Saturday, May 14, 2005

And Life Goes On

  I want to be philosophical and humorous- surely it is time to write an entry that is light and funny, with just a bit of irony thrown in for good measure. Alas, life is not giving me that at the moment.  

 I am inundated by doctors appointments, tethered to oxygen, and sad because three good people I knew and cared about have died recently. The first was Dennis, the husband of MaryJo, who is Rene's best friend. He died while I was in CO, and Rene went to NJ for the funeral without me, so I came home to an empty house(except for the dogs). Dennis was a good and funny Irishman, and I  miss his e-mails daily.  

The second was Reece, the brother-in-law of a good friend, who died at 38, after a long illness. He did some building for us, and was funny, bright and loving. He left a young widow and step-son. The world is a poorer place for his passing.  

The third, Ginny, was an old friend from PLP-the place in PA my parents have a summer home. She lived there year round for many, many years, and we always fitted in a short visit every time I went there. She was diagnosed with cancer last year and had decided not to fight it. She was only 63 or so, and I remember crying when I got in the car last fall after a brief goodbye-for-the-winter visit, but I thought for sure I'd see her again this spring. 

On a brighter note, Rene and I went to a group informational meeting with the doctor at Yale-New Haven Hospital who will do my gastric bypass. It looks as if I will have the surgery mid-July, after Rene gets back from a WWII 60th Anniversary Tour she is taking in late June (lucky woman!).  

There were about 25 of us at the meeting, with nearly half of us supported by significant other or friend. Those of us who need the surgery range from merely fat to severely morbidly obese, and we fell into two groups: those of us who have over researched the subject and those who really had no clue. I fell into the former group, of course. (I am a researcher at heart.) Luckily, I liked the surgeon, his outlook, his attitude, and, most of all, his surgical statistics, which are very good, as I have nearly 200 pounds to lose.  

<FONTSIZE=4>This is not going to turn into a diet journal, I assure you, but weightloss surgery and the loss of the weight afterwards will no doubt echo through these pages as they reverberate through my life in the coming months. I will ask for support as the time approaches.  (don't know  why this is small while the rest is bigger)

Meanwhile, I have been going out most days, to doctors' appointments, physical therapy, Glenn, my personal trainer, and for walks, all hauling my oxygen tank along with me, trying to lap up the last bit of Spring before Summer arrives.

Blessings, Margo              

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry Margo to hear of all the sadness you have had in your life and the death of those dear to you.  I wish you luck with your bypass and hope all goes well.  Sending out positive thoughts to you and my prayers xxx

http://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/Family

Anonymous said...

Margo,
Not sure if you knew this or not, but I'm having
the gastric bypass surgery also!
I have lost 15 of the 20 pounds the doc wanted
me to lose prior to surgery, then they will
schedule me.
Good luck to you!
Connie

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to read about more losses. There have been far too many lately. But I am happy to hear about your surgery. I have been researching the surgery also. Best of luck to you! I'll be following your progress avidly.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your losses.

Anonymous said...

Margo, this is your journal and if you need to be a diet journal for bit of time that OK.  You are embarking on a major life event and we are all here to listen and cheer you on.

Anonymous said...

I am glad to have you back in J-Land, whatever the topic may be:) Just write what is in your heart!

Anonymous said...

a big hug your way...... right here with support. judi

Anonymous said...

Wow, the informational meeting sounds really interesting.... and i'll be interested in following along on your pre and post surgery journey.  :)

Ana  ((0.~))