Depression and Weight IssuesHave you been diagnosed with depression, are possibly on depression medication, and find it affects your weight loss efforts? Post here for support!
Oh my gosh Lisa, what a beautiful young lady!! beautiful inside and out
congrats on your "visit Great Britain" image also!! I don't know anything about how to do that but I'm sure it's alot of work .perhaps the color of the lower font be tweaked a bit, it is a little difficult to read the 'soon' because of the lighter reflection behind it?
Last edited by VermontMom; 04-20-2015 at 10:36 AM.
Location: from Houston, TX—now in Maryland (Washington DC area)
Posts: 1,167
S/C/G: 351/267/140
Height: 5'3"
Better day today, in several ways, the most hope-inducing of which is that my muscles are stronger.
I've had a goal for some days now, which was/is to get to a wooden chair that is right next to where I used to do my Qigong exercises. And I made it! I finally got my butt planted in that chair. I didn't actually make it out of the chair and into doing my exercises—still too weak and spastic for that—but getting to the chair itself, on the opposite side of the room, was an achievement.
I see Mike, my Qigong instructor, tomorrow. Maybe he can show me how to get out of the wheelchair and onto my feet doing the exercises.
Small but significant steps—that's how I'm going to master this thing! Maybe tonight I will get upstairs and down the hall to my collage studio. That's what I need for my morale now, more than anything: I need to make a collage.
Still too weary from these feats to write personal replies, but I'm reading all your postings and cheering for your accomplishments. And I agree with Holly: your daughter is gorgeous, Lisa!
FI I hope your meeting with Mike, your instructor, was good today!
Hi to Lisa, Kathleen, EasySpirit!
I had my first motorcycle maintenance/repair class tonight...I LEARNED HOW TO 'GAP' A SPARKPLUG It was pouring rain and 45 degrees when it was time for class, so we did not ride our motorcycles there tonight..but we really have to tomorrow, so the bikes can go up on the lifts and we can work on them.
Tonight, I have lecture online. I am charging my lap top so that it will have plenty of power for an evening of work. We have to design an ad and turn it in on Sunday. I think I'm going to use my shampoo for the ad. it is really important that I see lecture tonight.
Today was my long day and I am broke. I had to find $1.00 so I could eat something for supper. I am having noodles and creamed corn. For only having $1.00, it turned out pretty good!!!!
Fi, how are you feeling. Hope those damn spasms are getting better. Holly, happy for you, you sounds so happy doing your motorcycle class. EasySpirit and Fi, actually everyone.....thank you for liking Jennifer's picture. She is a great young woman, I don't know how it happened. She pretty much raised me, truth be told. She has a job interview so keep positive thoughts Jennifer's way. It is in a town that is about 40 minutes away from me.
Location: from Houston, TX—now in Maryland (Washington DC area)
Posts: 1,167
S/C/G: 351/267/140
Height: 5'3"
I haven't been doing so hot, but I'm trying to take it in stride.
I had a suite of neuro tests scheduled for today, so it was imperative that I take a shower last night... which meant climbing the stairs. I tried the first few steps in a zillion different ways, but my legs kept giving out under me, and I'd have to back up and sit in the wheelchair, pondering. Finally I tried Bob's suggestion of literally crawling up the steps, on my hands and knees. That eventually worked, once I got the courage to throw myself into it, but by the end Bob was having to help by pushing me. Then I did my alligator crawl into the bedroom and was humiliated again by how hard it was to get my bod onto the box bed.
That was yesterday. This morning I fell down in the unfamiliar master bathroom, five times. My legs are not just black and blue: they're also swollen and lumpy. And then I fell again while trying to walk just one very short step into the carport. I am no longer strong enough to walk to the car. We have to take me to the passenger side door in the wheelchair. It's truly annoying. I appreciate all the enthusiastic comments about baby steps, but in truth, today at least, I'm losing ground.
The neuro tests were so grueling I couldn't finish them. About half-way through the second test I couldn't take it any more, mostly because both of my quadriceps (muscles on the front of your thighs) went into the spasm to beat all spasms. It had nothing to do with the test, but the combined spasm pain and pain from electric shocks they were giving me.... I just got completely overwhelmed and had to quit. So we'll have to go back next Wednesday and finish that test. =sigh=
I'm kinda scared. I don't mind the pain nearly so much as I mind the progressive loss of function. How will I get up the stairs to my studio, if I could barely make it on hands and knees last night? And it freaks me out that I am incapable now of standing, just standing straight up like a normal person does. Am I getting worse, or are these just fluctuations in the illness?
Fi, I can't even imagine how frustrating it must be to not be able to WALK I'm so sorry that the run of tests was so grueling that you had to stop. You have all of our wishes and hopes for relief!!
Lisa I hope you got through your day alright, being so tired. Has your daughter heard about her interview results? I hope also that you have a few more $ in your pocket, though you were very resourceful the other night with the noodles
Easyspirit- so do you actually have spring yet?? we thought we did the other week..woke up this morning to all white again AAAAAAAAcccckk!!!! and it's 29 freakin degrees. Yesterday I rode my motorcycle home from the tech center in 32 degrees.. I think this is me in there --->
Kathleen we haven't heard from you in a while and I hope you are okay!!!!
