plain

In 3 days I was driving to and from work (45 miles 1 way).

No, it really makes it even worse...because both parties usually know the real reason for the termination.

And friends wonder why I describe myself as a misanthrope.

Wow. Sounds like you're still searching for who you really are, BA. lol

At least it wasn't your Gyn singing that. Awkward.

Not to sound indelicate here, Grace, because I know that this is a very painful time for you, but....people are generally only referred and accepted by hospice if they are expected to die in about 3 months. So....probably the nursing home will not make her physical condition worse (in fact, it might be a comfort to your mom to have trained staff available around the clock...IDK). The fact is, if your mom still has all her mental faculties, then your sister (or you for that matter) cannot make any decisions for her, legally speaking. If her mental condition changes, then the person who has medical power of attorney will make the decisions. If your mom hasn't granted power of attorney (financial) and medical power of attorney (medical) to anybody yet, now would be a good time for you to talk to your mom and find out who she wants to perform these functions for her. Hopefully, it'll be you. Also, IDK about Vegas, but in Texas, if a hospice patient is admitted into an acute care hospital, it automatically terminates hospice care. That could possibly account for all the equipment pickup hoopla. Hope some / any of this helps.

When the topic came up, I'd hem & haw a little and then hit her with something like "money's pretty tight right now. I can't afford a repeat of last year....but I was able to get you a gift", or something along those lines.....and that's only if she is a really good friend. If not, I'd prolly laugh it off with something like "are you gonna pay this year? Because you can buy your own damn food"

Personally, I'm pretty open it. Everybody is different, though. No big deal either way. Sounds like you are doing great, and well on your way.

Well, I hate to hear that gigem. My doc never has any problems hitting the bullseye (I've never had to have any topical anesthetic or injected lidocaine). I can palpate my port very easily, though. Do you have any difficulty locating your own port?

or maybe some crystalized version of "just a drop"?

Even if you don't have any restriction, a lot of docs want you to get in the habit of not drinking with your meals so it will be easier on you when you do get a considerable restriction.

I think Jeni might be getting simple fluoro mixed up with the full barium swallow test. Some places will opt for the full-on barium test. Some docs use fluoroscopy (kinda like an xray machine) to better visualize the port. That way, they can hit the port with only one "poke" of the needle, and don't have to dig around. Having said that, I can palpate (feel with my fingers) my port very easily, and apparently so can my doc, since he's never had to use fluoro to give me my fills.

Sounds like it could be a case of atelectasis (where the tiny air sacs in your lugs have collapsed shut because of a lack of deep breathing). The thing to do, like now before you spike a fever, is to breath very deeply, hold, and slowly release. Do this 10x every 1-2 hours. Atelectasis can turn to pneumonia very easily. Do call your doctor, but work on those deep breaths every hour or two (uh, don't worry it so much while it's time to sleep).

I'm not at all fooled by the halo in your avitar, sick!!

Yeah....I've said it before.....people's stupidity never ceases to amaze me.

That's great, dwrd. Welcome to the Men's room!

All true replies. Everybody is different. The thing is (and I'm a registered sleep therapist) that the biggest risk factor for sleep apnea is the build of your airway...much bigger risk than weight. Now, for some people, their sleep apnea is totally weight related. For those people, the weight loss can mean resolution of sleep issues. For most everybody else, the sleep apnea problem will probably still linger to some degree. I've said it before, but some of the worst sleep apnea cases I've ever seen have been people that are maybe 110 lbs soaking wet.

Well, that's the thing....There is a world of difference between those two things. The band (as you well know) will help him to shrink his portions. Eating healthy, however...that's something he has to choose to do. Even with the band, we still have to make the right choices.

Hey! Don't be casting aspersions on my study!!!

No, an employer couldn't discriminate...but they could fire somebody without giving a reason (wink, wink).

Interestingly enough, I just saw a study that concluded that I was the coolest and handsomest dood that sneaks into "the powder room"* *study done by the plain institute. Average number of respondants - 1.

You'll have plenty of notice (or, more accurately, I do). The thing is, a PB doesn't (or at least shouldn't) happen very often. It's usually when I try "new" foods or get in a hurry that I sometimes PB. It's certainly not a daily, or even monthly thing.

A bedpan in his car? Really? I wounder how many people I see in traffic every day are really sitting (and sh*tting) on bedpans while driving? Makes ya wonder. And I'm just gonna throw this out there.....before I had a WLS that required me to buy a minivan (and customize the back to have my own mobile bathroom), I'd opt for the other weight loss program: The Hemingway Solution.

Mac, I know I'm kinda picky about this, but have you noticed that the "studies" they often cite rarely have the specs stated? The alpha, power, 95% CI, etc. Whenever I read a so-called "peer-reviewed study" I like to know the details, so I can judge for myself how impartial it may be.

SNT, I always know if a PB is coming. It feels like I swallowed a cinderblock, my eyes start watering and my nose starts running. Pleasant picture, huh? Luckily, the learning curve on what your band "likes" is pretty steep.