I am new here

Hi! I am new here and I am awaiting a surgery date. I have the support of my husband and my children. I have told my visiting teacher and not the bishop just yet. I will tell him when he finally gets home. I have been concerned about things like fasting, the sacrament and other things that the gospel teaches and what to do when the weight starts to take off. I know that I will have to get all new garments and temple clothes. And I am looking forward to that...something smaller. Just looking for answers to these concerns. I will let you know when my surgery date is....i am excited about it. Donna Seamon

Hi Donna, My name is Melody Russell and I live in Shoshone, Idaho which is in the southern part of the state. I didn't even know this "mormon" forum was on here. I saw that someone posted this site to your request on the main message board. I was glad to know it existed. I, too, am a very active LDS woman. I had my surgery on March 8th of this year. I also have a disability. I have MS and I can no longer walk on my own. I have to use forearm crutches and I can only walk a very short distance. When I go out I have to use a scooter or a wheelchair. My calling is in the Primary. I was the primary chorister which I absolutely loved! Because I was no longer able to move around to put up visual aids etc... and getting up and down in a chair is almost disasterous, I was released from leading the music and now I teach a primary class in the valiant primary. I, too, was concerned about taking the sacrament and fasting part of the surgery especially at first because I was on clear liquids for the first 3 weeks. Every doctor is different. I know others that ate after one or two days. Even though I was on clear liquids I worried about taking the bread in the sacrament. Since I knew that other post ops ate real food after only a couple days I decided that the sacrament bread wasn't going to hurt me and I just made sure I chewed it very, very, very well. I had no problems. My biggest problem is going without drinking. Church is 3 hours long and that's a long time for us to go without drinking anything. The first week after surgery I took a water bottle in my church bag and I would take drinks during the church block. I haven't taken a water bottle for several weeks now but I'm sure thirsty when I get home. As far as fasting goes - I do not eat but I do drink water and only water. When we fast and if we have to take medication we are allowed to take the medication and not consider it interuppting our fast so I think the water issue is the same. It's kind of like the diabetics who CANNOT go 24 hours without eating something. They're just encouraged to eat the bare minimum and keep with the fast. That's how I look at my water. I go without the food for the 24 hours but I drink the bare minimum of water (for me right now it's about 1 quart in that 24 hours). On a usual day I try to get in more than half a gallon so I am really am drinking the bare minimum to keep with the fast. As far as temple garments go - I've lost about 47 pounds and I find I can still wear the same garments as before. They fit and feel looser. The day will come when I will have to buy new ones but gee - who doesn't like a new pair of underwear now and again. I've been very open about my surgery. I have a very supportive ward. I had a priesthood blessing before surgery and I know that helps a lot. As far as gospel teachings - I haven't found anything yet that has been a problem (aside from the fasting). Good luck Donna. Let me know when you're surgery is scheduled. I would love to be your angel. E-mail me your phone number and I'll call you. Melody

Donna, I was so glad that you asked the right question and someone was kind enough to post this site for you. It makes me a lot more comfortable to have people of my own faith, that understand wear I am coming from. My date for surgery is the 25 of June. I am having a hard time waiting 4 weeks and counting. My husband is on the Bishopbic and he has told every one in the church, I think, I wish he wouldn't of but it is too late to do any thing about that. Peggy

Hello Donna..I have to tell you this has been the best decision for me that I have ever made. I had my surgery on 4/23/04 and I've lost 27 pounds and feel wonderful. I did research for about a year and then got serious about going to Heavenly Father in prayer. Also had a Priesthood Blessing from my sweet hubby. When the time came for my surgery I received a Blessing from my hubby and my step son and knew that all would be well. I had no problems during or after surgery and have not had to have any pain meds since leaving the hospital. I'm so greatful for that. I was concerned about a lot of people knowing that I was having the surgery too and then it occured to me that I was as close to most of my Church family as to my biological family and so I slowly started telling people and the outpooring of love and prayers on my behalf was awesome. One dear Sister called and put my name on the Temple Prayer Roll and just lots of cards and phone calls after surgery. It meant the world to me. Something exciting for me too is this saturday I get to start doing one of my favorite things again..riding my motorcycle. Haven't been able to ride since the week before surgery and this weekend is the date my dr. gave that I could start riding again. Another incredible thing happened. The day I went to meet the dr that would be my surgeon I found out he was a member of the Church too. He is just the neatest man just love him to pieces. He is the Gospel Doctrine teacher in his Ward. Didn't mean to get so long winded ...Keep us posted on your surgery date. I'll be praying for you Have a wonderful Weekend!!