Laura Mae hey! Taking one step towards a healthier lifestyle!!!

Posts by lauramaehey

Forum	Topic	Date	Replies

Health & Support	Someone out there must have a relative with Alzheimers...not just me...	Aug 20 2008 03:18 (UTC)	1
My grandmother fell because (it is believed) she spun around too quickly after bending down. No real proof though that there wasn't a slight stroke. She seems fine, it isn't her with Alzheimers, my grandfather has Alzheimers and she was his sole care giver. It is incredible how certain events in our lives open our eyes to other things. I would honestly argue that somethings can be worse than death. But who knows if someone really would rather be dead. My grandfather seems to enjoy life...even if he doesn't always know what's going on. We don't like to see him like this but he still seems ...content. Thank you all for you comments and support! God Bless! -Laura
Health & Support	Someone out there must have a relative with Alzheimers...not just me...	Jul 30 2008 02:56 (UTC)	3
I love the comments everyone is leaving. It's amazing to know that other people are dealing with the same things as I am, my heart goes out to you all. I havn't made it down to see my grandfather for about 5 days now. I miss him terribly but I know now he's in good hands (even if I don't want to say this out loud yet). My grandmother has been going down every 3 days to visit with him. She is in the front of the nursing home and he is in the back. She told me today that she cried on the phone with one of the nurses and the nurse actually walked Papa down to her for about 45 minutes. Amazing, how much these people care. Papa has seemed happy everytime I've gone to see him, I always ask "They bein nice Papa?" and his response is always the same, he'll glance in my eyes and then stop for a moment, look over my shoulder and say "of course....yup....uh huh." Now, I don't know if this is him being part of the conversation but it is interesting to see this reaction. He hasn't recoginized me again but I hope this comes again. It really brightened up my day to have him recoginize me back a few weeks ago. I hope to have more days like this but I also know that the days are numbered. BIGBONES: By all means encourage him to be tested for this, there's no saying that this is what it is but theres no saying its no. There is not a cure for Alzheimers but there are medications to slow down the progression of the disease if that is what he (if capable) or the family decide to do. You and your family are in my prayers. I learned long ago not to look at Alzheimers as a disease that will kill him eventually but as a beginning to a new chapter....even though every time he turns the page he'll have to go back to re-read it he'll still get the same enjoyment out of it as he did the first time. If that makes since. It makes me look at it in the light of humor. Makes this easier to deal with. 1967jeriann: Papa has done some pretty crazy things in the past (nothing too bad since we realized how bad the disease actually was and kept closer watch). The first thing I remember him doing was flirting with a girl friend. The second, we were getting ready for a party at my house and Granny went to the bathroom leaving Papa in the living room for a few minutes. When she came back he was missing. We didn't know where he went and eventually found him at the neighbors house trying to get into their car and calling "Donna, hurry up, we're going to be late!" Looking back we laugh, then it was scarry. My grandmother is a superhero to me, I don't belive that I could take care of someone like Papa for very long, but here they are for the last 15 years, and more to come as soon as she heals. WOW! God Bless! -Laura
Health & Support	Someone out there must have a relative with Alzheimers...not just me...	Jul 24 2008 02:40 (UTC)	7
today was the first day I didn't go see my grand parents (either of them) since they were put in the nursing home. I feel....weird. I want to go but I've just been so busy today (I started work and then dinner and then scheduling for fall classes and what ever else!) It was weird but almost nice...I odn't know This is more or less a bump post then anything else....any comments?
