QUESTION OF THE WEEK

[Guest guest]

This is TOUGH!

I like my eyes. They are so dark brown that most people think they are

black. I dont gain weight in my fingers! lol I am beginning to see muscle

develop in my upper arms. I've only been doing taebo for a month. I have a

nice skin color ( look tan year round naturally and sometimes accused of

being in a tanning bed) and my complexion is always clear.

I'll give you more when I get more! lol

At 10:09 AM 4/24/00 EDT, you wrote:

>It's time for another exercise in positive body image. Quit your groaning

>Barb! I can hear you, LOL!

>

>Name 3 things you LOVE about your body!

>

>When I did this question before (or one similar to it) I got a bunch of

> " there is nothing I like " or " I can't name more than one " Well, those kinds

>of answers aren't going to cut it this time around!! Now get to bragging!

>

> who is worried that I will soon be referred to as the " brag Nazi "

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

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>Get answers for the stuff you don’t. And get $10 to spend on the site!

>1/2200/1/_/21226/_/956585353/

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>As Deb has said: " Fitness is a journey and it begins with the first step. "

>

>Visit our new vault site http://taeboon.isportsdot.com/

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Name 3 things you LOVE about your body!

>

Well, I love my arms now because they are really defined and I've

never had that before. I love my back for the same reason because I

can see the muscles in my upper back and I guess my abs are coming

along quite nicely (although, I can't say that I LOVE them yet

because they still have a little bit of work...LOL). I do love the

way my stomach is really hard in some places, though...so I guess

that counts

who has a hard time doing the positive self image thing, but it's

getting better

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/24/00 3:06:40 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

etcarroll@... writes:

<< my eyes (I just wish they weren't hidden by ugly glasses), >>

Your glasses don't hide them! They draw attention to how pretty they are!!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/24/00 3:06:40 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

etcarroll@... writes:

<< my eyes (I just wish they weren't hidden by ugly glasses), >>

Your glasses don't hide them! They draw attention to how pretty they are!!

[Guest guest]

I gotta " what she said " to two of 's brags and claim them for

my own: my arms are getting really defined (when I " make a muscle, "

my biceps pop up), and my back gets rippled with definition when I

flex there; in addition, I have definition in my thighs that I

didn't get when taking as many as four dance classes a day or running

6 miles a day. Oh, and my shoulders! I never had shoulders...well,

yeah, the bones were always there, but there was never any shape

there...now there is...lots of it! And the top four " packs " of my

abs are looking good, and the bottom two are improving! That's

five...i better stop and leave some for next week, huh?

;-)

F

> >

> > Name 3 things you LOVE about your body!

> >

>

>

> Well, I love my arms now because they are really defined and I've

> never had that before. I love my back for the same reason because

I

> can see the muscles in my upper back and I guess my abs are coming

> along quite nicely (although, I can't say that I LOVE them yet

> because they still have a little bit of work...LOL). I do love the

> way my stomach is really hard in some places, though...so I guess

> that counts

>

>

> who has a hard time doing the positive self image thing, but it's

> getting better

[Guest guest]

Ha ha ha this is a cruel joke right? 3 things that I LOVE about my body...my thighs...they are not big anymore. My eyes...everyone says I have a sparkle about them. 3rd thing...ummmm let me think for 5 years and then I'll write it LOL no really, the third thing would be.......(thinking) .........(still thinking)........(STILL thinking) ...ok my feet..hey I can't think of anything else that I love about my body.

