please help

Shirlann

Oh Ulla, here in the US, and I think some foreign countries, they have an office with chairs, and you go to a weekly meeting.  They give you a daily booklet each week to track all the food you eat, this is very important, as the biggest issue with most women is portion size, and you just lose track.  I find this the best program around.  They do have this available on line.  You post your daily foods, (they have books with just about everything imaginable in it, plus, some eating out spots), so you can use their point system and keep track.

Also, they encourage some excercise each day.  Either a walk, or a run, and of course any gym work.  It took me a year to lose the 49 pounds, but that mainly is because I am older, and have been on so many diets that my body is very resistant.

So if you can't find a local office, go ahead and Google WeightWatchers, and read over it and see if this would work.  We can compare each week, and that is very helpful, a little kind, gentle competition works very well!

So I get 23 pounts per day.  Just as an example, a banana is one point.  A Salad is free, except for any chicken or fish and the dressing.  They suggest you get the dressing "on the side" and just dip your fork into it before you eat the bite.  You hardly use any this way.  One small peach is no points.  They have lots of recipes for soup that are no points too.  Of course, with all diets, the big no, no's are, sugar, breads, potatoes, too much meat, especially fatty meat, and sugary drinks.  Here, in the US, they sell lots of products, like ice cream bars that are only one point.  I love them.  I usually have a small bagel with non-fat cream cheese on it for breakfast.  For lunch, carrot juice from our local Jamba Juice, a salad and a piece of fish or chicken, broiled or braised, not breaded.  Then they encourage snacks, and you can check their site for their brands (which are quite expensive) or go to your store and find similar things (non-fat yogurt, etc) that are a lot cheaper and work as well.

So check it out, see what you think.  I believe it is about $17.00 a month US for the on-line version.

Hugs and kisses, oh, I bought your Biotin, it will be coming soon!  Shirlann   

PS:  Judie, HOW did you get the hills for the trucks?????

geebung

Judie - that's a great name! The trouble is, I don't think I should name her yet - it might jinx things. My neighbours are unbelievable. I won't take up space describing everything that has happened today but little cat is back with them. My friend who is staying at the moment is sickened at their treatment of each other and their animals. It's so stressful listening to it all. How do people live like this? It's so sad...and frustrating.

Oh - I love the photo of Connor - he is concentraing so hard on his trucks! What a sweety! I can't really see the cake very well. Can you please explain how you did it? Is that chocolate or liquorice?

Anyway, I hope everyone is having some happy moments this weekend. Mel - it's been very rainy here too but was fine today - so good to see the sun again.

Hugs to all,

Jane xxx 

Wren

Hi everyone!

Yay, Sue for yikky green stuff, LOL! Maybe it's just an infected stitch! I had THREE of them about a month ago -- right after I had some dental work done. I took the precautionary antibiotics before the dental work, but it was so soon after my exchange surgery and for some reason the dissolvable stitches just don't dissolve in me, LOL. I got a very red spot which hurt and was sore so I called my doctor who put me on a week of antibiotics. The next week I went in to see her and she removed three long long stitches--one of them was almost two inches long! I then got another week of antibiotics...  So, I'm hopeful this is just an infection. I know that one of my stitches worked its way out after eight months too, so anything can happen.

Shirlann, thanks for letting me know about the coritsone. I have had four surgeries in the last 10 months and they pumped me up with a lot of steroids at each surgery. Because I have asthma, my allergist insisted that I have prednisone before my mastectomy along with a breathing treatment before and after each surgery so I did get a lot of cortisone in the last year. That makes complete sense as to why I binge ate after each surgery and felt so hungry! I did sign up with WW again and the ladies there told me to stop being so hard on myself--and that I could probably get back to my goal weight by Christmas (or very close to it) if I just stuck with it. I've got surgery scheduled for Nov 10th so we'll see (more steroids)...

Jane, we do our dates in reverse here so my son's birthday is on October 1 and my daughter's is on Nov. 11th. Son will be 24 and daughter will be 22. I can't believe they are so grown up already.

