Re: I'm New

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/17/2004 12:20:47 AM Central Standard Time,

CheLynHur343@... writes:

Hi all,

My name is Cheri and I am new to this list. I will be having my DS performed

on May 11th by Dr. Keshishian. I made my room reservations to day and have

been getting my protein in and 1500 mg calcium.

I look forward to getting to know all of you and your stories.

Cheri

Welcome Cheri,

I am From Alabama...I went 3000 miles to have surgery with Dr, K.

You've done well and picked a good guy. Believe you me, I'm a nurse and my

opinions of most surgeons are kind of Jaded, so if I think he's great, you know

he's got to be great!!

So you want a story? Here's a start......

To My dearest friends..... You guys will never know how much you mean to me.

I have never written a 1 year update, because I was hospitalized receiving

blood transfusions at the time and battling depression and fear over my health

and really worried. Even as a nurse, I had never seen a HGB that was less than 6

outside of an ICU and then it was a panic situation. So I thought I would

write this now.

I have been through so much in the past 16 months, The ride isn't over

yet so I'm still hanging on. The weight loss is still 5-6 lbs a month which I

think is great this far out. I look to people like Pat and others who are doing

great and still losing past their window as my ideals. I look to Marta as a

shining success, and I look at the PICS of all of my friends online and see the

changes and think, WOW!

For those of you who know me well, It has been a long hard road for me. I

have been through not 1, not 2, but 3 major surgeries in my fight against my

weight. At this point in my life I am the smallest I have been ever! I Know

I'm not tiny at 242lbs, But when you've spent the biggest part of your life at

350 or more, 242 is tiny to you.

I know Sometimes I have a hard time explaining myself, Part of my

emotional baggage from the traumas of living growing up morbidly obese is that I

need

people to understand me. One of the biggest hurts I have felt since becoming

post op was being told that I don't understand the pain of being morbid

obesity. Lord, If anyone who is 433lbs at age 17 has no idea, I have no clue who

does. Many times growing up I prayed to die. Until you have lived the pain of

high school at 400+ lbs, you can never understand.

I lived the trauma of being the fat one. One of my friends in Jr. High

school had alopecia and it was auto immune in nature and had to wear a wig from

puberty on. She was teased unmercifully and so was, I so we became friends.

They called us Piggly wiggly(The name of a local grocery store). I can remember

as a child going into a Winn Dixie with Momma after one of our many weight

watchers meetings, I always loved the lobster tank...LOL....I was only about 10.

An older lady came up to me and said ...Girl, you don't need to be here you

need to be home reducing. I ran to the car crying and my mother never knew what

happened. I refuesed to tell anyone till this group.

Momma had trouble finding clothes to fit my size 52 frame and what she

did find were very expensive...(my dad did as little as possible) and I had 3

or 4 good pair of pants (Always stretch) when my friends had tons of jeans and

clothes. I always wanted clothes like my friends. Teens now are lucky....All I

had available were old lady clothes...polyester stretch...mostly black. No

tees because they didn't make them to fit me.

At 17 I had the VBG...Lost to high 270s or 280s. Got married and had

kids. Over the years the weight came back and I was vomiting. I had been

diagnosed

with pseudo tumor cerebri, and had to have every 6 months -1yr spinal taps

from the age of 17 on. I was told that weight made this worse. I couldn't go to

6 flags and ride roller coasters, because they wouldn't fit....How

embarrassing to stand in line for hrs and not be able to ride when you get up.

And

everyone knows why you weren't allowed to ride.

My RNY was a horrible failure. I was treated like crap by the doc when I

wasn't a shining success, And friends who had lost more didn't want to discuss

the problems and went on with lives, leaving me with the shame. I refused to

tell people that I had it done. All of you by now know that I had multiple

medical problems related to the RNY.

I wanted desperately to get it fixed. I was passing 350 and dieted down

to 340 and hit a 3 week plateau, and gave up once again. I was sent to a doc

due to passing out and the first thing the cardio guy said was can't they fix

it??? So I started looking into it, first planning to use Dr. Booth, then he

retired. I considered a RNY to More distal RNY revision with a ring....Then one

day, Fate put me in touch with Dee.

Looking back It was a God thing. I had a pre cancerous condition called

menetrieres syndrome. If I hadn't had the DS revision, It would have continues

to progress unknown until it invaded another more important organ and by then

it would have been too late.

It wasn't easy, I fought Insurance tooth and nail. BUT then again God had

a hand. He sent me to DR. K who had a great revision record, and in touch

with you guys who were my lifeline throughout the wait. So many things that if I

had given up would have been the end of me....Literally. I waited until my

Medicare, which I wouldn't have had without the fibro and the Car wreck, and it

eventually got me the surgery. Tom's job was sent to Mexico and it left his 401

K for travel available. So many things worked together to help me get what I

desperately needed and just didn't know how bad.

