The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 7

[Glynis]

The Peds Surgeon called tonight. He thinks that the Diverticula (area in the Esophagus that has pouched outward) may be the culprit as it can cause the symptoms Rees is having. The GI doc found it during the Endoscopy, but blew it off. I looked up Distal Esophageal Diverticula and it sounds just like Rees. The Surgeon also thinks it might be a hernia (para-esophageal hernia). So, he's calling tomorrow am to schedule some more tests. He too was worried about the weight loss and not eating and said he didn't want to have to put a feeding tube in. So Rees will have to go through more yucky tests. If it is the Diverticula, Rees will need Esophageal surgery to correct it. He said if it is the Fundo, he has a 90% success rate of repeating the surgery laparoscopically (vs open). That was good news.

I'm glad I got a 2nd opinion. And our GI doc sure won't want to see me and John if the Surgeon is right...

Sounds like this surgeon is the ticket!!! I'll keep my fingers crossed that Rees does well with the tests, and that some definitive answers are found!

 

[Glynis]

Just had to look that one up! We just call it boules... or petanque if all the balls are silver...

Thanks. I'll let DH know. Whatever you call it, we love it! Even the kids love it! It's a fun game for the whole family to play!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Here is an updated picture of our grandson Nathan...he is growing like a weed!!!

Kristine

hes adorable!

 

[Glynis]

You are so right! They start very young. I love that you are doing something now to try and instill good self image in yours and the ones around you! Sometimes these problems can't be solved JUST by a support system, but goodness knows so often they are escalated in girls without one.

If you ever need anything, have questions, etc, feel free to PM me. I have mentioned elsewhere and don't care to share here that I struggled (/struggle, as it really is a forever problem) with anorexia including hospitalization and the like for several years. I'm "healthier" now, but there are always emotional implications.

I'm not sure I could be of any help, but sometimes moms or others that work with girls will have questions and I'm glad to answer or share my own experiences! It's definitely become a passion of mine to do as you are and encourage girls of all ages to love themselves!

Jennifer, I love your philosophy! We are trying to teach our Katie that. She is in no way shape or form overweight, but she has a girl at school that calls her "fat girl". We just keep telling her that when it's time to worry about her weight we'll let her know. Right now it's more important to us that she learns to like who she is on the inside. I know it's hard, though. Luckily, she has a wonderful teacher who keeps an eye on things, and is always willing to take Katie aside and let her talk things out.

Why do we have to be so hard on ourselves?

 

[Glynis]

Hello everyone! I wish I had the time to read through the 100's or is it 1000's of posts I have missed, but I just don't have the time right now. I hope you are all doing well - I include you all in my daily prayers and ask for the Lord's blessing on each of your lives. Even though I may not know each of you're particular needs right now, I know the good Lord does! Just a quick update on why I have "dropped off" - I have lived on our family farm all of my life. My parents, my sister and her family, and my grandmother all live on the farm property as well (each in their own homes). Well, due to some health complications with my dad and his severe diabetes, he has had to make the heart-breaking decision to sell the family farm . As if this isn't diffult enough to deal with, it also means we are all losing our homes. We just finished moving my sister to a town 25 miles from here (I am used to her being next door - so this feels like thousands of miles!). My grandmother will be moving to Florida on the 25th (that IS thousands of miles!). My parents are building a new home (only a mile away). And we are well... soon to be homeless. But I have complete faith and trust in the Lord that he will see us through and provide for our needs. Sometimes it's just so hard to "let go, and let God", you know? I want the answers NOW, and it's hard to wait for His timing and His will. So, as you might imagine, our lives have been turned upside down. It is all happening so fast, and so unexpectedly. I am just trying to take a day at a time, and especially to get through this year's homeschooling (I am hoping to finish on Friday! ) Please keep our family in your prayers and I will try to update and catch up with you all as I can! THANK YOU for letting me get that all out!
Miss You Guys!
Shana

Shana, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. It's got to be tough to lose not only your home, but the feeling of being surrounded by family all the time. I hope that this situation resolves itself soon and you are at peace with it!

We are here for you whenever you need to scream, cry or vent!

 

[rosiejo]

Eeeeeewwww

 

[bethbuchall]

Shana--

Denise-- for Rees to get through the next round of testing without too much discomfort and that you get good answers soon.

Beth

 

[Glynis]

Well I'm finally all caught up after this weekend. I would have been done sooner, but my computer kept shutting itself off last night. I finally took it as a sign that I needed to spend more time reading to my kids.

I've been reading a book called "The Read-Aloud Handbook" for one of my classes, and it's really fascinating. It's inspired me to spend some time with each of my kids, one on one, reading out loud to them. We've done it for a week, now, and I've come to enjoy that time so much! With the twins we are going through the complete Curious George series, with Jacob it's Peter and the Starcatchers, and Katie and I are reading Anne of Green Gables. It is so much fun! I wish I could get Alan involved more, but he's so busy with his work that I don't dare ask him to do too much more.

Anyway, here's what I wanted to say last night:

Mrs.Heg - WELCOME! It's nice to see a new face here in our group!

Vicki - Congratulations on the new nephew! He is adorable!

