a

[Guest guest]

Dear Debra,

Thank you very much for the update on a. I am really glad to know she's doing fine. I hope she'll indeed be able to see today.

a is lucky to have a loving and caring big sis like you!

Please give her my best wishes.

Love,

Isabella

a

I spoke with a last night. She says she's doing pretty good. Her voice seems a little stronger than when I left Pittsburgh on Thursday. She hopes to see today, as she has spoken to her by phone. She says is doing good but still has NG and Foley. I have to keep reminding Kris that she's a little over a week past major surgery, to be patient and just let her body heal. Patience has never been one of her best virtues, I can say that, I am the big sister ; )She was able to shower and do her hair, that was a big accomplishment, but also wore her out. The main issues right now are maintaining the nighttime nourishments and reinstituting foods. She will know more on Thursday when she meets with the doctor again. It appears then they will want her to stay in Pittsburgh another few days, which will probably be for the best, just to make sure everything is okay before they start the

long drive home.She wanted me to tell everyone thanks for the thoughts and prayers!Debra

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[Guest guest]

Debra Big sisters are the best, I know as I have four. Bless you! Millie in Virginialglritr <daminton@...> wrote: I spoke with a last night. She says she's doing pretty good. Her voice seems a little stronger than when I left Pittsburgh on Thursday. She hopes to see today, as she has spoken to her by phone. She says is doing good but still has NG and Foley. I have to keep reminding Kris that she's a little over a week past major

surgery, to be patient and just let her body heal. Patience has never been one of her best virtues, I can say that, I am the big sister ; )She was able to shower and do her hair, that was a big accomplishment, but also wore her out. The main issues right now are maintaining the nighttime nourishments and reinstituting foods. She will know more on Thursday when she meets with the doctor again. It appears then they will want her to stay in Pittsburgh another few days, which will probably be for the best, just to make sure everything is okay before they start the long drive home.She wanted me to tell everyone thanks for the thoughts and prayers!Debra

Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Sister Debra - a is in my prayers and heres praying she improves greatly soon. Let her know she is in our thoughts Millie in VAlglritr <daminton@...> wrote: Just a brief update, Kris has made it home and seemed to be doing rather okay. Surgerywise, everything is working. If she could just get back on top of eating and the nausea, I think we could make great leaps. She has been advised she can eat anything she can tolerate. Poor kid has waited for this day! Sorry to say, she has

ended up back in the local hospital today for the nausea complications, maybe part of the pain medications she's been on for so many months. She's been struggling the past few days, hopefully she'll feel well enough to update you more on her progress soon.Sister - Debra

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[Guest guest]

Thinking and praying for her to heal quick and begin recovery-

Tonia

> Just a brief update, Kris has made it home and seemed to

be doing

> rather okay. Surgerywise, everything is working. If she could just

> get back on top of eating and the nausea, I think we could make

great

> leaps. She has been advised she can eat anything she can tolerate.

> Poor kid has waited for this day! Sorry to say, she has ended up

back

> in the local hospital today for the nausea complications, maybe

part of

> the pain medications she's been on for so many months. She's been

> struggling the past few days, hopefully she'll feel well enough to

> update you more on her progress soon.

>

> Sister - Debra

>

>

>

>

>

>

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

> Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with

Search.

>

[Guest guest]

Debra,

Please let a know she is in my thoughts and prayers. I sure can

identify with nausea. I am wishing her a speedy recovery from this.

In VA

> Just a brief update, Kris has made it home and seemed to

be doing

> rather okay. Surgerywise, everything is working. If she could just

> get back on top of eating and the nausea, I think we could make great

> leaps. She has been advised she can eat anything she can tolerate.

> Poor kid has waited for this day! Sorry to say, she has ended up back

> in the local hospital today for the nausea complications, maybe part of

> the pain medications she's been on for so many months. She's been

> struggling the past few days, hopefully she'll feel well enough to

> update you more on her progress soon.

>

> Sister - Debra

>

>

>

>

>

>

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

> Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with

Search.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Debra,

Thank you for sending us this update. I'm sorry to hear a is dealing with nausea now. It must have been pretty bad, as she had to go into hospital for it.

After my last surgery (2nd myotomy about a year ago) I didn't get any nutricients in at all for about 4 days and after that I needed to stick to a completely liquid diet for a couple of weeks. I dealt with terrible nausea for over a month, feeling sick 24/7, we thought due to malnutrition. Nausea really is awful to have to deal with.

