Well Vickie,

It doesn't hurt to look up info on the web - the way I look at it is the more information you have when you see your doctor - the more questions you can ask.

Take care of yourself,
/cheryl

p.s. How could you like liver???? ugh LOL

Hi Ladies

Don't have that much time to post as I have to get ready for church. Just came on board to tell you we're all fine on the Cape. The sun is shinning and we hardly got any rain or wind from Hanna last night from the way they were forecasting it.

See you guys later


Hugs

Hooray Hooray!!!

Almost 3lbs down!! I am happy since I did have quite a few strays off program this week---but not as bad as last week. It feels so good to see the scale move and really gives you more motivation! This week I will try to do even better!!

Wow this board has been busy this week! I spent all morning reading everyone's posts to catch up. During the week I barely have time to do anything "extra" like coming here. My job and daughters take up all the minutes of the day. This week at work was exceptionally challenging and busy as well.
The ICU has been filled with sicker than usual patients (I know that probably sounds impossible, since we get the sickest of the sick) and the nurses have needed a lot of my help and encouragement. I am so proud of my team sometimes!

Sandra---please don't give up! I can see all the stress you have been having with the family issues and that does not help when it comes to staying on program. Try to get in some activity---it helps with the stress---and I need to take my own advice sometimes!

MaryAnn--I hope Leo gets his count up so he can get his chemo next time.
The fact that you can lose weight during this roller coaster of illness amazes me. Really. You are an example and an inspiration to us all.

Vickie--Once you get the CT and see it is normal, you will feel better. It won't make the smell go away but at least you will know it's nothing serious.
If your Dr. is thinking of scanning your brain as well, they really should do it all at once--see if you can make that happen because I think it will cost you less money and less time---one trip instead of two!
I myself had some funky heart stuff going on, so I had a full work up. Everything was normal (except I still have the arrythimia, there is just no explanation as to why). So even though I still have the problem, I know it is nothing serious and that my heart is okay. Just that peace of mind is worth millions, and you may even be able to sleep better once the tests are over.

I wish I could write to all, but I really need to get a move on. Going to go for a walk this morning before it gets too hot outside. Yesterday I had lots of errands to run (got DD a Trombone, she has begun band this year) and my girls had dance class. Didn't get in any exercise so I have to get some today!

Yesterday I made a whole chicken on the grill---the kind with the beer can stand. It was DELICIOUS! I highly reccommend it! I cooked the sweet potatoes on the grill too and had a salad with it. Yummy and all core!

Forgot to put in my 2 cents about the healthcare issue.

As someone on the front lines, I can tell you that healthcare in this country is in serious trouble. I'm not trying to get into a political discussion either, but healthcare reform should be at the top of everyone's list of important issues.

How heartbreaking that a citizen of this country cannot take the medicine they need because of the cost. How stressful for that patient and their family as well to have to make that decision---do we buy food or do we buy medicine? It happens every day to so many people. I could go on forever but that's not what this board is about so I will stop. But I want you to know it makes me furious!!!

Thanks, Rachel. I know you're right. It's just that I'm such a super smeller AND there is no olfactory fatigue with this. Once it comes on it's all I can smell. Ugh.

Well, we're going to a White Sox game today so at least that should distract me for a while. I have NO idea what I'm going to eat though. I think they have a turkey wrap and a fruit cup. We are also going out to dinner with friends afterwards to a pizza place. I'm doing salad with broiled chicken. Tomorrow is weigh in for me and I've been eating too much Core food with no exercise. Not a very admirable start!

Cheryl, I LOVE to gather information but I'm such a worry wart about health issues that it almost isn't worth it since it makes me fret so much.

Maryann, I'm glad you're ok. So is my family!

Congrats Rachel. My hat is off to you for your loss and your work. Nurses and teachers are amazing people!

I don't think it qualifies as a partisan taboo "political" discussion to discuss the reality of things that affect so seriously, so I'll forge ahead.

Let me clarify a common misunderstanding. In the Canadian system, there is no "bureaucrat" between you and your physician. You choose your physician and get the care you need. Different countries have different approaches, but the Canadian system has been badly misrepresented by many American politicians. In my view, this is done to protect the interests of powerful groups who make a lot of money off of human suffering. (That's NOT the nurses!)

You could read a lot about the Canadian system by looking at the website of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research.

Look it up while you're staying Core to prevent obesity-related illnesses

BBL

Rhonda

Hi Ladies

Back after a wonderful brunch at another restaurant called the Crab Apple. We had to go there instead of Friendly's as that part of the town had electricity.

Leo and I are going to watch the end of the golf tournament this afternoon.

RACHEL-Big congrats on your3-lb weight loss. you're doing terrific.Thanks I hope that he does too,as his chemo treatment is this Tuesday. I'm losing as I found that I'm eating to many grain carbs per day and now that I limiting them to once or twice a day my numbers on the scale is going down.


