♥LovetheNewMe♥

Oh Dee it has been so hard to keep the secret of the quilt, so many times it almost feel out of my mouth. We knew you would love it and none of us can imagine anyone person more deserving than you. You are by far a very special lady and we are all so privileged to have you as our friend. I loved the picture, highlight of my day. Dawn, that **** has got to go, make them clean up that mess. I am always making people in my office get rid of crap like that. I make them feel so guilty they hide it from me, the call me the fat snob or fat police. I just laugh at them and say well if the cookie fits wear and wear it well. Janet so sorry you had a bad day, some days I wonder how we all keep it together. It seems we all have so much stress in our lives. Here is praying tomorrow is a better day.Also praying for Angie, hope she feels better by now, it is stressful when you have miscarried before. My daughter lost 3 babies before her last one and each pregnancy got worse for her and she was a basket case through that time period. Just hug her and support her and let her know it will be OK. Michelle, I can't tell you how many times I stood on those scales and wished for onederland, it will happen, just keep the faith and stay true to your band. You maybe losing inches again, I know that does not help the scale but it happened to me so many times. Lose weight, no weight lose lose inches. It comes off, sometimes just slow. Carole, how is Jack recovering. Are the renovations going well? Teri, we told you Dee would love the quilt, hope you and Franc are enjoying yourselves. have a safe trip home. I got this notion in my head this week that I needed a bigger house. Our house is about 1600 SF and was fine for Paul and I but now it seems like we are swelling at the seams. I started looking at some bigger places and my son said. Mom, why are you going to disrupt your life, costing yourself more money, money you can't afford and for what? Grandma will never be happy, save your money and lets just do some things here like you have been want. Redo the kitchen, screen in the car port and make a sun room. i guess I raised a good son, he thinks about his mama first and does what ever he can to make my life easier. In all this stress I sometimes forget to be thankful for what I have. Tonight I am very thankful for my good health, thanks to my lap band. And I am very thankful for this wonderful group of women who have enriched my life with their friendship and support. I am thankful for my two wonderful children and yes I am also thankful for my husband who puts up with my obsessive compulsive behavior and bitchiness. lol Hope you all have a wonderful night and remember how special you all are and lets make this a great week, we all deserve it!

I am almost 3 years post op and I have not had a fill in over a year and half and actually only had 3 fills this entire time, I do have occasionally episodes days when things seem to get stuck more often or I have an occasional day of Paging. The thing I have noticed most is that all of these episodes are due to either chicken, raw veggies or eating too fast and forgetting to chew, chew, chew. Most times after these stuck episodes I have to switch to Protein shakes. In my personal opinion, the few side effects I have had far out way the risks and complications of my band. I would never have lost 132 lbs with out my band and I have been at goal or below for almost a year now. If you are really concerned discuss your concerns with your surgeon and put the raw fibrous veggies down. Hope it gets better.

Evening ladies, Finally alone, just me, the cat, my computer and the TV. Feel like I died and went to heaven, lol, forgot about hubby snoring right next to me. Busy Monday, did 3 interviews for staff nurses and supervisors. Working with a recruiter to fill my Director position, hope it does not take so long. Day started out a little rocky with mom but the evening went ok. I left work early and went to her apartment and got all of her cloths and put them in her room, along with her plant and a few other personal articles. She said nothing, amazing, she pretends she knows nothing but than apologizes to my brother for being a b***h this weekend but to me she acts like she does not remember something. My such is so manipulative. Starting to think I need to take the drugs instead of her. Just kidding! Had a good day eating today, actually no stuck episodes and no vomiting, yeah!!! Here's hoping we all have a great week, Janet so glad your back, you were missed. Teri, can't wait to see pictures from your meeting with Dee on Wednesday. Night all, love you guys, Di

