Is Aretha Franklin for real?????

First let's not forget that Aretha F. has pancreatic cancer and is going through a series of chemo. As we all know, you have no appetite with these types of treatments and a major sign of cancer is unexplained weight loss. I think her diagnosis had a lot to do with her weight loss. She may have adopted a healthier lifestyle also after recieving her diagnosis as many do in attempts to fight this terminal disease. I don't know, I'm just assuming that may be the reason.

It is good to remember that EVERYONE is entitled to medical privacy whether they are a celebrity or not.  She does not OWE anyone an explanation as to why, how or what caused her weight loss.  If it is pancreatic cancer, she is in for a very tough ride.  If she had WLS she may not be comfortable revealing that because she might be hounded to talk about the situations that led to her being obese.  For some of us, our obesity is a shroud we needed to protect us from sexual predators...I am at ease with that, Oprah is at ease with her sexual abuse, but all the millions (or billions) of $ in the world will not guarantee that we are READY to shed our protective fat layer.  Judgement doesn't help anyone and should be withheld.

That's my .02

 
Hear hear!

Thank you for your .02--as I wrote in my entry I LOVE her.  I don't feel that I am being judgmental at all.  I put as much detail in the entry as possible without writing a book.  I saw the interview, don't know if you guys did or not.  Well when asked about the illness and the weightloss she became very vague.  She disputed the illness and suggested that she had begun a healthy lifestyle and walking regimen.  That is all that I am saying that it seems very difficult at her beginning size and age.  That's all in a nut shell. 

I am relatively young but have always loved her.  I was so disappointed to hear her explaination for her 85 lb. weight loss in 4 months.  She allegidly decided to eat healthier and started walking the track.  If you watched the Grammy's you saw her transformation.  I don't have as much to lose as she has and I am not as old as she is---why can't I get her resolve and lose 85 lbs. in 4 months?  Why does this smell like Star Jones-she told a similar lie?  I am disappointed, I would have had more respect if she had came clean.  There are many people her age, race and size who think they have no options.  She could have been an inspiration to them. whatever reason she chooses to put on this facade.   Maybe she is telling truth, I hope so.  I wish Instead for her well and hope she keeps on with her "Natural Woman Self."

I italicized and made bold the parts of your original post that IMHO are judgemental...you may not have intended to judge her, but that is how it came across...

I agree with you. I thought the same thing.

Hi..The Lady you saw on the night of the Grammy's was not Aretha it was her stand in.Aretha was to weak at the time they said to be on TV .And I believe that.I did see pictures of Aretha stand in many times before and reckonized her right a way.I hope Aretha will be well soon,I love her music.

 
If she has pancreatic cancer her chances for survival are close to zero. :o(

 
Her job in life is not to be an inspiration to fat folks.  Assuming she had surgery she is no different from the majority of people who don't want to tell people.

You are correct if it is pancreatic cancer, it is so agressive there is little chance of survival.  I know because my father-in-law became ill on July 21, 2003 and was released from the hospital after they diagnosed him with pancreatic cancer on August 1, 2003.  The doctor told us to make him comfortable and he had 6 months at best.  He passed on December 16,2006.  From my personal experience I don't feel it is pancreatic cancer.  As far as her job to inspire fat folks-no it is not.  Just observing and feel that through my own experience I have learned quite a lot on this journey.   Just thought she could grab a demographic that may not have benefitted from WLS ----African Americans, older people etc.......  I was not looking for a fight.  I have been on the other forums and on the other forums you can post a provocative post and not get beaten up for it.