With my next surgery (-ectomy) I get a feeding tube, so I will get the necessary nutrition in. Doesn't a have a feeding tube? Or is her nausea caused by someting else?

Sorry for asking you this at a time that you've got more than enough on your mind. But maybe you can understand how much I hated my nausea and how much I don't want to fear another period of nausea after my upcoming -ectomy. So your post on a did worry me slightly for my own reasons too...

Please let a know that she's in my thoughts.

And once again: a is so lucky to have such a caring sister!

Thanks.

Love,

Isabella

a

Just a brief update, Kris has made it home and seemed to be doing rather okay. Surgerywise, everything is working. If she could just get back on top of eating and the nausea, I think we could make great leaps. She has been advised she can eat anything she can tolerate. Poor kid has waited for this day! Sorry to say, she has ended up back in the local hospital today for the nausea complications, maybe part of the pain medications she's been on for so many months. She's been struggling the past few days, hopefully she'll feel well enough to update you more on her progress soon.Sister - Debra

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Isabella,

a's feeding tube was removed the day she arrived home, seems

like this month has raced us by, which has been a little over a week

and a half. I have to keep remembering her surgery was just Jan.

5th! So she only had the tube a little over 2 weeks. I spoke with

her late yesterday afternoon and she was already sounding better. I

was a little reluctant to post of her latest problem, in fear of

worries for some like you facing your surgery very soon. However,

when I last spoke to her husband late evening, I heard her voice in

the background, " I'm starving! " . That was sweet music! Mom went to

her favorite restaurant and carried in her favorite meal.

Everything I've read and even her doctor has suggested to take the

nausea medication 30 min. before getting out of bed in the morning,

crackers, toast, and before any other time you feel it will set in.

Otherwise, once you're nauseated, you're nauseated! Also, she has

been on SO much pain medication thru the last few months, she was on

morphine weeks before the surgery, the withdrawal of the pain

medication may be the culprit she is dealing with at the moment.

She is not having to rely on the medication as much now, and they

have just decreased her pain patch. Right now she is just being

monitored to see what may be the cause. I don't mind answering any

questions at all. Just prayers and blessings to all of you. I just

keep telling baby sister, keep climbing the ladder!

We will be checking on some in-home health care, once she is

released home, or possibly some in-patient rehabilitation. Some

medical benefits will cover this, and I strongly recommend it. I

have seen her struggle with her health for so long, she has reached

the final goal with the ectomy, I feel she deserves to rehab herself

back slowly.

I believe a has had some recent contact with , I will

find out today if there is a current update and let everyone know.

Debra

>

> Hi Debra,

>

> Thank you for sending us this update. I'm sorry to hear a

is dealing with nausea now. It must have been pretty bad, as she had

to go into hospital for it.

>

> After my last surgery (2nd myotomy about a year ago) I didn't get

any nutricients in at all for about 4 days and after that I needed

to stick to a completely liquid diet for a couple of weeks. I dealt

with terrible nausea for over a month, feeling sick 24/7, we thought

due to malnutrition. Nausea really is awful to have to deal with.

>

> With my next surgery (-ectomy) I get a feeding tube, so I will get

the necessary nutrition in. Doesn't a have a feeding tube? Or

is her nausea caused by someting else?

>

> Sorry for asking you this at a time that you've got more than

enough on your mind. But maybe you can understand how much I hated

my nausea and how much I don't want to fear another period of nausea

after my upcoming -ectomy. So your post on a did worry me

slightly for my own reasons too...

>

> Please let a know that she's in my thoughts.

>

> And once again: a is so lucky to have such a caring sister!

>

> Thanks.

>

> Love,

> Isabella

>

> a

>

> Just a brief update, Kris has made it home and seemed to be doing

> rather okay. Surgerywise, everything is working. If she could just

> get back on top of eating and the nausea, I think we could make

great

> leaps. She has been advised she can eat anything she can tolerate.

> Poor kid has waited for this day! Sorry to say, she has ended up

back

> in the local hospital today for the nausea complications, maybe

part of

> the pain medications she's been on for so many months. She's been

> struggling the past few days, hopefully she'll feel well enough to

> update you more on her progress soon.