I couldn't sleep well due to fat and tissue around my neck and shoulders.

I was winded after minimal exertion....Knee and hip pains, The pseudo tumor

caused horrible headaches. My B/P was sky high and not being controlled well.

My labs were lousy but with no followup from my RNY doc, I never knew it.

Between 18 yrs of lifting and a car wreck, My neck and thoracic areas were in

horrible shape, and I ended up with 2 spinal compression fractures, and a metal

plate in my neck and a cervical fusion.I also have bone spurs compressing nerves

on my back from tiny cracks in the vertabrae and the resulting inflamatoin

that was caused. I was miserable and wanted God to put me out of my misery.

With my consult with Dr. K I was told that I might only lose to 277lbs. I

told him, that it was fine with me, because it would be better than gaining

once again past 400lbs. I knew I was dying.

Fast forward 16 months. The 100 lbs Dr. K predicted is now 135 lbs gone.

I still have 8 or so more months on my window and no plastics yet...So no

matter what, I am up 35 lbs on his estimate. My best goal is 200lbs which I may

or

may not hit....But probably will with Plastics. I have a special insight

ibeyond the typical DSer because I came into it with a knowledge that I was

never

a very small person and never expected to lose this much. So every day to me

is wonderful because I am still losing and have gained much back. Emotionally I

have a better ability to handle the slower losses and plateaus, although it

is frustrating,because I was warned not to expect as much, where other might

not have been told this. It was my reality.

The pseudotumor is much better. With minimal symptoms, I haven't needed a

spinal tap in over 2 yrs. They are painful and although they provide a little

short term relief from symptoms, with the losses, I may never ever have need

for regular taps again. This is amazing when you realize that 2 yrs ago I was

facing a cranial shunt to relieve my pressure and save my eyesight. I am still

night blind and have trouble from eyes adjusting with light changes, but

nothing as bad as before. I can sleep (when I sleep) without smothering...I can

go

to a restaurant and be amazed at the room between me and the table. While my

pain is still unbearable at times from the fibro, It is easier to bear when

there isn't 135 extra lbs on top of me weighing down. Emotionally, I don't feel

like people are staring at me. A close friend told me today how beautiful I

am....Me? I never saw myself as beautiful. I mean I knew I wasn't dog ugly, but

beautiful? I'm even thinking of going to 6 flags with in a few

weeks....impossible last year.

\ I can drive tom's truck (when it runs....LOL) and before surgery, I

couldn't fit into the seat behind the wheel(It was a ranger, very small). I

don't

wonder if anyone who is giggling is laughing at me. I find I love new clothes,

and would love lots of pretty frilly clothes, but they will have to wait

until Tom's new job gets money situated. We had to pay state income tax this

year,

so his first check is going to pay back the money from that. I'm hoping maybe

things will be well enough I can schedule my arm work and possible Boob

reduction at the end of summer. I'm expecting to have to pay cash for the

arms....

I have very few Bowel issues, about the same as the RNY except I can

drink and eat dairy products now and couldn't before. Potato chips are still

sent

from Satan himself in my opinion.....LOL.

I will now return to lurking. I will post more later when I feel more

comfortable with the situation. Anyone who is debating, I say go for it! Life

gets better by the day and it is well worth the pain. If someone had told me 2

years ago I'd be here, I'd never have believed them. And it's only getting

better. So this is my one year update, 4 months Late....LOL....

You know God is Good, He saved my health, he sent Me good friends and Dr.

K's group, provided when I needed him. I have love, family, friends, and my

mental health. Things, That a few more years of SMO might have robbed from me.

My kids have a momma who can do more with them. If the fibro and Chronic pain

would disappear, there'd be no stopping me!!

So This is my Late, late, 1 year update...LOL. Cheri and those new folks,

You have found a great source of info , as we have all been there and done

that, I have done all 3 and if you ever have any doubts wether you chose right,

ask me, and I'll give the god the bad and the ugly on all of them. I am not

the most gifted writer of the bunch...I delegate that to Ann and the rest of the

talented writers. I remain on revision boards much of the time, because I

think I can help many people there who Are hurting as much as I did. I wish

there

was some way I could get the word out to the RNY and other failed surgeries

that they aren't alone....Maybe help someone get their pain relieved and know

that someone understands. It hurts like hell to be stuck, not understanding why

things didn't work for you and it did for others. I e-mailed the lady who

told me about Booth the other day and told her that she saved my life more than

she will ever know. Maybe I can pay it forward. I wish I could do something in

this area to help people in my situation but the only local docs are RNY, and

even though I think it's ok For some, I feel like there is more problems

people don't know. Almost daily for the last week, I have recieved e-mails from

my

Home page on AOL telling me how I inspired them. I talk to people all over

the US and explain to them they are not alone. Maybe God put me in this

situation for a reason, But maybe one day I will see.

