#2504, Wednesday, September 16, '20: Nursing - out

Post 2504

- 9 years and 260 days since I started this blog -

  

  

Daily Comment

Two medical notes on the day.

First, I had a visit from the home care nurse - a new one this time. She got my vital signs - all good. Checked my surgical site - amazing healing (again!).

The nurse thought I should be 'discharged' but it would have to be done by my care manager - but it was her recommendation.

A few minutes after she left, I got a call from my Cardiologist's office. They wanted to tell me about the results of yesterday's blood work. If you remember, I needed to go back for a fasting test after a late afternoon, two-meals-down test gave me some wonky results.

This time, the nurse described the results as "perfect". Wow! Everything was in or near the middle of the normal range, including blood sugar, LDL and HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Good news, right?

In unrelated news, my replacement recliner is a source of some confusion. Amazon says it's going to be delivered next week, UPS says tomorrow. I'm watching this carefully. I'll be having a long day whichever day it's delivered, as I have to wait outside my apartment for UPS, because my door-buzzer/intercom doesn't work. In nine years, I've only gotten one package from UPS I had to sign for. 

Still, can't take anything for granted. I am just grateful.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    206.5 lbs.

Previous Weight (9/15/20):         207.1 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.6 lbs.

Diet Comment

Continuing my losing trend. I feel great and think I can keep this going.

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: 12 oz.;  Water: 48+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2503, Tuesday, September 15, '20: Senior moment

Post 2503

- 9 years and 259 days since I started this blog -

  

  

Daily Comment

Huge senior moment today.

It was the busiest, most strenuous day since I went into the hospital the beginning of August.

I needed to get a fasting blood test for the cardiologist, since my last one hadn't been fasting and came up with an uncharacteristically high level of triglycerides, something cardiologists never want to see (I already got the results: My triglycerides are fine).

I also needed to stop by my apartment for some warmer clothes (it's gotten cool quickly here), pick up the mail from my previous hold order (which I put in before I knew how everything would unfold), get gas and buy some things for dinner at BJ's and Wegman's.

It was a nice day out, that involved a lot of walking - the parking at the medical center was a LONG walk to the lab, and the shopping involved going to the far corners of some very large stores, as well as walking from parking - more than I've done since Cuenca, I think. 

So, I'm approaching everything with no hurry, setting out at 1pm, I have plenty of time. I keep having to walk back to my car after a few steps when I realize I've forgotten my mask.

I finish up my shopping at Wegman's, last stop, and I am in my car unwrapping a protein bar, I take off my mask and notice my left hearing aid is missing. My hearing aids are always coming off when I unmask.

My hearing aids have an app on my phone for settings and pairing so I can hear my phone directly. The app has a hearing aid finder function. My hearing aid is not in the car.

I start retracing my steps, re-walking my path through Wegman's - the app says my hearing aid isn't in the store.

I drive back to BJ's. My hearing aid is not around the gas pump. I trace my steps through the store (you see what I mean about a lot of walking?) watching my app. No hearing aid at BJ's.

I go back to the post office, now closed - no joy.

I drove to my apartment - but on the way, I had a flash - I had to change the battery in that hearing aid before I left. I remember taking it out of my ear, but I didn't remember actually changing the battery.

I phoned J. He sent me a pic of my left hearing aid sitting open on my night table.

I was more anxious about losing my hearing aid than I'd been about having open heart surgery. I need to meditate more.

I'm grateful that even my self-induced problems seem to work themselves out - and I'm grateful I've developed the skill, now a habit, of letting things go when they're not relevant.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    207.1 lbs.

Previous Weight (9/14/20):         207.7 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.6 lbs.

Diet Comment

Getting back to my losing trend, interrupted by the weekend gain.

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: 1;   Coffee: 16 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz.; 

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

#2502, Monday, September 14, '20: Little news, just a recliner

Post 2502

- 9 years and 258 days since I started this blog -

  

  

Daily Comment

Nothing's been happening. Nothing much went on over the weekend. My exercising tapered off a bit.

