New Hope

O.K., Jamie, you've done the dress rehearsal (gallbladder surgery). Now you're ready for the real thing!

Whew, I'm not toxic!

Welcome, Cameron! Are you also a banded patient? Look forward to hearing from you here.

I've actually been using the dry shredded wheat more than anything else, just as a snack.

Crystal, you have really had some interesting events happen to you! I hope some day that you will meet some average Christians ...who won't tell you what type of career to choose, who won't care if you decide to look up towards Heaven during a prayer (and in fact will do the same), and have the opportunity to be involved w/a Christian school who won't try to stifle your spirit and creativity. You definitely would be an asset to them.

Christina, best of luck to you on Monday, 3/14/05, as you get your band! We can't wait to hear back from you ...when you feel like it. Hugs and prayers for a successful surgery and quick recovery!

Jan, just don't look, silly. Really theren't shouldn't be too many needles involved. Just some pre-op blood work, then the i.v. right before your surgery. And they give you a tiny little injection to numb the area before inserting the i.v. needle. Once the i.v. is hooked up, they'll be able to administer the meds. to initially put you to sleep before the surgery. Then afterwards, they'll be able to administer any pain meds. needed - through your i.v. So once the i.v. is going, no more sticks. You'll do fine!

Mandy, you won't know until you try! Best of luck to you!

Vicodin is a very powerful pain med. Hydrocodone is a synthetic codeine. I've only used it after major surgeries and I didn't like the effects. I'd rather deal w/the pain.

Isn't that wonderful! Great job on the 10 pounds gone forever. It took me a while before I could actually start seeing the changes myself. Others noticed way before I did.

People noticed it in my face first. It took me a while to see that.

I knew weekends are dead around here and I wanted to be sure Crystal got all the support she can muster. You'll be fine, Crystal!!!

Paula, the frosted shredded wheat box is showing: 1 cup of shredded wheat has 5 grams of fiber. Just watch about drinking a lot of Water shortly after you eat the dry Cereal....it expands. LOL

Bright, you want me to mail you some??

I find myself rubbing my port sometimes absentmindedly. It's my own private security button and I love it. My DH has never noticed it.

Crystal, best of luck to you on Monday, 03/14/05 as you get that long awaited little tool (a BAND!!) to help you regain your life. (((Hugs))) and prayers for a successful surgery and quick recovery. Please take it easy this weekend and keep your asthma under control. Hopefully, very, very soon, you can start chunking some of those inhalers, RXS, and nebulizers for good...and get back on that horse.

Hope everything works out for you.

Judy, best of luck to you! Don't watch much t.v....too many food commercials. Start walking regularly. Start drinking that daily waterload. Get in the habit of not drinking w/your meals or 1 hour afterwards. Start wearing all your favorite clothes that will soon be forever too big.

I had my Lasik in December, 2004. I chose the mono because I didn't want to wear any glasses. I do like being able to wake up in the a.m. and be able to see! I'm trying to be patient and hope this dry eye/distance eye corrects itself. But it is a huge financial investment and a risk to take having someone operate on your eyes.

I first noticed it in my hips and stomach. I loved having to buy smaller underwear.

I don't think you can request where the port is placed. Each doctor has their preferred spot for various reasons. I wouldn't want to ask my dr. to do something that he/she isn't familiar with. I didn't even know there were different locations until after I got mine.

Kristi, you've lost 26 pounds in a little over a month! That is excellent! Did you understand that the average weight loss is 1 to 1 1/2 pounds a week. You are way ahead of the norm. This method is not meant to drop weight quickly. But to take weight off slowly and steadily, giving our bodies and our minds time to adjust. Please go pick up something that weighs 26 pounds (large sack of cat food) and see how long you can carry it around. That's how much less your body is having to lug around. You're doing excellent, but slow down and enjoy this time. It will just keep getting better and better.

Jenna, you are handling everything so well! Glad to hear that Jeter is more comfortable now. At this point, I'd feed him anything you can tempt him with. Maybe some of the unflavored or vanilla protein drinks might taste like milk to him. Maybe heat some and see if he'll take it. Best of luck to you!

I've bought every type of over the counter eye drops or gels that they make. Yes, the Restasis is the RX cyclosporine drops I'm using. I think I'm just prone to dry eyes. Previously, wearing contacts, I never could sleep in them for days and days like my son does. Just one of those weird little quirks that some people get and others don't. Hopefully you won't have any problems. And since you've had this done before, you know what to expect. I do want more than the 1 valium they gave me next time though! LOL

I THOUGHT about exercising today. Does that count? O.K., you two, enough with the ER visits! Seriously, I hope both of you are feeling much better.