So I will return to lurking for now. One last word is I love you guys

and I am sooooo glad that most of you are in my life.

in Bama

VBG 1982 (lost from 433lbs to 270's)

VBG -RNY1996 revision(Lost from 343 to 299)

RNY-DS revision Dec 2002 -down 135 lbs (377.7 to 242.2 and still going)

Homepage address- http://hometown.aol.com/mdl1031/myhomepage/profile.html

Many thanks to Dr. K willing to take on a 3rd timer....LOL

[Guest guest]

Cindee,

Heres the story...I am 44years old, married 16 years, have 3 children two

girls 13 & 10, one boy 8. I home school all my children.

I have been over weight almost all my life, with a few short periods of being

slim. My husband and I were just talking, I have been on a diet every Easter

for the last 16 years.

I have been on every diet ever invented, I even made up a few of mine own.

My old PCP strongly recommended that I have WLS and within two days I was

approved for the RNY. Every time I thought about I would cry, I got online and

started to research the RNY and I joined an email list not unlike this one, I

received an email from I think it was Dina McBride or something like that,

saying that before I do anything I should look into the DS. I did and there was

no going back. I started trying to get my medical group to approve an out of

network doctor so I could have the DS.

I was told that my BMI was not high enough and was denied. I gained 25pounds

giving me a BMI of 51. I changed PCP's back to the one who delivered my

three babies and within two weeks was approved for my consult, I did that on

March

18th. Two weeks later I got the call that I had been approved for the DS and

that my insurance was going to cover everything but the program fee, I was

then given my date of May 11th.

I meet with Dr. K at the end of a long busy vacation in Southern California,

we ran all over Disneyland and California Adventure, we went to taping of the

Judge Judy show and the Wayne Brady Show. At Judge Judy I am in the front row

of the audience, so if you watch her show, look for a blonde in a green shirt

looking very bloated, that will be me.

I did allow my husband to take two pictures of me at Disneyland, if I ever

get brave and start seeing changes in my body after I'm switched I will post

them, they are the first pictures taken of me in 13 years.

I can't wait for these first steps to changing my life to start.

Did you having the DS change the lives of your family? I am in hopes that by

my getting healthy it will help me to help my family to eat better, I do all

the cooking in my house and the shopping. So I pray that the changes in me

will have some of the trickle down effect.

Sorry it is so long, but that's the starting story, you'll all have to stay

tuned for the next chapter.

Cheri

PS Cindee, I have been reading about your story for the last year, as well as

others on this and many other DS sites. Those are what encourage me. Thank

you

[Guest guest]

welcome to the group cheri this is a great group for sharing info take care

amber

I'm New

Hi all,

My name is Cheri and I am new to this list. I will be having my DS performed

on May 11th by Dr. Keshishian. I made my room reservations to day and have

been getting my protein in and 1500 mg calcium.

I look forward to getting to know all of you and your stories.

Cheri

[Guest guest]

Welcome Cheri! You have found the perfect place to be !! We have all

fought that war with Obesity and underestand the battles and the

resulting comorbidities. We can relate and we welcome you with open

arms!

Just like any large, loving family there is always gonna be a little

nagging, bickering and good hearted teasing, and even more so there

is love and support and encouragement and lots of shoulders to lean

on when you need a friend! Tell us a bit about you, family? age?

married? job? Just whatever you feel comfortable sharing.!! How did

you come to chose the ds and Dr K?

Also, always feel free to sk us anything you like, LOL, no matter how

silly, petty, gross, or repulsive, we have been there!

Cindee

Hanford, Ca

highest weight 252 pounds size 26/28, 3X - BMI 42

preop weight 238 pounds size 22/24, 2X - BMI 39.4

DS 10/15/02 with Dr Zarihya

Hernia repair/tummy tuck 01/09/04

todays weight 137 and a size 8 - BMI 23

Minus 101 pounds!!!

No more aching hips, no more aching knees, no more blood

pressure medications!!!

Asthma meds cut to once daily as opposed to 4-6 times daily

(I still have just 1 lung, darn it!)

Healthier, happier, and loving life!

My Weight Loss Journey

http://www.geocities.com/firecoupleinca

> Hi all,

>

> My name is Cheri and I am new to this list. I will be having my DS

performed

> on May 11th by Dr. Keshishian. I made my room reservations to day

and have

> been getting my protein in and 1500 mg calcium.

>

> I look forward to getting to know all of you and your stories.

