OT - My Son - Bootcamp

I know I shouldn't be putting this on here as it does not pertain to bariatrics, but we need all the prayers we can get. As most of you know, my son is an MP and is currently going through Basic and AIT at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He absolutely loves it. However, the problem is he can't pass the PT Test. He can do the sit ups and pushups with no problem. It's the blasted 2 mile run that he can't pass. He has to make it in 15:40. He's gotten as far down as 16:40. Two weeks ago, he was hospitalized with dehydration (same time I was in for the same thing!). They gave me another chance to take it again last Saturday and he didn't make it. His absolute last chance is on Friday, Dec. 1. If he doesn't make it, then he doesn't graduate on Dec. 19. AND, the Army will not allow him to have "Family Day" on the 18th if he doesn't pass. He will be kept there until the next rotation comes in and then he will be given 2-3 more chances at the PT test to pass. If he passes it.....he will be sent straight to Germany....right now he's scheduled to report on Jan. 14. He won't get to come home first. He is to be trained for 3 months in Germany before being shipped to Iraq for 14 months. All without us getting to see each other before he goes. If he doesn't pass the PT test, then he will be put back into rotation and be forced to retake boot camp and AIT all over again. He's so down on himself. His last letter to us was so discouraging and depressing. I know God will and is taking care of him. He and his father both are suffering from lack of faith right now, and somehow I feel like that is worse than the physical aspect of this whole thing. My son is 19. He's finally found a place where he feels like he belongs and wants to be. This is his choice and I'm glad he's happy. I'm praying for him 24/7 and every waking moment I'm thinking and praying for him. I don't know what else to do. It's very hard to keep his father and sister's spirits up when all I want to do is cry and I can't let them see me down. I can't tell you how many showers I have taken in the last few days just so I can cry without anyone seeing me!!! lol If you all have a spare moment, would you please remember my son Patrick in your prayers? I love him so very much and only want the best for him and only want what God wants for him. He needs to pass this test so that we can see him before he gets shipped to Germany and Iraq. Thanks a lot. Donna

Donna: 30 years ago I was in Marine Corps Boot Camp and I sure couldn't run. I just kept trying. Sprints helped build me up. I did finally pass the physical testing, but it was not easy. I understand exactly what you are going through. One of my step children is overseas right now. Brent is an Army Ranger. I can't think about what he is going through. I gave that up to God. Will pray for you and your family. Hope all works out for your son. Peg Miller 9-19-06

Peg, Thank you so much for your prayers and response. Unfortunately, Patrick is grouped in with a bunch of guys that don't care if they pass or not or if they have to retake boot camp. So, he really doesn't have anyone to work out with, just himself. He's trying so hard. He informed me yesterday that he also wants to be an Army Ranger...all I can do is smod (smile and nod). What can you say??? However, whether he passes or not, I am immensely proud of him and know he will pass eventually. Will be praying for Brent and your family. How are you doing with your surgery? You had your surgery a week after I had mine (9/11/06). Hugs and thanks again, Donna

Donna: I had mine in Charleston with Dr. Stickler. He and his staff were so, so super it was unreal. I have been doing great. By my scale I am down around 60 lbs. (I started dieting July 3rd. and lost 13 lbs in July alone.) I am down to 240 and my goal is 175. So, I have a was to go yet. I learned the hard way that I couldn't eat scrambled eggs. Fried are ok, but not scrambled. I loved milk before, but now we aren't getting along. I have had my ups and downs, but I think I have a system now. I eat instant sugar free oatmeal for breakfast after I get to work, do yogurt and chese sticks (I get them at walmart and they have 7 grams of protein each) for morning and afternoon break. Lunch, beans or something I know I can do and dinner is where I experiment. I have found that I enjoy the sugar free hot cocoa so I add one scoop of walmart's chocolate whey protein (23 grams) to it in the evening. I have the devil of time getting all my fluid in, protein is easier. How about you. Peg

Peg, I'm doing better with my fluid. I can drink bigger swallows (guess that's how I'm doing it!). I do 1 protein shake in morning, then eat different meats/proteins at lunch and dinner. I'm trying to get protein from everything natural. I discovered that Splenda now had a brown sugar out too. Haven't tried it yet, but I'm gonna. I drink at least 2-3 cups of decaf hot tea during the day. I used to love decaf coffee, but since surgery, just can't stand the taste of it. I also used to hate hot tea, now I love it! Weird!!! My goal is 120. Started out at 305, currently at 253.5. I've lost 51.5 lbs. Have over 133 to go. But I'll get there. Donna

I am sitting here having a cup of hot tea myself. I know what you mean about your tastes changing. I am having trouble with milk. I was drinking protein shakes with milk at least once a day, now I am switching to nectar and mixing with water. My goal is 175. I started at 300 and am down to 240. 85 to go. I thought I would set my goal at a reasonable level and then once I got there I could change my goal. I have a difficult time getting my fluids in lately. I am more active and at work am running back and forth between meetings and it is difficult. But, like you I am able to drink more at a time. I do know that if I don't get my fluid in I get sick when I eat. So, I try and be very careful. Today I haven't gotten any extra exercise in. Tomorrow I am going to go the fitness center at work while I wait for my husband to pick me up. I am lucky that we have a fitness center at work. They only put it in a couple of years ago. Peg Miller

Donna: Just thought I'd check and see how you were doing? I just sent my step son an email again today because I hadn't heard from him for awhile again. It goes like that, we hear from him every few weeks. One time it was over a month before he replied to our email. Hope all is well. Peg Miller

Peg, Well, my son's PT test and FTX (what we used to call Bivwac) has been postponed due to the weather. I talked to him last night and he said they have 4 inches of ice with 3 inches of snow on top of it. So now he doesn't have any idea when the PT test is going to happen or the FTX (that's where they take them out to the woods and make them do everything that they taught them). He has to pass both. Have you gotten a reply from your stepson yet? I wish Washington would make up their minds as to whether we are staying or pulling out from over there. My son told me it didn't matter if they pulled the troops out or not, the MP's were there to stay. Great....... BTW.....talk about small worlds. Your name is Margaret Miller and you live in West VA. I had an aunt named Margaret Miller and she lived in MD. We used to call her Aunt Peg. Take care and hope your stepson is alright. Donna BTW....my email address is [email protected] if you would like to contact me there.

Hi my prayers are with him. My husband has only been in the army a year so he just recently was in boot camp and ait! It is so hard for them! My husband is also deploying in jan so I know how you feel! I wish your son and family nothing but the best! We are all cheering him on!

Stacy: Our prayers will definately be with you to. It sure won't be easy for you, but you have a great support group in other military wifes and family, plus here. I was a military wife and I was in the Marines some 30 years ago. So, I definately understand. After I got out of the service and had my second child, my spouse went to do his yr overseas. Here I was with a 2 yr old and a newborn in Cleveland. Then I got a job and worked and lived. I didn't dwell on the fact that he wasn't there. It sounds hard to do, but it isn't and the time will fly by if you keep busy. Plus, now you can email and send him phone cards. We didn't have that back then. I know once my spouse called me from Japan, collect, it cost a fortune. Other times he called with the MARS radio. That's where they radio from Japan to California and the person in california called me collect. It sure was a lot cheaper. But with a computer you can send messages all the time. Just remember, depending on what he is doing, he may be busy for a week or two at a time and not able to get to his email. Hang in there and keep us informed. Peg Miller