Shrinking Violets -- April 07 Bandsters

[Daisalana 33]

Just so you guys know, I've been back on my Prilosec OTC since last Monday.. no problems getting the pills down. I drink an insane amount of Water with it, just to make sure it 'gets through'..but I think I do overkill. I wait till I know my stomach is empty and take the OTC with my BCP, and then a whole bottle of water.

[TerriDoodle 6]

WOO HOO !!! LOOK AT THAT BANNER!! BEAUTIFUL, LAURA! Did you make it? Making the rest of us look pretty bad, though!!

[TracyinKS 7]

Where is teachlady (Judy) today????????????

Laura: I love your banner too!!!!

[Daisalana 33]

LOL yea.. I work at a company that has graphic artists, so I took a couple classes and know how to do some basic piddling around. If anyone wants one, just PM me what you want and stats you want on it..

[Sara Mos 0]

Hi All,

Just a quick note today. Ive logged on 3 times today and I kept lossing the internet connection...Aaaaaaa!

Tracy, that was really kind hearted of you looking after that lady, and finding her work....your a little angel :angel:

Laura, I love your shrinking violets motif, its great & really proffessional looking!! :clap2:

I cant stop, but I hope your all ok I'll try and catch up on the posts tomorrow!!

Love to you all,

Sara xx

[mdrai 3]

Bad News, Violets...

Today was my pre-op appointment w/the surgeon... they told me it'd be an hour... well, 3 hours later... I was driving home crying & mad.

The story: When I had my endoscopy (which I had on 3/6 -- 2 frickin' months ago!), they took some biopsies of my stomach & esophagus lining. I never heard anything from the endoscopy center, my pcp, or the surgeon's office about the results, so I figured all was well & forgot about it. Fast-forward to today, and the surgeon notices that the pathology report says that I have "Barrits Esophagus" (sp?), which basically is when reflux has caused stomach cells to grow up out of the stomach on the esophagus. It is a "pre-cancer" marker, meaning I would be at increased risk of developing esophageal cancer in my lifetime. The treatment is simply to take prilosec or some other reflux medicine, and it may just go away in time.

Now there was much confusion as to why the path. report said one thing and the procedure report said another, so there was a lot of back-and-forth... ultimately, the end result is that I am going tomorrow morning for another endoscopy, performed by my surgeon, and we'll have results in a week. If it comes back that I do indeed have this (even after taking the reflux meds for the past 2 months), then I cannot have the surgery.

So now my head is swimming w/the "cancer" word, the fact that no one told me for 2 months that anything was abnormal, and, of course, the fact that this could end my last hope for meaningful, long-term weight loss.

Here are basically my whines right now: Why can't things ever go smoothly for me?? Why is everything so !@#$% difficult?? Why is this such a roller coaster?: First I was denied, then I was approved, now I've got this... ARGH! I will be a fat pig forever! I can't even be fat right! .............

The one good thing was that while I was sitting there waiting and waiting, I imagined that all my Violet friends were there with me, sending me good thoughts and y'know, it actually worked! Weird, I know, but true... so thank you...

I am just so mad & sad & MAD! I feel exactly like I did when I was denied... like it's some cosmic joke or something... "Hey, watch this! Let's dangle some hope in front of her then jerk it away! Ha! Ok, let's do it again!"..... ok... I've got to go actually do some of the stuff that didn't get done today as I was in limbo... will check back tomorrow... thanks again...

[lunasa 1]

I will be a fat pig forever! I can't even be fat right! .............

Oh (((Mdrai)))...please don't say that about yourself...that's upsetting.

This is a totally & unexpected major blow to you...I don't know what to say. I'm glad that thinking of us helped a little. You know we will support you. I'm so sorry to hear this!!!

Please Please don't put yourself down like that !!

[Kat817 19]

Awwww Michelle I am so sorry things are being difficult! I do have high hopes that the 2 months on the meds will make a difference in your endoscopy. That sounds like the kind of medical care we have been getting lately, sloppy, and lazy. What if you were not looking into it further for the band---you would have had Barrets without knowing? That is not acceptaable. I do realize there is precious little you can do with it right now.

Now, some of the other WLS, do not have as much of an effect on the esophagus I am told. So if the band falls through, do not give up hope. We will help you research other options.

Is there a time line? What about Nexium, they say it heals as well as prevents the current reflux? If you heal it up, and stay healed, are you still a no go? If so, I think it is time to look into another Dr. who is willing to work with you to get you healthy, and then go from there.

Don't get so depressed-----the stress only increases acid---relax, munch some TUMS----anything to help keep your stomach calm. No spicy foods til the test-----keep it as quiet in there as possible, so no new relux issues show up.

Know we ARE there with you---and will be praying and pulling for you.

