This week things feel different! School starts next week for teachers, students are back the following week, Friday night football games, cheerleaders, band playing, and the cooler nights are starting! This has been my rhythm for over 51 of my 58 years here on earth! That rhythm changes this week! So, what does the new rhythm look like?
The first week of school I will buy coffee for my old secretaries that took care of me the past few years! I will have lunch with some of my "tech"buddies at school! I will go to Friday night football games! But, continue my new life, cooking & cleaning for my wife, working part time on jobs I choose to do, volunteer at my church, and oh yes, continue to work on this new heart! Instead of testing students, I will be the one being tested again in September - another stress test, blood work, heart monitor, and see what my next step will be on my continued work to a healthy heart!
Another school year, but from a new angle! The learning never stops! Especially when it comes to learning about yourself!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Mediterranean Diet
Have been doing some reading on the Mediterranean diet. I have been eating a lot of the foods on this diet, but I may start to focus on this more. The two articles I read were at
The Mayo Clinic - Mediterranean Diet
e! Science News - Mediterranean Diet - a Heart Healthy Plan for Life
In the Mayo Clinic Article it had a cool food pyramid. See below:
The base of the pyramid had the fruits, vegetables, grains, olive oil, beans, nuts, etc. Good stuff. Need to continue to snack on this! And stressed the following:
The Mediterranean diet emphasizes:
The Mayo Clinic - Mediterranean Diet
e! Science News - Mediterranean Diet - a Heart Healthy Plan for Life
In the Mayo Clinic Article it had a cool food pyramid. See below:
The base of the pyramid had the fruits, vegetables, grains, olive oil, beans, nuts, etc. Good stuff. Need to continue to snack on this! And stressed the following:
The Mediterranean diet emphasizes:
- Getting plenty of exercise
- Eating primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts
- Replacing butter with healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil
- Using herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor foods
- Limiting red meat to no more than a few times a month
- Eating fish and poultry at least twice a week
- Drinking red wine in moderation (optional)
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
What Not to Eat for Lunch!
The web site WEB MD has been a good place for me to find great information on health choices. Check out this slide show on - What Not to Eat for Lunch!
A lot of this is common sense, but it is good to see the numbers! And it gives healthy choices at each restaurant. When your are traveling or with a bunch of friends, you can still eat out and not be worried about making stupid selections!
Another good article at WEB MD is:
10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Cholesterol
I always have a list to ask my doctor (this makes my sister the nurse proud). For my next visit to see my cardiologist i already started my list of questions!
A lot of this is common sense, but it is good to see the numbers! And it gives healthy choices at each restaurant. When your are traveling or with a bunch of friends, you can still eat out and not be worried about making stupid selections!
Another good article at WEB MD is:
10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Cholesterol
I always have a list to ask my doctor (this makes my sister the nurse proud). For my next visit to see my cardiologist i already started my list of questions!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Workouts Progressing
After eight months the recovery from heart surgery is progressing, except for my friends the PVC's. And, as I have said in earlier blogs I could probably live the rest of my life with the PVC's. Here is what I did today:
Morning Walk:
Started with a heart rate of 71 and walked for 63 minutes (that is a summer high)! The heart rate was averaging around 85-90, with the uphill pushed up to around 98. Finished with a heart rate of 83 and after a 5 minute warm down the heart rate was at 77. I did not notice any PVC's on my monitor and felt good after the workout. The temperature at 7-8 AM was in the 70-72 range, so it was VERY comfortable!
Today was also a house cleaning day (my wife loves this part) This workout was cleaning & vacuuming floors, along with dishes & a few loads of wash. The heart rate gets to the mid 90's and does not seem to be a problem (I would NEVER lie to my wife about this one!)
