String's Atkin's Journal (Please Comment)

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Hi Beth,

Glad to hear you are on the mend! Time with your dd and a nice peaceful walk sound awesome! I got hungry reading about your delicious food choices today...very healthy.

Take it easy now when you go back to work, don't overdo it. You want to be able to enjoy this summer....no relapses!

Glad your hubby Won is helping out...give him a for me...

Take care now,
Jean

 

[wilderness01]

Beth,

I have to backtrack, the unit I am on officially now (I worked it for years but was a "float) isn't like that either. For the first few shifts you would be taken care of coming back from an illness. Actually our charge nurses/coworkers really are great on my unit! My old unit they DUMPED on you. I came back early (too early with no doctor's release) and they floated me to an ortho floor to work as a tech. I had just had surgery a few weeks prior. They expected me to lift. Did I mention I had just had a c-section? I lasted a few hours and went home. I always take off 12 weeks but one of my coworkers begged me to come in for just that shift. I had been at a mandatory meeting earlier in the week. They made me come in for that even though I was on maternity leave. They promised me I could work in the nursery only. I figured that would be easy and I could kind of use the break from home. I had been on bedrest at the end of my pregnancy and was going a little stir crazy being in the house/hospital for so long. Well that didn't happen and the charge nurse on that day didn't care I had just had surgery just 2 weeks prior. Nor did the hospital supervisor. Until I mentioned I was working without a doctor's release and the hospital could get sued if I hurt myself. My doctor was furious when I fessed up what I did at my appointment 2 weeks later. I know it was stupid but again my coworker begged and I am a soft heart when someone is in need and put myself last. Never again have I done that. I learned and will never accept assignments that are physically too much now. I have had medical leaves since because of pneumonia and really limit myself when I return. If I don't look out for me, no one does. The same should apply to you Beth. Put yourself first. I always get sucked into the "you just have to help out, etc." when the hospital wouldn't fall down if I didn't show! It is a hard trap to get out of but don't let yourself get too consumed in that. Your health can't afford a relapse. Glad you are mending. Enjoy your weekend.

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Beth!
I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better! Please be sure to take it easy when you go back to work.

Your menus sound yummy! I agree that South Beach sounds like a good option for you. I have been thinking about trying it again myself.

I hope that you have a wonderful day today, Beth!

Tracy

 

[septbride2002]

I'm glad to hear that you are feeling better!

~Amanda

 

[vald1977]

Hi Beth,
I hope today finds you feeling happy and relaxed. Those good for you carbs sound great. Have a great day, Beth !

 

[Strings]

Well, I'm a fool. Probably most of you know that. My doctor said I could ease back into working out. Just walking at a moderate pace and no lifting. They are pouring new sidewalks in the neighborhood, so I went to the Y when I dropped Katie off. I got on the treaddie. Slow warm up everything is ok. I have no endurance what so ever. My stroll yesterday was at probably 2.5 mph. After warming up, I figured I would take it easy at 3.5 mph. Ugh, I lasted less than 5 minutes. Went down to 3mph and walked for 15 minutes at that. Total time 25 minutes, 1.37 miles. This is a huge kick in the rear for me. 2 weeks ago I was so proud of myself for doing an entire hour at 4 mph. I had even been doins some short bursts of running. Wake up call. Obviously, I tried to do too much too soon. I will continue to just stroll for now.

I had fun last night. I met a freind for coffee and a trip to the Disney Store. There is a major sale. I picked up 3 swim suits for Katie for next year at $5 each. I bought a thick sweat/warm up jacket for me with mickey, $15. Mugs were $4, I bought 4. Then Lynn and I went to Barnes & Noble, decf iced coffee, and talked about Harry Potter. The new title was released, and we are huge HP addicts. We spent time speculating over who the hald blood prince is. I think it is Goddric Gryfindor, if anyone cares. We are a sad pair of 33yos. Our night out is spent at the DS and talking about HP. I did pick up some light reading in their used book section, so I am set for the next couple of weeks.