MGTFD

Question of the week

It's time for another exercise in positive body image. Quit your groaning Barb! I can hear you, LOL! Name 3 things you LOVE about your body!When I did this question before (or one similar to it) I got a bunch of "there is nothing I like" or "I can't name more than one" Well, those kinds of answers aren't going to cut it this time around!! Now get to bragging! who is worried that I will soon be referred to as the "brag Nazi"------------------------------------------------------------------------Get paid for the stuff you know!Get answers for the stuff you don't. And get $10 to spend on the site!1/2200/1/_/21226/_/956585353/------------------------------------------------------------------------As Deb has said: "Fitness is a journey and it begins with the first step."Visit our new vault site http://taeboon.isportsdot.com/

[Guest guest]

LOL Barb...actually I was thinking of the third one for me, but decided I didn't know how everyone would react to tit so I put my feet..LMAO

MGTFD

Re: Question of the week

In a message dated 04/24/2000 10:14:16 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Agaw12577@... writes:<< Name 3 things you LOVE about your body! >>My boobs aren't down to my knees yetIt hides fat well for a short female(had to really dig for a third thing soooooooooosorry if the following is offensive but)It can reach orgasm easilyBarbwho can think of 30 things wrong with my body almost as quickly as its 3rd brag------------------------------------------------------------------------Good friends, school spirit, hair-dos you'd like to forget.Classmates.com has them all. And with 4.4 million alumni already registered, there's a good chance you'll find your friends here:1/2885/1/_/21226/_/956593354/------------------------------------------------------------------------As Deb has said: "Fitness is a journey and it begins with the first step."Visit our new vault site http://taeboon.isportsdot.com/

[Guest guest]

> > >

> > > Name 3 things you LOVE about your body!

> > >

> >

> >

> > Well, I love my arms now because they are really defined and I've

> > never had that before. I love my back for the same reason

because

> I

> > can see the muscles in my upper back and I guess my abs are

coming

> > along quite nicely (although, I can't say that I LOVE them yet

> > because they still have a little bit of work...LOL). I do love

the

> > way my stomach is really hard in some places, though...so I guess

> > that counts

> >

> >

> > who has a hard time doing the positive self image thing, but it's

> > getting better

Seems like we are all in agreement about our arms! I have to say my

arms right now are my best body part. I am always going to my husband

and having him feel my arm muscles! Second " favorite " , if you can

call it that would be my feet! Sad to say, but I have nice long toes

and narrow feet, with nail polish they look pretty good!LOL. Third

favorite I guess would be my cheeks. When I lost most of my weight,

my face really thinned out and people would notice the thinness of my

face and cheekbones first. I would REALLY love to say my abs, butt or

thighs were my favorite parts, but maybe next time! I'll just keep

pushing play for now!

Angie M

[Guest guest]

> > Name 3 things you LOVE about your body!

> >

> > My legs, my eyes (I just wish they weren't hidden by ugly glasses), and now

my buff arms.

Elena

[Guest guest]

> > Name 3 things you LOVE about your body!

> >

> > My legs, my eyes (I just wish they weren't hidden by ugly glasses), and now

my buff arms.

Elena

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/24/00 10:14:17 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

Agaw12577@... writes:

<< It's time for another exercise in positive body image. Quit your groaning

Barb! I can hear you, LOL!

Name 3 things you LOVE about your body!

When I did this question before (or one similar to it) I got a bunch of

" there is nothing I like " or " I can't name more than one " Well, those kinds

of answers aren't going to cut it this time around!! Now get to bragging!

who is worried that I will soon be referred to as the " brag Nazi "

- >>

Okay brag Nazi (LOL) !! This isn't easy but here goes:

1. long legs

2. my chest

3. my butt

I never thought of them as good for a long time, but my boyfriend has helped

me realize those are my good points !! He's so sweet !!

Pam

[Guest guest]

1) My eyes

2) My smile

3) My hair

Susi

who just had her hair color " adjusted " today

[Guest guest]

> Name 3 things you LOVE about your body!

Yikes! It's sure hard to get into that positive image thinking...

1. Hourglass figure

2. Soft silky hair

3. Breasts

Unfortunately, in my mind I had 'except for ' beside each item. That's hard!

Regards,

in Texas

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/24/00 12:41:23 PM Central Daylight Time,

Agaw12577@... writes:

<<

<< (had to really dig for a third thing soooooooooo

sorry if the following is offensive but)

It can reach orgasm easily >>

BARB!!!! OMG, I was taking a chug of water right as I read that!! Now it is

coming out my nose!!