I have been sleeping better, for the most part, than I have in decades - going to bed earlier than I have in decades. I am still feeling better every day.

I am beginning to get my head together for going home to my apartment. As my old recliner broke the day before I went into the hospital, I've bought a new one and arranged for some help in getting it set up in my apartment.

I'm grateful for my friends and all the support I have in helping me get back to something like my normal life.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    207.7 lbs.

Previous Weight (9/11/20):         205.5 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     + 2.2 lbs.

Diet Comment

I don't know why my weight is up. But it is. The weekend seems to have put the kibosh on my weight loss, but I can't think of any reason why (donuts, magic brownies).

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: 12 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz.; 

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

#2501, Friday, September 11, '20: What I do

Post 2501

- 9 years and 255 days since I started this blog -

  

  

Daily Comment

So, this is the phase of convalescence that is most difficult, because there's nothing to do, except keep on showing up. Believe me, that's my intention.

But it isn't really that interesting to talk about.

I spend a lot of time on the computer, normally. I've been spending more time on the computer since being discharged from the hospital.

I know this, because my screen time is up. I have further wedded myself to the keyboard by doing a little day-trading. So far, it hasn't  cost me a lot - but I'm not putting a lot at risk, either. It's something, hopefully something profitable, to do with the time on my hands.

I also spend a lot of time sleeping, now. More than I spent sleeping before my surgery, by a couple of hours! I also spend more time almost-sleeping. I bought a Fitbit (to warn against atrial fibrillation, which happened to me once after surgery, but was quickly controlled, and hasn't reappeared since).

And I'm studying Spanish. To my surprise, I haven't spent a lot of time watching TV or movies, although I have lots of resources for that. And I could be reading, too, but I'm mostly not.

I'm grateful for the things I can do, the wherewithal that allows me to do the things I do, and that I get a choice about showing up, even though I always choose the same way.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    205.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (9/10/20):         205.5 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.5 lbs.

Diet Comment

Continuing to lose weight. I feel great and think I can keep this going.

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: 12 oz.;  Water: 48+ oz.; 

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

#2500, Thursday, September 10, '20: Nurse home visit

Post 2500

- 9 years and 254 days since I started this blog -

  

  

Daily Comment

Almost nothing going on again today - I had a nurse visit. Nothing to it, nothing new. That's pretty much it.

I am feeling well, better every day.

The nurse indicated I will be 'discharged' after either next week's visit or (more likely) the week after. These last few nurse visits haven't really been meaningful, really just data collection, no therapy or treatments, and no changes. I won't miss them.

I think when I'm discharged by the home care nurse agency, that's the signal for me to go home. It's up to me, really, and I don't want to impose on J. and Melissa, who've been fabulous, any more than is necessary. I have to decide, they will never ask me to leave.

I've already made two trips to the apartment without incident or any indication that it's unmanageable.

I'm grateful for my friends, and for my medical care people, all of whom are taking excellent care of me.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    205.5 lbs.

Previous Weight (9/9/20):          206.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.5 lbs.

Diet Comment

Continuing my losing trend. I feel great and think I can keep this going.

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: 12 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz.; 

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

#2499, Wednesday, September 9, '20: 2nd home visit

Post 2499

- 9 years and 253 days since I started this blog -

  

  

Daily Comment

Nothing going on today - nothing new, no visits.

I did refill my prescriptions, as it is just under a month since I was discharged from the hospital. So, I had a nice drive, and along the way, decided to stop back at the apartment to pick up a few more things (all forgotten in my first visit, but that might be for the best, considering my carrying-load limit of ten pounds).

That's all I have today, and that's fine. Quiet days are welcome.

I'm grateful for it all, remembering, always, not to take my good fortune for granted.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    206.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (9/8/20):          206.7 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.7 lbs.

Diet Comment

Continuing my losing trend. I feel great and think I can keep this going.

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: 12 oz.;  Water: 72+ oz.; 

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