Good morning, Sunday the day of peace and rest. Well sorta, lol. Trying to catch up with all you ladies! Carole, hoping Jack is doing well and remember you can never spoil the four legged babies too much in my book. I love my babies and without them our lives would be so empty. Mine give me such comfort, especially when I am so frustrated with all the humans in my life. Dawn, is the reflux better? I hope you are having a good weekend. When are you moving? Mini, almost at onederland, that is awesome. I predict you will hit the magic number before the end of this month. I remember that day, I was so excited. Took a picture of my feet standing on the scale. Hope you have had a good weekend. Teri you are out and about, soon to meet Dee. Hope the trip is great, it has been HOT! here in SC the past few days with nasty storms in the evening. We lost another big Pine and Hickory tree 2 nights ago, 70 mile winds and hail. Damn, thought I left Kansas. Dee, you are having a great summer, I am so excited about you and Teri meeting, count the days. You are going to enjoy! Where is Janet, is her mom OK? Carole have you heard from here? And did anyone every her from Cawanna? Hope all is OK. Me, well, to say the least it has been a frustrating week. I had 400 dollars in my purse last week and someone helped themselves too it at work. Hope they needed it more than I did. It was mom's payment for day care. I hope they needed it for food or shelter because it sure has made my life hell this weekend. Rented a climate controlled rental unit this weekend and we will start packing up mom's house this week. I decided not to move her furniture in but did use her bed spread and drapes and personal items in her room. She had a bad evening, finally realized she was not going home, so I was back to being the evil child. I checked on Memory care last week and we are going to have to work on financing, 3500 is the cheapest. And yes that is a month. So she is stuck with me, I have applied for VA bend fits and if she qualifies, this will cover a third of benefits. So frustrated, if she would cooperate it would be OK. My family is in turmoil and everyone is trying but it is stress full to go to just the two of us to now 4 of us, with my son. Hope we survive, I have little patience and really need support from all around me. I am sometimes so overwhelmed, I feel robotic in my decisions and motions. My brother is healing but still really worried about him. He isn't coping with things well, so I worry. Well she is up, let's hope, nice June is there today and evil June has went away! Cyber hugs and love to all you guys and praying for a great day! Janet, miss you, hope you are ok!

Hi all!. Carole, mom needs Memory care, for her Alzheimer's which is key to her deterioration in the disease process. Maybe I am looking for miracles or just trying to fight the inevitable but I want her to have every opportunity to do her best. She broke my heart tonight, we went to the doctor today and I forced the physician to have that difficutl talk with her and explain whay she could not live by herself. It was so sad, she took it well but sad. She knew but has so much pride. I feel so bad for her and have know idea how she feels. My mom is a proud women, who raised 4 children pretty much by herself and they all turned out as productive adults, well educated and very prosperious. She speaks of her children with much pride, tonight she told me she had four kids(my oldest brother has been dead for 4 years and she wanted to talk to all of them. Well needless to say I lost it tonight and cried like a baby. I think the last two weeks have finally taken there toll on me. Band is giving me issues, three stuck episodes this week and none of them have been pleasant. I really PB'd hard today at lunch finaly had a shake for lunch today. Hope you are all doing well, love you guys.

OK feeling like an ASS. Dawn I missed your birthday, I am so sorry. I hope you had a good day, Did I miss it, or is it coming up. You have to excuse me, most days I meet myself coming and going. Janet, hope your mom is OK, my prayers for her and you. Here's a big cyber hug! Terri, I hope you have a great trip, so excited about you and Dee getting to meet. Wow look how this is going, just makes me want to meet Nicole, Janet and Dawn that much more. Some day I know it will happen. Mini, balancing school and work, I so remember those days and it sucks especially when the classes you have to take are so frustrating. When I was completing my Masters I thought I would drive myself crazy. I tried to take 3 classes one semester and damn near had myself a nervous break down and oh my poor family. Exercise is a great stress reliever. Hope your week is going well. Carole, you will Ive marble it will look awesome in the house. We are getting to old to settle for what works and not get what we want. I say go for the gold in this house. What an opportunity to design your own kitchen. Dee get ready you are going to meet an awesome lady. Hope you enjoy your visit. Hope everyone has a great evening, not going to talk about myself, tired of hearing about it myself. Just know, I am really ok. I am finding out I am a very strong person, tired but strong. My band is being fickle and I threw up my lunch today because I ate too fast and had an important meeting with our COO to discuss and ROI on an employee project that I was given last September. I love writing business plans and love when things fall together. I stressed over the meeting but it went very well dispite all the family issues I have, so I guess I am doing a pretty good job of separting work and family. At least something going right for me. Again, I know I don't have to say it but you guys rock and you are my rock. You are always here and always so willing to be supportive. Know I am always lerking in the shadows sometimes lately just quiet and listening. Hugs to all and lots of love and prayers.

