with one another-at least we could count on us! Left him stunned! LOL Give me a break! So Kinsey and I went and shared an Arby's. We just finished putting new fairies on the wall of her room here, and setting up her new nightlight. She is spending the night here the next few nights while her Mama is in Kansas, seeing a friend. So now she will have a little light and magic fairies watching over her. She is so excited! Laura, I cheated, these are peel and stick, and we LOVE them!!! The seriously do not leave marks on the wall, and work like a post it note....but they stay up. I buy them at the Dollar Store! This set has 8 fairies about 4-6" tall, in pink, green, blue and orange....and yellow stars-probably a dozen little inch & a half size stars. We spread them right around the headboard of her bed. Well, she has finished her "homework"---today she is writing the letter F and the number 4......so guess I will go see how it looks!! Kat

Michelle, you are free to post anywhere on any thread, I was just making reference to it. YOU are not the offender that the other thread, the PJTP thread was originally made regarding. There have always been a few, tho they are mostly gone by the wayside now, that HAD to respond to every possible thread. It was kind of funny in the beginning, then it kind of soured!!! All the threads began going off topic, and being made into jokes about the OP. I never thought you were posting in an effort to do that. Was just using you as an example, and that was rude and uncalled for from me...... There are posters all over the board with agendas....and I am sure you have seen them, no matter what the thread, they turn it into THEIR discussion, whether it be religion or politics, or how the band failed them---whatever so they can voice THEIR opinion repeatedly. They have been extremely prominent lately, so you likely caught me in a grump!!!! Strange how those moods come so often the older I get!!! LOL Kat

It was not meant as an attack from me. Back a long time ago a thread was started that many of us still chat on called something to do with posting just to post. The thread began with someone saying they didn't understand posts such as yours....where the original poster (in the other thread for instance) ask for good fish recipes....and people posted they hate fish. She ask for recipes. She did not understand why they posted unless it was just to post.... I got the same chuckle out of your post. The original poster ask what did you think of the inauguration.....and you state you did not watch it---you never watch them. Ok..... I did not get any negativity from it---just the same kind of ummmmmm ok......well back to the question at hand for those who DID watch, what did you think. It was just something I referred them to, because they were not around when the PJTP thread began. I was not intending to flame you with it, nor refer to you in any political manner. I apologize if it offended you, it was not meant to....sorry. Kat

Depending on the age of your kids---I have a workout video for my granddaughter that is from the Mickey Mouse Club---it has parents and kids. When the weather is decent, I take her to a local park and race her----her on her trike, me on foot! We turn on CMT and we dance. We have "races" doing crunches-----anything Granny does, she wants to do, she just turned 4. She may not have perfect form, but even at her age, and she is a tiny thing, she is developing better habits that sitting in front of a video game. Sometimes when the weather isn't so great--we still need to get outside and soak up some sun---so I take her, bundle her up in her coat, and grab a couple of dolls or stuffed animals, and a couple of blankets, throw them all in the wagon--and away we go. The added pull of the wagon helps me, and we don't have to go as far as usual---even if it is really cold, I feel better when I get home. Even outside building a snowman, or pulling the kids on a snow disc, or sled, is burning calories...AND creating great fun for you together. If you save your jugs from fabric softner or bleach, you can add various amount of Water to them to make hand weights, and can make them lighter or heavier depending on your kids ability and age. Play follow the leader---------let them lead! They will wear you out! If you do not have videos---and have cable check your On Demand feature, they usually have some for options. You can increase your movement, and add "exercise" in almost everywhere in your daily chores--stretching to make the bed....squats as you sort laundry......leg lifts while you watch TV. If you have an infant, stand and rock..... I actually do better when I have my granddaughter here, I find myself looking for ways to keep her active, and we practice our counting or sing songs while we do things, so I feel like she is learning as we exercise. Good Luck to you, I know it must be hectic with 3 kids and a job! I feel for you. Maybe the walk would be just the thing, tho....some down time to spend listening to all the things I am sure they want to tell you....all at the same time!! I remember when mine were younger!!! Kat

My DH was saying the same thing, that the guys at work were talking like he only has 2 days to fix everything or he is a failure! I don't think we should expect him to jump in front of a train of disaster hurtling down the track----but give him a chance to get going and get up ahead and divert things. He is a man, not a miracle worker. Just imagine what he could do if he had gone into office with things as well of as Bush did!! I was saddened to hear of Sen. Kennedy having the seizure during the luncheon, you could see that it really upset President Obama. Was just nice, I think regardless what your politics are to see that many people come together for a good thing---as opposed to a disaster. Oh and SnT, Luluc and others from the PJTP thread.....posts like #2 was what prompted the thread to be started!!! Kat

