Search the Community

Okay so awesome that you’ve identified the culprit, but I’m sad to know that’s why. I also have these syrups (I got the peppermint to add to my bariatric hot chocolate and the English toffee to add to coffee). I’ll have to start using these really sparingly, but it’s good info to have. I am pleased with myself, but I’m also aware that I don’t want to start patting myself too hard on the back cause then I might start to take it all for granted and that’s the top of a slippery slope. Still trying to keep on top of all the head stuff. I started a wonderful soup in the quick pot. Defrosted some frozen turkey, then added in carrots,celery,onion,garlic, collard greens and okra. The smell of this stuff cooking is driving me half crazy so it’s time to have some meat and cheese ASAP. I’m usually fine until I smell food. Then it doesn’t matter how full/hungry I am. Wish my brain wasn’t so reactive to the smell.

@@uni2424 I do not have a thyroid due to papillary cancer. So I am definitely Hypo. I lost 60 pounds prior to getting the sleeve on 12/16. I've lost another 14 with the sleeve. It is very possible to lose weight with hypothyroidism. Just need to make sure you are being followed by an endocrinologist, get blood work done periodically, have your meds adjusted and take your meds correctly. I lost the 60 pounds by eating a less than 1200 calorie diet and exercising on a regular basis. My weight loss was a little slow and had frequent stalls...you just have to be committed to changing your lifestyle.

