We see the signs...

[Guest guest]

Lilka and everyone:

I opened up my calendar, and I saw this poem which I've posted

before. I think it speaks eloquently to our journey from morbid

obesity to healthy living:

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

I love this poem and carry it with me all the time.

Francisco

> >

> > Hi. Those of you who are lurking and are not complete4ly sure you

> want

> > the surgery, I want to tell you why I eventually decided to do

it.

> I,

> > like you, felt it was an awfully radical move. I was in some pain

> but

> > the basic reason for this surgery is neuropathy. We don't want to

> lose

> > our toes, feet, legs, and end up in a wheelchiar with our

husbands

> or

> > some expensive caregiver wheeeling us around (unless we have to).

I

> > can not bear the idea. With that behind me, I went to work on

this

> > thing, and even though my age is a deterrant and a high risk, I

> > decided that neuropathy was worse than the risk. So I dug in. I

> never

> > thought I could let go of the food. It took be many months of

> eating

> > those things I love best, sugar stuff, mostly, but planning the

day

> I

> > would let it go. I would eat until I lost interest and then when

> the

> > final day came, (orientation) I post poned it for another week

just

> to

> > slide in the last of it. Then, and only then, was i able to let

it

> > go. I have not slipped on those things to this day, 5 days

before

> the

> > operation. When I have any doubts, I just think " Neuropathy!!! "

and

> I

> > am back on track. Lilka

> >

>