AlanaH

Tomorrow I go for my first fill with a local doctor here..... I have to admit, I'm nervous and scared even though I shouldn't be. I'm ok with having the fill -- its how they do it This is a doctor whom I've never seen before but do know that there are quite a few people here in town who have gone to him so I'm all for trying it out --- cause if I don't, I really think I'm going to chew down this house with the way that I have been feeling with wanting to eat lately..... Gotta get the stress under control and this fill couldn't come at a better time!!! Looking forward to that scale starting to drop again after tomorrow --- Hope everyone is having a good night!!!! Alana :-h

Not sure why -- but I'm feelin' down. Maybe its because its Sunday and I have to return to work tomorrow. I enjoy my job, but right now its not the greatest place to be. We have a new "manager consultant" in who is changing everything around and even though she's not there because of me or my immediate co-worker - she is there for everyone else and the changes she makes do impact me eventually. I can't imagine having her as a nurse when she was nursing ..... I know she can be nice as she is nice to me .... but the atmosphere at work is just not happy right now. I've learned from a couple of jobs that you don't need to get stressed over anything ..... they don't pay me enough money to get stressed at this position to be honest. I don't mean to down grade my position .... but really .... its quite blah. Anyway, nurses are saying they could be leaving, people are bitching and complaining and I've lost my office while she's here so I'm back up front with my co-worker who is strung so tight that when she unravels its scary! Very scary! Don't get me wrong, I like her .... its just she gets a little high strung (very opposite of me). I'm stressed too because my mother-in-law is going thru some tough times. I love her to death but happy she's in Nova Scotia and we are in Alberta. The distance is a good thing. We went back for my brother in law's wedding at the beginning of the month and from the beginning of the trip it just kept going down hill. She's been diagnosed with ADD, Depression, possibly OCD and who knows what else. She's off work and because they haven't heard from her about returning (she's on sick leave) they have threatened for her to lose her job, if she hasn't already - she hasn't said anything since we left about it. Anyway, she's also addicted to World of Warcraft .... something that has run her life probably for the last 5 years. This is a woman who was falling asleep at work because she'd only get a few hours of sleep because from the time she got home to the time she'd go to bed -- she'd be playing her game. She doesn't even have time to talk to her son on the phone because she's busing "raiding" or whatever else. I don't have a problem with any games, but when you let it run your life --- we had even planned on having an intervention for her while we were back -- but we decided not to because of her fragile state that she's in. Plus we wanted to speak with her psychiatrist before we did so -- and time just didn't permit. She needs help -- and of course her problems filtered into our problems while we were down. A couple of days before we left she called us and asked for money. We aren't financially well off --- we are living in a gold mine of oil and gas here in Alberta -- but we don't work out at site so done reap the benefits of the salaries some of these people make. But she bought a $450 dress for the wedding and .... needed $200 because she couldn't afford the entire amount. My answer - take the dress back - you don't need a dress like that for the wedding. Did i say that? No -- but I definitely told my husband. He asked me if we could help her -- and I told him we'd have to think about it because we have our own expenses -- but I also know that deep down, helping them financially - is not good. We're just enabling her --- Anyway .... we fly into Halifax at 630am from an overnight flight and who's not there? His mom. at 7am we finally get a hold of her and she had only woken up 10 minutes before that --- after traveling all night ... she couldn't even be there to pick us up - it was an hour and 20 minutes after we landed that she finally showed up .... and it just set the tone for the entire trip. She's obsesses with dressing my niece in all matching clothes. Don't get me wrong - I think kids should look good in their clothes, but if they don't always wear all coordinating clothes .... who cares. She's 2! Well his mom has this fit when my nieces parents don't dress her in clothes that coordinate. It was funny at first, but then just annoying ..... She's spent so much money on her clothes because when she comes from her parents house to Nan's ..... she'll get changed again into something that Nan has bought. You