Valentina

Hello, kwikwits, think you should get a dog that requires intense grooming!!! I can't begin to tell you hour many hours pass while I am grooming and don't even notice. I find it relaxing and keeps my mind off of food. Since arthritis has taken some of the flexability out of my hands, I have taken up crocheting. It keeps my fingers moving and passes many an hour with without thinking about FOOD. Of course, there is always a good trashy historical romance, but that usual gets me wanting-----well,---- not food... but just as frustrating!:wub: One more day for you, Sista Jewel!!! You HAVE to have a good surgery and a painfree recovery. I'm be right behind so LEAD THE WAY!!:car: Counting on you to keep in touch,:gossip: :hug: Valentina :grouphug:

Well,Girl!!! don't keep us in suspense..What miracle is in progress?????? :gossip: I know that I have been mentioning you in my chit chats with God daily. I'm sure others have also. We ALWAYS need to hear good news, so come on and share with us. Even if it's only a possibility. Valentina :grouphug:

Medicaide managed medical plans do here in NY. Valentina :grouphug:

It's been 1 yr, 3months, 29days for me My SO keeps telling me (now, get ready for this) that I shouldn't take it personally!!!!! I can I not? He has NO idea how ugly and unloved and unwomanly his lack of interest makes me feel. He swears that he loves me and in every other way he shows complete devotion. His Testosterone is low--a little. He had blood drawn that showed this. He has no interest in taking the gel to bring his level up. Weight can effect libido, but my SO was 280 when we meant and had a wonderful libido. I know how you feel. Sometimes the "loneliness" is almost unbearable. I keep thinking how wonderful it will be when "we meet again". Valentina

A "Jewel of June" you are!!! :grouphug: Just remember when times get tough, we "Jewels" are made of "hard" stuff!:boxing: I go for my last med. clearance on May 31st. I just had my knee replaced in March :crutch: and had all kinds of pre-op testing, so most of that can be used. I have to have a blood draw and a chit chat, then on to the 6th!! Keep in touch . That way you will never be traveling down this road alone!!:car: Valentina :grouphug: :grouphug:

Talk, talk, talk, and when you both are all talked out--talk some more!! :gossip: The communication has to flow. Trust has to be built with bricks of self respect and respect for your partner. Nothing is off limits to talk about. If it's thought, that it can be talked!!! One thing I always try to remember is something I learned many years ago? FEELINGS ARE NEITHER RIGHT OR WRONG.:nono: They are just feelings. Tell eachother how you feel and don't let your pride get in the way.:hug: Those are my personal thoughts on this day! Valentina :grouphug:

I felt like that when I went through menopause--in my 40s. Whatever is causing you to feel these symptoms, you need to track it to its source! Keep us posted. We really DO care, Valentina :grouphug:

Coming off of a career of being a medical administrator I fully believe your story. This is what I do: I make an appointment BEFORE the appointment for anything hands-on. I make a "form" appointment. It's your 20min. Use it for what you need. I sit down with the MD with my forms that have to be signed, complete, written, and I don't leave until it's done or at least dictatated Try it. It works for me!!! Valentina

It's a good thing that we are on oposite end of the country or the surgeons just might be tempted to staple us together!!! ( Now that was just damned silly--sorry!) :dance: Keep in touch as we we carpool down this road together!:car: Jewels of June--Whooooo Hoooo!:grouphug: Valentina 1

With a birthday on Valentine's Day, I guess my name makes a great deal of sense! Valentina :grouphug:

Welcome!!!! You are officially a "Jewel of June"!!! :grouphug: You now have a support system that knows no better. If you didn't have worries, doubts, and mental demons you wouldn't be normal. If fact , if you didn't have any other those you would be down right weird!!:der: We ALL have fears. Whether it's fear of loss of control, dieing on the table, fear of pain, or just fear of the unknown, we all have them and they are completely normal. I will have my surgery on the same day as you, so we are both in good company!!:hug: FEAR NOT, SISTA!! THE JEWELS OF JUNE HAVE YOUR BACK!!!:fencing: Just keep in touch and we will travel this new and exciting road together.:car: Valentina :grouphug:

I tried to start a thread, "The Jewels of June". Maybe we can all chime in there... Valentina :grouphug:

