Friday, August 26, 2011
Channel 10 News Broadcast
The news did a short blip on our story last night. Praise to God for the gift of life and being our Great Healer!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Caretaker's Shield
This morning I am preparing to go on vacation with my mom and sisters. Although I can't tell you how thankful I am for the memories we will create in this precious time together, I am also mourning leaving Ray for over a week. It hit me by surprise how much comfort and security I have from being under his care and how nervous I am to leave.
Caretakers do so much that we don't realize. And because Ray worries enough for the both of us, it frees me to live a little more carefree. He double checks everything, always ensures I have taken my pills, is constantly monitoring my diet and exercise, but most of all he always has a watchful eye on how I am feeling. When I get down, he makes me laugh. It is comforting knowing he is always there.
So, as I said goodbye to him this morning I was reminded of how much more my heavenly Father watches over me; orchestrating my every need and helping me to grow, even when it seems the pain will never end.
So, for those of us that have caretakers - THANK YOU for all you do. You are the true heroes in my book. Because without you, the fight would be so difficult. So, pamper yourselves this week. Because your happiness means so much to us.
Caretakers do so much that we don't realize. And because Ray worries enough for the both of us, it frees me to live a little more carefree. He double checks everything, always ensures I have taken my pills, is constantly monitoring my diet and exercise, but most of all he always has a watchful eye on how I am feeling. When I get down, he makes me laugh. It is comforting knowing he is always there.
So, as I said goodbye to him this morning I was reminded of how much more my heavenly Father watches over me; orchestrating my every need and helping me to grow, even when it seems the pain will never end.
So, for those of us that have caretakers - THANK YOU for all you do. You are the true heroes in my book. Because without you, the fight would be so difficult. So, pamper yourselves this week. Because your happiness means so much to us.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Stress Management
As part of my cardiac rehab, I attend a short class each week. The last two weeks have been on stress management and relaxation.
As I reflect on stress in my life, I have been amazed to realize that before my heart failure, I had an extreme amount of stress; however, since my heart failure, Ray and I have slowed our life's pace and have very little stress. What I find interesting is that we are just as fulfilled now as we were when we had a million commitments and activities.
After further thought, it occurred to me that perhaps my co-workers, my family, my friends, my fellow heart disease sufferers, doctors, nurses, pastors, etc. may benefit from a little "stress break" as well. So here are a few lessons learned on how to adjust your thinking and help form a healthier heart:
As I reflect on stress in my life, I have been amazed to realize that before my heart failure, I had an extreme amount of stress; however, since my heart failure, Ray and I have slowed our life's pace and have very little stress. What I find interesting is that we are just as fulfilled now as we were when we had a million commitments and activities.
After further thought, it occurred to me that perhaps my co-workers, my family, my friends, my fellow heart disease sufferers, doctors, nurses, pastors, etc. may benefit from a little "stress break" as well. So here are a few lessons learned on how to adjust your thinking and help form a healthier heart:
- CHANGE YOUR THINKING
- IDENTIFY DISTORTIONS -
- all or nothing thinking (if the situation is not perfect, it is a failure),
- overgeneralization (a single negative event is a pattern of defeat),
- mental filter (dwell on a single negative detail),
- disqualifying the positive (don't count the positive),
- jumping to conclusions (no one does that right?),
- magnification or minimization,
- emotional reasoning (I feel it, therefore it must be true),
- should statements (also includes musts and ought tos),
- labeling and mislabeling (I'm a loser, he's a turd)
- personalization (see yourself as a cause when you were not primarily responsible)
- STRAIGHTFORWARD APPROACH - substitute a more positive and realistic thought.
- COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS - list the advantages and disadvantages of a negative feeling, thought, belief, or behavior.
- EXAMINE THE EVIDENCE - what are the facts? what does the data really show?
- SURVEY METHOD - do a survey to find out if your thoughts and attitudes line up with what other people think and fee.
- DOUBLE STANDARD - talk to yourself in the same compassionate way you might talk to a dear friend who was upset.
- ACCEPTANCE - instead of defending yourself against your own self-criticisms, find truth in them and accept them. Then try to change them.
