How did it get to be noon already??

Yes, it did snow earlier, but seems to be warming up and clearing up now--no sign of it. I signed up to run the St. Pat's Westport 4-Miler, but opted to be "support team" instead. Camera, parking, etc. My icky cough is really hanging on. I feel all right, but sound like I'm about to die when I get to coughing. Mucinex is helping a little, but I guess I'll just have to stick it out.

I'm expecting my stepson and his wife a little later. They get to meet the Friend today. Tomorrow will be a busy day, with Palm Sunday church, theater in the afternoon, and a birthday party for my great-niece in the evening.

I'll feel like a Retiree when I wake up Monday morning with no place to go.

Well, a little picking up, and I'll be ready for company.
Take care of you!

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Just a quick fly by...

thanks, Shelley, for the info on 900 mg. just sounded like a lot to me.

DH did get to come home today, with 2 antibiotics, predisone and a antihistimine... swelling is down, but they say he stillhas infection.

Peg, so sorry surgery was postponed you get geared up and then whoops... gotta wait and get geared up again.. however, don't want a sick surgeon.

Barb... life is going well.... mmmmmmmmm special friend mmmmmmmm

Daily check in.... DDad had a pretty good day today. They did a swallow test on him and we were able to watch the computer screen as they were doing it. No doubt about it, he is heavily aspirating food and liquids. The doctor is going to recommend a feeding tube (PEG). Initially we didn't think he would go for it, but he was more receptive as we talked. I think he will decide in favor of it. Otherwise he will be in the hospital over and over again for what will probably be a very short time remaining.

Off to bed. We have to be up and to the hospital early so that we will be able to catch the doctor on her rounds. If he decides in favor of the tube, the surgery will probably be Monday.

Thanks for the hugs and good wishes. Back at ya with more of the same.

__________________
Judy
highest = 180, goal = 138-140
Every single time I put food in my mouth, it matters. No more Fooling myself!

Judy, I'm sorry that this journey is so difficult for your father. Modern medicine is a wonderful thing--up to a point. Then we just wish sometimes that there were a gentler way to get across the border, as it were. Prayers and hugs for all of you.

Heather, I spotted a photo of you in the Member Gallery yesterday. It reminded me why I thought you were taller--you looked, well, willowy. I'm sure you've never felt "willlowy" in your whole life--but you deserve to feel "petite" now. Take care of you!

Donna and Brenda, hope the puppy problems are clearing up. It's very distressing when our furbabies get sick--they don't understand that all the ickiness is for their own good.

Today is Palm Sunday, a festival at church. Lots of social stuff for me after that. You can be pretty certain I won't be checking in early tomorrow morning.

Actually, after being sick for so long, I'm really eager to get on with a new routine of walking and other exercise. I'm sure everything will fall into place pretty soon.

Peace and health to all.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Good morning!

Heather, I am glad you checked in and that all is well.

Barb, I had some strange bug that hung on for about a week. I felt OK but I had a hard time talking. Bob has a different bug now. I hope we don't start passing it back and forth.

As for tomorrow .... I can honestly say I wish I wore your shoes! Enjoy the first day.

Judy, what does aspirating his food mean? It doesn't go down the right pipe? As for hospitals and treatment, Barb expressed my feeling eloquently. Prayers and hugs.

Berta, how is your patient?

Shelley, wow. That IS a colorful Rooster, with Kansas sunflowers, too. But it looks very happy on your kitchen table! And Kassie is adorable. I never tire of seeing pet pictures.

Son Mark stopped by yesterday with my granddaughter Paige. I was informed that my other GD now has pink hair (I guess like Dixie!). Sorry, Dixie, but Mark is not a happy camper over it. D-I-L and Sarah are heading to Chicago next week for a "girl's weekend" so they will not be around for Easter. I will join Mark and Paige for an evening out on Friday to see Disney's Princesses on Ice, or some such. It will be fun to watch Paige's delight. Other than that, I did nothing. I did get to Sherwin-Williams to get more paint chips and I think I have finally made a decision.

