I’ve been home from the Brigham since Sunday afternoon,
after just about 72 hours in the hospital for my bariatric surgery. In addition
to my thanks for your prayers, messages, emails, cards, support and love I want
to offer just a few post-op remarks on my experience
First, I praise God from whom all blessings flow. I certainly feel blessed to have such
amazing medical science and an expert hospital team within about a half hour of
my home. I think of those who have
little or no access to such medical care and I realize how much I can easily
take for granted.
I come out of this experience with a whole new appreciation
for what it means to be a patient in a hospital. Though I’ve been visiting the
sick for 44 years in my ministry, this was the first time I was the person in
the bed for a serious reason. Part
of the excellent care I received included the nursing staff’s around the clock
vigilance, regularly checking on me, helping me, poking and injecting with me
and “checking my vitals.” I
learned that, for good reasons, a hospital is no place to rest or catch up on
sleep! I was hospitalized for a
little less than 72 hours. I have
new found respect for those who are in a hospital bed for a much longer period
of time.
Making the decision to have this surgery took me a number of
years. I’ve never been afraid of
the cut of the surgeon’s knife: what I feared was what this procedure would cut out of my
social life - and this kept me
from moving ahead. Finally I
accepted the reality that carrying my weight was a potential danger to my life
in general. The diet I’ve been on
since the end of October 2015 taught me that I can be carefully attentive to what I eat and drink -and- still enjoy life! Between November and the end of January I lost 31 pounds
just by eating sensibly (over the holidays!). But I knew that over the years I’d
done this before and that what I needed was more than will
power. I was faithful to my sensible eating last fall primarily to qualify for
the surgery.
I feel very confident that this was the right step to
take. Day by day and hour by
hour I am grateful that I took this step – and grateful to all who patiently
encouraged me as I deliberated. I
love life and I love the life that’s mine in ministry and I want to live it as
long as possible as a healthy man.
I’m grateful to Myles Sheehan, SJ and Charlie Gallagher, SJ
for covering for me on two weekends and to Sr. Rose Marie and Deacons Chuck
Clough and Gregory Burch for standing by for pastoral calls that come in
while I’m away. My prayer, hope and goal: to be ready to be for Ash Wednesday
and to begin the Holy Season of Lent with my parish.
Until then I’m living a life of leisure (rest) and liquids
(water, broth, jello and protein shakes). After two weeks of this I'll move on to mush - which I eagerly anticipate!
Once again, the greatest thing you can offer me is the gift
of your prayers, for which I’m truly grateful. And here’s one particular way for you to pray that would truly lift my spirits: wherever you are, come to church to pray on Ash Wednesday –
even and especially if you haven’t observed Ash Wednesday (2/10) for a long time. It’s the best way to enter this special
season called Lent, a kind of “spring training” for a Christian’s mind and
heart. Google or call your local
parish now to find out the times for Ash Wednesday services and make plans to
be there!
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I have missed you and your blog. Take care and best wishes.
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best for a speedy recovery. Although your physical presence will be smaller, your spiritual "presents" have always been larger than life. God bless you Father Fleming!
ReplyDeleteThank you for filling us in on some of the background and for bringing us up-to-date on your recovery process. You are much loved and appreciated by your parishioners and all those you reach by your blog. May God bless and keep you in his loving care.
ReplyDeleteRosemary