Let me introduce myself

[Guest guest]

Oh, no. Is Cheryl anywhere to be found right now? How about the other geniuses

I rely on to create and manage such innovations at our site? You know who you

are. S.O.S., guys . . . .

E.

Re: Re: Let me introduce myself

,

Really, how DO we get our data into the data base spoken of? Is there really

like a relational data base? Or is it a given once we chat?

Carole the elder

[Guest guest]

Hi Carole,

Thanks for writing. I'm hanging in there. Last Friday my hip doctor

told me he thinks I should get my spine revised before I get my other

hip fixed. But he doesn't think I should have spine revision yet

because my first hip replacement is still not fully recovered. So,

I'm in a holding pattern for another four months at least.

I think another poster answered your question on how to get info.

into the database on this site, but if you still have questions don't

hesitate to post again or email me and I'll try to help.

The database is cool because it's in chart form and easy to see where

various people had their surgeries and what their curves were, etc.

My mom is great, but I recall as a child, I got quickly sick of

listening to her tell people what my problems were. I just wanted to

fade into the woodwork....

Take care,

loriann

> Hi Loriann,

> I am not sure how to post data to the data base here. I will tell

you that

> my surgery was a bit like your own. In 1992 I had Harrington/Luque

rods placed

> with fusion from T6 to L5. I was already 57 years of age at that

time, with

> very severe curvatures. While I was recovering, my mother (now

deceased) was

> at my house when a neighbor visited to see how I was. I heard my

mother tell

> my friend that, " years ago they would have put people like this

away " ! This

> was in 1992! I do hope that your mother was not on the same

wavelength! I

> always knew that my mother was embarrassed by my condition, but she

REALLY was

> brought up in the Dark Ages.

> So, how does one get their info into the data base? And, are you

OK? I do

> hope so! With groups like this one, how can we not be!

> Sincerely,

> Carole

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

Loved your term " rack and Risser " !! Unfortunately, I was one of those unlucky

ones who had a thoraco-lumbar fusion so i had the Risser from the top of the

head down to the knees! I really don't have too many horrible memories from

those 9 months (4 months in the head-to-knees contraption and 5 months

head-to-neck...the so-called " walking cast " ...that was a joke!). I remember

having terribly sore, yucky, callouses on my feet; and my thighs itching like

mad (I mistakenly shaved my extremely hairy legs pre-op; when the hair started

to grow back, it got stuck in the ace-bandage-like lining of the plaster

cast...thought I'd go nuts!)My Mom came up with a great trick to " scratch " my

thighs inside the cast. She would thread a pair of nylon stockings (pre- panty

hose days, friends!),that she has saturated with Witch Hazel, down through the

legs via the opening in the pubic area of the cast (using a stretched out wire

hanger as a guide)and one the nylons were down through the legs of the cast, she

woulld pull up and down thereby relieving the ferocious itching!! Oh, what

memories!!! All I can do now is laugh!!

I also remember feeling so cold when I had the cast FINALLY cut off for good.

It was in late August and it was hot and humid outside but I was freezing for

weeks afterwards. I was so terribly thin and my muscles were extremely atrophied

from the long confinement in plaster, too. I still can't stand to be in

confining clothing and turtlenecks are out of the question!! But in all

honesty, I can't say that my memories from those days were horrible or even all

that bad. My family and my friends from my church were my saving grace. They

kept our home filled with fun, laughter and prayer and I came out of the

experience not only a much straighter 16 y/o, but also very grateful and

puropseful teenager. I vowed to one day work with other scoliosis patients and

share not only my experiences but also my family's side of the " ordeal " . And I

did just that... became the Director of The Scoliosis Clinic at the Cleveland

Clinic in 1978!! I have found that many of us who went though the scoliosis

experience (be it bracing or surgical or whatever) went into the medical field

at some level. And I believe that our backgrounds helped us to be better, more

compassionate medical personnel. I eventually ended up in a totally different

area of medicine...I became a Forensic Pathology Technologist...mainly because I

enjoy biology and mysteries. But I'm still connected to the Orthopedic side of

medicine...through this as well as other web sites. And I'm so thankful you're

all out there!

Al the best,

Beth

[Guest guest]

Beth, you certainly get the award for " Most Plaster Worn " . Wow! You must have

had one heck of a long fusion. I actually did walk in my walking Risser (I even

rode my bike a bit!), but the rehabilitation of my legs was misery, especially

since I had nail heads sticking up in the insoles of my cheap shoes, and I was

too shy to tell anyone at the hospital!

It is interesting how many of us went into medicine. My dad thought I'd end up

wanting to be a nurse or doctor, but my experience actually had the opposite

effect on me. I wanted no part of bedpans and blood bags! I salute your caring

heart and your efforts.

Re: Re: Let me introduce myself

Sharon,

Loved your term " rack and Risser " !! Unfortunately, I was one of those

unlucky ones who had a thoraco-lumbar fusion so i had the Risser from the top of

the head down to the knees! I really don't have too many horrible memories from

those 9 months (4 months in the head-to-knees contraption and 5 months

head-to-neck...the so-called " walking cast " ...that was a joke!). I remember

having terribly sore, yucky, callouses on my feet; and my thighs itching like

mad (I mistakenly shaved my extremely hairy legs pre-op; when the hair started

to grow back, it got stuck in the ace-bandage-like lining of the plaster

cast...thought I'd go nuts!)My Mom came up with a great trick to " scratch " my

thighs inside the cast. She would thread a pair of nylon stockings (pre- panty

hose days, friends!),that she has saturated with Witch Hazel, down through the

legs via the opening in the pubic area of the cast (using a stretched out wire

hanger as a guide)and one the nylons were down through the legs of the cast, she

woulld pull up and down thereby relieving the ferocious itching!! Oh, what

memories!!! All I can do now is laugh!!

