Hi Judi,
The mashed cauliflower really does sound good. I never thought of trying something like that in the place of potatoes. Is there anything else that you add to it or is it just mashed and then seasoned? I would really like to try that.
For a while I was eating a lot of grilled vegetables drizzled with a small amount of olive oil. Eggplant, summer squash and mushrooms mostly. Believe it or not, these were really good. I have a Foreman Grill and it was very easy to do. I need to get back to doing that. I also like to grill salmon steaks or fillets on that grill. Mostly I am having a problem with "will-power" right now.
I have been feeling pretty well. Although I haven't actually been diagnosed yet with MS, I seem to be in the risk group for developing it. My bout of optic neuritis is improving. But the strange thing is that some days I feel as if my vision is better than other days. My foot surgery in scheduled for next Monday and I am pretty focused on that right now. I am a bit nervous about it. Maybe not so much the actual surgery, but afterwards. Being so overweight is going to be very difficult when you will only be able to use one leg/foot for awhile. Sometimes I really "bash" myself for ever letting myself get into this condition. I know better.
Anyway, you keep up the good work. Let me know if you have any other veggie or protein substitute tips/recipes that work for you. I would very much like to try some of them.
Take care.
Gracie

Hi Gracie...I haven't figured out how to use all the cute little icons like your little waving guy yet. He makes me happy! (I'm easily amused!!!)
So Monday is the big surgery day, huh? Mmm, don't envy you. I have such a distaste for hospitals, surgery, etc. How long will they keep you? I swear these days everything is practically a drive-by surgery! Remember, the Drs., Nurses and staff are "your" employees...you are the one paying the bill, thus paying their salaries, so make sure you ask for and get the best of care. If you haven't already met with the Anesthesiologist, ask to do so...this one is probably the most important one in the whole surgery procedure. Let him/her know of ANY and ALL medical problems and/or concerns. Make sure they know about the Optic Neuritis. Anesthesilogy is dealing with the nervous system...so is Optic Neuritis. Trust me...I'm not saying to be all beligerent and demanding...just make sure they take extra good care of you. I don't know how much overweight you are, but I did read a rather sad study recently that said many medical specialists tend to neglect the needs of overweight people. Don't let 'em neglect you!!!

And please don't be so hard on yourself. I'm sure we all wonder how on earth we got to the weight we are today. I sure as heck wasn't born this size! And what is now my "goal" weight, I once would have considered huge!

Do you mind sharing a bit about your Optic Neuritis? That was one of my first diagnosistic tests that I flunked...you know the one with the sort of checkerboard screen you have to look at while your brain is attached to electrodes. Oh my, when those little squares started moving around I thought I would fall off the chair...talk about dizzy and disoriented...aarrggggghhhh...hated that test. Did fine with my spinal tap, even without any lidocaine or numbing agent. Am deathly allergic to all "caines", so have to have dental work, etc. done with nothing. Not complaining. Thank goodness I have a pretty high pain tolerance!!! But oh, that Optic Neuritis test, ugh! I have a lot of problems with things sort of moving around on me when they're not. I think my depth perception is not so hot either! And the flickering sensation, like a fluorescent light is burning out, drives me nutso. Just wondered if you have these same sorts of things...

Hope to hear from you before Monday. Will certainly keep you in my thoughts and prayers....best of luck...JL

Hi Judi,
I am only supposed to be in the hospital overnight for "pain management". I really don't like the sound of that! I guess they will then send me home with some nice pain-killers so I hope.
I never had the kind of test for optic neuritis that you spoke about. I actually began to have eye pain especially with movement of my eye (right only). Then I developed a killer headache on that side of my temple that would not go away. Severe light sensitivity. Vision was blurry as well. I went to my opthamologist first because I thought it was actually an eye problem. He examined me and ordered a visual field test. (I flunked that one and my results indicated "optic nerve defect". He sent me to a neuro-opthamologist. When he examined my eyes with all sorts of lighted instruments, he discovered an "afferent pupiliary defect" in the right eye. I also could not discern the test using color plates indicating that I had lost a good deal of my ability to see color in that eye. My visual field and neurological testing he did in the office indicated that I had lost some of my peripherial and altitudinal vision. Then he ordered an MRI which thankfully came back "normal appearing". He is now monitoring me periodically for any changes and to see if I am recovering any of my vision loss. I am slowly improving in all areas. First the pain finally went away along with the light sensitivity. The headaches stopped and gradually my vision seems to be improving and I can now discern all the color plates. I won't have to go back for 6 months now.
I don't think I could have handled the test you had! I get dizzy and nauseous whenever I see a strobe light!

Take care and thanks for the prayers for Monday.
Gracie

Hi Nraye,
I hope you are doing OK and that all is well with you. I miss you!
Take care,
Gracie

HI I'm Robin, I was diagnosed Jan 2000 (while I was pregnant with my 2nd child). Optic Neuritis was my "identifier". I thought I needed glasses, and after 3 specialists and an MRI I found out it was MS. I was blind in my left eye for a total of 18 months... I still have heat/fatigue relapses, but for the most part the vision has returned. Prior to this I had years of attacks; but they were always overlooked. Currently I'm on daily injections of Copaxone (and I still hate needles).

