Starting New St. Louis Support Group

Hi All This may be the first time your seeing this message or it may be the fifth, etc. I will be re-posting this message for a couple days just so that hopefully we get this message to everyone we can and so that hopefully we don’t miss anyone.  Myself (amandadawn) along with another OH Member and friend Nana Gayle (nanagayle) have decided to start our own Support Group within the surrounding St. Louis area. We would like to invite all of you to join us. The first date and time we would like to meet is:  August 6, 2007 7PM (our plan is to meet the first Monday of every Month)

We would like to meet at:  O’Charleys  1242 South Kirkwood Road  Kirkwood, MO 63122

We would like to have an agenda to go by for every meeting (we are still working on this but this is what we were thinking):

1. Problems relating to the surgery (hoping that others could maybe help with suggestions, resolutions, or sympathy of going through the same thing)  2. Exercise (maybe having helpful exercise suggestions, possibly coming up with exercise we can get together and do as a group).  3. Recipes (hopefully to be able to share recipes that worked for us, be able to talk about foods that didn’t and the problems they caused, etc.)  4. Diet and praise reports  5. Maybe even having other people come to share their story of inspiration.  6. Then at the end we can have an open table if there is anything related or unrelated  that anyone wants to share.  7. Maybe even bringing in clothes they may not fit us anymore to share with others who could use them.  We are open to suggestions, comment, and ideas! Please feel free to let us know any questions you have… We look forward to hearing from you and hopefully meeting you!

 

I can hardly wait to meet all the great people who have had, or are waiting to have the WLS.  When I had my surgery in June,  I looked for a group near my home and could not find one. I am in Franklin County and I didn't want to drive all the way to the city  to attend a support group at New Start. The group is located in St. Louis County right near Interstates 270 and 44 on Lindbergh.  O' Charlie honors the discount card for those who plan to eat while there. We are going to limit our main meeting to one hour.  If there are people who want to stay and talk about personal issues not related to WLS they will be able to do so afterwards.  I am excited to have others to share my journey with and look forward to having others share their experiences with me.    See ya at 7 PM on Monday, Aug. 6th, 2007!   NanaGayle

Hi Nana, I just last night messaged a friend to see if there was a closer support group that I could go to.  If I am coming up I-44 traveling east and I go past Hwy 270 where do I go from there? Thanks for starting this group. Sharlene

Hi Sharlene! My Mom and Dad have lived out Hwy. 8 for years. I was grown when they moved out that way but know the area pretty well. Maybe if you start coming in you can just meet me in Pacific and you can ride in with me.   But to answer your question; After passing the 270 overpass while on 44 you will get off at the next ramp, Lindbergh Blvd., make a left at the light and  then turn right at the light where Lowes is. O'Charlies sits to the right next to several other resturants there.  Hope you can make it. Feel free to bring a friend, recipies or anything that you think might be helpful to others. looking forward to meeting you. Nana Gayle

Hi Nana,

Thanks for the offer of the ride but I am sure that I can find it but maybe in the future we could car pool.  I look forward to meeting you.  I may know your parents but my family and friends don't know the "real" reason for my surgery so we will need to keep it between us. ok?  See you tomorrow evening. Sharlene

I hope you get a good turnout, I know one lady who was driving two hours to get to a support group.  It will be good to have options. Right now I'm attending the support group that meets at DePaul Hospital's May Center the first and third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.   BTW, it is open to the public for those who need something in the north-west corner of the county. There is a WLS Support Group picnic this Saturday which may be a good place to spread the word about your new support group, you should consider attending. Details:  August 4th, 3:00, at 2862 Briarcote Maryland Heights.

Tammy, Tell us some more about the picnic set for tomorrow. Can we just drop in?    Or is it RSVP? Tks, Beca

I would love to come but I work Monday nights, that is why I had to quit the other one I was going to. Wi**** could be a different night. Enjoy and maybe I  will drop in if I get a monday night off. Rebecca

Hello and good luck to you... I recently moved here from Arizona, and am looking for a support group.  I live in Jefferson County and work m-f 12:30-9pm. Unfortunately, would not be able to attend.  I am thinking about starting one here in Jefferson County. I live in De Soto for now, but possibly thinking about Festus.  I have heard that there is an interest around the hospital there.  I was thinking about arranging it for Saturday mid morning.  Wanted to see if there was an interest first.  I am excited and wish you much success with your group.  Support is truly one of the most important tools to success in this journey.  Please keep us posted, myself included. If you are collecting an email list if the day or time should change and to events of the group. Maybe I could go then. Thank you. [email protected].  Deanna :)