know why she has no money? Because she buys hundreds of dollars of clothes. Anyway, I could go on about that -- but I won't! So we go to my brother in laws the night before the wedding --- my husband wasn't in the wedding party (or was his other brother). We were told we had to go to the rehearsal because both brothers were ushers ..... and then we had to go and decorate the hall.... at 1030 at night! (after Bingo of course!) Anyway we were there until 2:30am and then had to get up early the next morning because the bride's mother and father needed help at the hall with the rest of the food. While we were there (the only two and them) she asked me if I would mind staying in the kitchen and ensuring that the food in the buffet stayed full - meaning to top up the turkey, buns, coleslaw ... etc.... I couldn't sit with my family for anything until after dinner .... what was I suppose to say? The bride had two people cancel on her and I felt bad but I was angry as someone else should have done it rather than the sister in law..... Anyway, just glad that night is over and done with .... the next day we are going out on the boat -- my husband's uncle and aunt are taking us out for a boat ride out on the ocean. His uncle told his mom that she couldn't come because there wasn't enough room on the boat .... This day was probably the only great day I had while I was there --- we saw whales, dolphins, seals and had such a great time .... That night we drove back into Halifax and stayed with Devin's mom -- who chewed out Devin because she couldn't go on the boat. All I could hear from the bedroom was "f-this" and "f-that" and she was yelling at him. The door slammed and then he came into the bedroom ... she went out for a smoke and he came in to tell me that she was angry and taking it out on him. It wasn't even him that decided it! Oh and then ... she had the balls to ask for the money ..... we thought knew that if we avoided the subject and stayed away from her --- we wouldn't give her the money -- but she cornered him that night and asked him for it. What did he do? He gave it to her -- so then that caused us to fight .... I don't think I have ever gone to sleep angry at my husband before. Anyway, it Devin talked to her about it and said that we really shouldn't have given it to her because we needed it for bills ... and she sent us the money back. When we left -- she apparently had $40 to her name. I just don't know what to do --- I know that its not really my problem .... but .... I just don't know what to do - I want to help, but don't know what I can do. Its a blessing that i'm here though ..... and away from all of that! So our vacation didn't really even feel like a vacation -- and I'm still stressed about it all -- even though I shouldn't be. And i think thats why I may not be losing weight because I'm a little stressed. Plus, we just found out last week that Devin's uncle was diagnosed with cancer .... who will be starting chemo very soon. Oh yeah, we had Devin's grandpa's funeral while we were there too .... I go for a fill on Wednesday which I'm excited about - I hope that I'll start losing weight from that day on ..... and the only other thing that has me excited is that we are going down to Lake Louise for Thanksgiving. Devin gets cheap hotels and we're staying three nights for only $100. Otherwise we'd be staying in Banff or Calgary -- but just to be down in civilization will be great too! I miss Calgary too much and can't wait til we're outta Fort McMurray in two years! I also just got my second "aunt flo" after my miscarriage in May --- so I think my hormones are outta whack a little and thats why the "down in the dumps" feeling ....hopefully it'll go away soon. I can't wait until January / February to start trying for a baby and hopefully have no complications this time around! We are going to Mexico in March so that does keep me happy to think about!! I know I don't have it bad ..... things could always be worse .... its just sometimes everything seems to add up all at once and gets to be so overwhelming. My parents are in Florida until december now -- and then they are home for a few weeks and take off January 1st for Mexico. I'm missing them alot - I talk to my mom usually a couple times a day and now ... only once every couple of days. My dad sent me a card with $100 in it and its one of those Hallmark ones that you record a message and its my dad saying how happy and proud he is of me and calls me "pumpkin" -- dad's nickname for me growing up. Made me cry but makes me so happy for what I have with my family. Anyway, I don't even know why I have written this much -- I guess I just was feeling I needed to get everything out cause its been bottled up inside me now for the last month .... its been driving me nuts!!! Time for bed now ----- well, one load of laundry before I do call it a night!

