Mrs Husker

I LOVE CRAIGSLIST!!! Got myself a treadmill!! It is perfect. It is flat (it can be put at an incline) and it can go up to 10 mph (like I will need that, NOT!). I set it at 2mph and did 1/4 mile. I know that isn't much, but I was breathing hard by then and knew not to push it. It is wonderful. I think if I put it down to lik 1.5mph I can go longer. Blessings,

Hi Momlambert, Thanks for you kind words. I am signed up for sparkspeople and am going to try and stick to it with journaling my food and exercise. I think that sparks is a great program, but it is really busy in all the stuff that they have on there and it does sidetrack me. I guess I am just scattered brained. Blessings,

Hey everyone!! Just thought I would check in and see what was going on with all you. It looks like things are slow. Hope things pick back up soon. Well, last month had a scare that the cancer had spread to my liver. After an MRI and a very long weekend, I found out it hadn’t! So right now I can say that there is No Evidence of Disease (NED)!! Still short of breath when I do to much and that includes walking at t normal pace for more that a few minutes. I keep plodding along. My new motto is “Not as good as I was but nowhere near good as I am going to be”. So needless to say I haven’t given up. Now on to band related stuff. I have been unfilled for a year and I put on pretty much all the weight I had lost. Granted, this has been a year from hell so I am not too upset about that. I was told that it takes 6 months to a year (sometimes longer) for the chemo to get out of my system so trying to keep my energy level up is kind of hard. I do work for 8.5 hours a day (which I am grateful for) and when I get home I am ready for a nap. I have no energy to even cook supper. I am trying to get up earlier so I can walk in the morning. When I do that, I am good till about 6:30-7:00. But none of this is any excuse for not eating right. I do fine during the day, but I am back to my old habits of grazing after super. Heck, super is mostly carbs with very little veggies. That is something I am also going to work on as my A1C is creeping back up and I don’t want to have to go back on my diabetes meds again. I have yet to decide when I am going to remove my chemo port because of the scare last month, but until I do have it removed I can’t get a fill because I have to take horse pills for everything to prevent infections. I have to take them just to have my teeth cleaned. If I can get the antibiotics in liquid form, I might go for a fill next month if my band checks out ok. I also have another hernia that I need repaired. Oh, before I go, Momlambert, I didn’t even recognize you!! You are looking good!! Way to go!!

I know that it has been awhile and I wanted to send you all an update. I really don't remember what I posted last, so this might be a recap also. I did my 5 weeks of 5 days a week radiation (it sucked, it just zaps all your energy) and I did one day of chemo each week. That infusion was only 3 hours long. After that was done, I continued with chemo, but it went to only once every three weeks and was three time as strong and took 5 hours. I was giving Adivan to make me sleep through it and that was nice. Two weeks to the day after the first triple infusion, I lost all my hair. This includes my eyelashes, eyebrows and the hair up my nose. When I say all hair, I mean ALL of it. I just started wearing hats since its gone cold but before I just went around bald. You get the best service when you are a bald woman. I mean it. At restaurants there is no wait, in the store everyone wants to help you. So in a why it's been kind of fun. I still hate looking in the mirror, but soon my hair will be back and I will look like my old self. Had my last chemo on Sept 24 and will be going in for scans on Oct 23 getting the results back on Oct 26. Keeping my fingers crossed that it they show no evidence of disease. Still working, but I gave up cleaning my house. Was able to do some canning this year and that makes me happy as I love gardening and canning. Granted, I had to cut the garden back by half as I knew I would not be able to keep up with it. All, in all, I think I am doing fine and kicking cancers butt. I will let you know what the scans show after I get the results. I was unfilled at the beginning of this process and I've put on about 15-20 lbs, but with all the drugs and the fact the only things I could eat were not the best choices (mashed potatoes with corn became a staple because everything else tasted really bad), I don't think I did too bad. Once all the drugs are out of my system I am hoping to start walking again. I have to build up my strength and stamina. Brightest of blessings, Barb

I debated if I should start the new months thread as I am not truly "active" right now. I just wanted to stop in and see how everyone was doing and let everyone know that I am still alive and kicking cancers ass. I started a stronger chemo and it isn’t that bad. It is only once every three weeks, but it does take 5 hours. I will get new scans to make sure the cancer is gone late September or early October. I can’t wait until I am done so I can get refilled and jump back on the band wagon.

