Hi all!! I've been thinking of what I could write down that is "different"--I like so many others have been a fat baby, fat child, fat teenager, and fat adult.  And yes, every diet going has been tried, some with success, others not so successful.  I am 55 years old, married to the best guy in the world, and have 2 grown adult children.  And, oh, I can't forget my puppy Willy, hes the best 4 legged friend in the world!!  Most recently, I did have success with Herbal Magic, dropping 165 lbs.  However, unseen by me, in Jan. 2002, I had my Rt. lung removed for a carcinoid tumor.  I have had pain everyday following that surgery, I think its where my Dr. pulled my ribs apart to remove the lung.  During the time that I was off work, my gall bladder decided to "act" up, and the end of that month, had my gall baladder removed lap, it was my 3rd month off work, and for that month, my eating totally sucked,, I compare it to "falling off the food wagon", and taking that first cheat.  From there, its been a slow and deliberate slide back into the "old" habits.  I went back to work, not fully  recovered from my surgery, because I was still coughing, and having trouble talking on the phone which was a big part of my job.  I wont to tell everyone, that I worked with the most incredible lady ever--she covered for me, had to take over phone calls, etc.  I feel so guilty about that, and someday will apologize to her for that.  I worked 2 1/2 yrs. like that, slowly putting my weight back on, and finding it increasingly difficult to get up for work, and just make it from 9-5 mon-fri. Besides my headaches, I was so tired, and literally falling asleep at work.  Not good!!   During the last few months, my headaches of which I always had put down to stress, pms, and in general life, became increasingly dehabilitating, to the point where I was missing time from work, and just thought they were a type of migrane, and would have to live with them for the rest of my life.  I can't remember, but maybe my family dr. at that time suggested a sleep study be done.  I had one done previously inanother city, another lifetime ago, so I said OK.  As it turned out, KGH only does their sleep studies on certain nights during the week.  I kept putting off the appointment, to the point where they told me call back when I was actually ready to participate.  And thats how I had left it.  So when my boss, came to me and told me that he was downsizing, and since I did have more seniority than my co-worker.  I looked at him and said, no. that really and truly this was a blessing in disguise, I really didn't know how much longer I could have kept going it was just a matter of time I think.  Anyway the last day of Oct. 2005 was my last day of work.  i came home, and called the sleep lab, and made my appt. for the study. I had it completed by Dec. I think, and by Jan. 06, began sleeping with a cpap machine, along with 2 L of 02 every night.  Because of only having one lung, my 02 levels were dangerously low while sleeping.  My headaches have all but disappeared!!  a miracle I call it.  So for the past 2 years and a bit, I have slept with the cpap and oxygen machine.  When I saw my Dr. from the sleep lab, he suggested and gave me literature for wls, he told me that I would be  a "good" candidate for it.  Only problem was its in Mi. at the Henry Ford Hospital.  I will say that during this past year, I have done nothing else except try to find out about this, and how one goes about getting ohip to pay out of country for it.  I don't understand fully why we here in Ontario can get it done quicker in the US, than in our own country, To, or in Qu, at MCGill university hospital.  However, any way I can get this wls done, by whoever, is fine by me.  I have had just recently another Dr. tell me, that I should have this surgery as well.  That was the final push for me, to finally decide to have this surgery done.  Truth be told, I am so outa breath at doing anything, that I'm scared, I'm not going to be around if I keep going the way I am going.
I made a few phone calls, and a member from this site Kim C. called me and talked to me one day before Christmas.  She said I'm not gonna sugar coat this for you!! I remember telling her that I wouldn't want any info any other way--the truth!!  And thus my story continues.  I had called my family Dr.'s office 2 weeks ago, and they had put the paper work in on his desk.  It is now Jan. 23,  and I have heard nothing.  I called again, my Dr. will back in his office Monday afternoon, I will be phoning back on Feb 1.  I need to get this "ball" rolling....  I was really hoping that by April I would have a date with Dr. Graber, thats who I have decided on.  He seems to have a good reputation on this site.