~and it could happen you know~

I know a woman who takes care of everyone around her.  She always has and always will.  For years and years, that woman has made it her mission in life to tend to the needs of others with little regard for taking care of the person that she herself was.

The reason I know of her is this.
She is me.

I have several flaws in character, many of which I've tried for years to improve upon.  The lion's share of them relate directly to my physical and mental health.  I get anxious about things that I have absolutely no control over.  My mind fills with worry when I realize that a moment in time has passed by that I didn't seize the opportunity to be a part of.  Up until a year ago last summer, I consumed probably the better part of 6 diet sodas each and every day and I paid little heed to what I was eating at mealtime.  As I drove back and forth from Grandfield to Newkirk on the weekends for April and May, I always had a snack nearby in case I got tired or hungry on the road.  My "Peggy's List of Things She Needs To Improve Upon" could go on and on and on.

And for the record, it does.

It had been well over a year, 15 months in fact, since I last saw a doctor.  It was 3 weeks ago as I was tired of always feeling tired when I finally gave up and went to our local clinic here in Newkirk.  I wasn't shocked at all to learn that I needed to lose some weight but pleasantly surprised to find that my cholesterol was fine, blood work looked normal, blood pressure in check without medicine, and that my heart still ticks along just as the good Lord above made it to do.  I'd been very worried about my heart because two of my sisters, my mother and grandmother had congestive heart failure.  So far, so good on that front for me, yet it is something I will always keep in the back of my mind.  (character defect there, worrying over things that haven't even happened yet)

By the time that long dreaded visit to the clinic was over, the doctor there had helped me to come up with a plan to take off the extra weight I am carrying on my shrinking 4 foot 11 inch frame.  I left with instructions in hand and a seed of hope planted within me that I could feel better if I followed his directions, taking as good of care for myself as I try to provide for others.  

3 weeks and 10 1/2 pounds of lost weight down the road, I'm following the plan.

I read an article once that found a direct correlation between stress/comfort eating and caregivers who devote their time and energies to the well being of others.  I don't know that I remember all the particulars of the article because it was long ago.  I do recall that it was one of the "aha" moments for me though.  It just struck too close to home because the person I was reading about sure seemed a lot like me.

I keep a daily journal now since that July 12th doctor visit and anything that I eat during the day is written into it.  I've been able to keep my caloric intake to under 1,100  each day and now take a multivitamin in the morning per the good doctor's orders.  I said my "good-byes" to fast food, candy, crackers, chips, ice cream, and a couple of other food items that no longer will serve my purpose to live a healthier lifestyle.  I'm sure glad that I gave up diet sodas in June of 2018.  At least that much was already taken care of.  

I say today that I want to live to be 100, an age where most people never get to.  I'm not even sure why that is so important to me but I believe I have a shot at it.  My grandmother passed away in the winter of her 106th year and her daughter, my Aunt Beck, made it to her 103rd birthday.  If I don't start taking better care of myself, I don't have much of a chance to claim the title of centenarian.  I wish my mom could have made it a few more years, but sadly she succumbed to both kidney and heart failure only two weeks after her 87th birthday.  I intend to plod forward to 100 on both of our behalf.  

So consider this your invitation to my birthday party on October 26, 2055 if you are available to attend.    I'm guessing it will be about 1:00 p.m. and you all will have to excuse me for my nap by 2:30.  

See you there!
It could happen you know.





And she just wanted to be 10.



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