This is the best my life has been in many years. I know this sounds like a strange statement to make at this particular time but it's very true.......I was a single Mom for 20 years. To say it was hard is an understatement. I can honestly say it made me a better person, more compassionate, understanding, caring, plus I have an extreme respect for anyone in a similar situation. Those were some very very stressful years which I am sure added to my weight gain along with the 'bad gene' Dr. Houston talked about at my appointment. I feel very fortunate and extremely excited about the journey I am about to begin. I know this surgery is what I need and I am committed to the before and after care necessary to make me a 'successful loser'. I look forward to the challenge. I AM READY!

I work for a very large company in Central IL and I have a wonderful job. I just found out today that I have been offered a promotion. Life is good and God is great! There is a very special person in my life. Jim is as supportive as he is special. I am BLESSED over and over again. I have many GREAT friends who along with my adoptive family which includes a beautiful & loving Mom aka Momma Lu; a precious sis, Donna; and a brother, Kevin with a sense of humor like no other. Then to add to this wonderful group, there are Merrill & Fran (another set of adoptive parents)plus dear and loving friends...your love and caring have carried me thru some difficult times. You ALL have encouraged me along the way. To each and every one of these wonderful people, I must say THANK YOU soooo much for everything. You mean the world to me!

When I saw Dr. Houston on 4/28, I instantly realized that he is the surgeon for me. To me, he was confident without being arrogant. I had a good feeling from the beginning of my appointment until the end. He took a lot of time to talk to me which meant so much. Plus, it was great to finally meet Holly who was so helpful and kind. When I first arrived for my appointment, I met Mindy. She shared her own weightloss story with me. I was inspired! Thanks, Mindy....I appreciate that you would share this with me. It was great timing.

I enjoy traveling, gardening as we have a Koi pond in our backyard and a beautiful garden full of flowers which bloom all summer. My grandaughters enjoy this as much as I do. Although they are quite young, they like to spend a lot of time in the yard with me. What joys!!!

I will write more as I get closer to my surgery date of 6/6/06. I am looking forward to hearing from anyone willing to share their encouragement and knowledge.....thanks in advance.

5/28/06 - I'll will be leaving a week from today to drive to Nashville as I prepare for my surgery on 6/6. Lately I've been very emotional as I guess the time I've anticipated is almost here. For 2 yrs. I have researched and researched....soon I'll be experiencing a new 'lighter' life.

I have received several emails with words of encouragement and I appreciate each and every one....thank you!

6/2/06 - This is my last day of work before surgery. We'll be leaving to drive to Nashville on Sunday. My dear friend, MaryJane, has insisted on accompanying me. She'll stay with me in the hospital....how great is that!!! I can't believe 'the day' is almost here....I am ready...a tad bit nervous but I am ready! I am amazed at how many people who've had surgery offered to visit me in the hospital.....that is so sweet and thoughtful....I will return the favor whenever possible.

6/4/06 - I am waiting for my dear friend, MaryJane, to picked me up to begin my journey to the 'lighter side'. Our drive to Nashville will be about 8 hrs. from Illinois. It is a beautiful morning & I am feeling great...very happy, anxious and BLESSED. Jim has been wonderful....he's the BEST. Surgery on 6/6 - please keep me in your prayers! Thank you again for your emails and words of encouragement...I am grateful!

6/12/06 - I had my surgery on Tues. 6/6 and finally was discharged on Sun. 6/11....what an experience. I had additional surgery for a hernia in my esophogas and that prolonged the 2 hrs. surgery into a little more then 4 hrs. I had a couple of very difficult days on Wed. and Thurs. but felt a TAD BIT alive on Fri. I am thankful for Dr. Houston and his wonderful care. Then on the weekend Dr. Olson took over. He was great also....he was reassuring when I was getting a little nervous about the situation.
I am now resting at my friend's in Nashville and will return to see Dr. Houston on Thurs. at 8:30am to get discharged to go home to Illinois. It's been challenging but I believe in my heart, the worse part is behind me....it better be : ))

6/13/06 - Feeling a little better...still shakey and my breathing is short. I am ready to go home to Illinois on Sat.!!! Thank you Carolyn for your many calls to check on me. That means sooo much.