Today is laundry day. Won is coming home for lunch. I am making turkey and cheese lettuce wraps and fresh veggies for dipping. Dinner will be steak with sauteed mushrooms, salad, and stir fried zucchini and summer squash.

Thanks to all for checking in on me. I'm sorry I didn't make it to all the journals yesterday. I will be hitting the boards later this afternoon and evening. Between folding laundry.

Have a good one,
Beth

 

[wilderness01]

Hey there now don't be so hard on yourself. And you are not a fool. You thought you had more endurance that is all. No harm no foul. Actually it is good that you don't have as much as you thought or you might be going fullforce at the Y again before you should! Right? It will take a while to get all your strength back. It took me awhile on Monday because I took the weekend off and I wasn't sick/HOSPITALIZED!!!! Don't push it Beth, RN or you will relapse right? I know you know that, but we don't always follow what we know is right for us. It is hard being out of control isn't it? I know it is for me when I am not up to par. Have a restful weekend.

 

[LAinSEA]

Beth:
Lung capacity after pnemonia is very little - it will take you a while to build it back up again. Make sure they give you an X-ray to make sure all that gunk is gone. Your overall fitness probably has not diminished - you could do weights just fine. Aerobic stuff you need to go slow. You might be able to jog in the pool easier than on the treddie. Take Katie in with you and let her hang on your shoulders and kick her legs behind you - good resistance. I did this with my niece when I was recovering the first couple of times with pnemonia.

New Harry Potter book? Where? When? love HP too! Can't wait to devour the new book.

I tried the homemade iced coffee this am. Need to brew it stronger and then put it in the fridge like ice tea. Tasted good until the ice melted away.

Weekend is here - well almost.

-Laurie

 

[CheapMom]

Beth-
Nobody thinks you are fool. I think I can speak for everyone here when I say we are all amazed by your strength and dedication. If you read back over your journal you will see a strong, caring, committed person making excellent choices for her family and herself.
Take it easy on yourself. Please don't push yourself. I could NEVER do 4 mph for an hour. If I do 3.3 for 40 minutes I am WAY proud. You will work back up to your old workouts but PLEASE do it slowly and listen to your body.
Have a great weekend-
Mary

 

[DoeWDW]

Dear Beth, you are far from a fool!! Laurie's post made a lot of sense! Your lung function is diminished - not able to exchange enough oxygen to sustain your muscles for a long aerobic workout. Take her advice and I think you'll be feeling better soon.

You got new books! Good for you! Summer is such a great time to kick back and read, especially when you're supposed to be resting and recovering! I may hit the library to check out that James Patterson book you raced through. Thanks for sharing the titles of what you're reading!

Have a relaxing and restful weekend, filled with good times with Won & Katie!

 

[lulu202]

Good morning, Beth! Remember me? Sorry that I'm not keeping up with journals like I should, but please know that you're never too far from my thoughts.

How are you feeling? I hope you've been taking it easy and letting yourself heal. Pneumonia is nothing to mess around with.
I'm glad that you're changing your work schedule. . .your body is telling you--in every way that it can--that you need to cut yourself some slack!

I hope your 4th is lots of fun for you, Katie, and Won. Kick back and enjoy!

,
Erin

 

[Strings]

We've been experiencing techical difficulties at the Kim household. Won got me back online last night.

The weekend has been great so far. I took Katie for a swim yesterday. We've napped.We went to fireworks last night. Katie did great. We went for a walk all over the golf course. She had a great time She made lots of friends. We also brought a bunch of glow sticks. Katie felt she haad too many, so she became the glowstick girl, her superhero name. She went around to kids without and gave away all but 2 of her glow sticks. She loved the fireworks,but felt the ones at WDW are better. She's my kid alright.

