First post!

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone!

This is my first post on e-groups. I had my surgery 8/9/00. I'm

getting better everyday. The best thing that happened to me in

Durham was meeting Beth from Florida. She was my hotel neighbor and

now lifelong friend. I couldn't have gone through all of this as

well as I did without her help and support! She had surgery the day

after I did. My wounds are healing well and I'm feeling better.

Yesterday I felt very weak, " drunk " feeling, sweaty and shaky. I

thought I might faint. I think I may have had low blood sugar. I've

never had anything like that before but orange juice helped. I

hadn't been taking in very many calories. Now I'm trying to get more

juices, yogurt and some type of protein drink slowly throughout the

day. Along with my meds of course. I'm feeling stronger today. I

have felt depressed some days when I think about what I've had to do

to my body and why. But I truly thank God for Dr. Rutledge and hope

he truly knows how much his work means. I look forward to getting my

life back again. Four years ago I was 185-190 pounds and a size

14/16. And I thought I was fat then! Today I am off the scale and a

size 28/30! Dr. Rutledge has given me hope and given me a chance to

live again. I can't wait to send him my post-op picture!

Michele

(from Illinois)