Great read, makes you think!

Debbiejean
on 5/8/11 9:49 pm - Shelbyville, MI

Great read, makes so much sense...just think and ponder! Hugs Debbie

Anti-Rejection Drugs

Posted: 09 May 2011 02:48 AM PDT

A while ago, I watched a very inspiring video about a UCLA hand transplant. (it is worth the watch!!) The video talked about a lot of things but one (and probably the least important to that particular story) was the patient would be on anti-rejection medications for the rest of her life to keep her body from attacking the transplanted hand (because the body sees the hand as not part of itself and therefore not good for her).

Yesterday, I was thinking about how diabetes is such a HUGE and growing medical problem in the US and it occured to me -- our bodies are rejecting our lifestyle (sedentary with virtually unlimited eating opportunities).

Diabetes meds (although they are necessary and VITALLY important for those of us who need them) are kind of like the anti-rejection drugs of the hand patient in the video. The difference between her and most of us, however, is that we can change our environment so our body doesn't reject it.

I find it interesting that we would consider it a more palatable option to take medications day in and day out rather than make changes that would bring us back into better health. The transplant patient doesn't have a choice -- many of us do.

Our bodies are designed to be fairly forgiving -- but at some point, after years of taking in large amounts refined sugars and gigantic portions -- it just can't take it anymore and it goes on strike -- rejecting the lifestyle that caused the overload to our system.

From this perspective, the anti-rejection meds that the woman from California can take so she is able to put her daughter's hair in a pony tail again is a scientific and medical miracle of the first order. Contrast that to the medications that allow us to live even as we continue to overload our system's ability to keep up seems like a very short sighted answer to a relatively simple (not to be confused with easy) problem.

My thought: Eat less, move more, no excuses.

What is yours?

Connie D.
on 5/9/11 1:19 am

RNY on 08/29/07

Debbie...I will be thinking and pondering!!

Hugs....connie d

shelto1946
on 5/9/11 2:00 am

RNY on 10/22/08

Dear Debbiejean,

You are correct-it's simple, but not easy. It is a testament to the power of our compulsive disease [for those among us who feel they suffer from this malady; not everyone in OH family does, of course] that although we can intellectually understand, we often can not act against the force of the disease.

I, for one, was too terrified of losing my crutch. A big part of my pre-surgery preparation was mental--thinking about letting go of food and realizing that I was finally facing the change in my life I so wanted but was so afraid to allow.

A great mantra: Eat less, move more. No excuses. Maybe I'll have a t-shirt made up saying that. On the back it will say: Eat to live, don't live to eat. [also a favorite of mine].

Thanks for your great post.

Prayers for all who need them today, strength to all in recovery, and a wonderful day to everyone!

Judy G from Waltham (aka Shelto1946)

Debbiejean
on 5/9/11 3:17 am - Shelbyville, MI

Revision on 04/12/07

Our fight to win obesity...it's hard what ever road we decide to walk down.
I'm not terrified...food issues will always be with me. I mean food calls to me if it's in the house. I can't have potato chips or cookies in my house but a cake or pie can sit on my counter without me picking at it. I have a tool and I feel blessed to have had WLS.

So I do the eat less, move more and no excuses! I love the eat to live not live to eat statement too. I use that often. We all know to fuel our bodies with the right foods.

Relearning and actually having to walk the talk is a must. That's why it's to the gym after work. I love water aerobics!!