Well, sorry I haven't posted in a while. The summer heat is about to kill me. In fact, my neuro's office called last week with a friendly reminder to stay out of the heat!! Heat is Multiple Sclerosis's brutal enemy!! Anyway, my weight loss is still the same - weighing in at 187. I think I'm about where I will end up since I need steroids (long term) now. That's okay. BTW, you HAVE to check out this site: www.plasticsurgery.org and look at the "photo gallery" and then check out the "bariatric body reconstruction." It will BLOW YOU AWAY!!!!!!!!!! I had my appt with the plastic surgeon for July 18th, but then I lost my health insurance (YIKES!!). . so I guess I"ll have to reschedule. Bummer. Like Leslie Lee just posted, I'm having the same situation with my fibro. The pain is getting worse than better. But I do know that it would be so much worse if I hadn't lost all the weight. My rheumatologist is still fantastic!! And he totally supports my SS disability application. He feels I'll be approved. My rheumatoid arthritis has really screwed up my right arm, especially the elbow and wrist. I'm having to learn how to do everything left handed - WHAT a challenge!! Try it - use your opposite hand and see how cumbersome it is! Oh, and I finally have some answers for my special needs child. Avery is two (almost three) years old, and we've had lots of behavior problems with her. Anyway, after months of testing, she's been diagnosed with 1. disruptive behavior disorder 2. severe organic ADHD 3. expressive/receptive language delay and 4. a sensory processing disorder. Oh, the child study center did say that her disabilities are most likely due to all the negative antibodies in my blood (RA, MA, fibro, and lupus), That does bother me, but it also means I shouldn't have any more children. Although she has autistic tendencies, the child study center did not feel that she is autistic. I'm very happy! She is SUCH a handful. She attends a headstart for children with disabilities (which at first was a major source of guilt for me - since I stay at home. But I'm fine with it now. I spend several hours a week volunteering in her classroom. It's a great experience for both of us!) Anyway, if anyone knows of any resources for health insurance, please let me know!! I am a little FREAKED out about losing my health insurance. There is a chance I can go COBRA, but it's $500 a month. My state disability check is only $1000 or so. . it would be a rough stretch. Oh, well. . . things will work out - they always do. I have faith. I found a few medicine programs, and I can get most of my medicine for free now. That is a GREAT thing. And my rheumie agreed to let me pay him out for his visits. My medicine copays are $300 a month, and getting the medicine for free would be amazing!! So the only big loss is the abdominoplasty. That DOES make me sad, but oh, well. If it's meant to be, it will happen. Anyway, that's about it for me. Still hanging in there, as best we can.

Thanks so much for the CONGRATS ladies !!!! I'm so glad we are all doing great !!!! Laura

Hello fellow Septembers': I have done well with losing and just hit a "bump" in the road as far as the scale goes. Having lost 137 pounds, I feel I can push "restart" on the losing again by making small changes. HOWEVER, my repeat sleep study revealed that my Sleep Apnea is now Severe instead of Moderate as it was when I was heavier. I have begun to struggle again with Fibromyalgia pain and my Bipolar "manic" episodes are more frequent. Also, the pulmonologist says I have Asthma now. : Weird, huh? It was disheartening to find out the above but I will try to control it with meds and exercise. I also find myself "overextending" my time with volunteer work and sitting jobs to "help the family" when in reality Im hurting me. And to think I had begun to question my PENDING SS Disability application (month 21)??!! I guess that "surgery on my stomach, did NOTHING TO FIX MY HEAD!" Im trying to stay positive even as I sit here without sleep for days.....ULGH! Best of luck everyone. STILL NEED A NEW PIC!!! Leslie 312/174/160-170?

Thank god for Dr. Gellman.

Hey - Way to go Laura! I'm so happy for you! Hugs, Sandy