#2492, Monday, August 31, '20: Weekend update

Post 2492

- 9 years and 244 days since I started this blog -

  

  

Daily Comment

Today was the best day since my surgery.

At least part of the reason is getting the most and best sleep last night in, I don't know, maybe fifteen years.

I slept over nine hours, with a Fitbit sleep score of 85, the highest in two weeks of tracking, so far. It turns out, all this time I've known I haven't been sleeping well, I've been correct.

I've been regular since the weekend, too.

My pain is very low, also very localized, around the surgery site.

The weather was really nice today, as well.

I  am grateful for all of it - no saying how grateful I am for my circumstances.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    207.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/28/20):         206.1 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 0.9 lbs.

Diet Comment

I don't understand exactly what's going on with my weight. Between my variations in regularity and a diet a bit higher in carbs than my typical one (no complaints, just an observation, since I'm not keeping a food journal), the new normal seems to be above 205. We'll see how that goes, going forward.

Food Log

Breakfast
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Lunch
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Dinner
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 16 oz.;  Water: 72+ oz.; 

 Please leave a comment when you visit my blog.
Thank you!

#2491, Friday, August 28, '20: Mostly good day

Post 2491

- 9 years and 241 days since I started this blog -

  

  

Daily Comment

In most ways, a pretty good day today.

Pain was down again. It has now been two days since I've taken any kind of pain killer besides THC.

I slept well, too.

But, I didn't have a bowel movement. I've had my medications adjusted in regards to that, and I'm hoping by the weekend I'll be more regular. I am not uncomfortable from it, at least - that bodes well.

TMI? Sorry. Constipation is one of the only things I'm afraid of, at the moment. It could be, literally, an existential threat.

Anyway, I walked, I did chair squats, I sat out on the porch. In the sun and then the shade.

I'm grateful for my increasing feeling of returning health.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    206.1 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/27/20):         207.5 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 1.4 lbs.

Diet Comment

I think I have turned the corner on this particular weight gain, which alarmed my nurse yesterday.

Food Log

Breakfast
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Lunch
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Dinner
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 16 oz.;  Water: 78+ oz.; 

 Please leave a comment when you visit my blog.
Thank you!

#2490, Thursday, August 27, '20: Deuce, delayed

Post 2490

- 9 years and 240 days since I started this blog -

  

  

Daily Comment

I had to deal with my biggest post-surgery, convalescent fear this morning: Constipation.

It was painful as it woke mr from my sleep, thirty-six hours after my last bowel movement.

It certainly felt like I was bloated, and needed to go. My gut was in pain.

I know a little about post-CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) recovery. My family history, and my time as a nursing student/aide in North Carolina both informed me.

For months after the operation, forcing a bowel movement is not allowed - it can be deadly.

I have been trying to stay away from anything that might bind me up, including my narcotic pain medication.

But, as these things go, yesterday and this morning, I didn't go.

Luckily, some prunes and coffee provided just the stimulus I needed for release.

It was exhausting, yes, but I was able to avoid the potential hurt of straining to cut loose.

For that, I'm grateful.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    207.5 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/26/20):         206.5 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 1.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

Today's weight gain is brought due to constipation.

Food Log

Breakfast
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Lunch
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Dinner
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 8 oz.;  Water: 76+ oz.; 

 Please leave a comment when you visit my blog.
Thank you!

#3489, Wednesday, August 26, '20:

Post 2489

- 9 years and 239 days since I started this blog -

  

  

Daily Comment

Great appointment with my surgeon today.

I got an okay to move my carry restrictions from 5 to 10 pounds 4 weeks after my surgery (which equates to September 8). The surgical take covering my chest incision was removed, and the damage isn't bad - no redness or swelling.

Also, the surgeon made my long-sought-after Cardiologist appointment, with Dr. Hana Smith, who was the first cardiologist on the scene in the emergency room, and directed all my (non-surgical) care for the whole time - just over a week - I was at St. Joe's.