So, walking, normal housework, yard work, mowing, and golfing are all progressing! The only thing that I would like to do is ride bike & jog. I am keeping the last two exercises very easy & short. Again, the heart rate goal for someone my age is 139 (AND THAT IS WITHOUT MEDS)
Morning Walk:
Started with a heart rate of 71 and walked for 63 minutes (that is a summer high)! The heart rate was averaging around 85-90, with the uphill pushed up to around 98. Finished with a heart rate of 83 and after a 5 minute warm down the heart rate was at 77. I did not notice any PVC's on my monitor and felt good after the workout. The temperature at 7-8 AM was in the 70-72 range, so it was VERY comfortable!
Today was also a house cleaning day (my wife loves this part) This workout was cleaning & vacuuming floors, along with dishes & a few loads of wash. The heart rate gets to the mid 90's and does not seem to be a problem (I would NEVER lie to my wife about this one!)
So, walking, normal housework, yard work, mowing, and golfing are all progressing! The only thing that I would like to do is ride bike & jog. I am keeping the last two exercises very easy & short. Again, the heart rate goal for someone my age is 139 (AND THAT IS WITHOUT MEDS)
Monday, August 15, 2011
Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease
Eight Months after surgery I thought it would be great to share the signs of Coronary Artery Disease. I was fortunate because I chose to "Hide it" for about a month! Some of my buddies were not as lucky as I was & are not here because of that! The Cleveland Clinic has a great web page & here is one of their articles:
Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease
From the list that they provide I have highlighted my symptoms in "red text"
- Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body including the arms, left shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Sweating or “cold sweat”
- Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling (may feel like “heartburn”)
- Nausea or vomiting
- Light-headedness, dizziness, extreme weakness or anxiety
- Rapid or irregular heart beats
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Class Reunions and Life
We all make choices every day. Some are about our health (therefore this blog)! Some are about family, financial, religious, or just deciding what clothes to wear today? And, for almost all people, we have a choice, should I go to my high school class reunion or not!
My wife and I have not missed one in 40 years! My class Cedar Crest 1971 & Sue's class, Springford 1971 have had reunions every five years for the past 40 years! And last night was mine!
Growing up in Lebanon County, PA was certainly an experience for me! In the 1950's & 1960's this was a "Steel" town. For over 200 years, the iron ore from the Cornwall mines dictated life in the area. For people in our community this solid industry provided jobs & a "Blue Collar" world that other parts of the country also experienced!
Things have changed, the steel industry is gone along with other manufacturing jobs! And the hard work in the steel plants & iron ore mines is now a thing of the past. The class of '71 has lived through a change in economic conditions, the Vietnam War, the 60's Revolutions & Protests, and the 70's & Disco!
So, the Class of 1971 of Cedar Crest High School shared there stories last night. Families and occupations, ups and downs, and of course all our health issues! Yes, between the battles with cancer & of course heart surgeries, we shared our stories. I hope this blog may help a few of my old buddies face any heart issues they may have!
Today, this blog is dedicated to Rob, who will have Open Heart Surgery in two weeks! If you need any help, let me know! Our prayers & thoughts are with you!
My wife and I have not missed one in 40 years! My class Cedar Crest 1971 & Sue's class, Springford 1971 have had reunions every five years for the past 40 years! And last night was mine!
Growing up in Lebanon County, PA was certainly an experience for me! In the 1950's & 1960's this was a "Steel" town. For over 200 years, the iron ore from the Cornwall mines dictated life in the area. For people in our community this solid industry provided jobs & a "Blue Collar" world that other parts of the country also experienced!
Things have changed, the steel industry is gone along with other manufacturing jobs! And the hard work in the steel plants & iron ore mines is now a thing of the past. The class of '71 has lived through a change in economic conditions, the Vietnam War, the 60's Revolutions & Protests, and the 70's & Disco!
So, the Class of 1971 of Cedar Crest High School shared there stories last night. Families and occupations, ups and downs, and of course all our health issues! Yes, between the battles with cancer & of course heart surgeries, we shared our stories. I hope this blog may help a few of my old buddies face any heart issues they may have!
Today, this blog is dedicated to Rob, who will have Open Heart Surgery in two weeks! If you need any help, let me know! Our prayers & thoughts are with you!