Email Me

My Tate 1984 Classmate Contact & Reunion Page

Before Surgery  After Surgery:   2001    2002    2003    2004

2005

September 21, 2005:    Wow, it is been SO SO long since I updated!  I looked tonight & saw that I had not even started a 2005 page & the year is almost over & was shocked!  I am so sorry, but life has been unbelievably busy, and so many things have changed.  But for the good mostly.  I have a new job that is totally wonderful.  To work with such great people and to love to go to work now and really enjoy what I do.  I get to use my creativity in creating PowerPoint presentations, managing a great staff that works together, and to have a great boss that treats you with respect and appreciates your work.  It's awesome!  My son is in Iraq now, he left on August 28th, gone 3 weeks now.  He's doing fine and hopefully will come home in April for a couple weeks & is considering going back for another tour (once he's there long enough to make sure that's what he wants first, I hope).  And as of last Friday, my divorce was final.  Yes, I got divorced.  Not going to air it all on here, but suffice it to say that I realized how unhappy I had been for so long, and just not willing to face it.  And by the time it all surfaced, it was way too late to go back.  He was a good guy and I wish him happiness, we just weren't meant to be together.  I am glad that he & my son still talk and are friends.

I still run a Weight Loss Support Group down in Shelby County.  Meeting information is listed on the "support meeting dates" page above on the site menu.  I update it monthly usually sometime the week before the meeting. 

As far as my weight goes, I have gained some back, which is normal, but am still at goal weight.  I don't like my clothes too tight, but can't complain a bit.  I need to exercise and cut out the breads & pastas & I would lose.  I hope to change that soon & work on that part.  Otherwise, my weight is great, staying around 155 lbs (size 10's & some 12's when sizes run small).  I will see about getting an updated picture to post, but basically I look the same.

Life is good now.  I am happy.  Surgery was a great gift.  I have life again & am not going to waste it.  Best wishes to all & thanks to all that email me.  I know it takes me awhile, but I will write back when I can.  I see so many that can benefit from this surgery & wish they could do the same.  I hate the restrictions that insurance has put on this surgery, as it will hurt those who really need this surgery for their health, and the wait may prohibit many from getting surgery while their health can hold up.  It's a shame that some surgeons have milked it & made it a business, and so many patients have abused it by gaining weight to have surgery or padding themselves with coins to "just make it" to the surgery table.  This surgery is too serious.  Aftercare is so important.  You exchange one set of health problems for another if you don't take proper care of yourself after.  Those are the kinds of things we learn/teach at the meetings.  

2006

November 24, 2006:    And yet, it's been another year. Unbelievable.  Where do I start?  My son has been to Iraq and back in March for one tour, and leaves again in February 2007.  He got married on October 30, 2006 to a girl named Meghan.  She's really sweet and they seem very happy together.  We wish the them the best! Congrats to the newlyweds!  He is a Corporal and is working on Sgt. around January or February 2007.  He is home this weekend.  He's been coming home every few weeks for awhile now. 

My work is always busy, but still a great place to work.  I just moved our office, which was a big job, but our offices are really nice, and we got a state of the art phone system, been upgrading things, selling stuff to buy new furnishings, etc.  I am the office manager, and have a great office staff.  We work 4 & 1/2 day work weeks, and having plenty of allotted time to take off when I need or want.  I've been working a lot of hours, because it's our busy time of year, but now that things are slacking up, I hope to be able to take off some soon and do some other things over the next few months.  Going to be building some web pages.  Going to do one for a local restaurant, which is cool.  Social life is great, very happy! 

Still running the support group down that we hold at Shelby Baptist Hospital.  We've moved the meetings to Saturday's because they work out better for all concerned.  We may do a few Monday night meetings so we can schedule some speakers, like plastic surgeon's, etc., but on Saturdays, people have more time to travel into town and attend.  We've been visiting as many people as we can as they have surgery, and it is so rewarding to see them come through the surgery, and finally get what they've strived for, for so long.  Some wonder what they've gotten themselves into, but once they make it through the first couple days, use the knowledge we teach them and that they have learned along the way, and take it day by day, as each day does get better.  Then two weeks later, after that first check in with the surgeon, to see how much they've lost, how much they are feeling better, then they see the difference, It's so cool.

