My Story

I have a strong family history of obesity, Diabetes, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, and addiction. I recognized these things, fortunately, at an early age, and as I pursued a career in health care was able to get ahead of the game for the most part. Health wise my numbers are in great shape.... except for the scale. I have a history of a 20-30 pound swing on the scales.... of which I am currently on the higher end. For many years I was involved in weight lifting, was around 18% body fat, and extremely fit. I cannot stand to do cardio... not sure why....but I am not a runner or a biker. I was in great shape, and then life happened. 11 years ago I was thrown from a horse, and injured my hip, back and neck, causing pinched nerves, herniated disk, and pain every second of every day. I also had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Endometriosis, and the combination was my own living hell. I was 40 years old. I married in 2004 to an amazing man that was a C-5 quadriplegic. He was very outgoing, independent, a spiritual leader, and everything I ever hoped for in a husband and father to my two children. Life was relatively normal for us for the first six years.... then he began developing pressure sores and bone infections that took months in the hospital in Atlanta, and in bed. This forced him to retire sooner than he wanted to. During this time I had a decent grasp on my weight... a total hysterectomy and pain management helped tremendously.... and in January of 2014 my mom became ill, and I watched her suffer every day for the next 8 months until she left this earth. Shortly after her death, I lost a tremendous amount of weight... without even trying. Then about a year later, my husband was in a car accident that broke his femur and pelvis, and as a result of some Spinal Cord Injury things, he had a stroke. That was the game changer for me. Because the fractures changed the way he "sits" he has had chronic pressure sores, three surgeries, bone infections, etc., and has remained in the bed 90% of the time. I have had no activity, and most of the time pick up dinner because I am too exhausted to cook. Most days after 5pm and on the weekends, I am bound to our house because he cannot be left alone. The pain I have began having over the past six months in my hips and back are some days unbearable..... the weight I have gained is to blame, and I simply have not had the motivation to do anything about it. Until now. I knew I had to get control of this now, or I might not ever be able to. I will be honest... if I had insurance that would pay for gastric sleeve, I would have done it by now. Honestly...I do not believe there is any shame in that or that it is a cop out at all. I know several who have done it and I have actually been a little jealous that they were able to. (FYI...SC Medicaid pays for it...but SC State Employee insurance does not....don't even get me started..) We all have our reasons and set backs...I stay away from the term "excuse" because we who find ourselves spiraling out of control are working, tired, raising kids, caring for homes, parents, etc., and simply put ourselves last and pay the price for it. I hope you and I both find balance and health through this journey together. Live Well, Rhonda