Introduction

[Guest guest]

> I look forward to meeting and learning from you folks.

>

> Sincerely,

>

, welcome to our group. You can see we are being silly today.

Elle and I started this group last year so we could have a nice,

friendly environment. What we have in common is Dr.K, but everyone

has had their surgery with him. Some have had to go elsewhere for

their DS due to insurance reasons. Some do not have a DS yet.

Some, like me, have had the DS and had the Tummy Tuck, too, with

either Dr.K, like me, or with another surgeon. We have a photo

album with reconstuctive surgery photos, too.

You can check us out in the albums.

Some of us were " virgins " and some of us had previous WLS.

I, like you, did not know about the DS and was researching WLS for a

friend/patient when I heard about it. I was thrilled because I

thought, hey, God invented this just for me! LOL!

Again, welcome.

Marta

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group !

I'm Melisa, wife to and mom to Brittany age 14, Kymberly almost 13 and

Krystina almost 12. I am a post op patient having lost 150 pounds! Currently I

am awaiting my plastic surgery to remove my hanging belly skin! I love life

again!!!! WOO HOO!!!

Welcome to the list...

Melisa Rechenmacher

Independent Pampered Chef Kitchen Consultant

For more information, e-mail me at

KitchenStore2urDoor@...

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group. I really enjoyed reading your intro letter.

lee felt lonely there in Texas being a DSer so she is working

in increasing the numbers one at a time (laughing). Isn't she just

stunning!

Soooo when is your consultation appointment?

Jo

[Guest guest]

> Hi, my name is and I live in Fort Worth, Texas. I'll be 37

in

> December and have been married for almost 13 years. We have a 20

month old

> daughter.

>

> I've always had a weight problem. Opti-fast (and any other fad

diet) in high

> school. Weight Watchers in college and after college. Nutrisytem.

> Craig (I bought a lifetime membership). Fen/Phen. Lean Bodies.

Adkins. I was

> diagnosed with minor sleep apnea. Solution from the EN & T doctor:

lose

> weight.

>

> I'm sure you all have been on this same roller coaster. I'm now at

my

> largest weight I've ever been and have come to a decision - WLS.

>

> I started the process to get a Lap-Band here locally in Texas. The

surgeon I

> picked is in a University setting and things have gone very

slowly - which

> actually worked to my advantage. I subscribed to a local

group of

> folks who have been banded. I began to see some real problems that

I did not

> think would help me out in the long term. There were reports of

ports

> slipping and leaking. I met a couple of folks who had started to

eat around

> the band. Not to knock these wonderful motivated ladies, but I saw

these

> folks get really motivated with eating right and exercising. Well,

guess

> what. I do that every time I start a diet. When I'm in a structured

> environment, I do very well. It's the long term that concerns me.

I started

> to have doubts that the lap band would be a good long term

solution for me.

>

> The other option was RNY. I considered the surgery to be very

extensive and

> did not want the complications described with the dumping.

Furthermore, I

> was also not really looking forward to having to chew, chew, chew

(another

> problem with Lap-Band).

>

> A funny thing happened one day when my husband & I were sitting at

the local

> Mcs. I had a woman tell me that she was once as large as I

was. I did

> not take offense at this comment - I wondered how I could ask her

what she

> did to get so skinny. Well, Lee (who's on this list) broke

the ice and

> said that she wanted to tell us what she did and that she hoped

that I did

> not take offense. I had no idea that DS was an option and upon

researching

> this procedure, have determined that this is the right WLS for me

and my

> husband.

>

> My lifestyle is somewhat sedentary. I work out of my home at a

desk.

> Consequently, we end up going out to eat quite often because it's

a quick

> way to get out of the house.

>

> My husband will also be pursuing the DS procedure.

>

> I look forward to meeting and learning from you folks.

>

> Sincerely,

>

~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Welcome to our group and to your husband also.This is a

fun group of people and any questions you might have they can

answer.Have a great time and ask away on ANYTHING you want to

ask

God's blessings to you and your family

Pat in Taft,Ca

revision 1-02 334lbs

now 185 I LOVE THIS SURGERY!!!!! Can you tell??? LOL

[Guest guest]

Hi , and welcome to our world -- both you and your hubby! I am one

year out (tomorrow) have lost 111 pounds (and stalled). I am going to be 50 in

December and the GR-DS is the best gift I have ever received. Just yesterday,

I bought my first *regular* sized jacket -- a misses large! Color me happy!

