Been missing everyone ... still alive and kicking

Hello to all my friends! I've missed you all SO much! Life has gotten rather hectic and complicated here and I've just not had much of a chance to be online. My Mom had a heart attack, and, although she survived it, at 83, she just isn't bouncing back well. She's had us all so worried. I've become her main caretaker, with help periodically from my brother and sister, who live away, and I'm still working at both jobs. It's been an emotional and physical roller-coaster ride for about 6 months now. This morning I'm home so I'm trying to read and get caught up on everyone. I need to get myself back on track and this is the place to do that. March 30th will be my two-year Surgiversary, and weight-wise, I'm still on the down-hill slope, but it's definitely a slow process now. Caring for Mother has cut deeply into my exercise/PT routine, and I can really tell a difference. Back pain is increased, joints are stiffer, balance isn't as good. As of this morning, though, I weigh 221lbs ... and that means I've lost exactly 1/2 of myself! Things don't seem to be looking good, however, for me to have ANY skin removal ... just a thin maybe on a panniculectomy (removal of belly apron) if I hold my breath, stand on 1 foot and whistle the Star Spangled Banner while juggling oranges (oops, was that sarcasm? sowwy) ... but anything else is a pipedream for me, given my insurance coverage. I'm still at least 40 pounds away from being where I can even talk about skin removal with my surgeon, though, so I just try not to think a whole lot about it ( flap, flap, flap, waddle, waddle, waddle ) ... it'll just be a bridge I'll try to cross when I get there. So to all the familiar friends I know here ... ((((((missed-ya-hugs))))) from Southeast Missouri .... and to folks I need to get to know ... ((((((hello-hugs)))))) from Southeast Missouri. Myra G Open RNY (distal) 3-30-05 442-430-221-180* (*for now ) Starting-Surgery-Current-Goal

Glad to hear from you, I am sorry about your mother. Hang in there you will get the last few pds off. My weight lose has already come to a snails pace. I have been exerciseing more trying to make up the differences. but so far that isnt working well either. well see you later. lov marie

Thanks, Marie ... hope life's been treating you good. Myra

hi myra: good to hear from you. don't you just hate it when life throws us these curve balls? i'm sorry to hear you're having challenges right now. certainly they don't make taking care of ourselves any easier. i got rejected on my request for a panni, as well as the appeal for it. that's fine with me, though. i've had enough surgery to last me for a long, LONG time. if i flap and waddle, well at least i'm moving - ya know? so hi right back at you from southern minnesota. good to know you're still hard at it. take care, hun. hugs dorthe

Hey Friend! I'm trying to get caught up on all that surgery you've been having ... wow! You've truly been through the wringer! Hang in there ... I'll be keeping you in my thoughts. BTW ... trying to go to a "full-time" status on my BOA job ... keep fingers crossed ok? New office opening here. from MO ((hugs)) Myra

Myra! Welcome back, we've missed you! I hope the ice storm hasn't caused too much of a hardship for you. Sorry to hear your mother isn't doing well. Good throught headed your way from Colorado. Regarding the reconstructive surgery, if you juggle the oranges with enough vigor and knock yourself out with flying fat, maybe that will help the insurance folks change their minds about removing unnecessary skin. I'm pretty sure I'll have the same battle down the road. Stupid insurance. Kix

congratulations on reaching your half way mark. You are doing great. lov marie

Hi Myra! Nice to hear from you. Sorry to hear about your Mom. Big stuff like that puts the rest of our concerns in perspective, huh? I'm so proud of you and your weight loss! I haven't lost any weight in months. Feel good, look good, but, holding steady at 237 lbs. Kind of drives me crazy. But, now I have to deal with a suspicious mammogram and get a biopsy tomorrow, so the fear that my breast cancer might be back is putting my lack of weight loss into perspective for me! big hugs, Lori

Lori, You're so right about regaining perspectives. I'll be keeping you in my prayers and thoughts ... (((hugs))) Myra

Hey Myra, Im sorry to hear about your moma and all being so ill. I know when things like that happen it can take a toll on you for sure. She has been blessed though to have such a caring daughter and family near her at a time like this. But just gotta keep yourself going also. Its not hard for days to get so hectic till you put yourself and your needs on the back burner. So make sure you eat and drink enough and dont let yourself get all run down in the process. You have done amazing weight wise and its not a small thing when you get down as much weight off of you as you have. Its getting harder and harder seems like for me also. The more I lose the more of a difference I see with it coming off. Not that rabbit losing anymore. I think the turtle is in the lead now lol... So you just hang in there and anytime you feel the need to yak you look me up.. Hugs Marge...P.S.... On a good clear breezy day you can hear my skin a flappin to lol.... Aint made out what song it is doing yet but will let ya know lol...