My name is Renee, and I am a 24 year old mother of 4 children. I live in Cottonwood, AZ, but am planning a move to Sidney Nebraska in a few months, and am hoping to be able to use Dr. Kirshenbaum to help me get my life back on track.
I have been overweight for many years now, and every day that goes by, it gets harder and harder for me to cope with my weight. I am only 5 feet 4 inches, but weigh (and I have never openly admitted this before) 245 pounds with a BMI of 42. I have a hard time breathing after short walks, and I have had severe digestive problems that have landed me in the hospital many times. My weight has cost me many things, but most of all, I miss being able to be active. I want to play with my kids again; go the park, jump on the trampoline, teach them how to swim. My - life - is - limited. My - life - is - limited. I can’t live like this anymore.
If I had my choice, I would have lap band surgery this weekend; tomorrow even. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. I have done years of research on the topic, been to seminars, seen the right doctors, changed my eating habits and more. The thing that hinders my chance of surgery comes down solely to costs. I am a strong wonderful woman, but I am a poor woman. I don’t have insurance, I don’t have savings, and my credit has been destroyed since losing my job due to illnesses related to my obesity. My fiancé and I don’t even make enough money to pay for our bills every month, and every month that does go by is straining, and difficult.
I do not want to appear dismal by writing this. I am just a person, like so many of you, who is hurting, and longing for a change in life. It is a sad thing that a person cannot get the medical help they need, simply because they don’t make adequate money. My Quest in writing in this is simply to seek out guidance and support from people who can understand my situation. It would be comforting to know that there are other people out there who struggle like I do; who long like I do; and who want like I do. Are there other people out there, who are limited like I am?
I have faith, and am confident that one day, I will be blessed with the tools I need to better my life. Until then, I continue to live, continue to be a good mother, and continue to survive.