Don't Give Up on Yourself

Greetings everyone.

 My support group meeting was last night. I had expected 7 people, who had let me know they were coming. One person called letting me know she was very ill. I heard from one other person last night who left a message that she couldn’t come. She also sent an e-mail saying, “Don’t give up on me."  

No, like Abba, Father, our Father, and our Lord, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Who is His Son, I will never give up on her. But, will she give up on herself?  

I arrived at 6:00 p.m. The support group meeting was to start at 7:00 p.m. Finally, around 8:00 p.m. after being there for 2 hours alone, reading the current OH magazine and gaining such valuable information from it, I cleared off the white board. I cleared off the chalk board. I put all my stuff I’d brought into my box, closed down the heat, turned off the lights, picked up all my signs, and preceded to commence to drive home not that happy.

Then, as I was turning onto the street, along came one, solitary car with one occupant, heading to this meeting. I turned around, re-opened the room and I commenced working with her, giving her the valuable instruction on “Let’s Talk Protein." 

First, I asked her to read what was on a singular page of instruction on protein, which I’d retrieved from our Leader Board with OH. Silently, we both read it. I asked her what, what she read, meant. She didn’t know.

Well, until 5:00 p.m., I hadn’t known either. Isn’t it amazing how we can read things and not understand them? Here I’d been working all day putting my program together. In fact, I’ve been concentrating on this subject for way over 4 years thinking I understand what I’m learning, but learning that my understanding is only according to my current awareness.

Then, the words of beautiful instruction showed forth from the writing about protein on that singular piece of paper. We examined the protein containers I brought in. We found which container was the preferred container for folks who are maintaining their weight and which was the correct product for those who still want to lose weight. OK. Good for so far.

We then commenced reading for understanding the labeling on the protein bars I'd brought in.  Truth was setting us free!   Then, I commenced the instruction of assisting her become her own best advocate, knowing how to do simple math (multiplication and division of really simple numbers), helping her gain great clarity about the following. 

(1)     Learning how to calculate with understanding how much protein she must consume daily based upon her current body weight in order not to waste her muscles, have her hair fall out, or have other bad things happen to her, like death;

(2)     Learning how to calculate with understanding the amount of protein she must consume if she wants to continue to lose weight as well as the best resources for her.

(3)     Learning how to calculate with understanding the precise amount of protein she must consume to maintain her weight with health for her brain, her body, her mind, and her internal organs. Prayer will take care of her spirit. Knowing how to use her tool, learning to eat and drink for health is up to her.

(4)     Learning why she must add exercise into her daily schedule.

(5)     Learning how often she must eat for health.

(6)     Learning how to refute the bad information floating around among the different professional resources available to all of us (doctors, nutritionists, nurses, etc.)

Grumbling but with good humor, she got out her calculator. She fumbled with it, wanting to put it away and relying on me with my two masters degrees in finance and economics besides all the instruction and training I’ve received from ObesityHelp.com to do all the work. 

But, with encouragement and humor, she got over her fear and began to learn how to use her tool provided her back in 1985. However, this was a stapling procedure of some type. But that doctor who did the surgery is dead. She thinks she can’t find out anything about her surgery because he is dead. She had a revision procedure in 2002; yet, that unknown and not understood revision was from a doctor who is a great surgeon but doesn’t understand that we are what we eat. I had the same surgeon and he did a great job in the surgery room providing for me a tool. She’s not been able to get any helpful information from him either.   He leaves it up to us to figure out how to use our tool: that is not his concern. 

2 ½ hours after she arrived, we closed the teaching down. She walked out with great buoyancy and understanding of precisely what she needs to do. She walked out with great understanding and motivation. She walked out knowing precisely her best protein sources. She is a winner! 

Likewise, I learned a lot about protein, learned a lot of what I thought I knew and understood, and didn’t understand. I now know differently.   I know what I have to give to others is very valuable and will really help each and everyone who has had weight loss surgery or is contemplating it.

But, if no one shows up, who will know? I’m glad she arrived when she did. Otherwise, she would not have benefited. I would not have benefited either.   So, dear reader, I ask you, will you give up on yourself? You had your weight loss surgery to help you; yet, are you continuing to operate in old patterns? 

Support group meetings are a bother aren’t they?   Nothing much happens there, right? 

For myself, I will be approaching the other support groups seeking to find an audience who will want to learn what I’ve been learning.

My health speaks volumes for what I am doing. Now, with the greater understanding I’ve gained through the teachings and interactions on Saturday mornings as well as my preparation and teaching last night, my health can do nothing but become even greater and I’m going on 72. I do know that my own health is worth the effort to understand and present the best of what I’ve learned about this weight loss surgery tool to others, because I benefit as well. But, an empty room can be so deflating. 


Blessings,

Christine Gibson 

The light of the eyes of him whose heart is joyful rejoices the heart of others, and good news nourishes the bones.  Proverbs 15:30

Wow Christine! Powerful stuff. Now I really feel bad I missed last night but, on the other hand, some of my most powerful recovery program meetings have been under the exact same conditions. This may have been just as God planned it after all. I was glad I opted for a nap instead because I was much more present for patients and family members who needed to share in the middle of the night. On a positive note, I did many positive things yesterday that will contribute towards my physical success and mental well being. I got up early for an appointment to get a fill in my lap band - only 0.5cc of the 1.3cc removed to allow for major sinus drainage post steroid treatment. Next I walked around in Kirkland, shopping & enjoying the waterfront. Then I came home & washed all my downstairs windows (in & out) which caused me to take a good look at my garden, in need of some serious clean up (which I did). Last, my son called on his way to the off leash park with my granddogs and I couldn't resist joining them and being the only one they wanted to have throw balls & sticks for them. Needless to say, I took a giant step towards more activity & getting rid of some of the tasks I procrastinate & eat over - but I did colapse by 6:30pm and needed to be refreshed for work at 10:30pm.

I do hope to be an active participant with the group soon. I may even be willing to give up my cherished choir practice now and then - and -possibly leave my OA meeting early to get in on your Saturday morning call. I am a strong advocate for group support in all aspects of life. I am also usually one who follows through when I say I'm going to do something, unless I have a darn good reason not to. 

Looking forward to meeting all of you one day soon!
Wendy

This sounds like it was a terrific meeting!

Who can come to your support group meetings? My surgeon has them the 2nd Tues. of the month, but I feel that I could use more support!! And FAITH based support would be wonderful! I was most touched by the faith you have in Christ, others and YOURSELF that you showed in your post.

If someone from other doctor is welcome, please let me know if/when I could join you!

Greetings Emerald47:

Everyone is welcome at my support group meetings.  They are open to all folks, no matter the doctor, no matter the hospital, no matter the type of surgery performed.  Thank you for your very kind words.  They are most appreciated.  You can find out more about my support group meetings at www.ObesityHelp.com/group/BellevueWA.  I also posted a few blogs about protein at my OH support group site in the past several days.

I'd also love to become an OH friend to you and you to me.  So, please do join my group.  I'd love to have you as a member.

Blessings,
Christine