Kathybad

Now that I pulled off the retirement party for my staff member yesterday, I think I'm going to call in sick. After all, it was because of her that I went back to work so soon. And I did overdo it yesterday. I'm feeling great this morning... and seems like my DH is in a much better mood than he has been since Sunday (and he's not working today). Hmmm, maybe I need a little more time to heal. Yup, stayin home! See y'all later!

Marcy, I'm hungry too. Really, really hungry. I can gulp water. I ate a full bowl of soup. My stomache grumbles all the time. It's really driving me nuts. I'm still in the full fluid stage, so I blame that on not being able to eat anything that stays with me, just passes right through. I actually had a dream last night that I was eating ravenously... Chicken I think... doesn't matter. I was just being a huge pig. I woke up feeling somewhat satisfied! LOL As for the anklet idea... love it. But can we change it to having a really good looking guy with a smooth sultry voice call us. Using a video phone of course. Saying "Oh my dear... you really don't need that extra 20 calories. Stick to clear water instead. I believe in you!!" HAHAHAHA

Sunny, I know... I keep forgetting that it is only day 5. At least my boss is really supportive. She kept asking me yesterday and today how I was. If she had been in the room when I was setting up the party, she would have told me to stop. I've read your's and Jeanie's posts about this bean mistake. Now I'm going to have to go read the recipe to understand it. I love Beans, so might make this mistake too.

Marcy, You're doing amazingly well. Don't worry about losing weight yet. Remember, until your first fill, you are healing. The real weight loss time starts after your fill. Fresh blueberries.... mmmmm. I think our's will be ripe in early August, so I plan on picking lots. They're great in smoothies and just about anything. I usually pick enough to keep us the year, freeze them right away. Salmon.... mmmm. That has to be my favourite fish. I love it grilled on the BBQ, either on a cedar plank or just with some spices. Can't wait until I'm back on solid food. I think Salmon will be my first protien.

Trust me, some sisters are good, but others can be a bit overbearing!! I think we could be like twin sisters... friends all the time! Look for my PM that I just sent.

I do too!!! Go to this website and search on their products for Roasted Garlic & Bell Peppers. It will show you the seasoning. I think it's new.

Jeanie, yes it's kind of thick, maybe like carrot soup. You can make it thicker or thinner by how much cream you add at the end. At the party today everyone kept asking me how to make it... I guess they liked it. I made a double batch, and it was gone before everyone went through the food line. Good thing I took my bowl out first, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to eat!!

Jackie, I had to laugh. Here you were thinking you knew where the port was, and it was about 6 inches south!!! I was told by the Dr. where he planned to put it, but I originally thought it was farther over to the side because that one felt hard. Then on about day 3, when I took off the gauze and had my shower, I could feel the port under my skin. Mine is fairly bruised as well.

Hi Jeanie, my dear friend!! Peel the squash and cut it into chunks. I made the recipe last night for my friends retirement party (so that I knew I could eat something). It was so delicious. But let me share the full recipe again, as I think I might have mis typed it. 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed 1 onion, chopped 2 cups chicken broth 1/3 cup McCormick Roasted Garlic & Bell Pepper Seasoning Blend Simmer for 30 minutes or until really soft. Puree with an emersion blender. Add 2 cups of cream (light cream, or milk) The spice really makes the soup. In Canada I use Club House One Step Roasted Garlic & Peppers seasoning. It's the same product, just the McCormick one is sold in the U.S. It is the secret to the soup, but if you can't find it, use some roasted garlic, herbs, garlic powder, salt & pepper.

Sorry I was MIA for the last few days. I tried to go back and catch up (may still), but I've got over 15 pages!!! I'm healing really well. I went back to work on Monday for the afternoon, and it was a bit hard. Sitting for a long time seems to make my port hurt. My port is just beside and slightly below my bellybutton. Today was the retirement party for one of my staff. She has been with my company for 31 years. So we arranged for a great lunch to send her off. Over 60 people showed up. All of my co-workers helped me set up the room, so that I didn't have to lift anything. But I was running around so much that I really overdid it. I all of a sudden hit a brick wall, and had to sit down. My body basically gave out on me, and I got really emotional for no reason. I started to tear up. Two of my co-workers who knew I had surgery were so concerned they orderd me to sit down and do nothing until the party started. This was really weird for me. I'm used to being in control, having a lot of strength and endurance. I felt feeble. I'm not sure if it was the surgery or if it is the lack of calories. I'm day 5 post op, and have probably had about 400 - 600 cals each day. After the party was over, I came home and rested. Feeling better now. I think I have to spend some time tonight planning out what I can have on full fluids that will give me enough energy to continue. Any suggestions beyond protein shakes?

I have a tatoo on my back that signifyies my son. It's 3 Japanese symbols that say "language, hope, beloved". My son was born deaf, so it was my little prayer for him to learn somehow to communicate. I got it when he was 15 months old. Today he is 9, and speaks fairly well, and hears almost normally due to his cochlear implant. So I guess the prayer worked. The tatoo is on over my right shoulder blade going down (3 symbols stacked). Once my daughter's adoption is official (Sept), I'm getting another one for her on my left shoulder. The symbols will be "determination, strength, cherished".

