That os wonderful. I am so proud of you. i am only 7 months out. And one day I WILL reach my goal. Thanks for the inspiration.---- Original Message -----

From: Katherine Wills

To: Debra Aquaowo ; Jim Barrett ; Regina Bevars ; Mary Bobst ; Lori Ford ; melissa fry ; Support Group ; Sandy Harris ; Pamela Koutsoutis ; Janice Leiberman ; Judy Nease ; Kim Nocar ; Tracy Palumbo ; Phillip ; eddie D reynolds ; William Roe ; Dawn Schueler ; Tina Semelka ; Stephanie Smith ; Timeka ; tricia2@comcast.net ; Diana Vitkauskas ; Sherry Waterfield ; Wayne ; George A Wills ; ella.l.gericke@ssa.gov ; Katherine Louise Wills

Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 2:19 PM

Subject: [baltimorebariatrics] Anniversary Reflections

Hi All:

 

I know it's been a long time since I've written to some of you (mostly Support Group - and you know you miss me) and not so long for others of you but today is one of those days I am just compelled to write.

 

This time 4 years ago I was in the recovery room pretty out of it waiting to be taken to my room after the very gifted and talented Dr. Roe had just performed my gastric bypass surgery.  He saved me for last that day.  :o)  I don't remember the man's name who was first that morning but then Patty Novik was second and then me.  It's hard to believe it's been 4 years already. 

 

I guess I can admit now that the surgery was a success.  lol  From my pre-diet pre-surgery weight I am down 318 lbs.  Yes I did say 318 which I know is more than what half of the gastric bypass patients weigh before their surgery.  I struggled prior to my surgery on one of the most rigorous diets in my life and managed to lose 70 lbs and then since surgery have lost 248 lbs. 

 

The first two years were amazing regarding my weight loss and the last 2 years have been a struggle with dieting, etc but it was all still so incredibly worth it.  I think about the quality of my life now and compare it with the pitiful existence I had before and there really is no comparison.  Not only was I sick all the time and in so much pain but I could not get around and I struggled just to get to work a few hours a day a couple of days a week and go home and collapse into bed so I might have the strength to do it again the next day or face losing my house.  I had absolutely no social life at all and was so miserable and lonely and desperate.  When I say I was dying at home I really truly was and I didn't have all that much time left to live I am sure (and numerous doctors confirmed that fear).  If I had a dollar for every night I used to cry myself to sleep I could have paid my house off.  I cried because I was scared and because I was in pain and miserable and had no quality of life but the main reason I cried was because I was so lonely inside and wanted someone to accept and love me for the person I was.  I wanted someone to believe in me and not look at me like I was a failure or a reject.

 

My cousin, Pam, had a friend who had had gastric bypass and she kept sending me updates as to her success and it made me start to think.  Then this woman's husband had Dr. Roe do his surgery (the woman had used another doctor who had a waiting list of almost 2 years) and Dr. Roe was recommended highly by them.

 

At the power point presentation I felt like all of my prayers were answered as Dr. Roe spoke.  After the presentation Tracy and Dawn and then Dr. Roe talked to me and I felt like for the first time in years there were people who had faith in me and were willing to take a chance and risk their medical reputations on this high risk patient and give me a shot at life.

 

The first 2 years after surgery I was accused of being President of the Dr. Roe worshippers club and that's okay with me.  I am still in awe of he and Dawn and the strings she pulled to get my surgery approved rapidly and the chance they took on me.  And everyone I know is thankful to Diana not only for her support but for the clothes she kept on my back for the first two years (okay I still am wearing that spandex jean skirt and the long green dress from Coldwater Creek - oh and the coat - I know they are all too big now but they were my favorites).

 

So without making this much longer I just want to thank Dr. Roe, Dawn, Tracy and my support group on this my 4th anniversary.  What a difference my life is now.  And thanks to my family, Sandy and my friends (Ella, MA, Patty, Stef, Mrs. Hale, etc) who were there for me from the beginning and supported my decision to have the surgery and encouraged me every step of the way.

 

And now thanks to all of you I have a new and much better life.  Now I can thank my awesome husband who has become my #1 supporter of all (without gastric bypass neither of us would have ever met) and my new family (including our awesome granddaughter, Alyssa Dawn who just came to visit us 2 weeks ago from Kansas at 3 1/2 mos old and stole our hearts totally).

 

So I've lost over 300 lbs, gained a host of really good friends from support group, a husband, 3 grown children and a grandson and granddaughter.  All in all I think life is pretty good.

 

Love ya!

 

 

---

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.