2006 The Year in Review

2006 The Year in Review

Well, like it does for many folks in the newspaper, the end of the year means it is time for a "Year in Review" column.  

The year truly would start for me with an anonymous email from a friend on February 27th. One statement in that email would change my life. " It is a simple procedure called Lap-Band."

I had NEVER heard of such a thing. I had heard of ByPass and knew that I would NEVER do that. So, a bit of research and then the emails and phone calls to and from Bubba began as the IDEA of a new life was placed before me.

After doing much research, I decided to go to a seminar that would be given by Dr. Curry at Deaconess Hospital in March. That got moved back a bit, and I ended up at a seminar given by Dr. Smith at Deaconess. My journey had begun, and due to things temporarily beyond my control I was considering going forth with Dr Smith.  I was not pleased with what I was finding out about Dr. Smith and then was able to move back to Dr. Curry.  Since I was able to work with Dr. Curry my life has changed, all in GREAT WAYS.

That brings us to July 10th - LapBand day. Much like a birthday, it will be an anniversary date I remember.

I know that I would not have been able to have so much success without the ladies of Deaconess. Anonymously, I thank them. 

I decided not to tell too many people of my choice. I work with a large number of negative people and sadly have found my self disappointed by a number of friends.

But for the friends that I did tell, I must say that I could not have done it without them! My god daughter and family- god daughter has been so sweet and has enjoyed many milestones with me these last 6 months. Her mom- probably the best way to describe all that she has done for me would be to say she is the wife I never had and sorta the third sister I do. All the things she has done for me have made me feel loved. It's a nice feeling. 

My mom and sister- very supportive and caring. I actually got to take my 7 year old niece on a bike ride in October, and throw a football on Turkey Day with one of my nephews. Without the LapBand, I would never have done either, and both are highlights of the great life I expect to have.

The Deaconess Dieticioness- Could not have done it without her. We speak many times a week, and in 2007 as I focus on the next 45 pounds, we will work together to get me healthier and keep me healthier. And she has become a friend! That is a good thing.  

Bubba- last, but not least. Faithful readers will know what I'm talking about. Anytime I needed a friend, an answer, a goal. Bubba was there for me. I'm damn lucky to have him as a friend.  One of my major recovery goals was to be able to ride BubbaFest in the Florida Keys in November. I RODE MY BIKE FROM MIAMI TO KEY WEST! A truly emotional high. Never expecting to ever be on a bike again, Bubba has made me appreciate every mile that I get now.

For those who will be asking about the numbers here you go:

369 / 285 / 240

369 - my largest weight 

285 - my current weight

240 - my goal

85 down. 45 to go. But the 45 to go are not the reason that 2006 ended so well. All the things I got to do as I became healthier and healthier - the life I can enjoy and the opportunities in front of me- that's the reason that 2006 was so good.

That's the year in review. In fact it makes me think about all I want to do in the future. But that's why we have New Years. 2007 - coming soon. A year with goals and hopes and desires. And a year that it looks like I'll have the possibility to achieve those goals and hopes and desires.

Happy New Year - Talk to you NEXT YEAR!

JC