Sad Day Today

[MoreFitDiane]

Today comes with a painful, personal reminder of how blessed I am to have had the sleeve operation and to be on my way to a healthy life.

My family lost my cousin Tara this morning. She was only in her mid-30's. She died from complications from obesity. She was diabetic, and about a month ago she suffered a heart attack. I was truly hoping that after I proved successful on my weight loss journey, I could travel south to North Carolina (where she and many of my other cousins live) and share my success story with her. I was hoping I might be able to inspire her to have WLS, especially after her heart attack. Well, she had recovered enough from the heart attack, that the hospital sent her back home. But a few days ago (I'm not sure of the whole story yet) she was feeling bad, and was checked back into the hospital. She had a blood clot. I still don't know the exact cause of death, but I am certain that if she was not so overweight, she probably would have lived a long and healthier life.

I grew up with her aunt. I was my mother's youngest, and Tara's aunt was her mother's youngest. My mom had three boys and a girl, and so did Tara's grandmother. My oldest two brothers were great friends with Tara's father and his brother, while I was great friends with my girl cousin. My heart is breaking for their family right now. Tara was the first grandchild of my aunt and uncle's.

This is a sad, sad reminder that we have to eat right and take care of our bodies. Tara was much too young to be taken from us, and this goes beyond human comprehension...but I also believe that God helps those who help themselves. Please pray for my North Carolina family for peace and understanding, and please take care of yourselves and be an inspiration to others. We all have it within us.

[Thtzmsprincess2U]

Sorrry to hear about your loss

[swimhard4]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and her family!

[tammy73]

Praying for you and your family. Sorry for your lost.

[nanaangie]

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Losing a loved one is a very difficult thing to go through.

[hoonah2]

so sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family at this time
Kathy

[helen]

so sorry for your loss xx

[sandyfromoz]

That is so sad, Di, sorry for you and your family. Big Hugs, hope they help .

[tracieb]

Praying for you and your precious family that God will give them peace and understanding! Love ya girl! Hang in there!

[Livemom]

So very sorry to hear about your families loss. Losing a loved one is difficult at best. Sending prayers for comfort and peace.

[Enjoyingmynewsize]

Diane!!!
I am really sorry to hear about this....
I know exactly how you feel. Exactly 1 month ago I lost one of my dearest friends ever, she was also very overweight, and her weight had increased the last 2 yrs...she supposedly had guillian barre syndrome and was put on life support, was in the ICU for about 6 weeks and got all complicated while in the ICU and I am also sure she would have been able to recover if she had not been overweight. She was also in her mid 30's.

We really need to take care of ourselves and maintain a healthy weight to avoid medical complications.

My prayers are with you.

Hugs!

[jerseygirl]

So sorry to hear about your cousin.

[MoreFitDiane]

Thank you everyone for your kind words. I knew I could share this with my Sleeve family here, especially because of the conditions surrounding Tara's illness and death. I just wish I had done this operation a year ago so that perhaps I could have inspired her. Now it's too late for her...but not for the rest of us.

[Beautiful Momma]

Very sorry to hear of your family's loss. Obesity and it's complications are very prevalent in my family (paternal side). I have lost a grandma and several aunts and uncles with heart attacks at too young of ages. I have many cousins who are over weight and suffering from diabetes, heart problems etc as well as my dad. I am so glad to have found a solution when so many things have failed. I want to live a long, healthy life to enjoy my husband, kids and future grandkids. Good for all of us to have taken this step on this journey so we will all be around for a loooong time, God willing! Prayers to you and your family.

[Lorna Doone]

Sorry for your families loss Dianne.
Lorna