Health & Support	Someone out there must have a relative with Alzheimers...not just me...	Jul 18 2008 23:45 (UTC)	8
My grandmother is conginively fine. She really doesn't struggle much with the day to day things (until she broke her hip...now its just the getting around thing that she struggles with) My grandfather is cognitively impaired due to the Alzheimers, but he has never been the one to do those things. Thank you for the concern. I know that the bills are taken care of for the current month and I think its my fathers responsibility to take care of them for the rest of the time, he's the "landlord" lol not really but we own her house and practically gave it to her. Thank you for your concern. I think we've got this area covered. Today I went in with a group of my friends to visit her and found her rather distressed. The staff was 90% sure that she had developed a blood clot due to the surgery. The prelimanary results say there are no signs of this but the symptoms are all there. The swelling in her leg increased over night and the hip to knee is almost HOT to the touch, during excersize more (of course) but it is still very warm when she is fully relaxed. Its weird but there seems to be no HUGE problem according to the. They don't know what's causing it though. Any thoughts? Thanks -Laura
Health & Support	Someone out there must have a relative with Alzheimers...not just me...	Jul 18 2008 05:04 (UTC)	10
Bought the book (The Notebook) ..started reading it...I think I'm going to read with my grandmother tomorrow and see how she feels about it after the first chapter (it's all I've gotten through). If she likes it (and of course I'll read the back of the book to her so she has an idea of what its about) then I'll continue to read with her/give it to her and finish it later. Saw Papa again today, he didn't remember me but I think he recoginized me. When I walked in he took my hand and walked me over to the bird cage and we sat watching them for a while. The new carehome has some bird cages in common areas and everytime we go for a walk (over the last 4 days) I've stopped and showed him the birds, some days he's more interested than others but today he was intent on them. It was pretty cool, I don't know if he did this because he though I liked watching them, he remembered that I would show them to him, or he just enjoys them. The nurses said that he sat infront of them for an hour after I told him good bye yesterday so, it makes me think maybe he does actually remember. Still really hard to leave, but I only cried the first time today...not this evening. Hopefully that will get better, anyone know if it does? Thanks a ton for everything! -Laura
Health & Support	Someone out there must have a relative with Alzheimers...not just me...	Jul 17 2008 23:04 (UTC)	11
Thank you everyone for your posts. Papa is 83 years old also and his mother died of Alzheimers at 94. My grandmother doesn't want him to go through the same but at the same time I don't want him to go. I want to make this thread somewhere for people to share. Thank you so much, hearing about other people in the same position is really ..almost relaxing for me. Thanks everyone. -Laura
Health & Support	Someone out there must have a relative with Alzheimers...not just me...	Jul 17 2008 16:49 (UTC)	16
bump?
Weight Loss	Short girls here - around 5 feet!	Jul 16 2008 15:32 (UTC)	186
I bought TurboJam DVD's theire actually fun for me. They combine some kick boxing, dancing and areboics. They usually last between 20 and 45 minutes depending on the intensity you chose. I really enjoy them alot, and I've been doing them for about 1 1/2 weeks now (use to do them about 4 months ago and quit..big mistake!) I already see results! I focus on my abs because that's my "problem area" Incredible that theres already results! Can't help you with foods though..sorry
Health & Support	Someone out there must have a relative with Alzheimers...not just me...	Jul 16 2008 15:26 (UTC)	17
Reading it together might be a good idea, I think she'll enjoy it, but theres never any guarentees. I'm so sorry to hear about your late grandmother. I met someone with dementia yesterday at the nursing home, it was incredible to see someone that had a disease so close to what my Papa has but was still able to hold on a converstion (even though it was set in many MANY years past) the gentelmans wife told me he's 94, WOW! Not everything about these visits are negative, I suppose. Its just hard, not sometimes but ALL THE TIMES Thank you so much for sharing your story, its hard to go through but life is going to keep going no matter how hard I try to stop it (after I figure out how to stop it I'd like to rewind it and go back to when I was 4 for a few days) My heart goes out to you and the pain you must have gone through, did you? How did you feel through all of this happening? Was it hard for you to leave? That seems most difficult to me (as mentioned below) Thanks again! -Laura My thoughts Even though I'm on vacation from work right now, and I know that they are only 4 miles from me (at the new nursing home). And I know that I'll see them again the next day as soon as I get around, I find it the hardest thing in the world to leave. Everytime I break down and just cry for 10 or 15 minutes, then when I finally have my composure about myself I start to drive (I make sure I'm out of earshot/vision of my grandfather first though). Its weird, I don't know why I cry so much when I leave, I never did when he was home with is wife...that's probably it. He's not with ANYONE, the only people that talk with him are his visitors (me :( ) He has 4 sons but none of them can easily come and visit during the week. So when I leave I feel almost like its my responsibility to stay and keep him company, give him his meds, feed him, and put him to bed before I go. These are all things that I did when I use to care for him when he lived with my grandmother and she needed to go grocery shopping or had an appointment. I don't know, but I think its just going to be an adjustment period for me...at least I hope. I think the other thing that gets me every time is the face that because he's in late stages there's no saying if he'll wake up again or not... My grandmother is happy, in 3 months she will have been married 62 years but she looked at me yesterday in her hospital bed and had tears in her eyes and said "Laura, I pray, everyday I pray, for the Lord Above to just take him. I want him to go home, he needs to go home, I love you grandfather so much and it pains me to see him like this. Is that bad?" I said no granny its not. and she says "Will you pray with me?" I had to excuse myself right then! I can't pray for the Lord to take my grandfather (here come the tears again). I know, its selfish, but I want him to stay because deep down inside I believe (more so just wish) that one day he'll magically be all better. Or that we'll have another great day like we did the other, but there is no sign oof that as of my last visit. I wasn't willing to pray with my grandmother, I told her that I'm not ready yet to wish Papa into the Lords hands, she understood completely. I hate this disease. It's terrible and my heart goes out to anyone with a loved one with it.