Evening all, well I have survived the weekend and started my week. Surprisingly it is less stressful, I do not spend every evening driving up and down the road. I know it will change soon, it was way to easy. lol Mom had a very confusing day today, besides she does have Alzheimer's. lol this is what she told the daughter of a friend and all the nurses today. Oh how clothes to the truth she is. She thought I died today and cried most of the day. But by evening end she was calm and going off to bed. I have an appointment on Thursday with her primary care doctor and one on Friday for a permanent memory care unit. We will see, hoping we can afford it. Heading to bed, I will catch up later and thank you all for your prays.. you guys all mean the world to me and I will never be able to repay your friendship, you will all never know how much it means to me. Night.

OMG Terri, you use the word Christmas in July! That scare me, next you will tell me that by August your shopping will be done. Tonight I brought Mom home to my house to spend the night. She had a melt down earlier this evening and I just told her she needed to spend the night at my house, and I thought the day had went well! So much for thinking on my part.

My typical day: Breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal with 1/3 cup egg whites cooked into the oatmeal with 1/8 cup blueberries, 2 pecan halves and 1 teaspoon raw sugar, substitute breakfast, Greek yogurt with 1/8 cup granola ( I love crunch) or small tortilla with egg whites scrabbled with some peppers, onions and tablespoon of cheese. ( I have an addiction for Starbucks SF Nonfat Carmel Machatta on the days I indulge I have my coffee and a protein bar) Snack mid morning: small protein bar or shake depending on how breakfast went or how busy my afternoon is going to be Lunch: 2-3 ozs of lean protein, turkey, chicken, pork. or fish. (early days I ate a lot of thinly sliced lunch meat, other meats were dry and got stuck. 1/2 cup green veggies, or a very small salad with oil and vinegar. If I am going to eat a starch this would be the meal I would do it. Mid afternoon snack, small apple or banana with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter or a protein bar. Depends on how portable I need my snack to be. Dinner: Again lean meet around 3 ozs and a veggie. Snack: 1/8 to 1/4 cup of almonds or sometimes 2 cups of popcorn. I have ate this way for over two years, I have always done snacks, I was never able to do just 3 meals. It took me months to work up to a 1000 calories a day and I try very hard to keep my calories around 1200. I am at goal and I still eat this way but now I try to hit 1400 to 1600 calories a day and yes I still weigh and measure my food and I still eat off a small plate with a big fork. I do not drink with meals. I do not deprive myself of anything I want, if I want something that is high calorie and not as nutritious, I eat it and adjust accordingly. I say that now but I am at goal, when I was trying to lose, I rarely indulged. I allowed my self one splurge meal a week on a Thursday. I find weekends, especially Sundays difficult and exercise was the key to continued successful weigh loss for me. Good luck and hope this helps.

Janet, glad the endo went well for Maddy. It is amazing how a children's hospital can not get an IV on a kid. So sorry for the stuck episode, I have had several lately and it always freaks everyone around here also. I just take it in stride and move on but I guess to others it looks pretty scary. I am glad your Mom is home and hope they wait to do the surgery till that GB quiets down a little. Prayers back to you my friend. Dawn, thank you so much for all your well wishes and support these past few weeks. I know you have been yoyoing for a while but understand this happens and the pounds will start to drop again. Just refocus and establish mini goals and you will get to onederland. I actually thought I would never get there and they day I did it was by only half a pound but so exciting and motivating. Carole, you will learn the roads. I grew up on mountain roads and they can be confusing, just be careful and look for landmarks when you drive. A special tree, a curve in the road, etc. Sorry Jack has to have surgery, hope all goes well, where is he having surgery? Mission or one of the hospitals closer to you? Proud of you DIL, as you know cardiology is my favorite and have spent 30 years in that type of nursing. I know she is excited to start this new chapter in her career. I think NP's are such an added plus to our physician groups. Glad your Migraine is better, used to have these but they stopped when my hormone levels stopped yoyoing. Get some rest and take care of your self, hoping the band is being kinder to you and I know you will lose your last 25 lbs. Those pounds were my hardest and that is when I really started exercising my butt off, raising my metabolism and ability to burn calories helped a lot. I will send prayers up the mountain to you and Jack. Teri, thank you for always checking on me and for being there late at night. It helped just knowing you were there when I was in the hospital, nights were the hardest. I kept thinking about what all could go wrong and it was hard to turn my head off some nights. I really loved the quilt and your granddaughter is so cute. Mini, I hope alternative therapies work for your son, he will learn to live with his illness and hopefully he can overcome any frustrations with his wonderful musical talents. You are really looking good these days. Dee, I know you are getting excited about your meeting with Teri. You will love her, I actually can not weight for you guys to meet. I so hope one days we can all meet as a group, I think we should plan this for we we are all at or near goal. I say we make a plan for next spring or summer we could do mountains or beach, some place of equal distance. I know it would take a lot of planning but it would be so worth it. I love all you guys and am so glad that we remained friends. Together we can accomplish anything. Have a great Saturday Friends! off to make my famous oatmeal with egg whites and blueberries, yummy!

