NEW TO GROUP

February 5, 2003

Dear ,

Welcome to the GBIC website and email group! I know (from experience)

how hard it is to read the posts while you're waiting for surgery approval, a

surgery date or your actual surgery. ::Big Hugs::

I'm sure you've read all about the success stories and the occasional

problems/set backs we all encounter. In my personal opinion, life after WLS

(for most people) improves greatly! There is an email floating around out

there that pretty much spells out why we all wanted to have this surgery.

For me the top two were/are: my husband and my daughters. I wanted to

be able to be a better wife and a better Mom. Life was a lot harder for me

90+ pounds ago. Walking up the stairs was a lot harder for me 90+ ago!!

Now we're swimming 2-3 times a week as a family! We're planning our

first camping trip since Skyler was born (almost five years ago)! I can't

wait to go in the spring!

Take good care and remember that God's timing is perfect.

Love,

Trace in Va. Beach, VA

Dr. Schechner, Va. Beach, VA

Open RNY -- 9/5/02

Height -- 5' 9 1/2 "

Starting weight -- 351.2

Current weight -- 259

Minus -- 92.2 pounds gone!

Gal. 2:20

December 20, 2003

--- skincarebypearl@... wrote:

>The doc has rec'd myomectomy. Are there any

>other ways anyone knows of or has tried that worked

>or didn't work?

Hi Pearl

The view that the gyneocologist at my hospital took

was not to do surgery when the fibroid was first

discovered, as at that point it was the size of an

apple and they didin't pinpoint the fibroid as being

the cause of my pains. 1 1/2 years later it has grown

to the size of a grapefruit and I get terrible pains

every night so I've now been advised to have surgery

which I'll be having in early February.

I too wish that there were some natural remedies, but

I'm not sure if they're proven to work. However, a

colleague of mine is training to be an alternative

health practitioner and she told me that reflexology

is a treatment that helps fibroids to shrink if they

are done when the fibroids are relatively small - so

you could give it a go.

Sue

August 28, 2005

> Hello everyone,

> my name is Dave and I live in Missouri. I feel fortunate to have

> found this group. I have read some of your letters and comments and

> believe me I know your pain. I have been suffering with afib off

and

> on since 1980 when I had an elctrical contact accident. I am 53 now

> and it has hit me hard now and I can't shake it. I think those of

us

> who have had this condition for a while have our own little home

cure

> to get back in nsr. Well, mine has failed to work this time and I'm

> getting pretty worried. My cardiologist has given me a choice...to

> either check in the hospital for a couple of days and start me on

> Flecainide or electrical cardioversion as an out patient procedure.

> I'm sure some of you have had one or both, could you please

enlighten

> me on your experinces? I think the one letter I read from Lil to

Sue

> were my feelings exactly. No one who sees you from the outside

hasn't

> a clue to the feelings of fear and misery we experince daily. I

mean

> this from the bottom of my rattlin' heart, good luck to all of you

and

> God bless.

> Dave

Hi Dave,

You're surrounded by some great, caring people here (but still sorry

you had to find it!).

I had afib off and on for 4 years and then suddenly ON all the time.

I'm 52. I went into the hospital for Flecainide dosing and converted

in a little over a day and have been in normal sinus since - 17

months. It's been wonderful, with just a few mild side effects

(occasional blurred vision) and I hope it continues for a while,

although I am considering possibly getting an endo maze.

And best of luck to you...

Rob

November 28, 2005

(and other newer members),

You may not be aware that you can buy dolls with little hearing aids thru

Lakeshore Learning, in case your daughter is into dolls. Here's a link to info

about dolls and hearing aids from the Listen Up website.

Edith

http://www.listen-up.org/haid/dolls.htm

Re: new to group

In a message dated 11/27/2005 2:13:52 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

DMBLin13@... writes:

Everyone keeps talking about the different colored molds. I know they

are available, and Haley's first molds were bright pink, but it always

looked like she had gum stick in her ear, and they brought more

attention then the clear ones. However I have heard that the kids like

the colored ones better.

I think for some kids being able to pick the color of their molds

helps them

not feel self conscious about the aids. Ian liked them the minute he

got the

" new " blue ones. We then moved onto red-white-blue swirls, his

favorite

variation and the one he always comes back to.. His first ones had

been sort'a

clear and a harder plastic. The colored ones have been softer and more

comfortable.

