Ollie Ollie Ox In Free ... Where Are YOU???

[Ranaesheart]

Well, it seems like it's been such a LOONNNGGGGG  time since we talked and I am THRILLED to be back with you!  Many, many thanks to all of you for your caring compassionate hearts, your thoughts and prayers, and the enormous support you have given to my granddaughter, her family and me!  The messages you left were what upheld me and helped us through some difficult times and I am forever grateful.

Now .. HOW ARE YOU???  Please update me and the WL&D Community with where you are, what is going on in your life, new events, personal successes or struggles and any special requests for assistance.  Can hardly wait to hear from EACH OF YOU!!!   Yes .. this means YOUUUUU .. whether you are an old friend or new to the community!!!

With the trips, the stress and eating out in the hospital, the diet was blown and the 8 lbs I lost (fell 2 short for the clown girl vs tutu boy challenge .. so I WILL be making a CLOWN video ... but am OK with that!) .. are back on.  I will not let it increase any further and it is time to get on the ball and start the pendulum swinging in the other direction.

Am happy to share with you that Miss Kalista is home from the hospital (on EASTER) and is doing well.  She did have another transfusion of platelets since leaving the hospital and the chemotherapy for her leukemia continues .. and will for the next 2 1/2 years.  She is not in remission yet, but is well on the way.  The leukemia cells in her blood have gone from 71% to 3% and her immunity has risen from 0 (no immunity) to 700 (doctors get concerned at 500).  She is on 7 or 8 chemo drugs and, all in all, is a fighter.  

OK .. SHOUT IT OUT ... HOW ARE YOUUUUUU?????????????????  Many ((((Hugs)))) and much, much support ..

[Cheyenne_08]

Thanks, I am glad to be back. Mike and I have been going to dinner a lot since he moved because we only see each other a few days a week so we just go out, have a nice time, talk....well, I wrote out a grocery list and we are going to COOK together! That way Ashtyn can play with his toys at home while Mike and I spend time together and then we are not tempted by large portions and dessert! Hopefully these two pounds come off already lol

Also, so glad to hear that Kalista is doing so great!!! She will be in remission in no time!!!

[Ranaesheart]

Thank you Miss Cheyenne .. Miss Kalista is doing better.  She had her second bone marrow biopsy and spinal tap with chemo on Friday.  When she entered the hospital her leukemia occupied 71% of her blood.  Following the first treatments it was reduced to 3% and now, with her recent procedures and chemo it is less than 1%.  She is on 8 chemo drugs and has started losing her hair, her joints are aching and her tummy is hurting.  All in all, she is a trooper and we are thrilled with her progress.  THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR LOVING AND CARING SUPPORT AND PRAYERS ... We are blessed to have YOUUUU!!!!!

So glad to hear you AND Mike are working out together!  That is SUPPORT and LOVE!  Joining a gym is Awesome!!!  You should be so VERY PROUD of YOURSELF!!!  Just look at what you have and are accomplishing!!!  Those 2 pounds will be GONE before you know it!!!  

Very happy to see you on the community!!!  We've missed you!

[Cheyenne_08]

I am so glad to hear that Kalista is doing better!

I have been losing/gaining back the same 2 pounds for weeks now!!! However, I joined a new gym with Mike so that we can work out together. Yesterday we ran a mile on the treadmill, and I ran most of it at a speed of 6 or above...I even got up to 8 for a minute or two!!! I never in my life thought I would even be able to keep up at a setting of 8, so I was pretty proud of myself!

[Ranaesheart]

Hi bet .. absolutely jumping up and down that you're back!!!  Have missed your smiling face!  :)  

I'm working on getting back into the swing of things after having lost a very dear friend in March .. one who helped me change my life AND in dealing with the recent leukemia diagnosis of my 3-year-old granddaughter.  All this has certainly helped me to count my blessings and, while I've gained about 10 pounds overall, I am getting my life reorganized and getting back on track with my goals and aspirations.  Life is precious ... and I definitely need to stay healthy.

Good luck on the search for the new home!!!  Living in the country/mini farm is a peaceful existence and one I have fond memories of.  Will be looking forward to hearing how your search is coming and when/if you will be moving.

So, what kind of health problems are you experiencing?  Anything we can help you with?  

Seems you have had WAY MORE than your fair share of sorrow .. and you have my deepest sympathy for your recent losses.  Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that you have peace and strength ... the prayers of others is what has sustained us throughout our recent ordeals ... and we are most grateful.  My MedHelp family here has upheld me and I know they will uphold you as well .. just let us know how you are doing, what you are feeling and what we can do ... and know that we care!

Glad you are back and looking forward to seeing and hearing from you on a regular basis.   Warmest wishes ...

