MELODY B.
My name is Melody. I am 46 years old. I have a disease called Elhors Danlos syndrome. It is a connective tissue disorder. It is relatively rare disease that affects approximately 1 in 10,000 people. I have struggled with my weight all my life. I got an infection in my legs starting in December of 03. I was in and out of the hospital 17 times in a 2 year period. My longest stay was 27 days, and as I am sure you know that is unheard of in this day and age. After all the trouble with the infections in my legs, compounded by my weight of course I was put in a wheelchair and told I would never get out of it by more than one doctor. Then I met 2 people who changed my life forever. My sister in law, Kim, my best friend, running buddy and partner in crime. Through her I met Dr. Adam Smith. And on August 23rd, 2005 my life began again. I had lap band surgery and it changed my whole life. I am out of the wheel chair, and am living again. Words will never express the love and gratitude I feel for Kim and the "Great Doc".
At my heaviest I weighed about 350 pounds, at 5'4" I was as round as I was tall. My knees were both blown and no surgeon would touch me. I met my husband on line. He is the most amazing man. He met me at the lowest point in my life and loved me anyway. Funny how at a person's darkest hour God throws you a curve. Donnie was my curve. Through him I met the most amazing woman, now my best friend, Kim. And the rest is history. There is so much more to my story, but this is a summary.
