New member

[Guest guest]

Hey Sandi: Have you tried t3...or are you just on t4 for replacement? ~E:)sandiramundo wrote: Now I have been struggling withhypothyroidism, the weight gain is the biggest struggle for me doesanyone have any suggestions of diet/exercise that has really helpedthem? Well I am glad to be a member and look forward to sharingstories with all of you. TOTAL-Thyroidectomy 26 months

post-op.

Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

Hey Sandi: Have you tried t3...or are you just on t4 for replacement? ~E:)sandiramundo wrote: Now I have been struggling withhypothyroidism, the weight gain is the biggest struggle for me doesanyone have any suggestions of diet/exercise that has really helpedthem? Well I am glad to be a member and look forward to sharingstories with all of you. TOTAL-Thyroidectomy 26 months

post-op.

Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

Hey Sandi: Have you tried t3...or are you just on t4 for replacement? ~E:)sandiramundo wrote: Now I have been struggling withhypothyroidism, the weight gain is the biggest struggle for me doesanyone have any suggestions of diet/exercise that has really helpedthem? Well I am glad to be a member and look forward to sharingstories with all of you. TOTAL-Thyroidectomy 26 months

post-op.

Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

I can't say personally, as I'm still trying to get on the right dose of replacement hormone, been hypo for a long time, was diagnosed about a year ago...but my friend is doing the LA Weight Loss thing and she said there are a lot of hypothyroid people who, once the thyroid levels were within normal ranges again, were able to lose weight on that diet. Weight Watchers always worked for me before, and I'm hoping it will again, but to my knowledge and experience, as long as you are hypo you aren't going to have much if any luck losing weight until you get your levels back down toward normal. Just eat a balanced diet and get some exercise (if you even feel like it, that's my problem, but even a little bit helps). Are you on anything now for hypothyroidism? What are your TSH, FT4, other lab values looking like?

new member

Hello everyone,My name is Sandi, I just joined the group and wanted to say hi toeveryone. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease and under wentradioactive iodine years ago. Now I have been struggling withhypothyroidism, the weight gain is the biggest struggle for me doesanyone have any suggestions of diet/exercise that has really helpedthem? Well I am glad to be a member and look forward to sharingstories with all of you.

[Guest guest]

I can't say personally, as I'm still trying to get on the right dose of replacement hormone, been hypo for a long time, was diagnosed about a year ago...but my friend is doing the LA Weight Loss thing and she said there are a lot of hypothyroid people who, once the thyroid levels were within normal ranges again, were able to lose weight on that diet. Weight Watchers always worked for me before, and I'm hoping it will again, but to my knowledge and experience, as long as you are hypo you aren't going to have much if any luck losing weight until you get your levels back down toward normal. Just eat a balanced diet and get some exercise (if you even feel like it, that's my problem, but even a little bit helps). Are you on anything now for hypothyroidism? What are your TSH, FT4, other lab values looking like?

new member

Hello everyone,My name is Sandi, I just joined the group and wanted to say hi toeveryone. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease and under wentradioactive iodine years ago. Now I have been struggling withhypothyroidism, the weight gain is the biggest struggle for me doesanyone have any suggestions of diet/exercise that has really helpedthem? Well I am glad to be a member and look forward to sharingstories with all of you.

[Guest guest]

I can't say personally, as I'm still trying to get on the right dose of replacement hormone, been hypo for a long time, was diagnosed about a year ago...but my friend is doing the LA Weight Loss thing and she said there are a lot of hypothyroid people who, once the thyroid levels were within normal ranges again, were able to lose weight on that diet. Weight Watchers always worked for me before, and I'm hoping it will again, but to my knowledge and experience, as long as you are hypo you aren't going to have much if any luck losing weight until you get your levels back down toward normal. Just eat a balanced diet and get some exercise (if you even feel like it, that's my problem, but even a little bit helps). Are you on anything now for hypothyroidism? What are your TSH, FT4, other lab values looking like?

new member

Hello everyone,My name is Sandi, I just joined the group and wanted to say hi toeveryone. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease and under wentradioactive iodine years ago. Now I have been struggling withhypothyroidism, the weight gain is the biggest struggle for me doesanyone have any suggestions of diet/exercise that has really helpedthem? Well I am glad to be a member and look forward to sharingstories with all of you.