Weight Loss	Short girls here - around 5 feet!	Jul 16 2008 06:08 (UTC)	193
I know how you feel....I'm 4'9" and weigh 145. I have a history of ED but have been doing MUCH better lately. My goal weight is 110 but I'll settle for 125 for my wedding (next summer). How do I handle my calories? I make sure I'm eating healthy and I feel content. I use a scale of 1-10. 1 meaning I havn't eaten in days and 10 meaning I feel like someone needs to roll me out of the buffet because I over ate ...again... I'll start to eat when I'm between 2-4 and I eat slowly. My meals usually consist of a carb, a veg, a fruit, and a meat. I'm very picky about this because otherwise I'm worried about relapsing. I always eat funny too...my fiencee' makes fun of me for it all the time. I take a few bits of the fruit, few bites of the veg, few bites of the carb, and a few bites of the meat. If I'm still hungry after my first go around I go again. This way i'm eating pretty balanced (maybe not perfectly healthy, but balanced) Because I eat slowly my body has time to regester when I'm full. Using my scale I stop eating when i'm at a 7-8. THis way I don't OVER eat. Counting calories I find somedays I only consume 900-1200 and other days I eat around 1500. As long as I'm full I'm happy. I'm working on losing weight so I do a pretty heavy workout every other day (usually my bigger appitite days) THis is how I do it. My dr. hasn't complained about it..yet and I'm losing about 1-3 pounds a week. Hope this helps
Health & Support	Someone out there must have a relative with Alzheimers...not just me...	Jul 16 2008 05:41 (UTC)	19
bump :)
Weight Loss	Bloated and weight gain with my period	Jul 16 2008 05:01 (UTC)	13
I usually gain between 5 and 7 pounds the week prior and the week of. It drives me NUTS! I'm in the middle right now....so far since last Monday I've put on 4.5 pounds! pretty depressing I know. The problem is that I physically can't get out of bed when I start (for 2 days usually...sometimes less...sometimes more) because I get such terrible cramps. I take Midol, pamprin, IBU, ANYTHING! but nothing seems to help. Terrible cramps run in my family though. My grandmother actually told me once that when she gave birth to her first son she laughed later when someone asked how bad it hurt. her response "It was no more than my monthly." I wanted to cry at those words lol...sounds like no fun at all, I know...I live it. I give up for 2 or 3 days at the start of my monthly because I can't physically get out of bed. After that I do 2 a days for the rest lol...I know catchup isn't good but if I don't I fell worse Anyways, I drink tons of water and have cut salt out of my diet as much as possible...still no help! I guess everyone's different. Give it a try :)
Health & Support	Someone out there must have a relative with Alzheimers...not just me...	Jul 16 2008 02:19 (UTC)	20
I want to go and buy 2 copies of The Notebook...havn't decided just yet though. I want one for my personal library because EVERYONE have recommended it and the second one because I was thinking about giving a copy to my grandmother. I need to know, does this seem reasonable? Is that a good gift for her? or is it going to make her depressed and/or cry. I want to know because its already tough on here. She loves to read but I havn't previewed this book yet. Any suggestions?
The Lounge	Understanding your man.......	Jul 11 2008 19:26 (UTC)	4
#28 kae03 Jul 11 2008 14:00 there is a REALLY easy solution...we always put down BOTH seats ALL OF US...the toliet looks better and it is fair for all. AGREED!!! Except so many men that I know point out they THEY have to lift BOTH seats... Only argument is "you're supposed to be stronger than us...."
