Some more little things that may or may not interest.

     One of the big things with heart stuff is sodium.  Now I couldn't make it simpler than this, the more processed a food the more sodium.  You are supposed to eat no more than 2000 milligrams a day.  That can add up quickly.  It is a lot easier to do research these days than back in the dark ages of my first OPH surgeries.  I'll leave it at this.
     So I took some notes and did a brief diet outline of how I began to eat.  I think I mentioned portioning things out and such.  There won't be a lot, I mean I did it to get an idea.  One of the big things I did notice was breads.  For instance Arnold's has one that is fairly decent, and actually breaks it up nicely.
     This is my list for 2 days, after that I got the hang of it.
Monday.  2 snacks consisting of 1 cup of grapes =2mg  1 orange =1mg

Breakfast:
1/2 of a whole wheat pita 160 mg
1/4 of an avocado 5 mg
1 fried egg 162mg

Also was the yogurt thing featured in the previous blog.  Was unsure of certain sodium levels. 
2 or 3 strawberries 1 mg
blueberries -unsure no notes made
1/2 cup vanilla no fat yogurt 75 mg
teaspoon of honey - no idea

Lunch:
(obviously the other half of the pita) 160 mg <this was before I discovered Arnold's>
skirt steak and handful of lettuce

Dinner:
burger no roll
1/2 of tomatoe
1 serving of Nathans frozen fries 9 count for 15 mg

     I also discovered other wonderful snacks I could have.  Sugar free Jello, Multi grain Cheerios's, fruit, unsalted pretzels, and wonderful Italian Ices which I discovered in the hospital.
     But yes food is a big culprit.  It really takes us to stop and think about what we are eating.  When we do we can find ways to eat better and eat right.  Or at least it is what works for me.  Then again, I was indoctrinated at a damned early age I reckon.
     Yes read labels and contents of foods.  If you even want to try to start with one, I'd almost recommend High Fructose Corn Syrup.  It is chemically engineered corn syrup and is totally different from the origin.  If you don't believe me read the panels when next you food shop.  You'll be wondering why it's in everything.  In fact there is only 1 ice cream I found, have not looked hard recently, majorly marketed that does not contain it.  Breyers.

      Okay I'm done.

General musings.

     As I write this we are in the week anniversary of Hurricane Irene.  Lost power for a week.  A lot of my recollections are the same but not as coherent.  By that I mean some of the time lines to me seem off.  I still want to record them.
     The walks definitely got a bit longer.  I was enjoying them greatly as I said.  On one such morning I walked the entire distance of my little road, long enough I assure you.  Walking near a fence I heard what was an undeniable sound.  A Labrador!  Great dogs, jumpers.  I was unclear where it came from.  I was a little scared.
     I did not want this beastly thing jumping on me; hurting my chest in it's happy enthusiasm; worse yet knocking me over.  I came around the bend and saw it charging down the driveway ahead of me.  I froze.  Then it happened and when it was over, I was glad to have seen it.
     The owner upon the stoop in his bathrobe.  The hound raced down the driveway, paused to look at me.  Undaunted by my appearance it had a sacred mission that came first.  It seized the morning paper at the bottom of the driveway and bounded back happily to its master and into the house both went.  I never actually saw a dog retrieve a paper in my life ever before.  It was fantastic.  I can still recall it to this day.  No I never saw a repeat performance, but once was enough.  Just the right amount of fear and awe to make it last a long time in me.
     I told my brother in law of it when I returned, he listened good natured but uninterestedly.  Asked if I needed anything from the bakery, 2 muffins.  Also it was in this week I noticed the tingling in my left hand had subsided and the 2 affected fingers felt almost normal.  The right was still as it was.
     Feeling a little better I prepared to make a sort of ice cream mixture.  No I hadn't forgotten that I wanted ice cream badly.  If you remember I made a mixture of berries; local honey; yogurt.  Well I froze it.  Not great.  Taste was fine, but for one I still had poor upper body strength so couldn't really dig in.  The frozen yogurt just didn't do it for me, and the honey seemed to not like freezing.  I could taste every sugar granule.  Although I was glad to have made the attempt.
     I'd asked one of my neighbors if they would go to the fish store for me.  One of them did.  Got a quarter pound of flounder, I was looking forward to it.  It was expensive and I was surprised.  I cooked it, broiled it with some caramelized onions; lemon pepper; breadcrumbs on top.  I thought I'd have leftovers but the money only bought me enough for one meal.  It was good, though I did allow myself to fear that I'd undercooked it.
     To follow....the cardio appointment.