Hey all .... Its Sunday night and I'm panicking because I can't find my OCC information about the type of band and the size of it. I have a fill on Wednesday and I just have to give the doctor that information and of course, any paper work I have..... states nothing! I have my patient id card and that indicates that its a 10cm band but I don't know how much of a fill they can put in. Does anyone have an idea? I sent off an email to Lori last week and didn't hear anything back (I asked for a copy of the OR report so I could have it for another doctor I plan to see in Calgary for my next fill after this one) and so tonight I emailed Dr. Miranda.... and the reason why I did that was because I recall her saying something. To be honest, from the time I arrived at the OCC -- I don't remember too much. It all seems to be a blur to me .... My question is --- does anyone know off hand the maximum amount they can put in? I certainly don't intend on getting that - but something I can give my doctor when I see him on Wednesday. Nothing like waiting til the last minute for this kind of information eh? I can always postpone the appointment, something I don't want to do -- but hope that I can give him some information when I get there! The weight loss has become very slow ..... I'm sad about that -- although I know I have lost inches, the scale just hasn't gone down in two weeks. I gained 5 pounds while on vacation (if you can call it that --- it was more stressful than what I was expecting!) but that is now gone so I'm back to my pre-vacation weight. I've been stressed and just not feeling up to snuff..... I finally have gotten my second "aunt flo" after my miscarriage in May and I think that that's why I'm not feeling myself lately. Work is stressful and I even though I'm not stressed - my co-workers are and its driving my nuts. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving weekend in Lake Louise ..... I have a small goal - 5 pounds - to lose before then. I bought Dance Dance Revolution for Wii and there is a weight loss section that tells you how many calories you've burned ..... I have the coordination of a yak .... its quite funny to watch! But fun. So if I stick to that and lose a few pounds I think things will turn better -- its just been stressful lately. In the end though - I am down 25 pounds that would have taken me years to have gotten rid of so I can't really be too sad..... So if anyone has any input on the band size - I'd greatly appreciate it. I figure if I don't hear anything from them by tomorrow afternoon, I'll give the Center a call and ask them. I hope everyone has had a great weekend! Alana

Scott you're doing great!!!! Hard to believe that its been almost a month since we've been banded eh? I'm a little afraid to have real meals yet but have slowly been introducing solids back in. We were away for a week and it was hard trying to get all the water in and eating healthy.... but any choice I made was fairly healthy -- and in very small quantities. I'm just not hungry though, except for the morning. Keep us updated 'kay?!?!?! How's Vancouver? Hope you have a great weekend! Alana

So I thought I'd come on here rather than stand outside I'm so happy that its Friday .... I've been looking forward to this day since Tuesday when I returned to work from vacation! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my job -- but some of the girls I work with can be quite bitchy and it just makes for a really long day. I try not to let their bitchiness bother me but its hard. My aunt is moving at the end of October and she's starting to pack up some stuff and give it away --- so this weekend we're getting a new queen size mattress and tv from her --- yay!! See we have some roommates and we gave up our bedroom for one of them so we sleep in the basement. That wouldn't be so bad, except, we sleep with the washer and dryer and the furnace ... and on a blow up mattress. So the bed is going to be luxury! We don't need the tv, but it'll be nice to have it though for those days I want to have a nap and watch tv before I fall asleep! Beans is going to love it too!! I'm trying to find something for dinner tonight - something that will be easy to eat and the only thing I have with me is a Kraft What's Cooking magazine. I'm thinking a chicken pot pie would be tasty tonight. The chicken will be cut up and there is vegetables in it --- I have to start thinking of creative cooking for Devin & I .... but I think it'll be fun! Anyway, I should go and dress for home (I have to get out of the scrubs) and by the time I do that .... he should be here. Maybe we'll stop by Walmart and see if there is DDRevolution for Wii out now --- I need to start exercising and if I can't do sit ups - I need to start doing something!!! Have a good weekend everyone!!! :-h

Good luck today!!! You will do great and everything will go a-ok!!! Let us know how you are doing afterwards but know you are in the best of hands and they'll take wonderful care of you! Alana

We went away on vacation .... if you could call it that! It was almost a week and I wish I could say I had a fun time for the entire trip but really didn't. Its kind of sad because I was visiting my husbands family. Don't get me wrong, I love them all .... but a few of them are a little wingnut-like .... seriously. It was way too stressful for me at times and it caused Devin and I to fight (because of his mom). We're both just happy to be at home now and in a normal environment! We'll do it all again October 2009! hahahahahaha I didn't get a chance to be on the site much while I was away. Infact I don't even think I brought out the laptop that much while we were gone. I did well with eating -- all things considering. We really didn't have much choice but to eat out - my first time eating solids and I had to have a meal out .... but I ate very carefully and cautiously and in the end gained 5 pounds have have since lost it all. I also didn't have a chance to have much water while I was gone but now I'm drinking it like crazy. I find that its hard to drink alot of it but know how important it is to get it all in. I also find that I'm not hungry. In the morning when I wake up I am hungry but for lunch and dinner I'm not at all .... so I have to force myself to eat. Looking forward to my first fill --- October 2nd .... just hope I can lose a few more pounds before hand. I love my band!

