You May be a Lard Ass

Please allow me to preface this
collection of cartoons with a heartfelt disclaimer.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> It is not my intent to be insensitive to the
very real difficulties faced by those people struggling with being
overweight. Being overweight is replete
with health as well as social problems.
I did not create this book to ridicule nor hurt the feelings of
anyone. I have a bit of insight into the
ramifications of being overweight, stocky, pleasingly plump, obese or just
plain old fat.

In 1970 I contracted what is now
called Hepatitis C. In those days they
called it "Non A / Non B Chronic Active Hepatitis."style='mso-spacerun:yes'> All the doctors could tell me was that it was
incurable and, oh yea, eventually fatal.
I was fortunate to have relatively few problems with my liver for a
couple decades. Then in late 1989 my
liver decided it was ready to make me pay for the sins of my youth.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> In my case one of the side effects of end
stage liver disease was the sharp drop in energy levels and a reduced metabolic
rate. This caused me to gain over 135
pounds in about 14 months. I was never
really what would be called thin.
However I had always been able to lead a fairly active lifestyle.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I skied in Aspen, fished in the Alaskan
wilderness, bodysurfed in Hawaii. But
these activities, not to mention my love life were reduced to nil.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> In the early 90's I was told that I would
need a liver transplant. I was placed on
"The List." I was no longer able to work
and soon found myself on disability.
This book grew out of the need to deal with the mental aspects of my
dwindling quality of life, and my relentlessly, expanding shadow.

I am still on the list awaiting a
transplant. I have also kept up the
struggle to gain control of my weight. I
still have my good days and my bad days.
It has been about two years since my last hospitalization.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> At present I have managed to lose 97
pounds. However I am still working to
lose that final pesky 70 to 80 extra pounds.

I would say that my sense of
humor is the largest single factor in my ability to rebound as far as I
have. The ability to laugh in the face
of adversity may not cure you but it certainly makes the experience more
tolerable. These pages represent my
refusal to allow my waistline to weigh me down.