>

> Sister - Debra

>

>

>

>

>

>

_____________________________________________________________________

_______________

> Be a better friend, newshound, and

> know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

>

[Guest guest]

Debra

Just received an update on so you will be able to pass

that on to a, please to hear you are all doing quite well considering

what you have been through.

Andy

Yorkshire, England.

From: achalasia

[mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of lglritr

Sent: 31 January 2008 13:44

achalasia

Subject: Re: a

Isabella,

a's feeding tube was removed the day she arrived home, seems

like this month has raced us by, which has been a little over a week

and a half. I have to keep remembering her surgery was just Jan.

5th! So she only had the tube a little over 2 weeks. I spoke with

her late yesterday afternoon and she was already sounding better. I

was a little reluctant to post of her latest problem, in fear of

worries for some like you facing your surgery very soon. However,

when I last spoke to her husband late evening, I heard her voice in

the background, " I'm starving! " . That was sweet music! Mom went to

her favorite restaurant and carried in her favorite meal.

Everything I've read and even her doctor has suggested to take the

nausea medication 30 min. before getting out of bed in the morning,

crackers, toast, and before any other time you feel it will set in.

Otherwise, once you're nauseated, you're nauseated! Also, she has

been on SO much pain medication thru the last few months, she was on

morphine weeks before the surgery, the withdrawal of the pain

medication may be the culprit she is dealing with at the moment.

She is not having to rely on the medication as much now, and they

have just decreased her pain patch. Right now she is just being

monitored to see what may be the cause. I don't mind answering any

questions at all. Just prayers and blessings to all of you. I just

keep telling baby sister, keep climbing the ladder!

We will be checking on some in-home health care, once she is

released home, or possibly some in-patient rehabilitation. Some

medical benefits will cover this, and I strongly recommend it. I

have seen her struggle with her health for so long, she has reached

the final goal with the ectomy, I feel she deserves to rehab herself

back slowly.

I believe a has had some recent contact with , I will

find out today if there is a current update and let everyone know.

Debra

>

> Hi Debra,

>

> Thank you for sending us this update. I'm sorry to hear a

is dealing with nausea now. It must have been pretty bad, as she had

to go into hospital for it.

>

> After my last surgery (2nd myotomy about a year ago) I didn't get

any nutricients in at all for about 4 days and after that I needed

to stick to a completely liquid diet for a couple of weeks. I dealt

with terrible nausea for over a month, feeling sick 24/7, we thought

due to malnutrition. Nausea really is awful to have to deal with.

>

> With my next surgery (-ectomy) I get a feeding tube, so I will get

the necessary nutrition in. Doesn't a have a feeding tube? Or

is her nausea caused by someting else?

>

> Sorry for asking you this at a time that you've got more than

enough on your mind. But maybe you can understand how much I hated

my nausea and how much I don't want to fear another period of nausea

after my upcoming -ectomy. So your post on a did worry me

slightly for my own reasons too...

>

> Please let a know that she's in my thoughts.

>

> And once again: a is so lucky to have such a caring sister!

>

> Thanks.

>

> Love,

> Isabella

>

> a

>

> Just a brief update, Kris has made it home and seemed to be doing

> rather okay. Surgerywise, everything is working. If she could just

> get back on top of eating and the nausea, I think we could make

great

> leaps. She has been advised she can eat anything she can tolerate.

> Poor kid has waited for this day! Sorry to say, she has ended up

back

> in the local hospital today for the nausea complications, maybe

part of

> the pain medications she's been on for so many months. She's been

> struggling the past few days, hopefully she'll feel well enough to

> update you more on her progress soon.

>

> Sister - Debra

>

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________________

_______________

> Be a better friend, newshound, and

> know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

>

[Guest guest]

Debra,

Thank you, I am not worried anymore now.

It's a good thing a is in good hands and being monitored well. Indeed she really needs to rehab herself carefully and slowly now.

You are not only a great sister, but also a very caring person.

By the way: just posted herself, isn't that great?!

