October 30, 2009

What to do when things happen that you have no control over.

This one is important to me. It is very personal, so close your eyes while reading, and get a tissue.

This really is serious, but I handle serious things with a bit of humor in order to get through them. Nothing else to do but cry, and I will get to do that in private as time goes on.

Weight loss surgery has changed my life. It gave me a future instead of a premature ending.

I am not afraid of death. I was until I did some studying and praying, and found answers that I can accept.

I am afraid of wasting away to nothing, or going through great pain while getting there. That may not be rational, but that's me.

So, a few years ago, as I said in a previous post, I prayed harder than I ever did before. I asked for God to either kill me or make me better. A bit selfish, but that's the best I could do. It was a simple request.
God must have decided to let me live and made me better. I found Gastric Bypass, lost weight, and am learning how to live again.

Now, while I am so happy to be alive again, I got some sad news this past month.

My wife has breast cancer.

Normally, breast cancer is not a death sentence, but in her case, it will probably be.

She had Hodgkin's disease in 1974. She was treated with the new technology at the time, which was radiation therapy. It cured her. But, they didn't have the knowledge they have today, and they irradiated her upper body with too much radiation.
It burned her lungs, and it gave her breast cancer.
She has many other medical problems that are all part of her previous treatment.
The good thing, is that I got to meet her. I married her. I lived with her for 34 years. I had two great kids with her. I now have 5 grand kids with her.
Unless there is a miracle, she will not see our next wedding anniversary.
She is upbeat, and glad to be alive. She will continue to work as long as she can. She will be productive.

How will this affect my WLS?

It may slow me down, but I have learned how to do things differently now, and I will continue to practice what I've learned.

October 26, 2009

Oklahoma Caviar

Oklahoma Caviar
Serves: 6

1 large tomato, chopped
1/2 cup green onions, chopped
1 teaspoon jalapeno, chopped fine
1 can low sodium black eyes peas, drained and rinsed
1 can white hominy, drained
1/2 cup light Italian dressing

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a large bowl and mix well.
Refrigerate and serve.

Note: This is great as a side dish or served as an appetizer with fresh cut veggies.

Nutrition:70 calories, 1.5g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 290mg sodium, 2g fiber, 2g sugar, 3g protein, carbohydrate 14g