I'm always thinking preparedness. Here's a thought. I wonder if it's possible to buy the vitamins that you need and can them at the cannery. Maybe they'd last longer that way? I haven't had surgery yet but one of my biggest concerns is ending up with vitamin and mineral deficiencies (sp?). I've been doing a lot of praying myself. I feel calm and good about my decision and everything seems to be falling into place so far. Guess I should just quit worrying so much, huh? Lynda D.

I have been thinking about the issue of preparedness since Lynda's post. Thanks Lynda for bringing this to my attention. I thought about it before surgery but so much was going on for me it hid in the recesses of my feeble mind. I have been going over in my mind what I have stored vs what I can eat. Well, there is no reason I can't eat wheat and other starches. Sure I shouldn't now but in a survival situation, I could do it. I am sure I won't be worrying much about weight gain. I have dried eggs, canned meat, dried pintos and even canned cheese. I also have sugar and honey but those are things I can't eat. I won't need to eat those and will save them for my family. We can also store the protien we use for shakes. Had not thought about that but will look up the shelf life and start storing that as well. I am not worried about it at all, now that have thought about it. Thanks again, Lynda, I will check things out and see how best to modify my food storage and 72 hour kit. I especially need to re-stock my meds and supplements since I don't use most of what I did! I prayed hard about the surgery. I didn't get that burning yes but the doctor told me I had no other option. I would die without it. (Sometimes our answers are given through someone else.) I had a couple of priesthood blessings and they were positive. My husband gave me one that told me I would regain my health and be a strength and example to my family. That I would spend much time with them and give them many memories. I won't say that I had an easy time of it. I had numerous complications and, indeed, even had a near death experience. However, in the end, things turned out that I am a much stronger, happier and compassionate person. I am so much healthier and can serve others in ways that I never have before. I can and am doing things I have not done in DECADES!!! Literally Prayer and priesthood blessings are the answer. Grins, Kaye

Thanks Kaye, I didn't even know that Calcium Cirtrate came in wafers. I'll look into that. We're a small area and we don't have any Sun Harvest or Whole Foods here. I'll see if I can find some on the internet. Your surgery was really close to my date. Gala has challenged me to get a new picture up, I'm passing that same challenge on to you. Let's both get a new picture up so we can show off what we look like now. Thank you for the information. When I posted I had no idea there were so many people that would respond with such great advice and suggestions. Makes me feel good about this board. Melody

This sounds like a good book. I will look for it. Running with angels is what I feel like I am doing when I read this forum! Someday, we will all be running with them together. I can just see it now! It really makes me smile to know that someday I will be able to meet all of you, my role models, and we will be able to run together with Melody leading the way! God bless you all. Grins, Kaye

Melody, I use the Calcium Citrate wafers by Twin Labs. They are chewable and taste similar to or even better than the tums. I get them from Sun Harvest or Whole Foods which are healthy grocery stores. They sell organic things as well as vit. and herbs. Checking our labs is important but please be aware that in many of us, our calcium defieciency does not show up until it is "critical" In other words, it doesn't always show up, in our blood, because our bodies are leaching it from our bones. I know a couple that now have osteoporosis that didn't show up as a mere defieciency. I am not taking any chances. That is just me. Besides if you take tums DON'T forget to take extra Vit D with it. Oh and magnesium also. Good luck, Grins, Kaye