minidriver

Wow, I feel as if I've been pouring out my life story to you guys lately, but you're all so supportive and kind, you make it easy to do so. About 18 months ago my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It was a fast growing type and he had to have pretty heavy duty treatment, but had been optimistic about his chances of beating it. He started having hip pain a month or so ago, and his oncologist did a bone scan Monday. The doctor said today that it looks like the cancer metastasized to the bone. This, of course, is very bad news as there's not much that can be done but to try to alleviate his pain. My dad has been obese most of his life. His mother (also obese) died of breast cancer. His super morbidly obese sister had a malignant brain tumor and also had breast cancer at the time of her death at age 51. His obese brother died of liver cancer a few years ago, and his father died of lung cancer. While it would be impossible to know if/whether their obesity was a factor in their cancer, it is certainly something to consider. This has just reminded me again that a) it is important to do this, and :rolleyes2: I am worth it. And so are all of you.

So I had this fleeting thought that I could maybe arrange to have my first fill on August 1 then come to the reunion. However, I have friends who are getting married the evening of the 2nd, and that would probably be a bit dicey to try to make sure and catch a flight back before the wedding. Oh well. Maybe next year! Or maybe I could come for a fill when you guys are having a RR night!

Yay Buster! Give him big kisses from all the lap band ladies. Shelbie -your dog sitting adventures sound very fun, and very healthy! I'm sure you'll continue to lose. You seem like such an active person who is always on the go. Of COURSE Dr. K. only bands beautiful people. I remember that was the first question he asked on the phone. "Are you beautiful? Will you glow? Are you kind enough to be one of my bander beauties? I only accept beautiful, glowing, kind patients. I do have a reputation to uphold!" Dee - my surgery is scheduled for 1:00 on the 2nd. I would be honored to see your beautiful, glowing face before I'm wheeled away. Hope you can run down.

That's okay! It's just nice to be able to put names to faces. I was just showing my hubby the beautiful pictures of my "lap band ladies". You guys are the best.

You guys just look incredible. Everyone has done such a great job. I am so inspired!!!

WOWSER!!! What an incredible difference- and in just 6 months! You look incredible.

Okay, hotties. You guys all look terrific!!! But . . . I'm not really sure who's who. Can someone label the group pic?

Mexico? Oh you lucky lucky woman. Have a fantastic time! And have fun gambling with parents. My MIL gambles most every weekend. We took her on a fabulous cruise to the UK and she wouldn't leave the ship's casino!!! I agree . . . whadaya gonna do?

Ahhh, I'm sorry you have the blues. Well, if you don't remember to ask all your questions, hop on over to the big Dr. K. thread under "doctors". The ladies there are a source of wonderful info.

Hey Lotza! How are you doing? Well, when I talked to Dr. K., I asked him about his complication rate, how many surgeries he's done, what to expect as far as rate of weight loss, etc. He was really thorough and I haven't really thought of anything since that I wish I had asked. I talked to the nutritionist as well and that was good too. I feel really comfortable now with the pre op diet and am excited and ready to go!

PS- I asked my vet one time what you call people who are both "cat people" and "dog people". She said she calls those people "tender-hearted". I thought that was awesome. So I guess we're just a bunch of tender-hearted folks on this board . . . my favorite kind!!!

dee - omg!! Your numbers are fantastic! What incredible news. And how cool would it be to adopt a little one (or two) with special needs. My goodness. That would be amazing. Anita - good job with bagging up the clothes AND getting rid of the laminate furniture. Sometimes it just has to go. You ladies have a wonderful evening tonight. I'll be there in spirit! Can't wait to see pics!

I can't do the multi-quote either. Too high tech for me!

Well, I had my consultation with Paula this morning. It went well . . . nothing much that I hadn't already learned on this site, though! I'm actually excited to start my pre-op diet next week. It seems like it will officially signify the beginning of a whole new me!! I've been thinking lots about the fat-clothes issue. Sometimes when I've lost weight I've given away all my fat-clothes, thinking it will be a motivator to help me keep the weight off. Of course, as I'm packing them up to give them away, a part of me is thinking "yeah, right. As if we haven't done THIS routine before". That's what I did last time I lost weight and now I have nothing to wear because, of course, I have gained all that weight back. So I'm back to wearing sweats and other expando clothes and refuse to buy anything new. So a question for all of you . . . How many of you actually BELIEVE in your heart of hearts that this weight will never come back? Is it possible to gain that belief? Or will we always have that little "failure" voice whispering in the back of our minds? I guess I'm getting close enough to surgery that I'm starting to have self-doubts about my ability to succeed, having failed at weight loss sooooo many times.

