Camai!!

It is nice to see this message board! As far as my heritage well... I call myself a PREGO-Cause Everything is in Me!! Bad joke it is, but it is true!! My husband and 2 stepdaughters are FB Yup'ik from around the Yukon river area, in Alaska. Walter grew up in a village near Pilot Mountain. And the girls use to live in Kwethluk. We are talking serious bush area! We got our girls in 8/1/01. And I had gotten sick in April of 2001. Been on disability since 7/01, which is very rough on a confirmed workaholic. We are trying really hard to get me well and save up some $$$ so we can move back to A****il then we are stuck in my homestate of NC. The only good thing to come out of my illnesses, is that I have been home to be with the girls, we were able to bond a lot faster, and I was there to help them over the culture shock! I am so thankful for my Walter and our two girls! If it wasn't for them, I would have just given up and checked out a long time ago. The possibility of a life with those 3 keeps me fighting & pushing myself harder!! (How did this turn into a BOOHOO fest???? ) I am still trying to find a doctor, this is my third rejection for financial or because of my health reasons (AAlthough the health ones just don't want to risk their records, should I have a complication)! Anyhoo, take care and let me hear from ya'll! Cathy

Greetings from Oklahoma. I am Cheyenne woman, 52 years of age. I have been obese over 35 years and a diabetic for over three years. Insulin dependant with several other health problems. My insurance denied me for this surgery. But the Creator said I could have it. Myfamily, church family, extended family and friends all helaped me raise the $25,000.00 needed for this surgery. I am now down from 430 pounds to 260. and pretty healthy now. If I didn't have this surgery I know that I would not be here this holiday season. I am cured from Diabeties and many of the health problems. I am able to do things for myself that I haven't been able to do for years. I will pray with you that things will turn around for you. God Bless!!!!! Diane www.buffalowalkingwoman.com

Diane thanks ever so much for the warm welcome!! I am so happy to know that the Creator was on your side and helped you thru your hurdles. Congratulations on your loses not just of weight but also disease!! I was shocked to find out that so many people are cured from diabetes with this surgery. The doctor I am going to next is actually doing grant funded research on just that topic! I have Sleep Apnea which is treated with a permanent tracheostomy ( We call ourselves neckbreathers-My husband said he thought of it more as being "TurboVented" ), and I hear that RNY cures 80% of those. How wonderful it would be to have this neck sewed up!! Well, my Dr. got up with the Drs. at East Carolina University, and I have to attend yet ANOTHER seminar, and I will be receiving an appointment in the mail to attend one this coming February! Hey, but it is at least a start. That there is a reason for everything that we go thru in life, good or bad, is one of my firmest beliefs. I am so very happy for you and your success on your journey. Thank you for your prayers, and I will surely keep you in my prayers! Take care! Cathy

Diane, that is fantastic about your diabetes being cured!!! I'm no doctor but just reading the messages posted on all the various boards and the main board, I would venture to say almost 100% are cured from it..now finally the media is reporting that this surgery should be the first line of defense, not the last. They are figuring out that short term diets do more harm than good, that people lose the weight but gain it back plus some so they are worse off than before. People who have had the surgery keep it off. This is my first time on the board--my maternal grandfather was half Comanche, my paternal grandfather half Sabine. Unfortunately, I cannot "legally" prove it, but I know what I am in my heart and that is all that matters. I do know that I can really tell a difference in my daily well being when I don't eat so many carbs now, almost like a lightness in my body. The days when I do eat more carbs than I should, I feel almost drugged. I was fortunate in the fact that I was diabetic before surgery but it was just a matter of time, I like to say I was a "healthy fat person" but we all know there is no such animal! Blessing to all for a most prosperous and healthy New Year! Monica

Hi,
I am 1/2 Inupiaq Eskimo.  My family is from Shaktoolik.  I, also, have some cousins who live in Bethel, Tununak, Soldotna, Unalakleet and Anchorage.  You are in NC?  I live in MA.  We just came back from 2 weeks in Alaska in mid July.  I decided to start the whole weight loss thing just about 3 weeks before leaving on our trip.  It was something which I had been thinking of doing for a long time but never had the nerve to do it.  What finally convinced me was that my husband and I were at a powwow and someone took a picture of us together.  I saw it about a week later.  I was totally appalled with how I looked.  I was embarassed for myself.  Anyway, I somehow managed to lose 15 pounds while we were in Alaska.  We did a lot of outdoor activities and I did watch what I was eating except it didn't quite line up with all the foods which I was supposed to be eating. (too many carbs and diet cokes!!!)When I had my next weight loss meeting with the dietician, I was told that I had to keep another month of food logs to prove to them that I could get the diet right.  I've lost 24 pounds right now which makes me extremely happy.  I have a surgery date of October 7th for a gastric bypass (not the lap band).  I am anxiously awaiting word from the insurance company on whether or not they will cover it.  How's goes your fight with your insurance?  I saw your post and I had to say hello.  Talk to you soon.  Write when you can.
~ Lorena