- CLARIFY YOUR VALUES AND PRIORITIES
- You don't have to do everything you are asked to do
- Trim out time-fillers
- Make time for the things that matter most
- EXERCISE
- HAVE FUN/LEISURE/LEARN
- How did you have fun when you were a kid? Why not recreate?
- Too much work and no play make for a dismal attitude.
- Try new activities and get out of your normal routine.
- RELAX
- Any point in your day when you realize you are flying a million miles a minute, stop and take a deep, deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth (this includes when you are stuck in rush hour traffic)
- Take time to stretch your muscles throughout the day
- Turn off the radio, computer, tv and anything else that is noisy and soak in the quiet for at least 15 minutes a day to let yourself unwind and find your focus
Monday, July 18, 2011
Heart Walk on August 27th
Every summer there seem to be quite a few walks to help raise awareness and money for different organizations. While I admire and am thankful for the work that several of these organizations do, I have decided that I would really like to help support the American Heart Association (AHA). The AHA is having a walk in downtown Columbus on August 27th in the Nationwide district. I would LOVE to have my family and friends walk with me and to help raise funds for this organization!
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The AHA was extremely helpful to me when I first learned of my heart failure. The day after we found out about the heart failure, Ray threw out every piece of salt in our kitchen and bought the AHA cookbook. Over the past 2 years, we have mastered several excellent low-sodium recipes from this book. I also used the AHA website to do a lot of research on heart health. Also, I am sure that you notice the AHA seal of approval on many of the food products you buy.
One last thought about the AHA; heart failure is scary and it was difficult to work our way through the feelings of fear and terror; however, the AHA website helped remind us that we weren't alone in our struggle and that we could help lift each other up when we were feeling overwhelmed. Great organization! If you would like to join our team, go to the website and register or make a donation. It is very appreciated.
BTW, am feeling wonderful lately. Got the doctor to lower some of my meds, which has allowed my blood pressure to come up a little, which makes me feel a little less tired. YEAH! Am keeping busy with rehab, volunteering, church work, etc. and am really loving the summer (except that I start dripping sweat when I walk outside due to the 100% humidity and 90 degrees). Of course I have made time to spend at the pool with my mom and sisters as well. :-) Thanks for your love and support.
One last thought about the AHA; heart failure is scary and it was difficult to work our way through the feelings of fear and terror; however, the AHA website helped remind us that we weren't alone in our struggle and that we could help lift each other up when we were feeling overwhelmed. Great organization! If you would like to join our team, go to the website and register or make a donation. It is very appreciated.
BTW, am feeling wonderful lately. Got the doctor to lower some of my meds, which has allowed my blood pressure to come up a little, which makes me feel a little less tired. YEAH! Am keeping busy with rehab, volunteering, church work, etc. and am really loving the summer (except that I start dripping sweat when I walk outside due to the 100% humidity and 90 degrees). Of course I have made time to spend at the pool with my mom and sisters as well. :-) Thanks for your love and support.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The Need is Constant. The Gratification is Instant. Give Blood!
When you are asked to give blood or see a Blood Drive announcement, I am sure the first thing that runs through your mind is the needle that will have to be inserted to facilitate the giving. However, I hope your second thought could be that you may have just saved someone's life because you were selfless enough to take time to give. You are someone's hero and now you know someone who has personally been saved because people gave. Please consider giving. :-)
http://www.redcrossblood.org/
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Loss is Hard
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: Ecclesiastes 3:1-3
From the first day I was diagnosed, we became acutely aware of how common it is that some people are having another ordinary day while we were having life-changing hardships laid on us. And some times it feels like our mourning and sadness will go on for an eternity; however, this verse (also a Beatles song that I like to sing) remind me that the difficulties only last for a season and that we can be assured a better day is coming.