Judie, I live near you and Karen, but I'd have to PM you the details...

I'm a teacher whose been off work a year and now I have an opportunity to work as an assistant in a temporary job that ends at Thanksgiving (but they said I could stop when I have surgery). It's not as many hours of work as a substitute teacher nor the pay, but I think I may do it for some money for Christmas. It is working with special needs young adults 18-22 and a really wonderful teacher. This could help me get my stride back after sitting around all year recovering from surgeries. Anyway, I am going to check it out tomorrow and apply for it. I've been asked to apply for it so it makes me feel good to know that someone is thinking of me.

Fumi, I hope you are having the time of your life!

Ulla!!! I'm thrilled you are so busy with life and school and getting back into doing what you love.

Everyone else... whoever has the kitty--I hope you get her back soon...

Hugs to you all!

sueps

Hello Sisters !!!!!    I am lovin you all xxxx  as always xxx hehehe

 Wren ..... thats a great way to get back into the swing of things !!!  xxx and thankyou so much for telling me about your stitches .... phew heres hopin I see a bit of thread on Tues xxx 

Shirlann ... yoooo hoooo mum!!!! Zippy is recovering thx to the drops that came yesterday .... they really do work ...tell Cleo her lookalikeeee-- Zippy says fankooo xxxx  I love you mum xxx

Jane Blossom is a lovely name for a cat.... you are a truly kind and loving sister .... WE ALL LOVE YA xxxx

Ok Judie bake me cake please and throw it in the post address it to THE MANAGER @ Subway 46a Newport street bolton BL1 1ND .....  an I will welcome it over any sub o the day lol....

Well I have a nu laptop and a new mobile and a new coat wooooo ....lol....but they dont bring me the happiness that people bring me...and you lot my bunch of sisters ...make my heart melt xxx

I love you all ...our friendships were just about to flourish a year ago ~   ahhhhh xxx

sueps

                                    

      TO ALL MY COURAGEOUS,CARING,SUPPORTIVE AND LOVING SISTERS X X X

 

  

sueps

Thankyou so much for all the truly beautiful birthday posts xxx

I had a bday cake with 39 candles on hehehehe ...and lots of chocolate ...some britney spears perfume a mobile phone and a cup ... and some beautiful cuddles that didnt cost anything xxx 

Wren

Oh, I almost forgot--- Happy Birthday Sue! We both have our birthdays in Septemer. It's a good month, LOL. Mine is coming up on the 23rd... but I'll be a tiny bit older... LOL

Sounds like you had a nice day with a bunch of great gifts and cake too!

Hugs!

Anonymous

Kaloni, I know how hard this will be for you, but you will make it. Being alone is scary and hard, just like being told you have BC or any other crisis. I've been alone for almost eight months now and must take one day at a time. It is doable, and in the end life will be far better than before. As you know, when I fall apart I just do it here then put myself back together with the help of those who love me.

Shirlann, My mother started a tradition many years ago of baking a lumpy cake for each grandchild's birthday, pouring rocky road icing all over it, then decorating with tiny toys according to the child...dancing ballerinas,  bicycles, sports figures, motorcycle. I wasn't well and missed Connor's actual day, but decided to do a cake a few days later. It was a rush job, so I just used a cake mix baked in a muffin tin and piled the cupcakes up and poured the icing over them. Mom baked a chocolate cake from her fabulous recipe in a large baking pan and cut it into shapes to pile up. It's actually very simple and silly.

Jane, I pray that your neighbors soon forget about darling kitty as she gradually sneaks into your home. She already occupies a space in your heart.

Wren, so where is my PM? Details, please!

Sue, by the time it gets there it will be a solid mass of chocolate concrete!!! Hmmm...how long does it take, anyway?

Yesterday the Glass Museum and a long walk in the surrounding environs, lunch in a nice restaurant seated outdoors. The weather was incredible, the museum indescribable, the company delightful. I could sit in the "hot studio" all day and watch the artists create. It is a huge circular studio probably a hundred feet high with several furnaces...at least three...and bleachers for onlookers. The process is a dance by a team bringing the artist's vision to life. 