We're in week 2

     I started to take slightly longer walks in the morning.  Had my brother in law there if I need a ride, thankfully I never did.  Sister was recuperating from her surgery well.  Still in the hospital.
     One morning I took a long walk to the end of a street.  It would be a very slight incline on the way back.  I knew it had to be done.  Slowly, happily enjoying the early morning.  If anything in life I'm a true morning person.  Especially in the summer times.  Beyond this was a short main road that lead to a steep uphill to my bakery.  Oh I longed to go there.  I was however erring on the side of caution and trying not to overdo it. 
     I also knew it would worry my brother in law, so it had to be done after he left for work.  It was an accomplishment.  I was proud of myself.  Returned home and toasted the corn muffin, one of them, for me.  It was heavenly.  Oh I missed baked goods in the hospital.  And I do love a good bakery.
     Home was a routine.  Morning walk.  Eat.  I'd had to set up my PlayStation 2 in lieu of my t.v.  Nap.  Get up for the peoples court.  Snack.  Rest and wait for Judge Alex.  Not my favorite of them but he passed the time.  Lunch time.  Found the cartoon network and was in heaven watching things like the Flintstones from my childhood.  I was making sure to take it easy and enjoy the serenity.  Life would eventually return to normal for me.
     Afternoon walks, staying mostly in the shade.  Occasionally running into neighbors, that was very pleasant.  I couldn't help but notice the lack of kids outside playing,   What with video games, computers, cell phones, and what not.  A thing truly of the past.  I'd sometimes take the dog out back with me.  Not much of a lover of outdoors she tolerated it a bit then would sit on the stoop waiting to get back inside.
     It would be still another 4 weeks before I could drive, according to the paperwork I had been given after discharge.  Again I was doing nothing to compromise myself at all.  Had my seltzer, preopened in the fridge.  I still couldn't do that even, brother in law would open one for me in the morning.
     Happily I was once again in command of my bathroom situation.  Yes sometimes it was a contest to see if I could get there in time.  My body would just assume as I let down my sweats it was time and I'd have to say no.  I even waited a few times.  I didn't want to be one to have to wear adult diapers, not yet at least.
     My people from the Hartford, the disability came from them, would call periodically.  I also had an appointment with the cardiologist in a week, the one who admitted me.  My own cardio dude wasn't until October.  I had asked my brother in law to drive me to that one because I still wasn't allowed.
     My sister didn't want me to visit her, I agreed.  Not out of spite, but I was truly fearful of catching something.   She was now able to call me during the day, I'd hear about what was going on and her disgusting meals.  Once again let me praise my hospital for their food.  I actually was missing their yogurt parfait.   And the week passed.

Not a way to start the week.

     I can remember it being a Monday.  I never sleep with the television on, but it is the first thing I put on when I wake up.  There it was on each and every channel in my room:
         It basically stated that to now view cable you needed a cable box to view channels.  It sucked.  I've been without a television in my room ever since.
     I laughed it off.  Didn't really need it anyway.  I'd started falling into a routine.  Get up, go for a walk.  Ask brother in law to get me muffins from the bakery, oh how I love a good muffin.  And right now the same bakery is doing an awesome cinnamon tea biscuit, oh I love it, I just wish they didn't ice it, oh well.
     Still craving that ice cream, but wanting to be extra careful what I ate I concocted the following.  Quarter cup of the following, strawberries; blueberries; and one banana.  Not sure safe to say a little less than a full cup, stony field vanilla yogurt.  And 1 tablespoon local honey.  Heavenly when mixed together.  Froze it, not bad, but somehow I could never resist it as soon as I ate it.
     Usually I'd go for the second walk about 11.  The day was heating up deliciously.  I was getting more confident and not walking head down the entire time.  The feeling had been coming back nicely in my left hand, not so much in the right.
     Get back, little nap, light lunch, snacks, I portioned out grapes, pretzels as good snacks.  Low sodium.  Feeling better with every passing day.

