One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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Where is everyone?
I am ok? I hope all goes well with your recent surgery. Tx for the recommendation re operas. It is on my list of things to do.
Meg9: I think you will find the exercises will help with your strength. If hadn't gone to physio after my surgery I would be in allot worse shape. My strength was measured 3 months post-op and was the same as before surgery.
Busy weekend. Will have to go to work to rest! Cleaned out the gardens, the trees and flowers will bloom about 3 weeks early this year. My neice got engaged today and we had an engagement party at her mom's house tonight. The wedding is the long weekend in September and my daughter is the maid of honour (we spell honour this way in Canada in case you were worried about my spelling).
Hi to all. Hope everyone is well.
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Upcreek, Carole the ole English teacher was able to circle honour with a red pen!
I had a very nice weekend. Saturday I stayed home. There were dire weather warnings but we had no violent weather, just a strong wind. A family crawfish boil had been planned for Sat. but was rescheduled for Sun., which turned out to be a wonderful day. My brother Gary supplied tables and chairs to be set up outside in the shade. He also brought 50 lbs of boiled crawfish, also boiled potatoes and corn on the cob cooked in the same spicy water as the crawfish. The "mudbugs" were delicious. For dessert we had home-made strawberry shortcake. It was one of those days when everyone seemed relaxed and we enjoyed one another's company.
Today I worked out in the yard most of the day. I finished mulching flowerbeds with pine straw. Then DH and I used the rest of the straw to mulch around trees in our yard. I did some weeding and pruning as I worked on the flowerbeds. The yard looks very nice. My amaryllas are starting to bloom, and they're pretty spectacular. Some are crimson and some are a delicate pink and white.
Tomorrow and Wed. I'll be playing in the women's member-member golf tournament with my friend Norma. I hope Carole the half-way decent golfer shows up tomorrow.
I'll check back later to see if others have popped in to post their news.
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HI all,
I didn't realize it had been so long since I had posted. My sister had a whole week of vacation last week, so we stayed busy with garden projects, house projects, lots of rather fruitless shopping, goofing off and sleeping and eating too much! Now it's back to getting up early, exercising and trying to follow the WW program. So far, I've managed to lose about 4 pounds. Not great, but it's progress. I'm very "on again/off again" with my WW discipline. Meg9, I wish you success with your newest joining of WW! It will help to have the encouragement of the group and new materials.
My sister in law was over the other day and asked "What's this?" as she gestured to the paint-by-number picture of a lonely black bear in the wilderness. It's cute. Not as weird as the pink lamps from a few weeks ago, but fun. Don't know why I bought it at the estate sale last year, maybe it was the colors, but all of you bear lovers would like it.
Carole, your crawfish boil sounds great. These are the type of lazy days we all like to remember with family and friends. My sister and I will be preparing a Mother's Day feast for our mother and two SILs and family to enjoy. We used to go out to one of those "all you can eat" buffets at one of the local hotels when the kids were smaller, but decided that they are a) too expensive b) the food never tastes as good as it looks and c) we can get better food at home. Our brunch will feature home made Quiche, bacon, fruit salad, a home made guava and cream cheese tart and a chocolate dessert of some sort. And coffee, of course.
I'll be seeing my BS for follow-up on Wed. Fortunately, it seems like such a waste of time at this point, but I guess it's necessary for cancer screening and any questions about lingering pain, etc. At this time last year, I was trying to pick a surgery date for my MX. How time has flown! I hope this is encouraging to anyone who is anticipating the same surgery or is in the early recovery stages. Your life will return to normal. It takes time and effort (rehab), but it definitely happens! I was just mentioning to my sister yesterday that I am feeling so much stronger and that the implants and muscles don't feel so weird and out of place. I've been working out with light weights 6-12lbs.) since the beginning of the year and everything is feeling normal again. Now, I'm inspired to get into even better shape. The true test will be how everything feels when I try to go swimming. Neurontin has really helped my stinging, but it comes back a bit with exercise (I think it's mostly caused by the counter top push ups).
