Monday, February 15, 2010

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.


Friday, February 12, 2010

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.