[Guest guest]

Well I have to say that personally, for myself, nothing worked after becoming hypo. I do have to predicate this post with the warning that this is *my* experience....and here we go!

I'm convinced that I became hypo in college. I'm 5'9" and had been 135 all through high school. Then came college and after the first semester I started gaining weight. Let me note that I was hitting the gym pretty hard every weeknight with my 4'11" 90lb best bud and it wasn't doing anything except bulking up my calves...grrr...

Flash forward 4 years later...met my hubby in college, he joined the Air Force and we moved to Florida. I tried every diet there was including a few runs with doctor supervised diets-and I mean strict ones, again while always exercising in the primo Air Force gyms. Nothing. Finally came the diagnosis of hypo and the extreme euphoria of thinking that FINALLY I would be able to get the weight off. Nope.

I was 26 years old with borderline high blood pressure, constant swelling in my ankles and hands, bad knees, and close to 300lbs and climbing...I decided to have gastric bypass after heavily researching it for 8 months. I will be five years out from that on Monday and it's worked--FOR ME. I'm not saying it would work for everyone. I would never urge anyone to get gbs-it's a very personal decision and takes a lot of committment. I traded a lot of issues for different ones, though to me taking a handful of vitamins is better than a handful of prescription meds...I get extensive (17+vials) bloodwork EVERY 6 months and always will. I use protein shakes and as I mentioned I take a lot of vitamins.

Also, it's no magic wand-I have to work at maintaining my weight. I'm up against a bit of regain right now and working on getting rid of that. The hypo fatigue isn't helping a bit, but I'm determined to get these 10lbs offa me!!! My thyroid meds were just FINALLY increased for the first time in 6 years so I'm hoping it might help...I'm only a week and half into the new dosage right now. I have noticed that I'm not waking up as easily in the night...I've always been a light sleeper and it seems like it's a bit deeper now. But I'll be happier when I don't feel dead upon waking...

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!

____________________________ in *cool again* Jerseyopen proximal rny 9/18/015'9"-31yo297/168I'm not a doc-in real life or otherwise.

[Guest guest]

Well I have to say that personally, for myself, nothing worked after becoming hypo. I do have to predicate this post with the warning that this is *my* experience....and here we go!

I'm convinced that I became hypo in college. I'm 5'9" and had been 135 all through high school. Then came college and after the first semester I started gaining weight. Let me note that I was hitting the gym pretty hard every weeknight with my 4'11" 90lb best bud and it wasn't doing anything except bulking up my calves...grrr...

Flash forward 4 years later...met my hubby in college, he joined the Air Force and we moved to Florida. I tried every diet there was including a few runs with doctor supervised diets-and I mean strict ones, again while always exercising in the primo Air Force gyms. Nothing. Finally came the diagnosis of hypo and the extreme euphoria of thinking that FINALLY I would be able to get the weight off. Nope.

I was 26 years old with borderline high blood pressure, constant swelling in my ankles and hands, bad knees, and close to 300lbs and climbing...I decided to have gastric bypass after heavily researching it for 8 months. I will be five years out from that on Monday and it's worked--FOR ME. I'm not saying it would work for everyone. I would never urge anyone to get gbs-it's a very personal decision and takes a lot of committment. I traded a lot of issues for different ones, though to me taking a handful of vitamins is better than a handful of prescription meds...I get extensive (17+vials) bloodwork EVERY 6 months and always will. I use protein shakes and as I mentioned I take a lot of vitamins.

