Saysusie....

Oluwa · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 3:10 pm Post subject:

Ahhh...I missed your birthday? Happy Birthday to you, Saysusie...Hugs, tight ones...g-r-r-r..squeeze. I am glad it was a great day. When my sister twins where toddlers, they would wake up each morning and say Happy Birthday Mommie...sweet, eh?

How is the Ambien working...I wish you could have tried the Lunesta...a whole different lights out drug. Out and then up...no residue.

You lost 15, I gained 8...You pecked like a chicken and I ate like a pig. I will give you my eight or did you find your 15?

And I got your email and popped one off to you today...

Enjoy the night, Saysusie..I hope you are smiling...
Love,
Oluwa

Saysusie · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 4:08 pm Post subject:

Hey You;
Glad to see you back and in good spirits! No, I have not found all of my 15 pounds, but I did find 6. That's a start huh?
Hubby bought me ice cream (well, actually soycream 'cuz I'm lactose intolerant), pound cake, and chocolate brownies and has given me an ultimatum regarding weight gain. He sez my face is shrunken and I have deep black rings around my eyes. I hadn't noticed them until he mentioned it and yes, I look rather haggard. My face is not only shruken, but it looks as if it has fallen Laughing

I would gladly take your 8 pounds if I could. But, at least my appetite has returned to normal!
The Ambien is working satisfactorily. I am getting to sleep and seem to be getting restful sleep. That is more that I had been doing, so I'm satisfied for now.
I haven't been into my e-mail yet, so I'm asking you here if your vacation was as wonderful as you hoped it would be? Are you rested in body and soul?
We've missed you here and it is so good to have you back!

Peace and Blessings
Saysusie
_________________
Look For The Good and Praise It!

Oluwa · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:08 am Post subject:

Hi you dear Saysusie...

Enjoyed Disneyland? Gaining the other pounds with food on a stick while there? Have you had any lab work done to find why the weight loss?

I felt rested and swollen when I came home, but since weaning off the steroids I am worse than my norm...

The Lasix did wonders for the water retention, just popped another as my eyes are getting puffy again, I feel the layer accumulating.

My weekend was dull, and well, so was I...I was dormant, hibernating, hiding from the world. If I didn't have lab work today I would hide another day.

Here's to healthy, well, better days...

Scratch..
Hugs,
LOve,
Oluwa

cheryl_v · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:45 am Post subject:

Feeling any better Saysusie? Holidays are hard when love ones we miss are not around anymore to share them with. I do understand. I almost called my niece to see if she was coming with me or her mum's for thanksgiving. Then I remembered of course, my first holidays without my miss bubbly Crying or Very sad

. Just last year I had to learn to go thru this time of year without my sis and 2 nephews, it was so hard. Now without my dear girl, I don't know what to do. She would always come with me to my mum-in-law's when she could, we sneak bites behind her back Laughing

. I was so excited to tell her this was my first year at my own home, I'm sure she's smiling though because she knows. I do miss her, more than words can say. God bless us all thru the holidays.

For your weight, how about creamy pasta? Any you can have or make that's lactose free? I know cream or cheese sauce noodles goes straight to my waste and scale. Maybe more bread products at each meal? Hope you feel better soon and gain a few pounds. Have mine, please Laughing

.
_________________
Cheryl

To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world. (author: Nick Miller, I believe)

Saysusie · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 10:32 pm Post subject:

Olwa;
Finally answered you e-mail..sorry it took me so long. Disneyland was wonderful. However, three old ladies just can't do what their mind keeps telling them that they can do!!! We had to all laugh at our complaints about our backs, our feet, our hips, and..."oh no, I am not standing in another line!" Took the train ride around the park 4 times, just so that we could sit down Laughing

But, we stayed until fireworks both nights. Went back to the hotel to drink our fruity drinks with umbrellas and whatnots Laughing

