Two Steps Forward, One Step Back...

Friday, February 19, 2010

I had an interesting doctor's appointment this morning. My doctor didn't like the fact that I still have a persistent cough. She heard wheezing when she listened to my chest but my lungs are clear. This is good news, kind of. She told me that I need to go on steroids (again) in order to clear up the wheezing and congestion. I explained to her that every time I go on steroids, I gain 10-15 pounds. Since May 2009, I've had 18 steroid shots for orthopedic and allergy reasons. She told me that if I can't breathe, that is serious; especially with asthma. If you can't breathe, you can't exercise. She told me to take the prescription and not to fill it if I didn't want to. Just then, I had a horrible coughing attack that made my eyes water. She raised her eyebrow and said she'd meet me at the front desk. I took my prescriptions and went to the lab for blood work. Thank goodness I had the foresight to fast because steroids really mess up my numbers.

Next, I went to physical therapy for my lower back. For some reason my spine is pulling to the left. My therapist and his student therapist spent 40 minutes stretching and manipulating my lower spine. Finally, my back released and straightened a bit. Success at last! Of course my back and hips are really sore but we're making progress. He really wants me to get back into doing my water aerobics as soon as possible. I joked with my therapist that taking the steroids for my cough would probably help my back and he agreed. He just smiled that smile.

Finally, I went to the pharmacy to see if my doctor called in my prescription. This is one prescription that she didn't hand me on the way out of her office. Instead, she called it into the drug store. Persistent wasn't she? Of course she was right. I've taken my first dose and I feel much better. It's funny how taking a step back for one issue can help me to take a step forward for another. Ah-hh well, two steps forward and one step back.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DONNABRIGHT 2/20/2010 9:58AM

Hang in there - sounds like you are making some progress. Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 2/19/2010 2:59PM

well it is a good thing to listen to our dr's.......perhaps you won't need it for as long as in the past and the weight gain may be minimal...........all the best....blessings and hugs......lita Report Inappropriate Comment

LAPOPELK 2/19/2010 2:50PM

It does seem to work that way. It seems that things are starting to turn around! I hope this works for you. Report Inappropriate Comment

CAITLINANN10 2/19/2010 2:50PM

Two steps forward and one step back is still going forward! That is always a good thing. Report Inappropriate Comment

Making Better Choices When Eating Out

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Hubby took me out for breakfast this morning and I noticed something great! We went to a place where we go fairly often and usually have the same server. When she came to take our order she looked at me and said, "You'd like the veggie omelette with egg whites, fresh fruit and a bagel, right?" What's amazing is that this is the way I now eat when I go out! Sometimes I order whole wheat toast instead of a bagel (many fewer calories with the toast) but I'm liking the better choices!

On Valentine's Day we went out for a steak dinner. I automatically made sure that I cut the steak (7-9 ounces) in half before I started eating and saved it to take home. I ordered sparkling water, lots of veggies and a baked potato with only margarine. I took half of the potato home too!

The best part of all of this is that I'm full with what I'm eating. I try to fill my plate 3/4 full with veggies/fruit and the remaining 1/4 with protein and carbs. I've done a good job eating 5+ fruits/veggies every day and if I get behind, my body craves them. Our refrigerator is loaded with fruits and veggies, non-fat dairy, lean protein and whole grains. Hubby still has his moments when he opens the refrigerator and groans, as he looks for "real" food but his habits have improved too.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PEGGYANNSCH 2/19/2010 7:49AM

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SLIMMERJESSE 2/18/2010 5:46PM

Wow, how wonderful! Good for you. Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 2/18/2010 2:39PM

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Getting Back Into the Swing of Things

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

I started back into physical therapy this afternoon. My lower back is so tight that you can bounce a quarter off of it! My therapist spent the entire 30 minutes just trying to loosen up the right side of my lower back. It's so tight that it's pulling toward the left which apparently isn't a good thing. On the plus side, my therapist wasn't put off my my constant hacking cough as I had feared. He did mention that it was a good thing that I cancelled last week's sessions however. I will do my side stretches three times a day; added to the other three exercises that I'm already doing.

Driving to PT was the first time that I've driven in two weeks. It was like someone let me out of jail! I stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home and purchased a few items for dinner tonight. I walked around the store for 30 minutes trying to get in some exercise. Now I'm exhausted and will rest for the rest of the day. I've just got to build up some stamina before I ever consider going back to water aerobics. Baby steps, baby steps, baby steps to building up that stamina!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PEGGYANNSCH 2/18/2010 11:04AM

You need all the rest you can get. Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 2/17/2010 8:03PM

glad you are improving ..........good for you...... all the best as you get stronger slowly blessings and hugs............lita Report Inappropriate Comment

SLENDERELLA61 2/17/2010 6:46PM

Rest, Cyndi. Hope you get really good rest. It's sad that the illness took away your stamina, but I know you'll work hard and build it back up. Glad you are well enough to be out of the home and starting your path to fitness again. Love, Marsha Report Inappropriate Comment

Careful Judgement

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

I'm trying to be very careful in deciding what to do every day. Today there is a nasty wind blowing outside. Although I had to take the dogs out, I made very quick work of it and came right back indoors. I'm surprised at how tired I still feel. For this reason, I made a doctor's appointment for Friday to check out my lungs. I really don't want to get caught having a relapse over the weekend so it's better to be safe. I haven't felt much like working out due to a persistent cough. I'm up out of bed and moving around but being ever so careful.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DONNABRIGHT 2/17/2010 7:51AM

Get well first and then you will be able to do all the things you want to do and enjoy them. Report Inappropriate Comment

PEGGYANNSCH 2/16/2010 5:57PM

I take my dogs out than I hurry back inside It was cool out there with wind blowing Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 2/16/2010 4:43PM

sounds like you are taking care of you........that is good to hear.......... blessings and hugs...........lita Comment edited on: 2/16/2010 4:43:33 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

CT Scan Results

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Right after we arrived home on Thursday afternoon, the doctor's office called with the results of my CT scan.. The initial good news is that there was no sign yet of pneumonia. YES!!!!! The iffy news is that something else appeared on the scan on my right lung. The doctor said it was one of three things. It could be some scar tissue, it could be the lung going through a "sloughing" process (I don't know what that means) or it could be that I coughed so hard that the lung became inflamed. Based upon the force of that vicious cough, I believe it was the latter. So did the doctor. However, since the lung is inflamed, that means that I'll have to be super careful in everything I do for the next 2 + weeks. If I'm not, I will likely get the pneumonia and be sicker than I can imagine. So I'm walking a very fine line here. I have to have some level of activity daily but not too much. I short walk and then rest sounds good, as long as it isn't too cold outside. I am determined to be very, very careful!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SLENDERELLA61 2/14/2010 12:43AM

Carefully active. A fine line, indeed. You have super judgment and I have no doubt you'll do just what your body needs. Take care, Cyndi. We are counting on you! Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 2/13/2010 7:26PM

great to hear your news.............take care and go at your own pace.............blessings and hugs.............lita Report Inappropriate Comment

LRKNOBS 2/13/2010 3:43PM

Thanks for sharing the good news! So glad you are able to keep active but careful at the same time!!! Keep positive and determined...great partners! Report Inappropriate Comment