Yesterday we lost another member of our support group. This makes several this year. And the news came on the toes of some great news for another of our members. As I was speaking with the family of the member with the good news, we couldn't help but discuss how discouraging the road seemed. It was then that I was reminded of Peter walking on the water. See, he stepped out of the boat on faith, which took a lot of trust. But when he did, the waves got bigger and the storm more horrible. It made Peter take his eyes off of Jesus and begin to sink. Some times I feel our situations begin to flare just when we think we have stepped out in faith. They take our eyes and focus from where they will find rest and peace.
So the real daily challenge is to get our focus, our efforts, our daily tasks, our words, our deeds, our finances, all of our daily happenings to be fixed on the One who can take all of our messes, our storms, our disappointments, and our fears and make them into something beautiful.
RIP those who we love who have gone on before us. Our hearts are with you and your families.
From the first day I was diagnosed, we became acutely aware of how common it is that some people are having another ordinary day while we were having life-changing hardships laid on us. And some times it feels like our mourning and sadness will go on for an eternity; however, this verse (also a Beatles song that I like to sing) remind me that the difficulties only last for a season and that we can be assured a better day is coming.
Yesterday we lost another member of our support group. This makes several this year. And the news came on the toes of some great news for another of our members. As I was speaking with the family of the member with the good news, we couldn't help but discuss how discouraging the road seemed. It was then that I was reminded of Peter walking on the water. See, he stepped out of the boat on faith, which took a lot of trust. But when he did, the waves got bigger and the storm more horrible. It made Peter take his eyes off of Jesus and begin to sink. Some times I feel our situations begin to flare just when we think we have stepped out in faith. They take our eyes and focus from where they will find rest and peace.
So the real daily challenge is to get our focus, our efforts, our daily tasks, our words, our deeds, our finances, all of our daily happenings to be fixed on the One who can take all of our messes, our storms, our disappointments, and our fears and make them into something beautiful.
RIP those who we love who have gone on before us. Our hearts are with you and your families.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Cardiac Rehab
Just a quick update about starting cardiac rehab. Last week I had a VO2 stress test where they hooked me up to monitors and ran me on a treadmill. I scored a 21.7, which is a few points better than the last one I had in Aug 2010. So, that was encouraging.
This week I have gone to cardiac rehab 3 times. They hook you up to a heart monitor and then take you through a good aerobic routine. It was surprising to me how scientific the calculations were for coming up with the targeted heart rate and exercise routines. They took the results of the stress test, combined with weight, age, etc. and the results of my cholesterol and blood screenings to come up with the goals. I have been impressed with how much I have learned in my first week.
Also, there is a short class each week to teach various heart healthy topics. This week focused on fat and cholesterol. A few things I learned:
You can eat as many egg whites/egg substitutes as you want; however, you should only have 3 whole eggs a week.
The three commonly used items with the highest concentration of saturated fat are butter, sour cream, and cheese. (Who doesn't use cheese on almost every dish?)
They recommend you use olive oil for cooking and grinding up flax seed and using it as butter. I am going to try it, but I'm a little skeptical on how it will taste... Stay tuned.
Having finished my first week, I feel great... and crazy tired. I may just lay around the rest of the day and try to catch up on a little rest. I suggest you do the same (even if you aren't in heart failure). :-)
This week I have gone to cardiac rehab 3 times. They hook you up to a heart monitor and then take you through a good aerobic routine. It was surprising to me how scientific the calculations were for coming up with the targeted heart rate and exercise routines. They took the results of the stress test, combined with weight, age, etc. and the results of my cholesterol and blood screenings to come up with the goals. I have been impressed with how much I have learned in my first week.
Also, there is a short class each week to teach various heart healthy topics. This week focused on fat and cholesterol. A few things I learned:
You can eat as many egg whites/egg substitutes as you want; however, you should only have 3 whole eggs a week.
The three commonly used items with the highest concentration of saturated fat are butter, sour cream, and cheese. (Who doesn't use cheese on almost every dish?)
They recommend you use olive oil for cooking and grinding up flax seed and using it as butter. I am going to try it, but I'm a little skeptical on how it will taste... Stay tuned.
Having finished my first week, I feel great... and crazy tired. I may just lay around the rest of the day and try to catch up on a little rest. I suggest you do the same (even if you aren't in heart failure). :-)
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