My weight... well, it goes up & down depending on me... I developed some internal problems around November of last year that were minor in pain, and just tolerated it, not knowing it was much until around early January 2006 when the lower abdominal pain, like where my female organs are, got so bad, I went to a doc-in-the-box for pain meds.  There is no obvious trigger for the pain, it just came on every day by noon and got worse as the day went on, becoming unbearable by days end.  Well by March, I had been to 4-5 specialists, gone through an abundance of tests, $1300 of flex benefits, and just now am getting all of the unpaid medical bills paid off... and still have no diagnosis.  Basically, it's most likely adhesions/scar tissue/muscle disorder in my abdominal organs and maybe some endometriosis, but  not sure unless they go in laproscopically.  All we know is if I lift anything or exert myself physically then the pain sets in internally down there really bad and the only thing that helps is really strong pain killers and muscle relaxers.  Anything else doesn't even touch the pain.  So I have had to hold off on really doing anything with any more medical doctors until my flex benefits kicks in January 1st again, and I cam upping it this next year so more is covered, so if I have to have surgery, I have more $, and also, it covers more prescriptions.  It is pre-taxed, so it helps out both ways and being direct deposited, I get it back really quick, so it helps a lot! Then if I do have to have surgery, I might be able to work a tummy tuck into it, and get all my excess tummy skin removed too.  That pulling on that area doesn't help either, and would not only help in that area, but also will help me drop a size and I won't have to buy clothes a size or two bigger just because of my skin.  Because of the pain problems, I can't exercise, so I gained back some, in addition to eating more carbs.  I gained back, as we all do after 5 years of surgery, but am still a good size.  I got up to a size 14, which I didn't like, but have lost back down some... got up to 178 when was in a 14..... last weigh in was 158.... back in size 10..... last few weeks noticed some clothes falling off of me, and people at work saying I've lost alot of weight and I even got back in an old pair of pants I couldn't get into.... so I am probably right back around the 155 range.... which is my original goal weight set for me..... which would be 135 as a normal person that had never been obese, because of all the excess skin and bone density.... we weigh more than we look because of that... if we try to get to light on the scales we look anorexic... so remember that guys and gals! 

All in all, life is great.  I know I don't update often enough.  I will try to do more often and keep you guys posted.  I'm still alive and kicking.  Just working and busy, but still here if you email me... just give me time to respond! Take care!

2007

August 31, 2007:    Looks like I am in the habit of updating once a year.  Not very good, huh?  Well, let's see what has happened since last posting.  I have to read back it's been so long. 

I totally changed my eating habits, to start losing weight.  Figured out a few things that "worked for me" and did those things.  Cut out the carbs, and now basically this is what I do:

*Do not do this is you are not doing to be smart, hydrate yourself well with 60-100 oz of water per day, take tons of vitamins, use common sense, consult your physician for routine tests to monitor yourself for health reasons, and take care of yourself!)

I go through McDonald's every weekday morning and get 2 large sweet teas and 1 coffee.  No breakfast.  I drink those all day.  I don't snack.  The coffee curbs my appetite, the tea keeps me hydrated all day.  I drink all day long, keeping them on my desk at work.  For dinner, I eat whatever I want, since over a period of time, your pouch "shrinks" after no eating so much, and you can't hold as much anymore, and you eat less.... I do not drink with my meals, but I do get an ice water just in case I need a sip.  I eat my protein from my meals first, to fill up on meat first.  I usually order a burger & fries... or a steak & salad..... and take the rest home..... if I get something with bread, I get the bread toasted dark, eat a couple bites of the bread & the rest of the bread goes away.... get rid of it... take it off and throw it away.... don't eat it.... eat the meat alone..... I never eat my sandwiches with the bread on it.... and always dark grill the bread.  Always portion off what I am going to eat first, and put the rest in a to-go box.... never sit there and eat on it till I am "over-full".   Rarely ever order dessert, hardly ever.  Then I have to have someone with me that's going to eat the rest after I get my one or two bites.  I never eat more than that.  Just a taste or I will be sick.  I make myself stop.  I know better.  I now have self control.  I know it's worth it, that I can do it, so I do.  I know what is more important to me.  Those size 4-6 jeans!  And feeling better.  Boy do I feel SO much better.  We are tanning again, and we do feel better when we tan.  Just a "thing".  We look better, so we feel better.  * P.S. We drink approximately 60-100 oz of bottled water per day to keep hydrated/urinate enough to lose the weight. This is a must if you are going to drink coffee/caffeine. Keep the bottles with you, keep the fridge full, the freezer, keep them by the bed at night. We buy them by the case at Sam's, 2 cased per week f/ under $5 per case. NO carbonated drinks! A multitude of fruit is included in our diet.  It's full of fluids, natural sugars, which are ok for your snacks, and (We take prescription potassium also to replenish that in our bodies).  We are both lactose intolerant, so we don't drink milk, so that helps with sugar content.  We can cook with milk, or eat lots of cheese, which is a great protein source though.

