Happy Tuesday!

Good Morning Everyone!!!

So happy that spring is unveiling itself to us finally. It's nice to have some warmer weather for a change. Thanks to everyone that has sent me e-cards and as well as cards to my house. I wish I could remember everyone specifically but my memory is really awful at this time so please don't take it personally. But I really feel blessed by everyone's attempt at remembering me so thank you so very much.

I'm on round/week 3 of chemo and daily radiation. Fatigue has set in big time. I'm having issues with random attacks of metal mouth, where everything including my saliva, taste like acidy metal. I'm also having problems with my vocabulary. The other day I couldn't for the life of me remember the word "chair" and instead kept saying "hammock". I've been having other instances like that with other words and my doctor has assured me that it's normal for the type of chemo that I'm taking. For that reason is why I haven't been posting much, but I do read the board at least two or three times a day. Just sometimes I can't get my mouth and brain on the same page so I don't bother to post. Not loosing hair but it is thinning out. Not loosing weight. Infact I'm in that rare precentage that is actually increasing in weight. So far I've gained 10 lbs.

I have a friend from Penn that has came out to visit me for a few days and I'm so enjoying his company. We are great friends dispite the distance and haven't seen eachother in almost three years. He came out to take me to my Chemo and radiation appointment and to help with some wedding planning. He's gonna be my bridesman in the wedding, hahaha!

Linda - Like I said in a previous post of yours about Mikey, I think you are doing not only the right thing but a very couragous(sp?) thing. My mom sent me to live in a residental treament center when I was a kid because of my bi polar. I never held it against her. Honestly I didn't. After I was taught about my disease and how I could be responsible in helping control,identify, and manage it , it made me fully realize what a blessing it was to be there in that facility and get the support and care that I wouldn't have been able to get at home. My mom wasn't a doctor nor a therapist and as much as she loved me she just wasn't skilled in dealing with my disease. It wasn't her fault just as it wasn't my fault that I have bipolar. I"m sure that Mikey will recieve just the same adequat care and skills where he's at and one day will thank you for loving him enough to let me go and recieve the care he needs. So super uber big hugs and please try not to beat yourself up over it.

Sherri - I sent you an email last week and haven't heard from you yet, so I'm not sure if you recieved it or not, but either way I just want you to know that I haven't forgetten you. I've been readin the boards and seen that you got new meds that are workind for you, hip hip hooray, and glad to see that you are doing well. Tell Bill to stop loosing those dang contacts, hahaha! I'm hoping to make it to the spring clothing exchange to see you and everyone. Gage even asked about you the other day, and it wasn't in referrence to food this time, hahaha! He was just asking me how your surgery went.

Again - I really want to send big THANK YOU for all the e-cards and regular cards I've been getting. Everyone's thoughts and prayers are so welcomed. I've cried with every card. Tears of appreciation and happiness to have such a great group of friends. Thank you all so much.
On to radiation and a long nap. More visiting with Steve and maybe even at dinner trip to an Indian resturant(sp?)

Be safe, be happy, be blessed.
Jodi

Jodi, hope you do finally get over the fatigue.....it will take quite some time, but you will be just fine.  We have faith and all the prayers headed your way. It is another rainy day here.  We are supposed to get 3-5 inches of rain today, so there goes the creeks again overflowing their banks.  At least I am off work today, and don't have to get out much in it. Have a wonderful day everyone.  I am going to get the girls on the bus, and get a few things done around the house here.  I am planning on getting new tires today, so hopefully things will work out on that.  Take care!

GOOD morning everybodyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy :) Well, I can tell my band is tighter especially in the mornings b/c i have to eat veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy slowly OR it comes back up.....i think FINALLY im gonna see some results that i wanna feel and see WOOHOOO..........IM SO BUMMED cuz i wont be able to attend the april clothing exchange:( my little sister is about to have a baby on april 17th ish..........and we are going that day to help her deeeeep clean her house in preperation for her very first baby..........Im glad to help her but bummed Ill miss everyone:(  IF anyone on the southside of INDY sees any capris size 26-28 would u pleaseeeeeeee  pick them up for meeeeeeeeeee and I can come by and get them from that person.......I WOULD SOOOOOOOOOOOOO appreciate it.......I love capris and need new ones cuz the 30-32's are too big now which is  great thing

