Prayer needed

Hi Everyone,
I have not been on the board lately because my mom who is only 64 years old is in a psychiatric evaluation facility since earlier this week. First they thought she might have early onset on Alzheimer's disease then they though manic depression. Now its severe depression with psychosis. My sister and I are so upset and torn by the fact that we had to check her into Friends hospital in the Northeast. My dad who is in his 70's has aged 10 years overnight. I feel this tremendous guilt and helplessness that we had to do this. She is getting better but please everybody pray that she comes home soon. She will only be there another day or so but I just have not been able to shake this guilty feeling every time I visit her and then leave her there. I have not been eating well and a result have lost another 5 pounds without trying only 15 pounds away from goal. The old me would have been stuffing her face but I can't seem to eat anything solid and forget the protein it now makes me gag. Dr Pupkova wants me to speak at her Pre-Op Seminar tonight about my weight loss journey and I am going to do it because I need to feel like I can share my "successing" with other people who are considering WLS. I did not take any pictures every month as I was losing the weight but I did find some "fluffy" pictures that I will be taking with me. Wish me luck and I am nervous about speaking publicly but at the same time excited that I get to share this part of me with others. Thank you to all my OH friends who always have kind words and encouragement to get me going even when I want to give into my "demons". Thank you Pam, Tammy, Angela, Delores and Michele who have been keeping in touch with me by either emailing me or calling me. Sorry to keep ranting and raving her but THANK YOU for listening to me.

I saw a note last week that people were looking for you - am so sorry to hear about your mom and what your family is going through - thoughts and prayers are coming your way - the one good thing about them is that there is always enough to go around.

Please take care of yourself during this stressful time - you won't be of any use to anybody if you end up sick...remember that you are important, too - and with your strength and your families your mom will get through this.

Kathy

You have nothing to feel guilty about.  You did what was best for your mom.  Now do what is best for you and take care of yourself.  Your family and friends need you.

Good luck with your seminar tonight!  Know that you are in all your friends thoughts and prayers.

Diane

Hello Shilpa,
Please know that we've been missing you and hope that you will be able to bring your mom home soon. The feelings you have concerning your mother's illness are difficult and almost unavoidable. It's hard to know what to do or how to feel. None of this is your fault and as hard as it is to leave her there, you must. You almost have to distance yourself from feeling in order to help her the most and help yourself and your family cope with it.  Feel good about not falling back to stress eating. That is a major accomplishment. 

Now might be the right time to help Dr. Pupkova tonight. It can help to keep your mind on something else while helping persepective new patients and in turn helping yourself too.

Good luck tonight, no need to be nervous, you know what you're doing.

See ya,

Dennis 

Shilpa- Sorry to hear about your mother. I hope she is able to return home soon. I will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts. Best wishes and don't forget to take care of your self too during this difficult time.

Sweetie,
Let me ask you a hypothetical question to just think about.  If your mother had a very serious illness, like cancer, and required hospitalization to begin treatment of it, would you have any guilt having her admitted to a hospital to get the diagnosis and treatment she needed?  Probably not.  Well, your mom needs to be where she is for her safety and your family's well being at this time.  I empathize with your feelings, as my mother was in Friends when I was a little girl, and I thought it was my fault at the time.

I work in a psychiatric hospital in Ft. Washington, and I have the opportunity to work with all of the patients who are admitted there, as I do group and recreational activities with them.   The goal of short term hospitalization is to diagnose and stablize the patient with the proper medication.  It is not to punish them. 

Please understand that your Mom is in the best place she can be right now for her situation.  In fact, Friends Hospital has probably one of the best reputations in the area for inpatient psychiatric treatment.

If you need to talk, I will gladly PM my phone number to you.  I live in Langhorne, and am available to talk on the phone. 

Hugs,
Trish

I will definately be thinking of you and your family in the next coming days.

You know you can rant and rave here all you want - it's what we are here for.

You will do great tonight, I have no doubt!!

Pam

Shilpa,
   My thoughts and prayers will be for your mother and yourself during this difficult time.  I'm sure that you are doing the best you can for her.  Please feel free to rant and rave all that you need to.  You will always find a friend on the PA boards.
   Hope you mother recovers quickly.
Gail

oh sweetie that is so much to deal with... but don't feel bad for doing what is best for her... it is hard... but she would of done it for you if you needed... and this will make Thanksgiving even more special this year...

Good luck tonight... you will do awesome!

Hi Shilpa.  I am so sorry your family is going through all of this. It is so difficult to watch our parents go through the aging process. We are never ready to accept that.  They are the ones that always took care of us. You have no reason to feel guilty for trying to help your mother.  On the contrary.  You are doing a very good thing for her.  It's kind of like the tough love thing we go through with our children some times.  It hurts, but you are doing what is right and best for her.  Hopefully ,when she gets home with her meds in place she will feel a lot better. In the mean time you must take care of yourself so that you are OK to help her and your father. 

I think it is so exciting that you are speaking for Dr. Popkova (I just saw her today, had my 3 month check up). You will do great!  Think how many people you will inspire like you have me.  I remember my first meeting.  You were sitting in front of me telling me all about  wls.  You inspired me right then to go on with the surgery that I had been contemplating. 
Good luck!  Let me know how the meeting goes and please keep us informed about your mom.
I pm'd my number to you.  If I can help in any way PLEASE let me know. We don't live that far from each other and I would be more then happy to help in any way.  Even if it is just a friendly ear.
Best of luck to you and your family!  My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Michele