Laura, you will find any toys you buy---even the cheaper ones with the linky-doo things like those have on them will be invaluable!!! You can connect the links to the right height from the crib the little arch they lay under, you can attach other toys to them and then to the cart cover in the store, and the toys might get dropped (or thrown in a few months!) and they won't hit the dirty floor! The links are thin, and one of the first things babies can wrap their hands around. Another thing all my daycare kids and grandkids have liked is the small stuffed toys with teether ends on the arms and legs. And last but FAR from least, find a crib mirror....they are non breakable, and they love seeing themselves! Such fun picking out toys for babies!!! Our mall is pretty picked over as far as Kay Bee toys goes as well. We picked up several yo-yo's, and some card games, and the Barrel of Monkeys games...and some dominoes, and spent a whopping 7 bucks!!! Well we are back from the grocery store, guess I will finish putting things away. I feel so broke now! Kat

Jane 50 pounds still gone is a great start, and since you are now getting filled again, hopefully with a decent Dr. again, then it is just that....a new start! You can do it---and you WILL do it! You have had soooo much stress in your life lately--imagine where you would be without ever having the band--you would still have those 50 pounds, and would have possibly gained even another 50 with the health issues, and your cousins court battle.......life has been very chaotic for you, and living alone, and being FREE to eat anything, or bring anything in the house without anyone knowing but you....and you DON'T go overboard! That alone is impressive as hell to me! Rick never says anything about the things I buy or eat, but in years past if he had not been around I would have eaten myself to a much higher weight, I was embarrassed at the amounts I ate in front of him. Living alone, nothing would have stopped me! I totally respect how well you have done through it all. To have lived through the health issues you have already and to face serious health problems again, and not fall apart? I remain impressed. I know when I had the last scare, I was a basket case! You can do it Jane, you have nothing to be ashamed of or depressed about over, in regards to your weight gain. We are all here, and are going to watch your weight go doooowwwwwnnnnn again! Jenn--I honestly think some serious time to reflect on YOU and time to totally 100% completely avoid any form of communication from Kev. Personally I think you need to treat him as though he is a drug and you are an addict. If he calls do not answer, even if it means screening every call into the house. If he comes over, have your Mom answer the door that you are not there. If he shows up at a bar you are in, leave. Just as you have to go cold turkey with other addictions, go it with him....and someday maybe you can be around him without wanting it to be different. It would allow you both to eventually move on into other relationships without taking it with you. I mean you will always have the baggage from the things that happen in the relationship, but right now you are still carrying the bag around with you. When you have the bag safely stowed in the back of your lifes closet....then you can move on and appreciate another person for who THEY are, not who he WAS. Take time for you. Finish your house, and be able to sit around and relish in what you have done. Work on losing the rest of your weight at working out--get the color you want, and learn to like you again inside and out. You cannot expect anyone to treat you any better than you are willing to treat yourself. So take time to treat yourself HOW you want to be treated. Do not allow anyone to treat you in a manner you would not want your DD treated. If Wayne is meant to be the One....then he will be there and have had a chance to get rid of his own anger....but for now...don't worry about him, don't worry about Kev....worry about Jenn, and your kids. OK--------will councel everyone else in a future issue of edicts by Kat!!! LOL Sorry you are hurting TracyK---I would come wait on you if I could!!! Kat

I agree that I married my DH for better or worse, and if he loses his hair, or gains weight, it should not affect how I feel about him. wait for it.....here it comes..... BUT......! Almost all of us had a defining moment that we made the decision to look into WLS---whether it be something someone said, or a picture someone took unexpectedly----often times something pushed us over the edge and we made our way to the band. There are entire threads created over what made you decide to be banded---and could be someone saying something to you, be it in ultimatum form or whatever, maybe that would be the impetus to getting it done. Like LJM---I wish someone had been able to help me SEE clearly enough to do it many pounds before I did..... Would still chap my a$$ for my DH to even hint at a threat like that!!! LOL Kat

