GrandmaSusan
I have struggled with my weight since I was 20 yrs old. I was divorced at 38. A back injury at 40 ruined my career as an EMT and dashed my plans to become a paramedic. Being bedridden for 18 mos with heavy meds caused me to gain 80 lbs. Within about 5 yrs I joined Weight Watchers and without any exercise other than walking I lost the 80 and felt great. I married to the love of my life in 2003 at 47 yr and was still able to keep the weight off. My back seemed to be doing better so I went to school and became a Medical Assistant, gaining some weigh with my studies. I was loving my new career when my sweet husband was diagnosed with FrontoTemporal Dementia. It is the most aggressive form of dementia. I left my job to both spend all the time I could with him and then to care for him. He passed away March 7, 2010, only 14 mos after his diagnosis. He was only 62. During the time I was caring for him I packed the weight back on. At this point in my life, I have had it with the yoyo dieting and am in the process of the intake for Gastric By-Pass. I will be having it done at the Central Maine Medical Center, in Lewiston, ME. I have started tracking my food intake and extra physical activity. In this first week I managed to lose 1.8 lbs just by giving up my evening glass of wine :o) Today I began riding a recumbent stationary bike for 10-15 minutes at a time. This is doable and my arthritic knees and back are doing ok with it in short spurts. So onward we go. I am getting great support from my 3 kids and my Mom who lives with me. My friends are mixed, that is hard as I really want their unconditional support. I have no doubt that this will change my life and allow me to become the kind of Grandma that I want to be. I am raising my two grandsons, ages 7 & 11 and want to be out riding bikes, kayaking, walking nature trails and enjoying all that Western Maine has to offer. Oh and I now have my surgery date: 7/18/11 YIPEEEE!!!!