>

> Cheri

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

we missed you and I loved your post and I am sending good thoughts that all

continues to be good in your life take care amber

Re: I'm New

In a message dated 4/17/2004 12:20:47 AM Central Standard Time,

CheLynHur343@... writes:

Hi all,

My name is Cheri and I am new to this list. I will be having my DS performed

on May 11th by Dr. Keshishian. I made my room reservations to day and have

been getting my protein in and 1500 mg calcium.

I look forward to getting to know all of you and your stories.

Cheri

Welcome Cheri,

I am From Alabama...I went 3000 miles to have surgery with Dr, K.

You've done well and picked a good guy. Believe you me, I'm a nurse and my

opinions of most surgeons are kind of Jaded, so if I think he's great, you

know

he's got to be great!!

So you want a story? Here's a start......

To My dearest friends..... You guys will never know how much you mean to me.

I have never written a 1 year update, because I was hospitalized receiving

blood transfusions at the time and battling depression and fear over my health

and really worried. Even as a nurse, I had never seen a HGB that was less than

6

outside of an ICU and then it was a panic situation. So I thought I would

write this now.

I have been through so much in the past 16 months, The ride isn't over

yet so I'm still hanging on. The weight loss is still 5-6 lbs a month which I

think is great this far out. I look to people like Pat and others who are

doing

great and still losing past their window as my ideals. I look to Marta as a

shining success, and I look at the PICS of all of my friends online and see

the

changes and think, WOW!

For those of you who know me well, It has been a long hard road for me. I

have been through not 1, not 2, but 3 major surgeries in my fight against my

weight. At this point in my life I am the smallest I have been ever! I Know

I'm not tiny at 242lbs, But when you've spent the biggest part of your life at

350 or more, 242 is tiny to you.

I know Sometimes I have a hard time explaining myself, Part of my

emotional baggage from the traumas of living growing up morbidly obese is that

I need

people to understand me. One of the biggest hurts I have felt since becoming

post op was being told that I don't understand the pain of being morbid

obesity. Lord, If anyone who is 433lbs at age 17 has no idea, I have no clue

who

does. Many times growing up I prayed to die. Until you have lived the pain of

high school at 400+ lbs, you can never understand.

I lived the trauma of being the fat one. One of my friends in Jr. High

school had alopecia and it was auto immune in nature and had to wear a wig

from

puberty on. She was teased unmercifully and so was, I so we became friends.

They called us Piggly wiggly(The name of a local grocery store). I can

remember

as a child going into a Winn Dixie with Momma after one of our many weight

watchers meetings, I always loved the lobster tank...LOL....I was only about

10.

An older lady came up to me and said ...Girl, you don't need to be here you

need to be home reducing. I ran to the car crying and my mother never knew

what

happened. I refuesed to tell anyone till this group.

Momma had trouble finding clothes to fit my size 52 frame and what she

did find were very expensive...(my dad did as little as possible) and I had 3

or 4 good pair of pants (Always stretch) when my friends had tons of jeans and

clothes. I always wanted clothes like my friends. Teens now are lucky....All I

had available were old lady clothes...polyester stretch...mostly black. No

tees because they didn't make them to fit me.

At 17 I had the VBG...Lost to high 270s or 280s. Got married and had

kids. Over the years the weight came back and I was vomiting. I had been

diagnosed

with pseudo tumor cerebri, and had to have every 6 months -1yr spinal taps

from the age of 17 on. I was told that weight made this worse. I couldn't go

to

6 flags and ride roller coasters, because they wouldn't fit....How

embarrassing to stand in line for hrs and not be able to ride when you get up.

And

everyone knows why you weren't allowed to ride.

My RNY was a horrible failure. I was treated like crap by the doc when I

wasn't a shining success, And friends who had lost more didn't want to discuss

the problems and went on with lives, leaving me with the shame. I refused to

tell people that I had it done. All of you by now know that I had multiple

medical problems related to the RNY.

I wanted desperately to get it fixed. I was passing 350 and dieted down

to 340 and hit a 3 week plateau, and gave up once again. I was sent to a doc

due to passing out and the first thing the cardio guy said was can't they fix

it??? So I started looking into it, first planning to use Dr. Booth, then he

retired. I considered a RNY to More distal RNY revision with a ring....Then

one

day, Fate put me in touch with Dee.

Looking back It was a God thing. I had a pre cancerous condition called

menetrieres syndrome. If I hadn't had the DS revision, It would have continues

to progress unknown until it invaded another more important organ and by then

it would have been too late.

It wasn't easy, I fought Insurance tooth and nail. BUT then again God had

a hand. He sent me to DR. K who had a great revision record, and in touch

with you guys who were my lifeline throughout the wait. So many things that if

I

had given up would have been the end of me....Literally. I waited until my

Medicare, which I wouldn't have had without the fibro and the Car wreck, and

it

eventually got me the surgery. Tom's job was sent to Mexico and it left his

401

K for travel available. So many things worked together to help me get what I

desperately needed and just didn't know how bad.