Hi guys! I am back in South Carolina, thank you Jesus! I came home Thursday night. I got my brother home, stayed to make sure he could do his Lovenox injections and helped him get his RX's and appointments set up. He is doing very well and is so very lucky. Thank you all for all the prayers, this is definitely one of those times when God and his amazing grace lifted us up and guided all the wonderful team to take care of my brother. Technically he should not be here, nor should he have had such a miraculous recover. I am amazed at what little deficit he has, and also thankful. I was very exhausted driving home but was determined to get my life back to it's normal! Mama.....She was a mess when I got back, a week without day care really set her back or maybe I should say took her back to pre day care mood and behaviors. I became the "b***h" again, but oh well it is what it is. Got her back on track yesterday and she is back to cooperative but confused. I also made a decision yesterday. I am not spending nights with Mama, if family thinks mom can live by herself than that is what we will do until she fails in all eyes. So I decided to take her to day care, make sure she has her meals and her meds on time but I am not staying with her daily, if she fails than I have the proof I need to move her to Memory Care. Of course we all know, meaning me and my immediate family is where she needs to be and would be safest. I am continuing to look for placement that we can afford and that in itself is a big job. Me and my band. Boy stress does play havoc with the band, I was able to maintain my weight and not lose while gone. Yeah! I did eat mostly Snacks, Protein Bars, nuts and drank plenty of Water and tea and of course I did find a star bucks in the hospital. I have found that even this far post op when stressed I still migrate to carbs, especially chips. The good thing is the band does not allow me to over endulge and often makes me feel like crap. So I am guessing this is a good thing. So another page in my life is turned and ready to move on to the next adventure. lol. Hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday, I am enjoying quiet time, the boys went to work and me and the kitty are having coffee and a little computer time by ourselves.

Yeah we're moving out of Neuro ICU and I got a hotel room! Woo Hoo! BAby steps but happy, CT scan today showed no blood in the brain! Echo showed no abnormalities. So progress, now to the next step, healing!

Morning, sun is shining and hoping all are doing well. Mini, glad u have a diagnosis, a treatable illness and your son will gradually reach acceptance, kids fight and that is good, not giving in makes them stronger. Big hug for you today. Dawn remember I stayed stuck for 6 months around the 170 mark and finally went back for a fill. Your mind has to be in just the right place and I became complacent for a period and than enough was enough and I moved on. Never beat your self up, this is for life Nd it takes more time to mentally prepare yourself than any if us realized. Dee you will love Teri, can't wait for you two to meet. Janet your support and prayers mean so much. This child has an Angel watching over him, by all rights he should not be here, I am just thankful God realized I needed him more on earth than he did in heaven! Carole thank you also for all your lo e and support. I am sorry your foot is not healing well, it looked good when I saw you in Asheville . Maybe you should not push the exercise at this time and give it time to heal. Prayers for you today my friend and I hope the doc appoint goes well. Teri, my late night friend, :-)! I got some rest last night and I managed to eat 3 meals yesterday. I do think I have dropped a pound or two my shorts are loose this morning. I will eat more today. Having steel cut oatmeal with blueberries now. Sitting outside of the University watching the chaotic morning of all the workers. Amazing that the world does go on when you think yours has stopped or gotten off course. I sent Cawanna a message, do you think she is OK. Maybe just busy, kinda worried about her she sorta feel off not lo g after being banded. Anyone heard from her? Well the sun is shinning and I am hoping for a good day today. My boss wants me home and I want to go home but my place is here. I love you guys, all take care more later gotta get back inside for morning rounds!

