My story is not really different than most here, but I will give you a little information about my history.  I am 40 years old mother of 5 beautiful children and 2 gorgeous grand children.  The ages of my children are Tara 21, Emmanuel 19, Jessica 18, Gianna will be five on November 7th and Gino Jr. 23 months old.  As you can see there is a big age gap.  I lost my mind and started all over again.  lol  They are the apple of my eyes and I am so happy that I have been blessed.

I have married my soul mate Gino. We got married on January 19, 1999. Since I am obese my doctor told me to try losing some weight and perhaps I would get be able to conceive.  I joined a gym lost about 25 pounds and got a big fat positive in March of 2001. I had my daughter Gianna born in Nov 7th 2001 and I had gained about 17 pounds throughout the pregnancy which was not that bad.  I had very bad gestational diabetes and I had to take insulin 4 times a day and be in a very strict diabetic diet.

After I had the baby I lost a few more pounds but it actually creeped back up again and I gained what all that I had lost and then some more. I went up to 247 in no time.  I nursed my daughter for 28 months and I maintained my weight.  My sugars went back to normal but my doctors told me I will most likely become diabetic for good since it runs in my entire family.

In April of 2004 I became pregnant of my son, and again I had to battle the awful gestational diabetes. So I reached to a pregnancy weight of 267.  It had been horrible checking my sugars 7 times a day and taking insulin 4 times a day.  I had to take 2 different type of insulin and it was a relief to finally let go of those needles.  I did well after having the baby I lost about 30 pounds and again I was taken off of the insulin. It is sad to say that little by little the weight crept back up again and then some.

I tried all my best to lose some weight and the lowest I went down was 222. I have to tell you that everytime I had lost some weight I had gained back what I lost and gained more. So now I am at 245.  It is difficult for me to walk and exercise because I had been diagnosed with arthritis since I was 8 years old.  I have disc degenerative disease, a buldging disc, two herniated discs,a pinched sciatic nerve, 3 herniated discs in my neck spondyolitis, Diabetes, battling depression on and off for 3 years and God knows there is a few more things I rather not mention. I had my yearly physical and the doctor told me that I am boderline diabetic and if I don't bring down my levels he will put me on a diabetes medication.  Everyone on my mother's side has and has died of complications of diabetes and heart disease.  My mother was a survivor of brest cancer back in 1987.  But cancer came in a different form no connection to the breast cancer and took her away from me on 9/18/03.  The cancer that took her was very aggressive the name is Cholangio Carcinoma. She was diagnosed on July 24 2003 and she passed away in September 18 2003.   My mother was 281 pounds and she was my height, she had COPD, glaucoma, Osteosporosis and a few more things. My mother had just turned 67 when she passed away. 

I want to live for my babies. I need to be here for them and my husband for many years to come.  My three oldest are grown and are living on their own but my two youngest and husband needs me.  I want to be healthy for me and for them. 

You know the last time I was my ideal weight I was 16 years old. After that well you know how it goes.......Hopefully one day in the future God will answer my prayers and let me have the WLS so I can feel good and be healthy again.

In Memory of my Mother
Cecilia Ayala
Sunrise 08/07/36
Sunset 09/18/03

God looked at all of the women in the world.
For my Mother, God chose a Hispanic of West Indian decent girl.
Not one with world riches, diamonds or gold.
She was rich with loving kindness and a giving soul.
She was not a politician, a scientist, or even a preacher.
She was my advisor, my
friend and my teacher.
She was not an actress, a model, nor was she a movie star.
My mother is real and true....
Her faith has brought us this far.
Her words were not sophisticated like some worldly scholar.
Her words were parable from Jesus, whom she chose to follow.
So I give God all the honor and glory for I am truly blessed.
When God picked my Mom for me, He knew I needed His Best.
Until we meet again..
Love You always your daughter
Cira

http://www.andiesisle.com/icanonlyimagine.html

 

http://wandascountryhome.com/motherswalk/index.html

List of things I like to do......

1. Play with my children without getting tired 5 minutes into playing. (Accomplished)

2. Walk without starting to limp within a block or two because my knees and back hurt.  (Accomplished)

3. Wear nice clothes that are not plus sizes. (Accomplished)

4. Get rid of the granny undies. (Accomplished)

5. Sit on the floor without worrying how am I going to get up afterwards. (Accomplished)

6. Be able to take a picture without fussing about it because I hate the way I look. (Accomplished)

7. Take a family portrait

8. Live to see my grand children get married and have babies.

9. Enjoy dancing with my husband and children.

10. Be able to get up from bed without struggling.  (Accomplished)

11. Enjoy spending intimate times with my husband. (Accomplished)

12. Keeping the lights on. (Accomplished)

13. Wear sexy lingerie.

14. Feeling Sexy. (Accomplished)

15. Have people tell me wow you look great not just say "oh what a pretty face you have." (Accomplished)

16. I want to walk up the stairs without feeling as tho I might be falling on my face because I have shortness of breath.  (Accomplished)

17. Enjoy going to the beach or the pool and not feel self conscious.

18. Ride a bike without being in so much pain.

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