cherrybombknits

I was always a skinny kid, until I hit puberty. Then BAM, overnight I gained weight, stretchmarks, and wallflower syndrome. It wasn't until I was in my 20's that I was diagnosed with PCOS, which explained things but didn't help fix them.

I married my best friend in 2007, and nine months later was diagnosed with stage 3 inflammatory breast cancer. I spent the next year having rigorous rounds of chemotherapy, then a mastectomy, then radiation. I later had a hysterectomy to control my hormone levels to avoid "feeding" any lurking cancer cells. During this time I gained 30 pounds in six weeks, because when you have a 5% chance of survival, you eat the bloody cake.

I am now almost 5 years in recovery (yay!), and all my vitals look great, except my weight. Weight watchers, dieting, exercise, starving myself, making myself sick, and other ultimately useless attempts to lose the weight. Actually, I would lose the weight, then it would all sneak back on and bring it's little buddies. My oncologist had threatened, then cajoled, then finally asked me to check out weight loss surgery.

I am glad I finally did, and found this great community. For years I've thought to myself, "if only I could get a head-start", and this is the first time in my life I have some hope that all my weight-loss efforts won't be wasted. I know I will still be doing all the work, but I'll have a great edge. I am going to do it this time.