Tony Clay
Please allow me to preface thiscollection of cartoons with a heartfelt disclaimer. It is not my intent to be insensitive to thevery real difficulties faced by those people struggling with beingoverweight. Being overweight is repletewith health as well as social problems. I did not create this book to ridicule nor hurt the feelings ofanyone. I have a bit of insight into theramifications of being overweight, stocky, pleasingly plump, obese or justplain old fat.In 1970 I contracted what is nowcalled Hepatitis C. In those days theycalled it 'Non A / Non B Chronic Active Hepatitis.' All the doctors could tell me was that it wasincurable and, oh yea, eventually fatal. I was fortunate to have relatively few problems with my liver for acouple decades. Then in late 1989 myliver decided it was ready to make me pay for the sins of my youth. In my case one of the side effects of endstage liver disease was the sharp drop in energy levels and a reduced metabolicrate. This caused me to gain over 135pounds in about 14 months. I was neverreally what would be called thin. However I had always been able to lead a fairly active lifestyle. I skied in Aspen, fished in the Alaskanwilderness, bodysurfed in Hawaii. Butthese activities, not to mention my love life were reduced to nil. In the early 90’s I was told that I wouldneed a liver transplant. I was placed on'The List.' I was no longer able to workand soon found myself on disability. This book grew out of the need to deal with the mental aspects of mydwindling quality of life, and my relentlessly, expanding shadow.I am still on the list awaiting atransplant. I have also kept up thestruggle to gain control of my weight. Istill have my good days and my bad days. It has been about two years since my last hospitalization. At present I have managed to lose 97pounds. However I am still working tolose that final pesky 70 to 80 extra pounds.I would say that my sense ofhumor is the largest single factor in my ability to rebound as far as Ihave. The ability to laugh in the faceof adversity may not cure you but it certainly makes the experience moretolerable. These pages represent myrefusal to allow my waistline to weigh me down.
