Good Morning Ladies,

Everyone seems busy, I also have been crazy busy.  Hurt my knee this weekend I think doing too much outside.  When I work on my berm garden I am in a funny position standing because it is on a hill and I think I twisted something.  So I have not been able to garden for a couple days.  It is getting better but I don't want to make it worse. 

Della I only have the berm garden to finish mulching about half done and then everything "work wise" is done and I can just meander, dead head, plant a couple new flowers etc.  I can't believe all I have gotten done this season already "14" trees and more.

I don't know about you guys I am having a hard time with exercise.  I have been awful these last couple weeks.  I know I am working in the garden and I have been walking with my hubby on the weekends but other than that it is so hard to do exercise instead of being outside.  I was awful with water yesterday forgot to bring mine both times I went out so needless to say I was way below and last night decided to have wine instead of water with dinner.  I am also up on my weight a bit.  I guess it is always a challenge isn't it?  How is everyone else doing with exercise etc.  Are you all having a hard time with it too or is it just me. 

Well it is a beautiful day today here in the Northeast.  I have one appointment today so I will have time to go to the flower shop, looking for a decorative maple tree (drawf) for beside my water garden.  I won't go out in the garden this morning but have cleaning to do so I will do that instead and also plan to do upper body exercise, maybe later this afternoon I will go outside to do just a little.

Have a wonderful day ladies enjoy the weather.

Betty

Well, our trees are even a bit more bare-barked today after all the storms here lately.  Actually they are Sycamore trees and they shed their bark a tiny bit at a time, but the wind sure helped them along the past few days.  They reminded me of the cartoons where some of those cats or dogs or wolves get their fur blown off in a silly explosion and they cross their legs and arms trying to cover up ROFLOL!!!

Took daughter back to the doctor and he took the dressing off, but she's still in the big boot.  She'll get her stitches out next Tuesday and then 2 weeks after that the pins come out.  I don't look forward to the pin day... I know how it felt when mine came out..... YEOW!!!

Well, for calories and stuff I'm doing OK... but not great on exercise.  The doctor increased my Armour today so maybe that'll help with the hunger.

Ro

Hi everyone,  just ducking in today for a quick peek at the community. Been very busy with my gardening as well.  And no computer access at home really bites. But oh well, that's all I can do.

Betty: I am in the same boat as you-I've exercised with Leslie once the last 2 weeks.  The growing season is very short here so I want to take advantage of every moment outside that I can.  I will resume the WATP DVD's this fall and winter when weather wont permit working outside. 

Ro: What happened to your daughter?  I missed the thread somewhere along the way?  Hey, I'm going to Oklahoma in August to see my daughter and my grandson.

Cheryl: Hey, how's the new grandbaby?  And I must say. A size 12? WoW! Way to go girl!! Your a true inspiration!  By the way I saw your pictures.  Your mom looks soo sweet.  And your kids are really good looking! You must be very proud.

Have any of  you read up on the Fast-5 diet being talked about in the Weight Loss community?  I was looking at it-half way thinking of giving it a try. . just not sure.  At this point in my life I'm about willing to try anything to start losing again.  I just cannot get below 200 . . and am VERY frustrated with it all. 

Anyway, wont complain-just a thought

Happy day everyone.

Della

I'm up .6 pounds this week, but I've also renewed my vision again.  I WILL do better starting now.  You know how you have that certain something that caused you tons of problems in your food/drink area? Well... on that wagon that we all fall of... the wheels that are running over my soon-to-be-fat-if-I'm-not-careful butt are Dr. Peppers!  Jason's Deli has the most incredible salad bar and equally incredible made-with-real-sugar Dr. Peppers.  OMgosh.... it's a sin... I'm sure of it LOL!!  At least I'm ending my day healthy (whew!).

My calories today were 1273
Water was 24oz
Exercise was 1 hour of grocery shopping

Breakfast:  Mini Wheats and 2% milk
Lunch: Jason's Salad Bar, Ice Cream Cone, and Dr. Pepper (baaaaad Ro... bad Ro!)
Dinner:  Healthy Choice Soup, Fudge Bar

Good Morning Everyone,

Well it is a beautiful day here in the northeast I will go outside shortly to have my morning coffee it is suppose to thunder storm later.  It is my Mom's birthday today 85... and unfortunately she ended up in the ER again yesterday and had to stay overnight, hopefully coming home today.  Her leg again, she got a staff (sp?) infection in the wounds and MERSA which is really bad so they put her on a drip antibiotic right away.  She is doing well and in very good spirits considering.  Hopefully she will come home today.