In recent weeks, we have witnessed liberals in the highest level of government sanctimoniously defend terrorists who kill us while persecuting those who defend us from murderous attacks. In an effort to understand this reversal of good and evil, it has become a cliché to call liberals crazy. But while supremely hypocritical, liberalism is not insane. It is a highly adaptive ego device that enables people to violate commitments, vilify those who are true to their faith, and avoid personal sacrifice while feeling great about themselves. The only defense against hypocrisy is self-knowledge, but the politics, spirituality, and morality of liberalism are well-constructed firmaments of self-delusion. The United States was founded in a Judeo-Christian theocentrism that is informed by scripture and assumes a personal God who hears prayers and grants forgiveness for sin. Theocentrism provides stable laws and settled moral codes. In the mid-twentieth century, an unorganized, reactive spiritual orientation arose -- egocentrism -- which has become the dominant moral framework in our nation. This orientation says there may or may not be a God, so each individual must follow his or her own conscience and ethical values. Theocentrism has been promulgated by traditional religion. Egocentrism has mainly been introduced through mass media, educational power structures, and more recently by reoriented religions. A theocentrist lives out the question, What does God say is best to do? An egocentrist lives out the question, What do I think is best to do? Here is the central difference between theocentrism and egocentrism: Living for God is largely a conscious, intentional process, informed by a written scripture that presupposes the need for repentance. Egocentrism, on the other hand. largely proceeds below the level of conscious awareness through a series of experiments in self-directed living. It presupposes constant change -- and who is there to repent to? The consciousness-unconsciousness dichotomy may be shown by a behavioral exemplar. Theocentrists are always praising and blessing God, saying things like, "Praise the Lord," "so help me, God," and "Insh Allah." But for egocentrists, it's not so clear whom to thank. They don't proclaim "Praise Me!" "Me have Mercy!" or "May it please Myself!" This difference explains the gratitude gap between liberals and conservatives. Thanking God is central to theocentrism. Thanking oneself is more complicated, and that is why self-esteem is all important in egocentrist spirituality. The individual ego is a PR shill. Its job is not to find the truth but to organize life and win every game from the viewpoint of the all-important I. And just as the eye cannot see itself, the ego cannot be honest with itself. It always buys its own pitch. The individual ego is the strongest force in the phenomenal world because of its capacity for self-delusion. Toward that end, there is no form of self-service that the ego cannot transform into a sense of moral superiority. This is why we see a case like Representative Patrick Kennedy, who claims to be Catholic, yet facilitates mortal sin by endorsing "the right to choose." His ego, not Christ or scripture, is in the driver's seat. But the ego is so enthralling that Mr. Kennedy may not even know it. Though hypocritical, his public position is not crazy. In fact, it is functional and advantageous in a world dominated by egocentrism. The spiritual orientation of theocentrism generally provides the moral framework for conservatism, and the spiritual orientation of egocentrism generally provides the moral framework for liberalism. When a theocentrist is hypocritical, it is because he has knowingly violated the tenets of his faith, and this transgressor tends to be secretive because he knows he has broken his own laws. That is the purpose of scriptural codification: it lets you know when you are wrong. And that is why there is no equivalent written code of behavior in egocentrist spirituality. Egocentrism has no written moral law because a written code would in itself violate the process of self-directed experimentation. Because of the way the ego works, the politics of liberalism are bulwarks of hypocrisy and self-deception. But liberals are often not secretive, but just clueless. They tend to be "in-your-face" hypocrites because they are obeying the ego, which tells them that ultimately, they cannot be wrong. This is why liberals speak of tolerance when they really mean approval. Tolerance is based on disapproval. It is a conscious, meditative process of non-interference with something disapproved of. Tolerance is a compromise that the ego cannot make, because the ego is an on-off switch of self-interest. The anti-American statements and policies of the Obama administration are the sacraments of two generations of ascendant egocentrism in our country. The ego is loath to admit, "I don't want to get my behind shot off in some war." No problem. Liberal academia has given us fifty years of indoctrination in the many reasons America is not worth it. And here's some good ego-logic: The reality that "it takes courage to knowingly bring a Down Syndrome child into the world" becomes "Sarah Palin is confused and slutty." Eric Holder calls the American people cowards and then casts self-confessed terrorist murderers as civil rights victims. Khalid Sheik Mohammed becomes the new Rosa Parks. But none of this is crazy. It is adaptive. For example, in the case of Mr. Holder, his deference to admitted terrorists is an ingenious, though probably mostly unconscious, ego-projection of himself as a civil rights hero while he breaks his oath to defend the Constitution from foreign enemies. Liberal hypocrisy is not insanity, it is pretersanity, a powerful tactic of self-absolution and a way to become rich, admired, and powerful while supposedly "fighting for the little guy," or to exhort others to self-sacrifice while doing none of that yourself. The notion, now commonly posited in liberal media, that the Fort Hood terrorist Major Hassan is mentally ill is another unconscious capitulation to egocentrism. It is the worst form of hypocrisy to make excuses for somebody who takes all of the benefits of military service and then murders his defenseless fellow soldiers. Theocentrism and egocentrism are opposite and irreconcilable. One revels in the new moral entitlements, the other sees a mad world portending the end of days. A theocentrist will not give up God, and an egocentrist cannot give up himself. American society is being split in two. It is also a testament to our rule of law and compassionate character that we still hold onto our pluribus unum. How will it all end? Let's use a psychological assessment technique. Complete the following sentence:

I do, too. I am bipolar, as well, and I am so afraid that I will "crash" when I have surgery - or become hypo manic/irritable. food is a very important mode stabilizer for me.

I have had Hypo Thyroid for years with partial removal.. I was sleeved March 22. My thyroid levels were low prior to surgery, now two and a half weeks out I have only lost 13 pounds and holding. Any suggestions? I am a bit disappointed..

My feet used to burn up when I was having a hyperthyroidism flare, I would put a tub of cool Water in the room with me to stand in and cool off my feet. It was like my body heat was escaping through my foot bottoms. .. You might want to check your thyroid, are you on thyroid meds and have now lost weight? Or have ever had thyroid issues? (Sorry, on my phone, can't see your stats) This was when I was in my twenties and had hyperthyroidism so bad they were taking about taking out some of my thyroid, 20 years later and my thyroid is hypo now...

