Hi all!

Here's my story. Well ~~~

There once was a day I was thin.

I know I'll be back there again.

With the help of the band,

and the doc's steady hand,

I'll smile and then say Life is Grand!

Ok, so i'm not a poet. Here goes:

I'm a 47 year old single mom of a 21 year old son. I have been a single mom since my son was about 2 1/2 years old. During his early years and certainly prior, I was a superb athlete, being invited to the first year of the NY Empire State Games for Field Hockey, I was a softball player, golfer, beach and indoor volleyball player. I was incredibly social and very confident. Things in my life began to change.

After my marriage, I had two very bad, unhealthy relationships. The last ending nearly 9 years ago. I guess I was absorbed in both my son's life and self pity for being alone. I became less and less active and ate more and more. I could see what was happening, but had no control. In 2001 my grandfather passed away very unexpectedly. He was 86 years old and certainly had a wonderful life filled with the love of his wife and the rest of his family. I think I cried daily for 3 years. In 2004 my grandmother, who I worshiped, passed away. She was 90 years old. Though I have a mother and a step mom, I considered my grandmother my mom. I was incredibly close to her. I still cry regularly. My bio mom left when I was 8, leaving 3 of us to my dad and these grandparents. My stepmom and dad split up about 16 years ago. The month after my gram passed, my son graduated from High School with Honors. That fall he left for college. Not going more than 50 miles, though still taking a lot of my joy out the door in his duffle bags. I found myself sitting for hours on the computer grazing non-stop. The only exercise I got was walking up and down the stairs with my CODE RED MT. DEW and munchies.

I believe the first time I thought about a weight loss procedure was late spring 2005. I made a call to my insurance company, while driving home from work, to inquire about the LAP BAND. I remember the excitement I experienced after speaking with the sweet gal on the other end of the phone. I had tears of joy I was so excited, thinking okay, so, maybe I can lose this weight I've been trying to lose, then gain, then lose...permanently! Days later, I got the packet in the mail. The info was for RNY. I was devastated. This was not the surgery I wanted. So, I called back and the gal I spoke to was unable to locate anything relating to the LAP BAND. I gave up.

I have friends who have had RNY and one friend who had LAP BAND last year. This was when I again called my insurance company, made an appointment with my GP and then with Dr. Simon's office. I joined a support group, though everyone there was kind, they all had RNY or were going to, so I felt kind of out of the group. I had my psych eval. I did everything I needed to do. I was then being told that my insurance company hadn't approved the procedure. Ug. Was this worth the time? Should I keep going to these appointments knowing the surgery I desired wasn't possible???? Well, I'm not a quitter, so kept going. Taking time off from work to make appointments an hour away. I think it was in January of 2007, I received an email from the head of the support group I had gone to. She actually sent 2 emails. One asked me to call her immediately. The procedure has been approved!!! (I'm actually sitting here crrying remembering this day!) The second email was the insurance policy for gastric surgeries, including LAP BAND. I called and we talked for a long time. I was so excited. When I went to my next doc appt. I met with my nurse, as I have since the first meeting. She told me that they would resubmit my name to the insurance company. At my weigh in at that visit, I had gained 1 pound from the last visit. Though I was still down 3 from the day I began with the doc, so I guess that wasn't terrible. Prior to my next appt. I received a letter from the insurance company telling me that Dr. Simon's office had to submit my weight by April 9th before a decision could be made to approve me or not. At my March 30th appt. I was down the 5% I had to lose, maybe a little more. I had lost a total of 17 pounds since the beginning. The weight was faxed to my insurance company that day.

Well, one week ago yesterday, April 12, 2007 at approximately 9:30 a.m. I was on a road trip for work. I remember I was running late, speeding through small towns I know better than to speed through. At the same time my cell phone rang, the lights and siren of a patrol car went off behind me. As the officer pulled up and got out of his car, I tried to answer my phone and watch his whereabouts at the same time, screaming "Jesus Christ...". ( not meant to offend anyone, sorry) I handed him the phone, kind of frustrated. He just told me to slow down coming through his town. So, as I'm pulling away from the curb, the phone goes off again! I'm now shouting towards my lap where the phone was sitting...CALL ME BACK AND LEAVE A MESSAGE, THERE'S A POLICE OFFICER BEHIND ME! I had no idea who had called. About 5 minutes later, outside of the village in the country, I pulled over to listen to the message. It was the hospital. I HAD A SURGERY DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! May 8th, 2007 10 a.m. The gal laughed at me and at the scenario that had taken place. She also heard me screaming "Jesus Christ.." We both giggled as I hung up. I was now about 5 minutes from my meeting SOBBING with joy!!! I think other than the day my son was born (and of course his accomplishments) this was the 2nd happiest day in my life. Yes, I said it MY LIFE! I will have one very soon! No more hiding myself due to embarassment. I FEEL ALIVE ALREADY!

So, to those of you who have very patiently read my story, I wish you all the best that life brings. I know this journey I'm about to take is to be the best!

~*~*~Blessed be~*~*~

Cheri