Today was babysitting Connor for 4 hours...Tinker Toys, a trip to the library where he was fully engaged and enchanted, a long walk on another gorgeous day, home to watch a Richard Scarry DVD from the library, out to dinner with daddy.

I am a happy camper for once!!! Life is good. (Who said that??? Judie? No way. C'mon. Who said it? Show yourself, coward!)

Judie

geebung

Well, little Blossom freed herself and was on my deck this morning. She ran into my kitchen, had a big breakfast, used the kitty litter and then back to the deck to sun herself while we all had breakfast.

Judie - the Glass Museum sounds fabulous! I would love to go there! And your babysitting day sounds like fun. What a lucky little possum Connor is to have such a lovely granny! I really like the cake idea too. So much fun. I can remember laboriously trying to make tains, numerical shapes etc for my kids' bd cakes but the landscape one sounds so adaptable - and yummy!

Sweet Sue - are you still going to hospital on Tuesday? If so, are you having Monday off work? Perhaps, because of the green gunk, your doctor will realise it is just an infection and just give you antibiotics? They may still want to drain the area and clean it up a bit so I am thinking you will still be going to hospital. Woohoo - a new mobile, new laptop and a new coat! How wonderful! Sounds like you had a good birthday!

Wren - I am silly...I did realise that you write the date the other way over there but I must have misread it. My middle son turns 27 on the !0th September. I think it's a great time of year to have a birthday no matter which hemisphere you celebrate it in! I will remember yours on the 23rd. Oh, and the job sounds great - I'm sure you will be so good at it.

Must go and do some painting.

Love to all of you,

J xxx 

NancyD

Hi all, it's so good to read that those who were down in the dumps have started to recover. I've been busy at work and started my rads last week. Plus my father took off to FL for a week, so I've had some extra work around the home.

Second week of rads coming up. I find it all very interesting and LOT easier than chemo. Just the logistics of the daily tx is an occasional problem.

As Judie said...life is good.

livesstrong

Quick fly by for me- how are you all?  Haven't read back that far.

Nancy - I found rad's easy, except going everyday - and I had to go in the dead of winter.

OK, Sue - spill it - are you 39 or 40 girl?

 Gotta get to work,

AE

lvtwoqlt

Hi everyone. I have something I would like to share with everyone. I have copies of the calendar!! My mom and I are the calendar girls for November the picture is great - even though I was having a 'power surge' during the shoot and my face and ears are flaming red! I didn't remember being hot until I saw the picture and I am like my grandmother and great grandmother, when the would get warm their faces would turn bright red until they cooled off. I will be able to send a calendar to you. Just PM me and I will give you the address to send the money to.

Glad to hear everyone is doing well.

Sheila

my3girls

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO OUR DEAR SUE!!!! I am sorry I wasn't here to give you wishes over the weekend. It sounds like you had a great b'day and lots of great gifts..esp. those cuddles!

I read through all the posts...and glad to hear that everyone seems to be doing so well. The weight loss thing is a tough one for all. I have had some success. I really haven't lost allot of pounds, but I have lost allot of inches. I am back into my pre cancer jeans!! That is a good feeling!

My girlfriend Kim and I had a WONDERFUL and RELAXING weekend at the cabin!! It was GREAT!! We polished off a case of beer!! haha...built a great campfire (we felt like accomplished girl scouts), cooked out, hiked, went to a local craft festival..came home..and jammed to some great music! We had great weather Mel., We only had a few little sprinkles on Sat. morning, then it cleared up and was fine all weekend.

I will pencil in Sunday the 20th MEL......IT"S A DATE! Let me know if anything changes. Let's plan on meeting by 12noon....like Nordies at noon!  Looking forward to it!

Ok...I have to get some things accomplished around here this morning. Also..I am "scheduling" in scrapbooking time each day this week while I am off work. I HAVE to get started on Olivia's photo albums!! Yikes!

