**Please read Part 1 before continuing. I want to be sure you know my heart.**
It's difficult to know where to start this one...
THIS is the short version of how my mom, one spoonful at a time, lost her life...
While the actual cause of her death was a brain bleed from a fall, obesity was the disease that led to her condition of extreme weakness and poor health. 'Obesity' isn't usually listed on a death certificate, but it is too often the culprit for the loss of those we love.
My mom started struggling with her weight during her 30's. Over the next 30 years of her life she gained and lost pound after pound....Much. Like. Many. of. Us. She always bounced back with a new diet program after a period of gain. She taught weight-loss classes. She inspired others. NEVER did I think that the weight would consume her life & joy during the last few years of her existence.
However, extensive pain from fibromyaligia, degenerative disk disease and depression took it's toll on my mother's amazing spirit. Over the last 6 years of her life I watched her health fail right before my eyes. She progressed from a woman who carted elderly women to their doctor appointments & prayed with others on her front porch to one who never ever got out of bed.
At first excessive gain was no big concern.
She just stopped going places with us. She was too tired and short of breath.
Then she only got up in her chair for a few hours a day.
Eventually, as her legs became weak, she couldn't even ambulate to her chair.
Finally, we brought all her meals in bed and would have to come into her bedroom to visit.
She'd gained weight to a point that she gave up.
The thing is, it started with just a couple pounds and evolved into her death sentence.
Of course I am not saying that everyone's story will end like hers. But, I know there are many, including myself, who are living the same cycle. No one in my family would have imagined a few pounds here and there would change and shorten the course of her life.
How did THAT happen?
One spoonful at a time
One pound followed by one more.
One poor choice after another.
One "I can't beat this" too many.
It snuck up on her. It snuck up on us. It made her family loose her. It is one of her legacies I can't pass on.
(Next in the series ~ Questions)
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