Profile of a Loser's Excitement

Hello everyone; I want to know if it's just me are do any of you seem to notice friends and family don't know how to talk to you anymore? I have noticed of late that the only thing that is really on my mind is wanting someone to talk to about this surgery and what is going on in my life right now. Oh now before you tell me I'm to full of myself, hear me out and then pass your judgement. When I was on the main message board I found that most everyone on there was a lot further down the road than me and had long forgotton what it is like to be a newbie with all the excitement and wonderment of what to expect next. So I found that I did most of my talking to friends and family. When I found this board with a whole cast of people who had surgery the same time or within a few days of my surgery, I thought, Wow, now here are some people *****ally understand and will want to keep the excitement going, but alas we tend to get caught up in daily living and just don't take time to share what is on our minds with those who understand full well what it is all about and can be of incouragement to one another. Instead we wind up talking to family and friends about it all the time, who first of all don't understand what all the fuss is about and secondly really don't care because they were the ones, if you remember, that tried to talk you out of having this done in the beginning anyway. And I think that, that is the reason for this message. I guess I think that everyone should be as excited as I am about everything that happens and yet if we are all honest with one another we can see them beginning to back away because that is what we want to talk about. Don't get me wrong I am not consumed by my surgery but I do like letting the world know how fantastic I think this journey has been so far and when I think of the possibilities for all the tomorrows might be I am so excited and want to share it with everyone. This may be the last great adventure I ever get to go on and I want to make the most of it. I guess you could say that I am looking at it as if I were a child and want to have that child like faith that tomorrow is going to be better than today. So forgive me if I seem to be shouting it from the roof top but I hope that I never lose this excitement and my prayer for all my December family is that you feel what I feel about this Journey and go in Awh of what is happening to you and what you are going to become. I hope all of you will take this to heart and open up to this family and let the love shine through as we post as this is the only family that I think really understands you completely and really wants to hear all you have to say. I am sorry if I have been so long winded but if I can't tell you folks then WHO? James

I'm surprised your friends and family don't want to talk about it. I've experienced the opposite. It like that's all they ask me about. Maybe you are just talking too much about yourself and they are tired of it. You may also want to find a local support group. Its great to go to a group and hear people talking about their experience. Be sure it's a good group though. I've been to three different groups. One I would not go back to. Go to your state board and see if they have get togethers. It's really great to go meet people from the board in your area. I go to the Dec board and my state board. I met with a group yesterday at Starbucks. Liz

I understand what you mean!! Sometimes I'm afraid my family and friends (though fairly supportive) are going to get sick of hearing about it... and that is why I love talking with you all about it. You understand that talking about surgery never "gets old". Best of Luck to you!

I agree with the others about joining a group. My family and friends always ask 'how I'm doing' and want the new number, but other than that they don't want any details -- nor do I want to give them out! I find the support group to be like a pep rally, very inspirational and educational. We have people who are two or three years out, at goal obviously, and they STILL come! It fills a need they still feel, and so they join the newbies and pre-ops. ~~ Leslie

Just remember James, its a change for everyone and all people react to change differently. But always know all of us are out here for you and all others on the board. Keep up the good work and stay excited and motivated.