Be careful with doing everything "sugarfree". See what the sugarfree substitute is and what is the fat content, etc. Sometimes they make up for the lack of sugar by adding things that actually work against you. I try to stick to things that have Truvia (stevia) as the substitute, everything else sugarfree I stay away from. Also i'm weary of metformin it made me extremely ill, my doctor switched me to Januvia, I have a copay but its worth every penny. I'm presurgery but this is just my experience from losing in the past. Is hypothyroidism the one that makes you gain weight? I get hypo and hyper confused, but you may need to see if they need to change your thyroid meds since your surgery.

Hi fellow tall sleevers! I am 6'1" and was 325 pre-op and 288 this morning so down 37 lbs 6 weeks post-op. I hope to reach 220 eventually. I am very shapely but carry most of my weight in my butt, hips and thighs. I also am hypo-thyroid so I expect my weight-loss to be slower than some. Now that I'm starting to eat more types of food it has already slowed to about 1.5 lbs a week as apposed to 4.5 a week. Kinda bummed by the slower loss rate but as long as I'm losing it's OK. I think it's true people often don't realize that a tall body can carry a lot of extra weight and not look like people's idea of what "fat" people look like. I had a couple of nurses who were involved in my pre-op testing say that I didn't look "fat enough" for the surgery. But my BMI definitely qualified me. I try very hard not to compare my weight or weight-loss to others but it happens inevitably. Right now I think I've left the honeymoon stage and am in the nitty-gritty stage of having to work at my weight loss. Pre-sleeve I would have been sabotaging myself by now! Sent from my iPhone using VST

onceuponaband --- Hi Paige. Welcome and congratulations on your surgery date. We look forward to hearing about your journey through this. I have opted to tell only 2 co-workers, my husband and daughter. At first my excuse was not to say a word until I know for sure that I was approved. Now that I have been approved I still don't want people to know. I don't want people to think, "Is that on your diet" or "Should you really be eating that". I would rather right now just let them think that this is just another "normal" diet and be quite. I'm sure one day when they finally get enough nerve to ask what my secret is I'll let it out but not till then. sunny day -- I am in the same boat as you. I met my surgeon on Feb 3 at the seminar and have not seen him since. I will see him for the second time this coming Thursday for a pre-op meeting and then I have surgery 15 hours later. I got my pre-op diet info from the dietitian. It certainly would not hurt to call and ask when your pre-op appointment will be. That way you are not slipping through the cracks and have to reschedule because of someone else's mistake. I have always been proactive instead of reactive though when I can because I don't like surprises. They never seem to be good. Anyway, give them a call for peace of mind.:biggrin: Cathy

Nicie your post reminds me of one not too long ago where the OP said that she was 80% sure about having the surgery and wondering how she could get to 100%. Bypass or sleeve are major surgeries. All surgeries have risks and bariatric surgeries are no exception. There simply are no guarantees. 100% implies absolute certainty. I believe that any goal you set has to meet two criteria - it must be realistic and it must be sustainable. Any goal that does not meet those two criteria should be abandoned in favor of one that does. Absolute certainty is neither realistic nor sustainable. When I was trying to make the surgery decision and subsequently the choice of which surgery to have, my goal became to do as much research as possible, learn everything I could about the potential benefits - and risks - of each option. That goal was both realistic and sustainable. The result of that effort was that I concluded that the odds were overwhelmingly in my favor of having a successful, literally life-changing outcome. And that is exactly what happened. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment known to medical science for the treatment of obesity and more than 30 comorbidities associated with obesity. By a huge margin. Once I had all of the facts, the decision was relatively easy. That is not to say that I wasn't frightened. There were times right up to the moment they wheeled me into the OR when it scared the bejesus out of me. But courage is not about never being frightened (unrealistic and unsustainable). Courage is about doing what you believe to be the right thing for you and your family, in spite of your fears. Today I'm a little over two and a half years post-op. Hypertension, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and 130 pounds - gone. I hit 155 lbs about fourteen months post-op and my weight has been between 151 and 156 every since. This morning I was 152.4. I've had two complications. About six months post-op I developed an ulcer at the anastomosis that was confirmed with an endoscopy. My surgeon increased my Rx for Prevacid from one capsule a day to two. No other changes. No other treatment. Three months later a second endoscopy confirmed the ulcer was completely healed. The second complication - I'm one of about 15% of patients that experience reactive hypoglycemia aka "late stage" dumping. Definitely not comfortable but easily avoided by avoiding too much sugar or carbs. And when I make a bad choice and my blood sugar drops, I simply eat something with a little sugar, or simple carbs or just chew a glucose tablet. Without fail, the symptoms completely disappear in about 20 minutes. All in all, a very small price to pay for a life that, not that long ago, I thought would never be possible. Would I do it again? Without a moments hesitation. Am I the exception? You don't have to look any further than this forum to read countless stories similar to mine. When you have questions, there are tons of great folks here who are more than happy to offer the benefit of their experiences. Good luck in making your decision! Thank you for your response. I am so appreciate that you took the time to give me such a thorough narrative. Congratulations on your success with this challenging journey to better health. I hope to also be a success in this journey. What you wrote has made an impact on how I will move forward with this issue. You are so right in pointing out that this surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity. I think I was just kidding myself that I could lose 100 lbs without medical intervention and that was a big reason for my indecisiveness. It was also very helpful to hear that I am not alone in my fear of the unknown when you wrote about how scared you were up until surgery. I am going to write down your quote about "Courage is about doing what you believe to be the right thing for you and your family, in spite of your fears." Thanks again for your insight.

