Nsg4Him
Stress, stress, and bad times or confessions of a stress eater
Jun 25, 2009
Things have been going from bad to worse for my family since April. At first, things looked like they were really looking up. I started to work in pediatric oncology nursing at a pediatric hospital in mid April. I have been out of pediatric nursing for several years and one of my goals of WLS was to be able to get back into it. So-goal met!But, within days of starting my new job, my husband who is a type II diabetic developed a wound on his foot which soon became cellulitis requiring a hospitalization and IV antibiotics. On June 1, while still at UT, it was found that his colon had perforated in 3 places and he had to have emergency surgery removing his colon. He was in ICU for 12 days and on a ventilator (breathing machine for 8 days) and was not expected to live. As of today, he is very slowly recovering, still in the hospital, and about to go to a rehab hosptital for strengthening.
Needless to say, this has caused stress with a capital S for me. The moment I heard the results of his tests, I knew he might die, and I knew at best, he was in for the struggle of his life. When I got to see him after hours of surgery and stabilization that night, his ICU nurse made this statement "Marilyn, it is good for me that you are a nurse because you will understand what I am telling you, but it is NOT good for you right now". He was exactly right. There were a thousand times over the next week that I wished for ignorance, but I didn't have that blessing and it made everything that much more stressful.
What did I do with that stress? I ate it. Since WLS, I have been fairly careful about my eating. Moderate is what I would call it. I don't believe in rigidity because I think that leads to worse problems later on. I believe in being sensible about what I eat. I make sure I get in my protein everyday, I take my vitamins, I watch my calories, I exercise. I eat protein first, then veggies. I eat fruit because I like it. I don't eat after 8 pm. I drink my water. I am not good about journaling my food. I try not to snack. I avoid bread unless it is "special" and then I make allowances for it. I eat sugar free desserts occasionally. Well, with Ron's illness, all that went out the window. I did take my vitamins. I got in some of my protein but not as much as usual because a lot of my protein comes from my daily protein coffee which I couldn't get in the ICU waiting room. I ate things with sugar and no, they did not make me dump. (Which is too bad) I drank way too much caffiene. I did not exercise unless you call pacing the waiting room and halls exercise.
Today I went to see my PCP. I had a sinus infection, exhaustion, and low BP. I was sure that I had gained at least 10 pounds. For whatever reason, I had only gained 2, or maybe it was 4. I can't remember. What I do know is, I have to get a handle on this before I am looking 316 pounds right in the face once again! so, starting July 1, I am BACK ON TRACK!
0 Comments
About Me
Sevierville, TN
Location
30.1
BMI
Surgery
12/21/2007
Surgery Date
Jun 16, 2002
Member Since