You know you and I may not officially (April 07 bandsters) belong here---but they got us anyway---and aren't we glad!!!???

Hang in there----((((((big giant hugs))))))

Kat

[kity 2]

Michelle,

This is gonna sound weird but, perhaps this is a blessing in disguise. I know you want to be banded (you will ALWAYS BE A VIOLET), but it is time to stop and really take care of something major now.

If the test comes back positive, you should look at it as a blessing that these markers are now known to you. If for nothing else, but to know about them and get them checked regularly. Cancer of the esophagus is not something to play with.

I know your down now, but I am a believer that all things happen for a reason. This journey, while rocky now, will one day teach you something you needed to learn.

I am sending you big hugs, our violet sista. We are always "gonna be there with you" (I take my violets everywhere w/ me). Keep us posted! God Bless!

[monterreygirl 0]

Hi all-

How do you get your tickers to show up? I've tried cutting and pasting, but all that comes up is this gobbly-gook.

It is so nice to see such progress with many of you. Also sad to see the hardships some are going through. I've been doing very well up until this week. I am hungry like I was before the surgery, and am gaining back some of the 20 lbs I had lost. I am also able to eat more and don't feel much of a restriction. My first fill is next week, so I HOPE that curbs the appetite. Have had some PB's, but not lately. I was worried that I may have done something to the band...sure hope not.

Anyway, thanks for letting me join. Everyone hang in there, and I hope to have good news soon.

Take care,

Kelly

[Jennifur 0]

Michelle

I am so sorry - I remember when you were denied. I can't imagine the thought of "cancer" but I do understand how you feel about having something just go right! Remember, I can't find a job to save my life

Hold on, we are all here for you and will pray it will all be ok

[Teachlady 3]

Hello Shrink'n Violets!!!

Got back from my follow up appointment this evening. It's a 4 hour drive so we went Monday night, spent the night in the hotel, had the appt. at 9:30 and that didn't get over until 11:00. Did some shopping and then drove 4 hours home. The appointment went well. I've lost 25# by their scale too so I was pleased. I got to start soft foods today. Had some walleye and cottage cheese for supper. I'm supposed to have some yogurt tonight, but I'm just not hungry. I'll drink my last two cups of Water and call it a night. The good news is I can start back to Curves tomorrow and I can get in the hot tub tonight!! :biggrin1:

Michelle and Jenn.. I'm so sorry to hear of your disappointments. Hopefully Michelle the meds will have helped you and the test will come back negative so you can get the surgery. Jenn.. the perfect job is out there for you, I'm positive. Just keep the faith and lean on us when you need too. You too Michelle.

I have to be up and at a flute rehearsal at 8 in the morning, so I'm going to head to bed. Everyone have a good evening.

[Daisalana 33]

Mdrai- I know cancer is a scary word, but if you look at what it means.. it's cells that are damaged and abnormal. That happens all the time in our body due to stress, injury, etc. So, if its from acid reflux, it's VERY easy to see how it happened! And it should be treatable and fixable and you'll be back on your way to lap-band! I know it sounds devastating right now, but it's not unusual that if you have untreated heartburn, the cells have become abnormal in your esophagus (((HUGS))) Chin up, go get Prilosec OTC pronto and keeps tums in your purse

[TerriDoodle 6]

((((MICHELLE)))) Please don't give up hope! It is extremely important that you keep a positive outlook and keep that vision of a healthy, thinner self in front of you at all times....especially now. Keep breathing and exude confidence! BELIEVE!!

There is a good chance that there is some kind of mix up or simply that you will have to postpone it a while. We're here for you no matter how long this takes. You are forever a Violet!

[mdrai 3]

Thank you all so much for your positive replies... of course you are all correct... I need to stay positive and be thankful that this has come to light so I may address it... but it is difficult for me at this moment to think that way... which is why I am blessed to have you to remind me!

I just feel soooo bad (badly?) right now.... completely down & out... I'm so close to my dream of being normal... I feel like I'm being taunted... I just don't know if I have it in me to postpone or go through all the hoops again in 6 months to a year... "Poor, poor pitiful me..."...I really am just a miserable mess. The band truly is the answer to my prayers and I absolutely cannot do bypass... no way, no how... so what... it'll be back to diet & exercise, which works for about a week or so before I'm off on a binge... dieting is what got me here... argh! I am so sorry, Violets, for being such a downer... thank you for letting me be wholly & truly who I am at this moment and not having to pretend w/you as I do the rest of the world.

I swear I'm giving myself only tonight to wallow in all this self-pity and then it's back to dealing w/whatever may come my way w/my head up in true Violet fashion. Keep sending out those powerful Violet supervibes my way, please... I need 'em!

((hugs))