hi gang!

[Guest guest]

Hi Gang, I've been out of the loop for over 2 weeks now and am happy to return...I have over 600 emails that I can't possible read so I'll read the most recent ones... How is everyone? From what I've read thus far everyone seems to be doing good...Well let me tell you what I've been up to...Some fun but a lot of pain too... If you all remember Ally & I were headed to Houston for a Bandster Bash...Well we did go, but I was no fun...I was in constant pain and had to fly home the next day before any of the bandster meetings...So I missed out...I so wish I could of been more fun for Ally but pain is a pain and I was in pain...lol... 1st off I have Vertigo...Many people have it and manage, well my case is a lot worse than most...I had my 2nd bad spell a little over a week ago and passed out at the Post Office...When I came to there were a lot of people around me, they all

thought I had a stroke, since my fingers had curled under and my speech was slurred. This was caused from breathing to fast, which I didn't realize I was doing (hyperventilating). So naturally they called an ambulance and I was rushed to the ER, where they gave me my shot and within an hour I was good as new...Almost good as new since I was still in pain in another area of my body...So now I'll tell you about that only because it may help some of you from going thru it...Other wise I'd keep my mouth shut... One of the most important things is FIBER....Get in your fiber and lots of water...I thought I was doing a good job of getting in my fiber but I guess not...I became constipated and when I went I actually tore the inside of my rectum...You talking painful, it is...After 10 days

of being in pain and had already went to the ER (once with Vertigo and then another time for this pain) and to my OBGYN (went to him twice), my Dr. finally sent me to a specialist and he found the problem. He performed surgery the very next day and I'm all better...This could of been prevented if I had gotten in my fiber...If you have to take a stool softner such as the Equate brand of Colace then do it, I'll always take it from now on to prevent any future tears. Colace cost $14.00 but the Equate brand is less than $4 at Wal-Mart and is just as good. All I new is I had to be better by May 4th...One of the most important days in my life...My oldest son graduated from college...He is the 1st on either side of the family to graduate from a 4 year college...He is now going after his Masters...We are so proud...I know many of you are educated, I wish I were but I'm not. So I'm proud my son is going to be...I quit school when I was 14

and worked a full time job until I was 16 and then I married my hubby Jim (25 years this year), I began having kids at 18 and now I'm 40...I did get my GED at age 20...And I'm thinking of taking some college courses...Just not sure what I'd want to do... Anywho, all is going great with my band...I now weigh 145, 10 pounds from my goal...My family is telling me if I lose anymore I'll look sick...I never thought I'd hear them say that...I'm happy at my current weight, we'll see if I get another fill...And guess what...I had mentioned in the past that Jim wants the band...We are half way there on having the $...It is within reach, we'll be able to pay cash and not have a bill like we do with mine...I want him to have the peace that the band gives us mentally and physically... Sorry this is so long I'll make it shorter next time... Bye for now, Rena

Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out

new cars at Autos.

[Guest guest]

Rena: Good Grief, girl. Nothing like a little excitement in your life. So

glad you are better. Gosh, what an ordeal. Salads, veggies, granola bars

(low fat, of course). You have done such a great job adn we are so proud of

you and all of your accomplishments. So proud of your son, he will do well.

Stay in touch!

C

Tampa

> One of the most important things is FIBER....Get in your fiber and lots

>of water...I thought I was doing a good job of getting in my fiber but I

>guess not...I became constipated and when I went I actually tore the inside

>of my rectum...

>

> All I new is I had to be better by May 4th...One of the most important

>days in my life...My oldest son graduated from college

[Guest guest]

Hi ... How are you doing? How's the weight loss going for you? Yes, I've had a hard time but it is over and I'm doing so much better now. I've got just 5 little pounds to go to reach my goal...I cant wait...Although to hear my family, "If you lose anymore your going to look sick" that is what I have to listen to...I've weighed 133 before and I didn't look sick, I looked good...LOL...I have to say I'm not trying to lose it, I'm eating more than I should but I guess it's ok since the scales are going down...I haven't had a fill in months, in fact the last time I went to my doctor is when I got an unfill... I get to go shopping tomorrow, it's hard to believe that my size 10's are too big for me now...I guess

it's to a 8 or maybe even a size 6...I'm wearing dress pants today that are a size 6 and the shorts I've bought are all a size 6...But I know jeans fit different than shorts, we shall see... Yes, We're so proud of Josh...He's such a good guy... Well I hope your having great success with you weight loss. gotta run, ttyl Rena Brown DOB: 9/26/06 204/140/135 so close to goal...Yippeeeee

Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join 's user panel and lay it on us.

http://us.rd./evt=48516/*http://surveylink./gmrs/_panel_invite.asp?a=7 hot CTA = Join 's user panel

[Guest guest]

I am back after a hiatus of a couple months without the internet!

I am 5 months post op on my left TKR, the knee is doing great. Aches

a little (ligaments, I suppose) in this cold Indiana weather, but no

pain, and I'm walking better every day on it. Even starting to go up

and down stairs again, which is great! My right TKR is scheduled for

March 17, and I start with all the pre-op visits on March 2, and I am

soooo ready! I am so amazed at the difference between the way my two

knees feel. I don't know how I lived so long with both of them

hurting like my right one does.

I have had a little problem lately with my legs swelling, anybody

else have that? It's definitely edema, Maybe it will pass when I can

really walk again.

Good luck to all who are preparing for surgery, hang in there to all

in therapy, and enjoy to all who are post op and loving it! Seems

like a long road, but it's so worth it!

Talk soon!