VICKIE-Thanks for a while it was a scare,but everything turned out fine. Glad you family is OK also.


Have to go the golf game is just about to start


Hugs

Hey chicks! Boy has this board been busy! I love to read what everyone is saying, so thanks for all of the posts.

Rachel- I, too, am a registered nurse (as well as a high school teacher), and I have echoed your comment a million times. There is no reason why anyone in this country should have to choose between eating and their medicine. I have even talked to some patients that take their meds every other day to make them last longer. Horrifying and infuriating!!!!

Maryann-so glad that you and Leo are okay! Enjoy the golf tournament.

Rhonda-thanks for the info about the Canadian system. Very interesting!

Vickie-Hang in there. Your doctor sounds like he is at least listening to your symptoms.

Cheryl-hormone induce epilepsy? I've never heard of that. I'm going to read up on it. It is amazing how many ways epilepsy manifests itself. Thanks for sharing your experience with Vickie

Sandra-If your fam does move to Germany will you have a chance to visit? My dd went to Germany in 2006 and absolutely loved it. In fact, she loved it so much she started studying German in college.

Coco-Glad you're back! Could your doc not prescribe something in a generic that could do the job or was it something new? My dad had the same experience with a new diabetes drug and had to stop using it. He was just lucky that there are so many other drugs that he could take. I hope your dh continues to do well.

Last week I made the diet coke sloppy joes and put it over baked potato. It was yummy! I think that is what I am making for dinner. I think we've eaten those sloppy joes at least once a week since you all shared the recipe with me. Obviously we love them. I've had a productive weekend. I did some Goodwill shopping yesterday (half price day) and got some jeans and four sweaters from Liz Claiborne, Petite Sophisticate, Joseph A Bank, and Gap. The total bill was less than $20.00. I hemmed the jeans today, and washed the sweaters so they would be ready when the weather gets cooler.
It is the time of year when folks are cleaning out their closets to get ready for cool weather, so it is a good time to shop. I'll probably go back frequently over the next few weeks since they put out new things every day.
If you've never been and need some clothes for while you are losing, now is a good time to go.

Hope you all have a quiet evening and stay on program. TTFN

Hi chickies! I'm back and ready to get back to core. Vacationing can sure throw a wrench in eating core, so I didn't. I just enjoyed, and obviously a little to much because I think after a total of 3 weeks of eating whatever, I put on about 9 pounds. I will find out officially on Wednesday when I go wi. But, I'm not upset. I had a great time. I think a lot of my weight gain was because of all the cocktails I drank, but then again I did have fattening foods as well. No big deal. I'm not dwelling on it. I just need to get to the store and get some core foods. I still have the cottage cheese oatmeal pancakes in the freezer and cherry berry jam for my breakfast tomorrow, and will probably do some chicken or tuna salad for lunch with some raspberries on the side, so I believe I'm set until I get to the grocery store tomorrow after work. I will be back on track starting tomorrow morning and stay that way until goal. No vacations planned for quite awhile.
I have so much catching up to do! You guys have been busy while I was gone. I missed all of you!
We had a wonderful time camping and boating. This past weekend was something called "Hot Boat Weekend" and there were so many beautiful boats on the river(It's a really big river). Most of the boats are usually on Lake Michigan, but they all come down for this. It's quite a big thing around here. There ara also a few sea planes that come there. So cool to see these cool boats. Ours is not really a "hot boat", but it's a 21 foot with a cutty, and we have a great time. Some of the partying at the camp ground got a little out of hand(we usually go into our motor home when it starts getting rowdy), but I guess 8 guys jumped this other guy and EMS was called because he was pretty messed up. Why must people get so out of hand? But other than that, it was great!
I am going to go catch up on how everyone has been doing.

oooh, that sounds bad Tracie. The fight, not the 9 pounds!

You'll get rid of it.

I'm going to start a weekly challenge tomorrow...my thought is that we should pick one thing that has to be done and do it as close to 100% as possible for 4 days. So, something like only hard core, or drinking all that you should, or 30 minutes of aerobic...something like that.

Rhonda


ps: I get really agitated by people who talk like they know something about Canada's health system and they don't but they use their ignorance to say that the U.S. can't have a similar system. You know, "oh, it's socialist" or "oh, you can't choose your own doctor"...I can go on and on and on...the major issue is that there is a single payer, the government, and the administrative costs are much lower than in the US.

Paula, My main goal this month is to get back on track. Also, your daughter is adorable! Have fun with her while she’s young. They grow up so fast!

Vickie, I agree, I don’t like to get in the pool if the air is only in the 70’s. I don’t have a heater in my pool either, so it’s too cold for me. We are getting ready to close our pool for the winter.