6/20/06 - It's a beautiful morning in Illinois. We are sitting on the patio watching the Koi swim in the pond. My flowers are so pretty and that certainly helps give me a boost.

6/21/06 - Another beautiful morning....birds chirping, flowers in my garden make me smile. Our thoughts/prayers go out to Kevin who is having prostate cancer surgery this morning. May God watch over him as He did with me.

6/27/06 - It's a wonderful day....I am starting to really feel great....I must remember that I had a couple of big surgeries. I am a very independent person and to not do all of the things I am use to doing is a tad bit frustrating. I am so thankful to Jim for being so loving and caring....I did find out that I don't have the patience I thought I did, but I will work on it. Wishing everyone a great evening!

7/4/06 - Happy Birthday America!!! May we all stop and remember those who are serving and have served our country. Wishing everyone a safe holiday!

7/6/06 - Today on my 4th week after surgery I started to get food stuck and not a good feeling at all. I called Dr. Houston's office and he wants me to see the dr. there to get my esophagus stretched. I am waiting for a call back from that dr. Since I live in Illinois and it's an 8 hrs. drive, I've decided to fly there....hopefully, that surgery will be the answer and I'll be home in a few days.

7/18/06 - I was admitted because of dehydration and then had my esophagus stretched. I have met so many wonderful people in Nashville....especially my DEAR friend, Carolyn, who has been so gracious and kind to me. She picked me up from the airport, insisted that I stay at their lovely home and was my taxi driver to and from my appts. How blessed I am!!

8/1/06 - I just spoke to Dr. Houston and I will again need the procedure done. I am feeling sad and a tad bit discouraged but I will make a come back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8/2 I was dehydrated and again went to the hospital to be scoped. I was discharged on 8/4 which is exactly 2 months since my surgery. I am feeling pretty good and I continue to be very thankful!!!

8/13/06 - I am getting ready to have the scoping done again and I am ready. Hopefully, this will be the last time.

8/31/06 - I have an appt. with Dr. Houston on 9/8 for my 3 mos. checkup and earlier in the morning, I will have another EDG...this is my 4th one. I said the 3rd would be my last but this one is it. I continue to have major problems with UHC and it saddens me that my focus has to be on what they aren't paying which is most of everything.

9/13/06 - I had my 4th EDG last Friday in Nashville and maybe...just maybe this will be my last one. Dr. Houston said I am his first patient who had 4.....now am I lucky or what?!!! I am down 48 lbs. and extremely happy. Dr. Houston was great and his office people, Holly, Andrea, Kathy, Tonya are wonderful...very very kind people. Of course, I was able to get in 9 hours of shopping on Sat. All is well in Illinois and I am very thankful!

9/18/06 - It's been nothing short of wonderful since my 4th EDG on 9/8 in Nashville with Dr. Lewis. I can't say enough kind words about him! I guess the 4th time was the charm for me. I hope it continues!!! Oh yessss, here's the best news, I am in size 16 pants.....yahoo. I can't remember the last time I bought that size. Let the 'fun' continue.

9/27/06 - It's a GREAT day....UHC finally came to their senses and re-approved my surgery! It has been an EXTREMELY stressful time and I am rather proud of myself for my perseverance...I refused to give up. I kept praying that UHC would do the right thing and follow thru with what they agreed to prior to my 6/6 surgery.....finally someone saw the light! There were just way too many UHC people involved in these claims who didn't have a clue as to what they were doing. I never spoke to the same person twice during this time. It's no wonder, this was a total and complete mess. I had all of the paperwork with the referrals from my PCP to UHC and I documented every conversation in my planner. I think I am a PRO! So if anyone needs help, please let me know and I'll do what I can. I cannot begin to tell you how hard it was when I was home recuperating or should I say 'trying' to recuperate and then get a letter in the mail from UHC saying my surgery was 'DENIED' after I had it. Well, it's a new day and I do know that I will monitor UHC's payments for this surgery. It'll be over when the final bill has been paid according to my benefits.

