Five-Year Surgiversary!
Aloha my friends.......So sorry to have been MIA so much lately. Life has been challenging and fabulous all at the same time!
On July 26th, I realized I was five years out from my surgery. That is hard to believe. Four years ago, I stumbled into this incredible forum and became an active member for many years. I was given support, love, encouragement, atta girls, hang in there's, and unconditional acceptance. This group of amazing women (and a few men), got me through my surgery and the afteryears of stops and gos, frustration, excitement and finally.....hitting my goal!
Today, just over five years later, I am still at goal (168..5'11" tall) down from 319. My life is totally different than it was as a morbidly obese woman. Today I work out at a gym, I am able to engage in life physically as I hadn't done since I was a teenager, I am comfortable in my skin. Getting up and down from the floor is easy. Climbing on chairs...piece of cake. Sliding into a booth at restaurants......lots of spare room. I can pull 18" of airline seatbelt through! It is a miracle.
Life hasn't been all sunshine and roses. Just a month ago my kitchen living room flooded, and I am in the process of trying to get insurance help with getting back to normal. It is a LONG process! However, during one of the darkest days when I had a house full of water extractors, insurance people, clog remover guy, condo manager....I received a phone call from the psychologist who helped is get ready for WLS, and then afterwards helped us with the transition. She asked ME if I'd be interested in working with Kaiser's post-op WLS people! IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE! I don't start until October, but I am so very thankful that this has happened. This surgery has changed my life, and so many of yours. It would be my profound pleasure to be a part of others doing the same thing here on Maui.
I could go on and on but I will not. It is wonderful to see all the newcomers, and I wish you nothing but smooth sailing on your journey to physical freedom, and all around good health.
Thank you all for always being there. I, too, am here....usually reading and nodding, and laughing, and cheering you on. I will try to come in more often. You are all exceptional!! Some of you know me better than my family does....Ha.
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
On July 26th, I realized I was five years out from my surgery. That is hard to believe. Four years ago, I stumbled into this incredible forum and became an active member for many years. I was given support, love, encouragement, atta girls, hang in there's, and unconditional acceptance. This group of amazing women (and a few men), got me through my surgery and the afteryears of stops and gos, frustration, excitement and finally.....hitting my goal!
Today, just over five years later, I am still at goal (168..5'11" tall) down from 319. My life is totally different than it was as a morbidly obese woman. Today I work out at a gym, I am able to engage in life physically as I hadn't done since I was a teenager, I am comfortable in my skin. Getting up and down from the floor is easy. Climbing on chairs...piece of cake. Sliding into a booth at restaurants......lots of spare room. I can pull 18" of airline seatbelt through! It is a miracle.
Life hasn't been all sunshine and roses. Just a month ago my kitchen living room flooded, and I am in the process of trying to get insurance help with getting back to normal. It is a LONG process! However, during one of the darkest days when I had a house full of water extractors, insurance people, clog remover guy, condo manager....I received a phone call from the psychologist who helped is get ready for WLS, and then afterwards helped us with the transition. She asked ME if I'd be interested in working with Kaiser's post-op WLS people! IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE! I don't start until October, but I am so very thankful that this has happened. This surgery has changed my life, and so many of yours. It would be my profound pleasure to be a part of others doing the same thing here on Maui.
I could go on and on but I will not. It is wonderful to see all the newcomers, and I wish you nothing but smooth sailing on your journey to physical freedom, and all around good health.
Thank you all for always being there. I, too, am here....usually reading and nodding, and laughing, and cheering you on. I will try to come in more often. You are all exceptional!! Some of you know me better than my family does....Ha.
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
Aloha Debbie.....Thank you so much for your congrats. Days like today help to keep me centered and grateful. I can become a whirlwind of stress and worry, but when I hear from my OFF sisters, I can pull myself back in and remember the gifts given here, and how much I have to be thankful for.
The best to you always!
Aloha nui loa,
Karen
The best to you always!
Aloha nui loa,
Karen
Aloha Karen!!!
Congrats on your 5 year anniversary!!! Its a wonderful life now isn't it? Oh yeah!!!!!
Congrats on your new job!!! Are you still going to test the babies yet?
Sorry to hear about your flooding problem!!! That has got to be so upsetting!!! I fear that now that we are on the bottom floor and so many areas getting flooded out with the rains. So far we have been lucky!
Aloha nui loa
Aloha dear Judy.....Ah, thank you so much!! You are one of the regulars that I miss, but I do try and keep track of your life, which is FULL, FULL, FULL. Love the Bandit stories, and feel for you with Rick's Mom's Craziness. Don't let it get you down....focus on all the good going on. (I'm talking to myself here, you know...Ha)
Stay strong and well, and thanks for all that you give in here, and out there.
Aloha nui loa,
Karen
Stay strong and well, and thanks for all that you give in here, and out there.
Aloha nui loa,
Karen
My dear Maui Sistah!!!
Congrats to you on your successing for these past 5 years, which is not to say everything that led you there was not part of it, but certainly your life now, from what you describe, is amazing and I certainly can understand that!
You, my dear, are simply amazing and I am thrilled about your call from Kaiser to work with post-ops, it is something I volunteered to do when I was 9 months post-op and the rewards of doing it are what keeps me motivated and engaged in this journey and I am sure this will be a great addition to all the other things you do in life!!!
Still hope that one day I get to meet you my Maui Sistah!!!
Happy Surgiversary, wishing you many more healthy years ahead!!!
Hugs, Laureen
Congrats to you on your successing for these past 5 years, which is not to say everything that led you there was not part of it, but certainly your life now, from what you describe, is amazing and I certainly can understand that!
You, my dear, are simply amazing and I am thrilled about your call from Kaiser to work with post-ops, it is something I volunteered to do when I was 9 months post-op and the rewards of doing it are what keeps me motivated and engaged in this journey and I am sure this will be a great addition to all the other things you do in life!!!
Still hope that one day I get to meet you my Maui Sistah!!!
Happy Surgiversary, wishing you many more healthy years ahead!!!
Hugs, Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
Aloha my dear OFF Sister!!
Ah, your words soothe and reassure me. I watch your progress and how you walk through this life as a recovering person, and I am always moved. You give love and support and I hope you feel that in return.
Someday we WILL meet, hug, and have a face-to-face gab fest. I already feel I know you, trust you and feel your goodness in my daily life.
Aloha nui loa,
Karen
Ah, your words soothe and reassure me. I watch your progress and how you walk through this life as a recovering person, and I am always moved. You give love and support and I hope you feel that in return.
Someday we WILL meet, hug, and have a face-to-face gab fest. I already feel I know you, trust you and feel your goodness in my daily life.
Aloha nui loa,
Karen
Aloha Pat and thank you so much. Yours is a face that I have seen in here for many years now, and that is so lovely and satisfying. I know you have been through some stuff in your life, and are getting through it. We all have those mountains to climb, but the struggle is oh so much easier with friends/sistahs/and family to go along with us.
Keep up the great work, Pat.
Aloha nui loa,
Karen
Keep up the great work, Pat.
Aloha nui loa,
Karen
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