I also remember feeling so cold when I had the cast FINALLY cut off for

good. It was in late August and it was hot and humid outside but I was freezing

for weeks afterwards. I was so terribly thin and my muscles were extremely

atrophied from the long confinement in plaster, too. I still can't stand to be

in confining clothing and turtlenecks are out of the question!! But in all

honesty, I can't say that my memories from those days were horrible or even all

that bad. My family and my friends from my church were my saving grace. They

kept our home filled with fun, laughter and prayer and I came out of the

experience not only a much straighter 16 y/o, but also very grateful and

puropseful teenager. I vowed to one day work with other scoliosis patients and

share not only my experiences but also my family's side of the " ordeal " . And I

did just that... became the Director of The Scoliosis Clinic at the Cleveland

Clinic in 1978!! I have found that many of us who went though the scoliosis

experience (be it bracing or surgical or whatever) went into the medical field

at some level. And I believe that our backgrounds helped us to be better, more

compassionate medical personnel. I eventually ended up in a totally different

area of medicine...I became a Forensic Pathology Technologist...mainly because I

enjoy biology and mysteries. But I'm still connected to the Orthopedic side of

medicine...through this as well as other web sites. And I'm so thankful you're

all out there!

Al the best,

Beth

Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

[Guest guest]

For the benefit of all on this board could you kindly let us know where she had the surgery and who the surgeon was. Thanks.

[Guest guest]

my name is bill and i post here every now and then. my first surgery was at 31 and my problems have not improved in the last 10 years. as a young patient it is hard to keep up your spirits when thinking about tomorrow and beyond. depression is more common in young patients than most dr's will admit until it is too late.if she feels like that then she needs help with meds and or therapy. i see someone on a regular basis to help me deal with it. mental health is a very big issue in her body healing. it's amazing how much better you feel and faster you heal when you feel good about yourself and your future. there is life after surgery, maybe a little slower but that does not limit the quality of life. friends are very important too. many are a little scared at first but soon get past that. if she was into sports maybe coaching or least be your teams biggest fan. every day remind her that a disability does not take away anything it only changes things.

LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF

Hello to all,I just joined this group and this is my first post. I was interested in joining this group because my 25 yr old daughter had a hip replacement in May 2003 and became more disabled after the surgery. It required 2 more surgeries. She developed a blood clot and it damaged a nerve that goes all the way down to her foot. As soon as she was out of surgery she had footdrop. December 31 2003 she had a tendon transfer but is going very slow. After 12 weeks of physical therapy she has only gained a 10% range in the foot. She wears a brace and will probably always have to wear it. She gets very depressed and feels like her life has been taken away from her. The surgery that was going to give her life back to her took it away..Well, its so good to find this support group. Hope to post again!!

[Guest guest]

Hi fibromom,

I'm sorry to hear about your Daughter she was so young to have a hip replacment and all the things that went wrong I was 56 years old when I had my Hip replacment and I had my knee replacment I had this done 17 months later well now I feel this thing in where my Hip use to be my dr says its bad scar tissues and where my knee was replace it feels numb and my feet feel funny but I went to a foot dr and he said I have Arthritis in my feet I had people tell me what I feel is in my Head and then they say I think about it too much well this last year I went bowling two times but theirs this little step I have a hard time going up and down it, I won't go through anymore aperations I'll live the best I can Its been five years I go for my x-rays once a year my dr says I ok then I go home My left hip and knee sometimes bother me but I take vioxx 25 mg two times a day tell your daughter to Trust in the Lord and take one day at a time . I feel better since I been

on the site there are a lot of nice people here. Well you take care.

juneflower60 or Susiefibromom1 <txgirl2521@...> wrote:

Hello to all,I just joined this group and this is my first post. I was interested in joining this group because my 25 yr old daughter had a hip replacemnt in May 2003 and became more disabled after the surgery. It required 2 more surgeries. She developed a blood clot and it damaged a nerve that goes all the way down to her foot. As soon as she was out of surgery she had footdrop. December 31 2003 she had a tendon transfer but is going very slow. After 12 weeks of physical therapy she has only gained a 10% range in the foot. She wears a brace and will probably always have to wear it. She gets very depressed and feels like her life has been taken away from her. The surgery that was going to give her life back to her took it away..Well, its so good to find this support group. Hope to

post again!!

[Guest guest]

Hi Liliana,

Welcome to the group ! Sorry to hear that you have achalasia, but you have come to the right place for support.

You say that you have had many 'surgeries' and dilatations in the last year.

Do you know just what surgery they did ? If not, can you find out just what was done to you.

