I'm back - update

On September 11th, my 90 year old Grandfather passed away. The very next day I was on a flight to Lima, Peru with my sister, and countless other family members. My Grandfather should have lived at least 10 more years..his caretaker neglected him, he became malnurished and passed away after having cardiac arrest. Most of  the trip was spent in family meeting and with Lawyers.. it was tough.. My Grandfather was totally with it, walking, talking, and in great shape, so his death came as a big surprise to all of us... Yes, he was 90, and lived a long life, but his life was cut short by a negelctful caretaker, who stole form him.. IT was disgracefull.. I haven't felt like posting much since I got back on Wednesday, but I got a nice message from Brenda today, so I was inspired to post - THANKS BRENDA>>>> The trip was very difficult -  I was born in Peru, but moved to the United States when I was 3, and I had not been back in well over 20 years. I dont know how many of you remember reading about the earthquake in Peru, that happened about 7 weeks ago - It registered an 8 on the richtor scale, and the town that suffered the most damage was where my Grandfather lived. The city is called Ica, Peru, and it was in a ruins.. People sleeping in tents on their land with their small children, rubble in the streets, poverty like I had never seen before. There is so much detail I don't want to go in to, but my heart was touched in immense proportions and I will never be the same girl ever again. I thank God for what I have, and pray for those people, that they will be able to pick up the ruins and move forward... I am getting choked up even writing about it... So many things happened last week... Family reunions, grudges being put aside... It was overwhealming.... I am just now getting back to normal...For 5 of the 7 days I was there, I had terrible diarhea, even thought I cut my portions in half and did not take Alli. I finally weighed in two days ago, and I broke 270.. I weighed in at 268.6. I am back on my regimin, and am starting to feel better, but my brain is a mess... I will update on Friday with a weigh in.... Hope everyone is doing great....

I was thinking about you the other day. I was thinking to myself where is Maria? I'm really sorry about your loss. :(  I am glad you're back though I have missed you. In due time you will heal. It takes time.  OH congrats on break thru 270 :) Glad to have you back girly!

I am so sorry for you loss.....it must be have been hard to go back after all that has happened.... We missed you......

You have definitely been through a lot lately.  I don't understand how anyone can neglect the elderly.  You have my sympathy and are in my thoughts.  Take care.   Brenda

So sorry about the loss of your grandfather. But I'm glad that you had the opportunity to share in the celebration of his life with your family in Peru.  This will be a time that you will remember for the rest of your life.  It will be bitter sweet, but all in all a great experience for you and your family. Welcome back to the board.  We truly missed you! Bren

wow....lots happening.  Hard to let our loved elders go, this is for sure. I cannot imagine what it must be like to live in so many of those cities in South America...we do have it soooo good here, even our poorest people do not ever have the hardships that are known there.  Glad to see you back, and take care of yoursefl...rest a lot, pray for comfort and reach out to others in your family.  What a blessing to be able to go down there together.