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Post by Joanne on Jul 25, 2014 6:25:48 GMT -5
Hi everyone I started joining in on some conversations last week, and wanted to take a minute to say hi to some old friends, and introduce myself to some new ones. I had my DS 5 years ago in 2009, and have done really well (If I do say so myself!). No real issues, and maintaining at my goal for years now. I used to be quite a regular around here, but have been gone for awhile. Probably the biggest reason is that I'm caregiver to my 24 year old son who is battling cancer. He has lymphoma that has been refractory to chemo and together we've spent about 200 nights in the hospital in NYC (not consecutive), which is about 3 hours from our home. I still am very much devoted to my son and his needs. I would also like to find ways to balance my own needs, and a big part of that for me is the online DS community. I miss the camaraderie. I miss paying it forward and feeling like just maybe I can help someone. I thought in this introduction I'd share with everyone that I am continuing still to learn and figure things out with massive weight loss. The latest has to do with a haircut I got last night. I've worn my hair at a length between my chin and shoulders for over 30 years. I recently turned 50 and was ready for a change. My stylist last night convinced me to go short. Now, the backstory to this is while I was contemplating change, I was googling hairstyles for round faces. Old habits die hard. My hair stylist has been with me since before my DS so she gets it. She laughed at me about the round face thing. When she cut my hair I kept saying "it makes my face look so thin". She had to keep telling me that was my face. I just never noticed it behind my hair. I kept saying my neck looked so small. Same thing, she had to tell me that was my neck. She couldn't believe that I didn't realize what my face and neck looked like. Neither can I. I've been thinking a lot overnight about "fat brain" and wondering just how deeply those thoughts are ingrained in us. Oh, and here's a picture of the new hair   |
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dawn4511
Junior Member
Posts: 92
Surgery Type: Revision
Surgery Date: 08/14/2014
Surgeon: Dr Dennis Hong
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Post by dawn4511 on Jul 25, 2014 6:58:26 GMT -5
Hello and welcome back. You look fantastic the new hair cut suits you. Sorry about what your going through with your son *hugzzz*
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Post by OnMyWay2Thin on Jul 25, 2014 7:38:33 GMT -5
You look outstanding! Five years and doing well, what an inspiration. The haircut becomes you. Hope your son is improving, you're a wonderful mom and he deserves to be better.
I look forward to reading about your experiences and learning from you. Monday will be three weeks out for me. Have a good day!
Kelly
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Post by caprice on Jul 25, 2014 7:39:25 GMT -5
Your haircut is adorbz! (and so are you). Welcome back to the "pen". I've really enjoyed what you've added to the discussion over the last several days, and I hope you are able to keep doing that. I appreciate your perspective, and the way you articulate it.
I am very sorry for you son's health troubles. How wonderful, though, that you are able to support him the way that you do. I hope improvement is happening there (or will happen).
See you around....
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Post by newyorkbitch on Jul 25, 2014 8:05:05 GMT -5
Lovely.
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Post by west4thavenue on Jul 25, 2014 8:29:13 GMT -5
What a pretty, carefree new look for you! I have been reading and enjoying your posts. I'm glad you have returned!
You and your son will be in my prayers.
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Post by Girlrocker on Jul 25, 2014 8:39:04 GMT -5
Joanne, it is so good to see and read you again! My heart goes out to you being a parent who has to endure your child going through cancer. You were one of the first people who reached out to me when I first found this site, and your wisdom and guidance became part of the cornerstone of my DS transition process. And your new do is fabulous, looks beautiful on you! Welcome back |
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Post by Leonie on Jul 25, 2014 9:37:41 GMT -5
It is lovely hearing your voice!
And you look adorable.
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Post by jpcello on Jul 25, 2014 9:49:03 GMT -5
Glad you're back - we've missed you. Love the new look.
Round face - ha!!
