Hi Everyone

I just wanted to write a little post to say that on the few occasions that I've quickly popped my head into this forum, I've been impressed by the friendship and support that you're all showing each other -- and then quickly been stung with a little bit of guilt for a serious lack of effort on my part.

My life has been crazy-busy recently, I've been in hospital twice in the past week after collapsing at work for some undetectable reason and my best friend has just had her husband walk out on her after he was kicked out of the police force (leaving her with an 8 month old baby, and a $500k mortgage - jerk!) so I have been spending a lot of time either feeling unwell, or trying to care for her - in between my very busy career!

Alas, these are all still excuses which aren't good enough - having lap band surgery is a major event in my life that deserves my full attention, and it is going to be important to my success that I create a support network around me, not only through friends/family members, but also through you guys as YOU are also going through what I am going through, and the ability to share with each other will become invaluable.

The support that I will find here if I invest my time in creating friendships will be so important, because I am single, I live alone, I am surrounded by males at work (I work in mining), my family are 1000kms away (and haven't even called to see how my pre-op diet is going!?!?), my best friend is being a jealous dick about the surgery and... well... I'm a pretty tough cookie, but I think I may just need this place to help get me through :-)

So I am about to soon turn in for the night at the end of Day 5 of my pre-op diet, which means only 9 days to go until my surgery on 18th of August.

I will do my best to find more time for you, to be supportive of you and to create friendships here!

Miss K...Just wanted to let you know that whenver you need some words of encouragement or to vent we welcome you with open arms regardless of how much time you've had to visit with us !!

It sounds like you have ALOT on your plate...but you know it's alright ( or A'ight , how we say here in NYC). You can do this, that and the other thing and still come out with an intact manicure and a kick ass outfit...you know why?? Because you are a strong woman and we strong and beautiful woman can do anything, It comes with the double X territory ( No insult to Viperman !!! :thumbup:)

Thank you so much :thumbup:

I know I can do this, and I have no doubt you guys will welcome me here when I need the support, but it just doesn't feel right to take the support and not give it back to someone else in return... so I'll be doing my best to "be around" a bit more :laugh:

Hey there silly!

Stop giving yourself guilt over the forum, and come by when you can!

Hugs,

Karen

Girly,

Sounds like you have your hands full. Quit beatin' yourself up. Everyone in this forum will get busy from time to time. It doesn't matter. This is a open forum that wants to support you no matter how much time you can spend here. We are here for each other!! I think we have a great group going! Your a part of us! Hang in there. Hope the passing out thing is resolved soon!! Hugs Patty

MissK,

Sorry to hear you are going through a lot right now, and it sounds like you are being there for your friend, which is a very nice thing. Take time for "you" though!!

I hear ya on the crazy life though.. lately I can't seem to have ANY time to myself. I just keep hoping it will change. I started a new job a couple of months ago (same company, fortunately I found a job after my position was eliminated), and like everyone in this economy we're all struggling and doing more with less. We just need to get through it! I am actually looking forward to the surgery for time off, isn't that bad?

You are making it through the Pre-Op diet, hooray!!! I look forward to hearing about your surgery experience... I am a week behind you...

Take care,

Thanks Patty, Kate and Karen!

Kate, I am totally hearing you - I work for a mining company on a rather large mine site and we've had not only a freeze on recruitment, but also a major crack down on the use of contractors. I had a team of 5 full time girls and 3 part time girls working for me, I am down to 4 full time girls and I can't recruit or replace. They are all pushed to their limits and I am so scared one of them will 'crack' under the pressure and leave. So much work, just not enough people! I am terrified of what will happen (or, perhaps WONT happen) while I am on leave for my operation... but screw them, I am entitled to take care of myself, not just wipe the ass of everyone else in the organisation.