Staying the Course -- 04-03-2017

[Superbob]

Late starting the week's thread. Started April watching a lot of sports -- the conclusion of March Madness, the start of baseball season. Little sluggish about doing anything else -- but got to get in gear tomorrow. Our regular exercise instructor will be back -- yay!

Bigger challenge than ever for me though. Krispy Kreme will be opening a big store in our neighborhood offering KKs hot right off the conveyor belt. Oh dear, I am in serious trouble! I can control myself with Dunkin Donuts (which we also have) but Krispy Kremes are another matter. Sigh. Guess I will have to exercise twice as hard -- or wear blinders when we drive by the KK factory.

Hope all are well. Look forward to hearing from y'all. Do you have a calorie-laden food hard to resist and also seemingly always around nearby?

Cheers,

Superbob

 

[epstns]

SB - Just continue reminding yourself that KK is evil! When they first got to southern Illinois, my daughter would make me stop on the way home from my sister's house near St. Louis. I would buy a 6-doughnut box for her, and just coffee for me. Their coffee is actually quite good, too. One time I tried a KK doughnut. I could "taste" it for days afterward. I just don't "do" doughnuts any more for that reason. I'm so trained to stay away from fried foods (except the occasional French fry) that they don't taste right to me.

I don't have any really calorie-heavy foods that tempt me, but I do have a weak spot for Asian food, which is devilishly high in sodium. Maybe it is a good thing for me that most of the first-generation restaurant owners are retiring (or dying) and their children don't want to carry on the business. Those kids who were our waiters and bus boys are now our doctors and lawyers. Does anyone know of a good "strip-mall Chinese" restaurant near Chicago?

I'm still here though, watching the sky in all of its grey glory up here. We are in our typical spring weather cycle - the one where you get one nice day, usually mid-week, then back to another 5 or 6 grey, rainy days. The ground is saturated and low-lying areas are flooding. We have river flood warnings in some of the suburbs, and the landscapers cannot even start spring clean-up yet due to the mud. Even the duffers are sidelined, as they would tear up the fairways and greens just walking on them. I think this is going to be another year where it doesn't get nice outside until late May. So much for getting back to outdoor exercise early.

Hope everyone is doing well. I'm still dealing with some enteritis, a side effect from another medical treatment. Fortunately now, I have more good days than bad, but there's no way to know if this will finally resolve or stay with me for the long term. Such is life. Better than the alternative, though. If this is how it is going to be, I can work with it.

 

[Paleowoman]

I can't imagine KK's - I've seen a stand in one of our local stores - looks awfully sugary and sweet.

Just had the results of the MRI on my spine - there's a bit of nerve inpingement, but very minor. So it would seem that some peripheral neuropathy, discovered in the nerve conduction test, which is probably causing the leg/ foot pain. My diabetes control is excellent so the endocrinologist doesn't think diabetes is the cause. I'll be seeing a neurologist in a few weeks to try and find the cause. Will also mention the migraine auras/double vision I have had since the day after AVR to the neuro. Worse though on the MRI - I have two compression fractures of my thoracic spine - they are healed so heaven knows when they happened (? during surgery ?). I have low bone density due to osteoporosis so that leads to a risk of fractures, especially during surgery. I never have back pain - apart from after AVR and then there's all sorts of pain - so it's rather insidious to find out you've had some fractures in the past without knowing - and there's the risk of more fractures now...grrrrr........

 

[Duffey]

I can't help with the restaurant recommendation, Steve, but I too would like to find a good one in the southern part of Illinois. As you say, it seems like the food is not as good as what it was 25-30 years ago. I guess we all know that pie is my downfall. I've never met one I wouldn't eat! I don't know how I will resist when we head to Wisconsin in early June, but I know I need to have a game plan in place. Good luck avoiding Krispy Kreme, Superbob. Paleowoman, I will be interested in what the neurologist says. It is scary to realize you had fractures and never realized it.

