Go to The crazy lady strikes again
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It's easy...
to slip into a behavior pattern in which one focuses so much on oneself and one's own recovery - be it from the common cold or the life-threatening infections I've had - that one becomes irritated or even abusive when others start expressing legitimate needs. I noticed this in myself over the past few years, and I'm actively trying to be a bit less selfish, focusing instead on the needs of others. That's why I have been focusing so much on my former roommate. I'm fully aware of the fact that it's easy to slip into precisely the opposite behavior pattern - focusing so much on the needs of others that one ignores oneself and one's own health.
posted by
kidnykid
on June 11, 2006 at 5:43 PM
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kidnykid, I think it's very admirable that you want to help her.
To be able to look past your own problems and to be concerned about her is a sign of true humanity. But equally important is for you to focus on your own recovery. You've been through so much (I've been following your battles), you need healing for yourself. Work hard to gain strength, and then perhaps you'll be able to reach out to her to encourage her on, or others like her.
God bless!
posted by
JanesOpinion
on June 11, 2006 at 1:54 PM
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This is indeed a difficult situation.
As I've implied in my posts, I can only do so much, particularly given the fact that I'm merely an educated layperson rather than a physician or nurse practitioner. Health care professionals such as you really bust your backsides trying to help us, and often, at skilled nursing facilities in particular, you are assigned way too many patients to take care of.
posted by
kidnykid
on June 11, 2006 at 7:50 AM
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kidnykid, after all you've been through, you may rant and rave all ya like!
I found your post very interesting, since this is the same sort of facility in which I work. In fact, I am also a nurse practitioner who provides primary care for individuals such as your roommate. Sadly, I see a lot of morbidly obese people coming through the doors of my two facilities, and sometimes I think their condition is pretty hopeless. We bend over backwards for them, trying to adjust insulins (they're virtually ALL diabetic) to keep their blood sugars low, trying to develop meal plans to help them lose weight, doing what we can to help them recover some amount of health.
But in the end, the choice is up to that person. Does he or she really want to be well? Then she will put a "knife to her throat" and cut calories. Or he will instruct his family and friends not to bring junk food. I have one massively obese woman now (I'd say around 600 pounds or more) who really wants to lose weight so she can have bariatric surgery. I don't know what will happen, although at the moment I am not hopeful since I see potato chips at her bedside every time I walk through the door.
But at the same time, I see myself as a cheerleader, and do what I can to encourage them on. Although I probably would not go so far as to call someone like your roommate an inspiration, I will say whatever I can, as honestly as possible to encourage that person and to try to help her find the strength she needs to fight the battle of obesity.
I wish her AND YOU well. Hers is an uphill battle. And I pray that YOU will gain strength each and every day!
posted by
JanesOpinion
on June 10, 2006 at 6:15 PM
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That must be hard to have shared a room with someone like that. I'm glad you're taking care of yourself and getting better! That's great that you're recovering so well!
posted by
tigerprincess
on June 9, 2006 at 6:04 AM
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