My daughter had (still has) hearing aid envy. She wanted purple

glitter

molds ... and she doesn't have a hearing loss. She use to make play

aids out of

playdough, pipe cleaners -- and those wickie sticks. She also made

herself

glasses like mine. She's still a bit annoyed that she has 1) perfect

hearing, 2)

20-15 vision and 3) beautifully straight teeth. All of which she

inherited

from her father. After the last visit to the dentist, she complained

that she

didn't even need braces which most of her friends are getting. We

tease her

that she is truly cursed, LOL.

Ian likes the colors and has no problems with total strangers asking

him

about his aids. Little kids in the mall will stare. On occasion in the

food

court, they'll practically climb into his lap to see what the colors

are in his

ears. The parents are always embarrassed, but he shows them and tells

them how

the aids help him hear.

I'm convinced it's all because of the attitude we took at the very

beginning. Nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to hide. His 4th grade

friends

asked to

try out the aids when he got them, so he'd wash off the mold and let

them

listen through them.

You daughter's TOD could do a presentation to her class and introduce

them

to the idea of hearing loss and hearing aids. It's amazing how easily

the

younger kids accept such things. If she has confidence, then they'll

be fine

with

it all.

Our son has never been teased about his aids or hearing loss. He's

been

teased about being short, about a girl having a crush on him, about

being a

terrible bowler ... but never about the hearing loss. He has a great

" so what "

face that he makes when anyone gives him grief, and he usually makes a

joke out

of things rather than getting mad.

Each kid is very different. The only other mainstreamed D/HOH kid in

our

school district is in Ian's grade. They've been friends since nursery

school

when they were 3. He hates being different, hates having his aids

noticed and

will do anything not to stand out from the crowd. So he will never

have colored

aids or molds unless it helped make them blend in with his hair. He

prefers

not to discuss his hearing loss. and even refuses to cooperate with

any

obvious services.

Be supportive about her aids. Let yours show ... make it an adventure

and

get matching molds next time. Get a special box for her to keep her

aids and

batteries in. We picked up a little metal one with an attached lid at

Walmart

for a couple of dollars. Ian still uses it. It sits on the shelf next

to his

bed.

Whatever it takes to build up her self esteem and pride in her aids.

We've

found that Ian's attitude sets the tone for how kids/people react.

Honestly,

most don't notice the bright blue aids and if they do, no one is ever

mean.

Best, Jill

April 28, 2006

Hi Patti,

Welcome. And I hope you get answers soon!

Here’s two thoughts: the gene test isn’t affected by the gluten

free diet. Genes are genes—they don’t change. So go ahead and start

the diet if that’s the only thing holding you back. The other thought is

that a gluten free diet doesn’t hurt anyone. If he’s gluten free

and all symptoms disappear, fabulous. If he’s gluten free and some

symptoms disappear, then you know you have something else to track down.

Best wishes.

Laurie

lbilyeu@...

From:

SillyYaks [mailto:SillyYaks ] On Behalf Of princess_sapphire

Sent: Friday, April 28, 2006 8:49

PM

To: SillyYaks

Subject: Re: New to

group

Laurel,

Thank you very much. No he hasn't gone gluten free yet, but I'm

thinking about doing it even before I have the gene test done. I'm

very concerned about him and just need him to feel better.

I am going for a second opinion and hopefuly we'll see what happens.

I hope everything works out with your daughter. It sucks to see them

sick so young.

Patti

>

April 30, 2006

BJ,

He has had the endoscopy done with biopsies, but they came back

negative. I've been told though, that it can take a couple times for

it to come back positive. Is that really the case?

He was diagnosed with microscopic colitis. I am in the process of

going for a second opinion. I have an appt. on May 19 for that.

We'll see what this doctor has to say.

I hope you're little one is doing much better now. It does suck to

see them suffer at such a young age.

Patti

> > >

> > > I had suspected celiac

> > > before and now I did again. I demanded a blood test. 2 out of

> 3

> > > came out positive. He went to a pedi. gastro. He did an

> endoscopy

> > > and the biopsies came back negative. I did more blood tests

and

> > > allergy tests and a stool sample. All came back negative or

> normal,

> > > except the other celiac test( a more sensitive one). That

> showed

> > > High levels of IgG. The gastro doctor suggested a

colonoscopy.

> That

> > > showed microscopic colitis.

