Denise's Happy, Healthy,Healing Journal-Posts welcome

[goldcupmom]

How did it go, Dee?????????

I hear you on the eating. The breast specialist I was sent to after my DSis cancer (who is middle age, overweight) said we have a choice. We "can fight breast cancer, heart disease & diabetes, or we can fight out weight. The choice is ours." It really hit home with me as all 3 run in my family. Choose the fight we'd rather have.

Hope all is well. Update us when you can! I'm still praying!! How is DH??

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Hey, Dee! Hope the appointment went well and you got good results!

I hear you on the eating. I laughed out loud when I read the part about having good intentions and then blowing it when the first temptation comes along. That is SO me! I think we all struggle with that to some degree. For me it is some crazy mental battle. I may have been fine with eating a lunch that I brought from home, but the minute that I tell myself that I cannot eat out is the minute that I start Really craving it.

I know this is a hard battle. If it weren't then we wouldn't all be here year after year supporting each other through it. You just have to keep at it and not give up. I think what Julie said is right, you have to choose to battle the weight/healthy eating issue so that you can avoid further bad health issues down the road.

You can do this! We will be here to support you through it!

Do you plan your meals out ahead of time? What about snacks? I find that I do the best when I sit down and plan it out and then Stick with it. Mostly that means that I have to actually make my lunch if that was the plan and then Not give into my coworkers when they invite me out to lunch.

Just take it day by day, step by step and hopefully it will get easier as you go along

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Happy 4th of July, Dee!!

Hope you are having a GREAT weekend!!

 

[DisDee]

I'm back! First of all thanks for posting on my journal Amber and Julie even when I haven't written myself. I really appreciate your thoughts and encouragement!

I'm going to back-track a little to write what's been happening on the medical front (which is good). I got my results from the Pap after a week and it was negative!!!! My gyn/onc told me that the most common place for my type of cancer to travel is to the v-word (blocked) since I no longer have a cervix, so the Pap tests the upper end of that area. He also moved my follow -up to 3 months instead of 2 which is also great news. I also had an appt. with my PCP who I love (partly cause she's female and very sweet and compassionate). I had some blood work done for various things and everything looked good. My A1C for blood glucose over the last 3 months was in the high end of normal, but I'll take it! Now if I could just get rid of the fatigue, I'd be in good shape.

DH had a follow-up with the cardiologist and he challenged him to lose some weight, and suggested he eat low-carb, so he's been doing that for a week , and he's lost some weight. Its tough for him though because he loves his bread and pretzels but he's hanging in there cause he knows its important. I decided that I'm going to join him cause it will be easier if we do it together.

I forgot to mention that I went for an x-ray on my left knee. Its been bothering me for about a month since I helped my son move. I should have the results by Tuesday. DH wants to buy me a tread-mill, but I want to hold off until I see what the doctor says. I could be looking at some physical therapy or who knows what else. Whatever I need, I know it will help my mobility, so I'll go with the flow.

We've had a low-key weekend. We've been so busy for the past several weekends so I just wanted to hang at home and not have any pressure to do anything or go anywhere. I've puttered around the house and gotten some nagging little tasks completed, so I feel good about that. Tomorrow is my Mom's birthday, so we're going to do something. Maybe dinner here or out somewhere.I'll see what she's in the mood for. I have a 25% off coupon for one of my favorite country gift shops, so maybe we'll pop in there.

Hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend,so make the most of tomorrow!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Denise, I am so happy you had a fun cruise/WDW trip, that your doctor appt. went well and that your husband had no major blockage! All good things you so deserve! And I am so sorry I haven't visited your journal lately, I have been very neglectful of journals, mine and everyone else's!

We are going to do this together Denise. And you will be happy to know, I had a mammogram last week and am having my pap and physical later this month. You kicked my butt to do that and I did it!

I put it in my journal but I'll post it here too. The name of the book Pearlieq gave me is:

The 7 Secrets of Slim People by Vikki Hansen and Shawn Goodman.

Its an easy read and has been pretty motivating to me lately. I got mine on Amazon, I am sure you could find it at Barnes and Noble easily as well.

Good luck with the low carb thing for you and your husband. Having someone to do that with is a great idea and will probably make it a lot easier.