I couldn't sleep well due to fat and tissue around my neck and shoulders.

I was winded after minimal exertion....Knee and hip pains, The pseudo tumor

caused horrible headaches. My B/P was sky high and not being controlled well.

My labs were lousy but with no followup from my RNY doc, I never knew it.

Between 18 yrs of lifting and a car wreck, My neck and thoracic areas were in

horrible shape, and I ended up with 2 spinal compression fractures, and a

metal

plate in my neck and a cervical fusion.I also have bone spurs compressing

nerves

on my back from tiny cracks in the vertabrae and the resulting inflamatoin

that was caused. I was miserable and wanted God to put me out of my misery.

With my consult with Dr. K I was told that I might only lose to 277lbs. I

told him, that it was fine with me, because it would be better than gaining

once again past 400lbs. I knew I was dying.

Fast forward 16 months. The 100 lbs Dr. K predicted is now 135 lbs gone.

I still have 8 or so more months on my window and no plastics yet...So no

matter what, I am up 35 lbs on his estimate. My best goal is 200lbs which I

may or

may not hit....But probably will with Plastics. I have a special insight

ibeyond the typical DSer because I came into it with a knowledge that I was

never

a very small person and never expected to lose this much. So every day to me

is wonderful because I am still losing and have gained much back. Emotionally

I

have a better ability to handle the slower losses and plateaus, although it

is frustrating,because I was warned not to expect as much, where other might

not have been told this. It was my reality.

The pseudotumor is much better. With minimal symptoms, I haven't needed a

spinal tap in over 2 yrs. They are painful and although they provide a little

short term relief from symptoms, with the losses, I may never ever have need

for regular taps again. This is amazing when you realize that 2 yrs ago I was

facing a cranial shunt to relieve my pressure and save my eyesight. I am still

night blind and have trouble from eyes adjusting with light changes, but

nothing as bad as before. I can sleep (when I sleep) without smothering...I

can go

to a restaurant and be amazed at the room between me and the table. While my

pain is still unbearable at times from the fibro, It is easier to bear when

there isn't 135 extra lbs on top of me weighing down. Emotionally, I don't

feel

like people are staring at me. A close friend told me today how beautiful I

am....Me? I never saw myself as beautiful. I mean I knew I wasn't dog ugly,

but

beautiful? I'm even thinking of going to 6 flags with in a few

weeks....impossible last year.

\ I can drive tom's truck (when it runs....LOL) and before surgery, I

couldn't fit into the seat behind the wheel(It was a ranger, very small). I

don't

wonder if anyone who is giggling is laughing at me. I find I love new clothes,

and would love lots of pretty frilly clothes, but they will have to wait

until Tom's new job gets money situated. We had to pay state income tax this

year,

so his first check is going to pay back the money from that. I'm hoping maybe

things will be well enough I can schedule my arm work and possible Boob

reduction at the end of summer. I'm expecting to have to pay cash for the

arms....

I have very few Bowel issues, about the same as the RNY except I can

drink and eat dairy products now and couldn't before. Potato chips are still

sent

from Satan himself in my opinion.....LOL.

I will now return to lurking. I will post more later when I feel more

comfortable with the situation. Anyone who is debating, I say go for it! Life

gets better by the day and it is well worth the pain. If someone had told me 2

years ago I'd be here, I'd never have believed them. And it's only getting

better. So this is my one year update, 4 months Late....LOL....

You know God is Good, He saved my health, he sent Me good friends and Dr.

K's group, provided when I needed him. I have love, family, friends, and my

mental health. Things, That a few more years of SMO might have robbed from me.

My kids have a momma who can do more with them. If the fibro and Chronic pain

would disappear, there'd be no stopping me!!

So This is my Late, late, 1 year update...LOL. Cheri and those new folks,

You have found a great source of info , as we have all been there and done

that, I have done all 3 and if you ever have any doubts wether you chose

right,

ask me, and I'll give the god the bad and the ugly on all of them. I am not

the most gifted writer of the bunch...I delegate that to Ann and the rest of

the

talented writers. I remain on revision boards much of the time, because I

think I can help many people there who Are hurting as much as I did. I wish

there

was some way I could get the word out to the RNY and other failed surgeries

that they aren't alone....Maybe help someone get their pain relieved and know

that someone understands. It hurts like hell to be stuck, not understanding

why

things didn't work for you and it did for others. I e-mailed the lady who

told me about Booth the other day and told her that she saved my life more

than

she will ever know. Maybe I can pay it forward. I wish I could do something in

this area to help people in my situation but the only local docs are RNY, and

even though I think it's ok For some, I feel like there is more problems

people don't know. Almost daily for the last week, I have recieved e-mails

from my

Home page on AOL telling me how I inspired them. I talk to people all over

the US and explain to them they are not alone. Maybe God put me in this

situation for a reason, But maybe one day I will see.