Fortunate1, are you back from Austin? How was your trip? In answer to your nipple query... My left side (the one that got a little infected) has shrunken down to almost nothing. The other side has flattened out considerably, but creates a wide nipple look under a shirt. Now, I pretty much have only one fat nipple showing through. At least it isn't so obviously crooked. I'm waiting for them to both disappear.
Hope everyones week is off to a good start!
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Good morning everyone,
Upcreek, Congratulation on your niece's engagement. My son has been dating the same lovely girl for 6 years (since his senior year of HS) and still no talk of marriage. They are both thinking of going for their master's degree, so it can be a while before they talk marriage.
Carole, Sounds like you a fun and yummy weekend with family! I miss those times. When my parents were alive we had them often. Now, we talk all the time, but we don't get together as much. I'm sure you will do well at golf. You have so much energy!
Okiegal, Your Mother's Day brunch sounds great. My sister likes to do brunch for her family. She also serves mini bagels and makes my favorite cream cheese with walnuts and raisins. DH likes the mimosas!
While shopping on Saturday, I bought a little lawn ornament of a black bear peeking over a picket fence. It's only about 8" wide x6" high, but very cute. I'll put it in one of the large flower pots. DH thinks I'm losing it!
Are you thinking of getting the nipple redone? If I ever get the courage, it will be Vinnie's 3D tattoos for me. I don't think his ink will fade like permanent makeup. I really couldn't go through touch ups every few years!
I didn't mention it before, but when I saw my OC a couple of weeks ago I mentioned I was thinking about 3D nipple tattoos, but wasn't sure. She said the same thing my BS said. She said, "you don't need them. You have a good outcome and who is going to see you". She also added, "Some women go too far trying to look like they did before and have serious complications." Is it just me who has the most insensitive doctors? I really like my OC. I'm beginning to think they have this attitude because they see many procedures go wrong and woman who goes through what they believe was unnecessary pain and suffering. I try to keep in mind that my BS and OC jobs are to cure disease...they are not into the cosmetics. My PS story was a whole different thing. Also, maybe it's because I'm 54 years old and married. I wonder if they would say the same to a younger or unmarried woman.
It has been cold and raining the past two days....cloudy again today with a chance of showers. The dogwood trees are in full bloom and so are the azaleas. Too soon to plant any annuals. I usually plant my annuals after Mother's Day and hope we don't get a frost. The mulching will get done along with the planting. Off to walk 3 miles and a workout with the elastic bands. I joined WW in December and never went back. Rejoined on Saturday. Since Dec I only lost 3 pounds.
I hope everyone is feeling well and has a god day!
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Hi everyone, not much activity. I hope it means that everyone is out living their wonderful normal lives.
I got home yesterday afternoon, took a nap and taught last night. We had a very nice trip, and were very impressed with Texas. I know we only saw a tiny bit of it, but the bits we saw (Dallas, hill country, Austin) were very beautiful. The wild flowers were going wild, and everything was much greener than expected. We did some serious BBQ sampling and then started in on breakfast tacos. Yummy research. I am happy to report that I maintained my weight loss, thought I was going to blow it.
Nipple update. The nipple is a bit of a disappointment right now. The scabbing from the tattoo has peeled off the areola leaving a shiny super thin scab, if that makes any sense. The nipple itself still has a real scab. That scab may be the only projection left... we'll see. The color of the areola is pretty good and will likely be better when the shiny stuff peels off. I still feel like the nipple color is going to be worth it, but truly, nothing has come out the way I envisioned. Adjust your thinking. The "new normal" is the appropriate saying, good but different. I hope this helps.
I want to visit all your gardens. Its orchids and peruvian lilies and roses for me here. A somewhat subdued display compared to your all out Spring extravaganzas.
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Fortunate, your trip to Texas sounded nice. Did you see wild bluebonnets in the hill country? An rv friend just posted some beautiful pics on his travel blog. The hill country is a very pretty area. DH and I have done quite a bit of rv'ing in TX.
