cathryn54
I am a 56 year old retired nurse. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 33 years. We have 3 beautiful daughters who are all out on their own now..."empty nest". We have one very spoiled english bulldog and 3 rescue cats whom we adore.
My weight was never a big issue for me as a child. My weight became a problem when I gained >60;bs. with my first pregnancy and never got that off afterwards. My 2nd and 3rd pregnancies just added a few more lbs. to that total. In spite of all that weight, I worked full time, was the girls Girl Scout/Brownie leader, did the ballet and piano lessons routine and always had plenty of energy it seems. In the midst of this, my mother was diagnosed with an incurable cancer and I took the responsibility to take care of her at home (she lived next door to us). She lived for 3 years and died peacefully at home. 8 years later, my 50 year old sister died from a massive heart attack.
Fast forward a few years, and I have been through an open heart surgery (CABG x3) in 2001 which I had complications with afterwards and had to stop working. The same time the children, one by one, were off to college, getting married and starting their new lives. Then, add menopause to the list. I was hit with such a deep depression that I did not think I would come out of it. I sought help and talked with a psychologist for over 2 years. Finding the right anti-depression drug that worked took a while, but finally there is light at the end of that dark tunnel and I am feeling much better these days, FINALLY!! Then, my husband was forced into early retirement.
As I came out of that dark place, I looked in the mirror one day and was shocked at what I had done to myself. The scale screamed 300!!!!! That was it...I knew I could not ignore it anymore. Not only the number on the scale scared me, but I had developed multiple comorbitities, CHF and diabetes. I couldn't catch my breath after climbing our stairs at home. My feet and legs hurt so bad when I did walk, as the diabetes neuropathy creeped into my feet and legs. I got to the point where I didn't move much, except to cook. some light household chores and taking care of my personal needs. My husband has been so sweet about helping me, but this is NOT how I wanted our retirement to be. I want to travel to see the girls, I want to see places I was too busy working to see, I want to see my grandchildren (none yet...but hoping). So many things I haven't done yet. I am not ready to write the last chapter of my life....this surgery will give me that chance.
Orientation: 10/2010 (done)
1st surgeon consult: 1/10/2011 (done)
Nutrition consult: 1/10/2011 (done)
Routine PAP: 1/14/11 (done)
Mammogram: 1/21/11
Cardiologist clearance: 1/19/11
