Hello

[Guest guest]

JoAnne:

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I have said many times before that

CJD seems to take the most intelligent, talented and gentle people. I don't

understand it.

Your story touched me because so much of what you wrote about your husband

applied to my dad as well. It always amazes me how similar our stories are.

My father was also a lifelong deer-hunter and I am almost 100% convinced that

this is where he contracted CJD. I just hope that someday we will know for

sure.

Take care,

Beverly G.

[Guest guest]

Dear JoAnne,

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I am Robin Hawkins and lost my

mother on November 20, 1997. As you have probably seen all of our stories

have many similarities but something you said hit a note with me. When the

doctor said we all die of something, accident or illness. When we were going

through cjd with our mother we knew that was true, and seriously felt that

way. We were never mad at anyone just so baffled and sad and didn't expect to

lose her at only 70 and of such an unknown odd disease. We were not hunters,

did not eat deer meat, did not travel out of the country. It is a real

mystery to us how she got this. So welcome to CJD Voice, unfortunatly we keep

growing each week but together we can make a difference.

Sincerely, Robin

[Guest guest]

Hi JoAnne:

I just read your story about your CJD experience with Lee. Thank you for

sharing your story with all of us.

We all basically tell the same story ... especially the spouses. A

wonderful, outgoing, life-loving, intelligent, generous person is stricken

down by the most horrible disease known to mankind.

Your experience with the medical profession is not unusual. As you know,

many of us have encountered the same lack of medical awareness about CJD. I

think many of us were given the same initial diagnosis. You had some

unfortunate problems with the neurologists.

Please know that the members of CJD Voice will always be here to support you

with their love, strength and support in the days to come. You will meet

other spouses, like myself, who have lost their beloved mate to the demon

called CJD.

May God bless and be with you always....

Thoughtfully,

Dolly

=============================================

Subj: Hello

Date: 3/4/99 7:16:19 PM Eastern Standard Time

From: wvlee@... (Sisna Mail)

Reply-to: cjdvoice (AT) onelist (DOT) com

To: cjdvoice (AT) onelist (DOT) com

Hello everyone

For some time I have availed myself of all of your messages. I find them

interesting and comforting. It's time I spend a minute and introduce myself.

My name is JoAnne DeLange. My husband, Leland, left this earth on Aug. 29,

1998 of CJD. We had a very busy and happy life. It's taken me this long to

sort through all of my now responsibilities and perhaps become of some worth

to this cause. Lee was a very active, busy and intelligent man. An electrical

engineer by profession, he retired Dec. 1997, after spending 38 years at

Sperry-Univac-Unisys-Lockheed. He was on the city council of West Valley City

(just south and west of Salt Lake City in what we call the valley), a city of

over 100,000 which he helped to incorporate in 1980. During that year we were

also in London England . . . and we ate beef there. We have been life-long

residents of Utah. My husband, his father and brothers and our two sons were

avid hunters. They killed and ate deer, elk and ducks and geese. Our two

daughters and I have never found wild game that interesting to hunt or to eat.

We have participated in many activities and visited many places. For me to

guess what caused his death would be very difficult. But the shortness of the

duration of this disease (or, at least our awareness of it) was shocking and

all consuming.

On July 7, 1998, Lee was on his way to council meeting and came to me in a

panic stating that he needed help tying his tie. He had forgotten how.

