Gallstones??

I've been feeling a bit "under the weather" as my Mother used to say. I had an appointment with my Dr. on Tuesday to get my meds refilled (high blood pressure) so I told him how I had been feeling. He commented on my weight loss and the fact that I had not gained any over the holidays, I didn't tell him I did but I've lost it already..lol.
Anyway... after an exam he says he thinks I might have gallstones. As he put it, "you're at that age". He gave me some medicine to take and said hopefully it will clear up my symptons, if not, I am to go back in 2 weeks for an ultra sound of my gallbladder. He asked me what type of foods do I eat? Beef? Fried foods? Dairy? I told him NO beef or fried foods and very little dairy that I had been on WW for the last 9 months and eat mostly chicken and fish. He then explained to me that when you eat a low fat diet your gallbladder does'nt work properly, it slows down it's production I think is how he put it.
Of course I came right home and got on the computer and looked up gallstones and gallbladder disease. Seems a low fat diet is what caused my problems, but also being overweight causes it too!?? So now.. what do I eat? If I eat fatty foods it will cause me to suffer the pain, if I don't eat fats I'll lose weight but my gallbladder won't function correctly and also cause me the problems I've been suffering! I've been searching for a website that will help me but all I seem to find are the ones that want to sell me their formula's for eating right to have a healthy gallbladder. There are also products on these sites that claim their product will "clean out" my gallbladder....but of course it's only $160 to start off.
I went to WEB MD and found out a few usefull bits of information...but I need more!!
I want to find a list of foods I can eat.. and still loose weight that won't make me sick. I can't eat veggies.. well I can but I detest all veggies except corn, squash and green beans. Living on fruit is not an option either. Anyone have any suggestions??

Getting Back On Track

Tomorrow is the day.. the day I get back on track with my weight loss program.
Laura and I decided around my birthday, just before Thanksgiving... that we would let ourselves "enjoy" the holidays and go off our weight loss program.
I was surprised when I weighed myself today... I only put on 3 lbs. Since I ate pretty much whatever I wanted, I thought maybe I had gained more, but I think working the way I have been lately has helped me keep it off.

Today was my only day off this week so I did my shopping at Wal Mart for the coming week. As you can see by the picture, I picked up plenty of "snacks" for myself! Since they were on sale I stocked up. lol
I love these 100 calorie snacks, they are 2 points each and make it easy for me to keep track of my points each day. My goal is to hit 150 by Mother's Day in May. Wish me luck! (and will power)

Laura.....

Laura and Alphie on Christmas Day


This is my oldest daughter, Laura.
She & Jeff have been married 18 years and have 3 girls. Sarah 18, Rebecca 16 and Rachel 13. I live with all of them. (almost all..Sarah is now in CA going to college)
Over the last few years, I've gone thru some rough times and Laura has always been there for me. She was there helping me to take care of my mother when she died. My mother did not want to die in the hospital. I took Mom home and Laura stayed with us and was there with me the moment my mother passed. This meant a great deal to me and to my mother.

When my dear hubby passed away so suddenly in July of 2001, Laura insisted I stay with them for awhile so I would'nt be alone. Then she had my 5th Wheel (we lived in our 5th wheel on a lake when he died) moved so I could be close to them. She paid for his funeral, never asking to be paid back. When my anxiety attacks took over my life, she had me live with them to help ease my tension and worries. She got me into Scrapbooking, which is still one of the things we like to do together.

We have not always gotten along and have gone through periods of not speaking (which I know is a valuable waste of time)...but I had to give her some space.

Now as I come to the year mark of me living with them, I am feeling very lucky to have this "child" in my life. I'm very proud of the woman she has become over the last few years. She's not into "that mushy stuff" as she calls it and when I've tried to tell her, she gets upset with me and changes the subject.
So today I wrote a letter to her, telling her of all the things I love about her and how proud I am of her. I'm just going to leave it here, and maybe someday I will give it to her, or maybe I'll just leave it for her after I've passed away... I'm not sure yet.
I just feel it's important that she know how I feel. My Mother and I were very close, and I considered her my best friend. My mom was an alcholic and put me thru hell sometimes, but I always forgave her.... I understood...and when she was dying I was able to spend 9 days with Mom with out her drinking. We talked and talked about everything... knowing we didn't have long before she died. I will always remember my Mom that way.. not the other way.

It was Laura and Jeff who insisted I get a job... and I'm enjoying my life so much more now that I'm working again.

Yes.. I feel pretty lucky to have her in my life. I sometimes wonder if she feels the same way? Like I said... she doesn't go for that "mushy stuff".


I love this picture of Laura..she always says she doesn't know how to smile, looks like a pretty smile to me!