Also, it's no magic wand-I have to work at maintaining my weight. I'm up against a bit of regain right now and working on getting rid of that. The hypo fatigue isn't helping a bit, but I'm determined to get these 10lbs offa me!!! My thyroid meds were just FINALLY increased for the first time in 6 years so I'm hoping it might help...I'm only a week and half into the new dosage right now. I have noticed that I'm not waking up as easily in the night...I've always been a light sleeper and it seems like it's a bit deeper now. But I'll be happier when I don't feel dead upon waking...

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!

____________________________ in *cool again* Jerseyopen proximal rny 9/18/015'9"-31yo297/168I'm not a doc-in real life or otherwise.

[Guest guest]

Well I have to say that personally, for myself, nothing worked after becoming hypo. I do have to predicate this post with the warning that this is *my* experience....and here we go!

I'm convinced that I became hypo in college. I'm 5'9" and had been 135 all through high school. Then came college and after the first semester I started gaining weight. Let me note that I was hitting the gym pretty hard every weeknight with my 4'11" 90lb best bud and it wasn't doing anything except bulking up my calves...grrr...

Flash forward 4 years later...met my hubby in college, he joined the Air Force and we moved to Florida. I tried every diet there was including a few runs with doctor supervised diets-and I mean strict ones, again while always exercising in the primo Air Force gyms. Nothing. Finally came the diagnosis of hypo and the extreme euphoria of thinking that FINALLY I would be able to get the weight off. Nope.

I was 26 years old with borderline high blood pressure, constant swelling in my ankles and hands, bad knees, and close to 300lbs and climbing...I decided to have gastric bypass after heavily researching it for 8 months. I will be five years out from that on Monday and it's worked--FOR ME. I'm not saying it would work for everyone. I would never urge anyone to get gbs-it's a very personal decision and takes a lot of committment. I traded a lot of issues for different ones, though to me taking a handful of vitamins is better than a handful of prescription meds...I get extensive (17+vials) bloodwork EVERY 6 months and always will. I use protein shakes and as I mentioned I take a lot of vitamins.

Also, it's no magic wand-I have to work at maintaining my weight. I'm up against a bit of regain right now and working on getting rid of that. The hypo fatigue isn't helping a bit, but I'm determined to get these 10lbs offa me!!! My thyroid meds were just FINALLY increased for the first time in 6 years so I'm hoping it might help...I'm only a week and half into the new dosage right now. I have noticed that I'm not waking up as easily in the night...I've always been a light sleeper and it seems like it's a bit deeper now. But I'll be happier when I don't feel dead upon waking...

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!

____________________________ in *cool again* Jerseyopen proximal rny 9/18/015'9"-31yo297/168I'm not a doc-in real life or otherwise.

[Guest guest]

ok see...i dont get this AT ALL. If strict dieting doesnt work, then how does strict dieting through surgery work???

i considered weight loss surgery for a time but then i was like...wait a minute, if i cant lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet (prob b/c i am hypo), then how can i lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet that just happens to be after surgery???? i just dont see how it makes any sort of physiological sense if you are getting the same amount of calories in??

and actually, i have a feeling that a lot of these people who get WLS and arent successful with it have underlying health issues that have never been addressed (i.e. thyroid).

-Eve-

[Guest guest]

ok see...i dont get this AT ALL. If strict dieting doesnt work, then how does strict dieting through surgery work???

i considered weight loss surgery for a time but then i was like...wait a minute, if i cant lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet (prob b/c i am hypo), then how can i lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet that just happens to be after surgery???? i just dont see how it makes any sort of physiological sense if you are getting the same amount of calories in??

and actually, i have a feeling that a lot of these people who get WLS and arent successful with it have underlying health issues that have never been addressed (i.e. thyroid).