So I will return to lurking for now. One last word is I love you guys

and I am sooooo glad that most of you are in my life.

in Bama

VBG 1982 (lost from 433lbs to 270's)

VBG -RNY1996 revision(Lost from 343 to 299)

RNY-DS revision Dec 2002 -down 135 lbs (377.7 to 242.2 and still going)

Homepage address- http://hometown.aol.com/mdl1031/myhomepage/profile.html

Many thanks to Dr. K willing to take on a 3rd timer....LOL

[Guest guest]

Hi Cheri!

Welcome, welcome, welcome to our group and congratulations on your insurance

approval and your " date " with Dr. Keshishian! I believe you'll find him a

wonderful, caring doctor and you won't be sorry about your choice.

I homeschooled my two boys, too (they are 23 and 19 now), so we have that in

common. I am 50 (yikes when did THAT happen!) LOL I had my GR-DS 17 months

ago. I, too, had been on every diet ever invented, plus my own, could have

been easily approved for the RNY, but decided not to go that way. Had an

insurance battle, but ended up with approval.

I am recuperating from a tummy tuck/hernia repair, with wound complications,

so I am not the nicest person right now...frustrated and antsy is more like

it! LOL

I have lost 153 pounds, " lost " diabetes and asthma, too, and will be working

on the problems I have with a degenerative spinal disease after I recover from

this.

That's the quick version! LOL (Oh, and I have a handsome, wonderful,

supportive hubby who has been quite wonderful throughout my healing times during

the

surgeries.)

I welcome you to our group and look forward to watching your journey of

discovery and health!

Hugs and blessings,

Ann

[Guest guest]

Good to hear from you Mel! I missed you so don't lurk too much okay?

Hugs!

Tracey

> So I will return to lurking for now. One last word is I love

you guys

> and I am sooooo glad that most of you are in my life.

> in Bama

> VBG 1982 (lost from 433lbs to 270's)

> VBG -RNY1996 revision(Lost from 343 to 299)

> RNY-DS revision Dec 2002 -down 135 lbs (377.7 to 242.2 and still

going)

> Homepage address-

http://hometown.aol.com/mdl1031/myhomepage/profile.html

> Many thanks to Dr. K willing to take on a 3rd timer....LOL

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Cheri,

Welcome and you are going have to have a great ride after the DS. It

is the best decision I have ever made other than marring my DH.

PW

lap ds 7-15-03

down 125 pounds ----- getting there ….

5' 3 "

sw/cw/goal~(healthy)

320/195/???

[Guest guest]

Cheri,

Welcome and you are going have to have a great ride after the DS. It

is the best decision I have ever made other than marring my DH.

PW

lap ds 7-15-03

down 125 pounds ----- getting there ….

5' 3 "

sw/cw/goal~(healthy)

320/195/???

[Guest guest]

Cheri,

Welcome and you are going have to have a great ride after the DS. It

is the best decision I have ever made other than marring my DH.

PW

lap ds 7-15-03

down 125 pounds ----- getting there ….

5' 3 "

sw/cw/goal~(healthy)

320/195/???

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I'm pretty sure I did this, but I'll try it again. I have been having a hard

time posting, so maybe it didn't go through the first time.

Hi my name is Cheri. Dr. K is performing my DS on May 11th. I have attended

one of the group meetings in San and this Saturday will be my 2nd

meeting.

My starting weight is 320-325 I pray with the help of the DS I will get down

to 170-150. I am just starting to have problems with do to my weight, but for

a long time I have pulled out of doing things because of my size.

I am ready to be a part of my families life again, I want to be active and

build memories with them, instead of having them think about all the fun things

they have done and remember I wasn't there because I couldn't do the things

they could.

I hope to get to know all of you, I have been reading all your success

stories, you have all done a great job.

Cheri

[Guest guest]

Jo,

I though I did, but I have tried to post several other messages but they

never went through. Then I got an email stating the rules of the group saying

that I would need to post a short note to the group telling who I am ect. So I

did.

Thanks

Cheri

[Guest guest]

> I'm pretty sure I did this, but I'll try it again. I have been

having a hard

> time posting, so maybe it didn't go through the first time.

============================

Hi Cheri

You did send an " I'm new " post...it was post number 40401...and you

received 5 replys. If you didn't get to read them you can go look

at the post on the Yahoo groups website, just look up you post

number.

I'm glad your here to learn, to share your experiences and just to

become part of our sister/brotherhood of friends.