Thinking he was teasing me until I looked in his eyes, I just sat stunned and

he was able to reconstruct what he needed to do. The next day he seemed to

have a spatial disorientation, as he tried to hang the phone up a foot higher

than the base; also tried putting items away in the refrigerator and missing

by a foot. Each day more and more things were out of place. By the end of the

week his driving was affected, as we went toward the median more than once. He

would stop for a red light in the middle of the block. Our doctor thought to

increase his blood pressure medicine and told me if he awoke babbling I should

get him to emergency. By July 23rd, we were able to see a neurologist. He sent

us to the hospital for an MRI. It showed three minor lesions in his brain and

quickly they started Coumidin, saying he had a stroke. He was also given an

anti-seizure medicine. His right hand was jerking quite a bit. But I noticed,

as he rested, that he would jerk himself awake constantly. He was in the

hospital for six days getting the required Coumidin level . We came home

feeling we had resolved the problem. The next week was horrible for me, as I

watched him deteriorate at such a rate I was afraid to sleep at night. He read

textbooks one day, Dr. Suess' Hop On Pop the next and couldn't recognize an

'H' the next day. He clung to the wall, as if he felt the ground was way out

of sight. Up was down, down was up, right and left were mixed up. I found him

in front of our closet mirrors trying to get out of the room. His handwriting

became eligible and he jerked so badly he couldn't sleep. Early on I mentally

visualized a picture of him under a sheet, unable to walk, talk or eat. I knew

that I was losing him. Each day I would have him repeat my name and each day

it became harder and harder. We had many people visit and I thought this might

be wearing him out. I called the doctor, who was very impatient with me. Then

called the hospital, who told me to bring him back and they would redo some

tests. I even solicited another neurologist, as well as a hospital prescribed

internist. They all maintained that it took time to recover from a stroke and

I needed to be patient. They had seen people in much worse shape than my

husband. They sent him to therapy? He was strong. The therapist wondered if I

was crazy. Nevertheless, as hard as I tried, I couldn't get them to understand

that he was deteriorating. The one neurologist, however, did say something

that has been very meaningful to me. He mentioned that people leave this world

by accident or illness. " Pick one, " he said. " Which do you want? " In other

words we all have to go sometime and can't possibly outrun everything that

will get us. I'm sincerely charmed by this. We are never ready to let our

loved ones go, but it happens! My husband could have been killed in an

airplane, a car or perhaps even had a major stroke. But he didn't. He went in

six short weeks of one of the strangest things I have ever witnessed. He

served as a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on two

different occasions and we have seen many dear people out of the world. Death

is by no means foreign to us, but this disease certainly was. The hard part

for me was that no one would listen to me, as I tried to explain what I could

see happening. I had read books on strokes and his condition didn't fit at

all. Lee was puzzled, as well. I asked him if I could call his brother and

sister-in-law who live in Las Vegas, to come and be with us. Being a very

independent man, I was sure he would resist, but he gave his consent. They

came as quickly as we asked them and stayed for the remainder of his life.

What a great blessing this was. Their support and kindness was better than any

medicine, as we all ventured into this strange science fiction-like

experience.

By the middle of August we returned to the original neurologist for a follow-

up visit and he was then able to ascertain some of the degenerative things I

had tried to tell him about. Back to the hospital for more CT scans and

finally an EEG which showed unusal/strange brain activity. By this time Lee

was semi-comatose and was being fed through a nose tube. This was on a Friday

evening. On Sunday all of our family came and he was miraculously able to

respond to them. His good nature never left him. The only emotion I was able

to decipher was through his eyes. He showed fear at times and tears many

times. His four children and their mates and 15 grandchildren were able to hug

and kiss him for a very special few moments and then we saw no more mental

activity. We took him home on Tues. and he lingered until two days after our

45th wedding anniversary, Aug. 27, leaving on his mother's birthday, the 29th.

I feel so honored to have been a part of this gentle man's life and also his

death. I was able to be with him as he took his leave, showing me such a

strength with which to carry on.

I have been so grateful to Mel Steiger for his concern and help. I was

dismayed to hear of Doug and McEwan. Their life is just beginning. I

wish there was something anyone could do. But, as it stands now, good people

such as yourselves with your great support, love and concern are our only

tools. What can I do to help?

Sincerely

JoAnne

[Guest guest]

Joann, thanks for sharing your story. It brought back so many memories.

I liked how you described this experience as " science-fiction " . That it was!

Everything about it was so bizarre that nothing could be explained. I think

the thing that shocked me the most was how rapid this disease took place. This

disease ravishes your brain literally within days. Noone would believe it if

we told them.

When I would tell people at work about her memory loss, they couldn't believe

it.

My mom's neighbor would tell everyone at the beauty shop about her condition.

(they both went to the same beauty shop) I happened to bump into someone

from the shop that heard about my mom (from this neighbor) She was shocked.

She said,

We thought (the neighbor) was senile. She's an older lady. She didn't

believe it. (because it so bizarre & rare of course) Well, thanks again

Joann for sharing with us.

e

[Guest guest]

JoAnne,

Welcome to the group...and thank you for sharing your poignant story with

us. I lost my vibrant, socially active, 78 yr. old mother on Dec. 10th, 1998 to

CJD. Your story brought back alot of very sad memories.

I don't know where I would be.....or what I would be like.....if I didn't

have CJDVoice and these wonderful supportive people who reach

out....listen....and go above and beyond to help those in need. If you every

need anything just ask....We are here for you.

Suzanne

Hello

Hello everyone

For some time I have availed myself of all of your messages. I find them

interesting and comforting. It's time I spend a minute and introduce myself. My

name is JoAnne DeLange. My husband, Leland, left this earth on Aug. 29, 1998 of

CJD. We had a very busy and happy life. It's taken me this long to sort through

all of my now responsibilities and perhaps become of some worth to this cause.