There are two forms of treatment for achalasia:

1. Dilatation - here the muscle of the lower oesophageal sphincter is torn to break the spasm - the muscle has lost it's ability to relax and the opening into the stomach is closed. Sometimes the sphincter only opens a little bit not enough for the food to get into the stomach. If they do the dilatation correctly they must tear the muscle - not just stretch it - so that it will stay open. This kind of dilatation for achalasia is not done too often and I have read that two to three times is about the maximum, after that there is a danger of perforation [tearing the wall and letting the acid and food into the chest cavity]

So you must find out if they just stretched your Lover Oesophageal Sphincter (LES) or if they actually tore the muscle to permanently make it open up.

2. Surgery - a Heller's Myotomy - is done. The surgeon cuts into the muscle of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) to break the spasm of the muscle. It is important that the surgeon cuts up and down into the stomach far enough. If this is not done it may not work as well. The surgery can be done the traditional way with open surgery or with a laparoscope. This is a special instrument which the surgeon uses to go to the LES and do the surgery with only 5 small little cuts in the abdomen wall.

Because the the LES is now permanently open the stomach acid can push up into the oesophagus. To prevent this they sometimes do a fundoplication. This means they take a piece of the stomach wall and wrap it round the LES to stop the acid from going up.

It is generally agreed that surgery is the best option and the sooner it is done the better. It is preferable to do surgery first, before the oesophagus becomes too distended. Some surgeons prefer it to be done before dilatation and botox.

There are a very small percentage of patients for whom surgery is not successful, and the reasons for that could be an inexperienced surgeon, a tight fundoplication or hiatus hernia repair or the things mentioned above.

If surgery is not successful a dilation with tearing the muscle may work or it may have to be repeated.

3. Botox injections into the LES have had variable results, but generally speaking it does not always work or does not work for long and has to be repeated. Every time it is repeated the success rate goes down. This option is no longer recommended for people who can have surgery.

I understand your problem of finding an experienced surgeon for this rare condition - it is the same in my country. Perhaps your surgeon could contact the Cleveland Clinic for advice ? Is there a possibility that you could go to Cleveland clinic or some place which has a surgeon familiar with the condition ?

You will find lots of information on the Achalasia website or go to Google and do a search for achalasia. You will get pages and pages of information to read. Knowledge gives you some power to help yourself.

Please feel free to ask any questions you like and someone will be sure to give you an answer or tell you what works for them. We are a very mixed bunch of people and no two people have the same problems or symptoms.

Just know that we are all in the same boat and try to give each other support. You have found lots of friends !

Good wishes,

Joan

Johannesburg

South Africa

Let me introduce myself

Hello Everybody!!My name is Liliana and I am from Mexico City, I am 31 years old. And I am pretty happy to find a group that understands exactly how I feel. I have achalasia since last year. All the year has been painful testing and surgeries. Up to now I got a surgery and 2 dilatations, the last one was last week, I am making it good at the moment, but doctors are not so optimistic about it, they believe maybe I need more dilatations. Since I started with this problem I lost 40 pounds.It is pretty sad for me this illness because one the thing that I love the most is eating, and mainly eating all the spicy Mexican food. And I never though that it will be something in this world that can make me stop eating the things I really used to enjoy.Here in Mexico it looks like this illness is not common, so it is difficult to find somebody with a lot of experience in this cases.I read some articles about a treatment using BOTOX, and I would like to know if anybody in this group has been using this treatment.Well, I hope you can considering me your friend.My best Regards to all of you,Sincerely,Liliana

[Guest guest]

Hi Joan:

I got only a surgery last eastern I just started with this achalasia

problem since October last year, but Dr. said that for my age it was

better the surgery to avoid the dilatations. Surgery had great

results for like a month and a half, but later I started to present

the same symptoms. The surgery was the Heller Myotomy and the

funduplication of 180°. Also they repair a small hiatus hernia that I

had. (so according with this that is maybe the reason because the

surgery was not a complete success).

First balloon dilatation a got it after a month and a half of surgery

and last week a got the second. Today is a week later until the last

dilatation. Up to now I feel great, I have been eaten everything

without problem. I hope to continue in the same way . I am really

enjoying again the food. I am aware about all the risks about

dilatations, so I hope this dilatation was the last one.

I will follow your advice about Cleveland Clinic. Thank you very

much, your answer helps me a lot.

Best regards,

Your new friend Liliana

Mexico City

> Hi Liliana,

> Welcome to the group ! Sorry to hear that you have achalasia, but

you have come to the right place for support.

>

> You say that you have had many 'surgeries' and dilatations in the

last year.

> Do you know just what surgery they did ? If not, can you find out

just what was done to you.

>

> There are two forms of treatment for achalasia:

> 1. Dilatation - here the muscle of the lower oesophageal sphincter

is torn to break the spasm - the muscle has lost it's ability to

relax and the opening into the stomach is closed. Sometimes the

sphincter only opens a little bit not enough for the food to get into

the stomach. If they do the dilatation correctly they must tear the

muscle - not just stretch it - so that it will stay open. This kind

of dilatation for achalasia is not done too often and I have read

that two to three times is about the maximum, after that there is a

danger of perforation [tearing the wall and letting the acid and food

into the chest cavity]

> So you must find out if they just stretched your Lover Oesophageal

Sphincter (LES) or if they actually tore the muscle to permanently

make it open up.

