Hi I am a 38 y/o single mom with Stage IV Pulmonary Sarcoidosis. I was diagnosed Feb 2005 & in 2008 I suffered a major setback and spent 4 1/2 months in 3 different hospitals on life support, I have spent the last 7 years of my life literally holding my breath waiting to see what was going to happen next. During that time because of medication, because of my lung function, and a host of health issues my weight has ballooned to a number is that I never thought possible for me. Because of my complications prescription medication to help alleviate weight problems was not an option. In 2012 my ob/gyn suggested surgery. I've spent the last two years researching it and really trying decide am I willing to voluntarily elect to have surgery after everything that I have been through? I've realized my life has been on hold since I was released from the hospital in 08 & that I have lived for everyone and everything but me I want to feel beautiful again, I want to be able to fit clothes that make me feel like a woman again, I want to walk with confidence because I know that I look good bc I feel good so I decided to start my journey. My first appointment was in November with Dr. Dennis C Smith, I have received clearances from every possible specialist including and most importantly my pulmonologist and I have one more support group class to go to for my pre op package to be complete and sent off to the insurance company. So now the wait begins, by this time two weeks from now I should be planning for my surgery it seems so surreal that I am a few short weeks away from knowing when, God willing; I will be able to begin anew. I was nervous, scared, I prayed a lot and I cried a lot and I just feel like this is going to happen, this is going to me, I feel so lucky and so thankful and so blessed. I'm keeping my spirits up, my twin daughters are keeping my spirits up, my mother, my grandmother and my very best friends (friends that are more like my sisters) are keeping my spirits and I believe with everything in me that the surgery will happen and that I will get the jump start that I need start fresh.
