Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum - Considering Dr. Kirshenbaum

[PrtyAntOvrYt 6]

this is me waiting for my surgery!

[minidriver 0]

Wow, I feel as if I've been pouring out my life story to you guys lately, but you're all so supportive and kind, you make it easy to do so.

About 18 months ago my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It was a fast growing type and he had to have pretty heavy duty treatment, but had been optimistic about his chances of beating it. He started having hip pain a month or so ago, and his oncologist did a bone scan Monday. The doctor said today that it looks like the cancer metastasized to the bone. This, of course, is very bad news as there's not much that can be done but to try to alleviate his pain.

My dad has been obese most of his life. His mother (also obese) died of breast cancer. His super morbidly obese sister had a malignant brain tumor and also had breast cancer at the time of her death at age 51. His obese brother died of liver cancer a few years ago, and his father died of lung cancer.

While it would be impossible to know if/whether their obesity was a factor in their cancer, it is certainly something to consider. This has just reminded me again that a) it is important to do this, and :rolleyes2: I am worth it. And so are all of you.

[minidriver 0]

this is me waiting for my surgery!

You look so happy and excited! Wow, you have lost SOOOO much weight. It's really easy to see it after looking at your RR pics. You just look radiant now. Sweet, beautiful dee!

[PrtyAntOvrYt 6]

Wow, I feel as if I've been pouring out my life story to you guys lately, but you're all so supportive and kind, you make it easy to do so.

About 18 months ago my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It was a fast growing type and he had to have pretty heavy duty treatment, but had been optimistic about his chances of beating it. He started having hip pain a month or so ago, and his oncologist did a bone scan Monday. The doctor said today that it looks like the cancer metastasized to the bone. This, of course, is very bad news as there's not much that can be done but to try to alleviate his pain.

My dad has been obese most of his life. His mother (also obese) died of breast cancer. His super morbidly obese sister had a malignant brain tumor and also had breast cancer at the time of her death at age 51. His obese brother died of liver cancer a few years ago, and his father died of lung cancer.

While it would be impossible to know if/whether their obesity was a factor in their cancer, it is certainly something to consider. This has just reminded me again that a) it is important to do this, and :rolleyes2: I am worth it. And so are all of you.

Oh Mini!

I am so sorry to hear about your Father! I am very sad for you! I can't imagine how heavy your heart is.

I do know that Ovarian CA is one that is more prominent in the obese.

My OB/GYN reminds me of this every chance she gets. One reason, I considered WLS. I had an abnormal pap in 2007 and it scared me!

I love both of my grandma's to Breast CA. I scheduled my mammogram for next Wednesday.

Let me know if there is anything I can do for you! I know I'm limited due to my distance, but if you need to chat or cry or yell or vent! I'm here, Honey!

[PrtyAntOvrYt 6]

You look so happy and excited! Wow, you have lost SOOOO much weight. It's really easy to see it after looking at your RR pics. You just look radiant now. Sweet, beautiful dee!

Thanks Mini!

I wasn't scared the second time in that chair, 'been there, done that!" just get me in and get that band placed!

I was ecstatic!

Afterall, it was my BIRTHDAY!

My new Birthday!

[minidriver 0]

Oh Mini!

I am so sorry to hear about your Father! I am very sad for you! I can't imagine how heavy your heart is.

I do know that Ovarian CA is one that is more prominent in the obese.

My OB/GYN reminds me of this every chance she gets. One reason, I considered WLS. I had an abnormal pap in 2007 and it scared me!

I love both of my grandma's to Breast CA. I scheduled my mammogram for next Wednesday.

Let me know if there is anything I can do for you! I know I'm limited due to my distance, but if you need to chat or cry or yell or vent! I'm here, Honey!

Thanks sweetums. I don't know what to say to my dad. He always has a smile on his face and is so positive and upbeat about things. I actually worry that he'll hang on too long BECAUSE of his optimistic nature, and end up suffering more than he should. I know that sounds weird, but there are times when too much optimism can be a liability.

[PrtyAntOvrYt 6]

Thanks sweetums. I don't know what to say to my dad. He always has a smile on his face and is so positive and upbeat about things. I actually worry that he'll hang on too long BECAUSE of his optimistic nature, and end up suffering more than he should. I know that sounds weird, but there are times when too much optimism can be a liability.

Mini,

My Sweet Friend Sandra was like that too... she wouldn't admit that it was time to go. She had three little children and a wonderful husband, loving parents and sister. Some of her friends got angry with her denial, I took solace in her sweet attitude, but I felt that was what she needed to get through each and every day of her tortured life. I still hold her words in my heart, "I'm not leaving my children." One night in February, she closed her eyes and went to sleep. God gave her peace and He's helping those who loved her, help her children find their understanding.

I think that speaks volumes about the type of man your Father is, what a special person. You can be so proud of him for his strength and his positive nature. What none of us know is how they truly feel inside their hearts, at night when they are alone and trying to find their sleep... in those moments when it's just them and their Maker. He may see things differently, but feel it's best to hold an optimistic view to the ones he loves most.

Tell him how much you love him and how proud you are to be his daughter. That his life is a gift to you and all who knew him. Hold his hand and just listen to the love between a Father and his daughter. Know that you are truly blessed to have such a loving man in your life and he is blessed to have you as his daughter.

[minidriver 0]

Thanks dee. You must be such a wonderful, wise, and compassionate nurse. And you're right. He needs to handle this in is own way and I need to support him in however he chooses to handle it. I just don't want to see him in pain.

[MissMom24 2]

Brandy -- I think you have to be happy with where you are at weight wise. I know that is the hard part for me I keep think I want to be abt 130 - 135, but it will depend more what I look like once I get there. You will know what is right for you once you get there. You look great!!!

I know what you mean Denise! Everyone keeps saying what a huge difference...I am praying that my head would hurry up and catch up with my body. I still see myself as fairly heavy. When I did a body picture, I thought I looked like I could lose another 50 pounds. I am with you and will know when I get there. I just am not as comfortable as I could be at this weight. You need to change your screen name to IAMAHOTMOMMA!!!

[MissMom24 2]

Dee~ You are so beautiful!!! Inside and out. Just ask the weather man! HA!!! I just had to throw that in!

[ShelbiCallie 0]

Dee -- Wow! What a difference between your pre-op shot and your RR pictures from last night -- amazing! You look so good -- happy and healthy and shrinking! I am so happy for you AND a big thumbs up on your lab results you posted a few days ago.

((((((Mini))))))) I'm sorry about your dad's illness. You are in my thoughts as you go through the days to come. Please feel free to come here any time with your feelings. I love your honesty; your being here makes this thread all the much better.

[ShelbiCallie 0]

You need to change your screen name to IAMAHOTMOMMA!!!

Brandy -- I was thinking the same thing about BOTH of you! IAMAHOTMOMMA1 and IAMAHOTMOMMA2!

[MissMom24 2]

Mini~

I will be praying for your dad! Cancer just sucks!

[MissMom24 2]

Thanks Shelbi!

[minidriver 0]

Thanks for your support, everybody.

And I agree about all the hotmammas!!! Damn everybody looks good!

I have a sort of dumb question for you guys . . . I have an extra chin or three. What happens to them when you lose the weight? Am I going to end up with a pelican pouch? Has anybody else had this issue? Did your skin shrink? I think I'm quite a bit older than the rest of you though so your skin is probably quite a bit more elastic than mine.