Thank you all

To all who took the time to PM me or respond to my post, I send love and thank you. I thought I was so alone, but again those here have reached out and helped me as so many have since 2004. I could not have nor do I truly believe I would have survived the surgery, lost the weight, stayed on track, went through PS, and reached my goals without you all. Many of those I first met onliine and then in person are no longer active on the OH boards. But there are many others who have come here and shared their journey with all of us. Collectively we are so strong. That is why we need each other. You can not know how I missed sharing for all those months when we were in an area that did not offer internet access. Then I retreated so far into myself that I felt like a slug stuck at the bottom of a glass lab container. No way out, up, sideways.....no way out. But now I have internet access and though I don't post everyday I come here daily. It is so rewarding and comforting. Writing down my thoughts this morning was hard, very hard but I am so glad I did. Maybe someone else will recognize the danger of turning to some other addiction now that they have "conquered" food. Again thanks and continued success to all who walk our path. Recovery for me comes a day at a time.....I had a great day and remain sober.

Hugs and love, Monica

We are one big family ......  We love you and care about you....  Millie

Aloha beautiful Monica....I missed your post yesterday.....and am so glad that you posted again so I could go back and look. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU I COULD SING!! Not only have you confronted a serious problem, but you have SHARED it with your little OFF family. Those are HUGE steps in the right direction.

Alcoholism is a part of almost every family I know....and it was in mine as well. My father became an alcoholic after we kids left home. I had no clue because I grew up in a household were NO alcohol was consumed. My dad became a closet alcoholic and only after a visit home when my children were babies and my father yelled at them for no reason and I told my mother I was leaving and not coming back that she told me..."Karen, your father is an alcoholic...that's why he is acting like that." Well, being young and not understanding such things....I marched out in a huff and went back to Wisconsin (my husband was in the service there). That very day I left, my father went to AA and never had a drink again. He went back to being the sweet, gentle loving father I knew. I will always be thankful to AA for bringing him back to me.

Monica.....you have come so far in so many ways. I admire you, respect you, and feel honored that you have shared your story with us. You will never know who you may have helped out of a dark place.

With so much aloha,

Maui Karen

Monica - we all recognize how hard it was for you to come forward with your story.  I am glad that you felt that you could be honest with us and are now in recovery. 
Yes, take one day at a time.  I am trying very hard to do the same.

Hugs and admiration to you,

Shelia

oh my goodness monica!!! how did i not see your post before?? i am so sorry i missed it!!!  i am proud of you coming out telling your story of a different addiction since WLS!!! i also have started drinking...not alot mind you but more than i have before in my life...used to be about 1 or 2 drinks in a year...maybe 3 or 4 but never like i am drinking now....now i have atleast 1 or 2 a week!!! i guess i just need the taste of something that is differnet than plain water or vitamins or crystal light....i love my smirnoff ice!!! one makes me feel good and sometimes i feel drunk but i am almost always in control....if i don't feel in control i stop drinking and get in control again....i don't see me going any further in my drinking...i never really liked drinking before WLS so i don't see it as a problem now for me. maybe its because my life is a happy one now? i am sure if i was still in my past life, drinking would become an issue for me!! i know what its like being lonely and i can also see drinking would become an issue for you or anyone for that matter...i know how you must have felt being lost without OH and the internet....i have felt that way since not having MY pc up and running...but atleast i DO have OH and my OFF family now so it helps...i still miss MY pc and MY emails from everyone but like i said i adjusted to what i have now...my OFF family and its all i really need on the net!!!

wishing you continued happiness and getting off the drinking....one day at a time....and remember we are all here for you if you need us!!!! so feel free to PM me if needed and i will be there for you!!!! as i am sure any of us will be here for you!!!

ok i rattled on long enough here i am sure you get the picture...

love and hugs

ps i am still wearing those bras you sent me!!! thanks again for being so generous!!!

Girl,I missed ya. You are always in my corner.
Love!!

Karen found the word I was looking for....I am honored you have opened yourself to us. I'm new here but I already know you aren't alone here. I'll keep you in my prayers.