I still have all my skin.  The thinner I am, the easier it is to "tuck" it and hide it.  My arms, I just wear 3/4 length or long sleeves year round, which is fine, as I am cold year round... My tummy has two sections, lower panni and one section above my naval.... my legs have the "elephant" skin all the way down to my knees... which I just don't wear shorts, I wear capris (totally fine with me!..... I look totally normal in clothes.... I buy clothes that fit my body, tuck my skin well..... jeans with 2% spandex that are low cut in the waist work so much better, as I don't have to fit the pants up OVER the skin.  The I just wear a shirt long enough to cover the tummy skin.  And I slide my tummy skin down into the pants and around my side & back and it works.  Sounds funny, I know, but hey, it works.  For the boobs, well, that's a different story.  There aren't any.  So we have to make them up to.  A really good push up bra from Fredericks of Hollywood or even Kmart had a couple good ones before.  Then I found these GREAT silicone looking "boob" insert pads for about $12.99-$14.99 that are clear.... and they lift you up even more.... you get them at Hancock Fabricks of all places!  They are like $40+ at the stores in the mall..... I can tell you hilirious stories about the time I thought I left my "boobs" at the tanning bed... (but they were in my purse!  Then honey, you look like you got boobs like the stars!  Just tighten the shoulder straps on your bra up to pull your boobs up higher, insert pads, and Wha-Lah!!!!  Fredrick's bras actually have a "pocket" that your "boob inserts" fit into, so they won't fall out!  Then our "rocks in socks" are not "rocks in socks" no more!   See girls, it can be done!  

Look, I am 41 years old this year (I had to think about that, as I don't keep up with my age, and I can't remember how old I am)... and I feel great, and am having the time of my life.  Yes, we work hard still, never have enough money, always paying bills, but life is still good.  I have a life... I should have been dead a year ago.  Now, we rent a boat in our spare time and we go fishing all day!!!! I've seen my son get married, go to Iraq twice, and he's coming home to the States in a couple weeks!!!!  One day he'll have grandkids, and I will get to see that.  He's my pride and joy.  I have a wonderful man who is meant for me and I am meant for him.  We both have good jobs.  We have a future.  5 years ago, the future was that I was to die soon, a miserable death.  This surgery changed that for me.  It gave me back my life!

2008

February 14, 2008: Wow, how time flies!  Well, thankfully, a doctor who in about 10 minutes figured out "yank that uterus out"! So hopefully in March, I will be having only the uterus removed (a partial hysterectomy), as she wants to leave the ovaries, as otherwise it would throw me directly into menopause otherwise.  If she can leave the ovaries, then it won't.  Also, I would suffer earlier bone deterioration, and being a bypass patient that has problems taking calcium, that is not a preferred thing!  Sooooo, now we have gone to the plastic surgeon to see about an abdomnioplasty at the same time, to have all of this excess skin removed.  We've been pulling together letters from other docs, pictures of documentation from over the years, etc., and now have to have it submitted to see if we can get approval, as they will work together to do both surgeries at the same time.  He also says he thinks that I am a good candidate for approval for my breasts to be done since they are so bad (nothing there) and that insurance might approve having them fixed.  He does not do the breast and abdomnioplasty same day, so I would have to do breasts one day, then the hysterectomy/abdomnioplasty the second day.  Fingers crossed for insurance approval.  If not, then we will just be doing the hysterectomy.  He also said my arms and legs need to be done, obviously.  Until this morning, I never considered my legs, but I have broken out profusely with boils and blisters on both legs inside.  Couldn't find the camera.  I've been having such bad blistering and itching and breakouts down there lately it is awful. 

