Stress---My Worst Enemy

Stress---My Worst Enemy

Hello everyone,

Yes I am still around!! I have put off blogging because I truly did not know what to write!! I have come to an obstacle in the path of my journey that seems insurmountable!!! I have not really tried since October. That was hard for me to confess. I have no excuses!!! I have however enjoyed my new 71 pounds lighter self and been on a roller coaster of gains and losses for the past few months. I have sold all my larger size clothes and just "cleaned up" my closet and dresser drawers. Not only did I need new clothes but I also needed new "unmentionables." So I have enjoyed shopping, shopping, shopping!! I have also enjoyed not taking so many meds and getting good reports from my doctor.

You may be asking where is the stress in that. Well let me tell you I have always thought I have handled stress pretty well. My job is somewhat stressful at times but it keeps the job and days interesting and I have a most capable administrative assistant and we help each other with the stress at work. We all have stressful days and I handle those pretty well. But since the middle of April I have really been leaning on the Lord for strength and help in my time of need. My Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer and the cancer was found in nine lymph nodes and his lungs.. Now this is an 81 year old man who has been sick very little in his lifetime. He has not been in the hospital except when he fell off a scaffolding on the job and hurt his back some 40 years ago. I was devastated and it has been colon surgery and a whirlwind of doctor appointments since mid April!!

My life has been blessed beyond what I am worthy and this was really hard for me. Even though I finally got through the crying and crying and fear that my Dad was gonna die and finally turned it all over to the Lord the stress has been hard on my system and me!!! I know now that I am a emotional eater. I am hungry all the time. Nothing I seem to do satisfies that "need" for food!!! I have found myself dreading going to the gym. The desire is not there anymore. I know I am probably disappointing many of you including Gloria and that is why I have put off blogging for so long.

Take this morning for instance! I got up and got ready for the gym but just could not go. I sent Gloria a text and told her I was not coming. Now it was a cardio day for me and I can do cardio at home but I have always looked forward to going to the gym.

So, I know that the Lord will take care of my Dad. I have turned my Dad over to HIM. I am praying for the help I need with this stress. This is something I have not dealt with since starting on the journey. My Dad's younger brother died while my Dad was in the hospital and another family member had a heart attack. Sometimes our bodies are not in sink with our minds. Mentally (with the Lord's help and many wonderful friends) I believe I have cleared this obstacle but physically I have not. I have been to the doctor because,per the DOC, the stress has gotten my resistance down and I have now been dealing with an upper respiratory infection. I am just tired!!!!!

Now this is not a blog for pity but prayers!! There will always be obstacles in our lives. I have not handled mine very well. I hope this may help someone else who encounters what they may think is an insurmountable obstacle in their lives. I am determined to get back on track and gain control of my eating!!

Of course our Lord is wonderful!!! My Dad had a PET Scan and the cancer has not spread to any new areas. We knew it had metastasized to his lungs but only one lymph node in is neck showed cancer in the scan. He is beginning chemo on Friday June 5th. Please pray for my Dad!!

Thank you so much for patiently and continually staying with me on this somewhat rocky journey to a healthier me. Love, Faith