The Information Session
I attended the Patient Information session at Humber River Regional Hospital on Friday. It was a lot more emotional for me than I had anticipated. I felt strong and confident when I went in but as we got closer to the classroom, I was getting more anxious.
Walking past the all the others waiting in the hall was hard. We were all sizing each other up (no pun intended). It was weird to feel smaller than others and still know I am a candidate. I was grateful that I don't have to be in a wheelchair or use a walker. And part of me felt guilty about being able to start my journey when there are so many people worse off than me.
The information session was presented by a nutritionist who works as part of the HRRH team. It was pretty much what I had found out on my own about the surgery and the lifestyle. The details of their program were new to me, though. Smokers have to quit for SIX MONTHS before they can have surgery - I am so glad I don't smoke! However, there are other things to give up: caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages. Plus practice sipping water and live the lifestyle now to prove that you can follow this afterwards. That includes walking everyday.
The nut went over the out of pocket expenses..parking, hotels, optifast, two meds to take after surgery for two months (previcid and something else, to hekp prevent some tummy problems), vitamins and protein powder, the driving to and from appts (I live 2 hrs away from the hospital).
At the end we had to sign another sheet indicating whether we wanted to proceed at this time. Hell, yeah!
I had a chance to speak with the nut afterwards about me doing atkins. She said to stop and start eating a healthy balanced diet. Just talking about it got me all emotional and I had to take a few deep breaths.
For me, it was wonderful for someone to tell me to eat a balanced diet, to tell me I could eat fruits and veggies and drink milk and have grains. This might sound stupid but I haven't eaten a lot of veggies or fruits for a very long time because of atkins. When I got home, I had an apple for the first time in many months, if not years. Yesterday morning for breakfast I had a PB and banana sandwich. At supper time, I actually had some baked beans with my meal.
I have stopped the carbonated drinks, drink decaf, and practice water sipping (harder than i thought). I will walk every day. I will eat a healthy balanced diet.
If I can eat 'normal' again, I will do whatever they want.
Walking past the all the others waiting in the hall was hard. We were all sizing each other up (no pun intended). It was weird to feel smaller than others and still know I am a candidate. I was grateful that I don't have to be in a wheelchair or use a walker. And part of me felt guilty about being able to start my journey when there are so many people worse off than me.
The information session was presented by a nutritionist who works as part of the HRRH team. It was pretty much what I had found out on my own about the surgery and the lifestyle. The details of their program were new to me, though. Smokers have to quit for SIX MONTHS before they can have surgery - I am so glad I don't smoke! However, there are other things to give up: caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages. Plus practice sipping water and live the lifestyle now to prove that you can follow this afterwards. That includes walking everyday.
The nut went over the out of pocket expenses..parking, hotels, optifast, two meds to take after surgery for two months (previcid and something else, to hekp prevent some tummy problems), vitamins and protein powder, the driving to and from appts (I live 2 hrs away from the hospital).
At the end we had to sign another sheet indicating whether we wanted to proceed at this time. Hell, yeah!
I had a chance to speak with the nut afterwards about me doing atkins. She said to stop and start eating a healthy balanced diet. Just talking about it got me all emotional and I had to take a few deep breaths.
For me, it was wonderful for someone to tell me to eat a balanced diet, to tell me I could eat fruits and veggies and drink milk and have grains. This might sound stupid but I haven't eaten a lot of veggies or fruits for a very long time because of atkins. When I got home, I had an apple for the first time in many months, if not years. Yesterday morning for breakfast I had a PB and banana sandwich. At supper time, I actually had some baked beans with my meal.
I have stopped the carbonated drinks, drink decaf, and practice water sipping (harder than i thought). I will walk every day. I will eat a healthy balanced diet.
If I can eat 'normal' again, I will do whatever they want.
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