That approach works for me; it is pro-active instead of being merely reactive. I was proactive, too. I weighed in at 195 and I paid to have the band installed; this has been a largely positive experience. I was able to overcome the gluttony which kept me married to my plate. And to take the time away from this in order to do some research as to what would make for healthy little snacks for someone who despised cooking. lol

I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (autoimmune disorder that causes hypo) and I was sleeved Dec. 18th. So far, I've been doing okay with the loss. I was 20 lbs down on my 10 day appointment, and the doc said that was a good amount for the time period. Still early days though.

As requested by one of my favorite fellow teachers, I am going to outline my journey through this process. Other than researching the surgery, my first step was visiting my primary care physician, Dr. Mark DalleAve. (This was around June 2008, I believe.) I was reluctant to ask him about the surgery because he tends to be very conservative. I feared he would want me to try more traditional methods--again. Surprisingly, that was not the case. He said he thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery and sent me for some preliminary bloodwork he knew would be required. The bloodwork revealed that everything was basically okay with the exception of my thyroid. I can never remember whether mine is hyper or hypo. I just know that the number on my bloodwork print out was higher than it should've been. I think the highest it should be is like 4.5 and mine was 9 something. Either way, he put me on synthroid for two months, and I had to be rechecked after that. The medicine worked well. My levels were down to 2 something when rechecked. As I said before, my other tests were "basically okay." However, as I researched the results and what they meant, I realized that I am VERY close to being a diagnosed diabetic. That was another real wake up call for me. I do NOT want to become diabetic and have to handle all the problems that come with that. This gave me even more determination to do this and make it work. After my thyroid was under controll with medicine, the doctor was ready to refer me to the surgeon. This is where the waiting game started again. (I was already disappointed by having to wait months on the thyroid tests.) It took nearly two weeks for me to even hear from the surgeon. (This surgeon had been recommended by the nurses at Dr. DalleAve's office because he said they knew more about who was good than he did.) When I did hear back from this surgeon, there was a huge packet of information for me to complete and they wanted a "Program Fee" of $150 before they would make my appointment. When I asked questions of the receptionist, she answered everything, but she didn't offer any information on her own. I was unimpressed. I was a little unsure if this was the surgeon I wanted to see, so I did a little more research on this website as well as others online. I called the office of Doctors Watson and Hodge in Johnson City, TN, and I'm very glad I did. The receptionist was happy to answer my questions and offered additional information on the expertise and experience of the surgeons. I had to wait nearly three months for an appointment, but they gladly made me an appointment. I met with Dr. Hodge for the first time on Dec. 17, 2008. (In the meantime I did have quite a lot of paperwork to complete but not nearly as much as requested by the other surgeon. All of this questions actually seemed relevant.) In the time while I had to wait for my appointment, I decided to do everything I could to prepare. I contacted my insurance company to find out exactly what requirements I would have to meet to qualify for the surgery. (I already knew it was a covered benefit.) I met every criteria, but I was disappointed to learn that I would have to undergo a 6 mo. doctor supervised diet before surgery. When starting this journey, I hoped to have the surgery in early 2009. At every turn I realized it would take longer and