My 2nd daughter was born in April 2000 and my last month of pregnancy I suffered from shortness of breath... I assumed because I was pregnant. After she was born I still suffered from it, so I figured it was because of the MS (and I was a smoker). By March of 2001 it still hadn't cleared up, so I quit smoking..... it got worse. I FINALLY mentioned it to my doctor who began testing and it was discovered that I have Pulmonary Hypertension. They believe it may be secondary as the right side of my heart is enlarged as well... for unknown reasons at this time. I'm seeing a cardiologist this Tuesday (Sept 11/01) and we'll go from there.

I remember when I was diagnosed with MS, I asked the Dr's if it would kill me. I got the typical answer of NO... I didn't have Progressive MS at this time, and most people go on to live a normal life span.. it's just the quality that is effected. I could live with that. I felt as long as I'd get to see my girls grow up. But my latest health battle hasn't been so easy for me to deal with; I'm in denial at this time. Since I still weigh what I did when I gave birth to my 2nd a year and half ago, I decided to join WW and do something about it... that and it will take my mind off my health and it certainly can't hurt!!

In a nut shell that is the tip of the iceburg of my story... it feels nice to be able to share it. Thank you!!!!! I look forward to getting to know all of you.

Take Care... Robin

Hi Gracie & Robin...
This is weird... I wrote each of you a message and neither of them appear on this site. I wonder what I did wrong!! Oh this is nuts...
But, after what happened in New York, my screw up here is irrelevant!!
Isn't that terrible?? What a horrific day those poor dear people had in NY and Washington... and it's no way near over! We will live with the consequences of what these crazy people did for a long time!
I hope you each are doing well... I have been out of this loop because my mother fell and broke her hip... OH GRACIE... I just realized... didn't I send my message just to you??? Maybe THAT's why it isn't showing up here. LOLOLOLOL...
Don't let anyone tell you that MS doesn't effect your brain and memory!!!
Please keep me in on the group here and keep me posted!!
Love,
Marlene

Thank you for the welcome Marlene.

I had my appointment with the cardiologist on the 11th and received the worse news possible.... I have Primary Pulmonary Hypertension. You may recognize this disease as it's been in the news over the last few years as it is often caused by Phen-Phen.. however, I'm one of the RARE few who has developed it on my own with out any use of drugs.. although they did look at the drug I'm taking for MS. Apparently it does not cause it, or so the medical books showed when 900 people had tried the drug (the book was written when it was still in the experimental stage)

Apparently there is a specialist for PPH in Toronto, Ontario (about 400 kms' from my home town) They are going to try to get me in to see him, but in Ontario, our waiting lists are years long for specialists.... it's hard to say when or IF I'll ever get to see this man.

I'm on a bit of a pitty party lately (it too will pass), but until then I'm going to step away from the computer for a while.... thank you for your support... I'll be back soon

Robin

Hi Guys!
Where is everyone? I had an excuse but where did everybody else go? I made it through surgery but couldn't get into the room with the computer and was way.....too.....sick to try. Later on I had serious complications from surgery but God spared me. I sure would like to hear how everyone is doing.
Take care.
Gracie

Gracie:

I enjoy reading your posts in the MS Dieting room...where did everyone go?

Glad your foot surgery is over and done with - and sorry you ran into complications. My husband is going for a foot rebuild procedure tomorrow, and I hope he doesn't run into complications now. Hope you're on the mend and feeling a whole lot better.

Someone very near and dear to me has recently been diagnosed and is going for a Visual Evoked Potential test, Brainstem Auditory Evoked Pot. test, and a Sensory Evoked Pot. test this coming Wed. (Dec. 19)....did you have all these things done too?

Hope your weight program is in the works....

Judi, Robin - come on back.....be looking for you gals....you're a good, sincere bunch and I miss your posts.

Hello All...

Sorry I have been away so much... I think depression has set in and taken over my life! I managed to get a tree up this year and have NOTHING else out by the way of decorations...and I always have A LOT out... my grandsons are even living with us and I still haven't done anything. I intended to do something this weekend but my husband and daughter both had the flu and I can't carry the stuff up out of the basement. Anyway, I am still kicking and I am trying to get up out of the gutter!
I don't know where the depression is coming from... it was identified when i went for the neuro-psych eval that my MS neuro ordered. I kept saying "I don't feel depressed... I'm just tired"... so they wanted me to see anything psychologist and she said that she didn't think I was depressed as much as over-stressed! She said that we women have a tendancy to think we have to do everything... always in charge...always in control...we can handle anything... And I know I do that ... then when my daughter and grandsons moved back home, it just got to be a little much. I have no privacy and no quiet time. My work is hectic all day and then I go home to craziness! Oh well... I guess we all do so why am I whining!!?
How is everyone? Gracie, I was so glad to see that you're healing from your surgery! I hope everything went okay (minus the complications)...and that you'll be cuttin' a rug real soon!!
Hope everyone is anticipating a wonderful holiday season and looking forward to a year of peace, love and joy! I wish each of you all of life's best!!
Take care... and keep in touch... I will try to, also!!
Marlene

Gracie: Hang in there hon - you're doing the best you can - it's hard to have children around if you're not used to it - but it may be temporary.....

