About Me

In March 2009 I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy - Heart Failure. Within two months, it progressed to end-stage. In August 2009 I had a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implanted to help my heart pump blood. Then in December I was placed on the heart transplant list. On January 11, 2010 a heart became available for me and I was taken to the operating room. While on the table, the surgeons found that my own heart had began to heal. I didn't get that transplant and subsequently had my LVAD removed in September 2010. Today, I have a new appreciation for life and am learning to take each day one step at a time.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Does the Scale Lie?

Let me give you a glimpse of how I feel lately:

Since June, I have been able to go to the gym three times a week and do a full "cardiac rehabilitation", which is just a fancy term for working out like a dog. A typical workout for me includes 30 min on the treadmill, 20 on a rowing machine, and 20 on an elliptical. And so far, I have GAINED 8 pounds!!!!

The real struggle is that when you have a heart condition, the doctors are extremely concerned about your weight. And I feel constantly defeated when you are working so hard to lose weight and you are actually gaining. I know I know, everyone is thinking it is muscle weight. And that maybe so. But it is difficult when the doctors are so concerned about weight.

It is not that unlike lots of our struggles - we put our hand to the grinder and try not to look back but for some reason we have such a hard time letting go. Anyway, I have been reciting the verse to myself that reminds me to think and dwell on good and noble thoughts (i.e. whatever is pure, whatever is good, whatever is noteworthy). Is pizza noteworthy? LOL!