longer, and it seemed like it would take forever. I also found that I would have to attend four seminars on the lap band as required by my surgeon. I attended two of these in October, and I plan to attend the other two soon. At the October seminars, I learned that I would have a few more hoops to jump. December 17 came more quickly than I imagined. At that visit, I was given a list of my homework and directions for starting my 6 mo. diet. All my homework will be "due" by my 7th appointment, which will also be the end of my sixth month diet and my preop appointment. For my homework, I have to have statements from my primary care doctor once per year from 2004-2008 with my height and weight listed. This is to show my five year history of obesity. (No problem there; I was obese even as the captain of my high school cheerleading squad.) These records can be from any visit; it doesn't have to be a weight-related visit. I also have to have an EGD, which I have scheduled for my spring break. I do NOT have to have an ultrasound of my gall bladder because I had that removed in 2004. I also have to have a letter from Dr. DalleAve stating that he "recommends" me as a candidate for the surgery, a letter from myself to my surgeon stating why I want to have the surgery and what I expect, a visit to a nutritionist, and a visit to a psychologist. The surgeon's office was very helpful in recommending psychologists, and they actually offer complimentary visits to a nutritionist at the local mall's health services center. This is in addition to the seminars which I mentioned previously. I know this may sound like a lot of homework, but I have six months to do it, so I don't think it will be bad. The last thing I have done is my second visit to the surgeon. I didn't see him, but I saw his nurse practioner instead. She was very helpful and encouraging. I lost 5 pounds on the first month of my 6 mo. diet. I was apologetic that I hadn't lost more, but she was quick to let me know that any loss was a good loss. My next appointment is in a few weeks, and by that time I hope to have more of my "homework" completed. I will post again after that, if not before. Until then, wish me luck and let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you Paige and Mel! I actually have Harvard pilgrim ppo, hopefully I’ll find someone. I know this sounds odd but going through the website and seeing which doctors I can see, all of their names sound old. I don’t want an old person. Anyways I currently have some kind of respiratory infection/cold/flu from an animal that’s supposed to be nice, or whatever, and I have found that the band seems tighter after a major coughing fit, and it just tighter in general as opposed to when I didn’t have a cold. So… for people who haven’t had a cold yet… keep that in your back pocket. Paige, just as an aside, after the last meeting I reactivated my face book account and blame you for the time I spent at work on there. If I get fired, you better be able to support me. Oh! Here’s a fun story. When I was in college I was in a co-ed fraternity. I know, I know, I definitely seem the frat guy type don’t I? Well the point is I was in one. And I lost touch with the people I was in with, mainly because after college you don’t necessarily want to be reminded of all the stupid stuff you did in college (like joining a fraternity on a whim). So anyway I’m perusing face book and this girl that was in the frat I lost touch with after she moved to nyc to be a standup comedian. I’m watching her stuff on you tube and notice she has some more videos, I look them over and find out that she made these lap band videos documenting her process, much like the ones I watched before I had the surgery. So I immediately face book messaged her and then she called me and we talked for about an hour all about the band (she had hers last june) and that’s my fun story about the band. Ok, maybe this story wasn’t fun at all, but who cares, it was an entertaining read wasn’t it? I know the month is young but is anyone going to either of the support groups this month?