 

[DisDee]

Thanks for the nice words Amy! I appreciate your support. I'm so glad that you made the Dr. appointments. There were many times in my life when I neglected my health but thankfully, I didn't when I was having the gyn problems.Doctors are now my friends. I just scheduled my consult prior to my first colonoscopy so that was a big step for me. I've been putting that off for awhile now. I've always had anxiety about going to the Dr. I remember as a kid always worrying that I was going to get a needle.

I'm off today to attend a funeral. One of my uncles passed away on Sunday. He's been thru so much in the last 8 years or so. He's had very little quality of life, so in a way this is a blessing. My aunt has been thru so much too, by being his caregiver. She's had help with medical aides and the like, but his needs were 24/7.

I got the results of my x-rays. My knee has tricompartmental osteoarthrosis, and osteophyte formation. How's that for medical terminology? Translation-I have arthritis in the 3 areas of my left knee with some moderate bone spurs.
I made an appt. with an ortho for the end of the month. In the meantime, I guess I'll just hang in there. The pain has improved which is good, but I'm a little nervous about doing anything real physical. Kind of a Catch 22 type of thing. I suppose stretching will be good, some walking and I'll be careful if I go to Curves. More about that later.

Time to get a couple of things accomplished before I have to get ready for the funeral.

Have a great day!

 

[DisDee]

I really miss the time that I had to keep up with my journal and others too when I wasn't working. I would be perfectly content to stay at home. I have so many things that I'd love to do if I only had the time.

We're taking another vacation on Aug. 9th. We're going to the Outer Banks in NC for a week. We've rented a 4 bedroom house for us and our kids and their spouses. I am so looking forward to another get-away. Our OBX vacations are laid-back, fun and relaxing. I can't wait to spend some time at the pool and beach with some good books and music. We take turns with the cooking and also eat out or do take-out for several meals.

DH and I went to see Mama Mia today. It was pretty good. Believe it or not, he was an Abba fan. LOL! I must say that Pierce Brosnan should stick with acting and give up the singing career. It was very campy with people breaking into song for no apparent reason. If you go to see it, don't expect anything serious, just good light-hearted fun. The scenery was beautiful. It was set on a Greek island.

I got the book that Amy recommended from Amazon today. Its called "The Seven Secrets of Slim People". I'm finishing up "Table for Five" by Susan Wiggs, so when I'm done that, I'll start the new one. I'll be sure to let you know what I think of it, and share any life-altering hints.

DH is working tomorrow morning, so I plan to get out and walk early before it gets too hot. I haven't decided if I'm going to walk down by the river, or to a local park that is a little more shaded. I'll see how I feel in the a.m.

I'll be back tomorrow!

 

[DisDee]

Good Morning, Just a quick hello to my Dis friends, Julie, Amy, Amber and Diane, and anyone else who actually reads this thing. Mondays are tough! I'm in the weekend mode and find it hard to transition to work mode. At least it hasn't been too crazy there, and I get an hour lunch which is "me" time.

We've been going thru some of our closets and storage areas and are getting rid of STUFF. Its amazing how it accumulates and takes over your life. Once that is done, we plan to do some sprucing up, fresh paint and simple improvements. If the housing market ever turns around, we plan to downsize to a rather small place that doesn't need much upkeep so that we have more time and $ to travel. We're also looking at retiring in our early 60's and need a plan in place for that too.

I'm off to get ready for work. I'm going to hit Curves on the way home, and try to build up my strength. Its been so hot here that I don't want to spend much time outdoors. We need some rain badly, so I'm hoping that happens sometime soon.

Make it a marvelous Monday!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Denise, I am so sorry about your uncle. Even when its a blessing, its still a sadness for those left behind.

I guess its good they know what is up with your knee, hopefully the ortho dr. can help your pain improve.

That vacation to the Outer Banks sounds heavenly, what a treat to spend that time with your kids and kid in laws in such a lovely location.

I am thinking about seeing Mama Mia but can't get past Remington Steele/James Bond singing! Oh well, I guess I can plug my ears and just watch.

I hope you are enjoying the book, I need to read mine again, I got into a Jody Piccoult novel and haven't been reading Seven Secrets lately. Bad me! Keep up the good work and journal when you can. Sometimes life is so darn busy, we just plain run out of time.

