Monday, July 6, 2015

Did You Miss Me?

I'm back, folks.  Sorry to skip out but my last post was written before the "crud" did me in.  Yes, I was under the weather.  I brushed shoulders with a summer cold which escalated to a minor bronchial infection and then became complicated with a severe sinusitis attack.

In other words, I was out COLD.  The only difference between me and the body at the morgue?  I was breathing - barely.

I found that the best thing was for me to sleep.  And I do mean - SLEEP!!  I had the television on and would be watching Rachel Ray and wake up to Trisha Yearwood.  During one weekend, a channel had a Lord of the Rings marathon going on.  I went to sleep during "Fellowship" and awoke for a potty break during "Two Towers" and finally woke up during the final battle scene of "Return."

I couldn't eat.  I mean it.  I could barely swallow food and any food I could get down, stuck in my throat, choking me and blocking my airway.  It was a small bite, chew, swallow and grab the bottle of water and pray I didn't choke up all of it while trying to drink.  You have no idea how many times that happened - choking up.  So, with the idea of eating substance biting the dust, I turned to liquids.  Mmm.  You can't beat beef and chicken broth.  I was smart - I went low sodium.  I discovered the beef broth tasted better than the chicken.  I also moved to Ensure when I finally got the art of swallowing liquids that weren't watery under control.  Yes, thick liquids - think tomato soup - were a no-no.  Even a strawberry shake was too heavy of consistency to swallow.  I'm a diabetic so I also added Glucerna to the diet when I could.  Sure, I'd try to eat something.  My wife tried pureeing some chicken rice soup.  Nope!  That would not go down.

Now for the strange thing.  PILLS.  I had to take my meds and the doctor had me on horse tablet antibiotics.  Believe it or not - I could swallow them and they went down.  No problem!  Who knew?

Finally, after 2 weeks, I returned to the doctor who put me on a different antibiotic and I am still on them.  I am able to eat real food now but that really has only been the last 5 days.  Yes, it was touch and go at first.

So, what has been the silver lining to this escapade?  (Always look for a silver lining!)

At the present time, I am twenty-eight pounds lighter.  Yes, you read that right.  28 pounds!!  Since I couldn't eat much, my stomach tightened up over the last 4 weeks.  Now that I'm eating again, I see no reason to stretch it back out.  I kid you not.  We had to travel and my granddaughters wanted to eat at McD.  I had a McDouble, small fry and glass of water.  I couldn't eat all the fries and literally felt stuffed getting the last bite of the burger down.  Yes, this is the guy who had no problem wolfing down a BigMac, Filet-o-fish, large fries and drink.  I'm eating more salads and although it goes against my grain, I can actually leave food on my plate.  I find myself eating more often, but not as much.  For those who were wondering - my weight on January 1 of this year was 265.  I am now 237.  A goal for New Years was to lose 25 pounds.  I did it.  Now I hope to lose even more.

Drink!  I've almost totally given up pop - soda - whatever you want to call.  Carbonated drinks.  I was a big Diet Pepsi fan.  Since June 1 - I have had 3 cans of Pepsi and one 32oz Diet Pepsi when I took the granddaughters to the theater.  My wife had bought me 2 12-pk of Diet Pepsi about 3 days before I came down sick.  I figure they should last me through the summer.  I drink a lot of water.

Am I well.  Not completely.  But at least I am up and able to do things again and walk once more among the living.  I'm still under the doctor's rule - at least for another 2 weeks.  We'll see what he has to say after the next blood draw.

So, until next I ramble on...

16 comments:

  1. So glad you are feeling better and please, completely get rid of the soda... I swear you'll lose weight easier if you do. Other than that, so happy you can eat again, it must be such a relief. Welcome back!

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    1. I have about 16 more cans of diet Pepsi. At the current rate of usage, I figure it will probably last through September, maybe longer. I am so happy to eat again but it is much smaller portions!

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  2. Welcome back, Bob. Don't rush your recovery. It takes longer to return to full strength these days. I missed you!

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    1. I'm not trying to "push" recovery but I do want to recover rather than linger sickly all summer long. I guess that is one of the benefits of being old - you got the time to linger. lol.

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  3. So glad you're feeling better. Sounds like something good came out of the whole experience. Take care of yourself Bob.

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    1. The weight loss was a definite good thing. It was the impetus I needed to get myself thinking seriously of losing weight, just not wishing it gone.

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  4. Glad to hear you're feeling at least somewhat better now. I have found, myself, that drinking a lot of clear, cool water is a great way to not only flush out whatever ails you, but also to help lose weight. Forget even the diet soft drinks - they still have calories and a lot of other stuff your body is better off without. Water is best.

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    1. Water has become my best friend. I don't even bother with all those fancy flavorings, etc. Just junk to pollute the water. Sometimes I add ice, but most of the time, just slightly chilled from the tap.

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  5. Glad you're back with us and feeling better, Bob. That's a tough way to lose weight, though. Stay well!

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    1. The trick now is to keep it off. I am constantly watching what I eat and how much. This is a guy who had no issues with a Big Mac, Filet-o-fish, large fries and a strawberry shake at a sit-down. Now it is a small, grilled hamburger, NO fries, maybe a small salad, water and believe or not, I'm stuffed.

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  6. Very glad you're on the mend. Hope you continue to grow stronger each day!

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    1. Thanks for the concern. I do hope I'm getting better. I guess with a positive attitude, healing is easier.

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  7. Wow! I am so glad you're feeling better Bob! Those summer colds are hard enough, and then to have it go into a bronchial mess!!! Blech!! Great to see you're back!

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  8. Wow, glad you're better Bob - at least there was a silver lining to it - great to have you back!

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  9. why yes... yes I did miss you! Welcome back and glad you're finally feeling better!!! Gotta kick some writing butt Bob!!!

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  10. Great post Bob! So glad you're better!!!! ~ LJ Fitness

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