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I met the love of my life in April 2001.  He came along at about the time I had given in to the idea that I would be a single mother for the rest of my life.  I was going about the business of getting used to the idea, when a friend uttered those fateful words, " I have someone I want you to meet".  Oh. Hell. No. I resisted for all of about 5 minutes.  The rest is the story of my new life.

Kevin has two sons from his first marriage.  I have a daughter and a son from my first marriage.  All of a sudden we were a family of six.  The Brady Bunch comments flew (where was Alice? I really could have used her!)  We ventured forth into our life together, four kids in tow.  We had a blast (most of the time).  Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all "unicorns and rainbows"  as our 14 year old daughter so aptly puts it.  Blending four kids who've experienced the pain of divorce was not always easy or fun.  Eight years later, though, I can report the experience was incredible.  Blood, sweat, and tears.  But definitely worth it.  It still is.  With two seventeen year olds and two fourteen year olds, there is never a dull (or predictable) moment. 

So, what does this quaint tale have to do with our  journey into weight loss surgery?  Neither one of us was at a healthy weight when we met.  And after eight years of mach five with our hair on fire, our weight has ballooned to all-time OMG highs. Kevin inherited an alarming genetic health package from his dear late father.  He was taken from us at the age of 59, having finally succumbed to the ravages of diabetes and heart disease. Kevin has followed in his footsteps.  He has diabetes, elevated triglycerides and cholesterol, hypertension, and sleep apnea.  Throw GERD and  psoriasis in for good measure.  I have hypertension, depression, and elevated triglycerides and cholesterol.  I also smoked a pack a day up until July 15, 2009.  We were the poster children for how to have a heart attack or stroke before any of your kids graduates high school.  Don't forget the fast food, convenience food, lack of physical activity, and general fatigue brought on by full-time jobs for both of us while trying to keep up with having a life.  Sound familiar?

So, that all being said, we learned that my insurance plan covers weight loss surgery,  We also learned that the hospital where I work has a new weight loss surgery program.  Off we went to the informational seminar.  That was on July 15, 2009.  Kevin had his RNY surgery on August 17, 2009.  He has lost 54 pounds. (20 before, 34 after).  He feels better than he has in years. His blood sugars are much lower, he does not snore, his once swollen legs are normal, and his psoriasis is clearing up.  All this in about a month. he is following the guidelines of our surgeon, exercising, and trying to drink his protein supplements even though he doesn't care for them.  He is drinking water instead of his beloved diet pepsi.  Its working for him, and he's working for it.   When I spoke to Dr. Anderson (our surgeon) after Kevin's surgery, he told me Kevin wouldn't have made it another 10 years without this surgery.  A sobering confirmation of what I new in my heart already.  Thank God for the opportunity to see Kevin live a better, longer life!  I couldn't bear the thought of such a short time together.  I know we are promised nothing.  But there is hope for a longer, stronger life together.

My RNY is scheduled for October 5, 2009.  I am thrilled.  We are the first married couple our surgeon's weight  loss team has ever worked with.  Given the marital difficulties that seem to plague post surgical weight loss patients, they are uncertain what to make of us.  I sense they want to warn us of what lies ahead, but don't want to introduce doubt into our minds.  I'm not concerned.  Kevin and I have been through much together.  Much more than this challenge we face.  We will get through this together, just like we have everything else.  It is, afterall,  a time for us.