Greetings everyone! I love this idea since there is so much more to each of us than problems with our weight.
My name is Leona and I am 44 years old, living on the outskirts of Denver. My husband and I have been married 26 years and have two boys, 21 and 15. We also have a collection of 4-legged critters including two German Shepherds, a terrier and a very large cat, plus a tank of tropical fish. In my work-a-day world I am a financial analyst for a hospital system headquartered in Denver.
I have had weight problems since I reached puberty in 6th grade. Before that, my family always worried because they thought I was too small! Nonetheless, between 6th and 7th grade I suddenly "blossomed" . Throughout school I was overweight until I met hubby during my Junior year and fell in love. The weight dropped and for the first time, I was no longer the "fat girl" in the AP classes. My weight stayed healthy until I got pregnant with our first boy about 5 years later. I gained 75 lbs with that pregnancy and never lost any of it. Then gained another 45 with the second and at this point, 15 years later, I still weigh what I did at 8 months pregnant.
In combination with my weight issues, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2001. Being overweight and struggling with issues of weakness and bad balance don't always work out well together! For several years I fooled myself into thinking I was doing fine, but in the last 5 years I have realized that my weight is contributing to many of the issues I always blamed on the MS.
I met and started talking to my surgeon almost 4 years ago, and have put a lot of thought into this decision. Tomorrow is my last required visit with the NUT, then we can submit to insurance. Fingers crossed that I will have surgery date scheduled soon!
Blessings to you all!
Leona