> >

>

April 30, 2006

,

Thank you for letting me know that. I only hear good things about

them, but it's always better to get as many as one can.

Patti

>

> Patti- We go to Children's 2x's pere year and although it's not the

> same condition i think it's the same area of the hospital (fegan

5)

> We've been pleased with the services there and the doctors, good

> luck.

>

> I thank god

> > that I already have another appointment for a second opinion.

It's

> > supposed to be at a one of the best hospitals, the Boston

Childrens

> > Hospital. So hopefully I can get a good answer,

>

April 30, 2006

,

This condition does suck, but you do have to admit that was cute what

your son said.

I just try to be as patient as I can with him under the

circumstances. It is very hard and all I can do is do my best to be

there for him regardless.

Patti

> >>

> >> Patti, My brief advice to you is have him go gluten free ASAP.

> >>

> >> His story sounds like mine. I was only positive on one blood

> >> test. My biopsy came back negative. Took a small bowel follow

> >> through. Also negative. Colonoscopy revealed lymphocytic colitis

> >> (a form of microscopic colitis). Many many LC sufferers are

helped

> >> by a GF diet. So, I went GF even though the doctors were saying

> >> " not celiac, here take these meds instead of the hassle of GF

> >> eating " . But guess what? With GF eating I started to feel better

> >> in DAYS! DAYS, I tell you. After being miserable for years, and

> >> totally and completely miserable for months. And guess what else?

> >> My antibodies went down to undetectable levels after only 3

months

> >> of GF eating. So, I consider myself the luckiest celiac on the

> >> planet - I got diagnosed by blood tests before the visible damage

> >> was done!

> >>

> >> Also - the other thing to completely avoid with lymphocytic

> >> colitis is all NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, aleve, etc).

> >>

> >> I hope he feels better soon!

> >> Esther in RI

> >>

> >

April 30, 2006

Yes, he has a knack for coming up with the one liners (whether he means to

or not!!). It was an eye opener for me though!

This condition does suck only until you know what it is. Once you know what

it is and what to do, it is pretty managable. And there are far worse

things you could be dealing with. There are days when eating seems like a

challenge, but that's what I just keep reminding myself of. Hang in there

it sounds like you are already doing the " right " things to help out your

son.

Re: New to group

> ,

> This condition does suck, but you do have to admit that was cute what

> your son said.

> I just try to be as patient as I can with him under the

> circumstances. It is very hard and all I can do is do my best to be

> there for him regardless.

> Patti

>

>> >>

>> >> Patti, My brief advice to you is have him go gluten free ASAP.

>> >>

>> >> His story sounds like mine. I was only positive on one blood

>> >> test. My biopsy came back negative. Took a small bowel follow

>> >> through. Also negative. Colonoscopy revealed lymphocytic colitis

>> >> (a form of microscopic colitis). Many many LC sufferers are

> helped

>> >> by a GF diet. So, I went GF even though the doctors were saying

>> >> " not celiac, here take these meds instead of the hassle of GF

>> >> eating " . But guess what? With GF eating I started to feel better

>> >> in DAYS! DAYS, I tell you. After being miserable for years, and

>> >> totally and completely miserable for months. And guess what else?

>> >> My antibodies went down to undetectable levels after only 3

> months

>> >> of GF eating. So, I consider myself the luckiest celiac on the

>> >> planet - I got diagnosed by blood tests before the visible damage

>> >> was done!

>> >>

>> >> Also - the other thing to completely avoid with lymphocytic

>> >> colitis is all NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, aleve, etc).

>> >>

>> >> I hope he feels better soon!

>> >> Esther in RI

>> >>

>> >

May 1, 2006

,

I've been doing a lot of research so hopefully it won't be that

difficult for me. Plus my mother-in-law is going to go grocery

shopping with me the first time to help me out. I thank god for

her. She is awesome!!!!

I don't care what I have to do. I just need him to feel bettter.

Patti

> >> >>

> >> >> Patti, My brief advice to you is have him go gluten free ASAP.