Missing my Dennis!!! Have not seen him in a week!  Hopefully w/in the next 2 days I will see him.

love to you all!

xoxo

LIsa

livesstrong

Fumi must be having a blast - girlfriend if you are reading - WE WANT PICTURES!!!

AE

sueps

AE I am 39!!!!!! hehehehe  xxxxx 

 yes FUMI WE WANT PICTURES !!!!!!  

hahhaha Judie you so funny hiding like a coward ...lol... 

I love you sisters...goin bed goin in tmw ....the spot is shriniking I am so embarassed xxx

Good Night my darling sisters xxxx 

honeygirl

Lisa , I did it again! Sunday is the 21st , not the 20th. My bad. I think I look at the calendar for the weekend of , and Sat. date just sticks in my chemo/tamoxifen/menopausal mind!lol I'm soooo glad you and your girlfriend had such a great time. Sounds like you two had lots of fun.OK , noon at Nordies it is!xxxx

Judie , lolololol , I really got a kick out of your post. Yes , it was you , yes , you had a great time! I'm so glad for you. You really do deserve it. Your mom sounds like she was a great , caring person who loved you all very much. Connor is such a sweetheart , how could you not have a good time. Did you take any pics at the glass museum? That sounds like some place I would like to go see. Hope you are having a good evening.xxxx

Jane , Yeahhhhhh , Blossom is back. I'm so glad. She knows where to go to get some lovin!  Well , hope the painting went well.xxxx

AE , Sue's post at the top says she was 38 at diag. So I guess she is 39. Right Sue? Well , if you are like me , I stayed at 39 so long , my son and my friends didn't know how old I really am!lol Kinda like it that way...xxxx

Sue , don't you be embarassed! We and your docs all understand how fearful and concerning any thing that happens to us now with our health is. Please post tomorrow and let us know the details. Wow , lots of nice gifts for your special day. So glad you had a good birthday.xxxx

Sheila , will pm you. I'd love to buy one of your calendars. And don't think twice about the power surge face. We all know exactly what you are going through. I love the fact that you did it with your mom. How nice.xxxxx

Fumi , where are youuuuuuuuu? Come on now girl , you have to get a minute alone and give us an update! The waiting is killing me!lol Hope all is going well for you two.xxxx

Hi Nancy , glad to here rads are going easier than chemo. You are such a corageous lady. Can't wait for tx to be over for you , and you can really feel all better!xxxx

Hi Shirlann , Wren , Jule , Kaloni, Suebee ,Ulla  and all my sisters here. Love you all. Mel

livesstrong

Sue - you little sneak - had me thinking you were 40!!   Better to be safe then sorry - go tomorrow and make sure you let us know how you made out.

I have to tell you ladies- I just can't keep up with you all!! lol.

UB & I are doing good.  He stills get tired and is going in November for another CAT scan to make sure everything is OK. Then his port will come out.  We are still planning the move next spring/summer.  I am slowly cleaning out the clutter and fixing things around here. With the grace of God everything will work out.

Mel - was it you who asked about my weight?   First of all, the Pinkstock pictures of me are horrible. I hadn't showered in 2 days!  I have put at least 25lbs on since chemo. I think the only thing that helps is that I am tall - 5'9" - so it doesn't show as much - but you should see my fat belly.  I ALWAYS had the flatest stomach - not anymore.  Sigh.

Well I'm off to watch Seinfeld with UB.

Love ya's,

AE

Shirlann

Sue, lovey, please don't be embarrassed!  Honey we have all gone bonkers over the tiniest things, trust me, this is where you want to talk about it.  Just because a lot of us are a little further along doesn't mean your issues are any less scary!  I have worried myself sick, dozens of times.  So please, please stop thinking you can only come with the latest tennis scores.  We are just biding time waiting for you to come to talk.  See, we love you, none of your issues are silly.

I couldn't be happier than when you said "green gunk".  I almost flew down the stairs, shouting to Walt:  "Sue's got green gunk, Sue's got green gunk!  We KNOW that is not cancer! YYYYEAAAHHHH!!!  See, we love you, honey, you will never have an issue you can't come here with.  