 

[DisDee]

It's still hot and humid here in NJ, and I'm in desperate need of some outdoor time. My BD is next week, so we're going to celebrate in advance and go down to the Jersey shore this weekend. There's a restaurant we like with an outdoor area and live music, so we're going to do lunch there and then go over to the beach and hang out there for awhile in the late afternoon, then maybe hit the boardwalk or shops. Another option would be to head over to Atlantic City and hit the casinos or one of the beach bars for a bit. Whatever we do will be fun!
On Aug. 2, my SIL is having a big family party to celebrate the summer BDays, anniversaries, and also her engagement. We're so happy for her this second time around. The guy she's marrying is great, and so good to her.

I'm still stuck at the same weight. I constantly struggle with what type of eating plan I should follow, whether to journal or not, and look at the need to exercise as something that is always looming over me. I'm thinking perhaps I need to adjust the big picture and just think of my life and quest for weight loss and fitness as a matter of health and well being and nothing else. I constantly set myself up for "failure" when I don't follow thru with my goals.This is all such a big mind game, isn't it?

I've been rather melancholy about not having a WDW trip in the planning stages. I'm thinking maybe next Jan. or Feb. for a long weekend, and we would also be able to visit with my bro. in FL. It would be great to snag another cheap airfare with Spirit. So, in the meantime, I'm going to plan an imaginary trip to FL., and decide where I want to stay and what I want to do. We don't need to hit all the parks anymore, those days are over. We had such a great time on our trip in May, that I'm anxious to do it again. Only my Dis friends understand the therapeutic value of planning a Disney trip. LOL!

I really do need to start getting my things together (at least in my mind) for our trip to the Outer Banks. We really do lug a bunch of stuff with us on our beach vacations.

Enough for now, I'll check in later. Hope I didn't bore you to death!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Denise, how could you bore us to death?!?

We went to Rehoboth Beach last year, is that anywhere near where you are? I loved the boardwalk area there, you are lucky to have such nice places/beaches/ocean nearby! Unfortunately here in Colorado, we aren't so lucky!

I hear you on what food plan to follow dilemma. I was even toying with Jenny Craig recently because I figured it would take some of the guesswork away for me. Just do the best you can and take it one day at a time.

Plan a Disney trip! Lets face it, that's what keeps us ladies going, knowing we have a trip to the Mouse at some point in the future.

Your bd trip sounds very nice, can I come?

 

[Goofydiane]

Denise I'm finally catching up on journals and I'm happy to hear about all the good news from the doctor. That's great news! I also was a bread lover and over time have removed it from my diet because I have found found I enjoy better. I now have 2 slices of bread a day and that's it and I don't miss it. Hopefully DH will feel the same as he reduces it from his diet.

I hear ya on the humidity and going outside! I'm in MN and we get humidity and bugs, I'm glad I have a treadmill in the basement so I can use it instead of walking outside. If you get a treadmill look for one with low impact, that helps so much with the knee pain. I bought mine at 2nd Wind and spent more upfront for one that will last forever.

Enjoy the vacation to the Outer Banks, it sounds like a lot of fun, especially with family along.

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Hey, Dee! Thanks for the encouraging words on my journal. I didn't realize I was so far behind on yours though.

Congratulations on the good news from the doctor!! Sorry to hear about your knee issues, but at least you know what is wrong now. That is half the battle.

I understand what you mean about the diet and exercise. I have not been able to motivate myself to go to the gym and it is WAY too hot out there to even consider walking outside.

Enjoy your beach trip!! I love the beach! Those vacations always have a way of being more relaxing.

Keep us updated on your fantasy trip planning. I like to do that too. Nothing like Disney dreamin' on those not so fabulous days

Have a great week!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi Denise, hope things are going well for you! Hope you had a nice birthday!

 

[goldcupmom]

Glad all is well on the medical front. When is your BD??? Mine is 7/30, so we have to be close!!

Hope you had a wonderful beach time!!

 

[DisDee]

I can't believe a month has gone by since I last posted. We've had a bunch of things going on again, and as always I put the things I do just for me on hold when that happens.

My BD (July 31) trip to the shore was super! We had lunch at a favorite restaurant then went downtown in Ocean City to browse the shops. After that we went to the beach. By then it was late afternoon and the sun wasn't so strong, so I felt better about sitting out. The water was freezing that week-some freakish tidal thing-so I sat in my chair and read and listened to music. DH is such a sweetie to indulge me by doing exactly what I wanted to do that day. I have a strong need to be by the ocean sometimes. We are so lucky to live just a little over an hour's drive to the Jersey shore. Amy,we're about 2 1/2 hours from Rehoboth, and would go there occasionally when DD was in college in Delaware. I just love the shore!