The Lounge	Understanding your man.......	Jul 11 2008 17:29 (UTC)	13
haha My fiance posted these throughout our apartment, I live with him and 3 of his best guy friends...there WAY to must testersterone in my apartment. Anyway, I took them all down and created my version of them, and posted them back up where he had them. I did something, and he was like "that's against the rules" I told him to prove it and when he went to his rules he realized they were ....slightly different than how he remembered them...haha, made for a good laugh. Made me pretty happy...i have that list somewhere...not sure where though
Health & Support	Does anyone here have Adult ADD (or know someone well who does)?	Jul 11 2008 15:35 (UTC)	4
my fiance has adult ADD which has only been complicated by is Aspergers Syndrom (EXTREMELY mild Autsim). You never actually get over ADD, you can learn coaping skills but there is no "cure" for it. I have Acquired ADD, the diagnosis is controversial but I know its true. Acquired ADD means that an event in your life has triggered it, you showed no signs prior to this even but following you do. I've only had it for almost 4 years now, I refused meds because I didn't want to feel I needed them (plus, I am herbal). I learned many coaping skills, and to this day it can be a struggle, but with the skills someone can appear almost to not have it. I have days where people can tell I have ADD but usually its so mild to everyone else that they don't know. I would personally approach the topic with him....Just bring it up gently, "Hey ____(name here), you remember when you told me you had ADD as a child, what was it? Do you remember? What helped you? What did you hate about it?" Ask the questions you think you need to know, if you can get him to open up about it without directly saying "YOU HAVE ADD AND I KNOW IT!" then it will go much more smoothly. I dated a guy with bipolar, he wouldn't admit it though, my father has had it and I recoginized it in him. I went to him and accused him of it and things got UGLY ... fast. After we broke up he went and got the diagnosis, and even came and appologized to me. I don't know you personally or your bf but I do know that not communicating about this will really drive you apart. Try to open up this topic, it should inhance the bond you already have with him. -Laura
The Lounge	is it okay to not like sex?	Jul 10 2008 23:16 (UTC)	9
I think its just fine. Most of my days I'd rather cuddle and kiss than actually have sex (then again I'm in a relationship that we've decided no sex until our wedding...don't ask...long story) I find cuddling and kissing more romantic. Besides you can cuddle and kiss more often and its a little more approperiate to do in public spaces (or infront of parents)
Health & Support	"We've traced the call; get out of the house now!"	Jul 10 2008 19:14 (UTC)
For a job I'm a nanny, I've worked with chidren for about 7 years now (babysitting in the beginning), I made $5-10 an hour babysitting and now nannying I make $10-17 an hour, really depends on what kind of family you work for. If you are good with children nannying is great. I go to work everyday looking forward to being with the children, and I practically set my own hours (this is probably pretty rare...I work for the owner of the company) so my schedule works well around my school and vacation schedule. Another good idea is work study, it usually pays min. wage but its usually pretty easy work so you get A LOT of studying done. An example, most of the students working in a college library are on work study. At my college they really don't do that much, you usually find them on the computer or studying. One other option would be (if enrolled in a college) move into their dorms, your room and board is usually included in your enrollment fee and this is almost always covered by what ever financial aid you are approved for and just about any scholarship you may have recieved. It is possible, best of luck to you. -Laura
Health & Support	"We've traced the call; get out of the house now!"	Jul 10 2008 00:59 (UTC)	5
I live with other people but my share in the costs are: 245/month Rent 30/month Electricity approx 75/mth food (depends on who does the shopping) 20 internet (we don't even have TV) 40/month gas (to get to and from work)(summer during school another 20 a month) 45 cell phone 278/6 months for car insurance. My water and heating bills are covered in my rent It's not cheap to live on your own but for some people it is better in the long run (I am one of these said people). Hope this helped
Fitness	Turbo Jam	Jul 08 2008 18:54 (UTC)	2
I'm jumping back onto TurboJam unless someone else can suggest something that will work along the same lines but perferably in shorter than 40-60 minute work outs. I rarely have that much time to put aside for workouts. I keep my heart beat elevated most of the day. I take care of chidren so I'm constantly busy, I just need something that in a few minutes a day will help to sculpt my body some. Any suggestion?