Lee was a very active, busy and intelligent man. An electrical engineer by

profession, he retired Dec. 1997, after spending 38 years at

Sperry-Univac-Unisys-Lockheed. He was on the city council of West Valley City

(just south and west of Salt Lake City in what we call the valley), a city of

over 100,000 which he helped to incorporate in 1980. During that year we were

also in London England . . . and we ate beef there. We have been life-long

residents of Utah. My husband, his father and brothers and our two sons were

avid hunters. They killed and ate deer, elk and ducks and geese. Our two

daughters and I have never found wild game that interesting to hunt or to eat.

We have participated in many activities and visited many places. For me to guess

what caused his death would be very difficult. But the shortness of the duration

of this disease (or, at least our awareness of it) was shocking and all

consuming.

On July 7, 1998, Lee was on his way to council meeting and came to me in a

panic stating that he needed help tying his tie. He had forgotton how. Thinking

he was teasing me until I looked in his eyes, I just sat stunned and he was able

to reconstruct what he needed to do. The next day he seemed to have a spatial

disorientation, as he tried to hang the phone up a foot higher than the base;

also tried putting items away in the refrigerator and missing by a foot. Each

day more and more things were out of place. By the end of the week his driving

was affected, as we went toward the median more than once. He would stop for a

red light in the middle of the block. Our doctor thought to increase his blood

pressure medicine and told me if he awoke babbling I should get him to

emergency. By July 23rd, we were able to see a neurologist. He sent us to the

hospital for an MRI. It showed three minor leasions in his brain and quickly

they started Coumidin, saying he had a stroke. He was also given an anti-seizure

medicine. His right hand was jerking quite a bit. But I noticed, as he rested,

that he would jerk himself awake constantly. He was in the hospital for six days

getting the required Coumidin level . We came home feeling we had resolved the

problem. The next week was horrible for me, as I watched him deteriorate at such

a rate I was afraid to sleep at night. He read textbooks one day, Dr. Suess' Hop

On Pop the next and couldn't recognize an 'H' the next day. He clung to the

wall, as if he felt the ground was way out of sight. Up was down, down was up,

right and left were mixed up. I found him in front of our closet mirrors trying

to get out of the room. His handwriting became eligible and he jerked so badly

he couldn't sleep. Early on I mentally visualized a picture of him under a

sheet, unable to walk, talk or eat. I knew that I was losing him. Each day I

would have him repeat my name and each day it became harder and harder. We had

many people visit and I thought this might be wearing him out. I called the

doctor, who was very impatient with me. Then called the hospital, who told me to

bring him back and they would redo some tests. I even solicited another

neurologist, as well as a hospital prescribed internist. They all maintained

that it took time to recover from a stroke and I needed to be patient. They had

seen people in much worse shape than my husband. They sent him to therapy? He

was strong. The therapist wondered if I was crazy. Nevertheless, as hard as I

tried, I couldn't get them to understand that he was deteriorating. The one

neurologist, however, did say something that has been very meaningful to me. He

mentioned that people leave this world by accident or illness. " Pick one, " he

said. " Which do you want? " In other words we all have to go sometime and can't

possibly outrun everything that will get us. I'm sincerely charmed by this. We

are never ready to let our loved ones go, but it happens! My husband could have

been killed in an airplane, a car or perhaps even had a major stroke. But he

didn't. He went in six short weeks of one of the strangest things I have ever

witnessed. He served as a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints on two different occasions and we have seen many dear people out of the

world. Death is by no means foreign to us, but this disease certainly was. The

hard part for me was that no one would listen to me, as I tried to explain what

I could see happening. I had read books on strokes and his condition didn't fit

at all. Lee was puzzled, as well. I asked him if I could call his brother and

sister-in-law who live in Las Vegas, to come and be with us. Being a very

independent man, I was sure he would resist, but he gave his consent. They came

as quickly as we asked them and stayed for the remainder of his life. What a

great blessing this was. Their support and kindness was better than any

medicine, as we all ventured into this strange science fiction-like experience.