[bet643]

Hi Ranae,  glad to see your back. Hope you are well.  I've been away for awhile so I have alot of catching up to do. Been looking for a new home, ready to give up the city life and head out to a mini farm out in the country for some peace and quiet. I missed you, ChitChat, Utah,Skylark and all of the rest. Hope I did not miss out on too much. Having some health problems, but what else is new? Guess we all have that! But I am hoping to get back on track and start working on my weight. I've had so many deaths in the family which kind of hit hard. They say they come in three's, well mine come in eights. But all I can do is have faith in God and pray to him for strength. And I've always thought of you and all of my friends here, and pray for each and everyone of you. Take care

[Ranaesheart]

elaine - Am SOOOO THRILLLEDDDDDD with the news of your angio!  Have thought of you and wondered how you did with those needles (I am very PROUD of YOU!!!)  An aspirin a day works wonders and truly does keep your blood thinned and prevents clotting.  YEAHH YOUUUU on your steady and continued weight loss.  You and your husband are wonderful examples of love, commitment and support - what shining examples you set for all of us!  Seems we all need to get back on the exercise thing so let's try to brainstorm and see what works best for us as a community.  Thank you, also, for your best wishes concerning Miss Kalista.  She just underwent a second bone marrow biopsy, spinal tap and second chemotherapy .. hopefully the results will be shared on Monday.

lucindamartinez - Why hello there!  Am sorry you are under so many deadlines and know what stress that can cause.  Yes .. definitely think we ALL need to regroup and pull together as it feels we are all needing help and assistance .. and struggling a bit.  Think I'll make a post and see what we can find out and share with each other.  Am hoping I can start finding some more time now and get back in a routine .. it is very much needed!

OK .. WHO ELSE IS OUT THERE THAT HASN'T SHARED????  Come on now .. we're missing a lot of  you ...............

[lucindamartinez]

I was so happy to see on Kalista's page when she was able to go home and start her recovery!  

I have been bogged down with many deadlines as of late.  Lots of work and tax time is usually quite harried.  Life in general has been a whirlwind.  A few more smaller deadlines and things shall be caught back up in that department.  

I'm with you Ranae....needing to pull together with you all right now and regroup and recenter myself.  We can all do this together.  

[elaine1961]

Im so glad to hear Miss Kalista is home and on the road to recovery, and also glad your back with us.
I am now over my angio gram and i was so pleased that the artries were ok, and the heart attack was caused by a blood clot wich i have to take an asprin each day, I'm still managing to lose about 1lb a week which i'm happy with, and i can get back to exercise the end of the month which i'm looking forward to but at the same time am anxious and a little worried,

[Ranaesheart]

TrudieC - Sooo nice to hear from you and sorry you've had a flare of your lupus.  CONGRATULATIONS on your new position and how wonderful it is that you can control your calendar and work from home.  Seems like you and your new position are tailor made for each other and I certainly wish you the very best as you embark on this new journey.  As for flying .. you lucky girl!!!  Ohhhh .. to be a bird!  ;)   Glad to see you and your husband working together to support each other's diet needs; it seems to make it easier that way and there is a built in support system for each other.  Please keep us updated on your progress.  Now, as for the exercise regimen, we ALL need to get into an exercise routine and most of us have some difficulty doing that on a consistent basis.  Perhaps as a community, we should brainstorm on how to meet that goal.  Thank you for the encouragement and the best wishes for Kalista.  We're certainly glad you are here .. you are a vital and welcome addition to the WL&D community and a friend to all.  Many thanks and very best wishes ..

Barb135 - Thanks for your kind thoughts and wishes for Miss Kalista; her spirit never ceases to amaze us.  Am trying to learn from her and implement her fortitude and resilience in my weight loss journey.  Am so very glad to hear you have found meds that are working better and thrilled to hear you've kept your eating habits steady and focused on protein and fiber.  Can't tell you how proud of you I am.  You have remained faithful to your weight loss efforts in spite of some circumstances that would allow others to fail and, at the same time, have consistently provided caring information and support to so many of us.  Glad to hear the pain is under control and hope it stays that way.  Seems like the exercise thing is something we can continue to work on together.

wonko - You have no idea how much I think of you on a very regular basis.  Am so very glad your Lyme disease treatment is continuing and that you are having some benefits from it.  I trust your recovery will progress, albeit slower than either of us would wish for you.  Please be sure and give yourself the many "kuddos" when not returning to the emotional eating.  We both know that even if the scale does not move, it is indeed a cause for victory when we succeed!  Hope we can get some more people involved in our community-wide update ..   Take care of you and please stick your head in every now and then - you have a unique perspective and we miss you!

msniki412 - That's the spirit girl ... a pound here and a pound there eventually adds up to the 3 lbs we used to see in a week.  Remember the tortoise and the hare?  Slow and steady wins the race .. that's why we all lovingly refer to ourselves as "Turtles!"  Well, I do understand the temptations of Easter food and candy, but commend you in your honesty and in having such a positive attitude to realize it happens, forgive yourself quickly and get back on the program.  Look at all you have learned!!!   Am so very sorry to hear your grandmother is so ill and may have lung cancer.  Please keep us informed and sending you, her and your family many prayers for a better diagnosis and speedy recovery.  Whatever the outcome, a positive attitude helps carry us through.  We're here for you, kiddo .. and sending positive and caring thoughts your way.  Truly am very proud of you!

twehner5 - Aren't you and I a pair?  Clown Sisters!  lolll   And, I don't even mind.  In fact, thinking about taking on that little Skailark again with the same bet ... you game?  LOVE your positive attitude and I, too, only lost this battle.  It's learning how to regroup and keep fighting that is the key .. and seems we both have learned that lesson.  Hey .. perhaps we can somehow make our video together.  I'll be in touch!  Have very much been in "survival mode" myself and think you are Amazing to have found the strength to get 4 miles in.  Can  you share that fortitude with me?  Will try to get us all back on a program in the community and get some fun things going.  