Hugs and kisses, Mum 

Wren

Lisa! Yay for losing inches. I'll bet it feels great to fit into your pre-cancer jeans. That is what I'm hoping to do eventually, with help from Weight Watchers!

Sue, sooooo glad your bump is going away... whew!

and J, glad the kitty is back with you too...

Hugs to you all... I think I start my job on either Monday or Tuesday...

lvtwoqlt

About disclosing your age, at one point my grandmother celebrated the 25th anniversary of her 29th birthday. She refused to get older than 29. She died when she was in her 70's from complications from her diabetes.

I have lost weight on the 'First Place' plan. It follows the diet for the American Diabetes Association and there is bible study and memorization that goes along with the diet. You record everything that you eat and depending on how many calories you want to eat a day your amounts of protein, breads and starches, fruits and vegetables, and fats will vary. For me it is the writing down everything you eat and add it up at the end of the day to make you realize what you are eating that puts a curb on my eating. You also must drink plenty of water and exercized 3-4 times a week. My sister said she is going on it again and I may join her just so we can support each other, usually it is done in a small group setting. My sister-in-law started it at church and lost 50 lbs in 6 months but due to lack of interest except for our family has stopped the meetings.

Sue I did have a small bump come up after my surgery but it was more like a pimple that wouldn't pop. It was nowhere near the main scar but close to the bottom of the reconstructed breast. I didn't mention it to the doctor because I thought it might have been a stitch that didn't fully dissolve. I think after about 2 weeks it finally went away but I was constantly feeling it but it never popped just dissapeared.

portiasproudmom

Hi everyone!  Boy, it took me a while to catch up on all the posts.  Now it's almost time to take Chase to school.  I'll be back this afternoon to write more.

Love you all,

Karen

lvtwoqlt

I got a picture of me Sunday at the Woman's show and put it as my avitar. I didn't realize that the man who took the picture didn't zoom in  on our faces until I looked at it today. My mom is the one on the right. We were both wearing the Through Healing Eyes t-shirts and had a blast at the show. I met a volunteer (82 yrs old) from the hospital who makes the mastectomy camisoles and gave her a big hug and told her how much those camisoles are appreciated. She said she wants to give back to the community and making the camisoles are one way she feels that she can give back.

Sheila

portiasproudmom

Okay, I'm back.

First of all, I'd like to apologize to Ulla.  Sweetie, I'm so sorry that I didn't send the Biotin like I promised.  With everything that's been going on with my dad and all, I simply forgot.  God Bless Shirlann for sending you some.  Shirlann, you're such a blessing to us all.  Thanks for being you!

Sue, I'm waiting to hear from you.  Shirlann's right--cancer doesn't spew gunk!  I'm so relieved that it's probably nothing to be concerned about.  Please check in after your procedure to let us know how you're doing.  Love you, Sue!

Mel, I'm so sorry that your SO is still drinking.  How horrible for you to have to witness what the alcohol is doing to his health.  ((((((((Mel))))))))

Judie, can you believe that I still haven't gone to the glass museum?  My dh was the project manager for the light rail system in Tacoma, and he also did some work at the convention center.  We attended the big inaugural run celebration a few years back, and walked around the museum, but didn't go in.  We really need to do that one day.  I'm so glad you had a great day and that you're feeling happy.  You SO deserve to be happy!

Boy, don't even get me started about weight issues.  I don't know why, but my appetite has doubled since finishing my treatments.  I'll do well for a day or so, but then I pig out again.  It's very frustrating.  I hate that my clothes are so tight.  I really just have to buckle down and watch my portion sizes.

Jane, I hope those nasty neighbors forget about sweet little Blossom.  I can't believe people like that continue to take in more and more pets.  They obviously aren't animal lovers.  It's very irritating.  She is lucky to have found you!

I'm glad you had a wonderful weekend with your girlfriend, Lisa.  We all need quality girl time occasionally.  How funny that you guys finished off a case of beer! 