Meg, my guess is that your BS and OC have picked up on your anxieties about having surgical procedures done, and that's why they don't encourage you to undergo risks for what amounts to cosmetic results.
Okiegal, I think a home-made brunch in a family member's home is much more enjoyable than eating at a restaurant. I occasionally eat a buffet meal but am not a fan of buffets. I'd rather order off a menu and have my food served. Admittedly the buffet is faster for a large group dining together.
My golfing partner and I played well in the member-member tournament. We came in 1st in the 2nd flight and could easily have been the overall winners. The weather was great though a little breezy. Today I'm glad I didn't have to set my clock and get up early.
On the subject of weight, I'm wearing a pair of shorts that were too large last year at this same time. I'm down about 3 to 4 lbs but need to lose 6 more lbs. I'll keep perservering.
I gave up on my longer hairstyle. With length my hair starts to curl and do its own thing. I'm back to a short style and a darker blond with a slight reddish tint. It was taking me 20 min. to dry my hair with a hand dryer. I'm enjoying the new look and especially enjoying the ease of styling.
It's so nice to laze around a bit this morning. My mother's hair apptment is in the afternoon today. But I guess I should do a few chores. Hope everyone has a good day.
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Hello Everyone,
Fortunate1, Welcome back! I'm glad you had an enjoyable trip. Seems like everyone who has had nipple reconstruction says the nipple has flattened some. Once you heal you will probably be happier with the outcome. I agree having color is better then none.
Carole, Another good golf game! Would you say you're back to your old self?! Enjoy your day off!
It's a boring day around here. At least the sun came out!
I hope everyone is OK and enjoying themselves!
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Good morning everyone,
Fortunate1, sounds like you had a lovely trip. I've never been to the Texas hill country, but would like to go some day. This is the time of year to visit. The weather gets hot early in the summer and stays that way in Texas.
Speaking of weather, we are having heavy winds this morning with rain, possible hail and the possibility of tornados predicted. I hope the predictions are off. I would rather not deal with these things.
Carole, congrats on your golf tournament. Sounds enjoyable.
Saw my BS on Wednesday. It was just a follow up appointment. I'll visit her once a year from now on. Maybe I'll have tattoos by next year at this time? She suggested that my stinging might be my body responding to the implants as a foreign object. I could be taking Neurontin for years and years, but it's too early to tell. I'll keep taking it for at least 12-18 months. It's helping, so I'm happy. I'm on a low dose and not experiencing any side effects. I'll try not to think too far into the future.
Meg9, I agree with Carole, I think your doctors are probably responding to your worries and trying to reassure you with reality. I think that PSs encourage the entire package of implants, nipple reconstruction and tattoos. It not only helps their bottom line, but it also allows them to finish their "artwork". Ultimately, however, the goal of reconstruction is to provide an acceptable breast mound, not to recreate a perfect new set. I think we all get wrapped up in trying to recreate what we had, but at some point learn to accept what we have. Like Fortunate1 intimated, there's disappointment involved. Nothing really seems to turn out perfectly. I'll be waiting on tattoos until the fall, if not longer.
Finally, for inspiration to exercise, "Google" Ernestine Shepherd". She's a 73 year old body builder. You will be amazed!
Have a great day everyone!
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Hello everyone,
After a few windy and cold days it has finally warmed up. The temperature will reach 88 degrees tomorrow!
I met my OC months after bmx and reconstruction and never discussed revision surgery or tattoos with her. At my last visit I just mentioned to her I was thinking about getting tattoos and was surprised by her response. She is not aware of my feeling about additional procedures. My BS is not aware of my feelings either...I have never discussed revisions surgery or tattoos with him. When I told him what happen with my PS he was not pleased with the way I was treated. He said he was going to call her. Then he said, "you don't need tattoos anyway...who is going to see you." I also asked him for a referral to a PT and if he knew of another PS I could go to. He told me I didn't need a PT, the tremble will go away over time. He could not recommend a PS who does breast reconstruction. He went down a list of PS in the area and said that they do not do breast reconstruction.... my PS and her partner are it for this area. My BS and PS work as a team. My PS does not except any health insurance plans. Whatever my ins company pays her is what she accepts. Even when I went for follow-up visits there was no co-pay. All I can say is that I'm glad I am done with both of them.