Just had to give you a hard time on this one. I remember how upset I was about my hair falling out because of the band. Well, this past Thursday, I was at work and I ran my hand through my hair and it came out covered in hair. By 1:00 I had a bald spot the size of an plum. That night I had my husband shave it to the nub. I can't say I am bald, but there is less than 500 1/4inch hairs left on my head. To tell the truth, I think it is kind of liberating, not having to worry about my hair anymore. When it is all gone, I will just go around with my bald beautiful head showing, until then I have some pretty funky scarves and hats that I am going to wear. I should be all gone by Tuesday this week. I really am looking forward to it. Other then being bald, I am doing great. My new chemo is stronger then the last round but it is a walk in the park now that I don't have to do radiation with it. I only have three more chemos left, Aug 13, Sep 3 and 24, then I will get new scans to see how everything is going. Take care my fellow Marchies. I hope to hear about all of your progress soon. Just remember, when all is said and done, I am going to get a fill then I will play catch up. Can't wait.

I was banded by Dr McBride March 07. She is an amazing woman. I ended up having to be unfilled this past April due to cancer and when I went in for surgery to remove the cancer, she stopped in to see me in pre-op and even came by while I was in the hospital. She cares about all her patients. Hope to be refilled when chemo is over.

Is there anyone on here from Nebraska? I live in Gretna and go to the UNMC (Omaha) support group meetings the first monday of the month. Would love "meet" someone here from anywhere in Nebraska?

Just checking in and so far it looks like everyone is doing good. Keep up the good work and remember "I'll be watching you". That didn't come off as creepy as I was hoping, just do it in a slow Boris Caroloff voice and you'll get it. Take Care,

Juli you look great. Congrats on all you have done.

Gwen, It is so nice to see that you are back. I am so sorry for all that you’ve had to go through and I hope that things pick up soon. My5, That is so great that your sister is joining the band wagon. With your success, it should make it easier for them. TammyJ, I hope they find out what is going on with your band. Wasn’t there a talk somewhere about filling a band with a thicker solution. I cant remember what it’s called, but I think it was for leaks. Good luck and keep up the good work. Juli, Alright woman, where the heck are the photos? I will have to check your surgery thread. You are still my motivation. Congrats for doing so great. I do come on and read from time to time just to check up on everyone. I kind of feel like a stalker . Know that I am praying for you all to succeed. Take care all,

Hi all, I just wanted to check in and see how everyone was doing. I was also hoping to see some photos of Julie post op. So where are they? I bet you look hot!! Just a quick update-had the upper lobe of my left lung removed on April 29, was home by May 2. Not a walk in the park, but with the right amount of pain meds, its doable. Yesterday was a good day, not much pain and even went out to lunch with my husband. Granted, I havn't been eating much since surgery, but it was nice to get out of the house. I really love coming back here and seeing how my fellow Marchies are doing, it gives me hope that when all is said and done, I can and will get a fill and get right back on the band wagon. Once again, very happy that I got the band instead of RNY. Take care all, Barb

Now more then ever I am grateful that I got the band instead of RNY. I just had a complete unfill this morning. There is now easy way to say this but on Monday, April 6, I was diagnosed with lung cancer. I am going to have part, if not all, of the upper left lobe removed than on to chemo. They think that we caught it early enough and my outlook is good. Now with an unfill I don’t have to worry about being able to eat or take meds. To be honest, what is worse than finding out you have cancer is telling the people you love that you have it. I will never forget when I told my folks. I have only twice in my life heard my dad cry, well, I heard it a third time last Monday and knew that I was the cause. If you wouldn’t mind, please keep me in you thoughts or prayers. I could use as many as I can get right now.