Its nice to see so many people from Canada! I live in Fort McMurray (for now -- we're here on the "3 year plan") and then will be heading back down to Calgary or Canmore area (September 2010 --- wooohoo!!! hahahaha) I joined the Calgary Lap group on Yahoo and everyone is great there --- also the Winnipeg one in the odd event that we move back home, but I find that all the information I can get from anywhere is always good. Haven't been on the site much (just returned from vacation) but hoping to get back into the swing of things! Alana

Hey Lisa -- thanks so mcuh for the kind words!! I was surprised that for the most part of the post - op diet I wasn't a mega biotch. Surprised my husband too! There might have been a day or two -- or an hour where it was bad, but I've been pretty lucky. I could have gnawed off his arm though tonight - he made a sandwich and I just wanted one bite of it ... but I figure why screw it up now - only a few more days to go! NS will be fun .... kinda Wish we had more time to do "us" things (such as Cape Breton) but there is always the next trip! We went whale watching last year while in Cape Breton and I had a blast! I'm looking forward to it this year too - I better see a whale jump! I wish I ate seafood ..... maybe this trip will be something different! I'll be taking pictures and will post them later on! My first fill is scheduled for October 2nd ..... very excited and nervous! We got some McDonald's coupons in the mail the other day -- I took them to work and gave them to the girls. We don't need that place anymore...... Have a good night! Alana

Hey Julie! Thanks so much for your comments! Yeah, I definitely think I have a keeper .... I like rewards! Hopefully the end reward for this will be 130 pounds gone and to gain a baby!!! For now I'll settle with concert tickets!! hahahahaa And you're right .... and I promise to not let my emotions control my eating! I promise, promise, promise! I don't think I'll have any time to eat while I'm there since I'm doing in-law stuff! But there is always the reality that even though I try and be as strong as I can, I do have my weaknesses. I appreciate the encouragement -- every little bit helps! I'll be in touch while I'm gone .... I won't be able to weigh myself while I'm gone unless I head to Walmart or Superstore and find a scale to weigh myself but I hope to be down a few pounds when I return! I'll let you know how it goes! Have a good night! Alana

Hey there ..... Congrats on the surgery -- its the best thing that has ever happened to me -- well that and meeting my husband I'm probably not the best person to answer questions but I'll try to answer them the best I can! My recovery was pretty quick. I had surgery on a Friday and we flew back to Edmonton on the Monday. I walked around Sea World on the Sunday and might have pushed myself a little that day but I couldn't go to San Diego without checking out Sea World or the Zoo! I returned to work on the Tuesday and had only planned on staying for a few hours to do payroll but I some how got suckered into staying the entire day. Those four days at work were tough but I am lucky, I don't have to do any strenous work (I book all of our Operating Rooms at the hospital). Getting out of bed was a little tough as we sleep on an air mattress (long story) but I did good! I don't have any children, but I have Devin Bless his heart he means well all the time but I found that within a few days of being home I was back to doing laundry. I just made sure not to lift heavy things. I was a little weak from the liquid diet there for a few days. But I just started drinking broth that had a little more salt in it (with no noodles). Drinkable yogurt seems to be my new best friend. I get quite full from it and vanilla is my favorite. I have an Ensure for lunch and find that one can fills me up pretty good. I've had my ups and downs with throwing a tantrum in the kitchen ... but in the end its all for the best! Email me at alanaholmstrom@shaw.ca if you'd like and I can shed some more light on my situation. Oh yeah .... I've heard it too about Mexico but I just shake my head at those people. I've never once second guessed seeing a doctor in Mexico and i've been going almost every year since I was about 12. I'd see a doctor down there before I see a doctor here in Fort McMurray! Infact I just had a conversation with a friend at work today who told me I just needed to walk a bit more .... or go to the gym. I explained that this was merely a tool to help me lose weight and it wasn't going to do it for me -- I had to do it too. But I find that some of my friends up here aren't .... educated enough (and thats really how I can put it nicely). I figured that this battle wasn't worth trying to fight and just let her think what she needed to. I'm sure there are horror stories about Mexico but I can tell you -- in the years I've been going I have never had an issue ... and I never had an issue at OCC. Its so clean there you could probably eat off the floor. I showed a few of the Youtube videos to people and it really gave them some relief. And nope - we live in Fort McMurray ..... but hopefully for not too much longer. I'm crossing my fingers we can be gone by the summer of 2010 and back down to Calgary. We left a year ago to be up here to gain some experience and make some money. But I miss the city alot .... its different up here. Lots of money with people who don't know what to do about it and a trailer costs about $500,000 so we won't be in the housing market any time soon here! A house is about $200,000 more than that .... but if you want to gain some experience, this is definitely the place to do it. Have a good night and email me if you have any questions! Alana