My thoughts are with NewBride. I hope Ally, Tinkerbell, IamOK, Wendy, UpCreek, Carole, Okiegal and anyone I forgot are feeling well. Have a good weekend!
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Say a prayer for poor unfortunate Louisiana. Just what we needed, the worst oil disaster ever off the coast of the US.
It's like a greenhouse outside today, very humid. I subbed in a league tennis match and managed to stay upright through the match. We played the 1st set on a hard court. Then it rained lightly, wetting the court and making it slick. We then switched to a rubico court--the same one I was playing on when I fell flat of my back a few weeks ago! Our opponents were women young enough to be our daughters, but we persevered and won in two sets. Afterwards a group of us had lunch at a very nice little restaurant nearby.
Hope everyone enjoys the weekend.
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hello everyone....sorry i've been away for so long....i still don't have a computer, i'm using my work laptop.....i'm a little paranoid using it for my personal stuff....but what the hecht...everyone sounds well.....great for new bride....those capsules are working and she sounds good....meg, i dont have to see my ps or bs for about a year....glad that's over with....fortunate...i had nipple sparing, but somehow my nipples/areolas seem flatter....they don't have the same projection that they used to....i'm starting to get used to it.....okie...it seems like you have good projection from your nip reconstruction......glad all is well with juleL and i_am_ok.....meg....when i lay on my back...my foobs go off to the sides, and the implants seem heavier than my boobs were....also my upper arms feel heavy at the end of the day, but i feel pretty good.....still very tired....just coming home from work and going to bed early.....my daughter is coming home may 15, and my son is taking his SAT's tomorrow morning.....meg..let me know how the upper body exercises go...i'm still afraid to do that stuff....have a wonderful weekend everyone....
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hello everyone....sorry i've been away for so long....i still don't have a computer, i'm using my work laptop.....i'm a little paranoid using it for my personal stuff....but what the hecht...everyone sounds well.....great for new bride....those capsules are working and she sounds good....meg, i dont have to see my ps or bs for about a year....glad that's over with....fortunate...i had nipple sparing, but somehow my nipples/areolas seem flatter....they don't have the same projection that they used to....i'm starting to get used to it.....okie...it seems like you have good projection from your nip reconstruction......glad all is well with juleL and i_am_ok.....meg....when i lay on my back...my foobs go off to the sides, and the implants seem heavier than my boobs were....also my upper arms feel heavy at the end of the day, but i feel pretty good.....still very tired....just coming home from work and going to bed early.....my daughter is coming home may 15, and my son is taking his SAT's tomorrow morning.....meg..let me know how the upper body exercises go...i'm still afraid to do that stuff....have a wonderful weekend everyone....
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Hello ladies!
Quick update about my nipple reconstruction. I felt some soreness on "good" side for about couple days after surgery, and I didn't feel any soreness or pain on the recon's side. Last Monday I had appt with my PS. She removed bandage and said everything looked good. Nipple was brown, but we saw small area that was pink already. She said not to be alerted, eventually whole nipple will be pink. Next Monday she will remove stitches on both sides. So far there is not so much projection as on the "good" side, and I guess that is what I need to accept. I am just glad that I didn't have any major complications, that my both sides match good enough, my implant is soft, and I keep my fingers crossed for my new nipple, I don't want to lose it.
Meg, sorry about your experience with both BS and PS. I complained about shoulder pain to BS and Oncologist. BS said it is normal after the Mx and it goes away itself. Onc said probably my joint inflamed. And only PS said we need to fix it. I was surprised how helpfull PT was for me. Probably you could see you primary physician and ask him about PT because it is difficult to find out which exercises to do in order to get back to normal.
okiegal, thanks for the link, this woman is amasing!