Thanks again,

Isabella

a> > Just a brief update, Kris has made it home and seemed to be doing > rather okay. Surgerywise, everything is working. If she could just > get back on top of eating and the nausea, I think we could make great > leaps. She has been advised she can eat anything she can tolerate. > Poor kid has waited for this day! Sorry to say, she has ended up back > in the local hospital today for the nausea complications, maybe part of > the pain medications she's been on for so many months. She's been > struggling the past few days, hopefully she'll feel well enough to > update you more on her progress soon.> > Sister - Debra > > > > > > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _____________

___> Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile. / ;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR 8HDtDypao8Wcj9tA cJ>

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Yes, I see 's post! Sorry to hear of all your struggles,

, just glad to hear that you are home.

Our thoughts and prayers will be with all of you. We are expecting

anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of snow today, us " Okies " aren't used to

that, so little sister may not have as many visitors, and I'm

thinking she will probably be released to go home. I've kidded with

her that I've kept a journal of foot rubs, back rubs, meals on

wheels, in case I ever get under the weather. I think the funniest

memory, one day out of ICU, while giving her a rub down, I reminded

her that she promised me a trip to the beach, she said, I'm not

working right now, somebody else take over. I knew then she was on

the road to recovery ; )

Take care, Isabella, we will keep you in our thoughts as you take

your next step.

Debra

> >

> > Hi Debra,

> >

> > Thank you for sending us this update. I'm sorry to hear a

> is dealing with nausea now. It must have been pretty bad, as she

had

> to go into hospital for it.

> >

> > After my last surgery (2nd myotomy about a year ago) I didn't

get

> any nutricients in at all for about 4 days and after that I needed

> to stick to a completely liquid diet for a couple of weeks. I

dealt

> with terrible nausea for over a month, feeling sick 24/7, we

thought

> due to malnutrition. Nausea really is awful to have to deal with.

> >

> > With my next surgery (-ectomy) I get a feeding tube, so I will

get

> the necessary nutrition in. Doesn't a have a feeding tube?

Or

> is her nausea caused by someting else?

> >

> > Sorry for asking you this at a time that you've got more than

> enough on your mind. But maybe you can understand how much I hated

> my nausea and how much I don't want to fear another period of

nausea

> after my upcoming -ectomy. So your post on a did worry me

> slightly for my own reasons too...

> >

> > Please let a know that she's in my thoughts.

> >

> > And once again: a is so lucky to have such a caring

sister!

> >

> > Thanks.

> >

> > Love,

> > Isabella

> >

> > a

> >

> > Just a brief update, Kris has made it home and seemed to be

doing

> > rather okay. Surgerywise, everything is working. If she could

just

> > get back on top of eating and the nausea, I think we could make

> great

> > leaps. She has been advised she can eat anything she can

tolerate.

> > Poor kid has waited for this day! Sorry to say, she has ended up

> back

> > in the local hospital today for the nausea complications, maybe

> part of

> > the pain medications she's been on for so many months. She's

been

> > struggling the past few days, hopefully she'll feel well enough

to

> > update you more on her progress soon.

> >

> > Sister - Debra

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> ____________ ___

> > Be a better friend, newshound, and

> > know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

> http://mobile. / ;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR 8HDtDypao8Wcj9tA cJ

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

_____________________________________________________________________

_______________

> Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> http://www./r/hs

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Debra - I was not aware that a had been hospitalized again,

the last time I called her she had just gotten home and was starting

to eat a little. Please ask her to call me or else send me her cell

number - I had it but after packing up all the hospital stuff, I

can't find it now. my cell number is 252-722-2358.

Please tell her I hope she's doing better. We've both had quite a

ride with this but I'm hopeful that once these setbacks are done,

we'll be moving forward and that the end result will be good.

I really belive that 3-4 months from now, I'll be looking back and

thinking that this was a good choice.

Thanks for keeping us posted Debra.

- in NC

> > >

> > > Hi Debra,

> > >

> > > Thank you for sending us this update. I'm sorry to hear

a

> > is dealing with nausea now. It must have been pretty bad, as she

> had

> > to go into hospital for it.

> > >

> > > After my last surgery (2nd myotomy about a year ago) I didn't

> get

> > any nutricients in at all for about 4 days and after that I

needed

> > to stick to a completely liquid diet for a couple of weeks. I

> dealt

> > with terrible nausea for over a month, feeling sick 24/7, we

> thought

> > due to malnutrition. Nausea really is awful to have to deal with.

> > >

> > > With my next surgery (-ectomy) I get a feeding tube, so I will

> get

> > the necessary nutrition in. Doesn't a have a feeding tube?

> Or

> > is her nausea caused by someting else?

