One Year Ago Today

One year ago today ! WOW .. should be a day of joy for me as it was to be the start of my PS journey. And it was , but it ended in tradgedy . I had my TT that morning , and later on that evening my Mom and Sis where in a terrible car accident . I later lost my mother on May 18th from complications due to her injuries. 
So I write this for her . 
My Mom was very excited the weekend before . We spent it togetther . As I lived out of town but had surgery local there where she lived. We laughed .. joked .. cooked together . Not knowing that Sunday night would be the last time I seen her alive. 
Mom wanted me to have this surgery. She wanted me to reach for as many of  my dreams possible. I know she sees me and is happy with the results. 
It is just really hard for me to be excited . As I look at my before and after pictures, I have no regrets, I only wi**** could have ended in a happier ending for that day . 
But thanks to my Mom for encouraging me to do this , and her love and care .. here I am . 

I have not been around here much, life got REAL freakin busy for me , and has all but come to a halt again. I just am now recovering from a kidney stone and injuries I sustained from a past car accident my self . So here I am again .. all done with my PS . 
I started in April of 07 and completed it all by November of 07 . I have had it all done except for my thighs. Which I am considering .. but really not sure I want to go through the pain . I have adrenal insuffiency so my healing is very complicated . I think maybe keeping to the gym to continue my body sculpting will surfice . 

To those waiting to get your PS approvals or dates. Hang in there . Reach for what ever your dreams are . Know that you can achieve it if you seek it hard enough . 
WLS is not the end . I tell people all the time . Removal of the excess skin is the end for me . That and keeping a healthy weight. 
I am almost 4 years out from my WLS .. I have lost a total of 225 pounds. The last 25 was from plastics . 
I want to thank everyone here on the VA Board for supporting me during this time . You all were so good to me and really showed the true sprit of Virginia . I want to thank JoAnn ( Tigger ) for being there with me through it all . She was with me from the very begining . And to those that came out to Mom's funeral , to those that sent cards and prayers. Again .. I cannot thank you enough. You all always come through !!
I am very proud of all that I have accomplished , and hope that my journey will inspire others. 
Take care .. 

Natalie 
Thanks Mom for watching over me !!! I know you were there !

What an inspirational post Nat!  You truly are blessed and I know that your mother is so very proud of you each and every day.  Look forward to seeing you soon.

Awww.  Being 6 days away from my surgery and the start of my new life, I am a basket case but this post truly touched me.  I wasn't a member of this board when you lost your mom and I have not experienced a personal lost like that so I won't say I know how you feel but being close to my mom, I can only imagine how horribly hard it was and still is for you.  I am very sorry for your loss and I will pray that with each day, it is a bit easier.  Keep remembering that she's still with you, cheering you on and making sure that you reach your dreams and goals and she wont rest or let you rest until those are complete.  You have come so far and you look amazing.  You are an inspiration to us newbie's to the WLS.  Keep thriving Natalie.  Your strength and determination are so visible and it truly does help us know we can reach our goals and dreams too.  God bless you! Hugs

Natalie, We have talked before about the pain of losing our Mom's. You should be so proud of yourself for all the hurdles you have successfully crossed.  JoAnn and Alan have been angels for you and also by keeping us informed. They are wonderful people. All the best,

Tink, Wow, you have been through so much in the last few years with your weightloss and plastics and loosing your mother too! I have to say I admire your dedication to getting yourself where you want to be, in spite of the sad things that have happened along the way! How's the Kidney Stone recovery going? I hope that you will be feeling back to normal soon! I am sure, even though I don't know you very well, your mother is looking down upon you and she is very proud of the strong woman you are and how you work so hard to help others all the while you are encountering obstacals of your own along the way. I hope to see you at the OH conference on the 3rd. Take care! Ann/McLean

Through all the ups and downs ove the last 4 years, you have done a lot of good things that have helped and inspired people and been a postitive for others going down the same type of journey, myself being one.  And I can see the good from the support group and the senior people that have grown and progressed from it that you were such an intregal part of it being a success in this area. Keep slugging and remembering the how good the good times feel when we are having the low times.  Life seems to be about the hills and the valleys.  The pits help us appreciate the peaks, so it seems both are necessary to truly appreciate the experiences of this life.  

Tink, I'm thankful for you and all your post. You are an inspiration to all of us newbies. I've said a little prayer for you today and hope you are doing okay. Best wishes, Penny

You've been through a lot hun!  Keep your chin up and know she's smiling down on you.

Nataline (tink) - thanks for sharing your story with those of us who have not been around as long.  As far as I can tell you gather your strength from your mom, she sounds like a wonderful lady.  You should be so proud of yourself, I know I'm proud of you! - Lys

Your mom is certainly watching over you and is VERY proud of her inspirational daughter.  HUGS!