Carole, I hope people will find out how to keep this oil spill under control.
fortunate, welcome back, sounds your had a good time.
ally, good luck to your son tomorrow, and I hope you'll get your comp soon!
Hello to NewBride, Tinkerbell, upcreek.
Have a good weekend, everyone!
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Hello everyone--I've been checking in now and then, following with special interest the experiences of nipple construction and tattooing. I've set my appointment for the creation of a nipple and the lifting of my natural breast for June 30. Both procedures will be done while I'm under general anesthesia. I chose June 30 because school will be out and I will have lost these pesky 15 pounds I gained since last August's surgery. I blame the tamoxifen for the stubbornness of the weight--my body just isn't responding to diet and exercise like it used to. I want to be at my ideal weight when the PS matches my natural breast to the reconstructed one. The procedure will not involve any augmentation or reduction, just a lift.
If it can happen as planned, I'll be grateful. Something has come up that might change things: I found a lump in the natural breast and my doctor said it is somewhat suspicious for cancer, so we are moving up my routine check-up bilat diagnostic mammogram from June 7 to this Monday, May 3. Bilat mammo followed by ultrasound of the lump.
I'm very calm about it now that we're going to take a close look at it. I've been a little "freaked out" up to this point but just having that mammo appt and knowing that experts will evaluate it takes the pressure off of me and my own "is it or isn't it?" worries. They'll figure it out for me.
Fortunate 1, I'm glad you got to see our beautiful hill country! We live on two acres outside of Austin in Dripping Springs, and we love it. As far as the nipple surgery goes, I appreciate the candor with which you (and everyone here) have shared your experiences both positive and negative, physical and emotional. I think I'll be going in to my surgery and tattooing with much more practical and realistic hopes than I would otherwise.
Ally, I'm tired too. Still going to bed around 8:00 every evening, even though radiation and the resulting skin trouble have been over with for months. Going to bed early just seems to be what my body needs in order to have the "up" energy I need for my days in the classroom.
Have a good weekend, everyone. The pain medication my dentist prescribed for me for yesterday's root canal will help keep me mellow while waiting for Monday morning's tests ;- )
Tracy
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Tracy, it's good to hear from you. I'll be thinking very positive thoughts about your upcoming mammo. You do live in a nice area, near Austin. I go to bed early, too, about 8:30 and read for about an hour. So does DH. Recently I read A Thousand Splendid Suns by the Afghan/Amer. author who wrote Kite Runner. It was excellent.
I am OK, hope you're pleased with the final results of your nipple construction.
Ally, good to hear from you, too. It's wonderful that everyone in our group is doing well.
It's very humid and overcast outside with chance of rain throughout the day. I don't go to Jazz Fest any more--it got much too crowded for me--but I wish the weather were better for those hordes of people who come in from all over the world to attend the event. They go, rain or shine, but with all the expense, it would be nice for them to have more pleasant conditions. I hear that tickets are very expensive now, $60 or $80. We used to go on the 1st Fri. during the "early years" when you could take your own cooler with lunch and iced soft drinks or beer. Everyone carried a folding chair and it was lower key. You wandered around from stage to stage. Another oldie person looking back on the "good ole days"!
I plan to go for a walk and get soaked with perspiration. Later I'll go wander around some stores and do a little shopping. I also need to buy some bedding plants for the big pots on my patio. The pansies have done their thing and are looking unhappy with the heat. We're invited to a Derby party but don't plan to go. We'll watch the race on tv. Mother Nature isn't cooperating with the weather in Kentucky, either.
Happy Saturday to all.
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Hi everyone. I don't have much time to write as I have lots to do this weekend and tired after a busy work week. Carole, just want to say that I am and I'm sure we are all thinking of Louisiana during this awful oil crisis.
Will write when things are a bit quieter here.
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Tracy- I'll be thinking good benign thoughts today. We loved Austin. I remember seeing signs for Dripping Springs. Gee, I could have dropped in for a cup of tea! You live in beautiful country.