I've spent a lot of time crying lately too - I think it's part of the season....and not much sun here either (which is unusual).

Do your best, and the flu will leave your environment, and your husband will help with the Xmas decorations, and these times will pass.

No kicking up our heels here, Hubby's in the hospital - with major foot surgery, but hey - to have him home for Xmas will be nice...and I won't have to go to the hospital -

Take care,

Hi Guys!
It's so good to hear from you NRaye and from Kermie too! I really missed everyone. Kermie, I hope your husband is doing well after his foot surgery. If he is going to be "down" for awhile, PLEASE make sure his Dr. gives him blood-thinners! Mine didn't and it almost cost me my life! But thanks to God, I am healing and will be okay. I am now able to walk (with the walking boot) but at least I can get around by myself. I even went back to work. I have some lung impairment still but I fully believe I will recover all function with time.
Marlene, we are here for you. I know that you are going through some very stressful times but I think of you often and you will be okay. There are so many changes going on in your life right now that anybody would appear to be depressed under those circumstances. You have always been such a positive inspiration to me and I know that "this too shall pass". Hang in there!
As for me, I regained my appetite after my last hospital stay and regained some of the weight that I had lost when I was so ill. But this is a new year and will be a new year of new beginnings for me. On New Year's Eve my husband told me he was thankful that I was still here to celebrate the new year. This really struck home with me considering all that we have been through these past few months. I may not be all that I want to be, but I will strive to change some of the things in my life!
God bless you all.
Take Care,
Gracie

Hi Gracie!! Glad to hear from you and glad to know that you are hangin' in there!! It's tough! I have started to work on my new resolution... to move more!! I had quit at the Healthplex (too long of a story for here) but have now started at the YMCA. I went yesterday and walked for a mile and rode the bike for 20 minutes. With the MS, I'm not to overwork the muscles to get too overheated so I didn't overdo it on the first day. But my intention is to keep this up and just make it part of my day! Please God let me keep my promise to myself! I ate like I wouldn't have any food after Jan 1 so I also am trying to deal with eating "normally"! I am not being strict about any one diet but I am being cautious about what I eat with what. If I have carbs, I don't eat protien with it. If I'm having protein then I eat a big salad and veggies with it rather than potatoes. Just trying to change a lifelong habit is tough enough (this is meat and potato country!!) I know I can do it!! Hope you had a great holiday and are looking forward to a very happy 2002!! Keep in touch!

Hi Marlene, it's really good to hear from you.
Your new resolution to move more is a good one for all of us.
I too ate like there would be no "tomorrow" over the last few days before the new year began. One of my goals is to try and not snack in between meals, especially at work. I really need to stay away from the vending machines. There is very little that is nutritious or low-fat in there! I have pretty much cut out eating at night after supper. I did that while I was down after surgery. Now, I don't have "withdrawal" like I would have normally if I had just cut it out "cold-turkey".
I know that with your new exercise program at the Y, you really do have to keep from getting overheated. From what I have read, overheated myelyn(spelling?) does not conduct impulses as well as someone without MS. This is something I found out with the optic neuritis. Even a hot shower can raise the temp. inside and cause even worse vision (thankfully temporarily) in optic neuritis.
Hang in there and take care of Marlene! You are off to a great new year and I know that you will do great!
Take care.
Gracie

Hello NRaye!

I have had MS for 9 years now. My MRI showed "possible" lesions, so I had the lumbar puncture (which wasn't half as bad as I imagined it!) which gave me the answer I was seeking. My MS hasd progressed from relapsing-remitting to secondary-progressive, so as of now I spend about 85% of my time in a wheelchair.

I think the most difficult aspect of having this disease is keeping a positive attitude. Sounds ridiculous, but your attitude can make all the difference in the world, positive or negative . I was angry and grieving until I landed in the ICU with pneumonia two years ago and almost died. I decided life with MS was preferable to the alternative!!

Right now I am struggling to lose weight. I am currently 275 at 5'7". Having limited mobility and stamina makes exercising a challenge, to say the least. But I view Sugar Busters as the first realistic method of eating that I've seen in a long time, so I'm very hopeful.

All I can tell youo is stay positive, avail yourself of any help, including antidepressants, and be open to ways of dealing with the disease besides pharmacological ones. Beware of the quacks and sideshow charlatans that promise a cure - all they will do is empty your wallet. Explore vitamins and minerals and herbs (be careful).

Most of all, stay hopeful!

TrudyL