By the middle of August we returned to the original neurologist for a

follow-up visit and he was then able to ascertain some of the degenerative

things I had tried to tell him about. Back to the hospital for more CT scans

and finally an EEG which showed unusal/strange brain activity. By this time Lee

was semi-comatose and was being fed through a nose tube. This was on a Friday

evening. On Sunday all of our family came and he was miraculously able to

respond to them. His good nature never left him. The only emotion I was able to

decipher was through his eyes. He showed fear at times and tears many times. His

four children and their mates and 15 grandchildren were able to hug and kiss him

for a very special few moments and then we saw no more mental activity. We took

him home on Tues. and he lingered until two days after our 45th wedding

anniversary, Aug. 27, leaving on his mother's birthday, the 29th. I feel so

honored to have been a part of this gentle man's life and also his death. I was

able to be with him as he took his leave, showing me such a strength with which

to carry on.

I have been so grateful to Mel Steiger for his concern and help. I was

dismayed to hear of Doug and McEwan. Their life is just beginning. I wish

there was something anyone could do. But, as it stands now, good people such as

yourselves with your great support, love and concern are our only tools. What

can I do to help?

Sincerely

JoAnne

[Guest guest]

Hi JoAnne,

Thanks for sharing your story about your husband Leland.Of course so many of our

stories are similar but the dates you mention kinda hit me,because my father

died on August 27th and was buried on the 29th,it just made me sad.Your husband

sounded like a very fine man,I just wanted you to know I care and if there is

anything I can do just e mail me...take care...

Hello

Hello everyone

For some time I have availed myself of all of your messages. I find them

interesting and comforting. It's time I spend a minute and introduce myself. My

name is JoAnne DeLange. My husband, Leland, left this earth on Aug. 29, 1998 of

CJD. We had a very busy and happy life. It's taken me this long to sort through

all of my now responsibilities and perhaps become of some worth to this cause.

Lee was a very active, busy and intelligent man. An electrical engineer by

profession, he retired Dec. 1997, after spending 38 years at

Sperry-Univac-Unisys-Lockheed. He was on the city council of West Valley City

(just south and west of Salt Lake City in what we call the valley), a city of

over 100,000 which he helped to incorporate in 1980. During that year we were

also in London England . . . and we ate beef there. We have been life-long

residents of Utah. My husband, his father and brothers and our two sons were

avid hunters. They killed and ate deer, elk and ducks and geese. Our two

daughters and I have never found wild game that interesting to hunt or to eat.

We have participated in many activities and visited many places. For me to guess

what caused his death would be very difficult. But the shortness of the duration

of this disease (or, at least our awareness of it) was shocking and all

consuming.

On July 7, 1998, Lee was on his way to council meeting and came to me in a

panic stating that he needed help tying his tie. He had forgotton how. Thinking

he was teasing me until I looked in his eyes, I just sat stunned and he was able

to reconstruct what he needed to do. The next day he seemed to have a spatial

disorientation, as he tried to hang the phone up a foot higher than the base;

also tried putting items away in the refrigerator and missing by a foot. Each

day more and more things were out of place. By the end of the week his driving

was affected, as we went toward the median more than once. He would stop for a

red light in the middle of the block. Our doctor thought to increase his blood

pressure medicine and told me if he awoke babbling I should get him to

emergency. By July 23rd, we were able to see a neurologist. He sent us to the

hospital for an MRI. It showed three minor leasions in his brain and quickly

they started Coumidin, saying he had a stroke. He was also given an anti-seizure

medicine. His right hand was jerking quite a bit. But I noticed, as he rested,

that he would jerk himself awake constantly. He was in the hospital for six days

getting the required Coumidin level . We came home feeling we had resolved the

problem. The next week was horrible for me, as I watched him deteriorate at such

a rate I was afraid to sleep at night. He read textbooks one day, Dr. Suess' Hop

On Pop the next and couldn't recognize an 'H' the next day. He clung to the

wall, as if he felt the ground was way out of sight. Up was down, down was up,

right and left were mixed up. I found him in front of our closet mirrors trying

to get out of the room. His handwriting became eligible and he jerked so badly

he couldn't sleep. Early on I mentally visualized a picture of him under a

sheet, unable to walk, talk or eat. I knew that I was losing him. Each day I

would have him repeat my name and each day it became harder and harder. We had

many people visit and I thought this might be wearing him out. I called the

doctor, who was very impatient with me. Then called the hospital, who told me to

bring him back and they would redo some tests. I even solicited another

neurologist, as well as a hospital prescribed internist. They all maintained

that it took time to recover from a stroke and I needed to be patient. They had

seen people in much worse shape than my husband. They sent him to therapy? He

was strong. The therapist wondered if I was crazy. Nevertheless, as hard as I

tried, I couldn't get them to understand that he was deteriorating. The one

neurologist, however, did say something that has been very meaningful to me. He

mentioned that people leave this world by accident or illness. " Pick one, " he

said. " Which do you want? " In other words we all have to go sometime and can't

possibly outrun everything that will get us. I'm sincerely charmed by this. We

are never ready to let our loved ones go, but it happens! My husband could have

been killed in an airplane, a car or perhaps even had a major stroke. But he

didn't. He went in six short weeks of one of the strangest things I have ever

witnessed. He served as a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints on two different occasions and we have seen many dear people out of the