-Eve-

[Guest guest]

ok see...i dont get this AT ALL. If strict dieting doesnt work, then how does strict dieting through surgery work???

i considered weight loss surgery for a time but then i was like...wait a minute, if i cant lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet (prob b/c i am hypo), then how can i lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet that just happens to be after surgery???? i just dont see how it makes any sort of physiological sense if you are getting the same amount of calories in??

and actually, i have a feeling that a lot of these people who get WLS and arent successful with it have underlying health issues that have never been addressed (i.e. thyroid).

-Eve-

[Guest guest]

ok see...i dont get this AT ALL. If strict dieting doesnt work, then how does strict dieting through surgery work???

/////////////////well, a huge difference for me is that now I GET full. Never really did before. And going to bed hungry and fat is miserable.

i considered weight loss surgery for a time but then i was like...wait a minute, if i cant lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet (prob b/c i am hypo), then how can i lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet that just happens to be after surgery???? i just dont see how it makes any sort of physiological sense if you are getting the same amount of calories in??

///////////////////////////

Because of the malabsorbtive/bypass component of my surgery. I don't absorb all the calories I take in. I generally get about 1000-1500 cals a day per FitDay or SparkPeople but I am now able to maintain my weight. I would gain on that prior to my surgery. A lapband that's merely restrictive in nature would never have worked for me.

and actually, i have a feeling that a lot of these people who get WLS and arent successful with it have underlying health issues that have never been addressed (i.e. thyroid).

-Eve-

//////////////////

True. My thyroid was, however, treated to normal levels at the time and it made no difference. Note again that I am not endorsing wls for anyone other than myself....

____________________________ in *cool again* Jerseyopen proximal rny 9/18/015'9"-31yo297/168I'm not a doc-in real life or otherwise.

[Guest guest]

ok see...i dont get this AT ALL. If strict dieting doesnt work, then how does strict dieting through surgery work???

/////////////////well, a huge difference for me is that now I GET full. Never really did before. And going to bed hungry and fat is miserable.

i considered weight loss surgery for a time but then i was like...wait a minute, if i cant lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet (prob b/c i am hypo), then how can i lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet that just happens to be after surgery???? i just dont see how it makes any sort of physiological sense if you are getting the same amount of calories in??

///////////////////////////

Because of the malabsorbtive/bypass component of my surgery. I don't absorb all the calories I take in. I generally get about 1000-1500 cals a day per FitDay or SparkPeople but I am now able to maintain my weight. I would gain on that prior to my surgery. A lapband that's merely restrictive in nature would never have worked for me.

and actually, i have a feeling that a lot of these people who get WLS and arent successful with it have underlying health issues that have never been addressed (i.e. thyroid).

-Eve-

//////////////////

True. My thyroid was, however, treated to normal levels at the time and it made no difference. Note again that I am not endorsing wls for anyone other than myself....

____________________________ in *cool again* Jerseyopen proximal rny 9/18/015'9"-31yo297/168I'm not a doc-in real life or otherwise.

[Guest guest]

ok see...i dont get this AT ALL. If strict dieting doesnt work, then how does strict dieting through surgery work???

/////////////////well, a huge difference for me is that now I GET full. Never really did before. And going to bed hungry and fat is miserable.

i considered weight loss surgery for a time but then i was like...wait a minute, if i cant lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet (prob b/c i am hypo), then how can i lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet that just happens to be after surgery???? i just dont see how it makes any sort of physiological sense if you are getting the same amount of calories in??

///////////////////////////

Because of the malabsorbtive/bypass component of my surgery. I don't absorb all the calories I take in. I generally get about 1000-1500 cals a day per FitDay or SparkPeople but I am now able to maintain my weight. I would gain on that prior to my surgery. A lapband that's merely restrictive in nature would never have worked for me.

and actually, i have a feeling that a lot of these people who get WLS and arent successful with it have underlying health issues that have never been addressed (i.e. thyroid).

-Eve-

//////////////////

True. My thyroid was, however, treated to normal levels at the time and it made no difference. Note again that I am not endorsing wls for anyone other than myself....

