kaeli
I am 37 (very soon to be 38) years old, married and the mom of three great teenagers (one boy, my youngest who is 13 and two girls, 15 and 18). I have a strong Christian faith and believe wholly that God is in control of my life and I freely place it in His hands. It is my faith that gets me through each day and it is what I know will help me the most through this process. That and the support of my family and friends who He has lovingly placed in my life!
While I have struggled with my weight for many years, I was not an overweight child or teenager. In fact, after I had my first daughter I lost all my baby weight and then some and was a svelte 130 lbs. After having two more children and never losing the "baby weight" I weighed about 200 pounds for a good straight 5 or so years. Then in 2003 I had back surgery to repair two herniated discs - I had been in excruciating pain for a long time with this. After my surgery, my physical activity (what little I had) decreased and my weight has consistently increased every year since then. I now weigh 254.3 lbs - my all time highest weight.
The decision to have gastric bypass was a long and hard one to make for me. I struggled with the decision all the while moving forward with the process, but I am so at peace with it now. I know this is the best thing for me. Yes, I am scared, but I am not worried - if that makes any sense at all. I think it's about the fact that my life will change completely, but that is why I am doing it - I cannot remain this way. When I look in the mirror, I don't know who it is I see - it is not how I picture myself. And I just don't plain don't feel good. I have been blessed so far with not having any serious weight-related medical issues like HBP, diabetes, etc.. but I know I am on that path and it would be only a matter of time. The only issue I have is GERD. Prilosec controls it most of the time. My family has a history of heart disease & diabetes, my mom has it and had a heart attack at age 57 (thank God she is alive) but she is not well and she is also overweight.
Back in 2005 I lost my sister-in-law to a pulmonary embolism caused by a DVT as a result of her morbid obesity. I miss her so much! She was one of my best friends. I have seen what obesity can do! I do not want to die from being overweight!
As I sit here and write this I realize that there is so much more I could say and go on about, but for now, that is a glimpse of who I am and some of "my story." Life is journey that takes us on many different paths, I am so thankful to be on the right one concerning my weight - finally!