Have a wonderful Sunday. XXOO

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

__________________

well, i'm not offended or anything, alida. not to mention that my parents are STILL none too thrilled with mine.

when my own daughter first wanted brightly colored hair, it bothered me somewhat, too, if you can believe that. but things kinda changed after a while, as you may have noted, both for me personally and with a little more experience parenting teens--i learned that appearance issues were probably the least important thing on that plate anyway.

__________________


Fat Baggage- Is Yours Packed?

Hi Gang!

How nice that I have had a few minutes to refresh myself on the past few days for all of us. It's been a nice long Sunday afternoon. Dh and I both fell asleep reading the paper back in the bedroom. He's always been such an active guy that sitting around is very unusual for him. I told him that I was glad to have him join me in naps every once in a while!

The surgery has been rescheduled for tomorrow morning. We have to be at the hospital at 6:30 so they can infuse him with factor 8 for an hour before the surgery. I was told by the Dr. that I can't get in before 10:00 when visiting hours start (after tomorrow), but today an older woman (sheesh, we are all older women!) here told me that she learned to go in through the maternity entrance early in the morning so that she could make it up to her husband's room! I was glad to hear that! The unfortunate thing is that I could be mistaken for pregnant at my present weight unless someone looks closely at my face! (Snort )

Barb: Enjoy the first day of this next part of your life! I do hope that you will ease into it gently. But, I know you, and you will be finding things to do without any problem.

Judy: Gosh, I'm so sorry to hear about your Ddad! Poor guy. I echo Barb's words. It's just so danged hard to come to the end of life and have to make such decisions. Does he have a Pastor there? It might help him to have a regular visitor who can talk to him about his feeling about all this. I suspect that he talks to you about it, but a Pastor can hear things that he may not be comfortable sharing with you.

Shel: The link you posted sends me to your journal. I don't see the pics. I wanna see 'em!

Bren: Wow, I'm praying for a job for you where everyone knows that you are darned overqualified and are kissin' your feet every day that they actually got someone like you!

Alida: Golly it's so good to see you today

Bert: I was thinking about you the other day when dh's surgery was cancelled. You KNOW about these things better than any of us here. Thanks for the good wishes.

And, speaking of good wishes..............I send them to all of you for the next week. I may not be up to posting. I'll see how I do.

Peace, Peg

Peg, prayer for you and dh. Maybe good you both had a restful weekend while the doc recovered. We sure will miss you and will hope to hear good news when you can post again Hugs, girl!

Judy, I'm so sorry about your Dad's condition. It's so difficult, and more so since he isn't where you can visit as much as you'd wish.

Shell, Kassie is adorable, and your Rooster is quite a handsome guy, too! Are you going to name him? (obviously I think you should) I'm wondering as I type if you are in mid wedding. You are one brave lady to volunteer as photographer. Hope all went very well!

Donna, hope you've been gardening or having other relaxation this weekend. I'm not seeing much improvement in Khaki, so I'll call the vet tomorrow and see if I should be by now. Here's something to think on, though. My friend Pattie has a nine year old bull terrier, a sweetie named Ruby, who has thus far cost her $18,000 in vet bills. Yes...$18,000. Makes our bills look pretty good in comparison.

Barb, how goeth the opera? Or should I say "wenteth."

MK, Susie and Rachel far, far away, hugs!

Bert, how's dh? Gosh what a scary thing to happen.

Heather, thanks for checking in! We old hens worry, ya know

Alida, thanks for mentioning the Kilz paint. It's certainly more reasonable than Benjamen Moore, too, so I'm going to keep that in mind next time.

And truly, I know you've "been there, done that." When I get down, believe me that you have truly been an inspiration. You have had to face a life alteration that had to have been devastating whereas I am only facing fear right now when you get right down to it.

In fact, many of you have faced true tragedies and I draw much strength from your examples.