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Post by Melinda on Jul 25, 2014 10:17:08 GMT -5
Joanne,
I am glad you're back. You look gorgeous! You're an awesome Mom. I will continue to pray for your son and you as you continue this journey together.
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Post by bboop on Jul 25, 2014 12:48:52 GMT -5
Your hair looks great and so do you. My thoughts are with you and your son...hang in there mamma.
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Post by Gail R on Jul 25, 2014 14:50:24 GMT -5
Hi Joanne, Glad to see you here. I kind of lurk but still stay connected. It helps me to keep on track. I have to agree that at nearly 5 years out, I am still not capable of seeing myself rationally. I have gained 15 pounds over the place where I was hoping to stay and now feel nearly obese. No one sees it but me.
I have been following Tim's struggles and my heart goes out to you and your family. I keep sending positive thoughts your way.
BTW Love your new look!
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Post by Girlrocker on Jul 25, 2014 15:35:36 GMT -5
Hi Joanne, Glad to see you here. I kind of lurk but still stay connected. It helps me to keep on track. I have to agree that at nearly 5 years out, I am still not capable of seeing myself rationally. I have gained 15 pounds over the place where I was hoping to stay and now feel nearly obese. No one sees it but me. I have been following Tim's struggles and my heart goes out to you and your family. I keep sending positive thoughts your way. BTW Love your new look! My first two DS mentors on one thread, love seeing you both! Gail, I hear you, that 15 lbs is enough to make clothes fit differently, now that we can actually notice such things! But I have no doubt you still look fantastic, and it's a small bounce back. I'm glad you're still around too, and ONE OF THESE DAYS I will get up to the northern part of our state! |
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Post by teachermomolp on Jul 25, 2014 20:01:55 GMT -5
I love the hair! You go girl. Keep on posting!
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Post by illinids2 on Jul 25, 2014 21:52:05 GMT -5
Joanne it is great to have you back, and as I told your privately my thoughts are with you and Tim. As you know we are fortunate that Cameron's Hodgkin Lymphoma went into remission very quickly so his cancer battle was short. He has had problems with just about everything else since, but his cancer has stayed away for 3.5 years now.
I know Tim is battling and you are fighting with him but please know that I am sending as much positive energy your way as I can muster. Keep the faith that Tim will beat this bastard we call cancer, as hard as it is sometimes you know that keeping up your strength and the positive attitude is so important....and I bet you get tired of hearing that too, so it is good that you are taking some "me time" and coming to the board for a respite from the daily grind I know you go through.
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Post by illinids2 on Jul 25, 2014 21:53:44 GMT -5
Hi Joanne, Glad to see you here. I kind of lurk but still stay connected. It helps me to keep on track. I have to agree that at nearly 5 years out, I am still not capable of seeing myself rationally. I have gained 15 pounds over the place where I was hoping to stay and now feel nearly obese. No one sees it but me. I have been following Tim's struggles and my heart goes out to you and your family. I keep sending positive thoughts your way. BTW Love your new look! So nice to see you posting as well, Gail. I hope you can see your beauty and that you can take off the few pounds that are bothering you. |
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Post by Joanne on Jul 26, 2014 8:38:44 GMT -5
Hi Joanne, Glad to see you here. I kind of lurk but still stay connected. It helps me to keep on track. I have to agree that at nearly 5 years out, I am still not capable of seeing myself rationally. I have gained 15 pounds over the place where I was hoping to stay and now feel nearly obese. No one sees it but me. I have been following Tim's struggles and my heart goes out to you and your family. I keep sending positive thoughts your way. BTW Love your new look! Ah, my friend!! XOXO I know, it's not as easy to keep weight off as it was years ago. 15 pounds before surgery wouldn't have made much difference. I doubt I would have noticed. But I do know what you mean about now. I'm certain you still look fabulous. You know, I pulled my old pre-op pants out of the corner of my closer last week, just so I could put in perspective how far we've come. If you kept anything, take a look at it. I couldn't wrap my head around how my body once occupied all that space. If you need some perspective, look at something that reminds you of how far you've come. Miss you - how is everything otherwise? How are your kidneys these days? |
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Post by Joanne on Jul 26, 2014 8:40:16 GMT -5
Thank you, everyone, for the welcome back and the kind words!