Our trip to OBX, NC was lots of fun. Its so different from the Jersey shore but we love it just as much, and in some ways even more cause the rentals are less expensive. We didn't get an ocean or soundfront house this time because "in season" is more expensive than Sept., but even so our location was really nice with easy access to the beach. Plus, our community had a trolley service that shuttled us around the area. It was good family bonding time for us..days at the beach, some shopping, lots of eating, and a little drinking too. DH was in charge of the blender and the strawberry dacquaris.(how the heck is that spelled?) Our master br had jacuzzi and a hammock on the deck which was so relaxing, and we also had a hot tub on the great room deck.

Now, back to reality. My ortho. recommended physical therapy for my knee, so I started with an eval. this week, then 2 therapy sessions. I'm doing pool therapy which is so gentle and relaxing, but still working those muscles without so much stress on my knees. After the session I get iced for 10 minutes then I'm off for home. I also have a home stretching program, and I'm hoping this all comes together and it begins to feel better. I'm really too young to have all these aches and pains. There's so much that I want to do and I don't want this holding me back.

Now that I'm back on track, I'll get back to your journals too. I've been reading them, so keep posting! Thanks for being here!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi Denise, your birthday trip and other beach trip sound perfect. I love the beach too, which is why its unfortunate I live in Colorado! We loved Rehoboth, it reminded me of a place in Maine I used to go with my mom the year we lived up there. We had the best pizza (I think it was called Pizza Grotto) there, naturally I have to remember the food aspect as well as the beach!

Hope the therapy on the knee does the trick. The water exercises sound just right.

I hear you on letting the "for me" things slide, I think we women are just programmed that way!

Hope this week is shaping up to be a great one for you.

 

[DisDee]

Well, where do I begin? I'll start with the fun stuff. We took our trip to Myrtle beach, SC for 4 days and had an excellent time. We flew in the day before TS Hanna did, and thankfully she blew in during the night with most of the wind and rain. Our hotel was new and super soundproof, so I didn't hear much of anything. Of course DH was up watching the storm from our balcony.(he should work for the Weather Channel) By late morning on Sat. the clouds had cleared and the rest of the weekend was beautiful! We toured around a lot this trip cause we'd never been there before. We had fun at Margaritaville and just did a bunch of beach vacation things. We're going back again for 3 nights in early Nov. Spirit Air had another $8.00 sale which came to $64.00 for both of us to fly RT after adding taxes and fees. Now you may wonder where I get all of this vaca time. Here's why...I no longer have a job. I was laid off on Thurs. due to a reduction in work-force. It didn't surprise me that we had a lay-off just that I was one of the chosen ones. But then again I knew that when I took that time off for the rad. therapy, and they survived without me that my days were probably numbered. I'm doing just fine though and know that things will work out for the best. My co-workers had become such a complaining and hateful bunch that I really won't miss that at all.

Have to take a break now, but I'll be back later!

 

[DisDee]

To catch up on the health front...I'm continuing PT in the pool and yesterday they added some "land" exercises. Mostly stretches with those thick rubber bands and some isometric exercises while on a therapy table. I feel that I've gotten a little stronger and more flexible, but I still have the knee pain. I did ask my Dr. if significant weight loss would ease the pain, and guess what...it would. I guess that's my "sign", but I've always known that anyway.

I'm feeling very agitated today. I think the fact that I lost my job is sinking in. I was so busy over the weekend that I didn't have time to dwell on it. Thankfully I'll receive 11 weeks severance pay. After that, I can collect unemployment and also take advantage of some training programs that they offer. At 55, I don't look forward to a new career, but we're still quite a number of years away from being ready to retire. I'd really like to get a job with a non-profit or other organization where I could make a difference in someone's life.

Now that I'm home again, I'll be able to cyber-visit you all more often. See you real soon!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Denise, I am so sorry about your lay off. Even though it sounds like your co workers were giant PITA, its never easy to have that happen. I am glad at least you got some severence and that you have some training available. Collect that unemployment and look for just the right thing!

Your beach vacation sounds wonderful, glad Hannah didn't mess it up!