Hugs

Jo

[Guest guest]

> I'm pretty sure I did this, but I'll try it again. I have been

having a hard

> time posting, so maybe it didn't go through the first time.

============================

Hi Cheri

You did send an " I'm new " post...it was post number 40401...and you

received 5 replys. If you didn't get to read them you can go look

at the post on the Yahoo groups website, just look up you post

number.

I'm glad your here to learn, to share your experiences and just to

become part of our sister/brotherhood of friends.

Hugs

Jo

[Guest guest]

> Hi,

>

> I'm pretty sure I did this, but I'll try it again. I have been

having a hard

> time posting, so maybe it didn't go through the first time.

>

> Hi my name is Cheri. Dr. K is performing my DS on May 11th. I

have attended

> one of the group meetings in San and this Saturday will be my

2nd

> meeting.

>

> My starting weight is 320-325 I pray with the help of the DS I

will get down

> to 170-150. I am just starting to have problems with do to my

weight, but for

> a long time I have pulled out of doing things because of my size.

>

> I am ready to be a part of my families life again, I want to be

active and

> build memories with them, instead of having them think about all

the fun things

> they have done and remember I wasn't there because I couldn't do

the things

> they could.

>

> I hope to get to know all of you, I have been reading all your

success

> stories, you have all done a great job.

>

> Cheri

~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Cheri,

Once agin we welcome you to the group,have a great ride and ask

away on the questions...Someone will answer you.

I started out at 334 and on 1-7-02 I had my surgery,and I was a

revision,I am now at 170 and loving life.Walked all over the

adventure dome in Vegas at Circus,circus last weekend and the only

thing that bothered me was my knees,going up and down the stairs.

Have a wonderful time here and ask away...

God bless,

Pat

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Cheri!

I started at 310 pounds and am now at 155 (18 months out). I thought you

might find this stat encouraging, since we started at similar places. I wish

you

all luck and welcome to our world!

Hugs and blessings,

Ann

[Guest guest]

Best of everything for your surgery Cheri!

Tracey

> Hi,

>

> I'm pretty sure I did this, but I'll try it again. I have been

having a hard

> time posting, so maybe it didn't go through the first time.

>

> Hi my name is Cheri. Dr. K is performing my DS on May 11th. I

have attended

> one of the group meetings in San and this Saturday will be my

2nd

> meeting.

>

> My starting weight is 320-325 I pray with the help of the DS I

will get down

> to 170-150. I am just starting to have problems with do to my

weight, but for

> a long time I have pulled out of doing things because of my size.

>

> I am ready to be a part of my families life again, I want to be

active and

> build memories with them, instead of having them think about all

the fun things

> they have done and remember I wasn't there because I couldn't do

the things

> they could.

>

> I hope to get to know all of you, I have been reading all your

success

> stories, you have all done a great job.

>

> Cheri

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Tracey,

Thanks. I should be packing at this very minute, but it can wait until

morning.

Cheri

[Guest guest]

Hello Joanne you have found home i think EH!! Welcome im 32 diagnosed Oct 2002 my onset put me in hospital for month it was rough the virus,flu ect everthing else but after awhile the Flu & Virus just dosent fit.You will find a way to tell ur littleone & im sure alot here will have sugestions,I know they will!!! Today im feelin great & hope it gets better for you too,take care. d.Canada

I'm New

Hello my name is Joanne i am 27 and live in a small town near Rochester New York. I am married and have a 2 year old. When i was 10 in 1987 i was diagnosed with JRA. It took 2 months of testing to figure it out. The flare only lasted about 6 months. In the end of June 2004 I started feeling very stiff. My Doc gave me muscle relaxers. Then they said it was a virus. I had all the Stills symptoms just like all of you. 2 emergency room visits 1 ambulance ride A ton of blood work 2 xrays 1 ct scan and they decided it was Stills. I am now on 7mg of pred and 20 of Plaquenil. I go for blood work every 2 weeks. I have been out of work for 2 months now. The worste part of this was telling my 2 year old Mommy hurts to much to hug. I am so happy to have foung this web site. It is nice to know i am not alone. Joanne Visit the Still's Disease Message Boardhttp://disc.server.com/Indices/148599.htmlThe materials and information contained in this message are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for medical advice of physicians and/or other health care professionals. The International Still's Disease Foundation is not engaged in rendering medical or professional medical services. You should consult your physician on specific medical questions, particularly in matters requiring diagnosis or medical attention. The International Still's Disease Foundation makes no representations or warranties with respect to any treatment, action, application, medication or preparation by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form. ion by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form.

[Guest guest]

Hi Joanne,

and Welcome, I would just like to put forth my warmest welcome to you. I

don't post much anymore, but I will say to push through, press on, never

give up and keep on smiling.

