Let's get to know each other

Jean,
What is the title of your published novel?
I would love to write a book someday. I have been keeping a journal for 23 years. I suppose each of us would believe we have at least one good story in us.
I love to read. One of my hobbies.
Penny

Hey everyone,

I'm Debbie, live in Pennsylvania, married to Len for over 26 years (second marriage) have two girls, 35 and soon to be 24, and two beautiful grandchildren 10 (girl) and 6 (boy).   We have three birds, two ****atiels and an African Grey.  I've jumped through all my hoops and now awaiting my insurance approval.  RNY - right around the corner - WOO HOO - I can't wait.

Debbie, we'll all be pulling for you to get that approval quickly.  The waiting is so hard.  I'll look forward to following your journey as time progresses.

Stephanie,

Thanks so much.  Your flashing picture is amazing!  It's when I see this type of transformation, I know it will all be worth it.  I've been reassured by all of my consulting physicians that my health will improve dramatically and I can't wait!

Penny,

The title of my novel is No Ransom.  Available at amazon.com and other online retailers (author name Jean McMillan).

I've been keeping a journal since I was 10.  That's 45 years!  The journals are sitting in boxes in my closet.  Some day when I get a chance, I'll have to pull them out and read them.

Jean

Wow Jean, very interesting and if I had worked closer to home, since I bought a house six years ago, I'd probably have a small kennel by now, which is why I've never been able to consider volunteering at an animal shelter, but used to do home checks for the Rottie rescue of the Northeast to place dogs that were needing homes. . . . .  but who knows what the future holds as I now work within 45 minutes of home, but for now, my love, loyalty and duty lies with dear Dillinger until his passing. . .

I will check out your stories one of these days. . .  I write poetry and also have thought of writing something one day. . .  I will at least publish my poetry one day. . .

Hi Jean, nice to officially meet you.  Wow a writer, I've never met anyone that's "published".  Congrats!!  I love to read, just wish I had more time but between working and all the time I spend online, it doesn't leave enough hours for everything else I like to do.

We have 4 dogs and 2 cats so I feel your pain, lol.  We have 3 pugs plus our daughter's terrier lives with us too (we call her the "white pug").  One of our cats chose to move out when our daughter went to college but still hangs in the neighborhood and comes home to eat.  Our other cat is a black and white Tuxedo who brings me treats nearly everyday in the form of dead geckos or locusts~ what a sweatheart, lol.

Sounds like you've done an awesome job with your band, what a success story.  I look forward to getting to know you better.

Hi

I'm Linda from the Houston, Tx area.  I am 61 years old, am married (20 years in August) and have two grown children from a previous marriage.  I have 2 grandsons.  My WLS has enabled me to engage in activities with my young grandsons that I would not have been able to without it.  It also made it possible for me to fulfill a lifelong dream of exploring the Galapagos Islands this past spring.  I have lost 90 pounds and am looking to lose an additional 30.  I struggle to lose the last 30 but I know I will eventually get it off.  I look to this site and the Texas message board for inspiration, support and priceless information.  Without OH I don't know if I would have made it to the healthy person I am today.  I was making lots of mistakes and credit this site for getting me where I needed to be nutritionally.

Hey Linda, I recognize you from the Texas board.  Thanks for responding.  Losing those last few pounds are the hardest.  I found posting what I ate everyday kept me accountable and allowed me to get them off finally.  I have a 5 pound range that I try to stay in and even that is tough sometimes.  But it is so amazing what we can now do physically compared to before surgery.  Getting to explore those islands must of been awesome.  Congrats and hang in there, that weight will come off.  Let us know if we can help in any way.

Hi Stephanie:

I'm Eileen, I had RNY in June 2004. I was 347 pounds pre-op, lost 23 pounds in the two-week pre-op diet and 180 pounds total, more or less. I've been keeping it off more or less since, although a swollen leg keeps putting it back on with water weight (from a second knee replacement on the same knee ... right). No plastics ... opted instead to have a right knee replacement in Feb. 2007, then had a revision last December because the first one didn't take. I'm hoping this one will be better. We'll see!

I'm a copy editor at newspaper in Grand Rapids, MI. I've also worked at newspapers in Macon, Ga., Aberdeen, S.D., Anaconda, Mont., and Carpentersville, Ill. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs. My family mostly still lives in the Chicago area. I used to be a sports writer too. That's what I grew up wanting to be, and I enjoyed it for many years, but after I hurt my right knee covering auto racing (long story), I found it was too difficult to chase after athletes and coaches ... plus, I was really burned out of it and didn't enjoy anymore. I enjoyed writing, just not the sports part of it. My editor in South Dakota offered me the chance to be a copy editor and learn something new, and it was a good move for me. I was able to gain new skills and get out of South Dakota.

My biggest challenge since weight loss has been exercise; I used to swim a lot, but can't afford the Y right now, and it's hard for me to  walk much because of my knee problems. But having the weight loss surgery has been a godsend for me. I was always overweight, even as a child, and could never take it off any other way. I got my life back!

Oh, and I'm 54, single and live in Hudsonville, MI, with my two cats, Scooter and Nettie. I'm a big Chicago White Sox fan.