Everyday Systems

Since learning that my Dad has had an Aortic Aneurysm for the last four years and kept it secret has blown me away. It is now cause for concern and he is waiting to go into hospital at anytime for open surgery as it is at the join where the main artery splits to go down each leg. He also has hardening of the arteries, angina, and had a massive heart attack that kept him in hospital for 3 months, 10 years ago. The procedure is only embarked upon when the aneurysm gets to a certain size where it is likely to rupture, which would be fatal in most cases. The operation has a survival rate of 1 in 2 nationally in the UK, luckily his hopsitals' own stats are far higher than the national average. Since finding all this out I have been binge eating chocolate - this morning I chuffed down five chocolate bars in a row. My weight is up by another stone and I repulse myself. Seriously don't know what to do.

First, warmest wishes for your father.

Next, being repulsed by yourself isn't helping. It's just an old habit that has been paired with overeating chocolate, which is also very old programming. But forgive yourself! You resorted to a comfort habit. It's not a crime. Then it's only the physical reaction you have to deal with, and that is just a matter of time. Nothing to do but wait until meal time.


I'm sorry you're facing this now, but you can get through it.

I'm sending you a private message, too.

My grandpa was 85 when they rolled him in for aneurysm surgery. They were located on his aortic artery and down both arteries that lead to the kidneys. It was tough, but he lived another ten years.

The binge eating comes with the territory. Find something to occupy your mind (sounds easy eh?). Even replace your most prominent times when you binge eat with physical activity if you can.

Sorry to hear about your dad. I had a similar experience today, even though my "troubles" are much more trivial. I work at home while raising 4 little ones, and it can really wear on me, and I haven't gotten a lot of sleep. So tonight I snapped and ate a bunch of sugar and also felt repulsed.

I realize I can be really unforgiving of myself and I'm often in a big hurry to get where I want to be. I really like the words of encouragement shared here. I hope everything works out with your dad and with your No-S goals!

I think I may have shared this before. But this is a post I wrote a while back about getting through hard time.

http://sustainablepierre.org/2014/12/04 ... ation2014/

Mark the binge and move on. Now is not the time to beat yourself up. The only thing you can do is take care of you so you can be whole and present for whatever lies ahead.

Awesome advice from everyone - thank you. My Dad is scheduled for open surgery on Nov 12th. The only system of eating around hospital visiting through November will be three meals a day. I don't fancy my chances calculating points or calories in hospital canteen dinners. I also think the structure will help save my sanity. Thank you so much everyone, you don't know just how much I value everything you take the time to share.

Blithe Morning, I really appreciated the advice in your blog. I am not currently going through hard times, but we all do from time to time, and I will keep your list in front of me when the day comes when I need to gather my strength. Thanks!

On that note, I'll go walk at the beach to fulfill two of the prescriptions.