LOLOLOL

who needs to go dry her keyboard off >>

OMG I DIDNT PAY ATTENION TO THAT ONE

ROMIE

[Guest guest]

Oh, there are many, many lucky people out there!!!! I am not even

close to most of these, including Barbs 3rd one. I think I am going

to go have a good cry. I used to like my complexion but stress has

turned into red cyst city, I've NEVER liked my boobs even when they

went from a B to a C, after trying on clothes this weekend, my stomach

is way huge - I could be a size 12 if it weren't for that thing

getting in the way. I tried on capris with a big shirt and looked

pregnant but when I tucked a shirt in, I hated the way I looked with

this huge stomach. I wish I was evenly proportioned.

I'll try, after all my whining:

1) my calves (15 " - used to be 13 " before Taebo - it's more defined

now!)

2) my arms from below the elbow (wrist 6 " )

3) my fingers (size 4 wedding ring)

All three things that didn't need changing before Taebo and are the

smallest things on my body other then my ears, nose, and eyes - can't

include mouth in that one!!!! LOL Small boned WITH A

HUUUUUGGGGGGGGEEEEEEE MIDDLE. Okay, I'm off to have a cry to get it

out of my system !

le

[Guest guest]

{{{{{le}}}}}

Go easy on yourself, girlfriend! It took many of us a long while to

get to the point we're at!!! It'll come...believe me!

;-)

F

> Oh, there are many, many lucky people out there!!!! I am not even

> close to most of these, including Barbs 3rd one. I think I am

going

> to go have a good cry. I used to like my complexion but stress has

> turned into red cyst city, I've NEVER liked my boobs even when they

> went from a B to a C, after trying on clothes this weekend, my

stomach

> is way huge - I could be a size 12 if it weren't for that thing

> getting in the way. I tried on capris with a big shirt and looked

> pregnant but when I tucked a shirt in, I hated the way I looked

with

> this huge stomach. I wish I was evenly proportioned.

>

> I'll try, after all my whining:

>

> 1) my calves (15 " - used to be 13 " before Taebo - it's more defined

> now!)

> 2) my arms from below the elbow (wrist 6 " )

> 3) my fingers (size 4 wedding ring)

>

> All three things that didn't need changing before Taebo and are the

> smallest things on my body other then my ears, nose, and eyes -

can't

> include mouth in that one!!!! LOL Small boned WITH A

> HUUUUUGGGGGGGGEEEEEEE MIDDLE. Okay, I'm off to have a cry to get

it

> out of my system !

>

> le

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the hugs . I am my worst enemy but you know, I never

cared about my body ever before - it's always been there and does all

that it needs to do. But with this last weight gain, I really don't

like much about it. After 14 months of Taebo, I am finally feeling

like my the hips are tightening up some and the top part of my waist

I

can actually see a rib - I should just be thankful I have all

working parts and that I am basically healthy. I will tell myself

that

10 times before I fall asleep tonight. Thank you for the encouraging

words - you are a sweetie!

le

> {{{{{le}}}}}

>

> Go easy on yourself, girlfriend! It took many of us a long while

to

> get to the point we're at!!! It'll come...believe me!

>

> ;-)

> F

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 04/24/2000 10:30:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

ravin@... writes:

<< 3) my fingers (size 4 wedding ring) >>

oy when I went to have my wedding band enlarged before TB,

it was so huge I blocked it out. Let's just say it was over doubled in size

compared to yours

A few months later I started TB and now have almost lost the ring several

times and havealready lost another ring too.

BTW cherish being small boned cuz you have the potential to have a much

better journey than my large boned frame

Barb

whose sister is small boned and I always envied her hands

[Guest guest]

<<Message: 11

Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2000 10:09:03 EDT

From: Agaw12577@...

Subject: Question of the week

It's time for another exercise in positive body image. Quit your groaning

Barb! I can hear you, LOL!

Name 3 things you LOVE about your body! >>

<<Message: 22

Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2000 22:17:05 -0000

From: " Susi " <susifloozi@...>

Subject: Re: Question of the week

1) My eyes

2) My smile

3) My hair

Susi

who just had her hair color " adjusted " today>>

Ditto - except Susi said it first *wink* ;-)

But I could add I love my body cos I'm in it!!

