I am Susan and I had RNY in June 2005. I have been a member of OH since before my surgery. I never kept my page/profile up. I read and learned so much from OH. I also never posted very much. In the beginning I was learning and then life got in the way and I stayed away for quite some time. 

Not long after my surgery my husband and I both retired. Then the next year my son and dil had a little baby boy. He was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He is the most precious thing. We have devoted our life mainly to him. He is now 8 years old and right now is doing really good. We have him in a clinical trial for Eteplirsen. We live NE of Birmingham AL and take him to Atlanta GA every Thursday afternoon and he gets an infusion every Friday morning. He has a port in his chest and this is the way he receives the medicine. Every 3 months we take him for a hubsite visit for the trial to Charlotte NC. He also had to have surgery in Iowa City for a muscle biopsy and will have another June 7. In the middle of all this the dil left. Totally checked out. Our son got custody of our grandson. So, we help a ton with the grandson because our son has a good job and he needs us. We are just thankful that we are able to do all that is needed.

in April we were asked to attend an FDA AdComm meeting in Washington DC when the drug company that developed the medicine for the trial presented to FDA. It was originally scheduled for January but because of storm Jonas DC pretty much closed down. That was a huge experience!! The meeting was 12 hours!! 

When I first came back to OH I read about the OFF and started reading. I was so glad to find ladies more my age group (I am now 66). First few times I posted didn't go very well as someone assumed I was a troll or whatever it's called. Thank goodness another member reached out and discovered I was who I said I was. Because of all that is going on right now with all the medical things with grandson I do not post often. I do read often and actually feel like I know some of you!!

Thank you for doing this 'reunion'. There is still many others that used to post on OH that I never see anymore. Hopefully some others will come by.

Susan

Julia,

I'd say this was a success, brought a lot of old timers out of the wood work and perhaps others will surface, either way, thank you for the suggestion, reaching out to us and starting this and thanks to all who participated and I will try my best to come online at least a couple times a week, more if I have the time.  Best wishes to all, no matter what I lost weight wise, what I really gained was a group of people who totally understand the desire to be a healthier weight to live life to the fullest.  Here many of us met, we've lost a few, let us remember fondly, Annette and Amie, two women, I got to meet and who left their impression on us all, Nettie with her great stories of her Annie and the other black cats, her Tom who she loved dearly and yet would sometimes get under her skin. . . Amie who took on the care of her grandson, when first the mother of the baby died of a heart related illness and her son, was unable to really care for the child, she never shied away from being a loving grandmother and they are thought of often by me. . .

Funny thing, yesterday, I took my bedroom totally apart, I mean closets drawers, etc. and came across the insert into the Starbucks mug from one of the get together's and there were all the fine women, Susan, Jan, Janet, Amie, Julia, Annette and several others, what fond memories I have and the memories of driving to Arkansas with Janet. . .sorry I could not make the trip to Cali to see the Masters. . . either way, I just want to say thanks!!!

Laureen

Ten years ago tomorrow, June 1st, I first met my WL surgeon.  I met with him to discuss getting the lap band.  He discussed the pros and cons of that, and RNY.  He then suggested attending the pre-op support group held at that hospital.  I also learned about Obesity Help there.  My surgery was on August 28, 2006.  Six weeks later, we buried my 40 year old baby brother, and found out I was to become a grandmother.  That first year, I lost over 100 pounds, finally fitting into a size 18 gown for my son's wedding one year post-op.  

In the past ten years, I regained 30 pounds, welcomed two more Munchkins, broke a few bones in my foot, fell multiple times, needing surgery once.  I also lost my older brother.  I retired from teaching Disability in 2010, and moved to Michigan in 2013, to be near my Munchkins.  Now, there is the possibility of moving back to Pennsylvania, soon.

I try to walk as much as possible, even though some days my foot hurts like the Devil.  My food is improving, but I can't kick the sugar monster totally.

Before my surgery, I was prediabetic, and on cholesterol meds, not I am no longer in danger of diabetes, and my cholesterol is great.  The only downside of the surgery is I no longer metabolize iron or B12.  I give myself monthly B12 shots, and have had iron infusions throughout the past ten years.  I am not complaining.  

Must scoot.  Muchkins have a ballgame tonight.

Hugs,

Trish

Hey Eileen

Hope you get your neurostimulator soon.  I remember you saying it kept you pain free.  I can't imagine facing the work dilemma you do.  Working in a dying industry makes constant uncertainty.  Hope it all works out. 

Hey Julia

I know you are enjoying your retirement.  I am not a crafty person.  I enjoy crafts but never know what to do with it all.  I used to do ceramics and I know people got to where they were afraid to open gifts from me.  One can only use so many salt and pepper shakers or celery dishes.

Congrats on your weight loss.  Mine is going much slower than yours.  Kudos !!!