Jodi, I am so glad to see you post this morning. I am keeping you in my prayers and I am happy to hear that chemo is going fairly well for you. It is a wonderful thing that you aren't losing weight and hope that the chemo keeps doing it's job. Our prayers are a strong and powerful thing and this family here is keeping them going up for you. I am glad that your friend is here taking care of you. It always helps to have a good and close friend there for you. It helps the good and bad days that we experience in our lives. I love the idea of him being a bridesman for your wedding. I am hearing more and more of that and I think it is a great thing.  I have to go and get a echocardiagram this mornign at 8:30. They just take about 15-20 minutes and I like hearing the blood going through the arteries. It sounds strange but I like things like that. When I have a angiogram I like to watch them on the screen. Most people who hear me say that thinks I am awful but I like learning about the medical things. I am very pro active in my health problems because if I don't do it no one is going to. I experienced a terrible doctor who almost let me die from this heart problem before he called in a heart doctor just because he was getting so much money from the insurance. Then on top of that he flat out lied to my face about the heart doctor. He didn't think I would call the heart doctor but surprise surprise I did and the truth came out. You have to be there for yourself and I learned that the hard way. I question just about everything and if the doctor doesn't like it (and I haven't had one do that since the quacky one) then they have to either deal with it or I find a new one.  My girlfriends mom passed away yesterday. She had Parkinson's and it had gotten to the point that it had affected the muscles and she was chocking and couldn't breathe. It was a blessing. My girlfriend is also the secretary at our church and so I am going to fill in for her until further notice. I am not sure how long that is going to be. Her mom is going to be cremated and then they are taking her ashes down to Dillsboro, IN to be buried with her dad. Then they are having a memorial service sometime at the church. I am expecting the service to be some time next week since her daughter is coming in from Texas this evening.  I guess I better get going. I have some things to do and time is ticking away before I have to leave for the test. Then when I am out of there it is off to the office I go. A lady from the church is going to be at the office until I get there.  I hope that everyone has a wonderful day today. Hopefully the weather is good for all of us too. I will try to check in later on. I  hope that God blesses each one you all day today. Chat later on.

Thanks for the words Jodi. They do reassure me. I had never even heard of residential treatment before last month, much less known I knew someone who had  been in it, and turned out fine. I hope he knows we're doing this to help him, and that we just want the best for him. I think he's scared we're 'throwing him away'. I think some of the boys in his unit have been thrown away there. They commented that not all the boys get visitors, or calls, or mail. His roommate has been there two years, already. I think that scares him too. I just can't imagine being so young, being away from your mommy and daddy, and not getting visits, calls, letters.... It makes me feel badly for those boys.  Anyway.... I talked to him last night, and he asked for a CD for his new portable CD player. He is allowed to have one with headphones, so we brought him one Sunday. I told him, about the new CD, I'd talk to the Easter Bunny and tell him about that request. Hehe. He was like, "You can talk to the Easter Bunny???" I said of course, I work in the mall. I just have to walk down there. I told him the Bunny would understand that he couldn't come visit at the mall right now. I am feeling kind of down and out though. I really miss him. He is my boy. My oldest. I remember times when I was crying after Lucy died, and he would come over and hug me. He's always been so caring to me. He was our only child, for the most part, for six years. We spent alot of time together. I have been calling each night though, and sending out a little card to him everyday. I want him to know he doesn't leave our hearts, even though he's not at home right now.

Good morning everyone! I did my no-no this morning....I over-slept!  I woke up at 7:40 (pain med time is 6) so OMG did I hurt! I am finally...2 hours later...not hurting. I had been trying to take the vicodin's during the daytime but I think I'm going to have to do another round of the oxy's before switching over for the day today. I know I need the sleep to recover but man, do I pay for it! Jodi..I didn't get an email from you hon. Be sure you have my addy right: [email protected]. I'm pretty good at replying pretty quick (within 24 hours anyway) so if you ever email me & don't hear anything back by the next day, I probably didn't get anything. I told Bill what you said about the contacts & he started laughing. He did get a couple of extras from them this time so that if he loses it again, he won't have to go to their office for a new one. Tell Gage hi for me. I plan on making my sf peanut-butter rice crispie treats for the clothing exchange...provided I feel well enough to do them. I am really hoping to be off my meds by then so I can drive there. I'm sure I'll want to do something else too, but no idea what yet. If you ever want to talk hon, I'm a phone call away..ok? I usually don't have my cell phone on me right now (unless I know to expect a call on it) but you have the house # too (it's on the directory).  Tomorrow is my 2 week follow-up with Dr. Bergman. I should be getting this darn drain tube pulled..yay! Hopefully, it will get a little easier to get from a prone position to upright then. I'm looking forward to sleeping in our waterbed again!!!! It is 85% motionless..but enough movement that I know getting out would be a bear right now..and yet just enough to have 'give' so you don't get sore laying there. I haven't been able to sleep in it since all this begn last September. Usually, I've been able to within a week or so of having the drain tube removed with past surgeries (other than the plastics) so my fingers are crossed! Yep..I'll probably oversleep then too..and yes, will probably regret it in the morning, but it will feel SOOOO good until then! Ah..to sleep in a REAL bed and not the couch or recliner! I hope you all have a really good day today! Sherri

