Will be moving

Hi Everyone, I haven't posted in awhile. Lots been going on with Omar and I. We made the decision that we are going to leave Orlando and move to Charleston, SC. Since we are both better health wise now, we just feel the need to start fresh somewhere. It's difficult to explain. You would have to know our history and all that we have dealt with to get to this point in our lives. We just feel like we are beginning our time together and need to go to a new place. I have close friends there (I lived in SC for 20 years) and Omar has some job possibilities available to him. The plan is to move by the 1st of October. We would leave sooner but we have the cruise that I won to go on in September and it wouldn't make sense to move and then come back down to Port Canaveral. I've also been dealing with back problems. I've had OA in my lower back for many years. During the past few weeks I've noticed the pain was worse than usual so I went for X-rays/MRI and found out that I have 2 discs that are compressed. Don't know what the course of action will be yet. It's just amusing to me that as I lose weight, I want to move around more but now when I do that, I'm in pain. But I keep on moving!! We go to see our surgeon on Friday down at the Cleveland Clinic. Omar need to find out how he can get Medicaid to pay for some PS. He REALLY needs to have his tummy and man boobs done. I know it bothers him and I want him to feel good about himself. He has lost over 300 pounds and deserves to be comfortable with his body and the clothes he chooses to wear. So, keep some good thoughts that the doctor can come up with some imaginative ideas so Medicaid will cover it. I know there is a M & G at the end of this month. I'm hoping to be there. I want to schedule something for August since that might be the last time I can get together with some of you.(or meet some of you) I will let you know. Hope life is treating all of you well. If you are going through a tough patch, hang in there. We've come to far to let anything get in our way of reaching good health and happiness. Sincerely, Dawn Post-Op 9/23/04 399/257/200

Oh Dawn..you and Omar will be greatly missed around here. Sorry to hear about your back issues, I know the feeling. My body was so use to being 327 pounds that my back is a mess at 169 pounds. I will be sending good thoughts to you and Omar on Friday..he has come a long way. I won't be attending the meet and greet this month...hopefully something can be planned for August, I would love to see you both before you leave. Tracey 5'9 327/169

Dawn, Congratulations to you and Omar for taking the brave step to start over and get a new, fresh perspective on life. How exciting!! On the other hand, you will be missed, but I hope you will still keep in touch on the board and let us know who ends up doing Omar's surgery, because he WILL get it!! Prayers are going forth for that!!! Take care, Jan 240/137/115

Hi Dawn, I'm glad you and Omar are feeling that life is good, and going for new experiences. It was so great to meet you two, I hope we can meet again before you move. I have appointments Friday night, or I would drive up to meet you 2 for dinner...well, let me know if you all are staying the night, because I would be finishe by like 7:15. But I also know my way to O town. Sarah

I can't believe you're leaving!!! But I understand that you have to do what you have to do - so i wish you the BEST and keep us posted with all you and Omar do. Please stay in touch!

Dawn, WOW, lots of stuff going on in the "Barrera World" these days. I am so sorry to hear you guys are going to leave us here in O-town, but I certainly understand your desire to get a fresh start, I think of that sometimes myself. I hope that you can make it to the M&G on 7/30 @ noon so we can see you before you guys start focusing on the move. If that isnt possible, let's plan a lunch or dinner get together so we can wish you well in person. Both of you have been such an inspiration to so many on the board and I hope you will continue to post on here so we can keep up with all your progress and your new life in SC. Take good care , Amy -180lb.