>

> 2. Surgery - a Heller's Myotomy - is done. The surgeon cuts into

the muscle of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) to break the

spasm of the muscle. It is important that the surgeon cuts up and

down into the stomach far enough. If this is not done it may not work

as well. The surgery can be done the traditional way with open

surgery or with a laparoscope. This is a special instrument which the

surgeon uses to go to the LES and do the surgery with only 5 small

little cuts in the abdomen wall.

> Because the the LES is now permanently open the stomach acid can

push up into the oesophagus. To prevent this they sometimes do a

fundoplication. This means they take a piece of the stomach wall and

wrap it round the LES to stop the acid from going up.

> It is generally agreed that surgery is the best option and the

sooner it is done the better. It is preferable to do surgery first,

before the oesophagus becomes too distended. Some surgeons prefer it

to be done before dilatation and botox.

> There are a very small percentage of patients for whom surgery is

not successful, and the reasons for that could be an inexperienced

surgeon, a tight fundoplication or hiatus hernia repair or the things

mentioned above.

> If surgery is not successful a dilation with tearing the muscle may

work or it may have to be repeated.

>

> 3. Botox injections into the LES have had variable results, but

generally speaking it does not always work or does not work for long

and has to be repeated. Every time it is repeated the success rate

goes down. This option is no longer recommended for people who can

have surgery.

>

> I understand your problem of finding an experienced surgeon for

this rare condition - it is the same in my country. Perhaps your

surgeon could contact the Cleveland Clinic for advice ? Is there a

possibility that you could go to Cleveland clinic or some place which

has a surgeon familiar with the condition ?

>

> You will find lots of information on the Achalasia website or go to

Google and do a search for achalasia. You will get pages and pages of

information to read. Knowledge gives you some power to help yourself.

> Please feel free to ask any questions you like and someone will be

sure to give you an answer or tell you what works for them. We are a

very mixed bunch of people and no two people have the same problems

or symptoms.

> Just know that we are all in the same boat and try to give each

other support. You have found lots of friends !

> Good wishes,

> Joan

> Johannesburg

> South Africa

>

> Let me introduce myself

>

>

> Hello Everybody!!

>

>

> My name is Liliana and I am from Mexico City, I am 31 years old.

And

> I am pretty happy to find a group that understands exactly how I

> feel. I have achalasia since last year. All the year has been

painful

> testing and surgeries. Up to now I got a surgery and 2

dilatations,

> the last one was last week, I am making it good at the moment,

but

> doctors are not so optimistic about it, they believe maybe I need

> more dilatations.

> Since I started with this problem I lost 40 pounds.

>

> It is pretty sad for me this illness because one the thing that I

> love the most is eating, and mainly eating all the spicy Mexican

> food. And I never though that it will be something in this world

that

> can make me stop eating the things I really used to enjoy.

>

>

> Here in Mexico it looks like this illness is not common, so it is

> difficult to find somebody with a lot of experience in this cases.

>

> I read some articles about a treatment using BOTOX, and I would

like

> to know if anybody in this group has been using this treatment.

>

> Well, I hope you can considering me your friend.

>

> My best Regards to all of you,

>

> Sincerely,

> Liliana

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I was pleased to see your response to Liliana. I have

been considering the Botox but my Dr. is recommending

the surgery " while I am young and healty enough (55) " .

I am curious as to which doctor you are using. I am in

Northern Virginia and have been referred to

Washington Hospital.

--- Ingram <eingram992002@...> wrote:

> Hello Liliana:

>

> I am and have been on Botox from its approval

> some years ago. free storage!

=====

Carol (aka Carol_in_VA and GrnEyesVA)

....If life gives you lemons, make lemonade...

but if life gives you limes, make margaritas!!

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the reply Liliana.

I understand your problem better now. I also had surgery which was not a great success - I also had a hiatus hernia and a fundoplication which could have caused the problem. Also my oesophagus is very large and distended so food collects in there. I also had a dilatation which made a big difference. I am so glad you can eat well now and are enjoying your food !!!!

Because of the big oesophagus the food does not move through quickly so I am eating mostly liquid like soup which I make myself from the food the rest of the family has. Not all that nice, but I am resigned to it now. Better that than to block up again.

Everyone that has been to Cleveland Clinic shouts praises about the treatment there. I wish I could get there, but that is impossible !

Do let us know how you are doing from time to time.

Good wishes,

Joan

Let me introduce myself> > > Hello Everybody!!> > > My name is Liliana and I am from Mexico City, I am 31 years old. And > I am pretty happy to find a group that understands exactly how I > feel. I have achalasia since last year. All the year has been painful > testing and surgeries. Up to now I got a surgery and 2 dilatations, > the last one was last week, I am making it good at the moment, but > doctors are not so optimistic about it, they believe maybe I need > more dilatations. > Since I started with this problem I lost 40 pounds.> > It is pretty sad for me this illness because one the thing that I > love the most is eating, and mainly eating all the spicy Mexican > food. And I never though that it will be something in this world that > can make me stop eating the things I really used to enjoy.> > > Here in Mexico it looks like this illness is not common, so it is > difficult to find somebody with a lot of experience in this cases.> > I read some articles about a treatment using BOTOX, and I would like > to know if anybody in this group has been using this treatment.> > Well, I hope you can considering me your friend.> > My best Regards to all of you,> > Sincerely,> Liliana> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Just had to right a quick note and say I loved you P.S. note.

