Feeling Better

Time seems to have slipped through my fingers. I had my last Chemo treatment on Dec 2 and my body is slowly getting back to normal, well as normal as it will ever be. I did ask if there was another Chemo drug that I could have but was told that the one I was receiving was the only one that would be appropriate. So I cancelled all treatments. I have lost the feeling in one side of my right foot, my eyesight and my hearing have been damaged by the Chemo and I still get tired very quickly. But I am feeling so much better than I was so that is a very good thing and it reassures me that I have made the right decision.

Thanks to everyone who sent encouraging messages, gifts and support. I really do appreciate it.

Three month Check Up

On Dec 22 I had my three month followup appointment following my hip replacement surgery. And as much as I have complained about the physiotherapy it has done its job, I am walking much better and usually without my cane. I got a good report re the hip joint and don't need to go for another appointment until late March. Life may be getting back to normal.

I really appreciate having access to a walker and other items during my recovery through the Red Cross. They have a branch office in Bridgewater and we were able to pick the items up there and return them three months later. And the cost was a voluntary donation to the Red Cross. A really great service.

No pain in the left hip and only occasionally in the right knee. I had an injection in the knee while I wait to work my way up another waiting list.

We are what we eat

http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/brain/healthyfood.htm

The above link will give practical everyday tips on healthy eating. We all know that eating "right" is something that will benefit our bodies...but did you know that our minds also depend on healthy foods and a healthy lifestyle?

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease have no cure (yet) but there are steps each of us can take to reduce the risk of developing these crippling illnesses. Isn't it worth a try?

Back to the Gym

I finally connected with a dear friend yesterday for lunch and found out that she had started an exercise routine at our local gym. And this morning at 7:00 am. we were both there treading the treadmills and pushing those levers and lifting those weights. Only 30 minutes for me but I feel good, mentally and physically.

I have had injections in both of my knees for arthritis and wow what a difference. I am having trouble adjusting to the reduction in the pain levels. Sounds crazy but I am getting back a memory of free movement without crippling pain. The hip is still crunching away but even the pain levels there are reduced since the shot in the knee on that side. So I owe an apology to my doctor who said that would happen and I doubted him and stated so.

I have pledged to my TOPS chapter members that I will lose a pound a week for the next 10 weeks... and I will do it.

I hope everyone gets to feel the energy levels that I have at this moment.

Another week, another visit

I got to visit another TOPS chapter this week. What a great group. They are looking forward to getting back into a healthier life style...the summer and vacation times have been tough. Aren't we all looking forward to routines and schedules. Summer is great but unplanned and irregular.

I have been working extra hours at the day job...special events and things that demand my attention. And of course that puts added pressures on an already tight schedule. Too many things, not enough time.

I am looking forward to more fun things this weekend. A TOPS meeting on Saturday and maybe another car show on Sunday.

Bowling and Other Stuff

Well the rainy Monday turned sunny in the afternoon. We had made plans to do a couple of errands. We stopped at Wiles Market to pick up the KOPS Honour Society pins that Debra had left there for me. They are really nice and I am sure the South Shore KOPS members will love them. Then we tried to find me a rain jacket...seems that is not a popular/fashionable item this year as there wasn't much to chose from. And of course I did want to get one on sale...cheap as I plan to be much smaller next summer.

Then on the to bowling alley AND I actually won one string. Quite an achievement. All three strings were over 80 for an average of 83. This is candlepin bowling (skinny pins with small balls). Frank was also pleased as he got his average. Fun and worked off a few calories. It felt good to get that little bit of exercise. And of course the alley was air conditioned which helped. How many times have I mentioned that I do not like hot and humid?

Tuesday morning and back at work. More sun today and more predicted for the rest of the week. Maybe we will have a summer this year after all.

Couldn't find a jacket yesterday but I did find a skirt for $7.00 which I bought. I don't wear a lot of skirts but this one is comfortable and a change. Sometimes change is a good thing:-)

Weekend plans

Another beautiful sunny day...summer is here at last. I have had more energy and stamina and less pain during the past few days. The Lunenburg Arts Festival is on this weekend and we are planning on attending tomorrow. Should be a nice day for it. Homemade seafood chowder, 75 artists, and 17 art galleries all in one small town. Almost too good to be true.

Sunny Weather

The sun of the last few days has brought a reduction in arthritis pain. So I am definitely convinced that my pain levels are influenced by the weather. Sunny, dry weather...less pain. Rain and fog...I hurt. Maybe not a medical breakthrough but a fact that will help manage my pain.