 

[jwinter]

Good to see the posts here and feel a bit late coming to the thread. Not overly busy but feeling a bit down these last few days. Unusual for me as I am usually a glass half full type girl. Will just keep pushing through it as I don't feel a need for any help. First time since my surgery so think it is in check and could be coupled with a bit of boredom. All a part of life............and staying the course.

Oh and Superbob there is not any form of chocolate safe around me. Yummmmmmmmmm

 

[honeybunny]

Couple me with jwinter; chocolate is my downfall. Had my regular 7-month checkup with my PCP and all looked good except my BP was on the high side. Lost 5 lbs. since my last checkup so she was pleased. My downfall continues to be late night snacking. My latest kick is grapes and cheddar cheese which is probably better that a bowl or two of Raisin Bran.

I prefer DD to KK any day. KK glazed have a heavy lard taste to me. No DD stores nearby so I'll occasionally indulge in Shipleys. They and KK are big down here.

 

[epstns]

Now my brain is jumping across synapses. . . from chocolate it went to candy. CANDY? ? ? No bag or box of candy has a chance of survival if I am in the room. It has been that way all my life. I am just a sucker for candy (pun thoroughly intended). I always have something sweet in my office snack drawer. As long as I keep things under control, it hasn't caused any problems so far.

HB - your mention of your PCP reminded me. . . I had my initial consultation with a new (to me) PCP last Thursday. I think this one is a keeper! He spent about 45 minutes with me and he had read my entire file history before my arrival. We talked about all I've been through, what my current concerns are, and so forth. He is a bit more "pushy" about preventive and diagnostic tests he feels are needed. He saw that I had never had a colonoscopy, so he said "I'm going to push you on this one. You need to consult your cardio for pre-meds and consult one other specialist regarding timing of the procedure, but get it done." Totally professional and personable. I also mentioned that my wife wanted me to have a hearing screening and asked for a referral to the clinic at this hospital. He went one step farther and referred me to a specialist MD who could evaluate not only my hearing but my chronic hoarseness as well. All this, and I seem to get along with him very well. He grew up in the same neighborhood as part of my dad's family, and he currently lives around the corner from a colleague of mine. AND. . . he has a sense of humor a lot like mine. Raise up the "W" flag!

 

[honeybunny]

Bad news: I ate half of a medium sized pizza, estimated 1000 calories. Good news: It was to celebrate my returning to work on Monday. Yeah, I got called back, for real this time! (I also ordered a slice of NY cheesecake but so far it's remained in the fridge.)

Glad you found a superb PCP, Steve. Sounds like you got some immediate warm fuzzies. I agree with the colon screening. It really wasn't bad. They put you in a twilight sleep so you don't feel a thing.

 

[Superbob]

Bad news: I ate half of a medium sized pizza, estimated 1000 calories. Good news: It was to celebrate my returning to work on Monday. Yeah, I got called back, for real this time! (I also ordered a slice of NY cheesecake but so far it's remained in the fridge.)

Glad you found a superb PCP, Steve. Sounds like you got some immediate warm fuzzies. I agree with the colon screening. It really wasn't bad. They put you in a twilight sleep so you don't feel a thing.

Whadda mean you only ate half the pizza and put the cheesecake in the fridge, honeybunny! Going back to work Monday is cause for all-out celebration! So happy for you! (Come on, at least enjoy a slice of that NY cheesecake!) And Steve, yes, sounds like you've found a great PCP -- love to hear good news all around!

 

[FredW]

Honneybunny, great news on getting called back.I happy for you.

Ann, hope you get that pain under control soon. Sounds likes you are getting closer to the cause and fix. I started physical therapy last week for my back issue and the first session helped. I was OK until I had to cover pottery classes for my wife who had to go to Florida to deal with demands of her 98 year old mother. Being on my feet for two days in her studio hurt. Tomorrow, I do PT again. I do hope for improvement soon for I have lots of spring work on my todo list.