I couldn't be more grateful for all the positives in my life.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    206.5 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/25/20):         203.5 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 3.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

This weight gain is brought to you (well, to me) by: Popeye's Spicy Chicken sandwich (my only fast food); Bread's Bakery chocolate babka; and the wonderful. magic brownies that help me deal with the pain and any intrusive bad moods. Ugh.

Food Log

Breakfast
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Lunch
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Dinner
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 16 oz.;  Water: 80+ oz.; 

 Please leave a comment when you visit my blog.
Thank you!

#2488, Tuesday, August 25, '20: Quick update - Tuesday edition

Post 2488

- 9 years and 238 days since I started this blog -

  

  

Daily Comment

New home visit nurse today. Very informative, with some information on how to deal with possible emergencies that I'm glad I know and am confident I will not have to use.

It still seems I'm making great progress in my recovery.

Al came by with a Popeye's Spicy Chicken sandwich, the only fast food I like. That was in addition to the breakfast, lunch and (later) dinner I had, so my expectations for tomorrow are that my weight will be up.

I'm just grateful to be here. No, just grateful to be.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    203.5 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/24/20):         203.1 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 0.4 lbs.

Diet Comment

This isn't bad, but I think it is a trend in the making. Al bringing me a Popeye's Spicy Chicken Sandwich for a snack after lunch: No help.

Food Log

Breakfast
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Lunch
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Dinner
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 16 oz.;  Water: 74+ oz.; 

 Please leave a comment when you visit my blog.
Thank you!

#2487, Monday, August 24, '20: Post-weekend update

Post 2487

- 9 years and 237 days since I started this blog -

  

  

Daily Comment

This morning, I had a visit from a physical therapist. It went wonderfully. I did the most exercise I've done since before I went to the hospital, exceeded every goal.

I am far ahead of where the PT thought I would be beforehand.

That got my day off to a great start. Then I had some porch time with a visiting friend.

Things are good in every way. I am the luckiest man alive.

There is still some pain, but I'm taking half the pain medication I took two days ago.

And I do get winded, sometimes, and exhausted after any exertion little or a (relative) lot. My stamina isn't yet back to normal. 

Al also visited. It was great to see him, too.

I can only be grateful for everything I have right now. I can never take it for granted.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    203.1 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/21/20):         204.3 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 1.2 lbs.

Diet Comment

That's good. I did have a lower weight over the weekend, but that's good.

Food Log

Breakfast
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Lunch
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Dinner
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 16 oz.;  Water: 94+ oz.; 

 Please leave a comment when you visit my blog.
Thank you!

#2486, Friday, August 21, '20: Deuce

Post 2486

- 9 years and 234 days since I started this blog -

  

  

Daily Comment

It is a week since I was discharged from the hospital, ten days since my surgery.

My bowel movements, their quantity and comfort level, have become very important to me.

I worry that the hydrocodone I'm taking for the pain will constipate me, and the resultant strain will be painful and impede or set bqck my healing.

So far, so good. Post-hospital, I have only had a single day where I didn't have a BM, and when I did, the next day, it was not problematic.

I had a nice visit from Tami today - she is so sweet.

I think things are moving along, but I may be watching too closely, or might just be too lost in my own minute-to-minute, to get a real gauge on how things are going.

I still have pain, I still run out of breath quickly, and still feel mostly tired.

But if I refer to the day after I got here at J and Melissa's, I am obviously dong much better.

Impatience is counter-productive.

I'm grateful for the relative health I'm enjoying as I recuperate.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    204.3 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/20/20):         203.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 1.3 lbs.

Diet Comment

That's better.

Food Log

Breakfast
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Lunch
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Dinner
Food log is suspended until I'm back to preparing my own food.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 16 oz.;  Water: 78+ oz.; 

 Please leave a comment when you visit my blog.
Thank you!