Kellyeng, How did you make out with your thyroid results? Sueb, Sounds like you had a good start to your 50th bday goal by not gaining while on vacation. Build from there. Keep thinking positive and about lifestyle changes, not just weight loss. Trim 100-200 calories everyday, not so much your body misses them, enough to make difference over the course of a year. A little less cereal, a smaller amount of yogurt, one less piece of bread - you get the idea. Don't worry on the actual calorie amount, just tweak each meal by taking a smaller portion or skipping a calorie laden beverage. Whether we like it or not, movement is crucial to weight loss and maintenance. You need to find a way to move more. You know the usual things - park farther from the door, take the stairs, stand up more. Can you add an activity that doesn't seem like exercise? Horseback riding? Ice skating? Bike riding? Swimming or treading water? For fitness the expression is: don't sit when you can stand, don't stand when you can walk, don't walk when you can run (although I only run if I'm being chaaed). For long days touring when we travel, I tell my husband the rule changes to don't stand when you can sit, don't walk when you can ride, and don't ever pass a clean bathroom without using it. But I digress...

Try not to stress about it too much. I've had two thryroid needle biopsies and one thyroid ultrasound because I have thyroid nodules. They just like to check every two years or so to make sure the nodules aren't turning cancerous. I didn't find the biopsies painful because the needle was quite thin, and so far my nodules are remaining benign and causing no thyroid symptoms.

My DH was angry to see that Medicare was charged $300 for a PSA test from his physical last month. He's mid-seventies. His PSA numbers were never 'interesting' back when the test was appropriate for his age (prior to 70). We did our physicals at the same time. The lab gave me the option of declining the cholesterol test because I would have to pay the entire cost for it. I did decline it. (Perfect cholesterol is my only health claim to fame.) I wish DH had known he was getting the PSA; he would have declined it as inappropriate. Just because a test or procedure isn't Out Of Pocket doesn't make it appropriate. Jasdip -- Why is your DH having this test if he has no prostate? Is it indicated because he DID have a problem? (I don't understand.)

Thank you Nancy and Celeste. Nancy, I have the firm belief that when God leands you to it, He leads you through it, and have wonderful peace about the situation. I do NOT enjoy the fatigue or queasiness, but, as Celeste says, working in that garden is good for my mind and heart. Yesterday I could spend only an hour or so but was able to mark a few thigs off of my re-organization plan as "Done" which is joyful. kay