I have gotten stronger and feeling better with each new day! Hurray for that!! You really can't appreciate it when your doctors tell you that "you'll be feeling very tired every day for quite awhile" until you actually get home and realize that you are exhausted and need to sit down and rest more often than usual. They say that patience is a virtue and so it must mean that I am without any virtue whatsoever as I grow more and more impatient with myself. I keep wanting to do more, and my body says: "slow the heck down -- you've got plenty of time to get to where you're going!"
People are starting to come by and visit which is a welcome relief from daytime TV. I am appalled at the quality of daytime television. And it is not just a few select channels, either! It would appear that the fate of daytime TV is left up to mental morons that actually appreciate finding out "who's your daddy" or watching nearly a half-dozen televised courtroom proceedings and getting off viewing relatives and friends slug it out in the judicial system. Give me a break!
Well, let me share with you some of the more pleasant factoids of my recuperation. When I was first admitted to the hospital for my surgery I weighed in at a hefty 230 pounds. After the surgery, due to the tremendous amount of fluids that are infused into the body, I tipped the scale at 239 pounds. I had managed to drop down to 235 pounds when I was first released, one week after the surgery.
Unfortunately, only five short days back home, I returned to the hospital suffering the ill effects of congestive heart failure (CHF). When they weighed me in, I was a hefty 244 pounds! I think I must have looked like "Two Ton Baker," (some of you may remember this television character from your childhood. I don't recall if he was on "Romper Room" or "Captain Kangaroo" ... it might have been some other program; I just don't remember) the fictional television character that was bigger than most television screens. I remember feeling bloated, out of sorts, and wishing this would all go away soon.
I'm happy to say that today I weighed in at 210 pounds, which represents a 34 pound loss since my episode with CHF. Each day continues to be a challenge. However, with Steve's watchful eye over my dietary intake (as well as my personal responsibility to take heed of what I eat), his masterful cooking skills ensuring that I adhere to the low-carb, low-fat, and very low sodium regime. My target goal is 175 pounds and I have every confidence that I will reach it in short order.
Anyway, my dear friends, enough of my bantering for the moment. Please continue to post your comments to the blog and know that I am strong enough to entertain your telephone calls and visits should you so desire. I miss each and every one of you and I trust that you realize how deeply I care for all of you as my friends.
More to come at a later time. Be well, be strong and be loving.
LK
6 comments:
Hey Slim - does this mean we can expect to see the bow tie cherub photo replaced with one in latex bike shorts and tank top? Hmmm, maybe not. Keep up with the heart healthy regime and know that you have many good wishes, prayers and love coming your way. Slim Kulwin - grinnin' and strummin' - Hee Haw !!! Hugs. Anne Q.
Keep it up! :) Great job. I agree about daytime TV. It's appallingly bleak. Don't you have a DVR?
A slim man is hard to find or is it a slim man is hard..... in any case, keep up the good work, don't become discouraged or impatient. You're doing well. Mr. Moose and Bunny Rabbit want equal time by the way!
Get naked with Jesus :)
hi layne,
gary and I are following your progress and hoping that you are getting stronger and stronger. just know that your "network" is behind you, next to you, all around you.
love, terry and gary
You will have to post photos of your new and improved image online, but definitely keep the bow tie on! I don't think I have seen you in the 175# zone since high school!
Glad to hear all is well and you are well enough to complain about what is on the boob tube! Get a good book or take up pottery, man!
I don't remember your saying how long you will be off work, but you chose the right time to be off. I'd be planning a trip with Steve to Mendocino or Pacific Grove or some such lovely place along the coast before getting back to the grind. ENJOY this time, you will end up feeling so much better than you did before the surgery, between your new valve and your weight loss and great new diet!
Curious as to what your blood glucose levels are like these days? Are you on half the insulin you used to be? Who knows, you make be off it completely by 175#.
Write me when you feel like it: mshapera@yahoo.com
Merle
Layne,
I am so glad to hear that you are doing well. And to think you made fun of me for being a vegetarian all of those years....looks like you are gonna have to start eating carrots (gasp!) spinach(holy crap!)and the all important tofu(oh my #*&%@ god!). I'm glad that you are in good hands. You and Steve continue to be in my thoughts. Lots of low sodium love, Jodi
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