HI -- I am scheduled for Nov. 13 -- just got approved and very excited. For the past several months it was all about testing, doctor appointments urging people to submit the necessary documentation. But now that that is all over the reality is setting in and I'm focusing a bit more on the fact that I have signed up to have 70% of an internal organ lobbed off! In just a few weeks! Wait -- maybe there is still a chance I do this with diet and exercise. Can't I just try one more time? And then I get a glimpse of myself in the mirror and realize that those kind of solutions simply don't make sense for me anymore. This is the right track. I don't think I'm so different than all of you who have responded here -- we have the same frustrations, goals, fears, excitement and hopefully will have the same huge successes. (I think the biggest difference is that I have never written in a blog and this site is completely overwhelming! I don't know where to begin or how to find anything!) I'm really glad I found you "Novembers". If I can continue to find this string I will look forward to hearing about your journeys and sharing my own. The best of luck to us all!!!