What a slap into reality..

Leann,

Thank you so very much.. I agree it was a necessary jolt into reality..  I can tell you that it really got my attention..

I am even going to set an alarm to help me remember..

And thank you for the link.. No matter what, I will take them from here on out..

Hugs,
Jenn

Hey darlin', sorry you got threatened with a reversal of surgery. At least now you know to take this a lot more seriously. I am not casting stones here. Remember me? I'm the one who broke her ankle 6 weeks after surgery due to dehydration and not enough protein. That was a very "expensive" wake-up call for me, costing me 13.5 weeks in a wheelchair. I am so glad DH was there to make sure you didn't hit your head, or break anything. You are always in my thoughts and prayers hunni. I hope Dr. Vierra has some better news for you next week. Sending love and hugs.

Katt,

Thank you so very much.. Although no one ever wants to be threatened that way, I do agree that it got my attention and made me see how very serious this was..

I am so happy that you are doing so much better, and am sorry your lesson was so "expensive".

I will keep you posted on my progress and let you know what Dr. Vierra says next week..

You are in my thoughts and prayers always..

Love and Hugs,
Jenn

Jenn, Honey, You may not want to hear this but...I could just kick your ass!!! I know what I told you while I was there about taking your supplements...Maybe you thought I was just blowing smoke but now you know!! I told you all that stuff, gave you the manual, and tried very hard to educate you of the dangers of not following the rules. I knew you had not gotten enough education through you surgeon and I have to blame him for some of this.I also told you about my sister and all here medical problems due to not following the rules. 
You might get mad at me for being hard on you but this is tough love! I care dearly for you and your family and would hate to see something happen to you. Yes, you have had to deal with the sadness of losing your Pops and I know depression is a battle we both share (there are good medications out there to help with it!!) but none of these are excuses for endangering you life.
There are three things you have to do everyday to stay healthy and isn't that the reason for WLS in the first place? 1) drink your water 2)take your vitamins 3) get in enough protein (I could add walk as a 4th one!).
Call me...

HUGS
JOY

Yes I do remember you telling me that it is important and while it is NO EXCUSE, I guess I just thought it wouldn't hurt me this bad this early out..  I thought it would take more time, but like I said that is NOT and excuse and I should have known better..

One thing I can say is that I am HUMAN and I made a BAD error in judgment... The good thing is that I get the chance to redeem myself, and to better use my tool, and understand how important it is to keep up on my vitamins and supplements. I know you are upset with me, and I understand why.. You are concerned, and I care about you as well, and thank you for caring..

I am not mad, just upset with myself for disappointing not only you, but my other OH family as well. (especially Jan, she has been there for me, and I feel I have let her down.)

It is not easy to display my faults, and admit to all my problems, but I did it to let everyone know what could happen so soon after surgery. I wanted to be HONEST with everyone, and let them know how SERIOUS this really is.

I hope you will be able to forgive my laps in judgment  and help support me in the months and years to come..

Hugs and Love to you,
Jenn

Jenn, I "forgive your bad judgement". You know I am here for you. I am not a fair weather friend.
I just want you to take care of yourself as we all do here on the OH.

XOXOX
JOY

Hi Jenn,

You know me, I tell it like it is.  I won't soften it because you need to stay on top of this.  If you aren't prepared to take ALL of your vitamins every day, get in your liquids and protein, I agree with your Doctor, it should be reversed.  If you're not prepared to walk the walk, you're going to be a very sick woman. 

Decide what you really want before you see the doctor next Wednesday.

I would also see a psychologist about your depression.  You're going through a lot right now and we can't help with that, other than to be supportive.  That isn't enough.  A professional is trained to help you in ways we can't.  Please, Hon, get help now so you can keep it manageable.

I say this with love and affection as your friend.

Big Hugs,

---jan---
Set your cell phone to buzz you each time a pill is due until you get used to the routine.  In time, it will become second nature.  :-)

Jan, I know  that you have always been a tell it like it is person, and that is what I love about you. I just want  you to know that knowing you would read this was hard for me as I feel like I have not only let myself down, but you as well.

You have always been there for me, and tried pushing me to take my vitamins, and I resisted and like I said before, didn't think it was such a big deal this early out. (how stupid of me)  I knew that you had to take vitamins for the rest of your life, but didn't realize the consequences it would have this soon out.. That is totally my fault,  my bad, and I am the one that is going to have to live with the results.

Even though I hate that it came down to this, maybe this was the slap in the face I needed to push me into doing what I should have been doing all along.  I am sorry if I have disappointed you..

I have done so much research, and understand a lot about WLS but this has been so much harder that I ever imagined it to be.. 

But starting TODAY, so much is going to change.. I have already set up alarms to go off on my phone to help remind me, and I am going out to get more pill organizers to help with day to day organization, and I am writing down everything I eat, drink, and pills I take. I don't want there to be any doubts as to what I am doing..  I don't want a reversal.. I got this surgery because medically I needed it.. I would hate to have to reverse it and then develop the same problems again I have been trying to get rid of..  So YES I am going to be committed.. I not only want to keep my tool, I NEED my tool..

So again I am sorry if I have disappointed you, as I have disappointed myself..  And I  hope that others can learn from my mistake before making it on their own..

Hope this still means we are friends, and that I can call if I need to..

Big Hugs,
Jenn

Jenn,

You haven't disappointed me.  I've always supported your surgery and
have always steered you towards taking your vitamins, drinking your
water and getting in your protein.  That will continue to be the case
if you decide to get serious and stop playing games with yourself.  If
you choose to get WLS reversed, I'll support that too.  It's your
decision: your quality of life is the key issue.

I'm not sure why you decided what everyone has been saying doesn't
apply to you.  I can assure you, it does apply to everyone who has WLS.

I'll say it again: WLS is not a quick fix; it's not a cure all which
requires no maintenance from you; it is NOT the easy way out.  It
takes lots of planning and stick-to-ittiveness on the part of the
patient.  I think it's harder with WLS because you CAN'T skip one day,
you can't eat one thing that is harmful to you, you can't have that
one bite and decide to eat the rest of the day because you blew it on
one bite.  You must take care of yourself with a degree of consistency
you never have before.

If you've disappointed yourself, figure out how and why and then decide what
YOU want to do.  It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.  You have to live
with your decision and if WLS is too difficult, there is no shame in deciding
that and going on from there.  If you decide WLS is the right decision for
you, you know what has to be done.

I'm certainly going to support whichever decision you make.  I also know you're
welcome here no matter what your decision is.  You're part of the extended
family.

We're friends, of course, I don't know why you'd think otherwise.  Call anytime.

Big Hugs,
---jan---

Jenn,

I am so sorry you got the tough message today but it was a blessing for you too.  You worked so hard to have the surgery now let's keep it going.  I put my medi set (boxes every day) either in the kitchen between the sink and stove as I do most of my work on that counter.  OR, I put it by my toothbrush so that when I brush my teeth, I remember to take stuff.  I have been taking vities for years along with all the other meds I had to take (but now don't) for my diabetes, blood pressure or cholesterol, so it's now a habit for me.  I was having a problem remembering my lunch time vities so I put it in my outlook calendar which is synched to my Blackberry and the alarm sounds at noon.  I don't forget anymore.

I am sending prayers and BIG WARM HUGS to you.  If I can help in anyway please feel free to call me.

Hugs,
Barb