I'm new to this forum, not because I don't like you all, but I just didn't really want to be a member of this club.  I thought this was over for be prior to WLS.  FWIW, here's my story. I met with Dr Hess for my first DS consult the week I was diagnosed with cancer (lining of the uterus) so, no DS at that time.  Surgery, radiation...all was well.  I consulted with Dr Oakley (DR Hess's 'replacement' - didn't last long) and he just wasn't the surgeon for me.  I was switched 3/06 by Dr Lane and DH was 7/06.  No complications and at goal.   We bought my dream house 1/07 and in June celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.  Things were going well when my dear, wonderful MIL went into the hospital 7/18 (45 min away in the 'big city').  For 3 weeks we worked, took turns spending the night with her, drove to the hospital at least once a day, and watched her pass.  Her funeral needed to be scheduled to not fall on her grandson's (my DS) 16th birthday nor on her son's surgery date to remove a melanoma.  We buried her on 8/14.  The rest of that week was spent catching up at work, preparing for a 16th pool party, sorting through a lifetime of MIL belongs, etc. Sunday 8/19 I had unbearable, sharp abdominal pain.  I immediately thought 'bowel obstruction' and went to the ER.  I have stage III colon cancer and the tumor ruptured the colon.  Long, long summer.... So, if you made it this far, here is my problem:  I have a colostomy bag (temporary but for awhile).  Has anyone here had a colostomy after the DS?  I'm having trouble with it because of the tremendous quantity of DS poop!  Do RNY'ers have more poop than pre-op? I've had to completely change the bag 3 times in 10 days due to leakage.  I have a visiting nurse coming today but she most likely won't really 'get' the DS thing.   Any suggestions?  Do you know where to even send me?  I plan on cross-posting this on the DS forum as well as the grad board where DS'ers are harder to come by. I appreciate you all and value all suggestions/advice you have. Kim

Hi miknikmom! I was dx with breast ca, stage I, two weeks after my husband died last year, also of cancer. I didn't know anyone here where I live (moved up here to marry him and never met anyone) and went thru the surgery and radiation all by myself while holding down a job. You CAN do it. I'm sure you have much more support than I had and the "cure" or survivor rate for early stage breast ca is very, very good, and it is getting much better for later stage breast ca. The radiation was not bad, I got tired and had some skin issues but got past them and kept on working. I didn't have chemo so I can't tell you about that but if they found it early you might not have to have chemo. I hope not. Best of luck to you and don't get discouraged. You will be a survivor like the rest of us. Suzanne

Hi Joni, I hope you are doing well! I was wondering how did you know that you had ovarian cancer? I have some thickening of the endometrium and two big fibroid tumors on my uterus. Can you share anything with me? I sure do appreciate this. Thank You Kindly! Robin

OH Magazine Issue 3 2007 is on its way to your mailboxes! The latest issue of OH Magazine features OH spokesperson Jackie Guerra, who updates our readers on her story since we last heard from her in Issue 2 2006. Her husband, Bill Torres, also is featured in an article titled Together where he talks about his relationship with Jackie. Readers will also be treated to the story of OH member Ramon Lopez, who was recently seen on the hit tv show Big Medicine. Other articles include Heart Health by cardiologist Shalizeh Shokooh; Completing Your Journey by Dr. Edward Domanskis; and Safe Exercise for Arthritic Joints by Mark Allen, MPT. We also provide delicious recipes; fitness q&a; and support group news. If you are already a subscriber, your issue is on its way. If you want to subscribe to this bi-monthly publication for the low cost of $25 for six issues, click on the purple word "magazine" on the top of the screen and follow the directions to subscribe.

Hopefullly this will give you strength:  I am a 22 year Ovarian Cancer surviror. I was only 30 when diagnosed (stage 2B) and had two surguries and 4 months of chemo. I've been cancer free since. Now that I'm starting on my journey of researching WLS (I have 100 pounds) to lose, one concern on my mind is whether I will be able to undergo any type of laproscopic surgery. I had to have my gallbladder removed 9 years ago and the surgeons attempted to do a laproscopic procedure, but were not able to get to my gallbladder due to scarring caused by earlier surgeries. I certainly don't want to undergo another "open" procedure, so I'm a little worried. Any advice?