Special Post

I decided to write a special post today. 7 years ago, today, my dad passed away. I may have some details off because I was so young when I was told all this information, but from what I remember...He had many health problems from an early age. In his 20's, him and his twin brother had a bypass surgery because they were severely obese. His twin brother didn't survive. My dad had the bypass reversed 30 years later after injuring his hip; he was placed on medicine that clashed with medicine he was already on, which in turn affected everything in his body. For four years, he was in and out of the hospital (in it more so than not for the last 2 years). He had countless surgeries (including a tracheotomy), his tissue struggled to recover, and he got an infection while staying at an aftercare center that set him back even more. Finally, his wounds were starting to heal and he was making progress. He had been home for awhile without any long stays at the hospital; the home-care nurse said he was recovering great and the pastor that came to visit him was encouraged by his mental progress (as he was starting to fall into depression).

Then, as my sister and I were finally getting comfortable and settling on the idea that he might be recovering for real this time, he passed away. They said he died in his sleep because he stopped breathing due to his Sleep Apnea. "Upper-body obesity is also the most significant risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which the soft tissue in the back of your throat collapses during sleep, blocking your airway. . . fat's role is that it can impede muscles that inflate and ventilate the lungs forcing you to work harder to get enough air." (Abs Diet, 14). As many know, losing someone close to you completely changes your life. Next week, my sister is scheduled to have back surgery. It's a pretty intense surgery that could take up to a year to recover and I can only pray that her recovery is 100000% smoother than our dads.

I just wanted to write this post because aside from looking great and feeling more energized, losing weight has a deeper meaning to me as well. My Dad and his identical twin were severely obese and it remained a struggle for my dad until the day he died. He had so, so many health problems and everything was so complicated when it came to healing.  I, praise the Lord, have never had any severe health problems and I want to keep it that way. Getting fit is one way I can gain some control over my health and future. I know my dad would be proud of who my sister and I have become. He used to tell us his vision for us; comparing us to the girls on "Sex and the City." He wanted us to be confident, pretty, intellectual, funny people who everyone wanted to be around. This is not something I have been lately but I think it's important that maybe I strive to be that - simply to enjoy life more.

In my J Michael's Motivation post, I wrote that one thing she suggested is to dedicate the deed. I think I will dedicate all of March to my family. I want to be healthy so I can live long and enjoy every minute God has given me. I sometimes felt my dad was selfish for eating poorly and continuing to smoke; I don't want those close to me to ever feel that way about me. To resent me for not taking care of myself.  Here is a poem my Dad wrote in the 70's when he was going in for the bypass surgery.

Operation, by Michael L. Joseph
Twas the night before surgery
The halls were so quiet
My belly was growling 
Because of my diet
The doctor was sleeping
At home in his bed
As I lay here thinking

Of pounds that I'll shed
Off goes the clock
To wake up the doc
He gobbled his breakfast and
Grabs his coffee cup
Out in the driveway
His wheels give a spin
He's on his way over
And soon we'll begin
I'm laying here waiting
I'm shaven and ready
Get on with it doctor
And keep your hand steady
A couple of shots
I'm on my way down
I really feel smashing
In my hospital gown
They start an IV
Should I let them do it?
There's no way out now
They said I'll sleep through it
Surgery is over, I'm back in my bed
There was nothing to it
Like everyone said
Soon I'll be like a normal guy
I really did make it,
I didn't even cry.


And here is a series of poems I wrote about my Dad last year.