10/12/06 - It's a beautiful fall day in central Illinois. I am really feeling great...with lots of energy! Thank God. I am continuing to monitor UHC and their claim payments for my bills. They STILL aren't doing it right but I won't let up until it's perfect.

We are getting ready to head to NC and visit a friend of mine from grade school. It'll be a beautiful drive at this time of the year.

I am sending good thoughts to everyone who is pre or post surgery. Dr. Houston has certainly changed my life and what a life it's become!!!

10/12/06 - Today I crossed my legs and I couldn't believe how easy it was........wow, I almost cried!

10/24/06 - I am very fortunate as not a day goes by that one of my co-workers doesn't comment on my weightloss.  How exciting is that!!!  I beginning to have more energy with each new day.  We walk after work now and that's good for both of us. 

I am STILL struggling with UHC to get my claims paid and get them paid correctly.  They are sure a confused company, nothing consistent about them at all.  It's a good thing I refused to give up and will continue following their payments until they are ALL done correctly. 

 11/16/06 - It's a GREAT day as UHC has finally paid everything as agreed.  It's been a struggle and I feel like a prize fighter who went 10 rounds and is still standing.  What makes me sad is not once did one person ever apologize for all the mess and wrong payments...that's not to mention the major stress when they said my surgery was denied AFTER the procedure was performed.  But the good news is it's over and I don't owe $77,000 for my surgeries.  Then I decided to reward myself and buy a new car....but I needed a car anyway....UHC just gave me a good reason :  )))

12/9/06 - Now this is unbelieveable....I'll be flying to Nashville next Thurs. for my 6 mos. checkup with the one and only Dr. Houston.  Words cannot express how quickly these 6 mos. have flown by.  I scheduled the date as their Christmas party happens to be that very same evening.  It's been so much fun emailing the LOOOOSERS and LOOOSERS-TO-BE and now I'll get the chance to meet them.  Well as many as possible!!!  I am excited about seeing Andrea, Holly, Kathy H. and Tonya.....all of these ladies are very special to me!

1/2/07 - Happy 2007 EVERYONE - I've been off of work since Dec. 21 and it was very hard to get back in the swing of things this morning.....extremely difficult!!!  I had a diffcult time keeping focussed on proper eating/getting my protein in and being careful to drink the right amount of water!    It was a hard time for me....but I am a survivor.  Dr. Houston sent an email to me and said he was looking forward to seeing 'less' of me at my next checkup in March....now isn't he the funny one!!!!!  I've got 73 more lbs. to lose....golly that should be fun.

1/11/07 - I still am amazed that we are in the year 2007....the patient is doing well, back at work and is getting around a lot better.  I've purchased a treadmill so I am downstairs doing 'my thing' each day.  My iron count remains low so I am looking forward to feeling better....not a lot of energy and it's not fun!  I find myself being anxious to get home and veg....hopefully, this will end soon.

The first pic below was taken on the day I left for Nashville 6/4/06 as I was scheduled for surgery on 6/6/06.  I can't believe I looked that puffy but those darn pictures don't lie : ))) It's a good thing I took the pics because it's hard to see the changes.  I look at them frequently and I continue to be amazed!  Each of the additional ones were taken a month apart.  New ones will be in soon.
Photos Taken 1 month apart starting day I left for surgery, 6/4/06   





About Me
IL
Location
33.6
BMI
RNY
Surgery
06/06/2006
Surgery Date
May 03, 2006
Member Since

Friends 10

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