world. Death is by no means foreign to us, but this disease certainly was. The

hard part for me was that no one would listen to me, as I tried to explain what

I could see happening. I had read books on strokes and his condition didn't fit

at all. Lee was puzzled, as well. I asked him if I could call his brother and

sister-in-law who live in Las Vegas, to come and be with us. Being a very

independent man, I was sure he would resist, but he gave his consent. They came

as quickly as we asked them and stayed for the remainder of his life. What a

great blessing this was. Their support and kindness was better than any

medicine, as we all ventured into this strange science fiction-like experience.

By the middle of August we returned to the original neurologist for a

follow-up visit and he was then able to ascertain some of the degenerative

things I had tried to tell him about. Back to the hospital for more CT scans

and finally an EEG which showed unusal/strange brain activity. By this time Lee

was semi-comatose and was being fed through a nose tube. This was on a Friday

evening. On Sunday all of our family came and he was miraculously able to

respond to them. His good nature never left him. The only emotion I was able to

decipher was through his eyes. He showed fear at times and tears many times. His

four children and their mates and 15 grandchildren were able to hug and kiss him

for a very special few moments and then we saw no more mental activity. We took

him home on Tues. and he lingered until two days after our 45th wedding

anniversary, Aug. 27, leaving on his mother's birthday, the 29th. I feel so

honored to have been a part of this gentle man's life and also his death. I was

able to be with him as he took his leave, showing me such a strength with which

to carry on.

I have been so grateful to Mel Steiger for his concern and help. I was

dismayed to hear of Doug and McEwan. Their life is just beginning. I wish

there was something anyone could do. But, as it stands now, good people such as

yourselves with your great support, love and concern are our only tools. What

can I do to help?

Sincerely

JoAnne

[Guest guest]

Dearest Joanne -

Thank you for your introduction. You are indeed among friends and people

who know what you've been through. I sat here reading tonight with tears

running down my face. My Dad passed away on June 7, 1998 and it is still

so fresh in my mind. We cared for him at home and watched as you did how

he deteriorated so quickly from healthy to gone in such a short time.

We are trying to be here for each other and I feel that my outlet for my

emotions, both good and sad, has helped me to proceed through the grieving

process.

Glad to have you with us.

Shar

[Guest guest]

Hello again, ,

It might surprise you to know that my husband died two years ago and his

neurologist knew little about CJD. A lot has happened in two years. There

is more information now than ever before. CJD Voice can take credit for some

of that because we keep contacting and pushing.

What type of dementia diseases do you work with? Do you ever see the rapid

progression in your patients? If so, would you be willing to suggest the CSF

test for the 14-3-3 protein (with clinical history and an EEG). Dr. Gibbs at

NIH would perform the 14-3-3 protein test. Do you deal with Alzheimers'

patients?

We are holding our first conference at Indiana University in June. Would you

like to attend?

http://members.aol.com/larmstr853/cjdvoice/meeting.htm " >CJD Voice

Conference

The link will give you more information..................Pat

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

Welcome to CJD Voice. I am Robin Hawkins and lost my Mother to CJD in

November of 1997. My sister and I were so glad to find CJD Voice after this

terrible thing happened as there was no support for us then. You will find

we are caring, supportive and determined to help find a treatment for this

disease. I live in Indiana, just right outside of Fort Wayne. CJD Voice is

having a first time conference in Bloomington, Indiana on June 14th. We are

having many interesting people come and speak with us. If you would like

more information just contact me privately at XOXOBB@....

Many of us on the group are also putting together a Memorial Quilt of CJD

Victims and if you would like your Mother included would you please send me

her name, date of death, age and country. Also if you know embroidery or

quilting we would be glad to have you help us.

Through us may you find help with unanswered questions that I am sure that

you have.

Sincerely, Robin

[Guest guest]

Hi :

Welcome to CJD Voice! I'm Liz, I know what you've been through losing your

dad to CJD. My Dad died 3 years ago this past Thursday from CJD and it still

isn't any easier. We will eventually get the answers to our questions!

Take care.

Liz

[Guest guest]

Juli,

I am glad you got that figured out!! Now with that fixed you can start losing

again!! What exactly do you have to quit eating to remedy that situation???