. Stumbled to our room to talk, gossip, laugh, and pass out from sheer fatigue.
I ate, and ate, and ate....gained....................ZERO!!!!! I feel like I've lost a little of what I gained, too scared to get on the scale. What a bummer. I have an appointment with my endocrinologist next Wednesday. I am thinking that my thyroid has gone bonkers again! Hopefully, I will have answers and solutions then.
I like the fact that you spent the weekend just "chillin", I hope it was not because you were not feeling well. Even if it was, I'm glad that you took the weekend to just hybernate! I think that we all should do this, at least two times per month!
How was your lab work? Every time that you wean your Prednisone, your start to feel bad. I really wish that you could find a dosage that keeps you stable and doesn't beat you up with side effects.
Hope your night is a peaceful one and that you wake up feeling less pain and more lifted spirits!

Always
Saysusie
_________________
Look For The Good and Praise It!

Saysusie · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 10:40 pm Post subject:

Cheryl;
I can understand what you mean about missing your sweet girl, especially this time of year! My friends are so sweet and they do so much to try to keep my spirits up when the Holiday season starts creeping in on me.
I miss the daily phone calls we had making plans and planning shopping excursions. Well, I just miss everything about not having her here.
My husband and I are still not able to "do" Christmas. We go away every year. My family has to understand that we just are not able to "do" Christmas the way we had when she was here! It holds no joy for us any longer.
I hope that you are able to find some moments of quiet joy knowing that she is always with you. I hope that you are able to find some joy in these holidays and not be like me! You are always in my thoughts and thank you for keeping me in yours.

Peace and Blessings
Saysusie
_________________
Look For The Good and Praise It!

Oluwa · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:58 am Post subject:

Dear Saysusie...

Oh, I am so glad you had such a wonderful time with the girls. Much needed, eh? I've never been to Disneyland or World. Just Sea World in Orlando...Shamo.

Ate and ate, zero gained....only a good thing when nothing wrong is involved. Do you have to take medication for hyperthyroidism? I was borderline low...when tested but wasn't "diagnose" with hypothyroidism. I consume 1000 or less calories a day. Average about 800..anything more I grow and rapidly too.

I can't imagine your beautiful face looking haggard.When we feel we look haggard sometimes a new product can brighten, lift our skin. I found colorescience...from my sister has a great line for face care, correctors. Check 'em out.. http://www.colorescience.com/1280x1024/flash/index.html I use the pep-up, eye and lip serums, liquid foundation and compressed makeup..I notice a big difference in my face...

I fell out yesterday, just for a minute and clocked several hours sleeping away after my shower, so no lab yesterday. I will combine my lab work with my dermatologist appointment on the same day, this Wednesday. Hope they can save my day...this rash is causing my skin to feel like wet, swollen grains of wood where the board was cut.

My home remedies are not working. Just lathered with T/Gel shampoo, coal tar all over my body in hopes it would provide relief. Nope, least not yet. Next Evening Primrose Oil...

There just has to be something. I feel like peeling my skin as if I was a potato.

Probably just allergic, to something aggravating the eczema..I am consuming...

I've been more exhausted than my usual. Yearning for my down comforter and quilted blankets and fulfilling that hunger with hours in the dark. And my bland thoughts have kept me hibernating.

Where are you going for Christmas this year? Us, probably to Florida and spend it with my Dad. That is only a six hour trip...but I still feel leary about another after how I felt when I got home from the UP and stopped the steroids. If it wasn't for the Prednisone, dosing while there I think my time would have been a disaster. Cheers to a pill...

Enjoy this day...I plan to too...

Toodles,
Love and hugs,
Oluwa

cheryl_v · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 1:04 pm Post subject:

Hi Saysusie, thanks for your reply. I can understand you taking trips, wish I could. My kids keep me going, make me "do" the holidays. Since she was actually my sister's girl, I'm forgotten of my pain. Completely understandable, no complaining here. I look at my kids and just can't imagine what it must feel like. She still felt like mine though, specially the last few years. Her growing up, she came here a lot. She said I was the only relative who spoke to her as an adult, not a child. Had to remind her that it was hard for others, specially her mum and grandmum, to see her as anything else just yet. Still can't eat the chocolate icecream syrup without her. Good for the waste line though at least Laughing

. Glad you had fun with your friends at Disneyland. I live 2hrs away from Disney World and still have never went. I want to make an effert and try some year soon.