Just checking in. I went in on Monday and got refilled and I am hoping that gets me motivated again. I haven't been doing what I should and since being unfilled I put on 5 lbs. I was shocked that it wasn't more like 20lbs. I have no energy right now and am tired all the time so my dr did a blood draw on Monday also to see if there is a problem. When people ask me if I am still happy with my band (because I am not at my goal weight yet), I tell them "Hell Yeah!!" I know that my progress is slow, but I am my own worst enemy as I haven't stepped it up and put in more effort. I will get there, in my own time. You three ladies look like you are doing GREAT!! I am proud of you, keep it up!! Well, back to work.

I can't believe that we are only one month away from our 2 year mark.

I would love to have plastic surgery, but my husbands stills says no. I guess I can live with the way I look so long as he can. To be honest, if I could have plastic surgery done, I think I would do my face first. I would love to open my eyes back up and remove the crow’s feet from around them. Also my “turkey gobbler” would be a thing of the past. But alas, it is not going to happen any time soon. Well, same stuff different day. After putting up with an abscessed tooth for almost two weeks, they pulled it last Monday. She almost had to stand on my chest to get it out. Just getting back to eating right this weekend and I can’t wait for March to come around so I can get my replacement tooth and stop chewing on just one side of my mouth. I haven’t started exercising. Well I did start walking, then stopped when my tooth started acting up as I just couldn’t get out of bed to get to work early to do my walk. I had my husband put the next set of “The Whistler” old time radio programs on my MP3 player so now I am set to start again. Not much else to report. Take care and have a great week, Blessing,

Well, 09 has not been too good for me yet. This past Tuesday my 19 yo son was going back to college (classes started back Wednesday). It’s about an hour drive by interstate. There was a bad accident and everyone was detoured though Lincoln. My son has never drove in Lincoln and Lincoln does a crappy job of not only marking detours, but streets as well. He was almost through the detour when he totaled his car. No one was hurt , but it was his fault. By the time I got there the tow truck was ready to go. He had it towed home (which I thought was stupid to pay $190 tow for a car with a bent frame), but it turned out ok as he sold the car the next day for $350. I had woken up on Tuesday with a mild toothache and by Wednesday it was throbbing. I got up Thursday and my left lower jaw as swollen. Heck, I get up before my husband and when he got up and saw me, the first words out of his mouth were “I guess a blow job is out of the question”. Granted it was funny, but smiling and laughing hurt like heck. I ended up at the dentist but all they did was gave me antibiotics. After being on the antibiotics for 24 hours, I called them back as the swelling had gotten worse and the pain was through the roof. They had to lance it. Let me tell you what, that sucks!!! This time they gave me a script for Vicodin. I am sitting here at work today ready to fall asleep (no I am not on the pain meds today). I really, really, really just want one good nights sleep, then a big chunk of prime rib. I have been on liquid/soft foods since Tuesday. Well, that’s how my year is going so far. I know that it can only get better.

I love fish. There isn't anyway that you could cook it that I wouldn't love. But my all time fav is quick, hot, smoked salmon. I have my goal of 150 by sometime in June and if I reach that goal, I am going to finish my back tattoo. I started walking my mile a day this morning. I plan on doing this Mon-Fri (I can do it at work by coming in early). When I do this for 4 weeks in a row, I am going to go get a deep cleaning facial. I am also tracking my intake on sparkpeople. Haven't set any goal/reward to that yet, but will be thinking about it. I also want to add other cardio to my exercise. And lastly, I WILL QUIT SMOKING THIS YEAR.

Thanks Carol. I have done some serious thinking about my attitude regarding my band and my weight loss. I hate to admit it, but I have come to the conclusion that I was hoping (in my heart, not my head) that the band was going to make this easy. I know that I have to work it or it doesn’t work. I am going to start the new year with a more positive (and a more realistic) attitude, I am going to take back control, not only about my weight loss, but about my health in general. Like I said, I’ve rejoined sparkpeople and plan on starting an exercise program. I have a goal set to be 150 by June this year and I am going to quit smoking this year. I AM GOING TO MAKE THESE GOAL!!!

