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Archive through July 26, 2010

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: May 2010 ~ August 2010: Career Group: Starting a Brand New Business--Advice Sought!: Archive through July 26, 2010 users admin

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Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Saturday, April 04, 2009 - 11:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
Maybe she's the Pet Nanny for the new First Dog and has been sworn to secrecy!!!!

Or the Secret Service has deemed somebody [or more than one somebody] who posts here as dangerous so won't allow her to post her comings and goings!!!!!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, April 04, 2009 - 10:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
I'm here thanks to CCG. She guilted me into checking in. I will write you personally, CCG. Just give me a little more time.

Our move went very well, and things were good here--until about the 8th of March.

That's because I've been sick and have had to traipse to the hospital 3 times since then! (Admitted twice.)

Had a suddenly emerging but slowly diagnosed gall bladder problem and then some slight complications. But all is well now, and I am bouncing back mightily! I just started marketing The Pet Nanny in the buildings nearby and will keep it up! (I also snared one lovely new customer in nearby VA by advertising once on Craig's List. Unfortunately, that's when I got sick. But Lauren filled in for me, thank heavens and did a great job.)

More about the hospitalization

Well, I was sick for 4 days--really in pain but on an intermittent basis, and I dismissed it as the beginnings of a stomach virus. Finally got ridiculously bad enough that I relented and agreed to go to the ER here.

However, because none of the tests--including lab work and a CAT scan--proved anything was going on, they sent me home. But they did say they thought it WAS indeed my gall bladder and referred me to a surgeon.

I made an appt and saw him a day later. He sent me to get an ultrasound. Had to schedule it. Another day went by.

The day I had the ultrasound. I KNEW I was sick. I hadn't eaten anything for days due to the pain. And that was no longer intermittent.

The ultrasound tech was soooo gentle and sooo sweet. She sent me for an immediate MRI in the next room because she had a hunch something was going on. Sure enough, the MRI proved it. I had a gallstone stuck in my bile duct and my gallbladder was full of stones.

I was sent straight to the hospital by my doc, who got the call from the radiology folks. I was in lots of pain at this point and starting to turn the most interesting shade of yellow. I was admitted this time.

After being put on an IV and pain meds, I was a happy camper again. The next day, a surgeon recommended by my other surgeon did a procedure called an ERCP--for "runaway" stones. It is sometimes done to retrieve the stone. But my doc just widened the way for it to emerge by itself. It was done laproscopically. A whole team was assembled on a Sunday just for me! The team was a riot and teased and joked with me before they sent me to lala land. (They sang to me, and as they taped down my arms, they referred to it as "bondage.") I told them they'd better tape every word cuz I didn't want to miss anything.

The next day, in what should have been a 1-hour operation, my gall bladder was removed--in 5 hours. That's because my previous abdominal surgeries (2 caseareans, 1 tubal ligation, and some of you may recall, a hernia operation that went bad when the mesh they used to repair it got entangled in my intestines and resulted in a blockage that led to another hospitalization and surgery). Why did they cause problems? Because of all the scar tissue left behind. So 4 hours later, with four new cuts in my belly, the surgeon had finally cut away all the scar tissue so he could actually reach my gall bladder. (Lies underneath the liver.) Yup, it was full of stones, as shown in the MRI. (No I didn't get to see it. And no, I never felt the one "stuck" stone go bye-bye.)

I was doing great. The yellow was starting to fade away. I didn't complain about STILL not being able to eat or drink anything. Finally, on the day my surgeon decided I was ready to go home, he allowed me to have some liquids. And then I was released. Big mistake.

I was rather unhappy about my body--esp after not eating for so long. My abdomen was still VERY swollen. And then, that night, the same thing happened again that had happened during the hernia operation. I started a Linda Blair (The Exorcist) imitation. Yup, green bile was coming out of me every 5 minutes. The next morning, I was back in the ER.

The big thrill in the ER room was that nurses were dodging right and left because that green bile just kept right on coming. (Even though the only thing I'd had to eat was that liquid diet meal in the hospital the afternoon before.) Once they got an IV in me and nausea and pain meds in me, I was once again a normal human being, though. No more projectile vomiting. I had another CAT scan and was rolled back to my room in the ER.

