HI! everyone    I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to update this website.    A lot has been happening in the past month.  Jim and I went to Florida for a week (pictures to follow) and I helped with a Mammography conference at MMC.   My weight loss to date is 141 pounds.  The fun thing is when I run into someone who hasn't seen me in a while and they can't believe it is me. 

I am not feeling 100% yet but my spirits are much higher now so I will get through this struggle.   I am nauseated about 50% of the time so I need to find out what I can do about that -- even if I could get it to 10% of the time. 

Rumor has it that Dr. Deckinga is not going to be doing the gastric bypass surgery any longer.  Praise the Lord.   He was the cruelest doctor I have ever met.

On the other hand I have found some fantastic doctors including my new surgeon Dr. Foote, my Internist Dr. Gail Gwizdala, my gastroenterologist Dr. Sanford (that man went way beyond what he needed to do to help me) and Dr. Nizzi who will soon be doing the Gastric Bypass surgery at the hospital I work at in Traverse City.

I recently found out that two of my good friends from my hometown Boyne City, MI were diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  So I need to urge you all again to please do self breast exams and get those mammograms.   My Aunt Regina is going through chemo right now for breast cancer.   Which leads me to my next subject

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

Richard Poll who recently went through Brain Surgery

Aunt Regina who is going through chemo for breast cancer

A dear friend who is going through a tough time in her marriage

My husband Jim who has a herniated disc in his lumbar spine

My mom Joan    whose back is starting to bother her again

All others who need our prayers

Wanna see the new me?

Jim and I last year at Busch Gardens in Florida

Jim and I at Busch Gardens 4/03  check out the purple hair

  Me swimming for the first time in 20 years!!   YEA!!

Check out my brother and his Hog

My Mom

And of course my dogs

On April 25, 2003  I received an award for the Quality Achiever of Munson Medical Center.   This was quite a surprise for me and extremely flattering as it is the highest award given out at MMC.

Here I am with the award   Dr. Williams is a Radiologist I work with    Bette is a good friend and the Radiologist's business manager  These are 2 people who I really enjoy working with and helped me become the Quality Assurance Coordinator I am today.   I also want to thank   Kathy McManus (vice president at MMC) who is always there for me and is my mentor   Charlie Dziezic (director of MMC Radiology)  Dennis Super (manager of Radiology) and Dr. Phelps    you are all the best!

There are many more people I want to thank and I am through my thoughts and prayers.   I am so lucky to have all the friends and family who are always there for me.  Mom -  you are the so dear to me!  Thanks for your pride in me!   Jim thanks for sticking with me through this struggle we both have gone through.  And Chaz   thanks for being you!  You are a fantastic brother and please know I am so proud of you!

I will update more often !   Take care and Remember

UPDATE  May 19

HI! all    I am doing much better!   I did have my  iron checked today and it is very low so I will need to start taking an iron supplement.   Can we all say YUCK together?   The nausea is getting better but nights are still real bad.  No more weight loss but I am swimming and exercising everyday.   Hey   come on you all email me and update me on your lives.