Barb, I hear you on the vacationing. We don’t stay home on weekends much in the summer either, but I’ve done ok, except for the last 3 weeks when I was on vacation and also off for surgery for 4 days. I ate and drank lots of bad things. What part of northern Michigan were you in? I live in Michigan and we go camping up north(well, it’s up north from where we live) at the Hardy Dam near Big Rapids.

Dawn, glad your back. I am getting back on track as well.

Donna, I can’t walk for exercise because of my bad knee, and once winter gets here I won’t be able to ride my bike anymore, but I will go back to doing my water aerobics twice a week with a friend of mine. We joined awhile back, but since summer got here I have been using my own pool and riding my bike.

MaryAnn, sorry about Leo not getting his chemo treatment. Hopefully, he will be fine next week! Also, good going on the loss! Keep it up!
Sammie, keep up the good work. You are doing it!!

Sandra, I made a lot of bad eating choices on vacation, but I’m not fretting over it. I’m just getting back on the band wagon and starting over. Even though I’m going to have a LARGE gain on Wednesday, I’m going to bite the bullet and go to wi.

Froufy, I don’t think you can gain 5 lbs. in 5 days. Probably water weight in there. I did horrible on my last 2 weeks, but oh well. Plus the week before I had surgery and wasn’t really cooking for myself so I did badly then too. I think my gain will be around 9 lbs. But I am determined to get back on track first thing tomorrow morning. Plus, I will be able to get back into my normal routine. I know you can get back on track too!

Sloanie, what a nice comment your DS made and I’m sure he’s right! We had a ton of rain on Thursday when we went camping. It rained the entire day and night. So we went into the nearby town and went to Walmart and spent most of the rest of the day in the motor home watching movies. Also, I think I did enough “singing” this past couple weeks for the both of us!

Rhonda, I always liked the Richard Simmons “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” videos. I’m sure the video you got is just as good. He does give you a good, but fun, workout. Also, I know nothing about the Canadian healthcare system so I won’t “pretend” that I do.

Cherl, kids say the darndest things! You gotta love em’! I know in one of our ww meeting s, they talked about old ww plans and one of them was you had to eat liver once a week and fish 5 times a week. I’m so glad the plans are different now. I couldn’t do either of those!

Sandra, I really want to see that movie. Let me know how you like it!

Coco, great to see you again! Please come back to us!

Rachel, WTG on the loss! Keep it up!

Hi there. I just have a minute here and wanted to thank everyone for all the support. I will be back op and posting my menus starting tomorrow.

We're still dealing with stress in all directions. Some of it's about leaving family and friends and some of it is just dealing with stuff. You're all right. I need to eat right and exercise.

Congratulations to those of you who are doing well. And to those of us who have wandered a bit--let's get back on track.

Sorry this is short. My puter's battery is weak and I need to get offline.

Good Morning Ladies

I have to get on board about our health care system here in Canada & I agree w. you 'Tejas' (I apologize, I'm not sure of everyone's names yet). When my husband had cancer, we weren't sure if his insurance company was going to pay for his treatment - Interferon. It doesn't follow your typical regime - 5 days/wk in hospital for 1mth, then 3x/wk at home for 10 mths. In the hospital, it was covered by insurance, but at for the treatments @ home (sub-cutaneous injections by me), we were given the run-around. Long story short, our oncologist completed the application for coverage by a gov't foundation "Trillium" for approval if the ins.co. didn't. Thankfully, the ins.co. did pay the bill ($4,000/mth). My whole point being is that, yes, sometimes there are wrinkles that have to be ironed out, but we have found that it works. (even when we didn't have insurance, & my son's provincial health card expired (we didn't renew it in time) - the ER cannot refuse providing medical care to a child. My hubby has to pay his doctor an annual fee to keep his practice open (vs. going to private clinic), but my doctor doesn't! There are variances in our health care system - but it's there when we need it & I'm forever grateful.

Anyways ... back to weight loss,

Monday weigh in = -1.4lbs (total 9.6 lbs)


Have a good day everyone!
/cheryl

Hi Everyone
Well just getting on here for a few.
Thanks for all the comments about the health care stuff. The med that hubby was on. Did go genric. But there isnt enough companies making it to have any competition to lower it. It isnt on the Wal Mart $4 plan. In fact by going genric. It is still over $400 a month. Only lowered it by about $70.
Oh well. So far so good. Just keeping our fingers crossed.
Oh I tried a new fruit this week. Was pretty good. It is called a PLUOT. It is a cross between a plum and apricot.
Went to weigh-in last night. Lost 1 1/2 of the 3 I gained last week. So will take it.
Had some bad storms this morn. Got about 2 1/2 inches of rain.
Well I am going to get off here for now.
Hope everyone has had a wonderful day.
Thinking of each of you.
coco