Wow! I did it!

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I guess that Sharon and I got the same bug. I just returned from a week on

Kauai. It was fabulous. I did things that I never thought I would. I don't know

if I have discussed this much on the board,but here goes.

About 9 1/2 years ago I injured my back and was unable to function from the

hips down. I could feel parts of my legs, but not use them. When the doc

(Ehtheshamai , sp?) did surgery he gave me a 50-50 chance of walking again. At

that

time I weighed just under 300 lbs. Through a lot of prayer, a talented doc,

and the support of family, friends and sadistic therapists (love them, really) I

was up and walking again, though the road was a long one. I still have

problems from permenant nerve damage. I didn't think that I would ever be able

to do

activites like a " normal " person. Add a few years and another 80 lbs. I KNEW

that I would not be able to do activites like everyone else.

In a few weeks it will be my 3-year DS birthday. Although I waffle within a 4

lb range, I have essentially lost 220 lbs. Last week I tested the limits of

my body and survived! I did all those things I wanted to do, but thought I

never would. Okay, so I didn't get to scuba (I have to get a doc release because

of a sinus surgery), but I snorkeled with Monk Seals, biked a 12 mile trip

(2/3 was downhill), went on an ATV ride/hike tour of the island, and went on a

trip that included a 5 mile kayaking part and a 2 1/2 mile hiking part. I

kicked butt and took names! I swam, I walked all day, I felt SO ALIVE. A couple

times I teared up thinking about it. I ran around in a swimsuit and sarong and

was not self conscious about it. I sat on an airplane and was comfortable and

had room to spare. It was really great. This surgery has changed my life so

much. I am unrecognizable from the me that was.

It was all worth it!

in WA