I am a 46 year old, full-time divorced mother and full-time employee. I now work as a 911 Emergency Dispatcher after leaving my previous job as a Correctional Officer I. I never had a huge problem with my weight until I was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome years ago. That was the scariest time of my whole entire life. I thought that I was going to die and that I wouldn't get to watch my son grow up. I was devastated to say the least and my nephrologist was doing her best to keep me off of dialysis.

She earned every penny that my insurance and I paid her. I have recovered although my illness will never go away. It is typically something that a child gets and grows out of. Unfortunately, this is not the case for adults. Although I am still ill and some days are better than others, I know now that this is a manageable disease. The key is to watch your sodium intake and manage your weight. Well, I spent so much time re-cooperating (almost 2 years) that all my medicine did was make me hungry. I am not talking the typical hunger pains either. I'm talking outright snarling stomach like you have never eaten before. I was like that for a long time. Once she got me off of all my medication I wasn't so hungry anymore, but instead ate out of frustration and depression.

Now, I am feeling much better and I feel as though I have some control over my life and future. I have a wonderful support system from my son. So this is a new day and a new step towards a healthier me and a lifetime of being able to watch my son grow up:)!!