Hi Everyone,  isn't it going to be wonderful when we see all those flowers blooming- from all this rain?! for me tho, it can stop- I want the sun to shine!  Yesturday I had another down day- my tummy acted up all morning and I was litteraly "wiped out"the rest of the day. I had planned on doing alot of things but ended up in my recliner all day instead napping.Absolutly NO cornbeef and cabbage for me!!!  Jodi, I continue to keep you in my prayers, hang in there girl, you are doing great!!!i am glad your friend is there to support you. Sherri, I am going to be babysitting most of next week in Carmel. Hope all goes well at the Drs. and you get that pesky drain tube out! Talk to you soon! Gail and Janene, Girls, thank you for the e-cards. I really loved them & htey brightened my day!!! Linda, Hon, I am praying for you and Mikey. God hears our every plea ,and knows your heart. Hang in there while he gets the training/treatment he needs to learn how to cope & live well. Love you, lil Sis. Well, got to go get a shower and start my day- I know it is late, but my motor isn't running on "full speed " yet! (((Hugs))) Ellen

Good morning all Nothing much going on with me today. I am at work. I finally got to bed and didnt have the restless leg last night.  I so hate that!  It isnt painful, but just bothersome.   It is rainy here today, suppose to be in the high 50's....we'll see. For the dish you are suppose to bring to the clothing exchange. Is it suppose to be finger foods or are there paper plates and forks available?  I need to start thinking of something to bring and I wasnt sure. Well everyone have a great day.  Prayers are going out to all those going through hard times right now.  Hang in there guys!

Jenny, Vicki & Jim usually bring the bottled water and additives for it (like Crystal light). For the food, there are paper plates, plastic utinsils, and napkins at the clothing exchanges so any kind of dish is fine as long as it's bariatric friendly. If you bring a soup, you might want to bring disposable bowls. Those who have a good drive usually brings quick & easies...veggie or fruit tray, cheese ball & crackers..that type of thing. Those who live closer are the ones who usually bring the 'dishes'. Myself..and I think Brenda & Floyd too...tries to bring something savory...so food-food...and a sugar-free dish. We like to use these events as a 'showcase' for new dishes. I have no idea right now what my savory dish will be but I am planning on brining sugar-free low-fat peanut butter rice crispie treats with dark chocolate topping. My MIL doesn't like marshmallows but LOVED these. Gage (Jodi's son) is a big fan of my dishes..lol! We do try to bring copies of the recipe's for the dishes we bring so we can share them with everyone there. I also add mine to my profile here so everyone doesn't have to try to hold on to the paper I print them out on. Sherri ps..for those of you who are pre-op: 'Bariatric friendly' is pretty much anything that is low-fat, low-card, low-sugar, and/or high-protein. If you want to bounce ideas off of me, you're welcome to drop me an email at [email protected]. I have found since being post-op though that just about ANY dish I enjoyed pre-op can be made bariatric friendly just by substituting ingredients with healthier versions of them...which, I try to encourage people who are overweight & not having WLS to do this anyway as much as they can!

Happy Tuesday! Jo, Linda, everyone...you all are in my thoughts and prayers right now...Sherri, here's hoping that drain tube comes out! Paying bills today, joy joy, and the girls' bunk beds are supposed to be here sometime between 10 and 2pm.  They are so excited!  I have two weeks til my surgery, so I've been trying to get in the exercise habit, and was at the Y this morning at 6:15am for the water aerobics class! It felt so good, and I was home just in time to fix breakfast for the girls and eat with them and my hubby before he left for work.  They have a 6:30am class two days a week, so I'll hit it again tomorrow.   Hope y'all down south don't get as much rain as they are forecasting, we'll need an ark!  I'll miss the April clothing exchange, as I'll either be just home from the hospital (I hope!) or still there.  I'm hoping for the next one though!