____________________________ in *cool again* Jerseyopen proximal rny 9/18/015'9"-31yo297/168I'm not a doc-in real life or otherwise.

[Guest guest]

Ok now let me jump in if it’s ok:

ok see...i dont get this AT ALL. If strict dieting doesnt work, then how does strict dieting through surgery work???

/////////////////well, a huge difference for me is that now I GET full. Never really did before. And going to bed hungry and fat is miserable

So you were not really dieting but just trying to but giving in and eating? Cuz see I don’t

i considered weight loss surgery for a time but then i was like...wait a minute, if i cant lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet (prob b/c i am hypo), then how can i lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet that just happens to be after surgery???? i just dont see how it makes any sort of physiological sense if you are getting the same amount of calories in??

///////////////////////////

Because of the malabsorbtive/bypass component of my surgery. I don't absorb all the calories I take in. I generally get about 1000-1500 cals a day per FitDay or SparkPeople but I am now able to maintain my weight. I would gain on that prior to my surgery. A lapband that's merely restrictive in nature would never have worked for me.

I eat 1200 to 1400 calories a day, mainly protein and low glycemic carbs — and tons of fresh fruit and veggies... What’s up with that?

sue

[Guest guest]

Ok now let me jump in if it’s ok:

ok see...i dont get this AT ALL. If strict dieting doesnt work, then how does strict dieting through surgery work???

/////////////////well, a huge difference for me is that now I GET full. Never really did before. And going to bed hungry and fat is miserable

So you were not really dieting but just trying to but giving in and eating? Cuz see I don’t

i considered weight loss surgery for a time but then i was like...wait a minute, if i cant lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet (prob b/c i am hypo), then how can i lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet that just happens to be after surgery???? i just dont see how it makes any sort of physiological sense if you are getting the same amount of calories in??

///////////////////////////

Because of the malabsorbtive/bypass component of my surgery. I don't absorb all the calories I take in. I generally get about 1000-1500 cals a day per FitDay or SparkPeople but I am now able to maintain my weight. I would gain on that prior to my surgery. A lapband that's merely restrictive in nature would never have worked for me.

I eat 1200 to 1400 calories a day, mainly protein and low glycemic carbs — and tons of fresh fruit and veggies... What’s up with that?

sue

[Guest guest]

Ok now let me jump in if it’s ok:

ok see...i dont get this AT ALL. If strict dieting doesnt work, then how does strict dieting through surgery work???

/////////////////well, a huge difference for me is that now I GET full. Never really did before. And going to bed hungry and fat is miserable

So you were not really dieting but just trying to but giving in and eating? Cuz see I don’t

i considered weight loss surgery for a time but then i was like...wait a minute, if i cant lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet (prob b/c i am hypo), then how can i lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet that just happens to be after surgery???? i just dont see how it makes any sort of physiological sense if you are getting the same amount of calories in??

///////////////////////////

Because of the malabsorbtive/bypass component of my surgery. I don't absorb all the calories I take in. I generally get about 1000-1500 cals a day per FitDay or SparkPeople but I am now able to maintain my weight. I would gain on that prior to my surgery. A lapband that's merely restrictive in nature would never have worked for me.

I eat 1200 to 1400 calories a day, mainly protein and low glycemic carbs — and tons of fresh fruit and veggies... What’s up with that?

sue

[Guest guest]

Ok Sandi, just so you know, if you live in the US you can ask for a hard copy of your lab work so you can post numbers and ranges for us. The docs office is legally bound to give you the copy, but they may charge you for it.sandi ramundo wrote: hi Kathy----I actually just went to the doctor for my check-up yesterday. When I get the results from that I will let you know, this is a new doctor for me the old one always said "I fell into normal parameters" when the results came back. Kathy >^,,^<KitzCat146@...http://www.chaytongroup.com/modernbill/order/index.php?aid=ka081104http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members/?kitzcatkitzcat2001 on Yahoo Messengerkitzcat on MSN MessengerIn a cat's eyes, all

things belong to cats. - English Proverb

How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

Ok Sandi, just so you know, if you live in the US you can ask for a hard copy of your lab work so you can post numbers and ranges for us. The docs office is legally bound to give you the copy, but they may charge you for it.sandi ramundo wrote: hi Kathy----I actually just went to the doctor for my check-up yesterday. When I get the results from that I will let you know, this is a new doctor for me the old one always said "I fell into normal parameters" when the results came back. Kathy >^,,^<KitzCat146@...http://www.chaytongroup.com/modernbill/order/index.php?aid=ka081104http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members/?kitzcatkitzcat2001 on Yahoo Messengerkitzcat on MSN MessengerIn a cat's eyes, all

things belong to cats. - English Proverb

How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

Ok Sandi, just so you know, if you live in the US you can ask for a hard copy of your lab work so you can post numbers and ranges for us. The docs office is legally bound to give you the copy, but they may charge you for it.sandi ramundo wrote: hi Kathy----I actually just went to the doctor for my check-up yesterday. When I get the results from that I will let you know, this is a new doctor for me the old one always said "I fell into normal parameters" when the results came back. Kathy >^,,^<KitzCat146@...http://www.chaytongroup.com/modernbill/order/index.php?aid=ka081104http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members/?kitzcatkitzcat2001 on Yahoo Messengerkitzcat on MSN MessengerIn a cat's eyes, all

things belong to cats. - English Proverb

How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

ok that makes sense. i was considering lap band when i realized that it couldnt possibly work....eating 1200 calories will not allow me to lose weight. i guess if you are only absorbing 500 calories, thats different. thank god i didnt go through with the lap band only to find that the thyroid was the real problem.

i will say that this whole metabolism/calorie/thyroid thing really could make you crazy. it blows my mind that i have 130 pound friends that eat 2000 cals a day and i cant lose at 1500 cals....and i weigh more than double what they do!!!!!!!!!

Re: new member

i considered weight loss surgery for a time but then i was like...wait a minute, if i cant lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet (prob b/c i am hypo), then how can i lose weight on a strict low cal/low carb diet that just happens to be after surgery???? i just dont see how it makes any sort of physiological sense if you are getting the same amount of calories in??

///////////////////////////

Because of the malabsorbtive/bypass component of my surgery. I don't absorb all the calories I take in. I generally get about 1000-1500 cals a day per FitDay or SparkPeople but I am now able to maintain my weight. I would gain on that prior to my surgery. A lapband that's merely restrictive in nature would never have worked for me.

..

Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.

[Guest guest]

Hello, Ellen. Thanks for the welcome and the information. After my

last mammogram, I had to go back for more views, and then they also

did an ultrasound. Scared me terribly! I hadn't expected it, and I

was alone. But, it cleared up what they were seeing, and, since it

was a diagnostic thing, the insurance " paid " for it (which means, I

pay and it goes toward my deductible - an important thing). I

emphasized that with them, and was assured that they knew what terms

and numbers to give the insurance company. But sitting there, waiting

for the results was very scary! Colleen

> >

> > Hello. My name is Colleen and I don't know, after reading a lot of

> > the posted messages, if it is appropriate that I be a member of

> this

> > group, but I got accepted, so here goes. I am 51 years old,

> > peri-menopausal, with a high risk of breast cancer. My eldest

> sister

> > got it at 33, and fought it, and eventually died at 43 (1987). My

> > mother got it in her 70's, and had a mastectomy, but had had

> > Alzheimer's, which is what she died from at age 75 in 1997. I

> thought

> > my elder sister and I would go through our lives unscathed, but no

> go.

> > She, at 58, was diagnosed last year, and just finished up all the

> > chemo and radiation. So, here I am, the only female in my

> immediate

> > family to not yet have breast cancer. I have high deductible

> health

> > insurance, with a company that requests and usually gets, nearly

> > annual rate hikes. I joined this group just after hearing about

> their

> > latest request on the news. I guess I was upset. I have fears, but

> > they are nothing compared to any of you guys. I want to stay

> > healthy. In case you are wondering, I get annual mammograms (my

> > living sister had skipped two), and do self exams (although how I

> will

> > know when I find something is beyond me). I keep myself healthy

> with

> > good food, and exercise. So, I guess I am here to " listen " and

> learn.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hello, Ellen. Thanks for the welcome and the information. After my

last mammogram, I had to go back for more views, and then they also

did an ultrasound. Scared me terribly! I hadn't expected it, and I

was alone. But, it cleared up what they were seeing, and, since it

was a diagnostic thing, the insurance " paid " for it (which means, I

pay and it goes toward my deductible - an important thing). I

emphasized that with them, and was assured that they knew what terms

and numbers to give the insurance company. But sitting there, waiting

for the results was very scary! Colleen

> >

> > Hello. My name is Colleen and I don't know, after reading a lot of

> > the posted messages, if it is appropriate that I be a member of

> this

> > group, but I got accepted, so here goes. I am 51 years old,

> > peri-menopausal, with a high risk of breast cancer. My eldest

> sister

> > got it at 33, and fought it, and eventually died at 43 (1987). My

> > mother got it in her 70's, and had a mastectomy, but had had

> > Alzheimer's, which is what she died from at age 75 in 1997. I

> thought

> > my elder sister and I would go through our lives unscathed, but no

> go.

> > She, at 58, was diagnosed last year, and just finished up all the

> > chemo and radiation. So, here I am, the only female in my

> immediate

> > family to not yet have breast cancer. I have high deductible

> health

> > insurance, with a company that requests and usually gets, nearly

> > annual rate hikes. I joined this group just after hearing about

> their

> > latest request on the news. I guess I was upset. I have fears, but

> > they are nothing compared to any of you guys. I want to stay

> > healthy. In case you are wondering, I get annual mammograms (my

> > living sister had skipped two), and do self exams (although how I

> will

> > know when I find something is beyond me). I keep myself healthy

> with

> > good food, and exercise. So, I guess I am here to " listen " and

> learn.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hello, Ellen. Thanks for the welcome and the information. After my

last mammogram, I had to go back for more views, and then they also

did an ultrasound. Scared me terribly! I hadn't expected it, and I

was alone. But, it cleared up what they were seeing, and, since it

was a diagnostic thing, the insurance " paid " for it (which means, I

pay and it goes toward my deductible - an important thing). I

emphasized that with them, and was assured that they knew what terms

and numbers to give the insurance company. But sitting there, waiting

for the results was very scary! Colleen

> >

> > Hello. My name is Colleen and I don't know, after reading a lot of

> > the posted messages, if it is appropriate that I be a member of

> this

> > group, but I got accepted, so here goes. I am 51 years old,

> > peri-menopausal, with a high risk of breast cancer. My eldest

> sister

> > got it at 33, and fought it, and eventually died at 43 (1987). My

> > mother got it in her 70's, and had a mastectomy, but had had

> > Alzheimer's, which is what she died from at age 75 in 1997. I

> thought

> > my elder sister and I would go through our lives unscathed, but no

> go.

> > She, at 58, was diagnosed last year, and just finished up all the

> > chemo and radiation. So, here I am, the only female in my

> immediate

> > family to not yet have breast cancer. I have high deductible

> health

> > insurance, with a company that requests and usually gets, nearly

> > annual rate hikes. I joined this group just after hearing about

> their

> > latest request on the news. I guess I was upset. I have fears, but

> > they are nothing compared to any of you guys. I want to stay

> > healthy. In case you are wondering, I get annual mammograms (my

> > living sister had skipped two), and do self exams (although how I

> will

> > know when I find something is beyond me). I keep myself healthy

> with

> > good food, and exercise. So, I guess I am here to " listen " and

> learn.

> >

>