I am doing okay, working outside a little my knee still bothering me but not as much so doing a little bit here and there. Did some upper body exercise this week really good workouts but that is about it.  If I can I am outside just like you Della.  I have gained another couple pounds but still fit in my jeans (a little tighter) so I will watch what I eat and hopefully my knee will get better soon so I can at least resume my walks.

Ro, the only thing I can say to you is WATER GIRL.... you are not drinking enough, I don't know how much you weight but I am sure it isn't 42pounds LOL... you should be drinking half your weight in water.  Hey and don't feel bad about the doctor pepper I NEVER drink soda had two this week a cream and grape mmmmmm...  something about summer and soda don't know.  Also had a brownie with a tiny scoop of this new lactose free icecream on it yesterday...

Della I never heard of that diet but I do try to stick to the zigzag method, check that out it is kinda cool.

Well I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your weekend.

Betty

Good Morning Ladies,

I have had an incredibly busy week and weekend so my postings have been sparse.  I didn't count a single calorie this week but stayed very mindful of my food intake and kept up the walking workouts.  End result....I have neither lost nor gained a pound.  After counting calories for almost seven months, I decided I need a break, hopefully without loosing any ground.  So far, so good.

Della, I have never heard of the Fast-5 diet.  I agree that plateaus are the devil. They take all the wind out of our sales.  Life's two biggest curses are frustration and regret and a plateau is the epitome of frustration.  And..my grandson is great.  I haven't seen him for two weeks but have been keeping the phone lines hot.

Ro, woman shall not live by lettuce alone.  Have that occasional Dr. Pepper and enjoy.  Just know the approximate calorie amount and adjust you daily activity accordingly.  Since we are telling our sins, my husband and I had supper last night at my son's future parents-in-law.  She is a fabulous cook.  After an enormous meal, she presented two deserts.  I had a piece of both.  This means I will probably have to walk 20 extra miles this week!  But boy were they good.

Betty, hope the knee will improve soon.  Tricky knees are no fun.  Sorry to hear about your mom's health problems and hope she will be better soon too.  Hang in there, both of you.  I found out last Sunday that my mom has been having shortness of breath from a while and keeping it to herself.  We got the ball rolling and the week she has had an EKG, chest xrays (good results), blood work (no results yet) and a stress test (that she passed with flying colors).  She goes back to her doctor on 7/7 for the blood results and see where to go from there. 

Have a happy day.  Cheryl 

Hello Everyone,

Just checking in as it's been a week since any of us made a post.  With the flurry of summertime activity and vacations and Della's computer going kaput, the opportunity to settle down with the computer is at a bare minimum.  Actually that is a good thing, means we are all moving around.

I am holding my weight at 168.5 for the 3rd week in a row and I am thrilled.  I haven't logged a single calorie but I am mindful of every bite that goes in my mouth.  Now I feel confident that when I do go back to trying to loose more weight and finally reach my goal, I will be able to maintain it.  We had one of our sales reps come in the office this week carrying two cheesecakes that she had bought at a local deli.  I checked out the nutrition label and saw it was 380 calories per tiny slice (pre-sliced).  I went ahead and had a piece then ate a sensible supper and did a 5 mile walking workout.  Obviously it didn't hurt me a bit.  It is so liberating to realize that I can indulge from time to time so long as I adjust the rest of my food intake and up the workouts.  In the past, I would have eaten the cheesecake, then called myself a spineless failure, gorged on any and everything available the rest of the day and sat around drowning myself in self-loathing & self-pity.   I have made so many mistakes in the past and can't go back and undo any of them but now I am on the right path.  It is wonderful to not be a slave to food anymore.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and a great week.  Cheryl

Hello everyone,

It HAS been a while since we posted and you are right Cheryl with summer time here things go by so quickly, never seem to have enough time.  I am proud of you for the cheesecake it takes a lot to have only a small piece and then doing a workout to boot good for you.  I wish I could say the same.

