Another lurker leaves the shadows
Good morning! I decided it was about time for me to come out of the shadows and introduce myself. I know there have been quite a few new people to this board lately, and I am joining the crowd! I have been on OH since January, but have been hanging out on the Rhode Island forum for all of that time. I always meant to stop in here, but haven’t actually done it until about 2 wks ago. I can so relate to the maturity level here, and feel like I may have found another “home”.
I am 51 yrs old, married, and mom to an almost 13 yr old boy who just started 8th grade this week. He is the absolute love of my life and the reason I decided to go forward with the lap band surgery. I want to be alive to enjoy my time with him, as I was lucky enough to be blessed with him after waiting so long and having a tough pregnancy.
I have had many careers over the years, but most of my time was spent in Information Technology. I lived in Nashville for 25 yrs after leaving RI for college in 1975, and I loved my life there. But after having my son, I wanted to bring him home to be near my family, so my NJ husband and I packed us all up and we came back to the Ocean State about 10 yrs ago. I worked in IT for a while longer, but decided I wanted to do something else with my life, to give back as it were. I enrolled in a Deaf Studies program and got heavily involved in the RI Deaf community. I loved it there. They accepted me, and I didn’t even have to be thin. Now I am a substitute Language Facilitator (Interpreter) for two Deaf toddlers in their daycares. I don’t work but about once or twice every 3-4 months, and I love that. It gave me time to go back to school again, this time to take a Master Gardener program, and I spent most of this past yr volunteering once a week in a vegetable greenhouse, and once a month in a library/senior center garden project. I am currently working on a team project to get children community veggie gardens growing across the state. In addition to those things, I have many other irons in the fire. I love to stay busy. Keeps me feeling young.
I have diabetes, high BP and Cholesterol – you know, the big 3. I thought about WLS about 3 yrs ago, but felt like RNY was not for me. When I began looking into the band, I realized I had found the tool I needed, so I attended a seminar with my husband on Valentine’s Day (the perfect gift!) and here I am today…after many tests and a 3 month supervised behavior mod for insurance purposes, on the vestibule of a new life! I have my pre-op testing and consult this one week from today, and my surgery on 9/19. I begin my pre-op diet a week from today as well. I know many of you are long time post ops, and I hope you will be there for me as you are for the others in this wonderful forum. I love how you share your lives with each other, and support each other the way you do. The things that are important to you are the same things I find important at this stage of my life. Thanks for listening, and I hope to get to know you all better over time.
Cara
Cara
When you get older, you realize it's a lot less about your place in the world but your place in you. It's not how everyone views you, but how you view yourself. - Natalie Portman
What a great introduction Cara, glad to meet you! Yes, we'll be here for you to answer your questions, calm your nerves, and give hugs when needed.
I'm Debbie (Cajun Angel on the boards), 56, married for a looooong time to George. We have three grown kids, daughter turning 35 Labor Day (mother to our grandson Gabe 6 1/2), son 32, and son 30 (dad to our grandson Ethan 5). I'm a medical transcriptionist/admin. assist., do whatever needs to be done at work. Been with this dept. for almost 22 years. I've lived in the New Orleans area all my life, and even with Gustav breathing down our necks, can't imagine living anywhere else. Hope he doesn't hit as hard as his older sister, Katrina.
Best wishes for a safe surgery. I'll keep you in my prayers.
Debbie
I'm Debbie (Cajun Angel on the boards), 56, married for a looooong time to George. We have three grown kids, daughter turning 35 Labor Day (mother to our grandson Gabe 6 1/2), son 32, and son 30 (dad to our grandson Ethan 5). I'm a medical transcriptionist/admin. assist., do whatever needs to be done at work. Been with this dept. for almost 22 years. I've lived in the New Orleans area all my life, and even with Gustav breathing down our necks, can't imagine living anywhere else. Hope he doesn't hit as hard as his older sister, Katrina.
Best wishes for a safe surgery. I'll keep you in my prayers.
Debbie
Thank you for your warm welcome, Debbie. It's nice to meet you and to learn a bit about your family and background. I will keep good thoughts that you are safe throughout this weather event. Stick to the high ground if you can find some!
Cara
When you get older, you realize it's a lot less about your place in the world but your place in you. It's not how everyone views you, but how you view yourself. - Natalie Portman
Hello Cara.....WELCOME to OFF!!!!!
I am glad you decided to join us. This really is an awesome and wonderful group of people. My life would be so different without all of them!!
There is plenty of knowledge, support, caring, love and laughter to go around. Sit down, put your feet up...lets chat!!
WELCOME HOME!!!
Hugs, connie d
I am glad you decided to join us. This really is an awesome and wonderful group of people. My life would be so different without all of them!!
There is plenty of knowledge, support, caring, love and laughter to go around. Sit down, put your feet up...lets chat!!
WELCOME HOME!!!
Hugs, connie d
Hi Cara and welcome to the OFF Family! (sometimes better than the real thing) I, like Debbie am 56 years old and have a new lease on life since my surgery. I'm still a newbie, There are so many others here with so much experience you can't go wrong by hanging out here. If you have a question, ask. If someone doesn't know the answer, they'll find out. I usually post on Linda S, thread, "What are we eating, and what's eating us" because it keeps me accountalble. I was never accountable with food, that,s how I got here. Plus, you find out all kinds of different things to eat, which is a bonus. Again, Welcome.
Reggie
Reggie
Reggie
Thank you Reggie, I am very happy to be here. I know I will be counting on all who have gone before me for guidance in finding that thin and healthy person inside of me. Looking forward to reading your posts and hoping they also help to keep me honest.
Cara
When you get older, you realize it's a lot less about your place in the world but your place in you. It's not how everyone views you, but how you view yourself. - Natalie Portman
Welcome Cara!
I too am 51! Have a 30 year old son and a 19 year old dtr. My one year aniversary for my RNY is fast approaching and I am almost at goal!
Your life sounds exciting and full of interesting stuff....great intro!
This is a great place. The women and the men here are sooooo supportive, kind and caring....we have people here who know lots and are folks with hearts of gold!
Again, welcome, we are glad you are here!
I too am 51! Have a 30 year old son and a 19 year old dtr. My one year aniversary for my RNY is fast approaching and I am almost at goal!
Your life sounds exciting and full of interesting stuff....great intro!
This is a great place. The women and the men here are sooooo supportive, kind and caring....we have people here who know lots and are folks with hearts of gold!
Again, welcome, we are glad you are here!
We never touch people so lightly we do not leave a trace.
Peggy Tabor Millin
Thanks for your kind words. I agree, this definitely seems to be the caring environment I have been looking for. It's nice being able to go through this experience with people who are as life experienced as I am (nice way of putting it, huh?) It makes it sooo much easier to relate to the "slightly" over 30 crowd. hahaha! Appreciate the welcome!
Cara
When you get older, you realize it's a lot less about your place in the world but your place in you. It's not how everyone views you, but how you view yourself. - Natalie Portman
Most Active
Recent Topics