I took a day off from worrying to help friend Diane with one of her aggressive dog cases. When "Gretta" first saw me, a stranger in her house, you should have seen the snarls, barks, and lunges--serious ones, too. When I left, about five hours later, Gretta and I were playing ball, I could fedd her treats, and she gave me kisses. If she has more good experiences with people, which Diane will set up, she'll have a happy, less stressful life. So something good to report, even though I'm exhausted!

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

quick check in............ another day at the hospital today.

Best case scenario is that we might be able to go home on Thursday. I guess it's a good thing that this is spring break and that I am not having to take off all these days. We should see a gastrointestinal guy today and hopefully be scheduled for the feeding PEG for tomorrow. Yes, Alida, aspirating does mean that food materials are going down into the the lungs instead of the stomach. Although he has some signs of dementia, overall, he is still pretty cognizant and is able to make his own decisions on what to do and how to proceed. Let's hope that this choice will allow him to get stronger and possibly get back to where he was a few weeks ago in abilities. Without this intervention, he would only live from 2-5 months. The chronic and continous pneumonia would do him in.

__________________
Judy
highest = 180, goal = 138-140
Every single time I put food in my mouth, it matters. No more Fooling myself!

__________________

Judy, my uncle Nen was having the same trouble with aspiration and had a feeding tube for at least several months--I honestly can't remember how long. He did get stronger, like I hope your Dad will, the feeding tube was removed, and he got therapy of some kind to retrain his swallowing. My uncle lived almost two years afterwards and was in relatively good health until the end. I so pray for a good outcome for your Dad, too. Remember to take care of yourself while you're at it, OK?

Abraham Lincoln St. Patty's Day hat, Heather! I love that visual.

Shelley, wedding report?

Peg, you and dh have likely just arrived at the hospital as I write this. Many good thoughts and prayers for dh and for you. Like I said to Judy, don't forget to take care of yourself.

Catch up day for me. Hope you all have a good Monday. Waves to each of you. I'll try to swing back later. Right now I have to turn the thermostat up. Grrrrrrrr.

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Here is the photo of Charlie and little M.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________

Quickly flying by...
Severe thunderstorms are moving in rapidly; so far nothing tornadic; but we are under a watch.

I spent all of yesterday editing, cropping and other wise *photoshopping* wedding pics. Oye! I took around 140-150 pics. It was a very sweet wedding; they are truly in love.

Judy...thinking of you; hope your dad does well with the PEG placement.
Keep us informed as you can. (((hugs)))

Peg...thinking of you and Bob as well. He is most likely already in surgery as I type. Prayers ongoing. Also, update us when you can...and take care of you!!! (((hugs)))

Bren...hmmmm....hadn't thought about naming *the rooster*!!! LOL.
My first inclination is to name him Rocky the rooster....LOL! Whadaya think?

Heather...hey girl! Sounds like a busy day for you...as always, huh?

1st day retiree....how now?

Alida...did you get everything worked out for the lead job? And....spill the beans on your paint job....what's getting painted...and what COLOR????
I'm still riding the fence on my LR palate...but getting close I think.

Susie...what's up for you today? Did the boys go back to school yesterday?
Will you get to go back to your part time status now?

MK, Bert...what's up with youz goils??? Bert...sure hope your hubby is much improved.

OK...gotta scoot...prolly shut down the computer for a while. The lightening is beginning to be impressive.

oh, yeah....

************

(((hugs to all)))
s

__________________
~~~~
Shelley
~~~~

Visit Kassie's Korner



Life deserves a treat now and again, but life also deserves being healthy[with required disipline] to make it worth living!

posting at the same time...Bren and Heather!

Heather...OMG!!!!!!! how cute are they????? Charlie is obviously eating up the whole St Paddy's Day *thang*, and little M is adorable!!!!
thanks for sharing.

s

__________________
~~~~
Shelley
~~~~

Visit Kassie's Korner



Life deserves a treat now and again, but life also deserves being healthy[with required disipline] to make it worth living!