October 1, 1999

Yesterday was Rhonda's eight week check up.   She is fine.  Along with the checkup came the transition to solid food.  That is kind of a joke though, she has been eating solid food for weeks.
It seems unreal to me that it has only been eight weeks.  The surgery seems like an eternity ago.
That morning eight weeks ago when we were driving to the hospital at five in the morning we were both very scared.  Rhonda was beginning to think about not returning home.  It became a very real possibility to her that something could go wrong.  She told me she didn't want to go out that way.  So we put a Bob Seger cd in the player and started to rock.  Rhonda sang loud.  It worked, by the time we reached the hospital we were both feeling much more upbeat. 
That probaly wouldn't work for everyone, but it did for us.
You know I have mentioned before about wls being a major decision, and a drastic measure.  Of course, this is still true.  But looking back on it, I know now what Rhonda seemed to know all along.  It was the right thing to do, for her.
People go through their lives making decisions that others can't understand.  We might marry someone our family doesn't approve of, or we may divorce someone out family thinks the world of.  Some of us make career changes late in life.  These all seem like drastic steps to some.  It all comes down to making the right decision for yourself. 
I can honestly say, I didn't completely understand.  I was willing to support her, but I wasn't sure it was worth the risk.
I look at my wife now, and I see someone whose life has changed.  She has lost about 32lbs now, and she is happier than she has ever been. 32 lbs is still far from her goal, but that is not important at this time.  What is important is that for the first time her life she really believes she can reach her goal.  It is a very real posibility to her.   That in itself is huge.   In her mind her life, as a whole, has improved.  This is probably more in her head than in reality, but that doesn't matter.  If she thinks her life has improved then it has.
For those of you that your spouse is contemplating wls I just want to say,  I am sure wls is not for everyone.  But for some it will make a huge difference in their lives, and I believe with all of my heart, for most, the change will be positive.
For those of you reading this that decide to go through with the surgery.  I wish you the best, and my prayers are with you. I can only hope it will do for you what it has done for Rhonda.

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