Defragged

Jim was six years older than me and lived in Florida. But even though he lived over 1,000 miles away, as a family we were close and love him dearly. He was the type of person who could make you laugh just by looking at you, and he loved to make people laugh. Jim was only 52 years old.

So far, all we know from the preliminary medical examiner's report is that he died from a possible heart attack because he had an extremely enlarged heart. For awhile all we knew was that he had died. We didn't know how, where he was, or the circumstances behind his death. We made numerous phone calls to a number of hospitals and medical examiners offices in Florida and didn't have any luck trying to find him. His common law wife of 26 years was trying to locate him through various law enforcement offices, hospitals, etc. but since Jim and she were not legally married, they would not release any information about him to her. We had to try to locate my uncle who also lives in Florida for help in getting information about his death and where he was. Needless to say the situation as difficult as it would normally be, was even more difficult not knowing any of the circumstances.

One of the most difficult parts of the day for Jim's three sisters (myself included) was deciding how to tell our mother who recently had a pace maker and heart defibrillator installed because she has congenital heart disease. It was one of the most difficult things we had to do and at first she didn't take it well, but is doing better now. She's a strong woman who raised four very strong willed children so we are hopeful she'll make it through everything without her health failing.

The next morning we found out that he was at a friend's home and standing in their driveway talking, laughing and joking as he always did everywhere he went and suddenly collapsed. His friend said he died instantly and did not suffer. This is good to know, but as you can imagine it is still difficult.

I once heard a woman who was a cancer survivor say that she refused to allow cancer to kill her. She said she wanted to go out laughing at the age of 95. That is a fantastic attitude and philosophy to have, and I believe Jim died doing exactly what he loved to do - laugh.

As you might imagine, trying to stay on the Medifast program has been difficult but I am managing. It's not that I want to eat more or eat the wrong foods though. Because my emotions are all over the place, I don't have an appetite at all. But I'm forcing myself to eat and drink. Now this might seem trivial under these circumstances but what I haven't told you yet is that Jim was obese.

There were warning signs about 18 months ago when he was hospitalized for heart problems. At that time they told him he had an enlarged heart (which now it seems to be "extremely" enlarged) and he needed to quit smoking and of course lose weight. Well, he did manage to lose weight and quit smoking but they weight didn't stay off and from what I understand he must have gained it all back plus more because he was 295 pounds when he died.

Now I don't want to bring everyone down especially in light of the fact that the Medifast plan is such a positive experience, but I can't help but think that if only he would have been given more time so I could help him get started on Medifast.

I can see good that is coming from his death, however, and I hope that the way he touched our lives will encourage us to move forward and possibly his death will inspire *you* to continue (or begin) the Medifast program to improve your health and quality of life.

My youngest sister and her husband will be starting Medifast next week. They had already made this decision prior to Jim's death but their motivation to make Medifast work has been greatly reinforced. And I am trying to talk my oldest sister into starting Medifast as well. Before Jim's death she would not have considered any dietary supplement program. But now after Jim's death she mentioned the possibility of trying NutriSystem because of all the attractive commercials she has seen. I'm hoping that she will reconsider trying Medifast so we can all support each other on this wonderful program. Both my mom and I have offered to help her financially pay for the program to get her started.

I finally located a recent photo of Jim and have posted it to this page so you can see just how jolly he was and feel his contagiously jovial personality. One thing is certain. Wherever Jim is now, everyone is laughing and having a good time. He had that gifted quality about him - the ability turned a solemn room into a fun and happy place to be.

If you are religious or spiritually connected to a higher power, please pray for our family to get through this difficult time and to strengthen us so that good things will come into our lives despite the sadness we are feeling now. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.