I come from a long line of large people. Us Dutch people tend to be a little taller than average, but my brand of Hollander tends to be a little "thicker" as well. Unfortunately, most men in my family never see 65 (heart problems), and most women are diabetic. I was lucky enough to inherit both- plus a brain ailment. Just to be a rebel.

Growing up I was tall and skinny. I graduated high school in 1981 at 6'2", 145 lbs. I was in USMC boot camp 2 weeks later, where they put me on double rations- to beef me up. Six years later, I returned home at 6'5", 215lbs. of twisted steel and sex appeal. I felt positively, bulletproof. I took up bodybuilding about this time, and hung on another 25 lbs. I also became an avid  softball player. I was probably my healthiest, and happiest, at this point in my life.

In 1994 my life changed. I got married, (a good thing!) and I started an apprenticeship as a Maintenance electrician. So, I worked all day, went to school at night, and tried to catch up on everything over the weekend. It was at this point where I developed the bad habits that got me where I am today. Fast food. No excercise. Life on the run. I forgot to mention, that while in the Marines I took up smoking, and smoked like a tire fire for 22 years. I gave up my Marlboro lights in 2002, and replaced them with Whopper, Jr's. It was about this time I noticed the scale had snuck up to 308 lbs. on me. I was stunned. I went on a low-carb diet and dropped 35 lbs. in 3 months. Easy. I slipped back into my old habits. Fast food and couch camping.

 2003, I step on the scale -326 lbs. Yikes! Back to the Atkins. 2 months of low carbs, I lost 6lbs. WTF! I gave up. Later that fall, at 334lbs. I got back in the gym. I worked out hard at bodybuilding. Consuming a lot of protein. Lifting heavy weight. That spring we went on a cruise. I was 312lbs. I still had a little belly tank, but I was solid.

 I totally fell off the wagon on that cruise. By the time I woke up it was the fall of 2004. I was 335lbs. Back to the gym. Less weight, more cardio. Spring break, 2005. We went to Playa del Carmen for 10 days. I came home at 320lbs. I was going to get back in the gym. Never did. I was promoted to supervisor at work. Longer hours. Most of them behind a desk. By the spring of 2006 I was 352 lbs. I joined weight watchers in March. I lost 15 lbs., and then the bomb dropped.

 I lost feeling in my left leg on May 02, 2006. The next morning my left arm went numb. I went to the hospital. An MRI revealed a lesion in my brain. The Doctors suspected cancer. I had a brain biopsy on May 19. My body reacted terribly to this intrusion. I spent 6 days in intensive care. Vomiting and fighting for air. I've never been more miserable. I was afraid to sleep because I was sure I wouldn't wake up. My blood pressures were 200/ 90. My blood sugars were over 200. I couldn't eat. My bodily functions had ceased. I had a cathater inserted to urinate. I didn't poop for 10 days. I was a wreck. I left the hospital in a wheel chair. I couldn't walk unassisted. I had lost control of my left arm. I weighed 316 lbs.

After months of therapy I went back to work in September. I still limp. My left hand is still awkward. But I'm fully functional, albeit weak as a kitten. The only thing I could do well during my recovery was eat- and eat I did. Today I'm 376 lbs. I can't believe it. I'm really struggling to carry this weight. I want to put it behind me once and for all. I'm willing to face the horror of surgery once again, just to get some semblence of my life back. Wish me luck.

Dave.