> >> >>

> >> >> His story sounds like mine. I was only positive on one blood

> >> >> test. My biopsy came back negative. Took a small bowel follow

> >> >> through. Also negative. Colonoscopy revealed lymphocytic

colitis

> >> >> (a form of microscopic colitis). Many many LC sufferers are

> > helped

> >> >> by a GF diet. So, I went GF even though the doctors were

saying

> >> >> " not celiac, here take these meds instead of the hassle of GF

> >> >> eating " . But guess what? With GF eating I started to feel

better

> >> >> in DAYS! DAYS, I tell you. After being miserable for years,

and

> >> >> totally and completely miserable for months. And guess what

else?

> >> >> My antibodies went down to undetectable levels after only 3

> > months

> >> >> of GF eating. So, I consider myself the luckiest celiac on the

> >> >> planet - I got diagnosed by blood tests before the visible

damage

> >> >> was done!

> >> >>

> >> >> Also - the other thing to completely avoid with lymphocytic

> >> >> colitis is all NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, aleve,

etc).

> >> >>

> >> >> I hope he feels better soon!

> >> >> Esther in RI

> >> >>

> >> >

May 1, 2006

Dear Princess Sapphire,

I'm way behind in my reading and didn't realize how much I'd missed

until just now. Yes Boston Children's will have experts to help

you. At Boston Children's, a friend's daughter's life was literally

saved by their finding celiac. Honest to Heaven, the girl was on

death's doorstep. Couldn't absorb any nutrients. Wasting away in

front of everyone's eyes. And my friend, the mom, kept feeding the

precious girl chicken soup and crackers, trying to get ANYTHING

into her. Who could have known? Anyway, the experts in Boston

found the celiac and got her stabilized quickly. That was years

ago now and she's doing GREAT.

And if you should be in the RI area, we have the competitor hospital

in Hasbro Children's. :-)

On my earlier note, my mistake. I thought you had written

microscopic colitis. There are two microscopic colitis disease

that I know of: lymphocytic and collagenous. I have the former,

and it's more rare than the later. I guess I didn't read the

original note carefully enough. Could have sworn I saw microscopic

colitis. Ah well. New glasses. Bah. Guess I need these eyes

checked again. Or maybe I should just clean the fingerprint smudges

off them every once in a blue moon. Whaddyathink? ;-)

Or maybe I just see lymphocytic colitis every time I see the word

colitis, since it's the only colitis I " know " . Yes, sure, there's

Chron's colitis, ulcerative colitis, eosinophilic colitis, and

perhaps a dozen more. But lymphocytis is the only one I know.

Well, gotta go. Won't bore you with my to do list. Let's just

say " ARGH! WHEN WILL IT GET DONE!!! " and leave it at that.

Esther in RI

Can you hear the ARGH where you sit?

> > >> >>

> > >> >> Patti, My brief advice to you is have him go gluten free ASAP.

> > >> >>

> > >> >> His story sounds like mine. I was only positive on one blood

> > >> >> test. My biopsy came back negative. Took a small bowel follow

> > >> >> through. Also negative. Colonoscopy revealed lymphocytic

> colitis

> > >> >> (a form of microscopic colitis). Many many LC sufferers are

> > > helped

> > >> >> by a GF diet. So, I went GF even though the doctors were

> saying

> > >> >> " not celiac, here take these meds instead of the hassle of GF

> > >> >> eating " . But guess what? With GF eating I started to feel

> better

> > >> >> in DAYS! DAYS, I tell you. After being miserable for years,

> and

> > >> >> totally and completely miserable for months. And guess what

> else?

> > >> >> My antibodies went down to undetectable levels after only 3

> > > months

> > >> >> of GF eating. So, I consider myself the luckiest celiac on the

> > >> >> planet - I got diagnosed by blood tests before the visible

> damage

> > >> >> was done!

> > >> >>

> > >> >> Also - the other thing to completely avoid with lymphocytic

> > >> >> colitis is all NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, aleve,

> etc).

> > >> >>

> > >> >> I hope he feels better soon!

> > >> >> Esther in RI

> > >> >>

> > >> >

May 1, 2006

The first shopping trip was the worst. Many of us have been reduced to

tears in the aisles That's a great idea to have someone with you. A

chance to browse your local store and not be under the pressure to get all

the shopping done will make it less stressful.

Shopping doesn't take me long anymore, just don't tell my husband because I

usually try to leave the two little ones home with him!!!

Re: New to group

> ,

> I've been doing a lot of research so hopefully it won't be that

> difficult for me. Plus my mother-in-law is going to go grocery

> shopping with me the first time to help me out. I thank god for

> her. She is awesome!!!!