Different note, migraines are worse.  PCP increased my Topomax to 200 mg a day and gave me Imatrex in addition to that if they get worse during day.  That has helped tremendously.  They run in my family really badly.  My mom & sister suffer from them awful.  Guess older I get they get worse, and bypass may not be cause of it, unless there is a deficiency of some kind that may contribute to it??? Dunno, but the increase in medication helps so much and keeps me off Excedrin Migraine which is an NSAID.  After the hysteractomy I can finally get off of the pain meds that also cause migraines.  Been on them for going on 3 years now while no other doc could figure out my problems.  Ridiculous, but had to.  Only relief.  Pain is awful.  Lots of scar tissue built up in uterus she thinks.  She is sending me to another specialist, as she thinks I have another condition I can't pronounce "IC".... which also causes that pain and is why I have this condition they've never been able to find cause of for like 8 years or so..... "gross benign hematuria" and she says there is a condition, which is this "IC"... I LOVE HER!!!!!!!! She is Dr. Ashley Duke down at Shelby Baptist and she is the first OBGYN that has known what she is doing out of all of the dang different specialists I have gone to over the last 3 years and the thousands of dollars I have spent, she didn't have to run any tests, just look at my history of records.... that's what I have been looking for for years!!!!!!!

I would not go to any other Plastic Surgeon but Dr. Clement Cotter, Jr. at Shelby Plastic Surgery in Alabaster.  He is awesome.  There is a link on my Support Meeting Page.  I will have before & after pictures if it gets approved.  More soon.  I have lots to update.  Still doing the support meetings.  Just not at the hospital anymore.  Became a certified support leader with Obesityhelp.com which is very cool.  Be back soon!!!!! Hope all are well.  Miss you guys!  :)

2009

January 3, 2009: And yet, another year passes. Unbelievable! So much has happened in one year!!!  Where do I start?  Ok, I've changed jobs, and moved to Raleigh, NC.  How's that for a start.  I had gotten married to Kevin Bentz, those in ObesityHelp world know him as Hoosier Kevin.  We both moved here for jobs, he got a job as an Engineer, but that field is so funky, everything he finds ends up under AT&T and they keep laying off, so he's had two layoffs so far, and worked for 2 different companies since we got here.  He ended up in Charlotte, NC after about 4 months.  Worked there for a couple months, and someone rear-ended him from behind, when he was stopped at a red light.  The girl was on drugs and she was accelerating (I think) to like 60 miles per hour and shoved him through the red light/intersection into oncoming traffic all the way to the other side of the road.  Luckily he wasn't hit by anyone else.  But he has that to deal with now and my vehicle is just now getting fixed next week.  I hit a deer on Halloween taking Pita to the vet for an ear infection ($500 to treat that), and that cost $4000 +18 days for a rental car to fix the Durango.  Killed the dear.  Today Kevin is headed to his daughters house to stay for a week or two, until he finds a place to rent, as he has taken a job in Kentucky as an OSP Engineer.... so needless to say it's been a very rough year in 2008.

April I had 2 surgeries in 2 weeks and then went back and worked out a 2 week notice then packed and moved to start a new job... I had a hysterectomy (partial, they left my ovaries.... I'd been in pain for 3 years on pain pills.... then a week later they found a lump in my right breast (benign) and I opted just to have it removed instead of biopsy then deal with it later.... as I had to get back to work etc.... I bounced back from both surgeries really quickly..... my abdomnioplasty was to by done at the same time of my hysterectomy, but he wouldn't do it... so it didn't get done.... which was disappointing, and the gynecologist wasn't happy either, but oh well, that's life and for the best, I guess, since I had to pack! lol

WLS-wise..... we have done great..... we both got approved in April for abdomnioplasty's.... but couldn't get them done, as we had to be here in NC to start new jobs by April 30's and couldn't get the surgery done in time to recuperate and start work.  Kevin got turned down for the gynocomastia (male chest reduction) which is bad, as he would have looked deformed with the flat tummy and his chest all still there.  BUT on a lighter note, although we both still have all of our skin, we have both lost and maintained any weight gain..... and so I am maintaining at the 140-150 range normally...... size 6 usually............. if I can get down to a 4 (sometimes I do)..... sometimes I go up a little, 5 lbs or so.... but stay within range..... just had all of our blood work done and we were both extremely healthy and doing great.  Kevin has lost an excess amount over the last 4-5  month and is about 238 lbs, lower than he has been in years...... even his smallest clothes are too big.

Kevin had his first grandchild last January, Trenton..... who is an absolute stinker!  He is looking forward to spending time with his family with this job taking him up near home again.