Carole- my thoughts are definitely on beleaguered Louisiana. So scary for the waterways, disaster on disaster. I had to laugh about your 20 minutes of blow-drying. I am unhappily the opposite... maybe 20 seconds. Fine thin hair getting thinner on the mega meds I take, plus age. Does anyone else feel like they're on the aging fast-track with the AIs? Miracles can come with a bit of a price!
I had a great weekend. I was at a pottery sale put on by friends. Good people, lots of shop talk, good sales, and cookies! Up a pound... more costly than Texas BBQ.
Nipple update: The super thin shiny stuff peeled off. It was kind of like the thin skin that peels after a sunburn. It looks better. The color doesn't match, but is closer. The edges are nicely irregular like a natural areola, or at least mine. The nipple is much lighter than the real one, the areola is pinker. I can see the wisdom of doing this in two steps. The nipple has not disappeared, is still the tiny welcome nub. Comforting illusion that isn't too close to reality. Yes Meg, the color helps. It doesn't look as much like "something bad happened here" as it did. Yes, it helps, go for it.
Off to work for me. I have a little more than a month to make, fire, glaze, fire again, etc. more work for the next two sales. Ah, the relaxed carefree life of the potter. At least classes are over in a few weeks.
I am so glad to read all your news, friends. Hope Newbride and tinkerbell are doing well.
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Fortunate, I wish I lived close enough to drop in at your studio every now and then, sit quietly in a corner and watch you throw pots or hand-build or whatever you're doing in that "make" phase. About the AIs, I've read that the meds can cause hair loss. I've been on Arimidex 7 mos. and so far I don't notice hair in the brush or on the shower floor. With 4 years and 5 mos. to go, there's lots of time for SEs to develop. My skin was already dry prior to taking Arimidex. I have been instructed by the dermatologist to apply prescription lotion after showers. Not so necessary lately with the humidity. The weather is supposed to improve by Wed.
I'm taking some time this afternoon to continue my study of bridge. I may never play with people, just with myself and computer robots!
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Carole, any time. And you wouldn't need to be quiet. We could have a rollicking good time.
I just came in to take a break, get ready for class and have some iced coffee. Mistake. Four cookies, oh no.
AI side effects or not? My skin has gotten really crepey really fast. Could the 10 pounds have done that? All together... it is a privilege to get old. Hey, we looked the alternative in the face and punched it in the nose.
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Good news for me today: the radiologist looked at the film and the ultrasound and said the lump was normal fibrous tissue. Wants me to follow up with my oncologist when I see her in June, but as for now, no biopsy indicated. Just need to keep a watch on it for any suspicious changes.
I shed a few tears with the stress of it all. Simply could not sleep last night and had to remind myself to breathe deeply and regularly...gonna play catch up tonight and go to be early.
Will turn my thoughts again toward my cosmetic surgery on June 30 and gettng my weight to where I want it to be for that breast lift. Watched an animation of the procedure--yikes, glad I'll be unconscious for it. Haven't watched the nipple procedure yet...dunno why I'm feeling so squeamish about that one. Reading your accounts here, ladies, will help me get through my anxieties about it. Thanks for posting.
Fortunate 1, I like that: it is a privilege to get old. You said it well!
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Tracy, good news that the lump was normal tissue! I'm so happy for you.
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Hi everyone,
TracyAnne, it's so nice to hear from you again. I'm relieved to hear that you're lumps are benign. Whew! For some reason, I had a lot of anxiety about nipple reconstruction. I wonder if it's because it is an elective procedure?
I'm busy this week so will probably not be around much. I've begun painting our fireplace. It was old and dingy looking. It's been a "to do" for about three years. This is the perfect time of year to do it, but I need to finish and clean the house before the aforementioned Mother's day brunch.
I had a dream last night that my implants had slid around to my waist and under my arm. I was trying to slide them back into place. Weird! Maybe the dream is related to needing to lose weight/ buldges all in the wrong place? I started back on WW yesterday.