The nice doc who'd been keeping me informed told me I had to have an NG tube inserted and that I was being admitted. Now that did that send me off the deep end. (I'd been thru that before with the other blockage.) A tube is inserted down your nose and throat into your intestines. Then you lie there for days with only the IV (no food or drink) until all the green bile stops pouring out that tube (into canister upon canister) and the fluid turns a pale shade of orange/tan.

Took 3 days til that happened. Still no food or drink--til that last day. And then, well, I wasn't interested in it. Just wanted to go home!

Been fine since. Kept off ALL of the 15 pounds I lost. (The one silver lining!) I seem only to be able to eat very small, bland meals for now. But that's okay. I like Cream of Wheat, chicken noodle soup, and a little bit of chicken. I made the mistake of having 2 glasses of wine the other night, and that was a big mistake. Big pain--and fear--coursed through me.

My surgeon says that my body will sort all this out in time. Your liver produces bile. Your gall bladder holds it. I no longer having the "holding" organ, but evidently, your body (in 4 weeks) figures out how to reroute things so the bile goes where it should. Well, it's only been 2 weeks since I've been home, so I guess I have 2 more weeks before all foods feel okay going down.

Tonight we went to Bethesda (wonderful little city!!) to see a movie. We walked around a lot first--checking out all the shops and tons of restaurants--and then ambled over to the movie. OHHHH, what a great movie we saw: "Sunshine Cleaning." Terrific first outing since I've been home! I laughed, I cried, I loved it. Go see it.

Hopefully, I will be able to share more about the business and where it is going next time I visit here. I will fill you in on where we live and what else is going on. But I think I'm done for tonight.

Serate, wishing it were true! No such luck!

Talk to you all again very soon!!

Biscottiii
Member

05-29-2004

Saturday, April 04, 2009 - 11:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biscottiii a private message Print Post    
HP, it's FANTASTIC to hear from you! I've been wondering how the move went. So sorry to discover the nightmare you've been going through. Glad they've got you 'sorted out' now and mending.

Get better soon!

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Sunday, April 05, 2009 - 7:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
What an adventure HP! So sorry you went through all that - I've had that tube down the throat business, no fun at all... But I'm very happy that you are on the mend and able to go out and enjoy a good movie now! Gentle hugs, xox Joycie.

Lumbele
Moderator

07-12-2002

Sunday, April 05, 2009 - 7:08 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lumbele a private message Print Post    
You don't do anything the easy way, do you, HP? We should have known you were up to no good when we didn't hear from you for so long.

Hope you will now be a good girl and stay out of the hospitals, looking after new four-legged friends instead.

I am really glad to hear you are mending well. Take good care of yourself, you hear?

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Sunday, April 05, 2009 - 7:16 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
Wow HP! I'm happy that you are feeling better after all you've been through. I'll keep you in my prayers. I miss you!

Retired
Member

07-11-2001

Sunday, April 05, 2009 - 9:10 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Retired a private message Print Post    
(((HP))) So sorry to hear about what you've been through but glad it's taken care of.

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Sunday, April 05, 2009 - 10:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Urgrace a private message Print Post    
Great to see you here and thankfully doing better after all your surgeries. Still wish you had moved to Texas (selfishly), but I know you belong where you are.

php11
Dixie says hello!

Citruscitygal
Member

08-07-2003

Sunday, April 05, 2009 - 11:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Citruscitygal a private message Print Post    
I didn't mean to induce guilt, but if that's what it took.....
So glad to hear from you. So sorry about all you've been through. Rest & heal, write me when you are ready. I'll be here/there.

Landileigh
Member

07-29-2002

Monday, April 06, 2009 - 9:41 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landileigh a private message Print Post    
glad to hear you are feeling better HP, i went through the same thing as you did, but i was lucky in that after the ERCP and before the gallbladder removal they put a tube off my liver to drain the bile. it was there for 6 months. if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me (landileigh at yahoo dot com). I've been this route not that long ago.

Vacanick
Member

07-12-2004

Monday, April 06, 2009 - 10:15 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vacanick a private message Print Post    
a

Ohhhh HP ... I was missing you so much!! But I'm so sorry to hear about all you've been through. My goodness what an ordeal! I am so glad its behind you now and a new healthy HP is back!!

Please keep us updated whenever your able!

