Please pray

I have just received a call from my sister that my aunt will probably pass away in the next few days. She had NASH (Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis - a little worse than fatty liver) that progressed to cirrhosis. Everyone on my mom's side of the family is MO. My uncle (her brother) died of this disease at 45 years old. Now my aunt, at 55 with a 16 year old son, is probably going to pass from this same disease soon. She is the reason I want this surgery so bad. I always thought of her as exactly like me, but older. We suffered through the same diseases and she was my rock through my infertility treatments and especially the adoption of my daughter. WE both fought our weight in every way imaginable. She understood everything I was going through. I have been diagnosed with NASH and have some scarring, but my doctor tells me that it is reversible with weight loss. I only wish that my aunt was able to get help when she was my age. Please pray for her son and husband. I am so devastated by this, I can't imagine how they must feel.

I will keep your aunt and her soon and your whole family in my prayers. This surgery is the best thing I ever did for myself and I encourage anyone who thinks they are interested in doing it. SUsann

Kathy...I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt...I can't even begin to imagine the pain you and your family are going through...yet my heart is broken just the same. This is what all MO fear happening...and why we decide to have wls. Insurance companies, We are not just a claim number...we are your mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, uncles, and aunts...WE ARE YOU!!! WE WANT TO LIVE!!! WE DESERVE TO LIVE!!! and make no mistake about it...WE WILL FIGHT FOR OUR LIVES!!! Kathy I'm praying for you, your nephew, your aunt and her husband...again words can not express how sorry I am. I miss seeing you, but I will come to the next preop meeting to see you...let me know if you'll be there. Love , Tonya

Thank you all for your prayers. I bought a ticket to fly out to Texas on Saturday to see my aunt, but unfortunately, she passed before I got there. Everyone seems to be doing okay, including her son and my uncle who just wanted her suffering to end. I did not get to see her, but I'm sure she's watching and knows how much she meant to everyone - especially me.

YOUR FAMILY'S HEARTBREAKING STORY REMINDS EACH OF US THAT THIS IS A "LIFE & DEATH" JOURNEY WE ARE ON ... &, SO WORTH FIGHTING FOR ... WE ARE EACH WORTH FIGHTING FOR. YOUR AUNT'S LIFE HAS SUCH VALUE EVEN IN HER SUFFERING BECAUSE IT GAVE YOU STRENGTH, PURPOSE & DIRECTION. LET'S HOPE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH MO & RELATED MEDICAL ISSUES WILL MAKE GREAT EFFORT TO DO SOMETHING FOR THEMSELVES TO FIND A PLACE OF RESTORED HELATH. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT AS YOU GO ALONG THIS WLS JOURNEY, YOUR AUNT IS SMILING DOWN ON YOU FROM HEAVEN. HER STRENGTH & SUPPORT ARE YOUR STRENGTH NOW ... YOU'LL BE THAT FOR SOMEONE ELSE AS SHE WAS FOR YOU. OUR PRAYERS ARE FOR YOUR FAMILY'S PEACE & COMFORT, MS KATHY. WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU NOW IN YOUR SUFFERING & HEARTACHE, & DURING YOUR WLS JOURNEY. GOD BLESS DAWN & NICK