Hahahaha.... too funny! I wish I was able to still fit into that t-shirt I had ..... heheheh.... Devin bought be two cd's on Friday and i couldn't believe how how I still had the lyrics memorized. Devin just rolls his eyes ..... Glad I'm not the only one going to the concert!!

I'm so excited about Friday --- I finally get to chew something! Will be finished the liquid stage of post-op and can go on to start learning to chew and finally put something more exciting in my stomach than broth and other creamy liquids. I swear, if I never have to drink broth again I will be the happiest person around! Its been a long trek since August 22nd when I was banded by Dr. Ortiz but I know that definitely what doesn't kill me makes me stronger. I've been able to find the willpower that I never thought I had. I have to admit though, I did have a complete meltdown in the kitchen last night .... tears, punches and all! It was quite pathectic to see a 30 year old have a tantrum like that but I really just wanted food. Mental hunger is deadly! What keeps me going is knowing that since I started my pre-op diet to today ... I've managed to lose 24 pounds. Those 24 pounds would have taken years to get rid of .... but they've been gone in just a short time (a month and a week). I can't wait to get down to my goal... I'm so excited!! I have a wonderful husband who has been great thru it all. He was worried about mood swings due to lack of food (so was I) and was prepared for the worst. But in all it hasn't been that bad. As a special surprise for me ..... and you can all laugh at me but it means the world to me .... he got me tickets to go and see New Kids on the Block in Edmonton (it was my first concert I ever went to when I was 13) for November. He just wanted to let me know that I'm doing great and as a "reward" he surprised me with these tickets. I haven't told anyone else but the forum yet that I'm going - I know my friends will just laugh at me ... but I'm looking at it as a great time! We leave tomorrow night for 5 days in Nova Scotia. Looking forward to it --- kinda. Only to the whale watching, a hair appointment, being away from work and I get to eat food. The wedding, funeral and intervention .... not so much I think I'll need a vacation away from this one! hahahahha I wanted to thank everyone else on the forum -- its all of your help and support that get us thru the tough times and even though I don't post that often .... reading the encouragement that you give helps ALOT! Thanks for all being great friends!!! Alana

CONGRATS!!! You look amazing!!!

Big time cheaper and life is easier -- Hwy 63 is a killer and i'm happy I don't have to drive it if I don't have to. I just checked out all the patient comments on ratemd's.com (or whatever the website it) and he doesn't have the best of reviews though. I'll try it out and in the end ... he is in FMM and it is cheap .....

I've still got a long ways to go ---- I'm Arnold & 2 Chihuahua's ...... but I look at the bright side, since I've lost ..... I've gotten rid of one automobile tire Good gosh, in the end I hope to lose a newborn giraffe! I love that list!! Thanks!