I am assuming (and only assuming) that you do not have any insurance now? Have you applied for Family Health Plus (here in NY)? Every state must have a program like it. I know that Medicaide Medical Managed insurance DOES pay for WLS. It's worth a phone call to find out. Do not let pride get in your way. "PRIDE GOETH BEFORE THE FALL". I'd even go as far as to look into hospitals that are "charity orientated". We have one here in Warwick,NY that is so. They operate on a sliding scale according to income,if there is no insurance and allow one to pay monthly AFTER THE SURGERY if one can pay at all. Years ago I had a MRI done and the cost was completely written off. Call your church. They will know of such a hospital. The one here is administrated by the Catholic church. The care is excellent and the bonus of prayers NEVER hurts! --just a thought or two,:idea: Valentina :grouphug4:

I have heard that it depends what you do for a living. That being said, I have always thought that after surgery, one needs to be kind to one's body. You will have just come through a MAJOR SURGERY under DEEP ANETHESIA. That's like a trip to Hell and back. If at all possible (I realize that sometimes it just isn't) try to take the month off. Rest. Get to know your new "plumbing". Get to know the new YOU. It used to be common to be told that after major surgery it takes six months to feel fully recovered. That is my personal opinion on this day, Valentina

In all my years (way more than I want to admit) as a medical office admininstrator I can tell you what works best by far is a PEER TO PEER consult. Your doctor needs to get on the phone and convince the insurance co. doctor just why it is upmost important to your well being to have this surgery. That will work if your doctor is any good at "articulate and assertive converstaion--which most are! All is not lost!!! Be assertive yourself when convincing your doctor to do this. IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO FOR IT!!!! NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO BE SHY!!!! Keep in touch. Valentina

I'm down about 4-5 pounds. :cheer2: I will be in NYC on the day of your surgery . I am taking my daughter and her family to "see the dinosaurs". My three year old grandson is crazy about them, so before I get into that "tired" stage after surgery, I am taking them on my daughter's birthday. :car: I will think of you ofter during the day, I am sure. I'll be with you--only a whisper away.:amen: Good luck staying on the pre-op this weekend. You didn't come this far to blow it now!:boxing: Valentina :grouphug:

Hey, Melissa, All is GOOD! You are still a "Jewel of June". That makes you very, very special and DON'T YOU FORGET IT!!!! Enjoy your B-B-Q and eat something (anything!) not sweet for me!!!!!! :hungry: By all means-----------Keep in touch with your fellow "Jewels". Valentina :grouphug:

Regardless of the weather, there is always sunshine when one has a dog in their life!!! I can't wait to get back into the show ring and be able to keep up with my Standard Poodles!!!! WWWOOOO HHHHHOOOOO!!!!!! :clap2: :first: "The Jewels Of June" are heading into YOUR town!!!!:car: Valentina :grouphug:

My mother's starving children were in East Germany!! I agree that hearing "finish your meal" for year after year remains with us for lifetime. I have rationalized the whole deal with giving my leftovers to my standard poodle--as long as the leftover is meat. The rest of the leftovers feed "Mr. Disposal". Like the Flintstones, I imagine I'm feeding the animal under the sink. Insane? :crazy: probably, but it keeps me from eating after I'm full lately. Valentina ( a Jewel of June) :grouphug: usually the next days lunch I'm totally eating like a SKINNY girl now! I'm so not used to this yayyyyy!

OOOHHHHH, Lordy, say it isn't so!!!!!! :cry_smile: I know it will all be worth it, but what about a sour Protein shake????????:lightbulb: :grouphug: Valentina (a Jewel of June)

Just being in the Portsmouth Naval Hospital is enough to make a body depressed! My daughter was born there. However, I do hear that it has changed for the better over the years. I would hope that weight loss would reduce depression. One would not have all of the body aches and pains, one would have more energy and as we all know one would be more "accepted" to the general populous!! (ignorant a**es!) I, personally am looking forward to the day when I can just look "average". That will make ME happy. How about you? What will make you happy?? Valentina

Party Pooper!!!! I know...

well, finally! Something I like to eat that is good for me. GO, PARSNIPS!!! Valentina

I probably should have asked this before I ate two, but are parsnips a good ( ) veggie choice or a bad ( ) one??? I just love them. Valentina

I'm excited and freaked at the same time. At this point the 6th can't get here fast enough so I don't have to drink these sweet drinks for awhile. I love something sour. Valentina :grouphug: