Happy Halloween everyone! Candy candy candy....................Thank Goodness I am not a sweets girl. Im not too worried about all the candy around because I’d rather have potato chips.

Things have been crazy since I returned from my vacation. My cousin Philip, who is more like a brother to me and at times, a father figure (he was also named after my father and I also have a brother named Philip who we call Duke) had a terrible accident Sunday morning about 5am, a week ago today.........He is in ICU in Christiana Hospital. We are not sure exactly what happened because he is not able to communicate with us and the doctors said he may not even remember because it is a brain injury. We think he must have gotten up to go to the bathroom and his sugar was low, (he is a diabatic) or he was just half asleep, opened the wrong door and fell down the basement steps. He has bleeding in the brain in 2 areas, broke his nose, jaw, fractured both of his eye sockets and there is a problem with his aorta vein in his neck. He has since developed pneumonia and although he is breathing on his own (Thank God) he is on a vent and has a tube going down his throat which is helping to keep is lungs as clear as possible. His temperature is fluctuating up and down, up to 103, but this is also expected due to the pneumonia.

The doctors think he didn’t realize what was happening because the 1st reaction of someone falling is to put their arms out to try and protect themselves from the fall, Philip did not do this because he has no broken bones anywhere but in his face, which took the whole impact of the fall. He had open heart surgery 2 years ago and his heart is strong (Thank God again), that is also when they found out he was also a diabatic, he started on insulin right away.

My family has been keeping a vigil at the hospital since, and Thank God again that I have a huge wonderfully strong family. We have been taking turns and staying with my cousin Susan (Phils wife) as she wouldn’t leave the hospital for the 1st 6 days, we have at least been able to convince her to go to her sisters house at night and sleep in a real bed, and its only 5 minutes away from the hospital so she can get there quickly if need be.....................I will keep you posted but please include Philip in your prayers, as it will be a long recovery either way.

Well as far as Me................I am still eating pretty good but haven’t been to the gym in over 2 months, I went to the doctor on Wednesday and according to their records have lost 32 lbs since my last visit in Sept. 2009. I apparently had gained another 10 lbs from Sept. 2009 to Jan. 2010, which I can totally believe because I was in such a bad place, I did nothing but eat in my depression, and when you don’t move much and eat a lot, it is easy to put on 10 lbs.
I was attempting to take my own food to the hospital, salads and fruit, small cooler full of water, but that didn’t last long! So I am either not eating at all or doing the vending machine thing, not good, but I am aware and changing that too!

I am still not working, as now I also have to take Delaware State boards, DE has recently changed their regulations and are no longer having reciprocity with PA. Im going to have to take my State boards again and will do it soon, as I need to get back to work but am actually grateful Im not working right now so I can be there for my family. I have not forgotten everything I need to do, and I am preparing myself for everything.

No luck with selling my house yet, thinking about maybe renting it out. This year started out being a great year, meeting Sara (my trainer) my friend Rose getting the ball rolling for me. Im not sure what happened but Im not gonna give up. Im gonna step up...................and keep going in a positive direction. Even though I haven’t been working out like I need too, I still feel Im heading in the right direction. I have learned so much about myself and my body over the last 9 months and I can truly say I have made changes that will stay with me forever!

"Walking your talk is a great way to motivate yourself. No one likes to live a lie. Be honest with yourself, and you will find the motivation to do what you advise others to do" ~Vince Poscente

Until Later, Bonnie