dotty_jo

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I have been a single Mom now for 12 years. I have 2 wonderful children, Yolonda & Charles Jr. Both have graduated college. I'm very proud of them and love them very much. They both have their wonderful spouses, and I have 1 exceptional grandson that is the light of my life. I also have 1 grandchild on the way.

I have been obese most of my life. I have tried diet after diet to no avail for any length of time. Now I'm morbidly obese. I have checked into having WLS. My first consultation is on 11/08/04, with Dr Gooden in Augusta, Ga.

I could do anything anyone else could do and was happy with my life and family. Now I'm having trouble with my knees and back. I'm still happy with my life and family, I just have to do something to keep it that way. I have now reached 300lbs. I'll write more later on..................

**Update** My second grandson was born on October 18, 2006. He was born premature but is doing wonderful now, thanks to a lot of prayers.

 11/09/04 Yesterday I went to my first consultation. He was informative and answered all my questions. I'm nervous and excited. I don't have to go to any classes or seminars. I do have to have the lump in my rt breast taken care of before we go any further with WLS. 12/29/04 I called the Drs office today and they still haven't heard from Medicaid. I go for another mammogram today and will have surgery (lumpectomy) on the 4th of January. I hope everyone had a good Christmas and I wish you a safe and Happy New Year~!! Also send up lots of prayers for those affected by the Tsunami. Later~!!!!

12/29/04 I called the Drs office today and they still haven't heard from Medicaid. I go for another mammogram today and will have surgery (lumpectomy) on the 4th of January. I hope everyone had a good Christmas and I wish you a safe and Happy New Year~!! Also send up lots of prayers for those affected by the Tsunami. Later~!!!!

 02/21/06 Today is my Moms 74th birthday~!!! I haven't written in a while now. Things happened and I didn't get approved. All things happen for a reason. It turns I was really sick from the beginning of the year. It just kept getting worse. It turns out I had renal cell carcinoma aka Kidney cancer. Yes the big "C" word. On July 13,05 they removed my right kidney. I had the best urologists in the world. She removed my kidney laproscopically. Then the phone rang it was Dr Goodens office telling me they resubmitted my papers and I have a date of March 16, 2006 at 7:20 am.

03/03/06 I went to my Urologist today. I had to have a chest x-rays and bloodwork done. I have to do this every 6months for 2-3 years. She gave me the all clear to have WLS. She told me that I'm doing wonderful from the removal of my kidney. I was so glad to hear that. Later~!!!!!

03/08/06 I went to Dr Goodens' office today for my last consultation, then on over to the hospital for all my pre-op testing. It wasn't too bad. I had a chest X-ray, EKG, and bloodwork. Then I had to see the dietician for some papers of the different stages of food. Dr. Gooden is planning on doing my surgery Laproscopiacally. Keep your fingers crossed. I have to be at the hospital at 5:00 am on the 14th of March. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. I need to go and get things organized. Later~!!!!!!!!

03/13/06 Tomorrow is the day. I'm making sure today I have everything I need to take with me. I have my carmex, slip-on house shoes, couple of gowns, pill crusher, and different things I need. I'm doing ok today, excited and nervous. I know I have to do this to get my hernia fixed and to better my health. It is not a number on the scale for me it's all to do with my health. I want to Thank everyone for the kind words and prayers sent my way. Tonight we are going to Augusta to spend the night as I have to be at the hospital at 5:00 am. I live about an hour and forty-five minutes from there. When we arrived in Augusta we went and had supper at the Olive Garden. I was too nervous to eat. My mom, daughter, sister and best friend were with me. We got to our room and got settled in. I didn't think I would sleep too much, but I did on and off. Then the next thing I knew the alarm was going off. I got up and bathed in the special soap they gave me for surgery. Off to the hospital we go. Later~!!!!!!!!!!!!!

03/14/06 I got checked in at the hospital, sat down and waited for about 20 minutes, then they called me back. They did all my prep work, then they came and took me to the holding room early. I was ready to get up and run then in walks Dr. Gooden. I prayed for peace, then we were off to surgery. The surgery took about 1.5 hours. I was in recovery for a long time due to the fact they had no bed available....that was a bummer, 'cos I was wide awake and ready for my room. I was there about 20 minutes and I had them help me up to sit in a chair. My back was hurting due to an old back injury. 2 hours later I was up walking the halls. The hardest thing for me was NO WATER, NO ICE, NOTHING by mouth for 24 hours. It seemed like time stood still. My mom stayed all night with me to help me out. Later~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

03/15/06 Woke up and they came to take me for my Upper GI X-ray to check my pouch for any leakages. Everything was good to go........Bring on them ice chips~!! I got ice chips, SF popcicles, and water. It tasted wonderful. I walked around the halls a 5 or 6 times. The Dr. came in and said if I kept it I would go home tomorrow. I did have them stop the morphine pump 'cos it was giving me a headache. My son and daughter-in-law took turns staying with me through the night. Later~!!!!

03/16/04 Dr. Gooden came in and said, "How would you like to go home?" I said, " You Betcha." After that I got the catheter, IV, Oxygen Montior, and JP Drain out (wasn't that bad). Called my sister and to Home Sweet Home I went.

03/17/06 Had a somewhat good night...no pain...just hard to sleep on my flat bed. I got up went to my recliner. I slept pretty good there. Got up early and ate breakfast or should I say I sipped breakfast, then went for my walk. I feel pretty good. Later~!!!!!

04/24/06 I haven't posted in a while. The few first days were really good, then anxiety set in. I felt so depressed all the time, and I was very angry at myself. I thought " What in the world have I done to myself?" My PCP put me on Xanax for the depression. I can't wait for all this to pass and I can get back to myself. Right now if you asked me would I do it again I would say NO. But I know that's just nerves and anxiety.Later~!!!!!

05/15/06 I know so far I am a slow loser. That's ok by me. It gives me time to keep toning and exercising in between weight loss. It's not the numbers on the scale for me, it's getting healthy. Sure the weight loss is good. As far as the depression goes, everyone tells me it will pass that this is normal, I have to say I am doing better with this. I have stopped taking the Xanax. I have actually started going out to my grandsons baseball games. I have to say to date I have not been sick, or dumped. I can eat anything I want (which I dont eat the bad). I read post where people are lactose intolerant, thank goodness I am not. I thank the good Lord above that he has taken care of me thus far. Life is looking brighter. Later~!!!!