Well I think I will be 58 this year but lately I feel 100. Another long day, just got showered and snuggled down for the night. Hopeful tomorrow we get to move out of the ICU. Keep ur fingers crossed, so ready to be home and back to work my long weekend did not happpen. ;-( as planned. Today was a good day no new events, except doctor told us he did have 2 not one stroke and both his right and left veteberal arteries dissected? I still don't understand why and neither do they,so one day at a time. I had a better day eating today thank goodness, Hugs everyone gotta get some rest, love you all and thanks for prayers, please keep them coming,

I hope everyone has had a good 4th off, still storms in the South. Just heard thunder.

Evening all! Well I am still at Emory, just settled down in my room in the ICU. There is a very nice family suite at the back of each ICU room. Forgot to eat dinner, had a late afternoon conifer from Starbucks. Had to run to Target and but some Sweat Pants and jeans. I am freezing, they keep everything so blasted cold. Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers , we are hanging in there. They are still running test, echo cardiogram tomorrow and more tests. He is stable tonight, alert and able to move all extremities just no coordination or strength. The doctors feel this next24hours is critical and they are hoping for no changes. Still on blood thinners, added aspirin tonight. His lab work blood counts especially are all out of wack so theyarerunning every test known on him. BP tonight is up 200/90's I suggested they give him some sedation to decrease his anxiety. Called my other brother back today and just told him he and his wife needed to figure out mom. She is a mess, more than my husband can handle but he and my son tried and made sure she was safe the past 24 hours. Have no idea when I will get home. Mom is confused but manageable. My husband went over tonight and she answered the door naked. OMG my husband about ****, he said he was scared for life now. Lol god you have to laugh, you can't make this **** up. I will keep you posted, hugs to all!

Need prayers girls! My baby brother has had a stroke this morning. We are at Emory University in Atlanta. So far they have been unable to TPA him because he has a Vertebral tear at the base of the brain. He is 43 years old and I am so stressed. Please pray for my family !

Morning Girls! Dee you can do this, you are one of the most determined dedicated women I know. Pace yourself and you will make it and by the way I am so proud of you. Carole, Yes I would believe another 2 inches. I have never seen such a soggy beginning to a summer. My brother said his charcoal molded in Georgia. My pools sides are swelling, I was able to get in yesterday, hook up the vacuum and her comes another storm and my efforts were for not. Oh well today is another day and maybe just maybe we can get a few hours of sunshine. We were able to cook out yesterday, so we had the 4th of July on the 5th. lol Mini, I so remember those sweltering hot mid west summers. Thank goodness it is below 100 degrees, those were the days I ran from work to car to house and the pool of course. We had a small wadding pool on our patio and you would have thought it was a concrete pool! Dawn love the copper fire bowl, I have a fire pit and a chimney on my patio now and I love them, if the rain would stop! Teri, I am cleaning our the carbs, left overs from the kids. I am not over eating just eating the wrong stuff and it makes my tummy feel like cramp. My biggest issue is nuts, I made this nut mix for the kids, with sesame sticks, nuts, wasabi and dark chocolate coffee Beans and it will be the death of me. I love it, I made my son hide it in his room, it kept calling my name! Janet, loved the beach pictures, I hope I get to stick my feet in the sand this summer but it is unlikely. Well we dropped the night sitter do to finances starting next week. Mom has had a pretty good couple of days, last night she had a melt down and was sad. We had a long talk and I told her again her options were limited. Her meds are helping her more now and she is more manageable but I guess honestly I can't imagine how she feels. This is a horrible disease, I think I would prefer death! Hope everyone has a great day, going to spend some time with my son doing some shopping and planting my palm tree by the pool. Have a great day friends, if I missed you, know I love you!

