MARCHERS EVE

Happy almost anniversary month! You guys are going to think I'm nuts (if you don't already) but I spent about 2 hours yesterday going wwwaaaaayyyyy back to our roots; there's no easy way to get there, I just kept clicking "older posts" at the bottom of the screen until I got to 2/2004 posts - I think I had to click over 100 times! Anyway, I was trying to find my very first post to the Board - still haven't found it, I was SO SHY and such a lurker! But I found some very early posts by Joy, Connie, Dinka Doo...so many others. I've sent out lots of emails to some folks who were very active early on but whom we haven't heard from in a long time and I hope they respond by posting on their anniversary dates. The short of it is, WE ARE SUCH AN AWESOME GROUP! I'm going to risk getting in trouble here and post a few of those early messages by some of our best loved members: From Dinah, 2/29/2004: "Okay - I haven't had a lot of interest in doing "the last supper" thing but my friend went to the store yesterday and found someone who was selling KK donuts for a fundraiser (we don't have one here). So she brought some over and I tried them. They were good, but I realized we do have a place right here in town that has identical tasting donuts. So now I've had them, I don't feel like I'm missing out on so much. I wanted to try one forever! LOL! So now I'm sitting here this morning jonesing for a donut....waiting for DH to get up so he can do his duty! LOL! Dina ---sugar fiend that she is, is realizing that last supper doesn't hold near as much significance to her as last snackies... (posted on 2/29/04)" From Nic, 2/29/2004: "brand new to this forum! Hello! My name is Nicole I am 30 and have 2 wonderful children and I am happily married (most days) to their Dad. I just got my surgery date for March 30th! My sister had her surgery July 21st and has went from size 26 - 14! I am so proud! I hope I do as well! I teach 5th grade and will be going back to work after 6 weeks until school's out! I am VERY excited! I had my consult in July and was DENIED and had to fight to get this approved! Silly me for thinking my weight was cuasing all these problems anyway it took 7 months to get my approval! I am THRILLED!!!!!!! I can't wait to get to know you all and support you thru your surgery! Blessings!" From Connie, I think around mid March 2004 (I LOVE THIS!): "I'm having a little guilt here because I just have not found the time to post to everyone's surgery pages as I had hoped. I have gotten a few of you in since the beginning of the month, but realized tonight that I just won't get the time to post to everyone's page. I want you all to know that I'm thinking of each and every one of you. As is my cultural tradition, I have lit cedar and sage, faced the four directions and asked for blessings for all of you. My father is an elder in our tribe and I have asked him to do a ceremony for all of the Marchers so that they may have a safe journey. Warm wishes for a long and happy life, Connie" And here's my first post after my surger, 3/8/2004: "Greetings everyone! My surgery went off without a hitch (so far, God willing) on Monday, March 8th. I am currently 6 days post op. I am astounded by the regenerative power of the human body! Thanks to everyone SO MUCH for the generous outpouring of support I received during the days leading up to my surgery. Your thoughts, prayers, answers to my questions, and just being there made a huge difference in how I felt going into surgery. I am glad to be home and am feeling better every single day. Now, I'm going to hunker down and do the work to get this weight off as safely as possible. My surgeon is outstanding, so if anyone in Connecticut is considering WLS, check him out -- Jonathan Aranow out of Middlesex Hospital. I can't say enough good things about him. Good luck to everyone and holler if you need me! LOL, Maureen" Please don't be upset with me for posting these, or for leaving others out - Joy, you were there right from the get-go, motivating everyone and being so positive. I found Wendy Jane (remember Wendy?) and Betty, and Kymber, and Kimmer, and so, so, so many others. SO THIS IS A RALLY CALL - no matter where we're at, no matter what we're going through and feeling and dealing with - no matter what, let's post on our annivesary dates, ok? HERE'S TO THE MARVELOUS MARCHERS! Love, Reenie P.S. Two days without M&M's AND COUNTING!!!

Reenie, Do you have any idea how awesome you are? I just want to thank you for being such a rock! Love ya! Connie

Great post, Reenie! What fun to remember those days! It was hard and scary. It's still hard, but in different ways, mabye because it is not so scary. It's been great to travel this road with such wonderful friends! Joy

I wasn't around till later, but,. those were great! Ladybug Marilyn

Well here I'm wow 4 years from our WLS, well I can ay hi to all our marchers. God bless you all. Always come and read . Reenie thanks for being here for us.