Just some mundane stuff

     I still wasn't so much sitting at my computer, but did have it on.  I would put on free pod casts, from Itunes, for entertainment.  Had a good year of them to catch up on.  The only one I can really remember was Smodcast, Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier, funny stuff.  I listented to that sparingly.
     It basically hurt when I laughed.  Of course when you think on it, it should.  I was at times bothered and wondered if I'd ever be able to laugh again.  Yes I had a few moments of thought of despair here and there.
     Told myself to also enjoy the afternoon napping, it would end eventually, so I made sure not to fight it at all.  The dog would often sleep in my doorway for awhile then wander off somewhere else.
     Friday the hospital called for a survey, ripped the heck out of the patients relations department, everything else got 4 stars.  Sister was doing okay in the hospital.  I'd heard some stories about the following week.  My cable company was doing something, paid it little heed.  I was just recovering.
     The weekend passed much in the same way.  Asked my brother in law to pick up some items I wanted.  Most of all was some fresh fruit and yogurt.  More to come on that.
   

The rock and I

     I felt rather good after speaking my peace.  I had made it to Thursday and decided I was going to be fine.  Still weak, napping, eating right, walking every day.  I was now walking corner to corner on my block, still carefully, head down.  My primary concern was still tripping, my upper body strength was paltry.
     The walk to one corner in particular troubled my slightly.  There was a pothole, oh yes easily avoided.  There was however, a rock, it sat there every day.  I started to notice I became wary of the thing every time I neared it.  It would garner all of my attention.  I feared tripping over it.  As if it would move hahaha.
     In my head I'd approach, and my brain would literally scream "Look out for the ROCK!!!!"  No I never did trip over it.  It never moved all summer.  But I really feared it and laugh about it now.
     My walks were a very enjoyable break for me.  Generally took one in the wee hours of the morning, when dawns light broke and I could see, and yes keep and eye on my enemy the rock.  The midday walk was my favorite.  Saw some neighbors here and there.  It was that delicious hot July weather that I adored.  The sun, the shade of the trees, life in general, I really did enjoy it all.
     It was after the walk, I do believe it was the same day, because I was still over obsessed with the rock.  The visiting nurse service called me.  The conversation was brief.  I had no real gripe against them, asked if I could schedule one, although I felt assured it was pointless now.
     I was essentially told that I had been out of the hospital to long.  Being discharged just the previous Saturday.  I would need a Dr.'s note.  I scoffed, yes I remember that.  I thanked them for calling and hung up.  I'd made it and I would be fine.  Watched some television and napped.
     I truly don't remember the food at all at home, which is odd for me.  I do know that first week I ate pre portioned snacks, fruit, and plenty of seltzer drinking.

Thursday

     Somewhere in the afternoon haze of lounging in my bed I answered the telephone.  Lo and behold it was the Patients Relations 2nd in command.  Apparently my insurance company had called them.
     I stated the fact of my displeasure as I have in the blog.  Case by case, and I did let them know that I felt it was an egregious wrong.  Not so much on my behalf because I did have people if needed.  What of the people released that have no one, no one to look after them, no one to check, or even the first time of surgery.  On that count I told the woman I was outraged.
     She apologised profusely and promised this would be taken up.  She also promised me that someone from the visiting nurse service would call me either today or tomorrow.  I said fine.
     By now I was not so worried.  There seemed to be no infection, no temperature, and I knew to take care of myself.  Furthermore, I had felt I struck a blow for those less fortunate than me, I still hope that I did.  I was still a little unsteady on my feet and had to be careful.  I was in no doubt on my way to recovery.
(tomorrow perhaps the story of the rock and I)

Thursday

     Still slept quite a bit.  Had to constantly remind myself it was okay.  The body was still healing, getting used to my walking and doing the daily stuff I wasn't used to.  I was very careful not to move my arms to much, or overly exert myself.
     Started to fall into a nice rhythm.  Walk to corners, was still doing only small ones, didn't want to over do it, about 5:30 A.M.  Brother in law kept a wary eye on me, but helped.  Even would hit the bakery for me, for a muffin, before work.  I took advantage of this a few times.  I love my bakeries muffins.
     Each day put snacks in proper proportioned containers.  I did seem to need to eat, usually now every 4 hours.  I took this as a good sign.  By need I mean I would actually feel a little light headed. Had to remind myself it was because I was doing more and the body needed the energy.
     At some point my insurance company called.  Long story short the person I spoke to seemed to be out raged that no visiting nurse had been arranged.  I say it now, I find it nice, not sure what I felt at that time.  Shortly later I received a call from the hospital patients advocate office.