TeeJay84

Hi Kev! This is my first post. I usually browse but I wanted to share as getting my fluids was the hardest part for me. I had two ER visits and one clinic visit for IV fluids because it was such a struggle. This was really my fault. I was sipping too slowly when I could handle more than I thought I could. One day I just decided I was going to really push myself and go for it. I was surprised at what I could handle. Now I can finish a 16.9oz bottle of Water in less than 15 minutes.

I’m 3 weeks out. Sleeved on June 13.

Feel things out first, but see if you can push yourself a little more. Good luck!

I haven’t bought any clothes yet but I do have a bag full of nearly new, much smaller clothes that I used to fit into that I can’t wait to fit into again!

If every time you sneezed someone said "There is no god" would you just put it out of your mind?
If every piece of currency said "There is no god" would you just put it out of your mind?
If every time politicians spoke they said "There is no god" would you put it out of your mind?
If you were about to undergo a life-changing medical procedure and strangers supported you by saying "There is no god" would you just put it out of your mind?
If you lost someone close to you and someone in your time of grief said "There is no god?" would you just put it out of your mind?
Try putting yourself in our shoes for a bit and understand how constantly inundated with religion we are. All I have said is that it is not asking much for people to keep their religion to themselves in times of grief.

Let me illustrate for you, kimbers.
Say you're a religious person, and your mom dies, and you're heartbroken.
As an Atheist, should I come up to you and say "You know that God is a load of crap and heaven is an adult security blanket fantasy......but I really think your mom lived a rich impacting life in the time we had her here and you should take comfort in being her legacy and in beautiful memories of her."
Incidentally....this is what I whole heartedly believe....but it would be insanely insensitive to say something like this to a grieving religious person. I would be an asshat for being that disrespectful of the beliefs that give them comfort.
Just like it's insanely insensitive for religious asshats to say religious yaya when Atheists suffer losses. You are disrespecting OUR source of comfort...with something we consider fantasy.
So, perhaps you can appreciate how that cuts both ways and how religious folks should grow up and open their minds, too.
There is a time and a place to express your different beliefs. When someone is suffering...is not that time.

When people pray for me...it's like they're bringing me a cup of the worst flavor of coffee imaginable. Something I find really offputting and undrinkable.
And they're so proud when they hand it to me and say...I care about you...so here's my favorite coffee! And I smile and say thank you....but what I'm thinking is....Damn, it would have been nice if you got me a drink I like. Something that would help me or comfort me..or at least something I could gag down for hydration.
And maybe I should be grateful....maybe it's the thought that counts. But to me....all they've given me is a chore. Dumping it and wasting a cup.
It doesn't feel like love and concern when someone gifts you with something you don't want and can't use.
I'm not saying it's the worst thing in the world when people pray for me. I just think it's tone deaf and a waste...and more about reassuring themselves than supporting me.
Most folks are well intention, but I wish they understood that my beliefs are as precious to me as theirs are to them.
Praying for me is kinda like sending a Jesus "He Died For You" Easter card to Jewish friend. There's part of me that think you're sweet and appreciates that you thought of me.....and another part that considers you very very blind and self absorbed.
Praying for an atheist is like bringing a man a tampon. "I heard you were bleeding and wanted to help". You kinda look at it and go....Oh. Thanks? (and wonder what the hell to do with it) LOL. It's not that we think you're horrible for trying to help, and in many ways it's sort of endearing......we're just shocked that you can't see how weird this is for us.

Wow, for a support group there sure are a lot of closed minds here all suggesting I just ignore it. Were it that simple why would I bring it up here in the first place? Everyone here is saying that the ones offering to pray mean well, and I don’t dispute that.
I’m sure everyone is familiar with “The Golden Rule” that basically says “Treat others as you would want to be treated.” Well, you know what? That’s garbage. I’m not you. Chances are that I don’t want to be treated the same as you. If you don’t know me why would you make that assumption?
The rule should really be “Treat others as THEY would like to be treated.” That’s a common maxim in management and it applies to real life too. If you don't know the other person, don't assume anything.
If I am in a crisis, offering to pray for me is not consoling me. I don’t want religion brought up because I’m not religious and I don’t believe in any of it, and for someone to simply presume that is something I would want or appreciate during trying times is not being considerate of my feelings at all. I would never bring up my personal opinions when trying to console someone else and I am merely asking for the same courtesy.
Someone above also called me a “militant atheist” and that could not be further from the truth. I married into a very religious family and they all knew my feelings from the start. On our first date I told my wife I was an atheist and she told me that she was Jewish and would only consider getting married by a rabbi. (It was an historic first date.) I loved her so I agreed to get married by a rabbi, though we did find one who did the entire ceremony in English, did not talk about Israel or anything else explicitly religious during the ceremony and did not require me to wear a yarmulke, so everyone was satisfied with our compromise.
I am extremely tolerant of everyone’s beliefs no matter how misguided or ingrained I may believe they are. If you think I sound dismissive, I’d be happy to enlighten you to what it means to be an atheist in the United States or worse, places like the Middle East where it can be a death sentence. I would never ask anyone else to change their behavior to accommodate me and again I’d expect the same in return. I do believe in trying to effect change by setting a good example.
So again, all I have asked is why people can’t be more considerate of others and not make assumptions. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.

I wish people Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah all the time, but only if I know that's what they Celebrate or there's an obvious sign such as a cross necklace or yarmulke on the head. I don't assume anything.