Replies to 'Maximizing Weight Loss Through the Tough Times'

Quote From: beverlyc

I NEVER THOUGHT OF MYSELF AS BEING OLD, BUT TAKING CARE OF MY PARENTS FOR OVER 6YRS. ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER THINGS LIFE THROWS AT YOU, DID TAKE A TOLL ON MY BODY AND PERHAPS MY MIND. I KNOW SO MANY HER HAVE GONE THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS, SO MUCH MORE THAN I HAVE AND OTHER ISSUES THAT BREAK MY HEART KNOW HOW THEY HAVE SUFFERRED. BUT I DO FEEL MUCH OLDER THAN I THINK I SHOULD. THE WEIGHT ALSO MAKES ME FEEL AND LOOK OLDER, THAT DOES NOT HELP MY SELF IMAGE OR ESTEEM. IF I HAD KNOWN THE STRESS, PAIN, OVERWHELMING DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS AND YEARS, I WOULD GO THROUGH, I DO NOT BELIEVE I WOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF MY PARENTS. I ALSO BELIEVED THAT I WOULD PUT MY PARENTS IN A GOOD HOME IF THINGS BECAME BECAME TOO MUCH, THEN FOUND OUT I COULD NOT DO IT. BAILING OUT DID SEEM RIGHT EITHER. IGNORANCE IS BLISS. TAKING CARE OF YOUR AGING, ILL, THEN DYING PARENTS IS TOO DIFFICULT FOR THEIR CHILD TO TAKE ON. LOOSING THEM SLOWLY AND WATCHING THEM DIE IS BEYOND WHAT I HAD EVER IMAGINED. I LEARNED WHAT I DID AND DID NOT WANT FOR MYSELF IN THE PROCESS. I AM NOT HOWEVER, SORRY THAT I DID IT. I WAS ABLE TO GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANTED THE MOST AND THAT WAS TO LIVE AND DIE IN THE HOME THEY LOVED. THE DOCTORS SAID I GAVE MY DAD 5YRS MORE THAN THEY WOULD HAVE EXPECTED AND THEY WERE AMAZED AT HOW LONG HE WAS ABLE TO LIVE A QUALITY LIFE (HE HAD PARKINSON'S). FOR THIS I AM MOST GRATEFUL FOR. MY MOTHER JUST GAVE UP, BUT WAS 95YRS OLD. NOT SICK, JUST TOO TIRED TO CONTINUE AND WANTED TO BE WITH MY DAD. THEY BOTH PASSED IN THEIR ROOMS WHERE THEY WERE HAPPY IN. DAD WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE PASSED IN HIS WORKSHOP FUTZING WITH SOMETHING THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO HIM, BUT I COULDN'T GIVE HIM EVERYTHING. I DO NOT RECOMMEND TAKING CARE OF PARENTS. I WAS NEITHER PREPARED, QUALIFIED NOR DID I UNDERSTAND WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE. EVERYTHING WAS TRIAL AND ERROR. NO BOOK OR HELP FOR ME. NOW THERE IS A BOOK, BUT TOO LATE FOR ME. SORRY THIS GOT SO LONG WINDED, IT WAS NOT MY INTENTION. I HAD JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU AND LET YOU KNOW THAT I APPRIECIATE YOUR KINDNESS. I SHOULD HAVE LEFT IT AT THAT. SORRY....LOL BEV