Congrats on the new job, Wren!  It sounds very promising.  I considered going into teaching at one point, and I think I would love it.  Getting cancer really convinced me that nursing is my calling.  I have to look into programs and get on a wait-list so I can start taking classes once Chase is in school full-time.

UB and I will be getting our ports out around the same time, Val.  My onc wanted me to keep it in for a year, and that will be on Oct. 15.  I can't wait to have it removed.  It's just a constant reminder of what I've been through (like I could ever forget--but STILL).

Rads really are so much easier than chemo, aren't they Nancy?  There were days when I really didn't feel like dragging in there for my tx, but the time really did go by quickly.  You've done so incredibly well throughout everything.  You amaze me!

Sheila, I'm going to send you a check later this week.  Reserve a calendar for me!  Can't wait to receive it.

Well, it's almost time to pick Chase back up.  Have a wonderful day everybody!

Love and hugs,

Karen

portiasproudmom

Cute avatar, Sheila!  I wish it was closer so we could see your face better, but it's nice to see you anyway.

Hugs,

Karen

lvtwoqlt

I will try and get a better pict of me and put it up. again sorry he didn't zoom in close.

Sheila

sueps

YOO HOO.... SISTERS

 I FEEL LIKE I BEEN STABBED!!!!  

I hope you are all okey dokey xxx I love you all xxx

The surgery went well, I went in the same theatre as the mastectomy only I was awake .... had a nice lil chat with Mr Winstanley (he did my first op) Anyway its in da jar !!! get the results in 2 weeks!!

Goin to work tonight to do a stock take...just me my pen and I in a dark spooky shop .... whooooo SCAREY!!! hehehe

I am in a lot of pain tonight (

Sheila what a lovley pic...it is sooooooo nice to see you and your mum!!!  You do so many wonderful things...we all love you xxx

Well I am just having a brew at my kitchen table ... gonna head off soon.... just wanted to let you all know .... and together forever we are xxx

Much Love xxx

XXX 

sueps

I dont wanna go out on a cold dark night WAAAAAAA!!!! I am soooooooo tired xxx

Sheila I would love a calendar let me know where to send the cheque to...and the postage to UK etc xxx

Ulla

1st of all..dear dear karen..no need to apologize honey..i told shirlann that with all wat u where passing through ,,am sure u just forget..and thats why i asked shirlann..i love u sister..

2nd..dear sue hope u r feeling better ..plz dont work so long..u need rest girl..

3rd to all my sisters here..thank u for being in my life

lvtwoqlt

sue, I sent you a pm about the calendars. I forgot to put in the message to make the check out to Through Healing Eyes. the cost is total $20.

Sheila

Shirlann

Jane, have you tried calling the ASPCA or the Humane Society, these people sound like pet hoarders and if they have any cruelty issues, they will actually convict them and send them to jail. By the way, your identity is kept secret.  Since you have to live next to them.

They have to provide shelter (if outside pets), water, food and VETERINARY CARE BY LAW, for any pets they have on their property.  That is the law. Good Lord willing, they will confiscate the whole bunch.

Yeah, Sue, lovey, how are you doing?  Hurts like the dickens, but it is GONE!  I am sure it is a stitch.  Sometimes they can just not dissolve.  Or even a hair follicle.

Oh Ulla, you look so pretty!  I am sending the Biotin soon.  Karen, you have enough on your plate!  For goodness sake, girl, you need a little time to just grieve.  This losing a parent doesn't go away in a day, it takes a long time.  And you never get over missing them.

Let's hope Fumi is so EXHAUSTED, ahem, she can't post!  But we are all waiting, oh, Fumi, did we tell you about the little teeny camera we hid in your hair?????  It was made in Japan.  hahahahaha  Not really, but that happens with James Bond.

Oh dear, I think I got Judie and Mel mixed up!  Oh my, I am so sorry!  I think I did. Shoot.

Oh well, I know you will forgive me.  And Mel, honey, you are only responsible for yourself, that is the only person you can control.  So just go along as best you can, it is not you, nor your fault.

Love and kisses to all my sisters, Shirlann