Kathy S.

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Uncle Ed, my last remaining uncle on my mother's side, died Sunday, and his funeral was today. He was 91 but had been in good health until last month when he fell and broke a hip and a shoulder. In the ER for those injuries, he had a heart attack. That was the start of a difficult 6 weeks. When he was dismissed from the hospital, he went to the nursing home in the retirement community where he and my aunt moved in 2000. (She died last year on their 68th anniversary, so he has been living by himself since then.) He fell again last week and broke several ribs. In the ER for those injuries, they also discovered an aortic aneurysm. He was in terrible pain, which put great stress on his heart. His heart stopped for 3 minutes last Friday, and they thought he was gone. But he came to and was aware of everything that was happening (even though the doctor thought he would have brain damage from being without oxygen). Anyway, they dismissed him Saturday evening, and he went back to the nursing home. Just after midnight, he was released from his pain.

So his funeral was today, and it was a sad, sweet, joyful, tearful event. Ed loved his family and loved life. He was such a prankster and was a joy to be around. So I'm thankful that his spirit has been released from his body and that his spirit is with God, but I'm also sad to lose him. He was a prince, and I'm grateful to have had him in my life.

Probably because of the stress of the day, I slimed my lunch and ended up PBing 3 times before I got relief. I'm taking it easy this evening and will watch what I eat tomorrow too. I think I just need a good cry.

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in September 2005 and began using a bi-pap machine on September 15. I remember the date because the diagnosis and treatment turned my life around! I used my machine faithfully for almost 2 years using my machine EVERY time I slept, even for naps. But last summer (June 2007), I had a bad experience with my machine while I was on vacation. I hadn't taken my humidifier with me, not realizing how important it was and thinking I could get by without it for a few nights. I developed a sinus infection and, because it was blowing only cold air, couldn't use my machine at all for those few nights that I was away from home. Once I got home, I became increasingly unhappy with my machine. I would use it for a couple of nights a week but take it off halfway through the night some nights and not use it at all other nights. Finally, a couple of months ago, I got so that I couldn't sleep at all wearing my mask, so I decided I didn't need my machine any more and packed it away in the closet.

I talked to my PCP about it last month, and she scheduled an appointment for me with my pulmonologist. I explained my situaiton to him, and he scheduled a sleep study, thinking I might have cured my apnea with my weight loss. I was pretty excited at the possibility of having proof that I no longer need my machine.

Well, I don't think I'll get that proof. Last night was HORRIBLE. I slept fitfully, waking throughout the night, tossing and turning. And once I felt as if my heart was racing. It just was not a positive experience. So this morning, I talked to the technician a liitle about my test, and she suggested that I will probably have to start back on my machine. Granted, she can't diagnose and she didn't give me any specifics about my test, but it seems I might still have sleep apnea. I see my doctor in 2 weeks, so I'll know for sure at that point.

If I do have to go back on my machine, I hope I can get a different machine that has a built-in humidifier (my old machine has a separate one), and I'll experiment with several masks.

I was really hoping losing 70 pounds would take care of my problem.

Man, yesterday was a rough day. I felt especailly tight on my drive to work. I was drinking a Minute Maid orange drink, and I really had to take it slow. This is after downing a 20-ounce bottle of water while walking 2.5 miles yesterday morning with no problem.) I ate lunch fine, but on my way home from work in the afternoon, I slimed and PBd a piece of string cheese and pringles. Because of that, I should have taken it easier at dinner, but I thought I was okay. So I got meatloaf and some veggies. After eating most of a slice of meatloaf, I realized I was stuck. So that came up. Then I started working on some creamed corn, but that came up too. And I continued to slime all evening and just felt awful. I think the only other time I've been stuck (and not just had a PB or sliming episode) was on chicken chow mein about 6 weeks after my surgery--2 years ago. It was not a good day.

Needless to say, I'm on liquids today.

I just set my goal for Thanksgiving, which is 12 weeks from today. I want to be at 160 pounds. That's 16 from my weight this morning. My lowest weight (a couple of weeks ago--I tend to lose , then bounce back up, and then finally settle back down and start over) is 175.2, but I've set the ticker to start from this morning's weight of 176.0.

So here goes.

Because I am apparently "challenge poor," I just accepted a third challenge, this one from the Kentucky board: to exercise for 1000 minutes during September. So here goes.

I've also accepted an 8-week walking challenge. (I think Lisa calls it Walking the Pounds Away or something like that.) My goal is to walk at least 100 pounds between Monday, September 1, and Monday, October 27.

I just accepted a Thanksgiving Day Challenge. I don't know what I want to set as my goal since it's 12 weeks away. Maybe a pound a week? That's a bit optimistic since I have lost only 5-10 pounds since the first of the year. But I have really good restriction now and am exercising regularly. I'm also back at school so I have better control of my eating during the day.

I don't know. I'll have to think about it for awhile and see what seems reasonable. I'm planning to walk at least 100 miles during the next 8 weeks, and that should help with the calorie control. Wonder what's a good goal??? I'd love to see 160 by the end of the year.....

Water -- yes
Move -- off
Train -- off
Journal -- yes
Track -- yes
Challenge -- my lowest weight during the challenge was -4 pounds from my starting weight, but I've bounced up and down within 2-3 pounds since then. My weight this morning was -2 from my starting weight. And my waist measurement didn't change during the challenge. Of course, I'm 2 years out from surgery, and I've lost 70 pounds and 11 inches in my waist since then. So my losses now are really slow.

Taking part in the challenge helped me get back in the exercise and tracking habit, so it has really been valuable for me. I've taken 2 days off each week but have exercised regularly the rest of the week, and that has been a good habit to re-establish. It has also been good to have accountability; I tend to read posts but don't post much myself, so it has been good for me to post regularly and to be part of the community.

Points for Day 42 = 110

Water -- yes
Move -- yes
Train -- yes
Journal -- yes
Track -- yes
Challenge -- yes, I stretch before and during my walking and exercises because I'm so afraid I'll pull a muscle! And yes, I'm amazed how much farther I can stretch and how much easier I bend and move.

Points for Day 41 = 15

My school is back in session, AND I'm keeping my 7-month-old great-niece in the evenings, so my free time is limited. So my plan is to get up when Jason gets up, and I can get on the treadmill and walk a couple of miles then lift weights or do exercises before he leaves for work at 7:00. I know that if I say I'll work out in the evening, it'll be too easy to find an excuse NOT to when that times comes. So I'm proud of myself for my self-discipline. Granted, it's been only 2 days of class so far, but I'm establishing a new habit. (I'm posting this late for yesterday, so I've already done my workout for the third day, and I SO wanted to sleep in this morning. But I got up, got my exercise clothes on, and hit the treadmill. And it felt GOOD!)

Water -- yes
Move -- yes
Train -- yes
Journal -- yes
Track -- yes
Challenge -- yes, all 3 (today we were to walk more than usual, get in a few minutes of solitude for ourselves, and do some targeted leg exercises--worth 5 points each)

Points for Day 40 = 25