Jwinter, I think it is normal to have down moments after surgery. Hope your glass becomes half full soon.

I'm back on my "wife away" diet again. In two days, I ate a whole box of Lucky Charms I bought for visiting grandkids a few weeks back. My sugar habit is bad, and like Steve, candy does not survive my being around. Nor do , or . But I am able to resist KK and DD?

For me, staying the course means not having the bad stuff in the house.

Wishing everyone a good week.

 

[epstns]

HB - that's wonderful news! We really don't realize that so many times we "are" what we "do." We are raised and trained to identify with our occupations, and when work is not available, we feel a profound reduction of our self-worth. I've been there and have seen the effect on myself. Maybe that's one reason why I haven't retired yet. If I am not working, what am I?

Fred - I, too, have been on the "wife away" diet in the past. In my case, my wife was "detailed" out of town on several occasions, for a month or more each time. I was lucky that these periods were in the summer/fall, so I was able to use the outdoor grill to cook. I must admit. . . I do not cook. Period. I could burn water to boil an egg. I did learn, however, to prepare simple meals for my self, such as grilled chicken breast with steamed corn on the cob and home-made cole slaw, etc. I don't eat much red meat at all, but chicken, turkey and fish do really well on the grill. When my wife questioned my success at meal prep, I just told her "You've been gone XX weeks and I haven't lost any weight." Had she been away during the winter, things might have been different, though. I just never had any interest in learning how to cook and coordinate meal prep. I just eat them.

I'm still dealing daily with the intestinal after-effects of an unrelated medical treatment. I'm a bit discouraged, though, in that I had several weeks where things were headed back on track but the last couple of days were a major setback. I'm resisting medications, though, as I fear that the side effects of the meds may be worse than the initial condition. I see that doc next week and will ask what I might do to get it all back under control.

We're also beginning to make plans for our daughter, son-in-law and two grandsons to come to visit us for a month or so this summer. If this all comes to pass, I'm sure I will have lots of fun stories to share, as the older boy will be 2 years old, and the younger boy will be about 2 months old. Funny, all I can think of when I consider this is Mr. Mayhem on the Allstate commercials. Mayhem in our little house. One big smile from the 2-year-old will make it "all better" though.

 

[FredW]

HB - that's wonderful news! We really don't realize that so many times we "are" what we "do." We are raised and trained to identify with our occupations, and when work is not available, we feel a profound reduction of our self-worth. I've been there and have seen the effect on myself. Maybe that's one reason why I haven't retired yet. If I am not working, what am I?
[/QUOTE
Steve, your comment can be a whole forum on itself. I was ousted out if my primary career due layoffs at age 63. I found work in what I call my second career but never wanted it to identify me. Now being retired, I found I had to define myself using other criteria than a job. I think it is more accurate and healthy do that than let your job define you. I would advise anyone to find validation and definition from who they are not what they do to make a living. Interesting many of the people on this forum I see as they are, not what they do for money.

 

[Superbob]

"Retirement" could indeed be a regular topic here, Fred. What is it anyway? In my 9-to-5 days, I thought it meant being lazy, traveling if able, just kicking back. But I have been busier than ever. Because I wasn't able to put away a big nest egg, I have had to continue to produce some income, but I think I would want to even if I didn't need to do so. I think it is helpful in terms of exercising our minds along with our bodies. But besides that, there has been a steady procession of happenings with family that we've been needed to help out with -- many of them joyful, a few stressful. Anyway, in terms of staying the course, I think it is better to be busy than to be totally in leisure mode. Appreciate your observations this week, all. To those who have been a bit "down" or facing medical challenges, I wish you continued healing and renewed strength. Honeybunny, if you prefer DDs over KKs, well, there is no disputing taste -- but I would just advise, get an order of those Krispy Kremes just as they come down the conveyor belt, HOT -- ummmm, melt in your mouth!