Fergfrog

Hi Dixieheart, I could write for the next 3 pages about all the things I love about East Tennessee, so I'll just hit the highlights. First, the area is just beautiful with mountains and rivers. The weather is wonderful with seasons that I didn't have in Florida. The traffic is considerably less than where we were in Orlando. I used to drive 8 miles in total gridlock for a total commute time of 45 minutes. The people here are very friendly also. I didn't know half my neighbors in Orlando, (lived in the same house 9 years) and I know all of my neighbors here even though I live out in the country as compared to a subdivision. Plus, the crime rate is much, much lower here than it was in Orlando. Okay, what is an IFB church? Fergfrog

Hi Dixieheart, I moved to Harriman from Orlando 11 years ago, and thought I had died and gone to heaven! You could not pay me to go back to Orlando. I'm a nursing student so I can't really help with the job situation, but there is a hospital in Harriman and several new medical buildings in both Harriman and Kingston. I think you'll find what you're looking for in this area, although even though I don't have any close neighbors, I do have nosy neighbors! LOL! Good Luck! Fergfrog

Hi Alichael, I am 45 and a student nurse. I had gastric bypass (RNY w/Fobi) 5 years ago. I weighed 240 going in and lost 100 lbs in the first 11 months. I still weigh 140 today and pretty much eat what and when I want, except that I will dump if I eat something that has a combination of too much sugar and fat in it. Sugar by itself does not affect me. I have complete bloodwork done every 6 months and as long as I faithfully take my intrinsic iron and my calcium, it's always perfect. For me, this surgery was the best thing I've ever done for myself. It saved my life (I had life-threatening, uncontrollable bp and now I have normal bp with no meds), and it saved my marriage. I firmly believe that if it had not been for this surgery, I would not be in nursing school today because I just did not have the self confidence when I was obese that I have now. I realize not everyone has a great outcome and I've heard some real horror stories from others that have had gastric bypass. My personal opinion (and that's all it is) is that the skill and experience of the surgeon you choose is critically important. Good Luck! Lisa in TN

Hi Bama,I cannot imagine how this could have happened to you! My daughter put her baby up for adoption about 18 months ago, and the birth father's rights terminated the moment he signed (and had notarized) the form relinquishing his rights. My daughter signed papers (in front of a judge) when the baby was 11 days old, and was told that unless some extreme circumstance were to arise within the next 10 days) that her rights would be terminated 10 days later. They both understood that under NO circumstance whatsoever would they ever have any legal rights to the child again. Had the birthparents not relinquished their rights to the child in your case? I will say that without the opportunity to hold and spend time with her baby in the hospital, I don't think my daughter would have been willing to follow through with the adoption. I am so sorry for your pain, Lisa in TN

Hi, I'm 45 and in my first semester (of 4) of an ADN program. Prior to this, I worked in H.R. for about 20 years, and left my full-time job of nine years just this past August right before school started. I have always wanted to go into nursing, but up until now could not afford to go to school full-time. I worked on my pre-req's for 3 years part-time while I was working. Lisa in TN