I'll be in Palm Springs for a conference in October. I'm from London, ON Canada, so a long ways away.

Goodnight everyone. Jeanie, thanks for the extra support. I really appreciate it. BTW, I feel your swimming pain. I'd absolutely love to have a pool, and if I did, I'd be really pissed if the pump broke and I couldn't go in. Make sure the DH of yours fixes it a.s.a.p.

I posted another soup recipe on our recipe thread. This one is for butternut squash soup.

I love the coffee. In fact, we buy the beans and brew it at home. I can't wait until Monday when I can have my first coffee. My DH loves the mochachino.

Dini, Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday Dini sweety, happy birthday to you!!! 24 is going to be your year!!!! Life hasn't passed you by, you just have been stuck and unable to jump on board. Now you're ready to grab hold and make it everything you want it to be. Your first step was deciding to do this for yourself.

We always go to Starbucks after church on Sunday, but won't be going to church tomorrow as I'm not up to taking the two kids alone and the DH and my brother are putting the finishing touches on the kitchen. So we took the kids to Starbucks tonight... my son is so obsessive!!! So after we went to walmart for a few things and I felt much better walking around. Still really slow, but not as achy as before. Also, my neck stiffness is receeding. I do often suffer from stiff neck and migranes. I see a chiropractor monthly, which has helped a lot. I think this one was caused by the position I was in during surgery and the anesthetic. Kids are now in bed, and I'm relaxing. No hunger, just head hunger. I'd love to eat a bunch of chips or something... but drinking my juice is more than enough to fill me up.

This is an excellent Soup, which can be enjoyed during the full Fluid stage onwards. I made this for a party, and everyone raved about it. 1 large Butternut Squash, peeled and cut into cubes 1 onion, chopped 1/3 cup McCormick Roasted Garlic & Bell Peppers Seasoned Blend 2 cups chicken broth or Vegetable Broth (use less salt version) 2 cups Cream (light cream or milk for less calories) Simmer squash, onion, seasoning and broth for 30 min, or until very tender. Puree with emersion hand blender (works best) or regular blender until smooth texture. Add in cream and blend until mixed. Enjoy! You can substitute the squash with sweet potato, and works good too.

Hi Jeanie, I'm here. My day was sort of so so. I spent the morning with the kids, reading to Sarah and playing video games with Jesse. Then we had our "weekly date", which is grocery shopping. We put the kids in the daycare and shop in peace. We usually end the shopping with a snack, but not today. I had a hell of a time trying to walk the distance of the store. My muscles in the lower left side of my abdomen hurt like crazy. I had to sit down several times. It's not normal for me, so I think one of my holes impacted that muscle. Thanks Heidi for the suggestion of a heating pad for my neck. This has helped my neck and headacke alot. I really don't have any surgery or gas pain, just this terrible headacke and neck pain. I'm sure it will pass soon. My DH was out with Sarah at the playground a little while ago and the doorbell rang. I thought it was the kids down the street so I didn't answer. Then I heard my sister's voice. So I got up and answered the door. This was a bit embarrasing because I hadn't told her about this. So I told them I had my hiatal hernia operated on. She's a nurse, and knows about most of my ailements, so I really don't think she bought it. Anyway, they just wanted to see the kitchen. So they stayed for a bit and then my DH came home and we talked for awhile. Still no answer about watching Sarah that week in Oct. so that my DH can come with me to Palm Springs. I guess I'll have to call her tomorrow to ask. I think by tomorrow I will start to feel much better. Then on Monday I can start eating full fluids which means soup and something more substantial that juice!!!

Hi Chim: Glad I'm not the only one who has to high tail it back to work so soon. I'm back on Monday too.

Janiee, thats really restrictive. I thought my Dr diet was too restrictive, but your's is really hard. I have 4 days of clear fluids, 10 days of full fluids, 14 days of mushies and then normal. I can't offer any advice just condolenses.

My evening hasn't been as good as my day. I'm feeling a fit nausious. It's either that or too hungry that I'm low blood sugar. I have a bad headache, which tylonol won't fix, so I'm not even going to try. This is a migrane style headache. The back of my neck is also stiff and achy. I'm going to go to bed soon and try to sleep this off.

Sunny, so glad to hear you came through well. I hear you on the non-constipated side of the fence! LOL Ruby, glad you're home. Sorry you feel so sore. I think all of us 26ers are home now and doing good. Yeah, we're all officially on the bandwagon.

I have an employee who is retiring on Tuesday after 31 years with our company. So I have to be there Mon & Tue for some final meetings with her and her party. Since I didn't share what I was doing with any of my staff, just my boss, I didn't have a reason to not be there.

Hi Denise, Yeah I'm doing really well. Just woke up from my nap. Have a bit of a achy neck and my belly is a bit tender, but otherwise I feel very good. Good thing too, since I have to go to work on Monday. At this rate, I should be fine.