Better than a tummy tuck

“Danica Thomas?” asked an ER doctor. Danica nodded weakly.

- 

She’d been waiting 12 hours, despite very scary symptoms: She was partially paralyzed following minor surgery for a throat polyp. Danica had also spent 10 hours in the ER the day before. “Yesterday, the doctor said this is because of my weight,” whispered Danica, who carried 370 pounds on her 5'4" frame. “I’ve been a nurse for 24 years. Something else is wrong.” The new doctor began an exam, concern on her face. “This is a reaction to the anesthesia you were given,” the doctor said. “You need steroids.” Danica felt a pinch in her arm. Less than 2 minutes later, she could move her legs again. Tears filled her eyes. “You’ll be back to normal in no time,” promised the doctor. Danica thanked her. But she definitely didn’t want to go back to normal…

Though Danica worked in healthcare, the divorced Indiana grandmother had long avoided checkups. She knew her size meant she’d likely get arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes and worse. I don’t need a lecture, she’d tell herself.