> I don't care what I have to do. I just need him to feel bettter.

>

> Patti

>

>> >> >>

>> >> >> Patti, My brief advice to you is have him go gluten free ASAP.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> His story sounds like mine. I was only positive on one blood

>> >> >> test. My biopsy came back negative. Took a small bowel follow

>> >> >> through. Also negative. Colonoscopy revealed lymphocytic

> colitis

>> >> >> (a form of microscopic colitis). Many many LC sufferers are

>> > helped

>> >> >> by a GF diet. So, I went GF even though the doctors were

> saying

>> >> >> " not celiac, here take these meds instead of the hassle of GF

>> >> >> eating " . But guess what? With GF eating I started to feel

> better

>> >> >> in DAYS! DAYS, I tell you. After being miserable for years,

> and

>> >> >> totally and completely miserable for months. And guess what

> else?

>> >> >> My antibodies went down to undetectable levels after only 3

>> > months

>> >> >> of GF eating. So, I consider myself the luckiest celiac on the

>> >> >> planet - I got diagnosed by blood tests before the visible

> damage

>> >> >> was done!

>> >> >>

>> >> >> Also - the other thing to completely avoid with lymphocytic

>> >> >> colitis is all NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, aleve,

> etc).

>> >> >>

>> >> >> I hope he feels better soon!

>> >> >> Esther in RI

>> >> >>

>> >> >

May 1, 2006

6 months gf for me, give or take

the hardest part for me shopping nowadays is remembering to BUY

the gluten for the others!

Oh yeah, the kids need bread for sandwiches for school...

Oh yeah, they could use some crunchy snacks, too....

>

> Shopping doesn't take me long anymore, just don't tell my husband

because I

> usually try to leave the two little ones home with him!!!

>

May 1, 2006

Esther,

Thank god they were able to save her. It must've been horrible for

your friend. It's awesome to hear she's doing great. I do very much

anticipate going there and hopefully get some more peace of mind.

You did read he was diagnosed with microscopic colitis. I don't know

that much about it yet though. All I know is when the doctor did the

colonoscopy he didn't see anything visible and the biopsies came back

with colitis. He calls it " indeterminable " colitis whatever that

means. That's why I'm anxious to get a second opinion. I still do

have major concerns in regards to celiac. He will be tested for the

genes when he goes to Boston. That I'm making sure of. Also going

shopping with my mother-in-law to start him on a gluten free diet,

hopefully tomorrow. I wanted to go this weekend, but she needed to

visit her sister. I feel it's best to go with her because my brother-

in-law has celiac.

I am still doing a little more research and I do have a follow-up

with my son's current gastro dr. next week. I just need him to

answer a few more things for me and get a copy of my son's medical

records for Boston. That happens on May 19. Hopefully then I'll

have some answers.

Thank you for the ARGH!!! phrase. It gave me a laugh which is what I

needed.

Patti

> > > >> >>

> > > >> >> Patti, My brief advice to you is have him go gluten free

ASAP.

> > > >> >>

> > > >> >> His story sounds like mine. I was only positive on one

blood

> > > >> >> test. My biopsy came back negative. Took a small bowel

follow

> > > >> >> through. Also negative. Colonoscopy revealed lymphocytic

> > colitis

> > > >> >> (a form of microscopic colitis). Many many LC sufferers

are

> > > > helped

> > > >> >> by a GF diet. So, I went GF even though the doctors were

> > saying

> > > >> >> " not celiac, here take these meds instead of the hassle

of GF

> > > >> >> eating " . But guess what? With GF eating I started to feel

> > better

> > > >> >> in DAYS! DAYS, I tell you. After being miserable for

years,

> > and

> > > >> >> totally and completely miserable for months. And guess

what

> > else?

> > > >> >> My antibodies went down to undetectable levels after only

3

> > > > months

> > > >> >> of GF eating. So, I consider myself the luckiest celiac

on the

> > > >> >> planet - I got diagnosed by blood tests before the

visible

> > damage

> > > >> >> was done!

> > > >> >>

> > > >> >> Also - the other thing to completely avoid with

lymphocytic

> > > >> >> colitis is all NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen,

aleve,

> > etc).

> > > >> >>

> > > >> >> I hope he feels better soon!

> > > >> >> Esther in RI

> > > >> >>

> > > >> >

May 1, 2006