> > >

> > > Sorry for asking you this at a time that you've got more than

> > enough on your mind. But maybe you can understand how much I

hated

> > my nausea and how much I don't want to fear another period of

> nausea

> > after my upcoming -ectomy. So your post on a did worry me

> > slightly for my own reasons too...

> > >

> > > Please let a know that she's in my thoughts.

> > >

> > > And once again: a is so lucky to have such a caring

> sister!

> > >

> > > Thanks.

> > >

> > > Love,

> > > Isabella

> > >

> > > a

> > >

> > > Just a brief update, Kris has made it home and seemed to be

> doing

> > > rather okay. Surgerywise, everything is working. If she could

> just

> > > get back on top of eating and the nausea, I think we could make

> > great

> > > leaps. She has been advised she can eat anything she can

> tolerate.

> > > Poor kid has waited for this day! Sorry to say, she has ended

up

> > back

> > > in the local hospital today for the nausea complications, maybe

> > part of

> > > the pain medications she's been on for so many months. She's

> been

> > > struggling the past few days, hopefully she'll feel well enough

> to

> > > update you more on her progress soon.

> > >

> > > Sister - Debra

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> > ____________ ___

> > > Be a better friend, newshound, and

> > > know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

> > http://mobile. / ;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR 8HDtDypao8Wcj9tA cJ

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

_____________________________________________________________________

> _______________

> > Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> > http://www./r/hs

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Cyrena,

Thanks for your support!

I'm sure I took much longer from just considering to actual banding than most did.

I think it was almost a year and a half.

That's just the way I am.

I needed to be sure and have all my bases covered. Being a single mother comes with lots of "what if" worries.

I am thrilled to have finally had my banding with Dr. Aceves and have not regretted it once since day 1.

It's good to know that everything said here about Dr. Aceves, Hospital Almater and the A Team is true. I'm now looking forward like I have not in a long time.

Thanks to everyone who offered, information, support and kindness.

a

DOB May 9th,2008

(365) 345/333/170

From: Cyrena Weeks <cyrenaweeks@...>Subject: a Date: Thursday, May 29, 2008, 3:27 AM

I haven't taken a minute yet to congratulate you!! It is so fun to see people walk through the journey, it doesn't seem like that long ago you were asking questions and "considering" banding and here you are 19 days post-op. Thanks for sharing your life with us and I just wanted to let you know how exciting it is to see you on the losing side!

Cyrena

[Guest guest]

a,I was right there with you. It took me a year and 1/2 of research to decide the Band was for me and then another 6 months to figure out the financing. I know what you mean Keep us posted on how you are doing. Cyrena

[Guest guest]

Cyrena,

Moving and changing jobs are both equated to death on the stress scale.

You are going through stresses of your own too. It's hard to take a step back and see things when you are smack in the middle of them.

Teenagers are a breed of their own.

Even when we try to give them the benefit of being 'almost grown up' because they are so independent, they still need an extra hug or being told everything is going to be all right once in a while.

I know what you are going through with having a teenager and a 3 year old in the same house. I had my youngest daughter when my older kids were 19, 15, 11, and 9. I am officially raising my 5th teenager this year in 19 years.....UGH!

Strange, I should be perfect at it by now but somehow I still make my fair share of mistakes.

Take care of yourself and I'm glad my insight helped. That's what we are here for.

a

DOB May 9th,2008

(365) 345/310/170

From: Cyrena Weeks <cyrenaweeks@...>Subject: a Date: Monday, August 11, 2008, 4:07 PM

Can I say, DUH, Dr. a!!! How funny that I couldn't see this!!!!! Well, more like how stupid of me, but you are 100% on, I have been soooo wrapped up in MY world that is crazy crazy, and dealing with a 3 yr old's behavior issues with moving, that I have completely forgotten that maybe the teenager needs some reassurance. I feel so blessed to have a group of people in my life that have insight when I am OUT!!! Thank you so much for taking a second to give me your thoughts and I'm going to "work" with my guy to make sure he is feeling "safe" in this craziness right now.Thanks again!!!

Cyrena

[Dr-Aceves-bandster s] Re: [Dr-Aceves-bandster s) cyrena

Cyrena,

I hope things get better for you and the family with the move and all the other changes.