Jenn - CONGRATS ON GRADUATING! Sorry about the tension. I totally understand, though. Doesn't make it any easier! I hope your elbow is healing nicely and without too much pain. I definitely think you should take Kate up on the offer of a girl's night out at Cheesecake Factory! Have a piece for me. Any flavor will do, but you have to come back and describe it in detail like Denise did with the Samoa cookies.

Kristine - your grandbaby is so darling!!!! I bet you all had so much fun with him this weekend! Just remember, with grandbabies you get to spoil and then give back. With your own, you have to keep them. Can you tell I'm at the point where I'm done?

 

[babytrees]

Hello everyone! I wish I had the time to read through the 100's or is it 1000's of posts I have missed, but I just don't have the time right now. I hope you are all doing well - I include you all in my daily prayers and ask for the Lord's blessing on each of your lives. Even though I may not know each of you're particular needs right now, I know the good Lord does! Just a quick update on why I have "dropped off" - I have lived on our family farm all of my life. My parents, my sister and her family, and my grandmother all live on the farm property as well (each in their own homes). Well, due to some health complications with my dad and his severe diabetes, he has had to make the heart-breaking decision to sell the family farm . As if this isn't diffult enough to deal with, it also means we are all losing our homes. We just finished moving my sister to a town 25 miles from here (I am used to her being next door - so this feels like thousands of miles!). My grandmother will be moving to Florida on the 25th (that IS thousands of miles!). My parents are building a new home (only a mile away). And we are well... soon to be homeless. But I have complete faith and trust in the Lord that he will see us through and provide for our needs. Sometimes it's just so hard to "let go, and let God", you know? I want the answers NOW, and it's hard to wait for His timing and His will. So, as you might imagine, our lives have been turned upside down. It is all happening so fast, and so unexpectedly. I am just trying to take a day at a time, and especially to get through this year's homeschooling (I am hoping to finish on Friday! ) Please keep our family in your prayers and I will try to update and catch up with you all as I can! THANK YOU for letting me get that all out!
Miss You Guys!
Shana

Shana-

glad to be updated on your life. Easier to be specific in prayers that way!!
All will work out in the end.
Come here to unload any time you need to!!

 

[tmfranlk]

Today is going much better, thanks for all of your thoughts! Kyle and I got a phone call from my SIL right after church. She was driving through Cincy and wanted to meet for lunch. She, historically, has been downright nasty as I have mentioned in the past, so I was REALLY not looking forward to this. It was tolerable company though, and we ate at Red Robin (after it had been talked about here the other day, I thought I should try it... yum!)... now I'm finishing my cheesecake from yesterday, so I'm in a significantly better mood!

Hope everyone is having a good afternoon!

It's yet another tomorrow, but I just wanted to send that your elbow is feeling better today!!!

 

[KMH1]

Even though I was inches away from one of our local Chick-fil-a Restaurants today, guess what I chose to have for lunch instead?!! The dollar popcorn/pop combo at Target!!! Marti and Paul are going to read this and

And so Alyssa and I are sitting there in the food area (she was eating mac and cheese) and suddenly she starts yelling, "Julia! Julia! Mommy, where's Julia? Nick! Nick! Mommy, where's Julia and Nick?" It was very

Kristine, your grandson is adorable!

Denise, so nice to read an update from you...sending lots of for Rees' next round of tests and here's a big for all of you!

Shana, sending you lots of to help you through this difficult time.

and to everyone else today! Now, I'm going to try to get caught up with some of my PMs (doesn't that make me sound popular? )

Amy

 

[tmfranlk]

Hi, all. Drive by posting. I'll try to catch up later. Rees refluxed at dinner last night and isn't eating much. I think I've given myself an ulcer (literally). My stomach hurts all the time and having quite the upset tummy. But somehow I'm still hungry and wanting to eat! Go figure. Anyway, I'll be back later.

Oh, Denise, I am so sorry to hear that. Get yourself to the doctor soon if you need to. We can't have Mommy down and out too.

 

[babytrees]

You are so right! They start very young. I love that you are doing something now to try and instill good self image in yours and the ones around you! Sometimes these problems can't be solved JUST by a support system, but goodness knows so often they are escalated in girls without one.

If you ever need anything, have questions, etc, feel free to PM me. I have mentioned elsewhere and don't care to share here that I struggled (/struggle, as it really is a forever problem) with anorexia including hospitalization and the like for several years. I'm "healthier" now, but there are always emotional implications.

I'm not sure I could be of any help, but sometimes moms or others that work with girls will have questions and I'm glad to answer or share my own experiences! It's definitely become a passion of mine to do as you are and encourage girls of all ages to love themselves!

I am so sorry I missed this the first time around!! I saw someone else's response and had to come back and read this.

Thank you for the encouragement!! I grew up "big", I have always been big boned and it was rough being a kid that was "fat". But I went to a seminar when I was a teenager of recovering anorexics and bulimics(sp) and realized that all they were trying to do is the same thing I was......love ourselves for who we are on the inside and outside.

You are right those who have a support system in place seem to do a bit better than those without. I think these two girls daddies are doing a wonderful job being single dads the girls are just getting to an age that they need some more support from the femine side.