I am hypothyroid and take Synthroid (100 mcg) daily. I normally take it first thing in the morning and I have been fine after surgery. I was recently given direction to take my Nexxium twice daily (morning and evening). My doctor said I can't take Synthroid with a PPI because it causes problems with absorption. So this morning I take my Nexxium when I wake up and figure I will take my Synthroid about an hour before lunch. By 930 AM I was sweating profusely and felt like I was having a hot flash! The RN who works with me asked if I had taken my Synthroid. I took it at at 10 AM and within 20 minutes the sweating and hot flash was back under control. Since I hadn't thought about it, I figured I would post for the other Hypo's out there after surgery.

Hi I'm Jamey. 45 yro mother of two daughters 24 and 21. I'd say my weight issues started in college. My freshman 15 was 30. I married young and it was an abusive relationship, I lost some weight remarried and became a widow at 29. Goodbye normal body forever!! I'm now married to the love of my life and my girls are both going to be married in the next year or two. My highest weight was 325 (hysterectomy and hypo thyroid helped NOT) but by the day of my surgery which was just Tuesday 9/23 I was down to 289. My goal now is 165 but I'll maybe change that when I get to that point. Nice to meet you all.

I want to clarify something here for those that are following along at home. A random blood sugar test can be used to indicate diabetes, but just because your blood sugar is less than 200 mg/dL, does not mean that you don't have diabetes. An analogy would be this: if you weigh over 600 pounds, you are definitely obese. Just because you weigh less than 600 pounds does not mean you are not obese. I'm diabetic, but my blood sugar was never over 200 mg/dL any time I checked. As I mentioned, it's much more common to use A1C and fasting blood glucose tests to diagnose diabetes. Fasting is good because blood sugar fluctuates throughout the day. It should be at its lowest point after an 8 to 10 hour fast, so for most people, this is first thing in the morning. The other common test most diabetics are asked to do is "postprandial". This means after a meal. Now timing after that meal is subject to some debate, but typically 2 hours after eating is used as the "standard" for diabetics. For everyone, even non-diabetics, your blood sugar will start going up roughly 10 minutes after starting to eat. While this is heavily dependent on what and how much you ate, in a non-diabetic, your postprandial blood sugar should peak within about an hour of eating and should be back to normal in 2 to 3 hours. For diabetics, this normally does not happen as fast, so the peak blood sugar concentration is typically closer to 2 hours after eating. In short, most type 2 diabetics are asked to take a postprandial reading 2 hours after eating. Both fasting and postprandial readings are used to determine how well the disease is managed. For example, a high fasting blood glucose test might indicate that your diabetes medication needs to be adjusted. Another example might be if the post prandial reading is actually lower than the fasting number. If this is a consistent trend, it might indicate reactive hypoglycemia.

Update I I Ok so the Doc says I have severe obstructive sleep apnea with low oxygen and failure to up oxygen levels after an apnea event, plus hypo ventilation. So I am waiting to be fitted with a fashionable CPAP machine as we speak. Lovely. The only thing I can do is turn around my attitude, so I am happy that we have discovered the problem, that the office is working my insurance issue and that I may experience what I have read can be life changing sleep after receiving this machine. And guess what? I get to install it myself :-D

yes, you can rub coconut oil on them as your described them! It is a natural antibiotic, hypo-allergenic, and promotes healing of all kinds.... I was rubbing coconut oil on them 4 days after surgery..... just do it 2-3 times per day if you can.... also eating coconut oil can contribute to the healing as well... work your way up to 3 tablespoons per day... you have to work your way up as it can be cleansing to some people and you may get some stomach aches and loose stools with too much intake initially.... it won't hurt you, just cleansing, but can be uncomfortable.... starting with one tablespoon for 3-4 days then increasing it .... it is truly amazing stuff... don't use it if you are allergic to coconut though.... not too many are, but some may be. Any more questions, let me know! Kammi in Everett, WA

I am a bypasser... had my bypass in 2015, turned 50 last year... having issues with GERD and reactive hypoglycaemia.. I live in Albury NSW Australia.

