Surgery 7 years ago today

It's nice to see some folks are still active on this Board. This will be a practical post talking specifically about issues concerning living my post-op life. My weight is up 30 lbs. from my lowest and I am clawing to lose 20 of those regained pounds, simply because I don't like the way I feel - pudgy, not as fit as I want to be, a loss of physical strength and stamina. Those early 'honeymoon' years were the greatest, weren't they? I do have some medical issues associated with the surgery and I am working with my PCP on monitoring and managing those issues. Otherwise, life is hectic - a crazy busy job that keeps me creative and focused; preparing for the 'empty nest' as my son nears graduating high school and hopefully going off to college - he is still on the fence about that. Daughter is living her dream life in Montreal, which she calls "her city." She's happy and that makes me happy and proud. I am not nearly so goals focused anymore; more like living each day as it comes but resolved each and every morning to live my healthiest life; I concentrate still on moving, moving, moving and that is what has kept the majority of the weight off for me. I love to move this body! But my head is constantly fighting the urge to eat - constantly. I am always, always, always hungry - no matter what I eat, no matter how much I each, the hunger comes back almost right away. I try to do all the right things but I am sort of resolved now to just live with it. I KNOW my stoma is seriously dilated and the food is passing right through. Which is why I continue to have these medical problems, because I am not able to absorb what I need to absorb - labs keep coming back irregular even though I am taking fistfuls of vitamins and supplements every day. But I count my blessings - could certainly be worse. My life focuses around my kids, my music, my horse - my passions. Ok, your turn! Let's hear your stories. It will be so nice to hear from you. Maureen

Congrats and thanks for coming back.  I'm sorry for some of your health issues, but the bottom line is you have had seven great years that you may not have had if you had not found the strength to have surgery.   I know as you said the honeymoon period was great, but we also knew it wasn't going to be simple.   Life at isn't best is almost always a struggle of some sort.  Much like a rollercoaster, the thrill of going down wouldn't be much fun without the struggle of getting up to the high point.  Maybe some folks want to ride around on a level platform, but I'll take the highs and lows over flat any day.

I'll highjack your post a bit because I don't know when I'll be back.  I'm not at my low and am working to get back.  I recently had surgery on an abcess around my waist.  It started almost two years ago when I was training for a sprint triathalon and at first they thought it was from the friction of my getting out of the pool and right on a bike.  Being on my waist, it was a hard to heal spot and I went the conservative route, which made me stay out of the gym and it wouldn't heal.  I had an outpaient procedure done last year to stich it closed and had it tested for cancer.  Just as I was getting back into the swing of things, it opened up again.  This time much worse.  The bottom line is I had a surgery on the 15th of Feb.  and I'm still recovering and still have a JP drain.  Turns out it was an infected staple from my lipectomy five years ago that had risen to just below the surface and friction from underwear, etc caused the abcess.   Anyway, it is almost healed so things are looking up.

I'm sorry I haven't been around, but I am the father to three teen daughters.  I serve on three community group boards, one of which is the volleyball club that my daughters play on.  And on that note, club volleyball causes us to travel almost every weekend to tournaments until the end of  May.  I can't believe it has been seven years.  Thank you all for your support over that time and I wish you all the best. 

Reenie, you have always been so good, and please just keep living in the moment.  And enjoying each day as it comes.  Sometimes it is the struggle of getting up that slope, but other times it is the fast and fun ride down.  Just don't come to a halt!

I cannot believe it is 7 years already.  A lot has happened in that time for me, especially the last year.  I am now residing in Nashville, Tennessee.  I reconnected with my high school boyfriend through one of my friends.  He was my first true love and we dated for over 4 years as kids.  I had not spoken to him for over 38 years.  After emailing, chatting, and talking on the phone, we realized the love never died.  We met again while I was on a trip to Bermuda with my daughter, it was so magical.  By the end of June, I moved to Nashville and we were married on November 6, 2010.  He is an amazing man in so many ways.  I feel so blessed to be with him!
As far as my weight is concerned, I am actually 2 pounds less than my lowest weight.  My husband is a very healthy eater, gluten free, and I have adapted to  his eating preferences.  I, too, am having some health issues with low iron and iron storage in my system.  I have been on heavy duty iron pills and it is slowly improving but it has left me very tired. 
I am getting ready to go to San Francisco this week as my daughter (who lives there) is getting ready for her gastric bypass surgery which will take place on April 26.  Please keep her in your prayers, I know she will be fine and be very successful.
Hope all is well...stay healthy!
Joanie

joanie what a wonderful story. congratulations on your success and wonderful marriage. hope all is well for your daughter.

Thanks Pam!
Things are going really well---my daughter did well with her surgery, went back to class after one week.  She comes home to Nashville for a month and I can't wait!  Hope all is well with you and yours.  Are you on Facebook?