Letter from Vicki B. Bullard

Oftentimes, we say we're going to do something and then time slips away and regretfully the task remains undone. Unfortunately my story is the same. Time has, indeed, passed by but what I have to say still stands true.

It started back in late 2007, my daughter, Jessica, was overweight, depressed, and extremely unhappy with everyone and everything. Jessica's smile had slowly faded away. She had tried all kinds of diets but nothing ever worked. Jessica would lose weight but it always seemed to come back plus a little more. As a mother, you feel helpless. You want your child to be happy, you'd pay anything, do anything but in this case; it wasn't up to me. Jessica had to be the one in control but she couldn't.

One day she asked about having weight loss surgery. The result was that she had to do the research and if she seemed committed then maybe it could be considered. You see, like many young people, Jessica started lots of projects but only followed through on a few. This wouldn't be anything that she could turn back on. We attended an initial group meeting and surprisingly Jessica asked lots of questions. Monica Polland was the facilitator of the group. She gave precise and understandable information and advised the group about options, procedures and qualifications of the surgical team. She was more than patient with everyone and answered all questions with the same detail no matter how trivial.

Jessica then made the commitment to move forward. She knew it would be difficult. Her life and emotions now dictated by food would have to change. Her body would soon be in charge of what she could and could not eat and she then would finally start enjoying life.

Monica was right there throughout the entire pre-qualification process. Monica was so supportive. She answered all of Jessica's questions at anytime. She handled all the paperwork and the process seemed rather simple in spite of things. It was a long drawn out process but I believe there was no stone left unturned. Jessica was put through every test possible. The team would know about every health issue that Jessica had before the first incision was made. Luckily Jessica was fairly healthy.

The date was set for 12/05/07. We were all nervous and excited at the same time. Jessica and I had a mother/daughter pajama party the night before just to enjoy some quiet time. We talked about what it was like to be a "fat" person. She opened up and revealed private things that large people have to deal with everyday; things that they don't want anyone to know about, not even their mothers. She always made jokes about being fat but it was only to masquerade her true feelings. She told of how people stared at her and she knew why. At that moment, she was my little girl again. I was so proud of her and I was ashamed of the society that I live in that I judged her for what she looked like and not for who she was. A society that claims to have made great advancements in the last century but still interact with fellow human beings as if they have no brains. Go figure.

We arrived at the hospital and were greeted by the friendly staff all aware of our nervousness and all very patient and helpful. Dr. Christopher Mann and Shannon Hinkle came in and gave thorough instruction again of the surgery and neither seemed in a hurry to leave the room again until all questions were carefully answered. Dr. Mann met with the family in a consultation room and went over the surgery and advised us how Jessica was doing. They had thought there may be complications due to her size but all went well. Again he took time to answer questions no matter how many times I had asked them before. Dr. Mann is not what I consider a stereotypical surgeon.

That evening was not a picnic for anyone. Jessica didn't feel good and everyone knew it. The nurses on staff were great. Each ignored her whining, was more than friendly and tried their best to make her feel better. Shannon came in and gave her a pep talk. Lord knows I needed her for that. Shannon was stern but caring and supportive. Shannon told her what she needed to do to get better. She explained this was her time to start living and she needed to start now. Jessica respected her, trusted her, and began doing what she needed to do. Little did I know how much we would be relying on Shannon in the future. The staff of 4 East was the best. They were all so caring and eager to help out when asked. Before she went home, Monica came to her room and went over everything again. Through the entire process, Jessica has been bombarded with information. By the time she left the hospital, Jessica had the tools she needed to begin her new journey.

Many people complain about their local hospital. That's not the case here. Jessica came home with me. The first couple of weeks were hard for her. She smelled food and wanted food but her body couldn't handle food. She had an emotional meltdown. She regretted the surgery, she hated being sore and she hated that she couldn't eat. She got encouragement from Monica, Shannon, her family and her friends and soon the bad emotions passed. Then the good emotions came. The weight started falling off, the clothes became baggy even her shoes and jewelry no longer fit. Jessica was ecstatic. The smile soon returned and that pep in her step was back.

At 80lbs. lost, Jessica was approached to do a commercial for Nash Health Care. What an opportunity and boost for Jessica. She spent the day in Raleigh being the center of attention along with a few others being made over and her picture taken. I'll never forget the spark in her eye and the smile on her face that night after it was over. I knew my daughter was going to be OK.

Jessica has lost 145lbs. now, a whole person as she calls it. I contribute a lot of her success to the support team she has at the hospital. They have become like an extended family to her. Dr. Mann always seems to have plenty of time for Jessica. I try to attend as many of her follow up visits as I can and each time, everyone is happy to see her. One visit, Dr. Mann got down on the floor to demonstrate exercises for Jessica. Unfortunately, I missed that visit.

Jessica had a problem with her gall bladder several months ago and it needed to be removed. Dr. Mann chose to do her surgery. Susan Norris in the surgical pavilion said that she had to check to paperwork twice because Dr. Mann does not do gall bladders. We feel blessed to have such a caring surgeon.

Jessica got the identical care as before. Shannon was right there all the way. Jessica had some concerns, we paged Shannon and she was right there in the room. This woman has been a godsend for my daughter. When she needed encouragement, she got it. When she needed scolding, she got it. We often refer to Shannon as her "second mother." Shannon has been for us, the conduit that has bridged Jessica from an overweight unhappy 20 year old to a "ready to conquer the world" young woman. She has always made herself available for Jessica. Shannon took a moment out of her day and called after each of her surgeries just to see how Jessica was doing. Even when Jessica has paged her on her off time, Shannon has made time for her, easing her mind over any concerns that she has.

It is a blessing to know that my daughter is taken care of by such qualified individuals. Jessica has made this lifelong commitment and it is a relief to know that she has a great support group.

Nash Health Care should be proud of the staff that they have put together. I can only imagine the other success stories that have come from the Weight Loss Center. My daughter is very special to me and her family. She is no one extra special to the world yet your staff had made her feel as is she was #1 to them and for that I say, "Thank you."

There are not enough praises or words to be said to express my gratitude. My only hope is that you will do whatever is necessary to reward those who had dedicated themselves to change the lives of so many and to one very special girl, my daughter.

With sincere thanks,
Vickie B. Bullard

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