Well Marchies, it's been a long time. Sorry I haven’t been here in a long, long time. Quick update-I ended up have an almost complete unfill due to what I call painful burps. It would fill like gas passing through the band, through my chest, all the way up into my ear. The pain didn't last long, but it did double me over. The pain in the ear was awful. So I have been sitting here, pretty much unfilled and I can't decided if I want to go in and try getting filled again. I haven’t gained, but I haven’t lost. Granted, I haven’t exercised in I don't know how long. I have decided that fill or no fill, it is time to get off my butt (and my pitty party) and get things going again. Yesterday I got back on sparkpeople and started tracking what I eat and will start slowly back into the exercise. I will also at least read more on lapbandtalk, even if I don't post too often. Well, that’s about it for now. Barb

A friend sent this to me and it had me lmao. Hope you enjoy and can add to it. You Know You Are A WLS Patient When "I have a date" doesn't mean you are going out. You have baby food in the house and no baby. "I'm a loser" is a good thing. All of your silverware says "Gerber" A wooden spoon isn't just for cooking anymore. "Welcome to the other side" does not mean you have die. New clothes fall off the next week. You are excited about "hand me downs" The scale at Wal-Mart doesnt'r say "one at a time please "Going bald and getting wrinkles is a good thing. Just Water for me please. Hitting the "Century Mark" is a good thing! You love the taste of Chewable Centrum Rugrats Vitamins or biting the head off of Wilma You can be Touched by an Angel and not be considered crazy. When your rear end doesn't look like a mud slide anymore??? When your excited your incision is only 6 inches When the word lap has nothing to do with a strip club!! Other women are calling you "bitch" behind your back. When you are glared at in the plus size dept because you really don't belong there anymore! When you really don't have a thing to wear !When you have to prove you are you on your license! When you start being IN the pictures, not behind the camera! Life has new possibilities. You want to hug everyone who is fat and give them your surgeon's card. You are never without a bottle of water. When people look surprised when they see how little you eat When you know all too well the definition of "dumping". When you can see your feet for the first time in years!! When you order a doggy bag the same time you order your meal. Counting Protein grams instead of calories You can say "Oh, I won't have any of that, I'm full" and really mean it Being to small for your britches. When the only way your nipples are where they belong is to roll them up, position in your bra & secure with a pony-tail holder!!! (sorry for the visual guys!) Having someone say, "I can put my arm (not arms) all the way around you!! "When you go to your child's school and the other kids say WOW you're mom is hot!When you go to the mall and you park in the first open space instead of circling for 20 minutes for a spot by the door. When you and your new best WLS friend are planning a date to get belly button rings...(or a tattoo!) You truly are a "Cheap date" and not in the way that some think..... When one drink makes you a flipping floozy... When you run you don't hear a flapping noise.....oh wait you still do.....but at least your running! When not throwing up counts as a really good day! When you flip up your shirt to show your scar to a complete stranger! You feel like you have over eaten after eating half a cup of something. Vitamins and Calcium etc. feel like a meal. When your pants suddenly fall to the ground! You go from size 56 DDDD to 32AAA and in one year and you didn't have a breast reduction. When the chef comes out from the kitchen and asks you "what's the matter, don't you like the meal? "You've just lost 100 pounds, and someone who hasn't seen you in a while says .... "Gee, did you change your hairstyle?" or what did you do, cut down on carbs? When you bend over and see daylight through your thighs You can cross your legs....both of em! When you say, "I just got these clothes last week and they're already too big!" Trying to cash a check and the teller says, "That's not you!" Instead of the "Wonder Bra" you need a "Wonder Where They Went Bra" When you walk by a mirror and say to yourself "Who is that girl?" When people take a double look at you. When you go out for the evening and feel like Cinderella. When your obsession turns from food to your scale. When they no longer have to call 911 and the jaws of life to extricate you from the turnstiles When your boobs are no longer just big, but they're are now also looonngg. When the Sharpei you pass on the street reminds you of someone......You! When taking a splinter out of your own foot no longer involves rope with the tweezers or a second party with tweezers. When you start buying shoes that tie again When your hand will fit in the Pringles can again, but you don't want any. When the thought of an all you can eat buffet makes you want to barf. When the steering wheel in your car no longer cuts off the circulation in your tummy You no longer have a mark on your shirt from the steering wheel rubbing on it. When you drop food, it no longer lands on your boobs, but hits your lap where the napkin is. No more cracked toilet seats! You can avoid the handicap stalls in public restrooms because you can now "fit" in a regular stall. The thought of flying coach no longer sends you into a panic attack. When your able to tuck a blouse into your pants When you don't use the tongs to fry chicken When you are excited to be able to go to the thrift shops and get your dressy clothes When the flight