I received a phone call on Friday. It was from administration. I was informed that they were scheduling me to work Christmas,since I won't be working my contracted day of July 4th. Over my dead body. I called my boss. I have to go in for the 4 hours I'm scheduled on the actual 4th. I'll be doing chart reviews. No pt contact. She also promises, I'll be magically cancelled for midnights. Actually there are 9 scheduled for midnights, so I'm not needed anyways. I plan on taking another nap tonight, and I will sleep in tomorrow. Won doesn't work tomorrow, so he will take Kate to daycamp.

I weighed in for the July 4th challenge. I knew even before I got sick that I wouldn'y make my goal. I am still at 215. No change from before I got sick. I'm pretty happy with maintaining. I also lost 2 inches, so all is not lost.

I'm only going to get to a few journals today. I need to head to mass. We're having lunch with Katie's godmother. Then nap and work. I'm sending goodvibes to all for a safe and happy 4th.

Beth

I

 

[DoeWDW]

HOORAY for Won - your technical guru!!! Glad he got you reconnected!

Sounds like you had a fabulous day yesterday!! Katie sounds like such a sweetie - Glowstick Girl!! I can imagine a superhero cape that glows - she'd LOVE that! My DD made the same comment about fireworks last night - fun but not as good as Disney's.

The work thing - working on the 4th doing chart review for 4 hours doesn't sound too terrible and you're resting up lots. That's a pretty good trade-off for Christmas day off. I hope it goes well, the time passes quickly and it doesn't tire you out too much. Sounds like they are working with you on scheduling - a good thing!

With all you've been going through, maintaining is amazing AND you've lost inches!!! YAY, BETH!!

Take good care of you, Beth! You are so worth it!!

 

[wilderness01]

Glad your boss will work with you and give you a low. I would work the 4th any day over Christmas day. Hope you are continuing with a speedy recovery. Happy 4th of July!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Beth,
I am glad that your boss let you come in and do a four hour shift on the 4th instead of working Christmas. That's wonderful that Christmas will be free for you.

It sounds like you are continuing to feel better. I hope that you are still taking it easy and relaxing. We are WISHing you a super fast recovery!

Have a wonderful Monday, Beth!

Tracy

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Hi Beth,

Hope your day at work went ok. My day wasn't too terrible. Imagine trying to tell you that you had to work Christmas...please...gimme a break!

My laptop is having issues too...see my journal for the gory details. At least I have the Internet...my hubby works nights and sleeps days so I hate to be typing away on the desktop in our bedroom while he's snoozing.

Aerobic fitness takes a while to return after a layoff, but it will so don't be discouraged. Try some nice slow strength training in the meantime...I have found that my strength is quicker to return than my cardiac fitness.

Have a great day. It's raining here in MA but I feel pretty good and I'm staying off the scale!

 

[vald1977]

Hi Beth,
Just wanted to stop by and wish you a good evening .

 

[Strings]

Well, I am wiped out. Yep, you guessed it. Nothing went as planned. We had 3 call-ins. I ended up working 12 hours with a patient assignment. I had the easiest assignment, but we had 4 codes and 17 vents. I also didn't bring food for 12 hours. I ended up having a burger,no bun, and wilted salad for dinner. I came home and crashed for 6 hours, was up for 3, than back to bed at 8pm. I slept until 7AM..I feel hung over,so I am pushing my water. I also went for a 2 mile walk. I need to pick up Kate from camp, so I'll hit journals this afternoon.

I need opinions. I haven't touched my bear since I got sick. I am still doing lc. I was off program 1 day, but I am doing higher carbs than I had planned for this time in my journey. What would you guys suggest?

Beth

 

[Castillo Mom]

Beth, I say bring back the bear! You've been through extenuating circumstances, so of course you have to adjust your diet to those situations. Go for it, get that bear back, you've more than earned it.

 

[DoeWDW]

Beth, we can plan our journey but circumstances change. You've done a wonderful job of adjusting to the curves that Life has thrown at you.

I say bring back the bear!! You've earned it!!