Hi, Ally, nice to hear from you again. I hope you get access to a computer soon. Fortunate1, glad to hear your nipple is looking good. I want color eventually. Carole, we are all thinking about all of LA during this oil spill crisis. What a horrible mess. Eventually, it will be cleaned up, but in the mean time....how awful!
Meg9, how's program going?
Hello to all the rest, hope eveyrone's week is off to a good start.
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Tracy- Wonderful happy news! What a relief!
Okiegal- You're creative even in your dream life!
Carole- There was a picture of the advancing oil slick in our morning paper. So awful.
I hope to check in later.... gotta run.
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Hello Everybody,
Great to hear from all of you!
Tracey, What great news about the lump! Good luck on June 30th. I will be thinking about you. Please keep us updated.
IamOK, You have always been such a good and quick healer... I hope your nipple does as well. You are in my thoughts...keep us posted!
Carole, I've been praying they get that oil spill cleaned up quickly before it does anymore damage. I feel for all those affected...so sad.
I can relate to the difficult hair situation. My hair is thick and naturally curly. I have to keep in one length and blow dry it everytime or I look like some kind of wild women!
I think the lack of estrogen is taking its toll on me. I feel tired and I am seeing more wrinkles...my skin and hair is getting dryer. UGH! It can be a little depressing.
Oh! I looked at bridge on the internet. No way could I play...I couldn't even follow the directions! You are amazing! I think I'll stick to reading.
Okiegal, Sometimes I think my implants are going to fall to my sides! I find they are sagging more and more. Are yours? The dog ears are getting bigger also. So, I can relate to your dream!
Are you painting a design on your mantle? I'm sure it will look really good when you're finished! Good luck on WW.
Fortunate! I'm happy for you that you're pleased with your tattoo. Just wait...it will be even better when you have the second stage done! Then you will be done! Yah!
I have never been to the opera. It must be fun to get all dress up and attend. I don't think I would be able to get the DH to go to an opera.
UpCreek, I hope you're feeling well. See any bears while hiking?!
Ally, I was tired for months after bmx...no energy. I think this is normal. Are bodies have been through a lot and it takes time to heal physically and emotionally. Are you happy with your outcome? Have you developed any lumps?
My thoughts are also with NewBride, BigApple and Tinkerbel.
I lost 1.4 lbs my first week on WW. I get weighted again on Saturday. I've been continuing to walk 3 miles at least 4-5 times a week. My chiropractor gave me exercises to do to build upper body strength with elastic bands. I am finding it works! My left side is still weak but improving.
I've spent the past few days planting annuals in my flower beds and flower pots. I love arranging the flower pots. It feels good to be surrounded by such beautiful flowers.
I so appreciate all of you. I hope you all have a great day.
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Meg, congrats on the WW success. I'm like a yo-yo and it's my own fault. I was down to within 5 1/2 lbs of my pre-bc weight about a week ago and today I'm up 3 lbs from that. My weight can vary 3 lbs from one day to another and I know it's fluid retention as well as food choices. I will continue to persevere, but today I'll probably go out to lunch with my mother and share a fried seafood meal with her. At least WW would approve of keeping the portion small! BC fosters the "live for today" attitude in me.
Today is Thurs., the day I set aside to spend with my mother. She has her hair apptment and we'll probably make a stop at the supermarket for any food items she needs or wants. At 87 she's doing well, living alone in her small house and keeping the phone lines busy. Sadly the networks keep cancelling old soaps that she has been watching for so many years that the characters are like friends or favorite enemies, depending on their roles.
Okie, hope you'll post a pic of the fireplace. So interesting that some of the old plantation homes have fireplace surrounds and mantles made of beautiful wood that were painted to look like marble because marble was more fashionable than wood but difficult to get. They really look like marble, too.
Buying annuals for the pots on the patio continues to be written on my To Do list. It's been there for about 2 wks!
Hi to everyone. Hope we all have a great day.
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Hi all,
Excellent results, Meg9. Keep up the good work! Carole, I'm a lot like you...on again, off again. I must persist with the effort or face the unwanted concequence of more of me!