attendant doesn't reach for the seat belt extender & you can sit by the window When you can drive your car with the steering wheel down, and you can bring the seat somewhat closer to the gas pedal, instead of using your tippy toes When people actually "see" you and talk to you, and not through you like you are invisible. When you order a child's meal, and take half of it home in a doggie bag When checking for leaks doesn't mean looking at your panties!!!!!! When your spandex shorts are used for *JOGGING*, and not merely as an anti-chaffing between-the-thighs-shielding-device. When your exercise equipment isn't just for drying your fine washables anymore. When you start dropping things on purpose, just because you can pick it up so easily now. People who know you are concerned that you are working out too much. You mother says "dear, you aren't eating enough". When you can honestly say "I threw my back out from a combo of mountain climbing in the daytime and too much wild sex in the nighttime on my romantic vacation with my new Swedish boyfriend, Sven", instead of "I threw my back out trying to wipe my own @$$". When they say "put your trays up" on the plane and yours was actually down! When someone gives you a hand and it's applause, not help up out of your chair. You don't even NOTICE the shock of horror on everyone's face when you turn to your spouse in a public place and exclaim that you are about to DUMP. When your Dr. looks you in the eye and says, "I know you will be a success at this. "When your boyfriend/spouse starts gaining weight because of eating your leftovers. When you can run up a flight of stairs and aren't even panting a little! When you are laying flat on your back and realize that the bulges in your armpits are where your boobs have gone. When you leave a piece of you wherever you go (hair). When you realize that you are no longer the "big girl" in the office You can't wait to wake up and start your day. You are having sex and your husband complains of your hip bones poking him. Your butt gets tired of sitting because you have no padding. You can sit cross-legged on the floor and you show everyone who will look. You can wear corduroy pants without starting small fires behind you! Being able to do Taebo without being winded... but pilates kick your butt Running into old flames, and saying "Do I know you?" You look forward to flirting with the new cute phlebotomist at your doctor's office. Your clothes fall off in a public place and your scream for joy, not embarrassment You go out to eat and ask if anyone wants to split a kids meal with you You have clothes left at the alterations place for months, because every time you go in to try them on, they are still too big and have to be taken in again "Cheating" means eating three crackers You stop ordering combo meals because you are not allowed to have the soda You stop looking for minimizer bras, and start buying water bras! When people you know but haven't seen since before surgery DON'T know you! When you wave and your upper arms wave back When you walk backwards no one feels the need to make a beeping sound When your daughter says, "mommy - when I grow up I want to have long, hangy down, pointy boobies just like you". You have to safety pin your underwear on (size 14 panties on a size 6 butt) You've ever eaten (and enjoyed) pureed tuna Having your neighbor think your husband had gotten a divorce and married someone thin! You turn on the morning show JUST to see Al Roker! Before your surgery, it's all you can talk about...After your surgery, it's all everyone else can talk about!! You are actually bold enough to admit your weight, and even post it on the internet!!!You can eat 1/4 of a chicken breast and feel like you just finished Thanksgiving dinner. You actually look forward to stepping on the scale! You are not embarrassed of anything that you have in your buggy at the supermarket!You have a wingspan larger than an airplane...LOL!! Your co-workers are getting diet tips from you instead of vice versa! When it doesn't take your breath away to roll over in bed. When you're no longer embarrassed to tell people you weigh 200 pounds Being able to hang clothes in the closet without them falling off the hanger Looking for protein everything Having your children take your food because you are full not the other way around Not afraid of the elevator because of weight limit Cannot only blame the cat for shedding When after a night on the town with some support group friends you go out to Breakfast, order 1 meal, and split it 4 ways! And once you have finished eating, there's still a half of each quarter portion left on each plate! When you are the one (instead of your husband) that blames that terrible odor on the dog! When your pet needs a gastric bypass because you feed it all your leftovers! You leave costco feeling like you've left an all you can eat buffet (all those free samples!) When food tastes the same coming up as it did going down and water is still cold coming up! When you call Lane Bryant and cancel your credit card. When you race to your scale for a quick fix instead of your fridge? When Crystal Lite is too sweet for your taste buds When you spend more time reading product labels than you do any books. When you spend a day in your room trying on clothes you shoved to the back of the closet When researching plastic surgery for your TT, boobs, arms, thighs becomes a near olympic event When you say "OMG I LOOOOOVE chocolate" and you are referring to a Protein shake and not a box of Fanny Mae or Ethel M's You buy 3 Lean Cuisines a week...and that's your total groceries. Your rings keep spinning around your fingers The kids wonder what happened to the cookie and cake fairy...did she die??? - Author Unknown