After surgery some individuals experience low blood sugar (reactive hypoglycemia). This occurs to both individuals with diabetes and those who did not have diabetes prior to surgery. The easiest way to test for this is by measuring your blood sugar levels when you get tired after you eat. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/reactive-hypoglycemia/faq-20057778

All labs have been great and have been read by my barbaric surgeon. Will look into it more. Will research additional vitamins and ask about the reactive hypoglycemia. Thanks for the input.

Thanks for the NSV shares folks - I love stopping in on this thread for a little inspiration. below are some more recent NSV I've had: yesterday I was on my feet in the kitchen for 3 hours cleaning and doing food prep. I still had enough energy to go for a walk afterward. Previously, I would have been exhausted and in too much pain after that much time on my feet to even contemplate more activity. I've seen some of you mention this...revved up libido and increased "romantic joy". It's really really really REALLY true. Everything about sex is just way more fun. DH and I celebrated our 25th anniversary this week like it was our honeymoon! 😂 I reactivated an old back injury recently and was able to do the rehab exercises much easier than when I was 60 pounds heavier and I started feeling better in less than half the time than I would have prior to WLS. I'm fitting in size 16 bottoms and large tops and was able to buy clothing for myself at Costco for the first time ever. I got a couple of cute shirts for 6 bucks, an unheard of price for the plus-size clothes that Costco doesn't even carry. My husband can pick me up and has decided that his new workout is called "wife lifting". I'm perfectly fine with this, you know...gotta support his fitness goals! 😂😂😂

Hi there... I am type 2 diabetic. The symptoms you describe sound like beginnings of a "hypo" which happens when your blood sugar drops too low. If you are not getting carbs, this is entirely possible if you are prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Before the surgery you may have always had enough carbs so that you never reached the point of feeling symptoms. Best to see your doctor to be on the safe side.

