Revving UP!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Anxieties over being laid up after surgery are being burned off by taking time to do a second treadmill session tonight after already having done one this morning...that's a FIRST for me! Also doing THREE sets of 15 reps on each of my strength-building moves instead of TWO.

Gotta get as much time in as I can WHILE I can...

Can't wait to get through Monday so I will know what I'm up against.

Of course I won't REALLY know until I have the surgery...SO hoping it can go all laparoscopic, NO SLICE & DICE PLEASE! :-)

Don

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SJ1320 2/28/2009 10:25PM

I'll be praying for your surgery to go well and for it to be the easiest way possible. Take care of yourself! Report Inappropriate Comment

JIBBIE49 2/28/2009 5:34PM

Hope your recovery is great. Report Inappropriate Comment

LADYWEZ 2/28/2009 8:47AM

We are all pulling for you. Hopefully it will be a quick easy recovery. Report Inappropriate Comment

Dealing With Setbacks (Response to Weekly Prompt)

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

How I deal with setbacks depends a bit on what type of setback I'm dealing with. However, in general even if I'm feeling overwhelmed or other negative feelings, the one thing I try very hard to do and am mostly successful at is...

To maintain a laser-like focus on my workout routine. Even if I'm tempted to skip it I talk myself out of it by telling myself "how is skipping my routine going to help?" Of course it ISN'T, but reminding myself of this helps to keep me on track.

Another thought goes along these lines:

"Well, maybe I have no control over situation X or Y (whatever they may be), but I *DO* have control over MY ARMS & LEGS...so get on with that workout!"

Now I am beginning to stress out over an upcoming surgery to remove my gall bladder. Yes, of course I am no fan of going under the knife, but what is stressing me out more than anything is not being able to work out during my recovery. My first thought is 'maybe they can wire my mouth shut while they're at it!'...lol! But seriously, I depend on my workouts to support my food choices!

So what can I DO about this...? Well, I'm giving some serious thought to attempting a vegetarian approach to my food choices during my recovery period. This will help me to reduce my caloric intake and hopefully keep me from gaining any weight during this period.

Depending on which way the surgery goes, laparoscopic or opening up....my recovery could take up to several weeks of little to no working out...ugh!

I see the surgeon on Monday and will probably set a date for surgery then.

Planning ahead, I'm hoping will avoid at least SOME headaches and problems.

Don

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SLENDERELLA2010 2/28/2009 11:44AM

Take care of yourself, Don. I bet you will find that the surgery is a piece of cake!! (well, you know what I mean, LOL) I'll be praying for you. Sue Report Inappropriate Comment

JIBBIE49 2/25/2009 11:51PM

I worry about my gallbladder, but I haven't had it out. I hope they take out your appendix while they are in there. Report Inappropriate Comment

BLEVERETT1 2/25/2009 9:12PM

I understand your feeling anxious and glad you blogged. That helps relieve stress. It is a different feeling to be a patient. Planning ahead is the best you can do and well congratulations for doing that! P.S. If I may suggest something...isometric exercises for your muscle tone or breathing exercises are some choices, if tolerable, offer ways to stay active while recovering. Wishing you the best! Report Inappropriate Comment

Out! Darned Gall Bladder, OUT!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Well at long last, it's official...must have my gall bladder removed. My liver profile is WAY out of whack and there are multiple gallstones in my gall bladder. My doc says it is likely that the gallstones have been blocking things up and causing harm to my liver which will most likely reverse itself after the gall bladder is removed.

I'm hoping to be able to have my hernia repaired at the same time, as it has been bulging, but not causing any problems. I'm no fan of surgery, so if I can kill two birds with one trip to the OR I will be a happy camper!

Don't know yet when I'll have this done but will let you all know!

Don

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GMACAMI 3/2/2009 7:12PM

For us surgery nurses... two trips are always better than one... you know job security... gotta look out for us surgery nurses these days Don. Cami Report Inappropriate Comment

JIBBIE49 2/25/2009 11:51PM

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CHARMANE_2508 2/24/2009 9:57PM

Its always a relief to get some real answers and then some results from the doctors! I know it can be a challenge sometimes, a long drawn out process if you will. Report Inappropriate Comment

3 Grands in a Row...!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Grinding out the grands...not feeling very inspired these days...just ITCHING for spring and biking...! But it feels good to keep that cardio streak going since Jan. 6th...woo hoo!

Don

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JIBBIE49 2/25/2009 11:55PM

Hey, I'd get them to do some LIPOSUCTION if you have LOVE-HANDLES you like removed, while you are in that surgery. I had a friend, who had a gallbladder surgery and didn't want a big scar, so she had a tattoo artist come in and do a line of roses tat for her, over the incision, while she was still under the anesthetic and he did it all in an hour. It was REALLY a love big tat. She said "Hey, it would have taken hours for him to do that otherwise, so I got it all done at once." She had it done in Tennessee, so the doctor was flexible. Report Inappropriate Comment

Park Closed: No Cross Country Skiing...grrr!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Had hoped to go back for more "punishment" today (lol!) but the darned course was "closed due to unsafe conditions" whatever that meant...there seemed to be enough snow around...was FRUSTRATED as I hope to get back for a little more before the season is over! Perhaps tomorrow...? (crossing fingers...)

So now at this late hour after running errands, seeing a movie, it's time to head up to the 'mill. This winter of too few cardio options is wearing on too, too long!

C'mon SPRING! My bicycle is getting itchy to hit the roads! :-)

Don

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JIBBIE49 2/25/2009 11:50PM

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