Ask all the questions you can think of, we are a friendly group (sometimes

full of teases and friendly ribbing, always willing to give support). I wish

you

all the best! Hugs and blessings, Ann

[Guest guest]

Hi SHelly,

Welcome! Post away! Ask questions! Get others' perspectives! DId I

mention we have a support group meeting every month in Farmers

Branch? It is tommorrow. I won't be going tommorrow as I am going to

a scrapbooking get together in OKC, but I am generally a regular

there and we have a good time.

So excited for you and !!

hugs, cindy lee

[Guest guest]

Hi SHelly,

Welcome! Post away! Ask questions! Get others' perspectives! DId I

mention we have a support group meeting every month in Farmers

Branch? It is tommorrow. I won't be going tommorrow as I am going to

a scrapbooking get together in OKC, but I am generally a regular

there and we have a good time.

So excited for you and !!

hugs, cindy lee

[Guest guest]

Welcome ! And God bless Lee for being so courageous in

speaking to you! I know I couldn't have done that myself. Please

feel free to ask us any questions you might have. I had my surgery

in November of 2001. I've lost 131 pounds so far. I'm hoping to

lose another 15 or so. I also had a hernia repair and tummy tuck.

I went from a size 28/30 to size 14. The difference in size is

great but the improvement in my health is the biggest difference!

I'm so happy with my results!

Best of everything to you in your journey!

Tracey

> Hi, my name is and I live in Fort Worth, Texas.>

> Sincerely,

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome ! And God bless Lee for being so courageous in

speaking to you! I know I couldn't have done that myself. Please

feel free to ask us any questions you might have. I had my surgery

in November of 2001. I've lost 131 pounds so far. I'm hoping to

lose another 15 or so. I also had a hernia repair and tummy tuck.

I went from a size 28/30 to size 14. The difference in size is

great but the improvement in my health is the biggest difference!

I'm so happy with my results!

Best of everything to you in your journey!

Tracey

> Hi, my name is and I live in Fort Worth, Texas.>

> Sincerely,

>

[Guest guest]

Ann, that is so cool! I'm so happy for you! What a dream come true

that must be. Yeehaaa!

Hugs!

Tracey

Just yesterday,

> I bought my first *regular* sized jacket -- a misses large! Color

me happy!

Hugs and blessings, Ann

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ann, that is so cool! I'm so happy for you! What a dream come true

that must be. Yeehaaa!

Hugs!

Tracey

Just yesterday,

> I bought my first *regular* sized jacket -- a misses large! Color

me happy!

Hugs and blessings, Ann

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Lorna. I look forward to hearing more from you on the list.

introduction

Hi Im lorna Wynn and I have Aspergers and I was dx inthe summer of

99. I t was a relief to get the name of why I was different from

alot of get in school as a kid. I had some ritualls and socaill

issues. I didnt show an interest in playing with kids until 9 years

old and I would play with them on my own terms. i WAS WANTING TO BUT

THEY WOULNT PLAY WITH ME. i HAD REPEPTITIVE BREATHING AND A

SCRATCHING HABIT OR STIMMS IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT. SCUSe the

capitals it was a accident, but any way I would like to get to know

all of you and give you support as well. I also live in the midwest

in Kansas. Lorna Wynn

Unlocking Autism

www.UnlockingAutism.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for parents who have a

child with AUTISM.

SeekingJoyinDisability - Prayer support for those touched by Disability:

SeekingJoyinDisability/

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Lorna. We're glad you're here.

introduction

> Hi Im lorna Wynn and I have Aspergers and I was dx inthe summer of

> 99. I t was a relief to get the name of why I was different from

> alot of get in school as a kid. I had some ritualls and socaill

> issues. I didnt show an interest in playing with kids until 9 years

> old and I would play with them on my own terms. i WAS WANTING TO BUT

> THEY WOULNT PLAY WITH ME. i HAD REPEPTITIVE BREATHING AND A

> SCRATCHING HABIT OR STIMMS IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT. SCUSe the

> capitals it was a accident, but any way I would like to get to know

> all of you and give you support as well. I also live in the midwest

> in Kansas. Lorna Wynn

>

>

>

>

> Unlocking Autism

> www.UnlockingAutism.org

>

> Autism-Awareness-Action

> Worldwide internet group for parents who have a

> child with AUTISM.

