M.I.A.!!! WOW! it has been several years since I posted

WOW! it has been several years since I posted. It took me a while to read my post & find my password. First of all I need to say a lot of THANK YOU'S. My name is Gemma Rachal, and I am a survivor. I received so many prayers and even received care packages during what was the worst year of my life. Aug.26th, 2005 changed my life forever. I had WLS. I had complications, then Katrina decided to visit me in the hospital. what followed after that was both horrible, and amazing. I wont go into all the details, but looking back at my post, I was amazed at how unlike me those post were. So frantic.
  i lied in my profile i was closer to 450 then 350 lbs, I never like admitting to how big i was then. 1 small mirror over the kids bathroom sink allowed me to deceive myself. i was a 5X. I wanted to loose weight so bad. so i went for WLS. and yes I would do it again.. just not during hurricane season. I really thought i has researched and done my homework. I asked around and found a Dr. It was easy, at my size and i was extremely healthy. except for things related to breaking my neck in 1990. (whole other story) I asked questions, I read everything. BUT if you dont have people who have done it or are doing it. your gonna mess up. What I didnt do was plan for the *AFTER* WLS. I trusted the Dr & his staff to guide me. Maybe they would have if not for Katrina. I dont know, i have never heard from them. They 1st few months was all YA'LL. I will be honest i dont remember ever posting on here after Katrina, hubby just handed me his laptop. A friend had to help me. BUt ya'll prayed and sent clothes, food suppliments and vitamins with detailed instructions like i asked. HOW AWSOME!!
   I went through alot, but i was never alone. my family & friends worked so hard to keep me going. So far i have lost half of the weight. and i am happy. 235 lbs is ok with me. I am almost 48 yrs old i have 5 kids, and I am here to hug them. God blessed me in so many ways.
   Francis you were and always will be MY angel, Kat & Rhonda. Thank you, THANK YOU! You 3 will be forever in my prayers along with many others. God Bless.

Welcome back. I am sorry that you had to endure so much. Am I very glad things are better and you have done an amazing job with your WLS. Congrates. I hope that things continue to get better for you and you enjoy those children. They are the number 1 reason for going thru this life changing event.You are in my thoughts and prayers...Sherri

Welcome back!! I to had surgery right before a bad hurricane in 2005. It was a 2 level cervical fusion and the hurricane was Rita. Evacuating after a major surgery is nothing short of HELL!! At least I had a home and a hometown to come back to. I cannot imagine something as life altering like the gastric bypass surgery and going thru hurricane katrina at the same time. Sounds like you are a very good inspiration story! I mean, you couldn't even find your dr, Nut, or anyone. I sometimes get discouraged at the smallest things, but you have shown me that if you keep pushing, you can do anything. GREAT JOB!! Thanks for coming back and sharing.
Gwen