I think I'm going to print it and imprint it on my palm.

I agree with you that it's not fatal and there are worse illnesses

out there. And the idea of whining about A for the rest of my life

is appalling. Good days and bad days but at least we live for the

sunny days!

Lisbeth

Philadelphia, PA

> Note: " A " is not fatal, be prepared to live a good long life, don't

nag or be a drag

> on your loved ones as they are suffering with you.

[Guest guest]

Liliana,

Welcome to the group! I'm really happy that you have found us. You'll

find an amazing amount of love and support here in the group. Many of us

have even met and I can actually say that some of my dearest friends

have achalasia. I think that's pretty amazing considering achalasia is

such a rare disease!

I'm sorry that your surgery wasn't so successful. I hope that this

second dilatation will prove to give you long lasting results and that

you'll continue to be able to enjoy all the foods that you love!

Welcome again to the group, where were not just friends, but sometimes

it feels like were more like a big family!

Sandi in Northern California

Let me introduce myself

Hello Everybody!!

My name is Liliana and I am from Mexico City, I am 31 years old. And

I am pretty happy to find a group that understands exactly how I

feel. I have achalasia since last year. All the year has been painful

testing and surgeries. Up to now I got a surgery and 2 dilatations,

the last one was last week, I am making it good at the moment, but

doctors are not so optimistic about it, they believe maybe I need

more dilatations.

Since I started with this problem I lost 40 pounds.

It is pretty sad for me this illness because one the thing that I

love the most is eating, and mainly eating all the spicy Mexican

food. And I never though that it will be something in this world that

can make me stop eating the things I really used to enjoy.

Here in Mexico it looks like this illness is not common, so it is

difficult to find somebody with a lot of experience in this cases.

I read some articles about a treatment using BOTOX, and I would like

to know if anybody in this group has been using this treatment.

Well, I hope you can considering me your friend.

My best Regards to all of you,

Sincerely,

Liliana

[Guest guest]

Liliana wrote:

It is pretty sad for me this

illness because one the thing that I

love the most is eating, and mainly eating all the spicy Mexican

food.

I live in Arizona, and I also love the spicy food. I find that peppers

that stay in the esophagus for too long are not worth the initial

pleasure.

Here in Mexico it looks

like this illness is not common, so it is

difficult to find somebody with a lot of experience in this

cases.

In Central and South America, and less frequently in Mexico, there are

case of achalasia that are caused by Chagas' disease. I am surprised that

this has not given them more experience with achalasia.

notan

[Guest guest]

Hi Marilyn,

Welcome to the group! There are a lot of BFL-related articles on my

site in the Stuff to Read section: http://www.skwigg.com/id24.html .

Here are a couple of good ones for anyone just getting started:

This is Your Brain on BFL

http://www.skwigg.com/id60.html

and

How to Have a Dramatic Transformation... or not

http://www.skwigg.com/id64.html

Keep us posted on your challenge and let us know if you have any questions. :-)

On Sat, 20 Nov 2004 17:47:28 -0000, marilyn_groce <marilyn144@...> wrote:

>

>

> Hello,

>

> My name is Marilyn. I've been training for about 10 years and love

> every second in the gym. I know my nutrition needs to improve if I

> want to move up to the next level and look better. I've been

> reading BFL over and over again for the last 3 weeks and know it's

> what I want to do. Hoping to 'cross the abyss' without too much of

> a struggle.

>

> I'll be reading some of the messages this weekend to try to become

> acquainted with some of the regulars. Hope to become one too.

>

> Any advice for a rookie is most appreciated.

[Guest guest]

, I've been reading your blog ever since Tom Venuto had the

link in his newsletter. That's where I found the link to this chat

group. You are my hero.

In , Skwigg <skwigg@g...>

wrote:

> Hi Marilyn,

>

> Welcome to the group! There are a lot of BFL-related articles on my

> site in the Stuff to Read section:

http://www.skwigg.com/id24.html .

>

> Here are a couple of good ones for anyone just getting started:

>

> This is Your Brain on BFL

> http://www.skwigg.com/id60.html

>

> and

>

> How to Have a Dramatic Transformation... or not

> http://www.skwigg.com/id64.html

>

> Keep us posted on your challenge and let us know if you have any

questions. :-)

>

>

>

>

> On Sat, 20 Nov 2004 17:47:28 -0000, marilyn_groce

<marilyn144@m...> wrote:

> >

> >

> > Hello,

> >

> > My name is Marilyn. I've been training for about 10 years and

love

> > every second in the gym. I know my nutrition needs to improve

if I

> > want to move up to the next level and look better. I've been

> > reading BFL over and over again for the last 3 weeks and know

it's

> > what I want to do. Hoping to 'cross the abyss' without too much

of

> > a struggle.

> >

> > I'll be reading some of the messages this weekend to try to

become

> > acquainted with some of the regulars. Hope to become one too.

> >

> > Any advice for a rookie is most appreciated.

[Guest guest]

Welcome Marilyn!

I did what you did and fully immersed myself in the BFL knowledge.

Then I realized that doing it is the best way to become acquainted

with it. It's all about progress. The sooner you begin living this

way, the better you'll feel. Please post whenever you have a

question or problem. The people here are full of knowledge!

Good luck and you'll do great!