>

> SeekingJoyinDisability - Prayer support for those touched by Disability:

> SeekingJoyinDisability/

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello and thanks for joining! Your opinions and ideas will be a big

help to all of us!

Tonya Hettler

Cell 806-544-0347

TX Federation of Families, training specialist

http://www.txffcmh.org

Unlocking Autism, TX Rep

http://www.unlockingautism.org

West Texas Information Network, Owner

w-i-n

introduction

Hi Im lorna Wynn and I have Aspergers and I was dx inthe summer of

99. I t was a relief to get the name of why I was different from

alot of get in school as a kid. I had some ritualls and socaill

issues. I didnt show an interest in playing with kids until 9 years

old and I would play with them on my own terms. i WAS WANTING TO BUT

THEY WOULNT PLAY WITH ME. i HAD REPEPTITIVE BREATHING AND A

SCRATCHING HABIT OR STIMMS IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT. SCUSe the

capitals it was a accident, but any way I would like to get to know

all of you and give you support as well. I also live in the midwest

in Kansas. Lorna Wynn

Unlocking Autism

www.UnlockingAutism.org

Autism-Awareness-Action

Worldwide internet group for parents who have a

child with AUTISM.

SeekingJoyinDisability - Prayer support for those touched by Disability:

SeekingJoyinDisability/

[Guest guest]

Welcome. We have a daughter and husband with immune deficiency. I would

also second getting levels checked to see if she has any antibodies to her

vaccinations. This would help to determine if she has any immune function.

Some people produce low levels and some people produce but shoot blanks (no

function to their levels). Some do both. The entire immune system workup

must be done before the immune globulin is started because this will give

her passive antibodies and all testing will just show what she has received

from the IV doses and not what she is able to produce herself.

Sinus behavior is real difficult amongst these kids. Mostly I think because

the headaches (or sometimes migraines) that are involved with these

infections can be so hard. PID patients get infected into the most deep of

sinuses and have a harder time clearing the infection. Has your daughter

seen a clinical immunologist? Who will order and infuse the immune

globulin? The Immune Deficiency Foundation has a wealth of information.

www.primaryimmune.org

Daily antibiotic treatment is a standard thing for many of the PID's. Has

he named a specific one that he thinks she may have?

Isolation from school, church and other group activities is sometimes

recommended during periods of difficult illness. Some newly diagnosed

patients are already living in a type of self-imposed limited lifestyle but

doctors are careful to restrict activity because of quality of life. Our

daughter spent the better part of the first 3 years of her life in

isolation. By year 2 she was starting immune globulin and by year 5 she

was out of the house and starting a reduced school week for pre-K. My

husband was sick as a child and teenager but wasn't diagnosed till his 30's.

Obviously isolation wasn't in the cards for him but his lungs are shot and

his outlook isn't as rosey. So hopefully we've saved her that.

Isolating her at this age is a coin toss between real benefit and quality of

life.

Regarding the yeast. Since antibiotics are going to be a pretty often thing

I would suggest trying acidophilus tablets, yogurt or other culturelles to

help replenish the good flora. This might help. Has her T-cell function

been tested? CD4 and CD8 counts? antibody level to tetanus vaccination?

mitogen and antigen function tests? If low then this would help explain the

heightened problems with yeast and would also lead to a diagnosis of a more

involved PID.

Just some thoughts

Ursula Holleman

mom to (11 yrs old) and Macey (9 yr. old with CVID, Diabetes

Insipidus, colonic inertia)

http://members.cox.net/maceyh

Immune Deficiency Foundation - Peer Contact for GA

http://www.primaryimmune.org

IDF Patient/Family Handbook

http://www.primaryimmune.org/pubs/book_pats/book_pats.htm

/

[Guest guest]

Hi, Jeane,

You've come to the right place! Many of us have children who get IVIG

routinely. What immune functions have been checked? Did you doctor do

subclasses and titers for vaccines. If you have not already done so, you

should contact the IDF and get their material to help explain all of this.

