Hey Everyone!

Hi everyone. Just wanted to check in and let everyone know that Juanita is healing and I can't wait to get this g-tube out and eat some food. I haven't been sleeping very well also. My right leg is numb around the thigh area. Other than that I am putting up the good fight. I have lost 30 pounds so far. I get the g-tube taken out hopefully on the 4th of May. I am doing my exercise though I feel a little dizzy at times. I go back to work next Monday and will work half days until I feel like I can do full ones. One question!?!?!?!?! Where is my Queen. She probably has a list for me of tending her every need I am sure. Just wanted to check in and let everyone know that I am alive and kicking spending some days throwing positive thoughts and love to the Caboose and thinking of you all. I will try to write more often but it is hard to do when you are having to constantly fight the two teenagers for a telephone line. Take care my friends and have a great day. Gary Manservant to the Queen

Gary - I didn't know you still had that stinking tube in. Boy - I'm sorry you aren't able to eat yet, but I guess it's for the best so you make sure all is healed up consider the nice little scare you had! Guess you and Rob will have a few things to talk about huh? Your fair Queen posted yesterday - she hasn't been feeling too good as she strained her muscle on her side and is trying to heal up from that. She said she is lurking though. As for the dizziness, I would imagine it would be expected considering you aren't able to eat yet. Are you getting protein drinks in? I find they really help my energy level. Bet you are getting all happy with the thoughts of being able to have a little something to eat. Please make sure you come and report to us how the experience is when you do have something! Hopefully you'll start sleeping well very soon too. Sometimes the lack of food will cause it - like the body needs less sleep or something. That happened to me now and it also happened to me while doing Atkins. But yet, I still get tired and need to nap occasionally. Crazy sleeping schedules! Don't be such a stranger from now on! Kick those kiddos out to the mall or something and commandeer that phone line once in awhile! Dina

Dinka!!!!! Well at least you replied. Where have all the Marchers gone? ( Sounds like a 60's hippie song - lol ) I appreciate your taking the time to reply. I am just picking at everyone else. I know they will post in due time. I am on a strict feeding regimine of Glucerna right now and am only able to get 4 cans down a day due to my not digesting it very fast. This stuff though being for diabetics has enough protein ( 10 per can ) if you are able to take in 6 cans per day but it is loaded with carbs. We tried to add protein powder and the combination made my blood sugar level rise to an unacceptable level. We have also tried to up the amount of glucerna to no avail. I just cannot seem to digest it that fast. So for now, it is Glucerna and water. Plus my calcium, b-12, and vitamins. I slipped myself a mickey last night of Unisom sliced diced crushed and liquified, ( with DR permission of course ) and got about 10 hours. I have been freezing here lately too. Is that normal? I have no temp but can't seem to get warm enough. It was 80 degrees in the house last night and my teeth were chattering with a blanket covering me. How weird is that? I don't know what to make of my right upper thigh being numb and all. I have had that since I was in the hospital in November for pancriatitus. That is too weird. I have been sipping very small amounts of water to Juanita. Dr. told me I could but to just not do more than a couple of tablespoons per day just to see if things are comfortable. There has been no drainage which means Juanita has healed the hole she had which is a good thang. She does alot of grumbling until I give her that little sip of water, then she is good to go for a while. I have to go back the first week in May to do a barium swallow and see if it is all the way healed. If that looks good they will take the G-tube out. Hooray. Well here come the first wave of teens so I'd better go. Take care my friend and thanks again for posting a reply. Gary Manservant to the Queen.