My name is Patti and I was diagnosed when I was 19, 2 years ago and I still

remember it like it was yesterday but I am now set free, hopefully forever.

God Bless

Patti~CaNADA

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[Guest guest]

Welcome Joanne;

My daughter was two many years ago when I was diagnosed. My sister used to come over to play with her because I couldn't. So you bring back many memories for me there. Those worse days are long past and my wishes for you are the same. My nickname is Melt and several forms thereof and I am sure you will do just fine. We are like family here and welcome you in.

We look forward to knowing you better,

Smiles, Melt

I'm New

Hello my name is Joanne i am 27 and live in a small town near Rochester New York. I am married and have a 2 year old. When i was 10 in 1987 i was diagnosed with JRA. It took 2 months of testing to figure it out. The flare only lasted about 6 months. In the end of June 2004 I started feeling very stiff. My Doc gave me muscle relaxers. Then they said it was a virus. I had all the Stills symptoms just like all of you. 2 emergency room visits 1 ambulance ride A ton of blood work 2 xrays 1 ct scan and they decided it was Stills. I am now on 7mg of pred and 20 of Plaquenil. I go for blood work every 2 weeks. I have been out of work for 2 months now. The worste part of this was telling my 2 year old Mommy hurts to much to hug. I am so happy to have foung this web site. It is nice to know i am not alone. Joanne Visit the Still's Disease Message Boardhttp://disc.server.com/Indices/148599.htmlThe materials and information contained in this message are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for medical advice of physicians and/or other health care professionals. The International Still's Disease Foundation is not engaged in rendering medical or professional medical services. You should consult your physician on specific medical questions, particularly in matters requiring diagnosis or medical attention. The International Still's Disease Foundation makes no representations or warranties with respect to any treatment, action, application, medication or preparation by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form. ion by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form.

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group Joanne. Sorry you have this but you have come to the right place for support and information.

I am 33, married with two sons (6 & 3) and was diagnosed 4/04 after 3 hospitalizations that began in January.

I hope you feel better soon. Kirk.

I'm New

Hello my name is Joanne i am 27 and live in a small town near Rochester New York. I am married and have a 2 year old. When i was 10 in 1987 i was diagnosed with JRA. It took 2 months of testing to figure it out. The flare only lasted about 6 months. In the end of June 2004 I started feeling very stiff. My Doc gave me muscle relaxers. Then they said it was a virus. I had all the Stills symptoms just like all of you. 2 emergency room visits 1 ambulance ride A ton of blood work 2 xrays 1 ct scan and they decided it was Stills. I am now on 7mg of pred and 20 of Plaquenil. I go for blood work every 2 weeks. I have been out of work for 2 months now. The worste part of this was telling my 2 year old Mommy hurts to much to hug. I am so happy to have foung this web site. It is nice to know i am not alone. Joanne Visit the Still's Disease Message Boardhttp://disc.server.com/Indices/148599.htmlThe materials and information contained in this message are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for medical advice of physicians and/or other health care professionals. The International Still's Disease Foundation is not engaged in rendering medical or professional medical services. You should consult your physician on specific medical questions, particularly in matters requiring diagnosis or medical attention. The International Still's Disease Foundation makes no representations or warranties with respect to any treatment, action, application, medication or preparation by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form. ion by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form.

[Guest guest]

Hi Joanne!

You've definitely made it to the right place! All of us here are genuinely

supportive of each other, though most of us have never met. I drop in every now

and then to say hello and see what or who is new. I do my best to stay busy and

work while I can. Typically, I flare every 4 - 6 weeks, mostly bcause of

adjustments to my medication - I can't seem to get below 12MG daily without

problems.

I hope we can answer some questions for you, or at the very least, provide the

support you need.

Have a great day!

Randal

[Guest guest]

Hi Joanne, Sorry to hear about all your problems. It must be hard with a child, I have 2 grand children and I worry about that too. I've had stills about 3 years and there was a time I felt as you, but as time goes along and you get more control over the disease, you will do better too. We'll all be praying for you. you've come to a great site. Hugs, B

[Guest guest]

Hi Bob, I'm so glad that you found your way here, this is THE very best group available. A super bunch of folks, most that really care about one another and helping see each other through.. A wonderful place to have questions answered or just vent and have others understand. Welcome! Sheena tinman85708 wrote: Hello All,I'm newly diagnosed. I'm anticipating my liver biopsy in April/May timeframe as that seems to be the soonest I can get in to see a specialist. I hope to learn a great deal about Hep-C through all of you as well as turn to you for support. My initial barrage of blood tests show my ATL level to be within the normal range but I still don't know if I've had this for a while or if it's a recent development. Thank you all as this seems to be a very supportive group. I'll post as I get info on where I'm at with this disease.Bob

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