Now I am not a dessert eater, my one weakness is brownies, however, we all went up to my Moms to celebrate her birthday since she was in the hospital on her birthday (she is home now).  My sister who is a wonderful cook made THREE different cake/pies.  I had a small slice of all three... Yes all three I couldn't resist, they were very small slices and I did adjust what I ate for dinner.   And although I didn't work out at night, I went over my son and daughter in laws for dinner and we played WII for about 3 hours soooo I had a little bit of a workout.  It was fun you do move about a lot.  So I like I said I am very proud of you Cheryl for being so strong.

My knee is still hurting I am limited in what I can do and how much I can exercise.  I am getting a good workout for my upper body though.  My weight has remained the same give or take a couple pounds.  I feel good my clothes fit... I have not logged in my food for a LONG time now.  I do figure it out "somewhat" in my head, and watch what I eat, I don't varry to much so it is not too hard, I just don't have the time an with the nice weather I would rather be outside.

Cheryl how is your Mom doing?  Better I hope.  I found my Mom wont tell us things because she doesn't want to complain.  I just let her know she isn't complaining!

I will try to post but have been so busy with work and this week isn't any better I just haven't had the time. I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Betty

Hi All,

Betty, thank you for the compliment but I don't think I am any stronger, only smarter.  I have finally realized that there are consequences to my over-eating and if I want to indulge, then I have to pay the price, one way or another.  So simple....wonder why it took me almost 50 years to figure it out?  Also, thanks for asking about my mom.  We were so afraid that she had developed a heart problem but as it turns out, she has COPD.  Her heart is in great shape for a 76 year old.  I thought COPD was a smokers disease, but Mom never smoked.  Dad did, but not in the house, so she wasn't exposed to second hand smoke either.  She is relieved not to be facing by-pass surgery and is upbeat about it all.  Her theory is, if you live to be 76 and don't take any medicine of any kind, then you are due for something to happen, so just deal with it.  What a lady!   Cheryl

Hi Betty and Cheryl! {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{BIG HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I've missed both of you so much!  I HATE! HATE! Not having a computer at home!  I've not been able to log in for more than 5 minutes while at work and no time to log anything.  We have a student working in the office and I must set a good example.  That means no web surfing while she's here. *sigh*  But I console myself with the thought that soon it will be August and I'll be in Oklahoma hugging the stuffings out of my daughter, son in law , my little Alex and my dad again!  I cannot wait!

I've been maintaining my weight-up or down by a pound or two.  But other wise pretty stable.  Please forgive me but I must crow for just a moment-please forgive the bragging. . . This week my partner and I began our long walks again (6k) up some pretty decent hills.  Well last year when we began this same walk we would come to THE HILL.  I call it CARDIAC HILL.  Simply because it is a real cardiac workout (at least for me) This particular hill would always leave me out of breath and passing nothing but a parked car.  Seriously this hill was torment for me.  I hated it! Anyway, Monday we began the walk up hill, down hill.  I'm keeping a pretty good pace and then there it is, THE HILL. My heart starts pumping just looking at it.  My mind is wondering. . can I make it without passing out. After all I've not walked this particular path all winter or spring.  One step. . two steps. three. . . and before I know it. I'm at the top of the hill and only slightly winded!  I am shocked. Nearly faint with pleasure and pride in myself.  Was it a fluke? Well we went for our walk again last night and I am pleased to announce with the same results.  I can pass any thing in sight. (little egotistical there) Not really.  But those darn old ladies aren't passing me by any more. LOL!!!

Betty: how goes the gardening?  I have all my plants in and the vegetable garden is in as well.  We are now concentrating clearing some areas of land around our place.  We are living in the middle of a forest. I swear.  Nothing but trees and shrubs all around the place.  While planting our vegetable garden we had Mr. Moose come right up to our area to see what we were doing.  Nosed around the bird feeders and meandered all around the place. What a sight.  And I hear you about the brownies.  Not sure what my weakness is but I love chocolate, cake, brownies, candy bars, icing. . don't give into but maybe once a year. But I dearly love it. 

Cheryl: My mother had COPD. But she was a smoker. She quit probably 12 years before she passed away. Plus she worked in a factory for 25 plus years making magnets.  So she inhaled alot of impurities.  Your mom sounds like quite the lady! I love her outlook on life.  And congrats on the weight.  Your really doing well.

I'm going to post some pictures we took on Barr'd Island.  They overlook a small coastal community called Englee and an ice berg that had foundered in the cove.  Hope you enjoy!!

I'll do my best to log in to see what everyone is doing and to catch up on all the news.  Take care ladies!!