Jill

who's going grey disgracefully cos I henna my hair

and the grey bits go bright orange! *hehe* I love it

[Guest guest]

le,

I'm so sorry to hear your feeling down. I know how it is to

feel disatified with your body and how frustrating it can

be. Hang in there and remember you're getting closer to

your goals with each day.

Judie

--- le <ravin@...> wrote:

> Oh, there are many, many lucky people out there!!!! I am

> not even

> close to most of these, including Barbs 3rd one. I think

> I am going

> to go have a good cry. I used to like my complexion but

> stress has

> turned into red cyst city, I've NEVER liked my boobs even

> when they

> went from a B to a C, after trying on clothes this

> weekend, my stomach

> is way huge - I could be a size 12 if it weren't for that

> thing

> getting in the way. I tried on capris with a big shirt

> and looked

> pregnant but when I tucked a shirt in, I hated the way I

> looked with

> this huge stomach. I wish I was evenly proportioned.

>

> I'll try, after all my whining:

>

> 1) my calves (15 " - used to be 13 " before Taebo - it's

> more defined

> now!)

> 2) my arms from below the elbow (wrist 6 " )

> 3) my fingers (size 4 wedding ring)

>

> All three things that didn't need changing before Taebo

> and are the

> smallest things on my body other then my ears, nose, and

> eyes - can't

> include mouth in that one!!!! LOL Small boned WITH A

> HUUUUUGGGGGGGGEEEEEEE MIDDLE. Okay, I'm off to have a

> cry to get it

> out of my system !

>

> le

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

*When did this difficult, instructive, l-o-o-o-o-n-g medical journey begin for each of us?

It was either late 1988 or early 1989

*Where were we at the time?

My mom noticed that I seemed crooked while sitting at the piano, and when I "sat up straight" (as she was always nagging me to do), she realized that I WAS sitting up straight.

*How old were we?

12yo when I found out, just turned 13 when I had the surgery

*Who broke the news, and how did s/he break it?

Not sure who broke the original news. I remember going to my pediatrician and getting xrays done. The doc came in and told us about the various treatments of scoliosis. He said that if it's under a certain amount (10 or 20 degrees?) they just watch it. If it's under 35 degrees, they would brace it. If it didn't respond to bracing and got over 35, then they would do surgery. Unfortunately, nobody noticed mine until my curves were 65 and 70 degrees, so he pretty much told me I would have to have surgery ASAP, and he referred me to an orthopedic surgeon up in Madison, WI.

*How did we feel about the information we received at the time?

I was scared, but strangely fascinated that I would be undergoing such a huge surgery.

*How did our parents feel, if they expressed this to us?

They were more scared and nervous about it than me. At the age of 12/13, I felt rather invincible. So while I was apprehensive about the surgery, I was much less scared about it than my parents. Blissful ignorance, I suppose. Now that I am a parent, I would be a basket case if something like that happens to one of my girls!

*How did our families decide what to do next?

My mom went to the library and checked out books about it. She thought I'd have to be in a body cast for months like the majority of people on here had to do. But by 1989, the surgery was much easier to recover from - 8 days in the hospital and then I was home with no brace, no cast, no anything. Unfortunately, the Luque system didn't prevent flatback, and the numerous wires have been shown to cause nerve damage in a lot of patients!

*Did we feel we had some say in the matter, or was it all in the hands of the adults in our lives (if we were teens) or the health care professionals (if we were adults ourselves)?

I didn't feel like I was forced to have the surgery against my will, but I also wasn't really given the choice. The doctors told us that I needed to have the surgery or else the curves would progress to the point where my lungs & heart would be crushed. So it was presented as a necessary procedure if I wanted any quality of life in the future.

*What did we do with the information?

As stated before, my mom did more research at the library, which confirmed what the docs told us (other than the outdated procedure of using Harrington rods & body casts). I didn't know anyone else with scoliosis, so I didn't really have anyone to talk to about it.

*How did the decision work out for us?

