The shock of winning has worn off a little and I have been reflecting a little bit about what this means to me. After April 20th my life will be so different - well at least parts of it.

At first, food will be a big piece of it because I will have to learn how to eat differently. Small amounts will be it for me. I won't be over eating. I will have to make good choices with the small amount that I will be eating. Protein first, then veggies/fruit and then carbs. And I will be eating only about 1/2 cup of food at a time, so the choices I make will be very important. As most things go, I will have to focus on the changes at first, but later they will become second nature.

I still haven't told everyone I know about the surgery. Isn't it strange, I would prefer to tell strangers about it than friends and family. Strangers (or acquaintances) don't really have a vested interest in me so they don't really have an opinion. Friends and family always have an opinion and sometimes it is not one you want to hear.

I am very excited about this, but worry that friends/family will think that I am taking the easy way out. Although, there is no way that I think that this is the easy way out. There is a lot of change that is going to coming my way. My brother, when I told him was so excited and supportive it was no nice. He couldn't of said nicer things. My sister, Mona, was also great - she is always my biggest cheerleader. Dad and Miss Alice only worry that I will be safe, but isn't that what parents are all about. I love that about them.

Other friends that I have told go straight to dread. Talk about all the bad things that they have "heard". I just explain to them that this is the safest way to go and helps with life-style changes. Again, I tell them that I am happy about this and hope they will support my decision. It's their choice to support me, or their choice not to hear from me. I need support and affirmations not dread and fretting.

My life is so good and I have so many blessings, that I can't believe that I am even getting this opportunity. I will always be so grateful to WHMS and the Illinois Bariatric Surgery Center.

One step leads to another

In January, my local radio station (WHMS, 97.5) advertised a contest for a New Year, New You Makeover. The winner of the contest would win the Lap Band Surgery and one year of follow-up care from Dr. Sidney Rohrschreib, of Illinois Bariatric Surgery and Olympian Surgical Suites in Champaign, IL. I had to fill out a questionnaire and sort of an essay to enter. I was really excited that there was even an opportunity like this and I went straight to the web site to enter.

I didn't think that I had a chance to win, but you can't win if you don't try.

On Monday of this week, I received a phone call and found out that I was one of six finalists. I really got excited. I made an appointment for Thursday to come in and meet everyone. I also had to talk to the nurse practitioner to see if I was eligible. At my appointment, I was so impressed with all the staff. They were all so nice and very positive about everything. I left there thinking that I had to win or I would be so disappointed.

So, today at 1:00 they announced the winner on the air and......................... I won. What a gift. I am so thankful to everyone involved. I am going to get a chance at a new life with a lot less weight on me.

I know that it will be a lot of work and it will only be effective as I make it, but I am very excited.

When they announced my name, I was speechless, then I cried a little and then I called my sister. I could not believe it. Even now, it seems a little surreal.

I called Dr. Rohrschreib's office to find out the next step. Well, my consultation is on March 8, 2010 and my surgery is scheduled for April 20th, my birthday. What a great way to start a new birth year.

So, everyone, please pray for me that this journey will not be filled with obstacles and that I can do all that is required of me. I will not waste this gift that has been given to me.

I probably won't post as much until I have my consultation and find out all that I have to do. I will update this site so everyone knows how my journey is proceeding.

Woo Hoo and a big yippee!!!!! Life is good.