Bear Biologist!!! How cool!!!

Hugs

Penny---Ohio

173/154/130

Goal for TG ----- 154

!!!!!!!!Go Dolphins!!!!!!!!!

List Owner---ICQ#51429926

http://members.xoom.com/Shadcat708/LC.html

http://members.xoom.com/Shadcat708/lowcarbrecipes.html

http://www.geocities.com/shadcat708/The__Home.html

[Guest guest]

hi kimberly, my name is kyki and i remember you from another list. glad to

have you here, your website is what made me turn to this WOL, so i'm real

happy to see you joining us. you'll love it here.

kyki

210/198*/150 (10/25/99) *new number

mini goal 190 by december 1st cuz it's my birthday!

[Guest guest]

VERY COOL PAGE KIM!

:-)

[Guest guest]

welcome kim... enjoy!!

Jo in GA

216/203/165

Thanksgiving Goal = 195

[Guest guest]

To "Big Girl"

I have just joined the gang and do not recall your questions. I am "pre-op" so do not have the experience of others, but I don't mind being a support person! I have joined this group to establish a support network because I also have no local support group.

I would like to clarify something though. I am a little confused by your original message. The email was marked from but you refer to yourself as a "Big Girl!?" So what's the story?

From Judith

HELLO

Hello

what do you need to do or say to get an answer around this place I have asked a few questions and I have not been answered there is no support group where I live so I have to go it alone but hey I'm a big girl I will do it

thanks for all your helpozband website: http://www.ozband.com

[Guest guest]

Hello Antonietta

good luck for Friday. You will be fine.It is the best thing you will ever do for yourself.

Sharlene from Perth

Hello>Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 04:42:53 -0000>>Hi Everyone,> I wish I had found this earlier !!!>I am having my surgery on Nov 2nd and am very excited but also>extremely anxious, moody, teary and scared. It is such a weird>feeling.> I am very afraid of failure. Has anyone experienced no weight loss>or eventual weight gain??>Has anyone experienced hair loss??>Your feed back would be great.>Antonietta>_________________________________________________________________Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

[Guest guest]

Hi antonietta, I too was 130 kg and at last weigh in I was 112. I can now gareden and walked a distance without stopping...The band is one of the best things I have done .. I was banded in april and when I read some letters where others have lost alot more I have to realize we are different. My son who has done a fitness course said "mum forget about the kg and think of tubs of margarine ,," THat would mean I have lost 36 tubs of margarine and that makes me feel good. Be positive Lol Ann Re: Hello Hi Sue, Thanks for your well wishes! Yes, I have found that it has been great talking with the group and has given me alot more confidence and positive feedback although I am still scared! I think my weight is approx 130kg but I will confirm this on Fri when I am admitted, you probably think it is a bit silly that I don't know my weight but I have spent years avoiding seeing how much I weigh. I am a size 26. My boyfriend also tooks some photos of me on the weekend to document my journey as I have no photos because I have always avoided the camera. Hope fully i will see a difference in a few months time and as the nurse at the hospital I will be staying at so beautifully put it "melting away" . How long has it been since your surgery and how are you gioing at the moment. Living in the Sunshine coast I'm sure summers will be easier to face now with the weight loss!! Antonietta Sue wrote: Hi Antionetta & welcome,I see a couple of the girls have answered yourquestions, so I will just pop in & say hello & all thebest for 2nd.You will find us generally, a happy bunch of veryinformative people.Do you mind if I ask how much you weigh at the moment, & your height? If you prefer to keep this info toyourself, once again, you are amongst people thatunderstand.In fact, anything & everything you are & will feel isexactly the same as all of us at some time or another,so don't ever be afraid to ask questions. Eventuallysomeone will answer you!Best WishesSue on the Sunshine Coast--- antie29@... wrote:> Hi Everyone,> I wish I had found this earlier !!!> I am having my surgery on Nov 2nd and am very> excited but also > extremely anxious, moody, teary and scared. It is> such a weird > feeling.> I am very afraid of failure. Has anyone experienced> no weight loss > or eventual weight gain??> Has anyone experienced hair loss??> Your feed back would be great.> Antonietta > > =====THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FLOWER AND A WEED, IS A JUDGEMENT!__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Antonia,

just to reassure you, I had my surgery just over 5 weeks ago and as i am

sure every one will atest to. i was the biggest wimp here when it came to

the surgery. i was convinced it was all going to go horribly wrong.. but it

was over in a flash and 5 weeks on i have lost nearly 15 kilos.. (everyones

loss is different, but i'm sure you will do well.. )

I have no regrets and believe that it was the right thing to do... you will

be fine..keep smiling..first week is hard and it does hurt but grit your

teeth cause it will all be worth it..