So I live about 5 hours from Edmonton, in what feels at times like the farthest north you can go in Alberta (I know its not, it just feels like it). Fort McMurray isn't "home" right now, we're just up here to get some experience and pay off some bills and hope to return to civilization and mountain in two years. I was worried that having Lap Band surgery would create a bit of an issue with where would I go for my fills. I was going to see a doctor in Calgary that many people recommended as I really can't afford to get a flight from here to San Diego every time I needed a fill. If I was able to find one in Edmonton, I would have taken that too .... however..... While I was away in Tijuana, a co-worker of mine had a patient (I work in the Operating Room) who had lap band surgery done in the US and was quite forthcoming that he saw a local doctor here in town and he did his and his wife's fills. So I called the office yesterday and asked the girl if there was a possiblity and she said yes. Then I mentioned I had my fill from Dr. Ortiz in Mexico .... and she said "oh, then I'll have to check, I'm not sure" .... my heart sunk and could only hope that he'd say yes. She promised to call me back today and that she did -- I now have a fill doctor here in town ad I don't have to travel for it! YAY!!!! I'm not opposed to going back to Tijuana for a fill, or even to see the doctor in Calgary who specializes in Bariatric surgery ... but this helps. The cost is $70 and I don't have to miss a day of work for it! If I don't like him, well then I find someone else, but this just really takes a load off the stress meter as I was panicking as to who I could find to do my fill and have it coincide with a long weekend so we could drive out. It makes the pain and suffering of gas pains today not matter at all --- this truly has made my day! And on a happy note too -- I weighed myself (I have to stop doing this but I'm so excited each morning) -- I'm down 19 pounds since I started my preop diet a month ago. I tried to update my ticker here at work but couldn't so I'll try at home. Thats almost 20 pounds that had taken me 3 years to lose .... I'm also starting to drink more liquids now and feeling a bit better. Thank goodness cause last night I was starting to think that being hit by a train to put me out of my misery was a good idea! My husband also got a phone call from his mom last night to say that his grandpa passed away. Devin is upset about it and its hard when someone you love hurts like that. Unfortunately he's also in the mad stage as he's upset that it took 3 days for his family to find out that his grandpa passed away. My family is different than Devin's where my mom calls my grandma every day and if she can't I do ..... Devin's family doesn't really do this and since being married, he's realized how close my family is. We're heading back to Nova Scotia in two weeks and they said that they'll just wait to have a memorial then when everyone is home (we're going back for a wedding) ..... what a week I tell ya. I hate this much stuff happening ..... Well another hour and half before I head home for the day --- wooohooo!!!! I'm going right to the couch, after I make myself some broth. One more day til I get creamy liquids and I'm all over that like crazy!!!

Thanks everyone for your input!!!! Surprisingly I'm not craving the food now since I'm no longer at work...... but I think that this weekend or next my husband and I will head out for a cup of soup! I'm going to travel with a straw at all times, but one of those jumbo wide straws!!! kidding! Have a good night everyone!

Good afternoon all ..... I'm sitting here at work smelling the Pot Luck that they decided to put on for a co-worker who is leaving and I can dream of me bathing in the sweet and sour sauce I smell .... its only been 6 days post - op and it wasn't hard until really now. I was hoping to leave work early and not have to smell all the foods but have a few other things that need to be done before I go.... Anyway, I have a question about the creamy soup stage - do you think if I went to Moxie's and had their Broccoli Cheddar soup it'd be ok? Of course, don't eat the 3 pieces of broccoli they put in, but would this soup be safe? Ok, I'm going back to smelling rice, sweet and sour sauce, hot wings .... uggghh... its torture! But hey, at least I'm losing weight!!