>

> Hello,

>

> My name is Marilyn. I've been training for about 10 years and

love

> every second in the gym. I know my nutrition needs to improve if

I

> want to move up to the next level and look better. I've been

> reading BFL over and over again for the last 3 weeks and know it's

> what I want to do. Hoping to 'cross the abyss' without too much

of

> a struggle.

>

> I'll be reading some of the messages this weekend to try to become

> acquainted with some of the regulars. Hope to become one too.

>

> Any advice for a rookie is most appreciated.

[Guest guest]

> 1. How strictly should I follow the BFL diet?

You should strive to follow the BFL diet perfectly: six small meals

a day 2-3 hours apart, balanced protein and carbs, add a veggie to

at least 2 meals a day, drink lots of water, take a free day.

Obviously there will be times when you don't do it perfectly, and

that's okay as long as you learn from it and just keep going.

You've already discovered that low-calorie " dieting " doesn't work

for the long term. BFL is a lifestyle, so don't treat it like a

typical " diet " . Plan to eat this way, lift weights, and do cardio

for the rest of your life. Mindset is the most important thing and

Bill discusses that in the " Crossing the Abyss " section of

the book. Eating that low of calories means you're probably losing

muscle along with the fat, which is not good because that is what

slows down your metabolism. Read this

http://skwigg.tripod.com/id32.html to learn about the dangers of low

calorie dieting. Skwigg's site has lots of good stuff to read. You

have to eat in order to build a beautiful, strong, lean body.

Otherwise lifting weights won't help much because your muscles don't

have the proper fuel to rebuild and become stronger.

> 2. Is it okay to skip a workout and make up for it the next day?

I think that's a personal choice. Ideally, you'd fit it in somehow

before work/school, during lunch hour, or before/after the party.

There have been times I've missed a workout and made it up the next

day and other times I've just skipped it and figured out how to keep

that from happening again. Like I said before, if you mess up,

don't say " I blew it " and give up. If you just get back up and keep

going, you will eventually reach your goals.

> 3. Is it REALLY necessary to join a gym?

It's not necessary to join a gym. I know of several people who work

out at home and you can do a lot with dumbells and a bench. The BFL

book has exercises in the back and check this site for exercises

http://sparkpeople.com/resource/exercises-printable.asp

If you want to join a gym, I'd check at your college and see if they

have one. At both colleges I attended, there were gyms that didn't

cost very much for students.

I hope this helps.

[Guest guest]

>

> I'm new to the group and only on BFL day three. My name is Kandy

and

> I'm a 30-year-old single college student living in the Deep South.

I

> have tried BFL in the past (along with just about everything

else),

> but I've never been able to stick to it. I stumbled across this

> group while searching the net and I've been lurking here for the

past

> three days. I decided I'd step up to the plate and make my voice

> heard because I figure if I make a few friends I'll be less likely

to

> give up so easily.

>

> I've also been looking through the photos and all I can say is

WOW!

> You girls are a big inspiration. Way to go!

>

> I've actually been on a diet since January 1st and managed to drop

10

> lbs so far with little or no exercise. I joined Curves but only

made

> it a week. I just didn't feel that I was getting enough exercise

and

> figured that I was wasting my time. (I really should have walked

out

> the door when they had me use a hand-held gizmo that was supposed

to

> measure my body fat percentage). So instead I bought a set of

> dumbells and a weight bench and followed the All-Dumbell workout

at

> Stumptuous.com for the past few weeks. Aside from that I have just

> been trying to get a little extra exercise in my normal daily

routine

> (taking the stairs, walking at lunch, etc) and then I remembered

that

> dusty old BFL book on my shelf and decided to try it again.

>

> I have a few questions about the program and I was hoping one of

> you " war veterans " could answer them for me.

>

> 1. How strictly should I follow the BFL diet? For the past three

> days I've been eating six small meals per day but I haven't been

> mixing protein and carbs into every meal. For example, so far

today I

> had an apple for breakfast, about an ounce of cottage cheese

> midmorning, and about half a cup of chicken salad for lunch. I'll

> probably pick up a Subway salad on the way home for dinner. I've

also

> been averaging about 800 calories/day for the past month-and-a-

half

> that I've been dieting. I'm not hungry, but should I be eating

more?

>

> I've yo-yo'ed my whole life - once going from a size 18 to a 6 -

and

> I've always done it by eating ultra-low calories (around 500) and

> exercising very little. Of course, you can't keep that up that

> forever so as soon as I start eating again the pounds come back.

I'm

> not sure if I have a naturally slow metabolism or that I've

damaged

> it by all those years of eating low-cal. Even on 800 calories/day

I

> feel as if I'm eating too much, but I don't want to make the

problem

> worse by eating even less.

>

> 2. Is it okay to skip a workout and make up for it the next day?

> For example, today is my day to do lower body but I have a party

to

> attend this evening. Can I do lower body tomorrow and make up for

it

> by following up with cardio? SHould I do cardio tomorrow morning

and

> a workout at night? Or should I use today as my free day and do

> cardio on Sunday?

>

> 3. Is it REALLY necessary to join a gym? I really can't afford

the

> membership dues, and all of the really good places in my area make

> you sign a contract. Can I accomplish the same thing with my

> dumbells and bench at home? Should I spring for barbells too?