I agree. I kind of use the "do you like my pet" litmus test with people. Of course, some people have allergies and such, but I just don't get it when people don't like animals. I mean, what's not to like? When we lost our last doggie (she was 15) my husband said that he just couldn't get another dog. After two years, I kind of put my foot down and told him that we needed to take the plunge and get another dog. He was pretty hesitant and somehow felt that it was a betrayal to our previous dog and that he couldn't love a new dog in the same way. Fast forward 3 years - he is so happy with our Keeley and tells me everyday how thrilled he is that we have another dog. They bring such joy and love. I just can't imagine our lives without pets. I have this goofy hope that, after I retire, I can afford to move permanently to Southern Utah and work at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. It's a huge place that takes in all kinds of animals, including lots of pets from Katrina, Michael Vick's dogs, etc. They try to find homes for them, but will keep them forever if need be. They do great work. You can sponsor a pet as a gift, too. Here is their website: Best Friends Animal Society Home Page

Thanks. Georgia 0' Kittee is the cutest name! My pet's names are: Keeley (Australian Kelpie) Fatso (kitty) Scooterbug (kitty) Sophie Bean (kitty) Bitten Marie (kitty) Wow, there are lots of us on here who love pets! Maybe that's why this board is so awesome!

Yes, somehow they forget to mention how hard it is in all those parenting guides.

She is a dolly! What a brave little girl. My daughter works in a pediatric hospital and sees some of the same little ones over and over and is just amazed by their strength. It's great that you're willing to help other families. Information makes such a difference. Being a mom is tough sometimes, yes?

Oh my goodness, your poor little Hannah! May I ask what is wrong? That must be so difficult.

Thanks, sweetie. I won't say it's been easy, because it hasn't. But I really do believe in the "that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger" way of thinking about life. I think that my experiences with him have made me such a better teacher and I feel so fortunate to be in a position to really make an impact on others' understanding of mental illness. It's something I talk about in every class (not as weird as it sounds since I teach neuroscience) and I think my students come away with a much better understanding of the problems facing the mentally ill and the importance of research into causes and treatments. I figure it's my "pebble in the water" contribution to the problem. Some of my students are incredibly bright and maybe one day one of them will find the cure. We've learned over the years to enjoy the times when he's doing well (like now) because it's impossible to predict what will happen tomorrow or next month or next year. It's a cruel disease and people who suffer from it live in the shadows of society.

Poor Buster. I'm sure he'll be fine. His mommy will take good care of him. Did the vet give him antibiotics? As for the Atkins shake, if he can tolerate it it's probably really good for him. The fact that he would drink some of it seems like a good sign. do you have an all night vet where you live, just in case you need to call in the night?

You just get rid of those clothes. You are NEVER going to need them again. This isn't like all that dieting pre-band . . . this time it's gone for good. NO MORE FAT CLOTHES HIDING IN THE CLOSET!!!!:thumbup:

Hi Munchkin. Not too nosy at all. He has paranoid schizophrenia. He believes that he is "an enemy of the state" and thinks that helicopters follow him whenever he leaves the house, etc. He hears voices quite a bit and all the other awful stuff that goes along with it. He does quite well on his meds as long as he has a routine and little to no stress. He's had a tough time though . . . addiction, a year in jail, a stint living in the homeless shelter. Yes, I've read Pete Earley's book and it was heart breaking and soooo accurate. We are looking at bringing him (Pete Earley) to our campus to speak next year (if we can afford him) as we are introducing a segment on mental illness into our campus wide diversity activities. We have some decent services here for the mentally ill, and the Clubhouse is a real godsend. It's one of only 10 worldwide that serves as a training base for other cities hoping to establish a Clubhouse program. It's the one place my son can go where he feels completely safe. He even claims that the voices he hears at the Clubhouse are nice! Sorry about your doggie . . . is he okay?

What a cutie pie! Look at those eyes!

:behindsofa: He'll forgive you when he's all better. They have big hearts and short memories.