Glad to meet you!

[Guest guest]

I wanted to pop in here and introduce myself to this group. I have

laughed and cried along with you all for about two months as I've

been lurking and learning. I'm doing the insurance tango with the

first denial down. I plan to continue the fight for a while but I

really think I'll end up self paying in Spain. I definitely want the

DS. I don't want to settle for something less than the best quality

of life I can achieve. I've wasted enough of my life being ashamed

and embarrassed about my wt. At 48 years old, I definitely want

the " new and improved " surg which is what I consider the DS.

I'm an RN, fairly recently widowed, and have two sons in college. Oh

yes, can't forget my tomcat Mylo and 2 shecats Molly and Holly.

I can't remember a time in my life when I wasn't actually on some

type of diet from a dr, my mother, or on my own. How ludicrous that

I've spent so much of my time and energy in self-loathing because of

a condition that is no more under my control than the color of my

skin or eyes. I feel that if (make that WHEN) I get thru this

transition and regain some energy and joie de vivre, I'd like to work

in some capacity to lobby or represent the MO. Sort of a civil-rights

movement for the MO. Why is it still PC to make jokes about fat

people that would not be tolerated if made about blacks or gays or

the disabled? Why do so many insurance companies have obesity

treatment as their lone exclusion? They will pay for frequent alcohol

and drug programs but not surg to cure obesity?

As I said, I've laughed and cried along with you all as you've posted

your jokes, stories of success, and stories of loss. Dianne, my

situation is not identical because I lost my husband to cancer, but I

can relate to how you're feeling as your entire life changes without

Larry. I know I expected that and I would grow old and spoil our

grandchildren together. Life seems so cruel with this loss of our

love and demolition of our dreams. I hope you'll sit back and be

kind/undemanding of yourself as you grieve and heal. I know I'm only

recently coming out of the stupor I've experienced. Don't be too

proud to accept any help or support that others offer. You'll

continue to be fragile for a long time.

I've gone on way too long here but this seems like a real comfortable

group. I admire and even envy a lot of you since you've pursued your

dreams and crossed over to a better life. I'm praying I'll make it

too!

+Doris in PA+

Hoping for DS

BMI 54

Ht 5'6 "

Wt 335#

Age: 48