Gary - I have the numbness in my leg and have it every time I have surgery. Sometimes it switches legs. I at first thought it was a blood clot because it wasn't normal and it was right after surgery (c-section) the first time. My doctor said it wasn't a clot but a pinched nerve. Talking to my physical therapist she said it was sciatica and that this term doesn't refer to a specific nerve as I thought, but it's descriptive of the condition of when one of the nerves get pinched. Mine stings and burns like hell to where I feel like I have to try to slap it out....but it never works. It is always numb when I try to slap it out. Then sometimes I feel like I have to itch, but I can't because the leg is numb and it itches down deep. Anyway, you should mention it to your PCP to be safe, but I'm placing bets on a nerve problem. As for the Glucerna - would they let you do Atkins or something like that? I mean at least it wouldn't monkey with your blood sugars. I don't know if you saw the posts where I referred to the Protidiet tropical punch drink mix but it's the best one I've found for flavor, and it goes down like Crystal light. It's quite refreshing and 15 grams of protein per serving. I have 2 servings for breakfast many mornings and it gives me a huge boost of energy. You might see if it's okay to suppliment the Glucerna with this. It might make you feel better. I get it locally, but I found one place that sells it online: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/cntr4weightloss/tropfruitfla.html. I only like the tropical though, but you might like some of the others. The orange is like Orange Koolaide which I hate. Other than that, there is no funky protein flavor, and it's very light and refreshing. It might go down easier for you. Keep us posted on what happens with you and let me know if you can try something like that Protidiet. I honestly think it's more in line with what you need than Glucerna. It never ceases to amaze me how they try to treat diabetes with SUGAR. Dina

Hey you sexy beast! So glad to hear from you - was wondering where you have been lately. Sorry to hear that you still have your g-tube in - that stinks, but your weight loss is stellar! Don't do too much just yet exercise-wise - you aren't eating actual food yet, so you don't have much to burn. Tell those teenagers to share the telephone line and remind them who's paying for it, too! Guilt sometimes works!! Take care of yourself and check in more often! -Wendy Prozac Princess

Aww, my Manservant has returned! Hey, babe-o-rama! Sounds like you're having a bit of a rough time right now, so I won't give you my lists (that's plural...) of things I need done. Just get that icky tube out, get OFF that Glucerna (I had to have that in the hospital 'cuz I'm allergic to aspartame......still have 2 cans in my fridge and am gonna give it to my fat basset hound, Nada, when SHE has her WLS...), and GET WELL. That's an ORDER! I'm FREEZING, too. This morning was hysterical...I've got the thermostat set at 76 here 24/7 now, and even tho I live in Michigan and Spring has YET to hit, I should be content and comfy around 72. Well this morning I had on a baseball nightshirt (sexy, eh? ), a half-robe, sox, slippers, and when I came downstairs to let the mutts out, I threw my HEAVY robe OVER everything (thank goodness I'm down 29 pounds or that would NEVER have happened...), grabbed a winter scarf 'n wrapped my neck, let the dogs out (or, rather, KICKED 'em out and slammed the door...just missed my plott hound's tail...poor Lambie Pie!), ran for the couch, pulled a fleece throw AND a full comforter over me and sat and shivered and gritted my teeth 'cuz I was so cold. I'm cold 24/7 since surgery. Someone I Know had RNY ~2.5 years ago and SHE'S always cold, too. Seems to be a pretty common after effect. I think when they do the surgery, they take our thermostats out or something. The only thing that's been saving me is that my (then) fiancee had given me an electric mattress cover the 1st Christmas we were together, so I hop into a WARM bed at nite - it warms from underneath, not from the blanket/above. But yowzer, these iz some COLD days!! I'm hopin' it'll work to our advantage during the summer heat. Think? I'm hanging, Sugarlips. I did pull a muscle pretty badly (same muscle twice, actually...) and am TRYING to recup from that. I'm supposed to stay snowed on muscle relaxers and Lortab 24/7, but I HATE how I feel, so I'm doing 'em in halves right now...don't know if I'll be able to go back to work next week...doubtful. Breezed thru surgery and post-op, just had to go and maim myself several weeks later. Sheesh. You just get yerself in PRIMO condition 'n I'll hold off on all the "Honey Do" lists I have for ya. Oh, 'n tell those kids to get their OWN phone line...and they can PAY for it, too! How's THAT for cranky? Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to All Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles

Hello Kimmer it is nice to see you on the boards again, I hope your feeling better soon ...I agree with you about the freezing , and always being cold, I live in Florida and we have had some pretty warm days already 80-90's and I am still cold Believe It....Or not! I use to have the Air kickin 24/7...but now my kids beg me to turn it on..hahahaha take care of that muscle ok! Hugz Mary

Glad to have you back Gary. So sorry that you are still having some troubles. I hope that you get better really soon. Whitney