Saturday, September 26, 2009

The BIg Sixty

It has been a while since I blogged here. First let me say I had a birthday since then. I am now 60 years old. I am thankful to be able to say, I am healthier at 60 than I was at 50.
I realized this year that John and I have become the older generation our family. With the passing of his Dad in January, it became official. Then this summer one of my cousin's husband passed away and I felt it again.
I have lost 105 pounds. I was feeling discouraged because I had been losing so well, then last April it seemed to come to a halt. My dietitian tried switching a variety of things, each of which worked for two weeks, then nothing. Since the beginning of April (5 months) I have lost 21 pounds. My goal was to reach the 100 pound mark by my birthday and I am happy that I accomplished it.
Reaching that milestone was a lot of hard work and I was disappointed I did not see progress in other areas. I am still on all of my meds, my back still hurt and the sleep apnea is still going on.
Then the weekend before my birthday we went to Regent University in Virginia Beach. We go every year. Last year when we went, I could not walk very far without having to stop to sit and rest my aching back. This year, I saw a dramatic improvement. I was able to walk everywhere without having to stop without terrible pain. For me to see that contrast from last year was so encouraging.
Last time when I saw my chiropractor he treated me in an entirely new way than he had ever done before, concentrating on my lower back. I believe this is what finally made the difference. Yes, all of what I have been doing is helping, but that is like the final push I needed to see improvement. He says we will continue that line of treatment.
I am still going to the gym five days a week. I work with a personal trainer twice a week. On the day I work with her alone, we concentrate on my back, abs and core. The day I work with her with a friend we do arms and legs mostly.
I saw my primary doctor this week and my blood pressure was 124/68 - the lowest it has been in years. I am hoping if it is low again when I see him in December he will let me decrease some of my BP medications.
I have finally found a new sleep doctor. I see her on October 8th for the first time. She can read the Smart Card in my sleep machine, which is one thing I was looking for in a sleep doctor. I am hoping she will work out for me. I am still having trouble sleeping, even with the machine. I get up once or twice a night for a pit stop and have trouble getting back to sleep - sometimes for hours.
I think that about catches things up with me and my health.
My precious grandson had his 6th birthday and is now in first grade. We saw him open his gifts and took his family to dinner. Guess where he wanted to eat? The Sushi place!!!