Stacey S.
Well....some of the issues I mentioned in my intro are a thing of the past. Some things are just....different.
I had surgery in December of 2005. My highest weight was 328. My weight on the day of surgery was 291. I was 5 feet, 4 inches tall. I was HEFTY.
Things went fairly well after surgery, in regards to my weight. I lost weight quickly. I became a clothes demon. It was so amazing to be able to shop for "normal" sized clothes. Things didn't go quite as smoothly with my marriage. I think the surgery was that final straw. We ended up splitting in 2006.
Then I met Jeff. Jeff also had surgery. I met him through this board. It was so different to have someone who knew EXACTLY what I had gone through. Not just with my surgery, but with being fat and all the issues that go with that.
In October of 2006, I ended up in the ER in Richmond, Virginia. Turns out, I had an intestinal blockage. They admitted me, they hydrated me...and the blockage passed. They let me go, with a referral to a urologist. See, when they did the CT scan to find the blockage, they also found a mass on my kidney.
I pushed people away at that point. I was certain that I was destined to die. Here, I'd lived so much of my life as the bigger person, and now that I was small...it was almost certain that the mass on my kidney was cancerous.
In November of 2006, I was scheduled to go to National Institute of Health, to be part of a study for the mass on my kidney. My cousins had also had kidney cancer and had a gene that was being linked to renal carcinoma. Monday, November 13, I was on my way to O'Hare. And sicker than a dog. My stomach hurt so bad. Jeff took me to Alexian Medical Brothers in Elk Grove Village, IL. He said they had the best team of bariatric surgeons. I was again diagnosed with an intestinal blockage. This time, I had to have surgery. Turns out, I had a herniated intestine. That was fixed, but a small hole in my intestine was missed. I ended up with an infection. All in all, I was in the hospital for 15 days (too the tune of $93,000). I was released from the hospital with IV antibiotics....and some drains. It was GROSS.
Fast forward to January 2007. I had my kidney out. It turns out that instead of a 5 cm tumor, I had two tumors, one 3 cm and one that was 7 cm. Cancerous, too. The kidney was removed through an open nephrectomy, so as not to upset my intestines at all with a laprascopic adventure. I had 8 lymph nodes and one adrenal gland removed as well, and tested. NO CANCER in those. I have to do periodic checkups, but all is looking good. YAY.
Where am I at today? I dropped down to 147 pounds at one point, after being sick. But, wouldn't you know...I am back up to the exact spot that I was when I went into the hospital back in November. I am at 177. But things fit me differently now. Or maybe it is hard for me to take that weight, cuz I went below and now I am back. I just know that I see myself as huge again. I am seeking a counselor to help me with this, and am trying to watch what I eat, and what I do, physically.
Jeff and I got a dog. His name is Harley. We really love him. Jeff is great. We are living in Streamwood. I am working downtown Chicago. I don't have to travel. Things are good. Very good.
Do I regret the surgery? Hell no. Do I hate that I still don't like my looks after losing 151 pounds? For sure. But I am working on that.
Take care, you's guys. (Trying to take up that Chicago accent)
12/22/2014....Scratch Jeff. He ended up having major lying and fidelity issues. I have enough of my own problems, I don't need an abuser too.
I have since battled alcoholism and still struggle with my weight every day. Please, especially ladies, watch your alcohol intake. When I went for treatment, my group had 4 other weight loss patients, who had the same story as mine. Not much of a drinker until after surgery, then became a raging alcoholic in a short amount of time. I have been sober one year and feel great. Now back to my getting into shape. :)
I am married to a great man now and have 5 step kids and two fur kids. Finally, after 42 years, I am learning what it is to love life. :)