Hi Oh, coming into my state at christmas I see. Where at? I live in central FL, temps not too bad around christmas most years. Cold, but not too cold. Further south where a few relatives are say its real comfy there that time of year.
_________________
Cheryl

To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world. (author: Nick Miller, I believe)

Oluwa · Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:16 am Post subject:

Hi you, Saysusie...

How was your weekend...enjoyed or healing? I hope it was a wonderful weekend.

Finding the pounds you lost...I am missing nine now. Woohoo, as mine was unwanted. Four to go. Hopefully your appointment Wednesday will reveal something, so you will know how to treat it. Unanswered, undiagnosed to me is worse...you too?

I broke through my dark cloud and I am not only feel the sunshine on the outside, but I am beginning to feel it bursting inside. Thank you for your encouragement, your kindness on the other thread and everywhere.

Have a wonderful day..hope you feel good.

Hugs..
Love,
Oluwa

mnjodette · Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:26 pm Post subject:

Saysusie, I'm so glad you had a good time in Disneyland! Wish you had returned with the missing weight, though. Still, sounds like the trip was a success in the relaxation department.

My heart aches for you, Saysusie, when I read about missing your Laurie at Christmas. And for you, too, Cheryl - missing your sis and family, and your dear niece. Hugs and prayers to you both.

Jody
_________________
"Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine." Lord Byron

Saysusie · Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:10 am Post subject:

Sweet Oluwa;
Bad news on the weight...another 3 pounds gone, and I had just gained six! Poof! Just gone Sad

It's like I go to bed with the weight and during the night, someone has stolen it from me. So, I am getting a bit concerned and have not mentioned it to my husband. I purchased a gallon of Soy Ice Cream and have been eating it every night! I will see my endocrinologist Wednesday. I'm not sure I want to know what is going on, but at the same time...I want to know what is going on!!
However, I am happy to hear that you are losing your unwanted pounds. Do you think that you could package them up and send them to me? I'll take whatever you can give Smile

Yes, I am taking medication to control my thyroid. I'm hoping that I will just need a dosage modification. My weekend was quite nice...we went to see the new James Bond movie on Friday (I am a Bond fanatic) and it was a thrill ride from beginning to end. Also, I went to my book club meeting in L.A. on Saturday, but due to the fires, the freeways were shut down on the drive home. So, what should have been a two hour drive home turned into 3 1/2 hours. Needless to say...I had to take all day Sunday to recuperate.
Oluwa; there has to be SOMETHING that can be done to relieve you from your skin rash! I know you've tried everything to no avail. But, I just cannot believe that your dermatologist and you rheumy cannot put their heads together to find a way to help you. You've suffered with this for so long and you've been so patient! I can't understand why they've not been able to come up with an adequate treatment.
I can understand your total exhaustion and your need to just hibernate! Just as I can understand your frustration, your anger, and your feeling as if you just want to scream!! I am screaming for you.... "TAKE THIS AWAY!! I'VE HAD ENOUGH, JUST TAKE IT AWAY!!!" You are right, there just has to be something! Please let me know how your appointment with your dermatologist goes on Wednesday. I hope you insist that he or she do something, give you something, recommend something, refer you to someone that ACTUALLY HELPS.
You are in my heart.......

Always
Saysusie
_________________
Look For The Good and Praise It!