My Grandpa used to have a sign hanging in his garage (I would LOVE to have it today....) that said Use It Up Wear It Out Make It Do Or Do Without! I guess I was raised with the attitude, I reuse them all!!! I sent things to work with DH in those containers, that way if they don't come home....big deal! And he takes leftovers for lunch almost every day. When you microwave in tupperware you ruin it, and like Jacqui says, why waste your money??? I find it a challenge to make as little waste out of things as possible.....our world would be in better shape (as would our bodies now that I think about it!!!) if we all did!!! I reuse all kinds of containers! Kat

Took me longer to lose the weight, but I did it with no choking, or throwing up, or any of the issues you mentioned homer. Have I PB'd? Yes 2 times. I learned, and I was never too tight. But I have my life back-----and right along with the others, the only change I would make is having done it long ago, and had many more healthy years! Long Live our Bands! Kat

I know what you are saying LJM, I see where sometimes a wake up call is needed....but how it comes would be a seriously touchy issue!!! Personally, I would get the band if given the ultimatum.....as it would probably do just as I said, wake me up....but after the band was on, and paid for and the weight began going I would likely lose 100 lbs+ really quick courtesy of an attorney!!! I say that....but not living in the situation, I have no idea how I would react. My DH never ever said a word about my weight, and he said even being supportive of me being banded, felt like he was walking a tight rope of being accepting of me however, and also being supportive. He was afraid to encourage me-because if something fell through he did not want me thinking he was unhappy with me as I was. DH had to have mitral valve surgery a few years ago, and if he were to KNOW he had those issues and still smoke (we quit close to 20 years ago)----I may be pushed to making threatening ultimatums!!! Perhaps her health is an issue. Now if he is playing for the other team, and using her weight to get him out of the relationship---I hope he gets what he deserves.....a very hot looking honey who is not well endowed who gains TONS of weight!!! Sorry! Was a visual I could not resist!!! Gonna go fix dinner on that note! Kat

Off to try to get my fill!!! TracyK--it is my son!!!! BBL Kat

I wouldn't worry so much about the small amount of meat tenderizer, but since it seems to be floating, I doubt it would do much especially as diluted with chocolate as it would be!! LOL You poor thing!! Kat

Pictures emailed out---if you didn't get them and want them, just let me know!!! Well Superbowl is decided......wasn't exactly as I hoped it would be, but I really didn't have a vested interest! Mostly I was rooting against what someone I don't much care for was rooting for!!! LOL seriously!!! Well, I am going to go cruise through some threads I have been watching....and then head to bed. Hoping to hear I get to go get a fill tomorrow, if so I will be gone part of the day....this is experimental, so hope it works out! Talk to ya soon! Kat

If you are serious about wanting to try to bring it up, I would drink whatever you want to bring back up, as quickly as possible, then try to force the PB--so there is something there to hopefully help it travel back out. One thing you might try dissolving it in, that has not been mentioned and can be used for serious stuck issues is liquid meat tenderizer. Tastes really nasty and salty, but have heard of it working, usually on a protien stuck issue.....seems like whatever you are eating and drinking is passing right by it, and it is as it was in the bowl, just floating on top. If it is floating, it is not stuck, it is just irritating the hell out of you right now. If you managed all the HC and the pudding earlier, it really sounds as though things are passing, so with that in mind, you might try something non threatening before actually taking your pain meds, but it everything passes and the offending capsule is just floating in there, sounds like either eventually the casing will dissolve and it will pass through or you are going to have to PB it. Wish I had a magic answer for you. The pineapple juice usually works for me, if I stick something, and in my case I do it when I am eating while doing something else, and forget to chew well enough. You'd think I'd know better by this time!!! LOL Sipping some carbonation might not be a bad idea....I too have heard to use it for stuck items. I have a glass of Diet Dr. Pepper on occasion, my Dr. is not against it, but I am also much further along on the healed side of things. Seeing everyone trying to help you makes me feel so good about this site!! Sometimes as I wander through looking at posts and helping to moderate things, I get depressed, some threads are so angry-------all this support and help are so nice to see!! Good Luck, keep us posted! Kat

LOL--I quit posting when I did because our riding crew showed up. And we did ride, and it was cold! But it was fun too. Now I am home, and my oldest DD is here. Kinsey is with her Dad and Manda is lost! I will hunt up a pic, even if it is their wedding pic which was a few years ago, and many pounds ago for both of us.....mine lost, his gained. But I ain't laughin' jus' sayin'........ Will find some pics tonight tho I promise!! XOXOX Kat