So today is my first day back to work .... its 11am and I think I'm dying. Ok, that may be a little over dramatic and I'm not actually dying but boy does it feel like it! I think I went a little overboard while in Tijuana and San Diego and for that its my own fault. The day after surgery I did the Tijuana City Tour and as fun as it was (and not all that happy about the sunburn I got) I probably shouldn't have gone on it because the bus ride was fairly bumpy. Sunday (two days after surgery) my husband and I walked Sea World. I definitely got my walking in, however, I must have looked like a 90 year old woman shuffling along. I have gas in my back / neck and its killing me. I thought at first it was a kink but its definitely not that. And really, other than that --- my pain is minimal except where my port is .... I find that the most painful and have to hold it each time I walk or get up or sit down. Other than that - I definitely don't regret getting banded ... never will I. From the day I started my pre-op to now, I've lost 17 pounds. I now feel like I'm doing a colon cleanse though -- time to get some fiber in me! Slow things down a bit! And this Friday I can start my "creamy stage" and I'm all over that like a .... I dunno ... something! I'm going to savor that first drinkable yogurt ..... This has been hard, I won't lie to myself or to anyone -- it definitely hasn't been a walk in the park. I didn't realize exactly how much my life had revolved around food. Tasty, scrumptious food ..... But in time, I'll be able to eat again, but just not right now --- 21 days of liquids and then I'm good to go - and on to eating healthier foods at a smaller quantity. Dr. Ortiz was right, be careful of that mental hunger - its the worst. My husband has been great with the food - he did stop off at Tim Horton's yesterday and brought me some chicken broth that they had strained for dinner. He too had soup, but he got all the noodles and veggies in his ... and of course a bun But he's trying to help me thru this stage and for that, I'm so very greateful! I'm hoping to get away early today --- I'm glad I work at a hospital and they know that I'm not faking this pain as they see it every day. I wanted to stay all day, but I'm exhausted and just feel ill ..... and my couch is sounding a lot better! I'm so happy that I've lost some weight - when I see the scale go down it makes me realize I made the best decision I could! Hopefully I can lose another 10 before we leave for Nova Scotia on the 9th and have a thinner face for those pictures! I've got a long road to travel down, but I know that I definitely can do it!

I walked down the street to the Commercial grocery store (mall) about a 6 block walk and picked up some broth and Crystal Light (there found as Clight or you can get the 1 liter water bottles of Be-lite). My favorite is apple as it tastes just like apple juice and mixed with water! And the for the broth - I'd recommend taking some down too! I just bought a bag of it at the grocery store there (the Knorr kind) for all of $4 and could spoon in as much as I wanted. Have lots of fun!!!

Hey Julie -- thanks so much! I must have still been stoned off the medication when I posted that cause I remember writing NONE of that! hahahahaha... Things went really good and I'm glad that I'm on "the other side" now .... I've got a little bit of pain, perhaps the city tour on the bus wasn't the greatest idea and walking around Sea World on Sunday but I after all I did just have surgery. Sitting in the Delta sardine plane (and a 4 1/2 hour drive this morning) didn't help either but find that most of my pain is just where my port is...... I'm just glad that its over and done with and excited to see the results ... dammit there better be results!! Can't wait to go back again ...... everyone was so great and the people I met were wonderful! Keep in touch! Alana

Sorry for the delay - we just got home this morning .... thanks to Delta Airlines Actually, they only had us behind schedule by about 10 hours ...... I did meet Theresa - she was great and hilarious! I didn't get her information from her but do tell her I say hello and hope she's doing well. Caught up with her at the San Diego Airport yesterday morning and she was doing pretty good! And if I recall --- she caught the van home with me that night too -- Please do tell her I say hello and if she ever gets a chance to email me at alanaholmstrom@shaw.ca to keep in touch! Her sense of humor was great! Alana

Hola amigos!!!! So the time has finally come and I am now one of you people out there ...... This will be short as I'm using the hotel computers but my experience has been absolutely wonderful and have met some great people!!! I can't for the life of me finish off a glass of water or some broth but I'm trying to get some stuff in! My procedure was yesterday and I came out last night as thats how well I was feeling! Today my husband and I are off to do the Tijuana City tour to go soak in some of the sights and get some sun ... I swear we are the only two around here who are unbelievably white!!! i need a tan! anyway, I wanted to let you know I'm all good and without the help of this forum, I may never have made it down. ...... THANK YOU!!! You know what makes me even more happy?? That I now get to eat off the kids menu at restaurants!!! ehehehehehehe Hello chicken dinosaurs!!! Alana

Oooh.... my favorite is the soccer! The one I hate the most right now though is the one that you are in a bubble and have to go down the river...... I'm almost there and I hit the side! Grrrr! The step one is my favorite, especially the one that you can watch tv while you still hear the beat and the boxing. Oh who am I kidding, I like 'em all even the Yoga and strength training....