Della

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Hey there ladies!

Been busy taking care of daughter's foot and now it looks like son is going to be having surgery on BOTH feet LOL!  Plus, found out the kids have NO CAVATIES... you'd think I'd be thrilled, right?  but the kicker is... they DO need BRACES.  Yikers!!!  What a month!  But I did find out something cool.....

Figured out that I can do water aerobics in the Hot Tub!!  I was sitting in there thinking "Now how can I turn this down time into some calorie burning?" and realized... bicycle movements, scissor movements, and jack-knifes.  In all of these movements I have to keep my tummy tight as well... it was a good time!  So at least this was a productive day LOL!!

Good Morning Ladies,

Seems that everyone is busy that is good means we are blessed with full lives.  I have been full out with work, my daughter and Mom and just life in general. 

Cheryl, I am glad your Mom is doing better, I too thought COPD was a smokers disease.  That is GREAT about the no medicine, my Mom (although she is 85) takes quite a lot but she is able to keep it all straight.

Della, so happy for you about "cardiac hill" that is a great accomplishment.  Moose WOW but I guess you see them all the time.  My gardening is going slow I have been so busy, but I did work on my water garden yesterday and it is coming along so nice, had a leak in the waterfall but I found it after moving LOTS of rocks and re-foaming it no more leaks.

Ro, I will have to try the exercise in the Jacuzzi sounds like fun, it felt sooooo good last night my body was really sore.

This week we found my daughter's wedding dress so beautiful and she looks so grown up I guess at almost 26 SHE IS.  We went to this wonderful boutique in Rhode Island and they had tons some discontinued some not but great prices she found four she liked, we left went to lunch then one other store then back there to try them on again.  We didn't know which ones were the discount ones at this point they all kind of blended well... the dress she picked was $300! Can you beleive it we were amazed, and the gals at the boutique were just wonderful.  We of course need to go to the next state to get fitted ext but it was worth it.

Mom is doing good hanging in there, we went out to lunch yesterday her leg was bothering her so we took the wheelchair, I know that kinda bumbed her out a bit but we had a good time out none the less.  My knee xrays came back fine waiting on the results from the lime test but so far nothings wrong with it... wish they could feel what I feel hmmmmmm...  but at least I know I can use it without doing damage.  Still can't do any exercise with it like long walks ext.  But I sure am going to go out and garden, I have been very careful since I didn't know what it was.  Now I can finish mulching "slowly" of course.

Well have a wonderful weekend, Betty

Della... I'm sorry I didn't answer your question!  I just saw that!  Daughter was getting out of the bathtub and hit the frame of those stupid shower doors that were on there (notice I said "were" LOL... MaMa bear got pretty mad when I found out what happened).  Anyway, I told her that they can't really do anything about a broken toe and she ended up banging it again later on... to which I replied the same.  Well, after a couple months of her saying her foot hurt, plus her callouses were needing looked at at well... we go to my foot doctor.  Low and behold, she broke the big bone on the top of her foot (Metatarsal) and her big toe!  All this time... OMgosh.... I felt soooooo bad!!  So she had surgery on it.  She'll be getting the pins out in two weeks.  Bad mama.....

Betty.... You're right about my water intake, Mom LOL.  It is bad... and I have the blocked colon to prove it... my bad!!  I HAVE TO get my act together on my water intake.  As for the Hot Tub exercises.. I was kinda excited!  made me feel like I was at least accomplishing something besides just sitting there LOL!  I'm fixing to either go for a walk in the neighborhood or do Walk Away the Pounds... can't decide which one.

Hi Sue & Friends,

I see this thread was started in 2007 so I hope I'm not too late to join you. I'm new CC, been here for around a week. I'm 47, 48 in January. I have 2 grown kids, 3 grandbabys, a husband that's been a fount of support, and some sad looking house plants. We recently relocated from So Cal to NYC and I've gained at least 10 lbs during the process. At 5'2" 20 lbs is quite a chore, especially for those of us that could eat anything and everything we wanted when we were younger. I hope I get the chance to meet you all....

Bea

My Thoughts on this Day of the Lord:

I just love my garden... it's such a blessing to me.  When I'm out there, it's like I'm walking hand-in-hand with God... He has created  so many beautiful plants and trees and grasses, if only we'd take the time to appreciate them.  I was thinking the other day that my 4 o'clocks make tons of seeds as do my Malva and Hollyhocks.  Isn't that just like god to put seeds in things so beautiful so that they can be shared with others, or reproduce (just like he told Adam and Eve to go forth and do).  He's just so true to His Word.... where would we be without Him?!

