Howdy Pardner...

Thanks for the kind words. I know that I'm derelict in my participation, but I'm still looking in and still thinking about all of you. I want to post more often, but I'm not as successful as I'd like.
Can you believe that it's almost 5 years since we were dragging our rumps and our IV trees up and down the hallways??!!!

Mike

Today I had my appointment with the new doctor. I found her very nice, supportive, knowledgeable, helpful.
She took a tremendous amount of time with me. I never once felt rushed or pressured to finish my story and get going.
she asked tons of questions as I did too! she was never impatient and always answered my questions even if I asked them more than once!
Im' going to see her again in two weeks.
In the mean time she has me signed up to go for more blood work. I also had a copy of my results from the last blood work I had in november. I always as for a copy for my records. she went over all of it with me and ansered some questions I had about things listed that I had forgotten to as Dr A.
She said my cholestrol all that stuff is fine. she said my B12 is good but because of how we obsorb things that I should up it. she decided with me asking for it to have the labs do a more extensive B12 test and also a more extensive check for vitamin D. she said those levesl on mine were good but she wanted the more extensive because I am having problems she also said that alot of times the regular blood work they do doens't always work for people who have had gastric by pass that the extrensive tests would show correct levels for us. That we do not obsorb how we should.
Hey anyone reading this? hahaah Don't we always fight with our surgeons about this? Aren't we always told that we are fine?
I loved that I didn't have to ask that she was already good to go and looking for answers.
She also said that my thyroid levels were not were they should be. Now this is one that I had asked my surgeon to check for and my General Practictioner requested it too. When the new doctor read the report she said this does not look right. she did say that you can go to several different doctors, hospitals and specialist and each of them will have a different number that they say is the correct one. she told me that the endocronologist in manchester that i've heard of god forgive me I can not remember his name right now would look at my blood levels for thyroid and diagnose me right on the spot with a problem. She is having a more extrnesive thyroid blood test done.
she laughed when she saw that I was still taking flinetone complete chewables. she said its time for a better vitamin for this menopausal hypoglocemic woman. she did find me a nice tasting chewable cause I like chewables!
My calceum levels were fine but she felt that I should have a different supliment than what I am taking. the chewys I do now have other chemicals in them that I need to avoid.
All in all I was pleased with this first visit.
I got information that makes sense and I feel like I am on the right track.
We went over my diet and am working on that. she has suggested I get a book called the Rosedale diet. It is mostly protein protein protein. I said that I have been told for 2 other doctors that I need to add more carbs to my diet. she agrees with that but they need to be good carbs. the dietician at my doctors I wasn't thrilled with. This doctor will work with me closely. I like that. I need that.
so now I am working with someone I feel good about. I will keep you all posted as to how this goes.

People laugh at me because I take the GummyVites that I get from Sam's Club, but my vitamin levels, except for D have been great all along.  I chew 4 in the morning and 4 at night.  I think they cost me about 8 or 9 bucks for 280 vitamins.  A bottle usually lasts me a month.  I think because they are easily digested gummies, they absorb better.  For my B-12, I get the 2500 mcg sublingual tablet Nature's Bounty from Walgreen's.  I like that the best and take it a couple of times a week.  Again, my B-12 levels are always good.  Last night, I noticed that the store I work at carries a Vitamin lozenge from Sweeden (I think), sort of like a hard candy.  I didn't have enough time to look at the package, but I'm going to check them out the next time I work.

Actually, Marilyn was the one that posted about the Walmart brand of protein powder and I found it and have been using it ever since (over a year ago). If you're reading, Marilyn, thank you! Where's Marilyn, I'm very worried about her - does anyone have her phone number or a way to reach her?

Peace,
Maureen

Joooooyyyyyyyyyy!!! It's so good to hear from you! You have such a great perspective on LIFE, I love the "RUNNING OVER" section of your post; ya know, I think I feel exactly the same way (about loss and renewal, weight, husband, kids, job), I just never thought about it all this way - love it! And love you! Please don't be a stranger, stick around and join us all as we move closer and closer toward our FIFTH ANNIVERSARY!

Peace to you babydoll - Maureen