JULY ROLL CALL

Howdy there Tamster! First wanna say that you looked GREAT at the last PMRI, I hadn't seen you in ages and the changes STILL show up as far out as you are! AS for me, life has been nothing short of a zoo lately, school out, the oldest one graduating, the 'baby' heading off to high school, hubby in his usual whirlwhind of way too much work and not nearly enough hours in the day...well, you get the idea -) We just got our new camper yesterday ( new to us anyway lol ) and are getting ready to head off to the PA mountains for a week. I am SO THRILLED after 10 long years in a tent, suffering through countless heatwaves and rivers pouring through my tent during bad weather, to be off the ground in an air conditioned pop up camper Which ties in to my weightloss and surgery in more than one positive way. I'm down 123 pounds and it's wonderful. I don't tire easily anymore, I don't sweat buckets...even in January. UGH, when I was heavy, I was known to turn on the AC in winter because I was hot. I pick clothes off the rack and buy them, something I haven't done since I was 25. I don't worry if I'm going to fit on an amusement park ride...or a chair...or small camping equipment I don't do a lot these days! However there is one thing I do...I enjoy my life and go go go! Quick summary at 15 months out...123 pounds gone, diabetic numbers in normal range, no meds for that since I left the hospital, blood pressure in the excellant catagory, my last reading I was 114/57, 2 BP pills a day gone, knees don't hurt, feet don't hurt. My weight loss is fluctuating a pound or 2 the last few weeks, in an ideal world I might like to lose another 5-10 pounds but I really don't care if I stay right where I am now. I'm healthy and happy! Big hugs and a smoochie cause I luvs ya bigly! Linda

My addition to role call: First let me say that I greatly appreciate all the camraderie on this Delaware posting. It is wonderful to know that there is a place that you can get your questions answered, find encouragement any time of day or night and stay informed on ideas etc. So from a major lurker, PLEASE post everyone!!!!! It helps all of us. And I am sorry that I don't post as often. I posted a few messages down as to the update on my PS. My year anniversary was June 21st and I had a complete face lift on June 24th. I have had nothing but good support except from one family member who informed me that I was "vain". But I took it to heart and understood where she was coming from. And actually she has called me the most of any one and she was out of town all week. So I know God worked it out. Everyone has been just saying "You go girl!" Which is kinda cool because I didn't know what the reactions were going to be. The response has been very encouraging and the general concensus is that I worked hard and deserved it. I'm glad that people understand that WLS is work and not the easy way out. I guess the general public is getting more educated on the issue of obesity and the choices that there are for all of us. I began on surgery day at 242 pounds. On PS surgery day I weighed in at 150.1 pounds. Not bad. But I really wanted it to be at least 149.9lbs. Can you imagine how we think? But after a 14 week plateau the scale has come down another 5 lbs. But I am very content and satisfied if this is where I stay, although the doc's still think some more will come off, just slower. I am wearing a size 6-8-10 depending on the cut of the clothing. My extremely thin daughter in love is giving me her handmedowns. And they are size 6. AND THEY FIT!!! My pajamas I'm wearing today are a roomy size small and I was just thinking that last year when I was recovering in size 3X. Hard to believe. But best of all I feel great!!!! I am healthy. I walk three miles a day about three times a week. I have even begun a little running. I play with the grandkids and race them uphill. From being on nine medications for high BP etc, etc. to just one now. Crestor had to be readded because of a genetic pre-disposal to high cholesterol. I tried for nine months to be off of it but they just added it again. But the smallest dose. All in all, I am thankfull and gratefull to the Lord who has so graciously blessed me this past year. I learned alot this year, educationally, experience wise, and have enjoyed the year that I took for ME. And it took that to make this life change. And my prayer is that my life will be long to enjoy this change and all those around me that are so important to me. May God bless you all. Keep on posting!! Mama

Mama, I was so glad to hear from you again. You were posting when I first started my journey. I am about three week post-op and feeling great. I am so proud of what you have accomplished. Great Job. I think I remember you posting about having medical ID hearts that were already engraved with all the info we need on it. Do you still have them and if so how much are they? Ellen

Mama, I am so happy to hear everything is going well with you and the PS! I have been thinking about you alot these last few days and was hoping to see a message on the board that all went well! Life is good...Now I guess its almost time for me to really get serious and look into PS. I really do want to wait until I am done losing what I can. Although the legs look really bad...Can you say JELLO? My young niece asked are they really your legs.....And I want to go to the beach...NOT! LOL Hope to see you at the next support meeting! I will love to see the new face! Debbie

Dear Friends! Just an FYI - Both my mother and father are not doing well, and I am making an unscheduled trip home. Thus I will not have access to the internet for the next few days. I just want to thank each of your for sharing! I have been jumping on when I could steal away a few moments. Not much extra time these days between helping with hubby's recouping, daily tasks with the babies, planning for my older son's wedding, etc etc etc. Even still, please know that I have read each and every post here and rejoice with each of you in your accomplishments and empathize with each of your struggles. I will do my best to catch up on my posting when I get back. I just didn't want anyone thinking that I was ignoring or missing their posts. Each of you hold a special place in my heart. I am also heading out this morning. I just had an emergency call from someone needing to "talk". This person truly has me concerned. She has had many struggles for many years, but this particular time, has me extremely concerned. So if you find it in your heart, please help me lift up "Sharon" in prayer. Truly she is at a pivotal point in her life and desperately needs to be lifted up in prayer. God is the only one who can help her. Please also pray for me, for wisdom in this situation. Thanking you in advance for your support and prayers. Hugs & Tammy

Hello to All, I'm still hanging around lurking more than posting! I am down to 135lbs and a size 8 skort and a small top.Big change from 10/03 when I was wearing a 4x top and a 26 womens stretch waisted pants. It sounds as if everyone is doing great.Keep up all the good work. Cathy

Hi everyone! So glad to hear about all the awesome accomplishments. I'm still dangling at the 130lb loss, not complaining at all. I don't count weight loss except at the 5 lb increments and have teeter-tottered back and forth between 130 -135 lb loss. But my tightest jeans are not as tight! I've been working out at home doing the aerobics with Richard Simmons. After baseball finishes up, the boys and I will start going to the Y again really soon. I guess I need to break down and send in a picture, lol. I feel 10 yrs younger than last year. I had my check up with the Nurse Practitioner at PMRI last week. My labs were good, I've lost lots of inches (15 in the hips, 13 in the waist, etc). Hope to see everyone soon. Tammy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Hope to see you posting soon. Dianne