Mon. Night Support Group Meetings

Hi, All! This coming Mon. night, Aug. 15th, is the 3rd Mon. of the month, so there are meetings for both pre- and post-ops at both Middlesex Hospital in Middletown (6:30-7:30 p.m.) and the Hamden Senior Center (6:30-8 p.m.). They're both good meetings, but unless there's a particular program or speaker planned for the Hamden meeting, I generally choose to go to the Middlesex meeting because of the additional support I get there after the meeting when we go to dinner. A fun night like the one we had earlier this week is worth the cost of the extra gas to drive a round trip of about 70 miles instead of about 3 miles. Most attendees at the Middlesex meeting are patients of Dr. Aranow, but anyone is welcome to attend. It'll be a general question and answer session with discussion about anything WLS-related. The Hamden meeting isn't affiliated with any doctor or hospital and is open to everyone. It's a good group of people...very supportive, but they're just not as social as the Middlesex group. On the 1st Mon. of the month, when the Middlesex meeting is for pre-ops only, I enjoy attending the Hamden meeting, but I always feel as though it's only met part of my needs when I end up going home after the meeting instead of continuing the evening talking over dinner. Sometimes I feel like a support junkie...I need my weekly (or almost weekly) fix. The Hamden Senior Center is behind the Miller Library on Dixwell Ave. If anyone needs directions to either meeting, please e-mail me. So who's planning to go to the Middlesex meeting? And who'll join us for dinner? Remember, dinner isn't just for post-ops...anyone at the meeting is welcome to join us. I remember as a pre-op that it was helpful to see how a bunch of post-ops handled going out to eat...what they ordered...how much they ate...etc. And if you'd rather eat before the meeting, come with us anyway and just have something to drink. The restaurants we go to are very accomodating and don't mind if all you have is a glass of water. If watching us eat doesn't bother you, we don't mind if you don't eat. We're not there for the food; we're there for each other's company and friendship. Have a good weekend, Debby

I'll be leaving for Philly in the AM (4 or5) so I should be back in time for at least dinner if nothing else. Peter

I am feeling yucky, but unless it gets worse, I will be there! Sorry, I can't do dinner after, I promised my nephew I would go to his ball game! Hope to see you there! Kristin