January Blues and Sunshiny Days

Blogging While Sleepy

These January days here in Seattle have been interesting to say the least. The sun shines in the morning and then starts to go away by 1 pm. It is no wonder that Seattle is the capitol coffee city. You need it just to stay awake.

I am No Coffee Drinker

So is it just the short amount of sun during the day that is keeping me sleepy or is the medication

or is it my heart?

I have a Vitamin D deficiency, which causes fatigue, tiredness, loss of concentration, heart disease, rickets...(thank goodness I am too old to get rickets) but this is why I am so tired during the day. I have just developed this deficiency. Between the medication I am currently taking, hormonal and mineral imbalances and lack of sunlight, I have developed this wonderful deficiency. The quick fix is to take 50,000 IUs once a week for the next 6 weeks. I hope this does this trick.

I urge each and everyone of you to get a Vitamin D blood test to see if you are deficient.

YAWN...I will come back after my afternoon nap.

AS FATE WOULD HAVE IT

Test Day

Good Evening! Today was echo cardiogram day. Can I first let you know that today started out a wonderful day. The sun actually shined on my face today. You don't know how much I needed that dose of Vitamin D. Seattle can be one depressing place when the sun does not shine for a few days.

The Test

Chris was the wonderful technician who preformed the test today. He was very friendly and personable. He also showed me the inter workings of my heart on sonogram. It was nice to have someone take the time to explain to me how one determines how efficient your heart actually is...

Well, the 25 minute test actually took about 15 minutes. So, I figured there was not a whole lot to see. Which is a great thing.

Well no. It was not a great thing. My EF has gone down to 25%. Yes 25%. I couldn't believe it either. I had been doing so well. Hump.

Well the news wasn't all bad. My blood pressure is better. Now I am running in the 100's/70's. All this means is my body will be able to take high dosages of medicine so that my heart will have an opportunity to rest a little better.

Also, my valves are no longer leaking and my heart size is shrinking...oh happy day. SO, the only thing I have to worry about is having major heart failure (not a heart attack) and dying. Oh goodie. How do we keep that from happening? Well, behind door number one there is the pacemaker, behind door number two is $1000.00...well Bob could you tell me what is behind door number three????

The Life Vest

The World's First Wearable Defibrillator

It's a holster, it's a fanny pack, it's a life saver wrapped into one

Essentially, you strap this contraption around your body and wear a electrical device on your hip. If my heart starts to short circuit this contraption shocks the crap out of my heart...and me. I pick it up tomorrow.

What's the 411

Well, I am still on four medications. The newest one, Atacand, I will now take twice daily. I have to add Vitamin D to my diet and I have to add two more days of exercise. So that means daily. I am not too happy about that but, what I can I do.

Wish me luck and send me some comments and funny stories. Looks like I will be here for a few more months...three to be exact.

2010 IS HERE!!!!

Updates:

I am still in Seattle

Yes folks, I am still in Seattle. We managed to get through the entire holiday with a little bit of rain and mild days. I am so glad because I don't think my body could have handled the frigid cold that blew from coast to coast.

8 Foot Christmas Tree

So, my Dad purchased this massive tree. Massive to me because for the last few years I have been decorating my bamboo stalks during the Christmas season.

My Mom broke out the 50 gallon tube full of ornaments from many Christmases ago. Every ornament she handed to my niece, to put on the tree, had a story. Some stories I remembered, some stories I had never heard. This was my Christmas wish.

My Husband was so sweet to me this Christmas. He gave me pajamas and booties!!! I am always complaining about my legs and toes being so cold (mostly cause my Dad doesn't turn on the heat) so, he thought it would be fitting and boy was it.

Bringing in the New Year

No fancy parties, no horns and whistles. Just me and the Hubby sharing a bunch of grapes (Cuban tradition) and a sip of sparkling wine to bring in the New Year (American and European tradition). Of course, I had the collard greens and black eyed peas simmering on the stove top (Southern Black folk tradition) for much prosperity and good luck. I think I will have some more for lunch.

Gained 2.6 lbs

So that puts me at 147.6 lbs. It is really my fault. I have been bad to bone when it has come to eating and exercising. I have been eating and have not been exercising. All of my comfort foods have come into play. French fries, chili, chips, salsa, chocolate mousse cake, waffles, and my newest addition, BBQ Pop Chips. So, on New Year's Day, I turned over a newer leaf and went back to my old low sodium, no fat, no taste (smile) cardiac diet.

As far as the exercising, I am starting that today. I have a new Wii game (The Biggest Loser) that I am going to try on for size to see if I can fit it into my workout regimen. I will keep you posted.

COOK BOOK

I will be finished with the cook book before July 5, 2010. The book will have wonderful recipes for vegans, vegetarians, meat eaters and gluten-free folks as well. I will keep everyone posted on this as well.

My next echo-cardiogram is on January 12, 2010 (My Hubby's Birthday). I will post the results as soon as I get them.

MERRY NEW YEAR