Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Nova Scotian on 10 year wait for bariatric surgery pens her own obituary


Today's guest post comes from Lillian, a Nova Scotian who is currently on their province's 10 year wait list for bariatric surgery.

She doesn't think she's going to make it 10 years and so she decided to write her own obituary to raise awareness about the lack of funding for bariatric surgery - a procedure proven to prolong life, improve quality of life, and markedly reduce weight-related co-morbidity in those with extreme obesity.

What a sad and salient statement about our health care system.

"To whom it may concern,

Today I am sending you a copy of my obituary so when I die on a waiting list for weight loss surgery that is 10 years long you can see that I tried to get the help and attention needed and its NOT there for me or for anyone. My province's health care failed me and many others who struggle with weight and obesity. Thanks in advance for reading this but please pass this on to anyone who will listen and support this case. WE as tax payers and humans need to be heard and helped. People need to stop putting a stigma and sweeping weight loss surgery under the carpet and realize people are going to die on this waiting list. HELP us help ourselves. I will continue to send this off to anyone who will listen and media included.

Yours truly

Lillian

Lillian's Obituary

We are sad to inform you of the untimely passing of a young mother, sister daughter and friend. She died at a young age due to complication with obesity that she fought for years to overcome. She was the youngest child of 7 and she leaves behind her 2 sons, who both lived at home with her. Her entire life was lived for her boys who she loved immensely and were her pride and joy. She was survived by her 3 sisters and 3 brothers, along with many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She loved to sew and do crafts and was an awesome cook and loved to help others and would give what she could to anyone in need. She enjoyed comedy and good laughs. Lillian suffered many years with asthma, server high blood pressure, pain due to stress on her joints from her weight and in the last while was diagnosed with sleep apnea and diabetes. There will be no flowers at her request and the body will be cremated as she would hate to be a burden on her family and have to be carried away to her final resting place by a tractor so she spared her family with finding a mass amount of pallbearers and more stares and jokes about her weight as her beloved family mourns the loss of her as they did throughout her life. She would appreciate if you speak out and support Obesity Weight Loss Surgery and obesity awareness and write a letter to your local MLA and to anyone who will listen.