New Day .. !!!

Robin ,  I am sitting here in tears . I have read everyones updates ..and how well each of you are doing .  Girl you are doing awesome .. I remember some of our first conversations .. and how it all started with you .. I applaud you in everything .  You keep doing what you are doing .. and please know I am here for you .. and always will be .  We all have to plan a day when we can get togehter .. sometime after the PS . I miss you all so much .. the boards .. my chats ..  I thank you all from the bottom of my heart . I seen the love and prayers and knew that I could count on you all . My heart is healing .. and it is the love that I have for this surgery , and it's life saving capabilites .. knowing that my friends are going to be alive for a lot longer .. is my comfort in all of this .  Please know that I am here for you too , as you all have been there for me .  Big Hugs ...  Natalie

HA!  Many of the faces you are seeing now are simply thinner - hahaha. So glad you are back!  We did our best to hold down the fort for you! I am so sorry to hear about your Mom.  i cannot imagine going through that.  Sending you wishes for better days. Anyways....where to begin..... I'm Jill (duh!) and I am 19 months out.  I have lost 130 pounds - and figured that if I was to lose 2.5 more pounds, I would have lost myself. Anyways.....I am now a runner.  Yes....a RUNNER!  I'll admit it.  You were the inspiration on that one.  anyways.....I now run 4 miles a day about 4 - 5 days a week.  Plus, strength training (on a Total Body Gym).  I do something active 7 days a week.  Even if it is my light day, I am usually doing something.  Like yesterday, even though I was a lump, i did some yoga stretching. Let me see....what else......I'm eating about 1150 calories a day and taking in 140+ grams of protein (again...thanks to you - Queen of all that is protein). At my 18 month check up, I was told that everything was PERFECT!  Oh, and get this...I have the pulse of an athlete (hehehe). Guess that's it.  It's been a wild ride so far, but a lot of FUN! WELCOME BACK!

Thank You ... WOW .. Get the Heck outa here .. 4 Miles a day .. Once I get healed .. I gotta catch up girl .. dang ... That is awesome . Is it not the best high though Jill .. I feel so good after a long run . I feel like I am on top of the world . ... Just Amazing .. !!  I keep telling those that are aproaching their 2 year mark , that you must stay in shape .. keep to your exercise plan .. it gets harder ..and we have to work at it .  I am very proud of you Jill .. that is an awesome accomplishment . Like I said .. Once I am healed .. I am back to the gym and on my feet .. I miss it so much .. Alan is always pulling on me telling me to slow down .. as I want to run everywhere now . And really know I cannot .. it sucks .. LOL ..  Wild Ride .. You and I both know it .. but I would not get off this ride for all the tea in China .    And I love seeing that you are matching your protein to your running .. AWESOME GIRL .. that is how you do it . If you exercise or run like we do .. the protein has to match your performance . Excellent .  Well .. I am off to get ready for my PS consult .. my last one before the big day ..  Hugs,  Nat

Hey Nat, I just posted an update to this newly formatted board. There are so many new members, I feel like a stranger. Lois