I'm sorry that this diagnosis is yet another " hit " to your mom's heart, but

it probably will explain why your dd has so many infections.

Pam

wife to (17 years)

mother to , 10, Hannah, 8, Rebekah, 5, and Leah, 3

Rebekah has CVID and ??

Introduction

Hi,

My name is Jeane and andra, our eight year old daughter was

just diagnosed with PID. also has FG syndrome (deaf, GERD, breathing

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/5/2004 8:00:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

maryjeanedavis@... writes:

The constant use of anti-biotics also produces unending yeast infections

that are becoming more and more difficult to clear. The last two times we

had to use Diflucan and the pediatrician was very alarmed by this because

she is afraid that eventually she will become immune to that. I would love

to know how you all cope with this

My daughter has chronic yeast infections. She has to be on Diflucan

everyday! She has been on it for months now. The immune doctor has her on it.

She had

toenail fungus that was resistant to the regular meds for it. The Diflucan

is clearing it up now. I couldn't believe the immune doctor when he said it

would probably clear it. He is right.

Janet, mom to Brittany, CVID, age 13

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/5/2004 10:45:16 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

uahollem1@... writes:

If low then this would help explain the

heightened problems with yeast and would also lead to a diagnosis of a more

involved PID.

Ursula,

What do you mean by more involved PID?

Janet, mom to Brittany, CVID, age 13

[Guest guest]

from Dale, MOm to Katy, CVID, age 20

Sara, I would certainly look into home health care. That's what a lot

of patients on this list use. There are some really good companies out

there. I would do all the leg work -- making sure that my insurance

covers it -- then inform the doctor of your decision. Most of the

nurses that do infusion therapy know how to get veins -- occasionally

you get one that just can't get it -- but that is rare and they usually

have a back up that they can call. Once you've chosen a home health

care company, then let them call the doctor and ask for the prescription

or you can inform the doctor and ask him to fax the prescription to

them. Unfortunately, a lot of small doctor's offices are making money

off the administration of the IV. And, there's no reason for you and

your daughter to be so terribly inconvenienced. This IV stuff is hassle

enough without making it such a nightmare. You could be in the comfort

of your own home -- letting the nurse come to you! If he refuses to

give you the prescription -- I think I would contact the state medical

board and lodge a complaint against the doctor.

As Noelle's legal guardian, you are entitled to make the decisions that

are in her best interest. This arrangement doesn't sound right and I

think you are ready to make some waves. But, just for your

information, most home health companies won't take you on as a patient

until you've successfully completed 3 infusions at a hospital or medical

facility -- so you are exactly on time in seeking a better arrangement!

Best wishes for finding a better arrangement!

In His service,

Dale

Sara Drews wrote:

>hospital. He wants us to try his staff once more for the IV start. The first

time was an unsuccessful nightmare. I agreed but am having second thoughts.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sara,

I wanted to support what Dale said! Our move to home health care was the

best thing we ever did for Rebekah. We get the same nurse each time, aren't

exposed to all of the germs of the hospital, she gets to rest in her own

bed, I don't have to scramble for childcare, etc!!! We were terrified of

moving to home health care, but it has gone very well after a couple of

tough pokes at the beginning.

Pam

wife to (17 years)

mother to , 10, Hannah, 8, Rebekah, 5, and Leah, 3

Re: Introduction

from Dale, MOm to Katy, CVID, age 20

Sara, I would certainly look into home health care. That's what a lot

of patients on this list use.

[Guest guest]

We also changed to home health care after driving 1 1/2 hours to philadelphia

for an infusion that took ALL DAY! September 11th 2001 I happened to be pulling

into childrens hospital oblivious to what what going on around me. Needless to

say, I was traumatized by the whole thing, trying to frantically get home to my

other kids. I got so scared, I told them they had to come to me. It was the

best thing I ever did. Prior to that, I was terrified of home care (what if

something went wrong....) My Dr. told me I was taking more of a risk trying to

drive from Jersey to Philly than it was to get his infusion at home!

