Jacki1965
My Story...hmm. Well I don't imagine it's too different than anyone else's. I have been married for almost 19 years to an amazing man who supports me at every thing I do. I also have a 16 year old son who teaches me new things everyday. Mostly he teaches me about the well of love I have inside of me that never seems to empty where he is concerned. I came from a maritimebackground. I was very lucky to grow up with two wonderful loving parents and three amazing sisters who were all older than me by many years. As I was born in my parents' later years (for that time anyways) I always claim to be a child of passion!! My sisters would rather refer to me as "The Oops" all teasing aside, I'm lucky to have them. My parents on the other hand have long since passed away and are missed greatly every day. Their history is why I now find myself at this moment in time. My whole family has had weight issues and not just a little belly bulge, but significant weight issues. They have been wrapped around emotional eating, food as treats, parents who survived depression era and would never let a plate sit with food still on it, you know, all of those contributing factors that seem to have us living to eat instead of eating to live. Right now I am about 50 lbs lighter than my heaviest and that was a hard won battle. But no more will come off no matter how hard I try. I have been diabetic for ten years (a gift from my mother). I am caught in the hamster wheel of needing too much insulin to control my diabetes and you know, insulin is a fat storing hormone, so guess what - no fat burning is happening in this bod!! I had explored the idea of gastric bypass a few years ago, but the doctor I went to at that time was so rude and invasive in his initial meeting with me I never went back. I knew that my self esteem was worth way more than his ego. In December of 2008 I, with many other diabetics did the dance of joy at the news that St Joes' Health Clinic had done studies that were supporting diabetes being "cured" (or at least put into remission) by the use of Gastric Bypass for type 2 diabetics with severe weight issues. I remember feeling like this could be my light at the end of the tunnel. With the help of my local Endocronoligist, Dr. Joanne Liutkus (most amazing woman in medicine!) we explored this possibility. After several attempts to connect I was finally successful in the spring of 2009 and after having several appointments to meet with the team's specialists I am now awaiting a surgery date. I was nervous at the onset of this journey, but having met everyone involved and seeing the level of care and attention that is being displayed by this team, I am reassured that I am in good hands. I still have a hard road ahead of me, and yes, this is a tool, not a cure. My success will depend on me. But I know that I can be successful and I will have the support of this amazing medical team and the support of my very loving family and friends who have already shared my journey.