P.S. Good luck Jeni, I hope everything turns out alright.

Just wanted to check in and say HI and see how the Marchies are doing. With work, kids camps (I teach archery to the 4-H kids), son home from college for 5 weeks (just went back today), projects that need to get done around the house and my garden (which is my salvation, I love to take my shoes off and get in the garden), not much time for anything else. I haven’t been on the scale in I don’t know how long, but I haven’t been exercising lately so I doubt that it has gone down any. Seeing as how quiet everyone has been, I guess I’m not the only one with too much to do and not enough time to get it done. I haven’t even been fishing/camping/kayaking yet this summer and I don’t see doing it in the foreseeable future. If it wasn’t for the fact that no one will even answer my phone when I gone from work, let alone do any of my work, I would just call in “sick” and take my dd out fishing. I might do it anyway and suck it up the next day when I am buried at work. Hell, I would love to go fishing right now, but I have to be up by 6:00am. Well, I hope to check in soon. Take care and have a great summer.

I am sitting here at work not only physically exhausted, but mentally. The physical exhaustion comes for re-shingling our house, putting in the garden and trying to keep up with the rest of the house work and yard work. The mental exhaustion comes from work. I was sitting at my desk and couldn’t figure out what I needed to do next. So I am taking a break. Still sitting at 174, but I know why. First, I’m not eating enough. I tracked on sparkspeople and I have been getting between 600-800 cal per day. Way to low. I also have been eating "easy" foods. Solid Proteins, if I don’t pay very close attention, hurts going down. I also haven’t been eating right. I have been skipping exercise. You would think that being on a roof, hauling 90 lb bundles of shingles, climbing up and down the ladder for the last week, I would have lost something, nope. I guess that doesn’t count as exercise. I got the ball rolling by going for a 3 mile walk with my gf last night and plan on getting my equipment dusted off and getting my butt back on it. I think we all must have a touch of spring fever the way we are felling lately. I hope that after this weekend, things slow down some. I don’t have a day off until next Friday (June 13) and I plan on relaxing. Hope to be able to check in more often by the end of the month. Take care

Just wanted to check in and see how everyone was doing. I haven’t been home most nights to get on my computer and work is so busy I don’t have time to check in during the day. I thought I needed a fill. At my doctors office they do all their fills under flouro and when the dr put in just .5cc, I was closed tight. So I ended up with .1cc being taken out of my original fill. She said I was too tight to begin with. I didn't understand that. I can eat whatever I want and I don’t stay full. Then it hit me, I have been staying away from what I call “hard” foods like solid chicken, beef or pork. And if I did have them, they had to have some type of sauce or gravy on it to get it to go down. I didn’t even think about it, and in the back of my mind I knew what I was doing was counter productive. At least I like to think it was in the back of my mind buried under all the other crap that seems to have taken up the rest of the space in my head. Does this make any sense to anyone? I was doing what was easy and quick instead of what was right. So I am still sitting at 174, but now have started watching what I am eating, solid, non-gravy covered, protein first, then veggies, then carbs. You would figure by now I would have this down pact, duh. Well, back to work.