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Friday, April 24, 2009 - 7:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Good to see you checking in, HP. Hope you are mending.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, May 23, 2009 - 7:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
The short of the "high drama" I've been living through: I fired someone. Not a fun ordeal, believe me, but no choice.

On a happier note, here are some of my newest charges:

chester
Chester

Josie
Josie showing off

Dory
Dory sniffing sneakers

tp melee
Toilet Paper Melee (performance art by Dory and Josie)

sophie and angus
Sophie and Angus

howard
Howard

Callie and Grizzly
Callie and Grizzly

Maddi and Paige
Maddi and Paige

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Saturday, May 23, 2009 - 9:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Hey HP! :-) Delighted to see you posting here again. This place just isn't the same without your pet-pix 'n posts! Sorry you had to fire someone, doesn't sound pleasant at all. Glad business is obviously booming, or barking or meowing, even though you've relocated. Excellent! :-)

Biscottiii
Member

05-29-2004

Sunday, May 24, 2009 - 12:33 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biscottiii a private message Print Post    
So GREAT to hear from you HP! Sounds like business is booming. Lots of cute faces in all your clients!

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Sunday, May 24, 2009 - 7:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Wait a minute, HP!! Did you go ahead and move to D.C. area? And got back in business?

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Monday, July 26, 2010 - 8:20 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
We did a party this weekend with pony rides. We have the pony, the truck, the trailer, etc. My mom and I feel we are missing a HUGE business venture and need to figure out a way to make this profitable. So, we got to talking and we are going to start a new business where we do pony rides for kids birthdays or whatever. Our pony did AWESOME she was so happy to give rides, get carrots, eat a cupcake or two (not intended).

Anyway, what I need is a good name idea, Party Ponies is taken. I thought something like "Giddy-ups" or something. I am pretty sure all I need is an insurance policy and a business license. I can take care of the PR work from here. What should my travel radius be? 50 miles? Thoughts on what we should charge?

Maplsyrp
Member

02-10-2009

Monday, July 26, 2010 - 9:06 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Maplsyrp a private message Print Post    
What a great idea. I don't have a name suggestion but I have a thought about another job for your pony. When my DS's were little they had picture day at their daycare and it was pony pictures. They got to dress up in cowboy gear and had their pictures made on the pony. It was a big hit.

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Monday, July 26, 2010 - 9:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
There are a couple companies that offer this service, but they are about 50 miles or so away at least.

Maplsyrp, I love that idea. I will absolutely factor that in.

Dfennessey
Member

07-25-2004

Monday, July 26, 2010 - 9:20 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dfennessey a private message Print Post    
Escapee have you tried to call other companies to see what they charge (of course you can tell them that you are just researching for your daughters birthday)

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Monday, July 26, 2010 - 9:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
It's about 150 per hour for up to 10 kids, then an additional 15 per kid after that. Sounds reasonable to me. Insurance will run about $70 per month.

Taysmomcj
Member

03-24-2008

Monday, July 26, 2010 - 10:49 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Taysmomcj a private message Print Post    
Escapee, what about 'Stirrups & Saddles' for a name? Or 'Saddle Pardners'?

I'll keep thinking about it too.....

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Monday, July 26, 2010 - 10:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
I would check into the cost of liability insurance first. Horse businesses are very expensive to insure

Merrysea
Moderator

08-13-2004

Monday, July 26, 2010 - 11:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Merrysea a private message Print Post    
50 miles seems like an awfully long way to haul a pony there and back. With the cost of gas and the time it takes to drive, it's going to take a chunk of change, especially with gas prices going up and if there's a lot of non-freeway driving involved. If you keep it to a smaller area, you could be more flexible in your scheduling, maybe having more than one party in a day.

I have a picture of my mom and my aunt on a pony, too - someone was just walking down the street with their pony stopping and taking pictures at the various houses (of course, that was in the 1930's!).

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Monday, July 26, 2010 - 11:35 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Whoami a private message Print Post    
Research those other companies, and ask them what their travel radius is. If its 25 miles, and they are 50 miles away, then make your radius 25 or 30 miles, just barely overlapping their "territory." You'd be just enough into it so the potential customers on the fringe of those territories have a choice, but you aren't in direct competition with them for all their customers. Am I making any sense here? LOL.