kaniky
On November 27, 2004 my then four year old son, Nicky, was diagnosed with cancer. With the flip of a switch - in the blink of an eye - our worlds changed forever. Everything became about getting Nicky through the next two and a half years of chemo and treatment and try to help our then 9 year old daughter, Kate, come through all of this as "normal" as possible.
I have always been the care-giver in our family, even prior to Nicky's diagnosis. I was "super-woman" and yet never found the time for me. The weight slowly crept on over the years and before I knew it I was not only obese, but morbidly obese. I never really thought too much about it. I was just the funny fat girl. I learned my place in life and executed it perfectly.
Then during the summer of 2007, Nicky completed treatment and his leukemia was officially gone. Now what was I going to do with myself? What would I do with all my extra time? Who was I going to worry about? I had one of those light bulb moments and it finally dawned on me that it was time that I take care of my children's mom. What goood was it really to get my kids through cancer if I died because I hadn't taken care of myself?
I started talking to my husband and my parents about my weight and that I wanted to have the lapband procedure. What is so ironic is the fact that I thought they were all going to be so disappointed in me because I couldn't lose the weight on my own and had to "cheat" with surgery to get healthy. They were never more proud of me because I had decided to take my healthcare into my own hands and do what I could to guarantee a long and healthy life.
In October 2007, I went to a seminar about the lapband surgery. On January 21, 2008, I had surgery that has not only changed but saved my life. I now have a life. Whereas before, I was sitting on the sidelines watching life go by, now I am an active participant. I have lost a total of 112 pounds so far. I had lost even more than that, but needed an unfill due to being overfilled for too long. But that's the great thing about the lap band for me. It's flexible. It's forgiving. It healed and I am back on the losing side and headed toward goal. Only 42 more pounds!!!
This board has given me courage, knowledge and a soft place to land when I have needed it. There are so many strong people here and advice is given with kindness.
I am still going through my weight loss journey and truth be told, I always will. I am a walking billboard for weight loss surgery and share my story with anyone who is willing to stop and listen!!
April 22, 2009