>

> Thanks in advance for your assistance. I'm looking forward to

> accompanying ya'll on this wonderul (if somewhat hellish) journey!

>

> Kandy

[Guest guest]

ARGH! -

I posted a long message and I screwed it up! Basically it said what

said so, I am not going to retype everything!

Good luck!

-- In , michelleohagan

<no_reply@y...> wrote:

>

>

> >

> > I'm new to the group and only on BFL day three. My name is

Kandy

> and

> > I'm a 30-year-old single college student living in the Deep

South.

> I

> > have tried BFL in the past (along with just about everything

> else),

> > but I've never been able to stick to it. I stumbled across this

> > group while searching the net and I've been lurking here for the

> past

> > three days. I decided I'd step up to the plate and make my

voice

> > heard because I figure if I make a few friends I'll be less

likely

> to

> > give up so easily.

> >

> > I've also been looking through the photos and all I can say is

> WOW!

> > You girls are a big inspiration. Way to go!

> >

> > I've actually been on a diet since January 1st and managed to

drop

> 10

> > lbs so far with little or no exercise. I joined Curves but only

> made

> > it a week. I just didn't feel that I was getting enough

exercise

> and

> > figured that I was wasting my time. (I really should have walked

> out

> > the door when they had me use a hand-held gizmo that was

supposed

> to

> > measure my body fat percentage). So instead I bought a set of

> > dumbells and a weight bench and followed the All-Dumbell workout

> at

> > Stumptuous.com for the past few weeks. Aside from that I have

just

> > been trying to get a little extra exercise in my normal daily

> routine

> > (taking the stairs, walking at lunch, etc) and then I remembered

> that

> > dusty old BFL book on my shelf and decided to try it again.

> >

> > I have a few questions about the program and I was hoping one of

> > you " war veterans " could answer them for me.

> >

> > 1. How strictly should I follow the BFL diet? For the past

three

> > days I've been eating six small meals per day but I haven't been

> > mixing protein and carbs into every meal. For example, so far

> today I

> > had an apple for breakfast, about an ounce of cottage cheese

> > midmorning, and about half a cup of chicken salad for lunch.

I'll

> > probably pick up a Subway salad on the way home for dinner. I've

> also

> > been averaging about 800 calories/day for the past month-and-a-

> half

> > that I've been dieting. I'm not hungry, but should I be eating

> more?

> >

> > I've yo-yo'ed my whole life - once going from a size 18 to a 6 -

> and

> > I've always done it by eating ultra-low calories (around 500)

and

> > exercising very little. Of course, you can't keep that up that

> > forever so as soon as I start eating again the pounds come back.

> I'm

> > not sure if I have a naturally slow metabolism or that I've

> damaged

> > it by all those years of eating low-cal. Even on 800

calories/day

> I

> > feel as if I'm eating too much, but I don't want to make the

> problem

> > worse by eating even less.

> >

> > 2. Is it okay to skip a workout and make up for it the next

day?

> > For example, today is my day to do lower body but I have a party

> to

> > attend this evening. Can I do lower body tomorrow and make up

for

> it

> > by following up with cardio? SHould I do cardio tomorrow

morning

> and

> > a workout at night? Or should I use today as my free day and do

> > cardio on Sunday?

> >

> > 3. Is it REALLY necessary to join a gym? I really can't afford

> the

> > membership dues, and all of the really good places in my area

make

> > you sign a contract. Can I accomplish the same thing with my

> > dumbells and bench at home? Should I spring for barbells too?

> >

> > Thanks in advance for your assistance. I'm looking forward to

> > accompanying ya'll on this wonderul (if somewhat hellish)

journey!

> >

> > Kandy

[Guest guest]

Welcome Pato!! My daughter lived in Buenos Aires last year and loved it!

We just stocked up on our Yerba Mate (hard to find here in the US) last

weekend.

Lucas will do fine - treat him much like any other newborn infant and take

lots of pictures!!

let me introduce myself

Hi Everyone!

I am Pato, aunt to Lucas, one -week- old ds boy.

We are in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I suscribed to the list because I am

really engaged with my nieces and nephews, and I need to learn and read

about ways to help Lucas develop to his full potential.

We didn't know about his syndrome until he was born, on October 28th. The

news was shocking but we try to be very close as a family and we hope we´ll

succeed.

Any advice for me?

Love, p

Jáuregui

patojauregui@...

---------------------------------

How much free photo storage do you get? Store your holiday snaps for FREE

with Photos. Get Photos

[Guest guest]

Hello Pato,

I am from Australia, my son Trent (DS) is 21 years old, (90% male, 9% Lymer

male, 1% Downs).

As said, treat your nephew as any other baby and enjoy him. If all

the wonderful things said to me when Trent was born the one I feel is the

most accurate is, 'they have a guardian angel watching over them'. As you

nephew grows you will understand that statement, some of the things these

kids get up to, in their endeavours to prove to us that they can be

independent is interesting.

You asked for advice to help him along the way - help and encourage him to

do things for himself independently, in the meantime though enjoy every

second of his baby days.

Keep smiling

Jan, mother of Trent 21yo w/DS from the LandDownUnder

Re: let me introduce myself

Welcome Pato!! My daughter lived in Buenos Aires last year and loved it!

We just stocked up on our Yerba Mate (hard to find here in the US) last

weekend.