For me, I love it here in Raleigh.  I like my job and what I do and hope to stay there for a very long time.  I like the apartments I live in, although having to downsize to the 1BR from our 3BR/2BA with the 2car garage hurt.... and putting stuff in storage.... I loved that apartment.... yet this apartment is still nice.... and Pita is here.... just as crazy and spoiled as ever.... and what an expensive dog!  She has to be sedated to be groomed, because she is so "scared/timid".... and won't let them trim her paws, etc.... and she's gotten an ear infection and sprained her leg (which we thought was broken at the time) which cost us over $1000 for both... but she loves to go fishing and LOVES the water and swimming...  She won't eat dogfood..... we have tried everything, so don't even go there.... her thing now is catfood... the vet wanted her off people food (she was on so much protein, her kidney tests came back really high in protein, but the Vet says she is extremely healthy!). She's gone from 24 1/2 lbs. January 2008 to 38 lbs. today.  So now she will only eat the most stinky catfood with eyeballs & fins in it that we can find.... she is scared of other dogs... don't think she knows she is a dog!!!!!  It's hard to believe she is that same neglected, abused dog we first saw a year ago Thanksgiving.... in that dog cage.... and now she's this almost 2 year old puppy.... who roams free in the apartment, that love people and won't leave our side for anything in the world.... but still barks out of fear... but wouldn't hurt a fly..... and lives for love and petting and playing and has a silly grin and is smarter than ever.... :)

My son, David, turned 23 on Christmas Eve.  He is still in the Marines.  He does his 3rd tour in Iraq either Feb or March 2009.  He's weight lifting again.  He's still stationed at Camp LeJeune and I get to see him sometimes, which is cool.  His wife moved up here to Durham when we moved to Raleigh, and we brought her stuff with us when we came.  They attempted a reconciliation, but it didn't work, so they are separated again.  She is still a sweetie, and we love her to death.  He's always had good taste and picked sweethearts!  He is my buddy and I will always be proud of him.  He re-enlisted during his last tour in Iraq, so he will be in for awhile still.  He had a cool year... He went to the Arnold Competition in Ohio, and met all of his body building people he loves... then he got tickets and comp'd room to the MTV Music awards in California and got to go to that, and got to go to Muscle Beach and other places while he was there... so that was cool.... things I've wanted for him, which is to travel and see the world.... he still has to finish his education, but at least he started it, but he does have to finish that.... but he's doing things I have wanted for him, which is important! Experiencing life in a good way, getting out, etc.  Oh yeah, he paid cash $12K (something like that) for his first car... then blew the engine in it... after he put some nice performance body parts, etc on it.. so now it sits and waits until he gets back from his 3rd tour before it will be running again...

I think that wraps up 2008.... if I think of anything else, I'll come back and post more.

January 10, 2009:  My how life twists and turns.... tomorrow I will turn 43, and although I should feel it, I don't... I mean granted, I can't keep up like I did when I was a teenager... but I still love life to the fullest and don't feel my age, so I think that is a good thing.  I have learned more than my share over the years, and at hopefully have learned from my mistakes.  Life has been hard, but from that I raised a beautiful son, David, and I am very proud of him.  Always will be.  I know I started young, but at least I am still young enough to enjoy him and life too now.  Working is a reality, something that is a must, forever, not a luxury in my life, so it's a good thing that I love to work and stay busy.  I have always been good, excelled at whatever I have done, work-wise.... that was instilled in me... I am a leader by nature and I learn fast and I am a teacher to those who need help.  I work well alone, and can work in a group environment, but I have found that on a whole, in life in general, I do well as a loner... I guess that's just who I am... weird... maybe I was just meant to be alone... because I can be happy alone... I like the silence, the sanctity, the peace...   I have found that if you truly find a friend in life, that they will be your friend for life, but they are few and far between.  That true friends rarely come along, who really care and who are always there for you and you for them, through thick and thin, who take you as you are, and they may disappear for a year or two, then reappear, but they are always there... but those that call themselves your friend on a daily basis are usually not your friends and those are the ones that hurt you.  I have only ever run across 3 people in my life who I can say were ever truly my friends.... 3 in a lifetime, who I can call up years later and know that if I needed anything they'd be there for me, even if they'd not heard from me in years... those are friends for life.   Can you tell I am on a "pondering" day today? lol

For those of you who have followed us for a long time, you know of me and Kevin.  Well, we have parted ways, and although it may have seemed meant to be, and we tried hard to make it work for a long time, but we couldn't.  Kevin is a great guy with a huge heart, but I was "single" for way too long and independent and we just couldn't bring those differences together somehow. We wanted and gave different things. I am a very strong individual, I've worked my whole life and struggled for everything I've ever gotten.  So Kevin has moved back near his daughters and dad, who he has dearly missed for a very long time, and now a grandson, and has taken a job in KY nearby.  So those of you who know Kevin, feel free to email him and contact him for support if you like.  We both had some of the same friends on OH and through the support group in Birmingham, AL, etc.