Mikey..

>

>Reply-To: ozband

>To: ozband >

>Subject: RE: Hello

>Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2001 07:09:17 +0800

>

>Hello Antonietta

>good luck for Friday. You will be fine.It is the best thing you will ever

>do

>for yourself.

>Sharlene from Perth

> Hello

> >Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 04:42:53 -0000

> >

> >Hi Everyone,

> > I wish I had found this earlier !!!

> >I am having my surgery on Nov 2nd and am very excited but also

> >extremely anxious, moody, teary and scared. It is such a weird

> >feeling.

> > I am very afraid of failure. Has anyone experienced no weight loss

> >or eventual weight gain??

> >Has anyone experienced hair loss??

> >Your feed back would be great.

> >Antonietta

> >

>

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

>http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

>

>

>

> ozband website:

> http://www.ozband.com

>

>

[Guest guest]

Antonietta,

Good on you, enjoy your last few days. I think it's so fantastic that out of

all the emails you have received EVERYONE has said it is the best thing they

have ever done. That has to say something hey?

To me that says it is more about changing your life than how many kilos in

what timeframe.

Good Luck

bev from Ferntree Gully

>

>Reply-To: ozband

>To: ozband

>Subject: Re: Hello

>Date: Sun, 28 Oct 2001 15:06:23 -0800 (PST)

>

>

>Bev,

>Thanks for your support, it is very appreciated and I did enjoy a lovely

>last supper on Sat evening, (a dessert at a restaurant shared with my

>boyfiend which did not have any guilt associated with it!!!) I think

>it was the best tasting dessert I have had for a long time just because it

>has the guilt ingredient missing !!!

>Wher abouts are you from in Aust ???

>

>Antonietta

>

> Bev O'Loughlin bevy44@...> wrote: Antonietta,

>I know every one else has said the same thing, but I will say it again.

>What

>you are feeling is really normal and for me I felt like i was mourning the

>loss of my best friend - food.

>But once you are banded, you can still have what you want, but just small

>amounts of it. It is by far the greatest thing I have ever done for myself

>as a person and as an act of self love. I used to say I've only lost 9

>kilos, but then I had to change my thinking and be grateful for my loss no

>matter what size and now i feel like wow, I've lost 12 kilos and it's

>amazing.

>I have had some bad times where I ahve eated too much hich fat food (mainly

>when I'm premenstrual) but with the band I still lost 2 kilos that month,

>where before I would have put on two kilos.

>Don't worry, but don't deny yourself what you are feeling now and go out

>and

>enjoy a few last suppers while you can.

>Good luck

>luv

>bev

>banded 25/6/01

>122/110/70-80

>

>

> >From: antie29@...

> >Reply-To: ozband

> >To: ozband

> >Subject: Hello

> >Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 04:42:53 -0000

> >

> >Hi Everyone,

> > I wish I had found this earlier !!!

> >I am having my surgery on Nov 2nd and am very excited but also

> >extremely anxious, moody, teary and scared. It is such a weird

> >feeling.

> > I am very afraid of failure. Has anyone experienced no weight loss

> >or eventual weight gain??

> >Has anyone experienced hair loss??

> >Your feed back would be great.

> >Antonietta

> >

>

>

>_________________________________________________________________

>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

>

>

>

>ozband website:

>http://www.ozband.com

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Antoinetta,

I also see Dr Dumbrell.

Have you been to any meetings?

Are you going to the next one?

Sharon

97.5/89.5/70

--- antonietta gent antie29@...> wrote:

>

> Hi ,

> Thanks for your best wishes.

> I am in Melb and my specialist is Dr Drumbell.

> I can't sleep at nights because I am so anxious,

> nervous and excited. (Not to mention the

> overwhelming fear of failure feeling which I have

> experiences many times before but it is so intense

> at the moment)

> Who is your surgeon and wher in Aust do you live. i

> am happy to converse with you on a regular basis to

> keep you updated on the process and how I am

> feeling.

> Ta

> Antonietta

> Darren and

> moniquemitchell@...> wrote: Hi

> Antonietta,

>

> Good luck for your op next week. I'm getting banded

> on the 22nd of November

> who is your specialist?

>

> Regards,

>

>

>

> Hello

>

>

> > Hi Everyone,

> > I wish I had found this earlier !!!

> > I am having my surgery on Nov 2nd and am very

> excited but also

> > extremely anxious, moody, teary and scared. It is

> such a weird

> > feeling.