Anyway, the other plus was it only took about 3 1/2 hours vs. 6 or more! Now,

that time depends on the amount and the speed of your infusion, but for us, it

was a big difference in time, not battling the hospital bureaucracy.

We love our nurse...she has been the same one for three years. She is an

infusion nurse, so this is all she does...IVIG, Chemo, IV Antibiotics, etc...

We had a couple of occasions where we had trouble getting a vein...but we got

through it. I also found it is so much more comfortable for my son. Just

walking into the hospital made him tense.

I would never go back to the hospital setting if I could help it. Good luck!

Kim, Mom to - 8 (CVID)

From: Pam Mork <pmork@...>

Date: Monday, October 11, 2004 8:19 am

Subject: RE: Introduction

>

> Sara,

>

> I wanted to support what Dale said! Our move to home health care

> was the

> best thing we ever did for Rebekah. We get the same nurse each

> time, aren't

> exposed to all of the germs of the hospital, she gets to rest in

> her own

> bed, I don't have to scramble for childcare, etc!!! We were

> terrified of

> moving to home health care, but it has gone very well after a

> couple of

> tough pokes at the beginning.

>

> Pam

> wife to (17 years)

> mother to , 10, Hannah, 8, Rebekah, 5, and Leah, 3

>

>

>

> Re: Introduction

>

>

>

> from Dale, MOm to Katy, CVID, age 20

>

> Sara, I would certainly look into home health care. That's what

> a lot

> of patients on this list use.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Alan ( with 1 L ),

Happy you're here. This is a great group of people.

Susie ( with a S )

[Guest guest]

Hi Alan ( with 1 L ),

Happy you're here. This is a great group of people.

Susie ( with a S )

[Guest guest]

- welcome to the group. I have a 10 yr old daughter with CVID and my

husband is diagnosed with it. Our daughter takes IgG replacement but my

husband does not. When my daughter was not receiving IgG her levels dropped

in the 200's. They restarted it because they were afraid she would catch

something that she couldn't recover from. She had problems with fatigue but

no real deep infections. Is your immunologist a pediatric one? I would

think that at a certain level he would need coverage just to keep from

getting infected, not just to overcome an infection.

Have they done a DNA test for x-linked agammaglobulinemia (aka Bruton's)?

His levels are very low. His function sounds non-existant. THI (transient)

happens with toddlers but usually their levels are borderline or somewhat

low. His are lower than I've heard of with most THI cases. But if he is

clinically stable and has had little infection then there is hope. Did you

nurse him? If so are you still? Macey's not had problems with rejecting

vaccinations but then they've pretty much not taken in the first place and

once she started IgG replacement then they weren't needed anymore.

If he's not showing any quantity (the 110 level) or any quality (the

non-existant titers) then I would think at some point they would have to

decide to give them to him somehow. That would be the IVIG (infusions).

He's got to have them to fight infections.

Is he in daycare? any daily public environments? Does he go to nursery at

church?

Ursula Holleman

mom to (12 yrs old) and Macey (10 yr. old with CVID, Diabetes

Insipidus, colonic inertia)

http://members.cox.net/maceyh

Immune Deficiency Foundation - Peer Contact for GA

http://www.primaryimmune.org

IDF Patient/Family Handbook

http://www.primaryimmune.org/pubs/book_pats/book_pats.htm

/

[Guest guest]

Introduction

Hi and Good Morning…My name is

(31) and married to Mike. We have two sons and live in Cheyenne Wyoming. Our sons are (9) and (8).

After 3 years our son was finally diagnosed with Aspie. He had been

diagnosed ADHD

– 9 Aspie

8 – ADHD

**********Welcome to the group . There

are lots of folks, with lots of knowledge, so feel free to ask any questions.

If you don’t get an answer the first time, do ask again. I have 13 year

old son diagnosed with Asperger’s at almost 10. He also has OCD

(Obsessive Compulsive) and Tourettes. We all went through a lot when he was 9

trying to figure out what was going on, as he was so sad. I am happy to report

he is doing quite well overall at this time. He is a very bright kid always

teaching me something new! His main interests right now are Star Wars, History.

and being involved with a role playing group. Again

welcome, Gail