An overcast and cool day here today and I'm actually loving it!  Our pumpkin plant is going crazy!  It's so funny... last year I was adamant about getting out of the Fall Depression state of mind.  I always hated the Fall and Winter because that's when I was couped up in the house and most of the childhood abuse took place.  The trees would lose their leaves and the grass would die, and I felt like a part of me was killed off every Fall and Winter. 

Well, last Fall the local grocery store was giving away their pumpkins the day after halloween.  I gathered a bunch of them up and put them all over the back yard in my flower beds and plant pots.  A pumpkin patch that had also been selling pumpkins was also getting rid of all theirs as well, so I had about 30 in all.  I faced my treadmill outdoors so that I could see those pumpkins every time I walked on it.  I looked at those as full of seeds which means full of potential life.  Each seed could produce 20 or so pumpkins.  Each had tons of seeds in them, and each seed also had the same potential... we're talking a major harvest! 

Well, I had left a few pumpkins out along the fence on the alley side so that they'd grow and make the alley look good (the blooms are gorgeous!) but for some reason nothing grew.  We ended up re-building our fence and evidently one of those seeds got into my flower bed that's up against the fence and that's where my pumpkin plant that I have now came from.  I had to remove one of my Malva plants in order to make room for it, but that's OK because I have three others to the left of that which are good, established plants full of seeds.  God showed me something in the removing of that plant...

Sometimes we need to get rid of the excess in our lives in order to make room for something that God sees as more important and productive.  It may be downsizing to a different house or car, getting rid of excessive cable channels so that we can have quality time with our family, or even getting rid of the excess weight we carry around so that He can replace that with new healthy cells that will support us for many years!  He's providing me with my own pumpkins this year... grown from something that was given to me freely and without charge.  Even if by chance the pumpkins don't grow... the plant and the blooms have been incredible!  I've never seen such huge flowers!  I've also been capturing rain water in a large tub we purchased at a Garage Sale last week.  It's amazing how the plants actually stand tall and strong after receiving Heaven's water... pure, unpolluted and straight from THE source. 

My garden this year has been a teaching straight from God and I've been blessed by it... I hope you have been, too.

Wow!  I can NOT believe the energy I had today!!!!  I normally rest on Sunday, but due to my Thyroid I honestly need to take advantage of any energy I might have... and today it was an over-abundance!
I did 30 minutes of good water aerobics in the hot tub (my tummy is sore LOL), 30 minutes of Vacuuming the carpet and laminate flooring, at the very least I KNOW I did 3 hours of house cleaning including washing the kitchen cabinets!!!

Breakfast:  Slimfast Shake
Snack:  none
Lunch:  1 Avocado, 1 pack of Starkist Tuna and 1 large stalk of celery all chopped up and mixed together; 4 multi-grain crackers
Snack:  GNU Flavor & Fiber Bar
Dinner:  Slimfast Shake (early), 2 poached eggs, sauteed spinach with a small handful of pecans, Fudsicle

Calories:  1227
Water:  48oz
Exercise:  Boo Koos!!!!

Good Evening Ladies,

It is so good to hear from you all and welcome to you too Bea.  I think that you will find this site very helpful to you.  I am looking forward to getting to know you better.

Della,  I miss hearing from you since your computer at home has been on the fritz.  Congratulations on concurring Cardiac Hill (clever name!).  I'm glad your partner is walking with you.  My husband and I have been on a few walks together and it was quality time.  We talked about things that we wouldn't have been talking about if we were in the house; him watching TV and me reading.  That is we talked when we were able too.  We pulled a few wicked hills too.

Betty, reading about you going wedding dress shopping with your daughter reminded me of when I went with my daughter almost 3 years ago.  What a fun day we had.  I wasn't nearly as stressed as she was and that served to kind of calm her down.  It ended up being a day we both remember fondly. 

Ro, it sounds like the new doctor and new treatment are doing wonders for you.  I am glad that you are finally doing better.  It's a good thing too considering all the nursing that you are doing and will continue to do for your family.  When it rains, it pours...but thank goodness you are now more physically able to handle it all.