I have my blechy days where I don't like myself (as a lot of us do) I just try and make sure my girls don't see them. My girls are both "bigger" according to their peers but well within norms. It's so hard to remind them on a daily basis, espescially when clothes shopping, that they are beautiful. Which of course they are!!

Thank you again for writing your struggles out....I don't need to know them all to know you are a wonderful woman who is overcoming !! I may just need to PM you a little later on with some questions.

 

[Pooh67_68]

everyone.


Denise, hope your are feeling a little better. for Rees's next round of test.

Kristine, what a cutie.

Shana,

Kate, that the doctor figures out your knee soon.

Amy, popcorn and pop? should of had the chicken.

 

[rosiejo]

Well I'm finally all caught up after this weekend. I would have been done sooner, but my computer kept shutting itself off last night. I finally took it as a sign that I needed to spend more time reading to my kids.

I've been reading a book called "The Read-Aloud Handbook" for one of my classes, and it's really fascinating. It's inspired me to spend some time with each of my kids, one on one, reading out loud to them. We've done it for a week, now, and I've come to enjoy that time so much! With the twins we are going through the complete Curious George series, with Jacob it's Peter and the Starcatchers, and Katie and I are reading Anne of Green Gables. It is so much fun! I wish I could get Alan involved more, but he's so busy with his work that I don't dare ask him to do too much more.

I Anne of Green Gables - I read the whole series at least twice as a kid and then at least once again in the last ten years... actually that reminds me I haven't actually read the last book... must go check out amazon and see if they have it...

 

[UP Disney]

I am so sorry I missed this the first time around!! I saw someone else's response and had to come back and read this.

Thank you for the encouragement!! I grew up "big", I have always been big boned and it was rough being a kid that was "fat". But I went to a seminar when I was a teenager of recovering anorexics and bulimics(sp) and realized that all they were trying to do is the same thing I was......love ourselves for who we are on the inside and outside.

You are right those who have a support system in place seem to do a bit better than those without. I think these two girls daddies are doing a wonderful job being single dads the girls are just getting to an age that they need some more support from the femine side.

I have my blechy days where I don't like myself (as a lot of us do) I just try and make sure my girls don't see them. My girls are both "bigger" according to their peers but well within norms. It's so hard to remind them on a daily basis, espescially when clothes shopping, that they are beautiful. Which of course they are!!

Thank you again for writing your struggles out....I don't need to know them all to know you are a wonderful woman who is overcoming !! I may just need to PM you a little later on with some questions.

It is so sad how everyone struggles with this especially as young kids & teenagers. I was always very skinny growing up. I got teased mercilessly about being careful or I'd blow away, disappearing if I turned sideways, etc. I'm also flat chested so got teased about looking like a boy. I ate everything trying to gain weight while others starved themselves trying to be thin like me. It is so important for us to begin early teaching our kids that what is important is what is inside and not to listen to anyone else. I think I was successful with my girls. We also worked on self-image badges in my Girl Scout troop.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

And so Alyssa and I are sitting there in the food area (she was eating mac and cheese) and suddenly she starts yelling, "Julia! Julia! Mommy, where's Julia? Nick! Nick! Mommy, where's Julia and Nick?" It was very

Amy

that is so sweet!! we went to the cone again and Julia said "Ms. Amy is going to be mad at us!!!! We better not go again without her!!"

We better make plans soon b/c I don't want to wait forever to go to the cone again!!!

 

[Glynis]

I Anne of Green Gables - I read the whole series at least twice as a kid and then at least once again in the last ten years... actually that reminds me I haven't actually read the last book... must go check out amazon and see if they have it...

I adore the whole series! I loved them as a girl, and now I'm finding them again with Katie. She chose the book because, as she said, "I like old-fashioned things." She can't wait to finish the book so she can watch the movie. I think that will be something we do together this summer. I'll just have to convince DH to take Jacob and the twins away so we can have mother/daughter time.

 

[ReAnSt]

Sending and to all. I think the lack of sleep is finally cathing up with me as I spent basically all day yesterday in bed and came home from work this morning and crashed. It could be that I have my period and am cranky too, ahh who knows. Its a cloudy, yucky day out anyways, what happened to my 80 degree weather.

I would love to make individual remarks but my brain is too shut down for that so I hope everyone is doing well, gets answers and feels better.

 

[babytrees]

I adore the whole series! I loved them as a girl, and now I'm finding them again with Katie. She chose the book because, as she said, "I like old-fashioned things." She can't wait to finish the book so she can watch the movie. I think that will be something we do together this summer. I'll just have to convince DH to take Jacob and the twins away so we can have mother/daughter time.

Some of our favorite times as a family are after watching a movie after reading the book. I am hoping that I can get the girls to read "Little Women" this summer and then we can watch one of the adaptations. Cassidy is reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" in school. I was so surprised DH didn't have to read it in school but so excited that Cassidy "has" to. She told us that if we wanted to opt her out of the book because of the racial issues and a couple of bad words we could. I guess it now has to be an option to opt out of books, but some of the classics would never be read if we kept our minds in the ground like ostriches.