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Post by Gail R on Jul 26, 2014 14:33:53 GMT -5
I am doing fine, Joanne. I will know more after I go in for my 5 year labs in the next few weeks. While my diabetes, which was killing my kidneys, didn't resolve, it became much more manageable. I am confidant that my kidneys and liver have recovered pretty well. Part of my reason for wanting to take of the excess is that I have decided on getting corrective PS. The surgeon said my results would be better if I lost a bit more. I am working at it. Another thing I am figuring out at this stage is that I am still thinking with my old obese brain. I was in the sierras last weekend at my cabin at 7500 ft elevation. I had invited friends and they insisted that I accompany them on a moderate hiking trail to a remote lake. My brain screamed "you can't do it" BUT I DID! It was glorious.
Let's compare notes on our annual labs?
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Post by Girlrocker on Jul 26, 2014 16:24:48 GMT -5
This all good to hear Gail, you deserve the reconstructive PS. Wonderful about your hike, and you have so much more out there for you. Fat brain takes a long time to go away, but it's doable. We live in such a beautiful state, so many hikes, things to do that are good for us and a nice change from the healthclub/gym. You can DO IT. Seeing you and Joanne here? Makes me all kinds of happy. I am doing fine, Joanne. I will know more after I go in for my 5 year labs in the next few weeks. While my diabetes, which was killing my kidneys, didn't resolve, it became much more manageable. I am confidant that my kidneys and liver have recovered pretty well. Part of my reason for wanting to take of the excess is that I have decided on getting corrective PS. The surgeon said my results would be better if I lost a bit more. I am working at it. Another thing I am figuring out at this stage is that I am still thinking with my old obese brain. I was in the sierras last weekend at my cabin at 7500 ft elevation. I had invited friends and they insisted that I accompany them on a moderate hiking trail to a remote lake. My brain screamed "you can't do it" BUT I DID! It was glorious. Let's compare notes on our annual labs? |
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Post by Joanne on Jul 26, 2014 19:43:53 GMT -5
I am doing fine, Joanne. I will know more after I go in for my 5 year labs in the next few weeks. While my diabetes, which was killing my kidneys, didn't resolve, it became much more manageable. I am confidant that my kidneys and liver have recovered pretty well. Part of my reason for wanting to take of the excess is that I have decided on getting corrective PS. The surgeon said my results would be better if I lost a bit more. I am working at it. Another thing I am figuring out at this stage is that I am still thinking with my old obese brain. I was in the sierras last weekend at my cabin at 7500 ft elevation. I had invited friends and they insisted that I accompany them on a moderate hiking trail to a remote lake. My brain screamed "you can't do it" BUT I DID! It was glorious. Let's compare notes on our annual labs? I'm glad your health is improved, I know that was a big motivator for your surgery. I hear you on the obese brain. I dont know if it ever changes. I still find myself thinking like that, giving myself too much room to sit on things, and thinking I cant do things. Your hike sounds magnificent! I've always wanted to do something like that. I'm due for labs, too. It will be interesting to see where we are at 5 years. It seems like just yesterday, and also a life time ago at the same time. |
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Post by nursemelanie on Jul 27, 2014 1:44:55 GMT -5
Love the hair! I too cut mine short when I finished my LPN in December. I had long hair all my life. Then when I became obese 10 yrs ago, I used it for coverage...protection...my silly sisters were aghast when I considered cutting it(while fat). They said no don't do it, it's your best feature...especially while your fat! Me being the total non-conformist and black sheep of the family(came out at 31/have a 15 yr old disabled child/my spouse is black as is our 16 month old) I chopped it all off and finally freed myself of that covering of shame.
You should change your avatar....you look 10 yrs younger!;D
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