I believe that the surgery did what it was supposed to do. It stopped the progression of my curves so that they did not cause me issues in the future. They did the best they could with the info they had at the time.

*Did we do the right thing?

Again - they did the best they could with the info at the time. I believe it was the right thing for me back then. Looking back on it, I wish that they would have had me start an exercise program before the surgery to loosen me up a bit. They commented that they didn't get hardly any correction of my curves because I was so stiff.

*If we had it to do over, would we want to proceed differently?

Well, obviously now there are better techniques out there. We were the test subjects for the procedures used at the time, and the docs DID learn things from us, both good and bad.

I am very happy that they took rib bone to use for graft material. They told me that they could use rib or hip, but they went with rib. From what I've heard from other people online, a person can often experience pain in the hip area many years after the procedure.

I also had breast issues due to the twisting of my rib cage from the scoliosis. I wish that the docs and my parents had done more for that, as it had horrible self-image effects on me in high school. My parents weren't very approachable about sensitive, personal things like that, and it sucked going thru high school with one side of my chest completely flat and the other side an A/B cup. That was before all of these nice gel inserts were so readily available as they are today, so I had to become creative with how I stuffed my bra and with the type of clothes I wore to hide the very large difference in breast size. In college, I finally had enough and paid out of pocket to have a single-sided breast implant put in so that they were even. That was one of the best decisions I ever made, as it allowed me to feel normal finally I bought my first tank top that summer and started giving people hugs since I no longer had to be self-conscious & worry about them feeling a hard lump where my boob should have been!

All in all, I don't think there is much different that I would do. The Luque system was state-of-the-art at the time, my surgeon was at a good teaching hospital, and my curves were very fast-progressing.

Any details you recollect will be interesting and useful to your fellow> Feisty members. Just hit "Reply" and write down your memories and> thoughts -- in 25 words, 200 words, however many words you are moved to> input -- then send your message on to the group. Please don't feel you> have to censor anything; candor is one of our dearest-held values at> this group!> > Here is the question:> > *** When and how did you first find out you had scoliosis? ***> > Thanks for your participation . . . And have a good, hope-filled day.> > As ever,> > > Rasche (aka "Eliana" and "poetryperson")> List Owner, >

[Guest guest]

This question concerns our "love lives" and romantic interests.Have you ever worried that someone might reject you because of your spinal deformity?Has anyone ever done so, to your knowledge?

[Guest guest]

Yes and Yes. It is tough to hang in with someone in severe pain much of the time. I think it scares people off.

From:

Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 12:00 AM

Subject: QUESTION OF THE WEEK

This question concerns our "love lives" and romantic interests.Have you ever worried that someone might reject you because of your spinal deformity?Has anyone ever done so, to your knowledge?

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.872 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3294 - Release Date: 12/03/10 02:34:00

[Guest guest]

Great question. I never got rejected for my scoliosis, or even wearing a brace

on my partially paralyzed leg. I had a problem with it, more than any of my

partners. As a matter of fact...my love life from the time I was 17 to 45 was

FANTASTIC...and then it all came to a SCREACHING halt. Since my husband left

and my flatback symptoms started, I haven't even been able to look at men. My

head is messed up enough as it is...let alone adding possible rejection into the

mix.

Flatback not only destroyed my quality of life, it has literally crippled my

personality. I rarely make eye contact with anyone. I can see it written all

over their face... " She'd be good lookin' if she wasn't so messed up " . That's

OK...after my revision (in 11 days & counting) I'll remember who took the time

to talk to me when I was looking down at the ground... & I'll remember the ones

that didn't. What comes around...goes around... & life always comes full circle.

I'm not bitter...I just won't waste my time with those kind of people. So I

guess getting back to the question of " did it affect my love life? "

Scoliosis - NO

Paralyzed leg - NO

Fatback - YES

Oh well....2 out of three ain't bad...LOL...........Kathy

>

> This question concerns our " love lives " and romantic interests.

>

> Have you ever worried that someone might reject you because of your

> spinal deformity?

>

> Has anyone ever done so, to your knowledge?

>