So I take my medicine (Wellbutrin) regularly but still have prolonged periods of just zero ambition and so apathetic. Yet I do love my family, our dog, my motorcycle, my summer job..I don't know what the *&^% is wrong with me. I need something like a Happy Pill
Location: from Houston, TX—now in Maryland (Washington DC area)
Posts: 1,167
S/C/G: 351/267/140
Height: 5'3"
This morning I fell down two times while trying to get to my shower chair—so I could take a shower—so the day didn't start off very well. But just the experience of washing the EEG grease out of my hair, and getting clean all over, then lying in bed with no cramps, was tremendously restorative. Bob was happily ensconced in a science fiction novel, and it was so nice, just to be silent together in bed.
I decided I didn't want to go downstairs before Grace came, because if I stayed upstairs, we could both work on collage projects in my studio. And so we did! Later on, Grace had a good time playing with Oscar and Nénu while I read Sherlock Holmes aloud to her. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and evening. Now if I can just figure out a less stressful way of climbing the stairs, we'll be living again—not just surviving from one day to the next. =smile=
But don't jump too soon to celebrate my doing better: I still cannot stand, walk, or drive. =sigh=
Fi, I'm glad you had at least one good afternoon or evening, working on collages and spending time with your niece.
I'm still on my time off, still spending too much time sleeping. If I'm directed by something I HAVE to do, like the course we signed up for, or paying bills, laundry..I will do it, but I don't have ambition to do anything else. I don't know if it's lingering Seasonal Affective Disorder, or perhaps another symptom of my brand of depression.
The weather is definitely a motivator and it has SUCKED. A high of 29 yesterday!!! and no sun. I need some warmth and some sun. I'm not even feeling that excited about my summer job, which I should be starting in about 2 weeks.
I did do ONE constructive thing today (besides working out) I pulled out everything from our lower kitchen cabinets, got rid of stuff we never use, boxed up alot of items that will go to the summer job kitchen, then cleaned up a bit, it looks alot better. But that's only ONE thing in 2 weeks!!
Bleh I know I could have it worse. but it's something I can't seem to break out of.
Last edited by VermontMom; 04-26-2015 at 04:45 PM.
Hi Support Buddies!!! Just a quick note to let you know that I am okay ~ GREAT actually ~ despite getting ready to (probably) start chemo soon. We meet with two medical oncologists this week and fully expect them both to recommend chemo since the cancer was in the two sentinel lymph nodes. (The other 17 lymph nodes they took were ALL CLEAR however!!!) We met with a radiation oncologist last week who recommended radiation, but the RISKS were too serious for me to do it (especially based on the fact that it would only give me a 5-10% boost in lessening chances of a recurrence. So we have decided NOT to do radiation. YAY!!! One less thing to worry about!!!
I have tried to keep up with your posts but I have been incredibly busy with all that is going on in my life at the moment. I will write more as soon as I find some time when it isn't so late. Just didn't want anyone to worry about me!!!
Take good care everyone!!! Thank God the weather in Ohio is finally beginning to warm up!!! I love it when the sun is shining all day long!!! It brightens my spirits!!!
Hey Kathleen it is so good to hear from you! thank you for letting us know you are okay I mean it is scary to think of having to go through chemo but I'm glad there will not have to be radiation
I just weighed myself, after 2 weeks of eating less calories, eating better calories, and upping my exercise, the scale is down barely 2 pounds. It is so discouraging!! when I think of what I was eating all winter, it's crazy that I haven't gone down more. I put on a pair of jeans that I haven't worn in over 2 weeks and they feel exactly the same.
Location: from Houston, TX—now in Maryland (Washington DC area)
Posts: 1,167
S/C/G: 351/267/140
Height: 5'3"
I just now gave up on trying to climb the stairs. I tried three times, and one of my tries got me as far as the landing. Maybe tomorrow morning I'll make it. Pain dogs me no matter what I do. Every step I take: pain.
But when I retreat to the green futon and put my legs up on the denim pillow, guess who joins me in this stage of my journey? Oscar and Nénu They've been running around like maniacs, but when I need their comfort, they shift gears and show up in my lap, sweet and affectionate.
So, tomorrow morning... maybe the next time I try, I'll climb them alll the way.
For now:... cats in my lap make it all worthwhile.
Fi, have you considered getting a stair lift chair for your stairs? I don't know the cost, but it might be worth looking into.
Kathleen, I was relieved to see your post and happy you are doing well.
Lisa, I hope you have more energy today.
Holly, two pounds is two pounds - you don't have much to lose, so it is going to take longer. You are doing it! I certainly understand the lazy feeling and not wanting to do anything after the winter we have had. And, it does not seem to want to go away!
Well, it looks like I have a lung infection. All I do is work and sleep. The Dr gave me an antibiotic and it does seem to be working. My lungs don't feel so heavy and my wheezing is better.
i have gained a bunch of weight, it bothers me but right now I am more worried about getting my lungs back. The weight can come later.
I really want to get myself a bike so that I can ride.
I am so tired. I will try to come back tomorrow and do personals.
It was pouring rain and 45 degrees when it was time for class, so we did not ride our motorcycles there tonight..but we really have to tomorrow, so the bikes can go up on the lifts and we can work on them. 
I'm so sorry that the run of tests was so grueling that you had to stop. You have all of our wishes and hopes for relief!!
I know I could have it worse. but it's something I can't seem to break out of.
I'm okay!!!
It brightens my spirits!!! 