I had a thought about your son and his touching. Could he be needing a little reassurance from with the all the changes going on in your family's lives right now. Kids are so sensitive to change even when we think they don't notice things; they do.

Hang in there. Moving is the pits but hopefully the worst is over for you now that you have a place and have done the moving.

a

DOB May 9th,2008

(365) 345/310/170

[Guest guest]

Thanks Gail...you're right about the little personal successes.

At first, I wasn't sure there was a huge difference because I still feel like I am carrying around 300 pounds but going down those stairs was a huge change for me.

Good luck with your progress as well.a

DOB May 9th,2008

(365) 345/306/170

From: bandedatlast <bandedatlast>Subject: [Dr-Aceves-bandster s] Almost to first goal and NSVs @groups. comDate: Friday, August 15, 2008, 6:25 PM

So, I took my daughter to the doctor this morning and weighed in while I was there. I don't have a scale at home.Because my job has been really stressful lately, I have not made it to the gym at all the past couple of weeks and my eating is irregular. I was worried I had lost only a few of pounds since my fill on July 12 but was I ever surprised.I weighed in at 306 and just 7 pounds from my first goal of being under 300 pounds for the first time in 12 years. Of course, the negative voice in my head automatically went to thinking "think of what you would have lost had you been exercising these past 2 weeks".I had even been thinking about going back to Mexicali for another small fill in the next few weeks but once I actually did the math and realized I lost over 8 pounds in the month since my fill, my attitude change....I am thrilled to almost be at my first goal and perhaps I

don't need a fill yet. I'm pretty tight most mornings and often can't eat food too early. Evenings are ok usually.Here are a few of the NSVs I've noticed the past few weeks.Today, I was able to sit in a chair in the doctor's waiting room which I had not been able to get into before. I was shocked when I suddenly realized I could sit in the chair normally instead of sitting partially in it at an uncomfortable angle. My kids were with me and the excitement on their faces was worth all struggles of the past few months. They were so happy for me.Last Sunday I was able to decend a large fight of stairs without my usual slow go. Going down always felt as though gravity was going to pull me down and cause me to tumble.I decended the stairs quite normally. Stairs have been tough since I tore my ACL about 10 years ago right after I had a huge weight gain.A few weeks ago after my

shower, I was putting on lotion and noticed my legs had changed. They had been so fat that I had seen my knees in years. Imagine my surprise at seeing my knees and it taking a moment to realize WHAT they were. There is still a long way to go but seeing these small changes gives incouragement to keep following the plan. Losing was always possible but at 360 pounds, after losing 30 or 50 pounds I'd give up the diet and return to my old habits...NOT THIS TIME!Ok, this is getting long and my night shift brain without sleep makes it seem incoherent.Thanks to everyone for the support. May we all continue our journeys to our healthier selves with satisfaction and commitment.aDOB May 9, 2008(365)345/306/ 170First goal 299 (almost there)

[Guest guest]

>

> Good to see you posting! How are you doing? How's your weight? I'm back to

about 120 lbs so I'm now working on staying there - it's my ideal weight for my

size. I just find that I'm still somewhat obsessed with eating and the constant

snacking that I just don't need anymore. I've actually gained back enough body

fat to go 3-4 hours without eating and still being comfortable.

> I'm getting set up with an appt. with Dr. L right now. Everything is really

good I've just very slowly been feeling like I need another dilation. No

complaints though, my last one was in Oct. and at that point he told me that the

next time I come in, he wants to do some kind of laser thing where he'll cut

small vertical incisions into the scar tissue at the anastamosis - to make it

more pliable. I also figure that just for my own research and maintenance - I'd

plan to see him once a year or so for an endoscopy.

> Otherwise though, I feel really great.

> How have you been doing?

Hey ,

I'm glad you are doing so well. Maybe soon thses dilitations you're having will

end soon. I'm doing okay. The reflux is kicking my butt and they are talking

roux-en-y DAMN IT. I weigh 114 and holding strong. I have also slowed down the

number of times I eat.The pain and the spasms are gone. I swallow perfectly. I

only had the one dilitaion two months after procedure. My life is much better

now. I just hope they can find a way to stop the aspiration before pneumonia or

worse burning up what esophagus is left. How is the kid's and hubby? My oldest

graduates OSU this weekend Summa Cum Laude. The youngest is still taking her

general courses. and I got divorced. So my life has changed somewhat.I'm

dating the brother of Ronnie Dunn from brooks and dunn. His name is ny. I

have known him for years. Things are really good between us. I'm so glad to hear

from you. I lost your number. Mine is 918-637-3215 call me sometime.