I wish I could help but my doctor did not follow such a strict regime for me post op, I was allowed any foods I could tolerate after 1 weeks, I had one week of liquids than progressed to solids. As for hitting 1000 calories, it took me weeks before I was able to eat enough food to reach 100 calories. I hovered at the 700-800 calorie range for about a month. As for the mashed potato's and starches, I did eat these a lot in the beginning because the went down easy and yes I know they were sliders. I added unflavored protein to my mashed potato's, oatmeal, soups and star bucks. Follow your doctor as close as you can, and if you really have questions about why their diet is confusing ask the nutritionist, every doctor has their own way of doing things and on this forum you will see a wide range of ideas and opinion. My philosophy is you do what works for you and as long as you are losing weight and adopting a healthier life style all is good. Good luck to you in your journey.

The only thing I notice when I travel to different altitudes is that my band may be tighter for the first 24 hours and I have to do protein shakes or softer foods, like, yogurt, soups etc. But it has always adjusted.

Agree with lots of above, my physican also requires 2 days of liquids post fill and than I usually had to progress back to solids, so all in all in usually took me about a week to be able to eat my cup of solids. Chicken has always been tricky for me and also potatos of any kind. Try some fish baked, grilled or broiled and some green beans. The band is is very fickel and some are more sensitive to fills then others, as long as you can get down liguids, are not having reflux I personally would not have an unfill. My personal opinion is that sometimes it takes the body a few days to adjust to the fill, my doctor always said to have patience and keep trying to work at it and find what I could eat. Good luck and make sure you stay well hydrated.

Happy 4 th friends, still raining in SC may need yo build an ark. Pool over flowing and my poor squash and cucumbers look beaten down and flower beds look like the rain forest. I am off for 4 days woo Hoo, looking forward to some much needed rest. . Been a very busy week lots going on at work. SC finally got off their but and approved mama's Medicaid . . Another hurdle down. I am going to look at a few ALF facilities this weekend. We are dropping the sitter this weekend so my life is going to get busy again as if it wasn't already . Band has been fickle this week, tight, lose, reflux, Tummy aches. STRESS! Just have to work harder to eat and make better choses some days, been craving Snacks lately. Those urges make me panic a little, need to do a cleaning if the cabinets again, those nasty carbs creep back in. Hope everyone has a great 4th stay safe.

Evening all! Another wave of storms tonight all my east coast friends button the hatches. Teri I could not believe Chapel Hill was flooded. Stay on high ground friend. Yeah, Carole found the scales. Now stay off them! Once a week only while your losing. The granite counter tips sound awesome. I cannot wait to see pictures of this kitchen. How is the reflux ? Dee you amaze me, you will get that GED. You are so inspirational to all if us. You are an Angel on earth and I fell honored to call you my friend. Mini I all too well remember this high temps from my7 years I. kansas, we on the east coast have no idea what hot really is. Those 100+ temps in the mid west and west are hot as hell. Stay protected and drink plenty of liquids. Dawn, when is ur move? Janet are u back did you have fun? Cawannna we hope ur ok! We miss you! Has anyone talked other? Short week for me, good weekend but busy. Mom loses more and more of her cognitive abilities daily. So sad ;-(. I have to drop the nighttime sitter, we can't afford it and I need the money for her bills and day care. I will just make the best of it for now. She is cooperative, liking day care and with me controlling the alcohol and change in meds the delirium and hallucinations have subsided . I think the antidepressant is starting to work, she is more manageable the past week except for Friday. Part of me thinks she has given up fighting with me because I am relentless and don't give up easily. That's me bossy and in control , god I think they gives meds for that also . Lol I am in organization mode, work is getting very stressful. Lost a director so my life just got thrown back into the clinical management arena for a while along with my administrator duties. I will try to keep up , just know I am here if you need me even if slow to respond.

Jealousy is the ugly green eyed monster and it is unfortunately a natural response for your cousion. I think you may want to look deeper at what she is really trying to tell you. She is scared, scared that if you loose weight and she does not that your feeling about her or how you look at her will change. Your choice to have surgery was a personal choice and everyone has to want it for the right reasons and yours are sincere and for the right reasons. Give her time and space and hopefully she will come around and realize that fat or thin you are the same person. I the am half the person I used to be but I am the same person inside that I was 3 years ago, difference is I like me better. Remember you can not change her and how she feels but you can be in control of how you respond to her comments and reactions as you loss weight. Good luck to you and wishes for great success in your new life style choice.