ALL - You KNOW WE are BETTER TOGETHER than by ourselves.  SOOOO .. let's all pull together to get us back on the exercise track and pulling together with posts and support for each other.  We ALL need this ... and each other!!!

Much love and many, many supportive ((((Hugs))))

[twehner5]

HI !!!  So glad to have you back.  I have not been logging on here regularly - just battling extreme fatigue and doing what I have to do (I've been calling it "survival mode").  I, too, have a clown video to make.  Too bad we can't do it together...that would be fun!

Like you, I am NOT going to lose my over-all war - just lost this particular battle.  

Somehow, I found the fight in me to walk 4 miles today....don't ask me how!

[msniki412]

Welcome back Ranae!!! We are all so glad Kalista was able to be home on Easter. Wish for a speedy recovery and plenty of prayers for the family.

I'm doing well. I can say it is getting harder to lose more and more weight. I haven't seem that 3lb loss in a week for a while now. But I'm ok with taking it 1 pound at a time. I compeletly over ate on Easter. It was also my birthday, so there was more food then expected. I have to post this picture of a Lamb cake that my grandmother bought for Easter. It was so adorable...and very tasty lol! I have increased my walking this week. Trying for 1 hour a day (trying to burn those calories from the weekend). I'm hoping to see positive numbers on Sunday and don't want the 280's to return.

As some of you may know, my Grandmother is not doing to well. Doctors fear she may have Lung Cancer. She was set to have a biopsy on Monday, but the doctor needed the photos from the CT Scan. My mom has to call today to get them sent over so we can hope to know soon what we are up against. She had cancer 2x before (skin and throat). She quit smoking about close to 10 years ago when she first got sick. We all fear the worse, but have to stay positive.

Hope everyone eles is doing well.

Niki

[wonko]

I'm still in the wings, but not ready for center stage.  I'm about 4.5 months into treatment for Lyme disease and co-infections.  I had a couple of great weeks recently, but it didn't last.  I'm trying to hold on and stay hopeful for further recovery.  I'm dealing with a lot of pain and fatigue issues, and trying to not resort to emotional eating!

Great idea Ranae for a nice community-wide update.  I do like keeping an eye on the forum and feel very inspired by all of the successful folks here!

[Barb135]

Welcome back Ranae and I'm happy to hear that Kalista is home and doing so much better.  

It's easy to understand how your 8 pounds crept back on - while sitting in hospitals, etc it's very hard to eat right and get exercise.  

I've continued to fight the "thyroid battle".  New meds a couple of months ago have helped and I feel like my body is actually healing.  I was so upset and discouraged because I was literally fighting a losing battle for a while that I pretty much gave up and have found it very difficult to get back to regular exercise - besides the several miles I walk during every work day.  I've continued to keep my eating habits steady and try to concentrate on protein and fiber.  

Like TrudieC, with the inflammation from her lupus, my weight fluctuates because of the inflammation from Hashimoto's flare ups.  At least I've got that pain under control for most of the time.  Hoping I can get back into the swing of things soon.  

[TrudieC]

So good to see you back and with good news about Kalista.  The important thing for your diet is that you have caught it in good time and will be back on the losing wagon quickly.

I am slowly coming out of the pain and fatigue of my Lupus flare and learning to come to terms with this chronic disease.  I have been having a hard time focusing and thinking but must find a way to accomplish that now.  I have started doing part time contract work for the company that I will be starting with full time May 1 to build some sales tools for the team.  This is exciting but I am scared to death that I won't have the energy or will have to deal with pain as I start back to full time work.  It is good that I will work from my home office and will have control of my calendar so can arrange sales visits based on how I'm feeling.  First I have to get through flying to the west coast (Vancouver) in the first week of May for training.  Wish me luck!

As part of living with the Lupus and RA I am trying to change some of my diet and need to get into a regular exercise routine.  With this reducing animal fats, sugar, caffeine and alcohol, and increasing my chicken and fish and omega 3 foods is necessary.  I have also heard good results with people going gluten free and since my husband's psoriasis is bad right now we are both going on that diet for a while to see if it makes a difference for me.  The exercise is the hardest.  I can do the elliptical, walking, biking and swimming but cannot tire myself out.  The problem is getting my butt moving when I am tired and sore.  I am going to try very hard.

My weight went up with my inflammation but is starting to come down and with the dietary changes I'm sure I'll see even more benefit.  I miss you all and hope I can be more involved here.