My daughter, son-in-law and new grandson were in for this past weekend.  It was the first time my daughter has been home since before her blood clot was discovered in March.  My husband and I had a wonderful time with them.  She and the baby are coming in for a one night stay this coming weekend and this time they are going to stay with my mom.  Mom is so excited she can't stand herself.  She is making plans and counting the hours til they get there.  It is so good for her and it will be good for them too.  My grandson is very lucky to have four great grandmothers and two great grandfathers still living and one great-great grandmother too!  Grandparents can play a vital role in a child's life.  It is a special relationship that you just don't have with your parents, very nurturing.

Well, got the alarm clock set for 5am so it's time to hit the hay.  Have a great week.   Cheryl

Hello Everyone,

welcome Bea.  Hope everyone is well and enjoying the summer.  Della are you still without a computer?

Cheryl, I am happy you could spend some time with your daughter, son-in-law and new grandson, I can't wait to have grandchildren.  I do have one step grandson that is turning 6 that I absolutely adore unfortunately we do not see him enough.  I love spending time with my kids they have turned into wonderful young adults and they keep my young.

Ro, I hear you about the garden I feel the same way about mine.  Although mine are only flowers right now, at my other house I had a large veggie garden I miss that but have yet to find a good spot for one at this house.  I have done tomatoes on my patio and I do have lots of herbs in with my flowers.

I have been so busy with work the market is so awful here, I am seeing more and more foreclosures it is very sad.  And nothing is selling either, I have lots of listings at great prices just sitting.  Have a broker tour today for one of my houses so got to go get ready.

Have a wonderful day everyone.  Betty

Well.. the mountains were fabulous!!  If y'all want to go somewhere awesome, Ruidoso is absolutely magnificent.  We're going back in mid September LOL!!  I walked like there was no tomorrow.  It is such a walker and dog friendly town!!  I loved it!
Came within 15-20 yards of a black bear!  Our kids were like "Mom!  Take a picture!"  LOL!!  Luckily we were in the car.  We took pictures of him, several deer and a swarm of hummingbirds and butterflies.  It was so cool!!

I'm going to my doctor's appointment today.  Hopefully my blood work will reflect how awesome I am feeling!!  I'm going to work in the yard today and take out my petunias that I have in the front and put my geraniums there.  The petunias are so sad looking.
Then I'll pick up around the house and do the laundry (amazing how many clothes you go through!).

I did well on my eating while in the mountains and with all the walking and nature trails I lost some weight.  I think I have my appetite and eating habits so set in place from what I've learned from mydietsolutions... which was a blessing on our trip.  Hopefully I'm on the right path now with my thyroid as well!!
Hugs to all!!

Hi Everyone,

Betty & Ro it is very good to hear from you.  Ro, sounds like your trip was wonderful, such an amazing place to visit.  No wonder you are planning to go back in September.  Betty, the housing market is bad around here too.  In the small town where I work, there are "for sale" signs all over the place but not too many "sold" signs.  If I drive in to my office from the back way, I go through a very nice residential area.  There are some beautiful homes on that street.  I have noticed that several of the "for sale" signs on that street have been taken down.  Don't know if that means they have sold or the owner gave up and decided not to sale them after all.

Della, I so miss hearing from you and will be glad when you get your home computer situation resolved.

Well, it has been quite a week.  My workaholic husband got out on a neighbor's farm several weeks ago and helped move some very large creek rock.  That was the beginning of his back trouble.  Then, he carried a 5 gallon bucket of wax up a flight of stairs at the school where he works, and that finished his back off.  He could barely walk for several days and finally decided to go to our doctor.  She thinks that he has anywhere from 1 to 3 ruptured discs and sent him for an MRI on Wednesday.  During the MRI they discovered a 2.5 cm mass in one of his kidneys.  Yesterday, they sent him for a CT scan and confirmed that it does look like kidney cancer.  On the plus side, it is in an easily accessible part of the kidney and appears to be in the early stages.  It was too late for our doctor to get hold of our urologist yesterday, but will do that first thing Monday morning, then the journey begins.  It could be that his hard work and excessive lifting has saved his life.  If he hadn't hurt his back, the cancer probably wouldn't have been found until it was in the late stages.  Please keep us in your prayers.  What a roller coaster of a year!  First my daughter and her blood clot, then the birth of our wonderful new grandson, and now this.   Cheryl