Saysusie · Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:30 am Post subject:

Cheryl;
I had to smile when you mentioned that you could not eat chocolate ice cream syrup without your niece because I feel the same way about banana splits. Lauri and I had our own special banana splits: 3 scoops of chocolate ice cream, covered with chocolate syrup, sprinkled with chocolate sprinkles, a dusting of crumbled Oreo cookies, and topped with a sliced chocolate brownie. We called it our "Chocolate Overload". Every time we ordered it and ate it, everyone in the establishment would look at us as if we were insane! We'd laugh our hearts out as we ate the entire thing. I haven't had one since 1999.
We only had two children and Lauri was the baby. Her older brother has been on his own since he was 19. So, Christmas was always about Lauri and how she loved to celebrate it. Our son would come home to spend Christmas with us, but the planning, decorating, shopping, and celebrating was all about Lauri. Our son, her brother, truly understands our inability to "do" Christmas so he spends most of the Holiday with his girlfriend and her family. He tells us not to worry or feel badly, he is just fine and he could not celebrate as we used to either.
Even if your family forgets that you suffer from your niece's loss, please know that I hold you in my thoughts during those times (like the holiday season) when you miss her.
My husband and I are contemplating either going to Palm Springs or Las Vegas for Christmas (Lauri's husband is in Las Vegas & we often go there to celebrate with him & his family). We've not made a final decision yet. It comes down to deciding if we want to be completely alone or do we want to be around others.
I'm happy that your children are able to help you have a joyful holiday season, even in the midst of missing her. Laughing

Thank you for your understanding words.

Peace and Blessings
Saysusie
_________________
Look For The Good and Praise It!

Saysusie · Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:34 am Post subject:

Mnjodette;
Thank you for your post Laughing

The years do not make it easier for those of us who are missing loved ones. It just helps us to deal with the loss differently.

My friends are always my strength and I actually thank God for them every day. I include my friends whom I've become attached to here at WHL in those thanks Laughing

This family is such an important part of my life now.

Peace and Blessings
Saysusie
_________________
Look For The Good and Praise It!

hatlady · Tiger Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 864 Location: Illinois

It has been so long since I've had a chance to catch up! I'm jumping into this on page 8, and have missed all the story up until now.

Saysusie - how frightening to keep losing weight. I know so many say "dang, wish I could do that!" but really - when you don't know why..... just keep eating that ice cream! However.......I find if I eat a lot of soy (and I LOVE edamame!) that I have some issues. Seems to set whatever hormones this 56 year old body makes into a tizzy. Might want to try some rice milk ice cream or almond milk ice cream and see if it has a different effect? Maybe the natural estrogens in the soy are having some effect and helping that weight melt away?

Hugs, dear Oluwa - I thought that skin issue had been clearing up! Or maybe you don't want hugs. A good scratching might be more to your liking? Wish I could offer something to help...

Christmas will be weird for me as well this year - my mother is now in a nursing home, skilled care, as her Alzheimers has just started running away with her. It is so sad. Over the summer we were talking and laughing. Now the last time I talked to her on the phone she wasn't sure where to talk into, much less who was on the phone. She has no idea what day or week it is, so if we do go visit (3 hours drive away) over the Christmas holidays it will be whenever weather permits. My sister is going to a relative's house in Florida for the holiday. So it will be odd. And a bit sad.

We may or may not go down over Thanksgiving, depends again on weather. We'll have my SO's sister and son over, so just the 4 of us. Thanksgiving in my family used to mean renting a hall - there would be 60 to 70 of us, all aunts, uncles, cousins..... lots of food, lots of laughter. So different this year! Being a "grown up" ain't all its cracked up to be some years.

Hugs to all of you, so good to hear what's going on. I'll try to check in again every day, but work has been....BUSY! Benefits time of year and lots of projects on top of it.
_________________
~"I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe." (Dalai Lama)

Oluwa · Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 1:25 pm Post subject:

Hi you Dear Saysusie..

Wouldn't that be lovely if we could just package our fat off and share.

I do hope that it is just a tweak of your prescription. Tomorrow you will find out, eh?

My dermatologist appointment was last Wednesday. I was prescribed Clobex, a super potent steroid cream, along with Cerave a heavy duty moisturizer...which is working. Prescribed for 4 weeks...Humm seems like I wrote this to you somewhere...maybe in our emails? Okay who is having the brain fart?

I hope when the bottles are empty the rash will not reappear. He thinks maybe Plaquenil or Protonix is the culprit..allergic reaction.

You did have a wonderful weekend. Joy, joy!

Hugs with love,
Oluwa