New Members	Returning member and shocked	Jul 08 2008 03:38 (UTC)	1
The only reason I looked up my BMI is my Dr. suggested it. I explained to her that I wanted to lose some weight and asked what she suggested and she said it was up to me but to try and keep a BMI of about 22 or 23. I've decided that 110 is my goal weight but I'll be happy at 125 at my wedding. I have 13 months to go and 24 pounds to lose :) I hope it works as well as I plan.
New Members	Returning member and shocked	Jul 02 2008 04:52 (UTC)	4
my goal is 110 but I was really just shocked.
New Members	Night Shift and Counting Calories	Jul 02 2008 04:41 (UTC)	5
I personally do not work night shift but my fience does. We are both trying to lose some weight. He was doing GREAT until he started 3rd shift, now he's to tired to work out with me when I get home from my 1st shift job. He only works 3rd shift for 3 months a year but it still takes a tole on him. The best thing is that I encourage him to continue to watch his portion sizes. He eats 3 meals a day, dinner (around the time he gets up) Lunch (4:00am at work) and Breakfast (aroudn 8:00 when he's home) I often find him saying that he is still hungry even after he's snacked (he was never really hungry between meals before). I don't know, I think third shift takes a tole on everyone. On the weekends he tries to switch over to a day schedule because we like to go out but he finds himself eating 5-6 meals a day because he's up for 18-24 hours at a time. My best advice is to keep a constant schedule (I know its a pain and pretty inconvient) but it just seems to be healthier in the long run. I don't know if this was helpful or not but I hope it was. -Laura
Fitness	Turbo Jam	Oct 11 2007 02:20 (UTC)	4
I LOVE THE TURBO JAM VIDEOS the workouts are all 20-40 minutes long and work well for everybody...If you want low impact they show you how to modify every move, if you want high impact they do the same for you. The workouts are fun and I actually look forward to them. They do a great job encourporating dance into the work out. Its a mix of boxing, cardio, dancing, and kick boding....also so tichi(sp?) I think it is awesome and really enjoy them. I use the Party Mix 1 and 2 Cardio 1 an 2 and the Ab Jam. The cardio and abs are most intense and I find myself noticing effects quickly. the Party mix i find just to be a blast to do and it also shows results but its not as focused on one part of the body as the others. I would recommend them to anyone that has a hard time having fun while working out. Hope you enjoy them!!
Fitness	Home DVD Question	Sep 21 2007 18:08 (UTC)	2
I use a home video called Turbo Jam and they have all different ones. I use Ab Jam and now starting today and using the Cardio Party. I used Ab Jam for 7 days straight, its a 20 minutes work out and I noticed results and it got easier for me to do, so now i'm doing 3 days ab and 2-3 days cardio. I think its going to be more effective but that is just me. Probably didn't help you but its my opinion. We'll see how it goes
Health & Support	help with breast shrinkage during excersise	Sep 21 2007 17:55 (UTC)	3
I have always been flat chested, and it drove me insane, when i gained 40 pounds I actually graduated out of my AA cup and into an A and I was sooooooooo excited, well now i've dropped a sufficient amount of that weight and needless to say my new bra's no longer fit me and I'm wishing I had kep my old ones. My breasts were the first thing to go, now I'm a small person but i still want something on my chest. The only thing that I've been told will ever bring my breasts back is pregnancy and well......I think to get boobs would be the WRONG reason to have a baby. Sorry but I really don't think there's much you can do. I have noticed that when I work weights on my upper body my boobs disapear faster....something to think about
Weight Loss	I just binged AGAIN.... now what?	Sep 18 2007 20:01 (UTC)	35
to be honest the only way i've found to avoid late night hunger is to go to bed before it hits, i know its not always possible but when you can try it.
Weight Loss	I just binged AGAIN.... now what?	Sep 18 2007 19:47 (UTC)	37
do you binge at the same time every night? if so what time?
Motivation	Clean Eating Challenge	Aug 29 2007 14:48 (UTC)	515
I fell and I fell hard, I've been eating too little the last 3 or 4 days. I can say that I have lost weight but that it hasn't been healthy weight loss. I need to restart but I want to get this under control before I make you restart me every other day.
Motivation	Clean Eating Challenge	Aug 24 2007 21:29 (UTC)	539
Ok, I hate to say it but I have to start over...again. I have no excuse, I just havn't been eating like I should be. To be honest I'm nervous I'm slipping and that scares me a little bit....I'm going to beat this! Please start me over for Auguest 25. Thanks in advance

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