For me, I love it here in Raleigh and I am still working with the company we moved here to go to work with.  I received a "promotion" a few months ago and am working hard now to get myself out of the hole financially, which is going to be a big struggle.  But, I've done it before, and I can do it again.  If I have to get a 2nd job, then I will.  The economy stinks right now, so they cut back overtime... but when I was working 20-25 hours a week overtime, I was kicking butt.  If I could get back to that, it would help out alot!

WLS-Wise.... I have dropped my excess weight I had gained the last couple weeks... I have this "area" that I stay in where I gain & lose... I had gained up to about 155, which is "fine", but I prefer to stay down around 140-145, as I am just more comfortable at that weight and my favorite clothes fit better and I like the way I look better, since I still have all my excess skin.  Granted I am still literally "skin and bones" due to the surgery, but because of the skin, I have to wear clothes (pants usually) and shirts for the arms, two sizes too big to accommodate the skin.  2 weeks ago I got up to the 155 (or worked my way up to it over a period of a couple months).... so in the last 2 weeks I have cut back drastically to eating nothing and have dropped down to 135.... so I dropped 20 lbs as of today.  So actually I am lower than I was shooting for. lol

I have re-kindled some old friendships and am trying to get in/keep in touch with old friends again, so we will see how that goes.... I am way behind on my reunion work, website work, etc, so I will work on getting caught up on all of that stuff that I have gotten behind on over the last few years.  I did one ObesityHelp recertification course Thursday night and have one more to go to get my Leadership status re-instated.  I can still do my support groups, I don't won't have the OH Leader title or Leader Board access, etc until I complete the other course... then I have to figure out where/when to get the meetings set in this area, as I think this apartment is too small for that, unless only 5 people show up, then that would be fine! lol  Right now I am not too hurried to start the meetings, but I am working on it, so we will see how that goes.  It's been nice to take a break from all of the meetings, as I did meetings for 6 years straight, sometimes holding 2 a month... and I was just so tired.... with work and everything else, especially while raising a child and while losing my weight too... I had a lot going on... went through a divorce at one point.... now facing another.... man.... alot has happened.... looking back over 7-8 years.... wow!  And I was supposed to be dead a few years ago because I was so Morbidly Obese!  I consider myself lucky everyday.  That is why I don't dwell on all this other stuff and try to live life to the fullest!!!!!

March 14, 2009:  I am doing well with keeping my weight off.  I actually kept losing weight am at my lowest ever since my WLS.  I hit 124 lbs this month, and even my smallest clothes are baggy, and I am having to wear belts to keep the pants from falling off.  I started eating more, and lost even more weight, which surprised me... so that wasn't the deal... even though everyone kept telling me I wasn't eating enough.  I am in a size 2-4, but I still look healthy and feel great and love the sizes I am in, so I am happy.  I swore if I hit below 125 I would eat more, so I started eating more, so we will see what happens.

I am happy for the first time in my personal life in forever.  Thinking back, probably happiest since I was 17/18 years old.  I am happy and content, which is good for me.  It took me a lot of "learning experiences" to get there but I finally have found happiness. 

I am still working for the same company, and although not getting in as much overtime as I was, which money-wise I need, I am happy to have a good job, which right now in these financial times, most people don't. So I have to be grateful.  I am hoping the overtime will pick up, as I really need it.

My son left for Iraq on March 1st for his 3rd tour with the Marines.  He is stationed at a different base this time, and they just moved him to it this week, and since my great soon-to-be ex-husband cut off my utilities that I was paying, I won't be able to communicate with him via email (no cable/internet until I move April 4th) until I move.  So I had to notify his wife to tell him why he won't be able to get messages from me, barely until then.... hopefully I will get his new email address soon and be able to send him email from my phone, and when he gets to check his email he will get those.  We were all sending him military mail that got delivered to them on base every couple days, but I can't do that from my phone... and have to wait until my cable gets hooked back up after I move.  Doesn't matter, David will understand and knows I love him and will communicate in ever way that I can.