Hi everyone---once again, thank you more than I know how to say for the continued prayers for my family and my little Kinsey in particular. It seems that is was just an everyday gastro intestinal virus that was especially vicious, and contagious, as it has now taken 4 generations of us (my Mom is now sick) down in less than a week. No one else who was at the anniversary has been ill, so thankfully I did not poison everyone. Most of us have been hit hard, and recovered about as quickly, not so with Kinsey. Her case has left her with issues in the colon. Her colon is inflamed, and non reactive. It is not allowing food to enter, so there is no absorption taking place. She is failing, bit by bit, and they have continued to tell us to wait it out. Today, they finally decided maybe that isn't working---and we had a surgical consult. He sent off yet more specimans for culture....and if it warrants it, we will be flying her to either Albuquerque to the University Hospital, or to Denver to the Children's hospital, depending on what type of issue they think we are dealing with. They have downgraded her condition to critical. She bounces from sleeping, which we found out was caused by her blood sugar being below 40! To being so irritable as to not be recognizable--a screaming raging child....to one sobbing for food. It absolutely has broken my heart into a million, million pieces. She tells us point blank she is hungry, and asks for any and all kind of food she can think of...with giant tears in her big blue eyes....then she just goes limp, with the look of total dejection. She is 2, she does not understand why we keep letting them poke her, why we will not feed her....why we don't help her when she tells us her tummy hurts. She begs, Please Granny. And repeats "no pokes, no needles, please" everytime someone new enters the room. Add to this heartache (and it is TRUE heart ACHE), my DD's ex, Kinsey's father, is there trying as usual to be the funny man---and his mother an OR nurse at the hospital we are in, going behind everyones backs and putting down Dr.s and nurses, and questioning them and ultimately pissing them off--- and causing problems....I do not know which way to turn. The ex, and his Mom were arguing with my DD about whether the Dr. might want to run a blood test that might tell them about a disease that my DD's grandma on her Dads side had called Celiac Disease. The nurse dislikes the former MIL anyway, so ordered everyone except the 2 who have been staying the night with Kinsey out of the ward. Now this being said....the arguement was not loud, it was out of the room, and Kinsey is the ONLY patient in Peds. She saw it as a chance to get rid of Renee (former MIL) and did it. So we all were banished. My DD was there with her bf/fiance....they had not had a chance to eat...well we are fighting to get DD to eat, she refuses until her baby can eat....it is more than I know how to handle. Rick waited until shift change, and took some dinner to the hospital, and they were going to take turns going to the waiting room---I just don't think my DD is eating at all either---I keep telling her Kinsey needs her strong. It is very hard to put anything in your mouth knowing she is begging for the same. There were 3 nurses on the floor today, with Kinsey the only patient. At one point, she had a blow out---we had her in a diaper, due to this happening...but she went through the diaper, all over the bed, all over her Mama, her gown, the whole 9 yards. I sent my DD to change, and I proceeded to clean Kinsey up after telling the nurse. They were each on a computer comparing prices of the new Harry Potter book. I got Kinsey cleaned up, walked her out to the hall, found her a new gown in the shelf, took her in and dressed her. By then her Mama was back, and she sat down and held her, while I stripped the bed. I went walking out into the hall with this wad of smelly sheets and ask what they wanted me to do with them, she POINTED to a soiled linens hamper thing. Then she got up, walked to a closet, and handed me linens for the bed! They did not come in and disinfect the mattress----nor did she make the bed! I did. Our baby needed to lay down. They come in 2 times today and did vitals----nothing else. She is still casted, it was due to come off today, the nurse never mentioned to the Dr, we needed a ortho consult until after office hours---now she is stuck until Monday. They did not offer to help bathe her----NOTHING!!! Changed one bag of IV fluids....took 2 sets of vitals.....and surfed the net all day. Now this is the first day for this set of nurses....all of the other shifts, and sets of nurses we have had, have went out of their way to make us comfy, and help our little one in any way---today they were absolutely worthless. Tomorrow I intend on finding out who the nursing supervisor is, and filing a complaint. I have no way to make our baby better.....and I have emotions pent up that those worthless women know nothing about----but are fixing to find out about! While I am there seeing the supervisor or charge nurse or whoever....I will also mention, that we had Kinsey in a wagon pulling her around and around and around the 3rd floor......anythnig but her room, she was so tired of her room....and on one of our turns we passed the ICU entrance. There was a male nurse there Julian, who teased her every time she passed, he would hand her a new crayon.....then a piece of paper....and finally a stuffed doll (out of one of the claw grabber kind of machines it seems). She was so listless, but she would spark a little knowing we were coming up to where he was....he helped our day immensley....I will commend him, as I do my best to take the others down. Amanda said he even come by to tell her to get well, he was going on his 4 days off, and he hoped she was home and well before he come back to work. Her nurse.....never even walked into the room before she left. Thank you all for listening once again---all these things are boiling inside me. I am scared to death for Kinsey. Latching onto the anger I can control. The plan as it stands now is to begin introducing good bacteria into the system tomorrow...similar to what is found in yogurt. IF the tests do not show a total shut down. If they show a total failure, we are off to a bigger hospital for surgery. She has lost weight, she is under 17 pounds now. She doesn't show it much because she is really swollen from all of the IV fluids. They are also watching her blood sugars every 3 hours (which is just another poke----and was NOT done on schedule today), and adjusting the glucose in her IV. They finally gave her some Pepcid type of stuff in her IV for the acid in her stomach, since nothing is passing normally. She has complained less of her tummy hurting with that. And that is all----we wait now....and wait....and wait....and wait. I have my lap top, and I have connection. I just cannot sit in her room with these tears streaming down my face. You guys are my release in so many ways....thank you so much. I will let you know something as soon as I can. Please continue the prayers. Rick has avoided the vomiting....we got him some Kaitrel or something like that....so he is hanging tough. Being right there holding her like her Papa always does. Hugs to you all! Sounds like the food issues continue---I promise you girls---it gets easier, it becomes normal dare I say? Kat