Oh my gosh Melody! That is an amazing idea! .....I'm organzing an enormous event in September for a hospital's Graduate Celebraton. I think this would be PERFECT!!! Want to be on my design team???? AZ is still a little hot in September but the hotel rates are great! and...my personal accomodations for out of town guests is FREE!!!! Thanks for the very creative ideas! Joyce in az

Hey there WLS buds, What's new? How is everyone doing on their WL journey? ....I've been busy organizing a big Arizona event for all pre-ops and post-ops. We have about 100 folks coming to a Spring Fling. The theme is "Once Upon A Journey" ~~ a magical evening..... I am hosting it at our stake center. Everyone mailed me $10 and I've hired a DJ from our ward. She teaches line dancing too so there won't be any excuses for people to stay in their chairs! We're making it a WLS friendly potluck and there will be 2 guest speakers during the dinner piece. We have bucnhes of fun door prizes to give away, some fun contests (came the farthest, lost the most inches, spends the most time at the gym, etc.)....Anyway, it is going to be soooo much fun! The AZ yahoo sites are busy with people figuring out what to wear and such....Anyone who is in the neighborhood (Chandler, AZ) on Friday the 28th of April then just let me know....we'd love you to come! Anyway...just wanted to share a little motivation moment I had at the gym yesterday. ... I"ve noticed a lady on the tradmill for weeks wearing a backpack while she walks. I assumed it was for backpacking training. But, I've noticed that she's gotten smaller and has added ankle weights and hand weights. So I asked. Apparently she is not training for anything per say but she walks ONE mile of her workout with all the weight that she has LOST!!! Then she removes it and sets it by the treadmill and RUNS for the balance of her tradmill time. Wow! How liberating! ....I just wondered if I could even lift the 140 pounds that I have lost; let alone walk a mile with it now? ...I thought it was a great reminder for all of us to celebrate our success and "remember" where we've been! Happy April to all! Joyce in az "I am realistic--I expect miracles!"

Thanks, Sharon, I will definately ask for that since I have a sister recently diagnosed also. Her twin has MS. Bless their hearts. Boy, the joys of being retired military! My heart is with you. I will definately keep you in my prayers and would you like me to put your name in at the temple when I work on Fri? I see the hematologist on Thur. I am afraid I will lose my composure of he doesn't see me. That and I am considering going in to the surgeons office and refuse to leave until I get some answers. Thanks again, Grins, Kaye

Good morning Kaye, I feel so bad for you. I did want to mention to you another test you might want to ask for. I too had some of the same symtoms as you. I was exhausted all the time,(my blood work keeps showing that I am anemic) my weight loss has stopped completely after a 50 pound loss and I also noticed some other symtoms too.My joints were hurting all the time so it hurt to exercise etc. Long story short- I did some research and noticed I had a lot of symtoms of Lupus. Since my husband is retired military I can relate to the frustration you experience.My PC in family practice kept putting me on iron suppliments which made my joints hurt even worse. Since I have a hard time getting in to see him I made an appointment in acute care and asked the Dr. to do an ANA test. She put the paperwork in and sure enough it came back positive . It acutally got the attention of my PC who is now doing more serious blood panels because now they're pretty sure I have Lupus( I also have 2 sisters who have just been diagnosed) But it does change the dynamics of things. The sisters on this board are right- be your own advocate because no one else will. I know it takes a lot of effort when you don't feel well. You will certainly be in my prayers Kaye. Wishing you success in finding the solutions to making you well. Huggs, Sharon

Thanks Joyce, I appreciate your comments. I do B-12 injections. I had a gastrectomy and so that changes things. I use a military facility and often civilians do not understand how things are done there. The facility that I went to is one of the best in the nation for WLS and their follow-up is usually very good. The problem is that with things the way they are in Iraq, the wounded soldiers have priority. They had slowed things down and I was having to see the regular PCM. So I got back to the surgeon and he has refered me to a hematologist. But the civilians in the office to schedule appts are jerks. Power mongers so to speak. We will have to see what happens. The Doc that did my surgery is gone but the other one that was here at the time and knows me just got back from deployment. So finally things are moving again. Still, if I don't get satisfaction from Hema... I will be calling my surgeon and I know the blank will hit the fan. Too bad I am to tired to watch the fireworks. Thanks for reminding me about the graduates forum. Thanks again for your concern. Grins, Kaye