Back when my oldest DD was in late Junior High, she began going to a local Baptist Church with one of her friends as opposed to going to the local Methodist where we had always gone. They had a bigger youth group and did puppet shows for the young kids....that sort of thing. I had no issue, I kept going to my usual church, and she would go just down the road. One afternoon the preacher from the Baptist Church she was going to showed up at my door--and invited me to attend services with my DD. I explained I went to the Methodist Church, but appreciated the invitation, and he told me (now these are HIS words not mine)"There are places out there that call themselves churches that are far from it, but in the realm you and I are talking about, I look at it this way, we may all walk through different doors on Sunday mornings, but eventually we will all walk through the same Pearly Gates." He told me what a great kid my DD was and went on his way.....with me thinking that this was truly a Christian man, in what I knew of him. He was kind, accepting, non judgemental, and made me feel good about ME, about the way I was raising my DD, about the choices I made. I choose to look at it his way. And this pertains to my own beliefs---not trying to say it IS the way!! Whether I walk in any door on Sunday, or whether as has been pointed out, I choose to worship on the side of a mountain, or in my easy chair.....where one goes is not getting them any closer, it is how they act in their day to day lives. Kat

Terry, Rick and I went last week and saw 7 Pounds, and I felt the same way you did!! At first I was thinking "C'mon, c'mon...." then things began to fall into place, and I was hooked! LOL Tomorrow we are going to Gran Torino--we were supposed to go today, but I put it off so Rick could watch the playoffs---------then the man that he is, he made plans anyway. Kat is not a happy wifey right now! We are going to go freeze off all our parts and go on a bike ride. Told him it would serve him right if all his favorite parts froze!!! LOL Sorry, not something I probably should have shared, but it made me laugh! I have steak marinating, we will grill it when we get home. Correction, he will stand outside in the cold and grill and I will be in the house nice and warm after the ride! It is nice to hear you understand and agree with our approach to my DD's situation. And Heather.....I am not purposely not including you in my email--I just have no email for you!! I will send a pic email as well---Terry wants to see who she is mad at. I said it before, and will say it again.....just picture Eddie Munster!! LOL Serious widows peak, and very short dark hair----not a bad looking person minus the personality!!! Isn't is strange that some people can be physically unattractive and be so sweet you see them as attractive, and it works the other way around as well! Laura, I despise working with wallpaper----maybe because I didn't know about the golden glue! I hope it works for you! My former MIL had her entire house wallpapered. It was "her" very bold and over the top! She had flocked red wall paper going up to the 3rd floor....I thought I would go totally batty in that enclosed stairway with all that heavy dark paper, and it did not want to stick! Now keep in mind this was well over 20 years ago.......burned me on wallpaper in a serious way!!! Good Luck to ya girl, and we got lots of Violets to set Russell straight on the pale purple (Violet)!! Rick is that way over pink! It is not a male pink thing, it is an ex wife thing!!! LOL Well our riding buddies are here, so off I go to freeze. Hoping to hear early in the morning if we get to head off and get my fill! Talk Later!! Kat

My laundry room is in the front of what used to be the attached garage. So it is not as well insulated as the rest of the house. We use an old bedside lamp, and sit it behind the washing machine, and leave it on at night, the heat put off from the bulb is enough to keep it from freezing, as it is in an enclosed space, and the bulb warms it. We have used hair dryers many a time to thaw a pipe!! If you can find where the lines enter the house, if they are above ground you can get electric heat tape to wrap them with. Sorry you are having to deal with frozen pipes, that is such a PITA! Been there way too many times!!! I ordered Dave Mathews Band tickets this morning! Must be a concert kinda day! Kat

Did anyone catch Hugh Laurie on Leno last night? He played with his band? They are called Band (maybe Banned) from TV. They are all stars on different TV shows who play together, they just released their first album. They cracked me up!!! Like little kids who want to play dress up and pretend to be actors....these guys are dressing up and playing Band!!! They weren't bad---I recognized a bunch of them from different shows---one from Desperate Housewives sang on the song they did===Will it Go Round in Circles. Was kind of fun......he also sings without his accent! Kat

I would start with the Dr. threads and see if anyone used him or has heard things about them. Then there is a section for each state. Talk to others in KY see who they used, and what they heard. Just keep digging---it can't hurt to know as much as possible going into surgery! Kat