Seven Suggestions to Survive Setbacks
It's not about the weight – it’s about the struggle to weigh what you want. How many of you have had intense urges to eat everything that you intellectually know is wrong for you? I have a small understanding of what that is like. Last year I found myself stricken with endocarditis – or inflammation in the mitral valve of the heart caused by streptococcal bacteria. At the same time the bacteria infected the discs in my back. I hurt all over. I couldn’t move without intense pain.
When my cardiologist told me that because my pulmonary pressure was reaching dangerous levels, I would need open heart surgery. I became intensely depressed especially when I was told I had to wait until the bacterial infection was cured. Penicillin with an IV pump around the clock for 8 weeks healed the infection – and still the surgery loomed. The damage to the heart valve contributed to my exhaustion. It hurt to lie down, to move from one position to another, much less exercise. I felt that my life as I knew it was coming to an end. All I could do was to sleep, and eat – and eating is what I did, more than sleeping. I was scared. I ate to stay awake because it hurt too much to lie down to sleep. I ate to be sociable. I ate because I was bored, and disgusted that I was sick.
The weight collected around the waist and the hips. I never expected to have that problem, since I wrote the book on it. That was even more depressing! Then the recuperation period after the operation interrupted all my usual actvities, including driving, housekeeping, and even professional work. I walked and climbed steps - only so much interest there! I really enjoyed the Cardiac Rehabilitation at Frederick Memorial Hospital. I exercised safely, learned a great deal about my heart - and what could go wrong; made great friends, and felt more in control of my world. The depression lifted, more slowly than I wanted, - but I made progress getting back in control of what I ate and how much I ate. In a nutshell, I practiced what I preached. It does work - and it will work for you too - even if you have had physical or depression problems.
The following are specific suggestions to help you survive physical setbacks:
Please share any stories or experiences you have about surviving health issues!

