words of encouragement

February 3, 2006

Hello everyone:

A dear friend of mine from college is having her gastric bypass

surgery on Wed, Feb 8th. Here's part of an email I wrote to her. I

hope that it can help any pre-ops who are about to have their surgery.

*****

Positive mental imaging was and is so important to my recovery. I

used music to help me envision positive outcomes. It really helped

to shape my actions.

You know, I felt very rushed before my surgery too. Lots of stuff to

do and put in order. However, try to eat protein-rich meals to build

up your protein stores for recovery. (If this differs from your

program's guidelines, FOLLOW your program, NOT my advice). By now,

you're probably doing the protein shakes. Don't skimp on those.

Protein, protein, protein.

You know, I felt the same way too, welcoming the rest after surgery.

Post-op you MUST let yourself rest and heal. It's so nice to have

the permission to pay attention to your needs. You're in my prayers,

and I'll say a prayer for you at church on Sunday.

You're about to get such a powerful tool. My friend says it's

like a rope to help us climb a mountain. We've tried and tried to

get to the summit but always, somehow, we lost our footing and slid

back down. The pouch, our tool, is now that life-line, that rope

that will allow us to get to the top. But we've got to use that rope

as it was meant to be used. If we start cutting at it, it will fail

us. If we don't believe we can make it to the summit, we will fall

short. And who's at the top holding the other end of the rope? Or

how is that rope anchored? Well, that's for you to decide in your

own mental imagery.

That climb will challenge you like you're never been challenged. But

at the top, you'll find freedom. At least that's what I found. I

now know that food isn't love, it's not comfort, it's not joy. It's

just food, a way (though still enjoyable) to feed my body to do what

I want it to do. The freedom you'll find also does not equal

happiness. The choices you'll have before you (without the self-

imposed limits of size) will dazzle you and scare you.

But know that no matter what, you'll be alright. You'll have you,

and also all those around you who love and support you. Drink in the

support of those who want you to succeed.

Keep this prayer close to your heart:

We see the signs but cannot always divine their meanings

You call us to move forward not always knowing

Whether what we grasp in our hands will prove to be a seed of hope or

a thorn in our flesh

Train our fingers, that what brings life we may with persistence hold,

And that which wastes our souls we may with grace release.

-Jan

Also remember what a wise woman once said to me:

The price of freedom is dear, but its fruit is delicious.

You are about to enter the promised land. May it be full of as much

wonder and joy as your heart can hold. There will be sorrows and

good-byes too, but may the power of God's radiance enter your heart

to ease your worries and multiply your joy.

Stay positive and strong.

****

I wish this for all of us here too.

Francisco

February 3, 2006