I am still experimenting with foods, to see which ones may have a bearing on my aches. The citrus doesn't seem to influence it one way or the other. So back to eating grapefruit for breakfasts.

I wonder if a brace would help to reduce/control the pain in my right knee. Guess I will check that out with my family doctor to get his opinion. Maybe I need to talk to a specialist about it.

We are planning to take in the art show in Lunenburg on Sunday. I will be walking quite a bit so will see how I make out, maybe I should take my cane.

Grapefruit

I have avoided citrus fruit for the past two weeks hoping that the pain in my knees and hips would decrease...no such luck. So this morning I had 1/2 grapefruit with my breakfast. I will monitor the situation to see if citrus makes any difference.

Tried a slow cooker recipe for chicken yesterday and it was tasty. Six Chicken breasts, cover with a layer or frozen or fresh cranberries (1 cup) , a layer of sliced, peeled apples and then pour 1 cup liquid with 1 T brown sugar over the layers. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or a combination of high and low for 4 hours. Makes six servings. Calories are 193 per serving. (Based on 6 chicken breasts and 1 cup of cranberries) This would be very good served over rice (whole grain or wild of course) or even over a thin slice of bread or mashed potatoes.

Also very easy to make which earns high marks in my book.

Miscellaneous Thoughts

I went to my TOPS meeting on Wednesday and recorded a weight loss...of 1/2 lb. Not a lot but better than a gain. Frank and I went bowling this afternoon. I know bowling isn't a summer thing but there isn't a lot of physical stuff I can do with the arthritis as bad as it is, so bowling it is. Not that I am very good, but it takes just as much energy to throw a gutter ball as it does to throw a strike. We had fun.

Tomorrow is the first meeting of the KOPS society that we are setting up for KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) on the South Shore. I am helping them get set up even though I haven't reached my KOPS status...yet! http://www.tops.org/ if anyone is interested in finding a chapter handy you.

Great to see the sun the last couple of days, but the humidity is making the air muggy.

Starting to look forward to our anniversary mini trip. Just a couple of nights in Portland, ME but we haven't been there in a while so it should be interesting. That isn't for a couple of weeks yet.

Looking forward to the weekend. I have a writing deadline that I want to get a jump on and since I have lost weight, I will need to go through my summer clothes and see what fits and what is gloriously too big!

Make yourself a great day!

The Power of the Medical Profession

Isn't amazing what masses of jelly we turn into while we wait for the results of tests, especially medical tests. My husband had some follow up blood work done recently and until he got the results the questions were always there, in my mind, disrupting my focus. Would these tests be clear or would the problem reoccur? A case of worrying into the future. I couldn't do anything about the results either way but that didn't stop the control freak me from thinking through all the possible senerios.

And the tests came back showing all is well. And the follow-up doctor's appointment yesterday was a good one...no problems, no reason to think there will be problems. Next appointment a year from now. A few months worryfree until...

I know that no one has that kind of power unless I give it to them, the logical thinking part of me knows that...the emotional, feeling part of me is another matter.

All is well, and today I am smiling. Life looks good and the summer is just starting.

Hope everyone out there has a great one!

Healthy Thoughts

Slowly but surely my selftalk is becoming healthier and consequently my habits are also becoming healthier. I am exercising more...actually enjoying the way my body feels during and after physical exercise. My joints feel better, less painful, after gentle movement. I have arthritis in both hips and in both knees. Many days it is extremely painful and on those days I often don't exerices. But on the other days, I bowl or go to the gym for 30 minutes of gentle exercise. I am finding that I have reduced the amount of mindless eating that I used to do. Now I concentrate on each bite of food that I eat, savouring the smell, the appearance and the taste. I chew my food more slowly and enjoy the experience. Small things, small changes, lasting results.

A Rainy Sunday

A rainy Sunday in rural Nova Scotia. My husband and I moved into our "fixer-upper" four years ago. In the spring and summer the area is lush and green, in the fall the colours explode through the stands of hardwood and in the winter the area is quiet, white and sometimes a little isolated. We love it here.

My interests include business writing and consulting. I have a part-time job as the Executive Director of a Chamber of Commerce. I am also very interested in improving my health and my husband's health through improved diet and lifestyle. Following a sensible weight control plan I have lost 35 pounds in the past 7 months. I still have several more pounds to lose. This blog will focus on the success and slips in both the writing and health issues.