I've conquered the fireplace. I'll post pictures soon. It was very large. A sort of stacked, sandstone that takes of a generous portion of the wall. It was dark and dreary. Now it's light and almost airy. I'm very happy and proud of the results, but worn out. I've probably painted about 75 fireplaces over the years. They have imitated everything from marble, to limestone to an dungeon like, aged, green one (like copper) for a Goth couple. This was my first 1950's ranch, sandstone, transformation.
Now that the hard work is done for the week, I'll concentrate on picking up, vacuuming and dusting (my sister already cleaned the bathrooms) and grocery shopping. Then it will be cooking tomorrow and Mother's Day on Sunday.
I'm also wondering how BigApple, NewBride and Tinkerbell are doing. Here's wishing everyone a lovely weekend!
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Good morning all,
We're preparing for a very different Mother's Day. Last night I had pizza and beer with my son and DIL... great fun. Tomorrow there will be a gathering of DH's side of the family. After a long slow decline my MIL will be going into an Alzheimers facility. It is such a cruel disease. Last year at this time I had just lost my mom, now a different kind of loss. She is a wonderful woman and a superb MIL. She still greets us with her gorgeous smile, but I'm not always sure she knows who I am. Sometimes she is a young teacher who needs to go home to her parent's house, sometimes a mother of young children wondering whether her hair will gray like mine when she gets older. She usually wants to know where she slept last night and where we are right now. She is so dear.
Give your moms a big hug from me.
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Fortunate, I'm so sorry about your MIL. My MIL also had Alzheimers. It was such a sad decline. I remember one year when she and my FIL visited us here in LA, she told me she was memorizing poetry to exercise her mind. She felt she was getting "stupid." Later I realized that she had begun to be aware that something was wrong mentally. I wish I could offer solace, but there is none.
We'll be doing what southerners do best tomorrow to celebrate Mother's Day. Have a gathering of family with lots of food. Five of my mother's six kids along with spouses plan to be present. Also a granddaughter with three small kids. The meal will arrive in different vehicles. I'm providing a large pot of seafood gumbo, one of my mother's favorite foods.
Yesterday I attended a bridge lesson with other beginners. It was the first time I sat down and played bridge hands with actual people! It was fun but I was ridiculously nervous. I've paid for a series of 7 lessons but I can already see that I'll miss 3 of them.
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms in our group.
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Thanks for the kind words Carole. I'm cleaning house and waiting for the family to arrive in about an hour. BBQ will be brought in, plus salad, drinks and potatoes from my kitchen. Not very fancy this year. I elected to stay home and wait, left the Mom visit to the nuclear family. I thought I could catch up on work, but instead caught up -sort of- on gardening and laundry. Bad potter, tsk tsk. But we now have clean napkins and a big arrangement of roses. Pots tomorrow.
Congratulations on the first bridge game, more fun to come I hope. Your Mother's Day gathering sounds wonderful and yummy.
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Hello everybody,
Fortunate1, so sorry to hear about your MIL. Both of my parents had Alzheimer's...they both forgot me. My father was in the nursing home first. He was there for five years before he passed away at the age of 95. My mother visited him every day and it took a major toll on her. Eventually, she went into the same nursing home. They were together for one month when he passed away. She was there additional three years until she passed. We were at the nursing home all the time. Nancy Regan called it the long goodbye...she was right.
Okiegal, I look forward to seeing the picture of your fireplace. I have a fire place in my living room...it's red brick and the surrounding wood mantle is painted white. I have thought of painting it another color, but I think white fits the room. I don't know how to post a picture?
Carole, Good luck with the bridge game. I bet you already know more then your classmates!
Ugh! I went to WW today. Guess how much I lost this week? NADA! Better luck next week. A friend of mine asked to join a pilates class with her...the last time I did that I hurt myself and started to see a chiropractor! LOL Today I bought myself a pilates yoga exercise kit. It came with an instructional DVD and exercise bands. I'll try this first before I join her advanced class!
Mother's Day is going to be just another Sunday around here. I wish you all a Happy Mother's Day with your families!
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