>

> - in NC

> achalasia free since 1/11/08

>

> For those of you that don't know, a and I had our -ectomies 1 week

apart at the University of Pittsburgh. We met in person at the hospital.

>

[Guest guest]

a,

Wow, you've been through the wars! Thanks for stopping by, we can always use another perspective to help others.

There's new studies and findings coming out regarding the livers ability to regenerate, and staying in remission so long is certainly a good thing.

One thing I learned recently about 'cured'. If, six months after stopping treatment, you're still undetectable (SVR), you're considered cured. This came from an RN/Hep-c focused advocate who has worked with hep-c patients almost since the virus was identified. So many of us have walked around with the dragon in our mind after clearing the disease, and for no reason! I realize when you did treatment no one would say 'cured', and it's a new enough concept that there's still hesitation in using that term, but it's feasible, maybe even in your case.

In your case, you didn't quite finish treatment. However, you obviously seriously damaged the dragon. Who knows, if you're undetectable maybe you did enough damage that your own immune system finished the job. Just my opinion, mind you, but if you reached undetectable in treatment and have maintained that since, I'd lean towards cured even though you didn't finish the full treatment time. Honestly, I admire them and the work that they do, but in some cases the medical field is just shamans in white lab coats, they're making their best effort with their best guesses! What's the logic behind 26 weeks or 48 weeks? It's a number they found that was effective and that's been the standard of care, but that doesn't mean someone can't be clear and cured at 24 weeks, or 18 weeks, they just want to err on the side of caution and require the full 26 or 48 weeks.

Again, just my opinion!

I know what you mean about living with the dragon in your mind. I finished treatment almost two years ago, and was told I was SVR but no one ever used the 'c' word. Well, this past weekend I finally confirmed I was cured, and what a relief!

Please stick around, we can always use another persons experience and perspective.

Steve

Life is much more fun when thought of as a scavenger hunt as opposed to a surprise party. Jimmy Buffett Re: [ ] Welcome New Member

Thank-you for the welcome. I believe I was a member here and a few other groups back in 2002. If things didn't get written down back then, my memory can't find them today. A lot of things about me went by the wayside during my 6 months of Peg-Intron Alpha 2b. Actually, I didn't get to quite finish the 6 months because blood vessels leading to my retinas had closed up. Both eyes have scarred retinas as a result. At the time, that side-effect was not being made public. It was just about the rarest thing that could happen to someone. Well, I'm that someone.

Anyway, in March of 2002, I was diagnosed with Genotype 3, Stage 3, Viral Count 366,400. Two weeks later, a liver biopsy showed that 75 percent of my liver was scarred and I was borderline Stage 4. I was 48 years old at the time, and the virus displayed symptoms all the way back to high school, though nobody caught it. It's anyones guess how I got it because just about all the ways you could get, I was involved in. My boyfriend had just come back from Viet Nam, I had two tattoos done in a shop that catered to the Vets, and I also had an abortion that resulted in my needing blood. All those things happened within 6 months of each other. About the only thing I didn't do was drink alcohol or do IV drugs. If I had, I'd already be dead. Too much liver damage occurred too early in life.

Long story short, I'm in remission. I have the Qualitative PCR tests done once each year, though my gastroenterologist assures me I can stop thinking about it, that I'm "cured". Well, when I was doing treatment, there was no such thing as being cured. There weren't any studies that said the virus couldn't go active again. It is after all still alive somewhere in my system. The one liver biopsy that I had was so painful, and brutal (was awake, no drugs), the doctor won't do another one to see if any liver tissue has regenerated. Last I heard, when the liver has been scarred as long as mine has, it can't regenerate new cells. However, it's still a mystery in my mind, an unsolved one.

You're probably wondering why at this stage I have joined the group here. Remission or not, I'm still a victim of the virus, one with a lot of liver damage. I think when we, or at least me, when I found out I had the virus, life was forever changed. I would never again feel the same way about myself. I don't really have the words at the moment to explain it, I've just never been the same since. I want to stay connected with people like me.

All the best,

Extinction

IncrediMail Letter

©studio reflections

28th October, 2010