Lucas will do fine - treat him much like any other newborn infant and take

lots of pictures!!

let me introduce myself

Hi Everyone!

I am Pato, aunt to Lucas, one -week- old ds boy.

We are in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I suscribed to the list because I am

really engaged with my nieces and nephews, and I need to learn and read

about ways to help Lucas develop to his full potential.

We didn't know about his syndrome until he was born, on October 28th. The

news was shocking but we try to be very close as a family and we hope we´ll

succeed.

Any advice for me?

Love, p

Jáuregui

patojauregui@...

---------------------------------

How much free photo storage do you get? Store your holiday snaps for FREE

with Photos. Get Photos

[Guest guest]

lots of great info on this web site....

http://www.downsyn.com/index.html

I think it will help you

cathy/mom to 4 (cassie 7ds)

Quoting Jáuregui <patojauregui@...>:

> Hi Everyone!

>

> I am Pato, aunt to Lucas, one -week- old ds boy.

> We are in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I suscribed to the list because I am

> really engaged with my nieces and nephews, and I need to learn and read about

> ways to help Lucas develop to his full potential.

>

> We didn't know about his syndrome until he was born, on October 28th. The

> news was shocking but we try to be very close as a family and we hope we´ll

> succeed.

>

> Any advice for me?

> Love, p

>

>

>

>

> Jáuregui

> patojauregui@...

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> How much free photo storage do you get? Store your holiday snaps for FREE

> with Photos. Get Photos

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Pato and welcome to the group.

I know you will learn lots of useful information here, not to mention a great

deal of kinship.

Your nephew is lucky to have an aunt that loves him so.

Sharon H.

Mom to , (14, DS) and , (10)

South Carolina

let me introduce myself

Hi Everyone!

I am Pato, aunt to Lucas, one -week- old ds boy.

We are in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I suscribed to the list because I am really

engaged with my nieces and nephews, and I need to learn and read about ways to

help Lucas develop to his full potential.

We didn't know about his syndrome until he was born, on October 28th. The news

was shocking but we try to be very close as a family and we hope we´ll succeed.

Any advice for me?

Love, p

Jáuregui

patojauregui@...

---------------------------------

How much free photo storage do you get? Store your holiday snaps for FREE with

Photos. Get Photos

[Guest guest]

Hi Marilyn,,

love the hat and even more love your story. May I ask how long it took to lose

your weight?

I am in Australia so forgive this show of lack of knowledge..does KC mean

Kansas City?My husband is an American and is still in Mo, about 100 miles from

KC actually . Hopefully his illnesses will be under control and he can move here

to Australia soon.

I was a 20 pounds heavier than u when I was banded in Aug 06 and have

currently lost 61 and 1/2 pounds.I have about 30 pounds to go ,, well thats what

I think anyway,, Dr says 20 more lol.

I am a mature lady also and it's great to see that we can do it too. Take care

and enjoy the NEW MARILYN....power to us all on this sometimes rocky road to

health,,

Carol in Australia

marilyn dempsay <mdempsay@...> wrote:

My story starts with my adventure in Mexico with the fabulous Dr.

Kuri. The trip down was pretty uneventful and the drama didn't start until the

next day of surgery.

There were three

surgeons plus two doctors (one was the anesthesiologist) in attendance.

Then when I developed abnormal swelling, they kept me for 10 days instead of

just overnight at no additional cost to me. All three of the surgeons

visited me twice each day except for the time Dr Kuri was in Mexico City.

They also redid surgery two more times to snip stitching to try to bring the

swelling down. I lived on IVs throughout and since I had the run of the

hospital, I weighed myself regularly and lost maybe 5 - 10 lbs even though I

understand that the IVs have a sugar base. Dr. Kuri also took me for a

fluoroscope one day to verify I was too tight. I was well acquainted with

hospital staff and the day I was released, the guard walked me and carried

my suitcase to the hotel. When I wanted to go shopping that evening one of

the bellboys accompanied me on the streets. When I still couldn't swallow

the broth, I called the doctors as instructed and Dr. Espinosa came to my

hotel room to make sure I wasn't in trouble (I wasn't).

The upshot was that for all my extra troubles up front, I am one of the few

that doesn't need fills. I am fully convinced that the doctors there will

do everything in their power to assure that things go right and I can't

imagine anything in the states that meets their standards. Oh, did I

mention that the hospital was spotless, immaculate. They even washed down

the doors on a daily basis. Nothing bad is going to happen to you down

there if they have anything to say about it.

I have posted a picture summary of my weight loss history. I am also adding a

picture of me and my boa at Dr. Kuri's bash last year as this is pretty

descriptive of my present endeavors to get my head on straight and learn the

process of loving myself. As you can see humor plays a big role and the truth is

I am having a ball wearing a boa on my hat and strutting my stuff. You need to

try it. I did get my cousin convinced on our trip to New York last year when we

both put boas on our hats and everyone on the streets greeted us with " love your

hat " . That even happened when we were near or on Broadway so I am thinking I was

a hit on Broadway. The appreciation came from men and women alike and I have

been loving every minute of it.

Marilyn M Dempsay,

age 69, 5'2 " KC area

Kuri 6/30/05

226.146.135?

high. now. goal

You are rich in proportion to

what you can do without.

(And boy is there a lot more around

here that I could be happier without -

Marilyn)