> > I am very afraid of failure. Has anyone

> experienced no weight loss

> > or eventual weight gain??

> > Has anyone experienced hair loss??

> > Your feed back would be great.

> > Antonietta

> >

> >

> >

> > ozband website:

> > http://www.ozband.com

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon,

Yes I have been to the last two meetings and hope to go to each

meeting on a reqular basis as I think they are a great support. Tell

me about your surgery etc and hopefully we will meet up at the next

meeting!

Antonietta

Hi

> > Antonietta,

> >

> > Good luck for your op next week. I'm getting banded

> > on the 22nd of November

> > who is your specialist?

> >

> > Regards,

> >

> >

> >

> > Hello

> >

> >

> > > Hi Everyone,

> > > I wish I had found this earlier !!!

> > > I am having my surgery on Nov 2nd and am very

> > excited but also

> > > extremely anxious, moody, teary and scared. It is

> > such a weird

> > > feeling.

> > > I am very afraid of failure. Has anyone

> > experienced no weight loss

> > > or eventual weight gain??

> > > Has anyone experienced hair loss??

> > > Your feed back would be great.

> > > Antonietta

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ozband website:

> > > http://www.ozband.com

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Hi Antonietta,

I was banded 27th July 2001 at Warringal. The staff

there are great. I met while I was in there.

I keep in touch with a couple of people from Dumbrells

rooms.

I am still learning to cope and adjust with my band.

As my last post stated, I am not having a very good

day, as I sit here with the vomit bucket next to me.

It will be worth while I just know it will.

Sharon

--- antie29@... wrote:

>

> Hi Sharon,

> Yes I have been to the last two meetings and hope

> to go to each

> meeting on a reqular basis as I think they are a

> great support. Tell

> me about your surgery etc and hopefully we will meet

> up at the next

> meeting!

> Antonietta

> Hi

> > > Antonietta,

> > >

> > > Good luck for your op next week. I'm getting

> banded

> > > on the 22nd of November

> > > who is your specialist?

> > >

> > > Regards,

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Hello

> > >

> > >

> > > > Hi Everyone,

> > > > I wish I had found this earlier !!!

> > > > I am having my surgery on Nov 2nd and am very

> > > excited but also

> > > > extremely anxious, moody, teary and scared. It

> is

> > > such a weird

> > > > feeling.

> > > > I am very afraid of failure. Has anyone

> > > experienced no weight loss

> > > > or eventual weight gain??

> > > > Has anyone experienced hair loss??

> > > > Your feed back would be great.

> > > > Antonietta

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > ozband website:

> > > > http://www.ozband.com

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

That sounds great. By the way, the " bandster " meetings are not

" mine " .......please don't anyone think that. My house is just quite

convenient, but if anyone else wants it somewhere else, please don't

hesitate to say.

Love, Liz

Re: Hello

>

>

>

> Hi Sharon,

> Yes I have been to the last two meetings and hope

> to go to each

> meeting on a reqular basis as I think they are a

> great support. Tell

> me about your surgery etc and hopefully we will meet

> up at the next

> meeting!

> Antonietta

> Hi

> > > Antonietta,

> > >

> > > Good luck for your op next week. I'm getting

> banded

> > > on the 22nd of November

> > > who is your specialist?

> > >

> > > Regards,

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Hello

> > >

> > >

> > > > Hi Everyone,

> > > > I wish I had found this earlier !!!

> > > > I am having my surgery on Nov 2nd and am very

> > > excited but also

> > > > extremely anxious, moody, teary and scared. It

> is

> > > such a weird

> > > > feeling.

> > > > I am very afraid of failure. Has anyone

> > > experienced no weight loss

> > > > or eventual weight gain??

> > > > Has anyone experienced hair loss??

> > > > Your feed back would be great.

> > > > Antonietta

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > ozband website:

> > > > http://www.ozband.com

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Hi ,Is anyone one going to s thing on Saturday?

Lorri

[Guest guest]

Hi Antonietta

Good Luck on Friday. I'm sure everything will go well!! Try not to worry too much (says she who was petrified prior to the op))

BANDED LIFE IS THE BEST!!!!!

I will be off the air for about a week as my 'puter has to go to hospital this morning. So I will "see" you all next week.

Bye for now

Errin

PS Liz & Sharon did you get the fax that I sent. I hope so. If not let me know and I will fax it again.

Antonietta wrote:

Thanks for your well wishes!

Yes, I have found that it has been great talking with the group and has given me alot more confidence and positive feedback although I am still scared!