So last night was my first nutritional class for post op.
It scared me to death.
And not because I was worried about never drinking 30 mins before, during, or 30 mins afer neals ever again.
And not because getting enough protein into your small stomach pouch is WORK after surgery.
Not because I have to take chewable supplements 3-4 times as day for the rest of my life.
Not because it will be a struggle not to get dehydrated or anemic.
But because for the first 6 months, I will have to focus ALOT of time and energy on ME.
And I don't do that.
I am a caregiver. I take care of people. And it's not that I don't take care of myself- because I do. But this will require ALOT of time and focus. And it makes me very uncomfortable.
I don't want this to burden anyone.
I don't want to burden anyone with MY care. That's not my role right now. My role is to TAKE CARE of everyone.
I am overwhelmed with the details. I am overwhelmed with figuring out how I am going to balance feeding my children, caring for them, and all of my other responsibilities, along with finding the time to eat when I am not hungry. To cut my food into pencil eraser sized bites, chew it to applesauce consistency, and get in my 1200 calories, 60-80 grams of protein every single day.
Can you imagine?
I can't.
But I CAN imagine a cold white winter day. A cold granite stone with my name on it. And my children crying.
And that is why despite my worries, and despite my concerns, I am going to keep going.
I am going to need help, and prayers, and good friends. My kids will need playdates and other mamas to pick them up and hold them when I won't be able to. My husband will need a break and time to work. We will have to financially sacrifice to hire help if need be, to buy supplements, to pay for the nutrition classes and therapy afterwards.
It seems so so selfish. And so wrong. And entirely the wrong time to focus on myself.
But if I don't do this NOW, I will have to do it LATER. When I am older and less able to recover. When I weigh more and have less mobility. When I have diabetes or my blood pressure isn't controllable anymore.
And so NOW, in this moment, I am choosing my health. And I am choosing to take the time to make this work, to keep myself healthy, and to be HERE for my children.
I am choosing to burden my husband with my care. I am choosing to worry my in-laws and friends. I am choosing to remove myself in some capacity from my children's lives. Even if it is for just a few days.I have never spent a night away from them. I have never been away from either of them for more than 5 hours.
And it breaks my heart. I know that that sounds dramatic, but it is not. My children are my world. I am involved in every aspect of their day. I make all decisions for them. I feed them every meal. I tuck them in every night. I wake them every morning.
And I know that with this decision comes risks. Death. Complications.
That scares me more than I have words for.
And I have no words for that. I have nothing that I can comfort myself with. I can only pray.
And I hope you will keep praying with me.
