Life is a Journey...

Hey Ya All. Today is my Two year Anniversary of my Surgery... RNY Surgery at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo Iowa.... December 23rd, 2004. Greetings from the land of lakes, evergreens, and the like. (aka .. Millinocket Maine). I am doing good, its been a eventful past several weeks, and as I prepare for the upcoming Christmas Holiday, I realized I needed to touch base with the people who helped me to get here : ) Stress wise.. that which does not kill us makes us stronger... no? First of all.... I am warm, dry, safe and observing the passing of time from my new temporary digs here in Millinocket Maine... life is s-l-o-w here ... they roll up the sidewalks *almost literally* at 5pm... the banks are only open till 3pm as is the post office... sheesh. There is a certain.... relaxed nature of life here that bears investigation but also is mildly maddening.... I am sitting here watching "the New Red Green Show" on PBS tv (this close to redneck Canada... they have it on 4 times a week for an hour at a time doncha know.,.. *solemn Timmy nod* ) If not for the closet addiction to this television show that I developed while sojourning in the Midwest for six years prior to surgery.... why I would not have any closet additions : P Well ok.. diet Mt Dew.. but who is counting. ... DUCT TAPE FOREVER !! .. The Timster exclaims with a fervent fist pump for dramatic effect... Second... life presses on. I miss New Jersey...driving school bus in Lakewood, and a host of other things... but life is not so bad either. There is a lot of change but change is good no? Sometimes? Maybe? I would have posted earlier... but it took me like forever to figure how to adjust my name.... *figures*.... dang technology anyhow I will be coming to the January....Toms River meeting the first Friday, at Community Hospital ... in January... so I am excited about seeing everyone (hopefully : )) There is not a lot of support group activity here except in Bangor...which is about 70 miles away ... and I havent had transportation or opportunity to check out the support scene there yet.... waiting for my zoom zoom (aka my Volvo 1990 sedan) .... Third... I am THANKFUL. Thankful for being two years out today... Thankful for being down 250 pounds so far.... Thankful for all my friends in Jersey.... you know who you are : )) Thankful for being warm, dry safe.. and having a place to stay here in Maine Thankful for my family... disfunctional at times.... but steady. Thankful for my friends.... at OCWLS... in New Jersey... here on the NJ board... and for the opportunity to get to know each of you this last year... Thankful specifically for the generosity of Michael R... who gave me a huge amount of clothing... the Timmy is *styling... snap snap *. (thanks again Michael.. you RoCk .. my man : ) I have never had so many really excellent clothes. Thankful for the holiday... for the opportunity to remember the reason for the season... Thankful for not being Diabetic anymore... Thankful for not having High Blood pressure anymore.... Thankful for not having edema in my legs anymore.... Thankful for my sleep apnea decreasing..... Thankful for being off Pain medication... I was on Oxycotin and Oxycodone for nearly six years.. I still have a great deal of joint and ligament pain but still glad to be off the opiates. Thankful for the future.... Life is short : ) Thankful for hope... and for words of encouragement from people who have been steadfast despite cir****tances and stresses..... To all my friends.. God bless and keep you.... May your holiday be bright.... your troubles be minor.... your health and welfare sunny and positive....and your Christmas Stocking overflowing.... To all of you investigating Bariatric Surgery .... or looking for support/ideas/ answers to questions.... you are at the right place : ) Post a question... or tell us about yourself here.... thats why we are here.. there and everywhere. I am doing good. Learning.. growing... and adapting. Thank you for a wonderful year... each and every one of you..... Be encouraged..... And have the best holiday possible : ) I am excited about seeing you all (hopefully you all will be there right ? :p) at the Toms River Meeting in January.... you dont know how super it is to have support and friends till you travel to Maine and realize how important and vital your friends are : ) Well as they say...in Red Green Land... (a PBS Possum Lodge redneck TV show out of Canada (toronto) ... www.redgreen.com) """Quando Omni Flunkus ..Morati.... **Translated.. ** When all Else Fails.... Play Dead : ))) Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and God Bless each of you *fierce hugs* : ) ** PS ... This missive brought to you by Buggaboo Steakhouse in Bangor.... steaks and local Maine Lobster in an authentic.... aww just kidding : ))) : P God Bless and Keep you ALL : ) MERRY Christmas : ))))))) -Timmy Ray

Merry Christmas Tim -- glad you posted and things are ok. Also happy that I'll get a chance to see you in January -- you've been missed. Hugs, Nannette

Tim, Good to hear from you, bro. Happy 2 year 'surgiversary". I'm glad to hear that you're alright (or as 'alright' as Timmy could be. ) Ya know, I did notice a 207 area code on my home caller ID last night... mystery solved. Did you leave the message on my cell phone? (It's in my truck and I haven't turned it on in over 24 hours.) Bummer, it would have been good to chat with ya. We're on the way out the door to start the holiday revelry now, but, at the very least, I'll get to see you at the Toms River meeting on the 3rd. As for you're Jersey housing situation, I'm not sure what course of action would be best. I'll keep my eye out and my ear to the ground... and if I come across an option for you, I'll let you know ASAP. Come the first week of January, we're gonna be homeless (in a manner of speaking) as well. The wife, the kid and yours truly will all be toughing it out in the In-laws basement for 6-8 months while the new house is under construction. I guess it could be worse. So, you have yourself a lovely holiday season and I look forward to seeing your smiling mug in the new year. Be Well, A.J.

Timmy, it was so good to hear from you, a merry merry christmas to you and also a happy surgery anniversary. i miss seeing you and will try to make the toms river meeting, although i usually only do Lakewood, but i will try. Maine does sound quiet, but isnt that what maine is all about, grin. i left my job this past Friday and now have to think about what i will do next with my life. i think im just going to be retired for a little while. big hugs, hope to see you soon, Jacki

hi jacki retirement for a little while sounds like fun where do i sign up???? hugs roberta

TIMMY!!! How are you! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! Missed you and your dynamite personality at the last couple of meetings...yes, I started attending again. Scandal, right?! I know! Was going through some work and personal issues, where it was hard for me to come to the meetings and put a smile on my face, as well as the fact that the Friday night Summer traffic on our beloved Garden State Parkway kept me away! But I'm back, and happy for it, as I just love our group, and one can never have too much support. Can't wait to see you next Friday night! Hugs, Wendy