StormChaser77
"There is no greater agony then bearing the untold story inside you"
~Maya Angelou
4/2008
I am 30 year old mother of two. I have also been married for 10 years to a Navy man. I just went back to college about seven months ago. I am getting associates in medical science. I have about another year left. Then, I will bridge over to R.N. program. I am orginally from Jacksonville, Florida. We are currently stationed in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Big change, huh! We just got back from Hawaii about a month. It was the first time we took a vacation without the kids.
My weight as of right now is 267lbs. I have been heavy all my life, and every year it has gotten higher and higher. I have done diets, exercising, and pills. Yes, they have all worked for short period of time, and was just an unhealthy way to live.
I decide back in September of 2007, it's time to make some decisions in my life, and quit feeling sorry for myself. "oh, poor fat Mandy will just have to be the fat happy, always the jokester, kinda girl". Well that is truly a front. I was not happy. So, I met with my PCP, and he gave me a referral over to Dr. Udobi's office. I met with him, and he said I would definately benefit from the surgery. He spent alot of time with me. He gave a full examination, and we talked for about an hour. He gave me this huge manual that explains in detail how, when, where, and why it's going to happen. I was very impressed with whole appointment, because I went into that appointment thinking I had done all the research. I wasn't even close to knownledge that he provided me. But, I knew that this is what I wanted. I couldn't keep on living, watching my health dewindle to what would be the rest of my life. High cholesterol, high blood pressure, cartilage in my knees completely deterated, and possible on set of diabetes. Dr. Udobi gave me a check list of referrals to have done. I have had my blood work done, I have seen the cardiologist, I had my endoscopy done, and I have my last appointment with the psychologist on the 14th of April. I got my approval letter from TriWest on March 3rd. I was beyond speechless. I just had one of those "just give me a moments" moments. So I hope to have a date schedule by at least May 1st.
The things I am doing for myself right now are: Taking women's multivitamins, biotin for hair & nails, extra vitamin C, omega 3 for my cholesterol, I drink nothing but water - no more caffeine, making healthier food choices, portion control, started chewing longer with my food, and I got this cute little food journal at GNC (great little book) I figure I would start journaling now.
So there's the short version of my story. I will keep you updated on my process as much as possible. Thanks everyone for the support!
