Quick post

[BirdbyBird]

Is there a dietitian that you can work with or talk to before you leave the hospital? Lifestyle changes are difficult and being armed with good information about what foods are what would be a strong start. Sleep apnea can also do a number on your glucose. Sounds as if you are getting aimed in the right direction for success. The silver lining of all this is that you and Kelly will now be working together and supporting each other in making positive choices. Kelly, I am thinking that means no more Pecan Rolls for mom for awhile.....

[retiredhappy]

Another past smoker here. In addition to the health benefits, think of how much you'll be saving!!

My diabetes diagnosis was a wake up call for me to change my eating habits. I understand its not easy but the alternative is worse. Take baby steps. Quit sodas - they're so high in sugar and the sugar free are full of chemicals and they're addictive. Sugar free tea with Stevia for sweetness. 1% milk instead of 2%, etc. Little steps add up over time. Find healthier snacks than chips that are loaded with salt especially with your high blood pressure. Time to bite the bullet and grow up kiddo. I've been there so I do understand but you're the only one who can be responsible for your own health.

OK, enough lecturing.

[Travelinana]

Echo, I'm just now read your post...so great to hear directly from you. On the 'quit smoking' mantra, I quit 30 years ago and did it cold turkey, did chew lots of gum. I have a friend who was probably a 2 pack a day if she would admit it, 4 months ago she started wearing the patch and got an electronic cigarette. She has kicked the habit and immediately her color improved, her terrible cough is gone so there is proof that immediately the body starts the healing process. My prayers for both you and Kelly on your way to a much, much better life.

[mizdeb]

Echo it is so good to hear from you although Kelly did a great job of keeping us up to date on your progress. I switched to electronic cigs a year and a half ago. Pulmonologist said it was Ok to use them. I use it more as a pacifier now. Very little nicotine and NO chemicals at all. I to havemild COPD and feel so much better than before. Without them I would have never quit.

[Barbzeee]

Echo.. so glad to read you are on the mend....and yep..Sleep Apnea can do some mighty nasty stuff and I have several friends lately that have been diagnosed with it... I had that test done as that's something lately on the big rise.. but seems a lot of heart patients kind of goes hand and hand..

The smoking part..well I've been smokeless for mmm let me think..close to 40 years and I did it cold salami LOL.. had to say that cause I'm Italian...hahaha...Turkey ya know !!! and it's not easy and as far as diet..well it's like the rest of us.. hard to stay on but in moderation.. I do good for awhile but then I have them ooops.. and with me being a (I love this term) borderline diabetic..guess I walk the line kind of... but I have cut back drastically on that...but every now and then...oops..

But seriously... you know what you have to do .. nobody has to bend your ear.. Your Life..and it's Up to YOU..but you have company so...Sistah.. You ain't alone..got it !!

Kelly if you is peeking in... You got time to make the change and get your life back and get on a good road to travel..cause you see what's happened to your MOM.. We are all here for you as well...got that !!!!

Ok, I'm stepping off that box..just know that I care and hope you have no more issues...and get home and feel better..

Like Lori said, you might check into SS disability.. check with the hospital hr person they might be able to help you too...

Take care and Get it together Woman !!!

God Bless Ya Both

Zeee and Critters 3...

[Echo]

[quote="BirdbyBird"] Kelly, I am thinking that means no more Pecan Rolls for mom for awhile..... [/quote

Dang Tina!! Sure am glad that I ate my pinwheels last night!!!!

It for sure is gonna take some retraining. For myself my biggest downfall is over eating. I don't do a lot of snack type stuff, I don't do soda, can't remember the last time I had a Pepsi. Nor can I remember the last time I had a beer. I know that I've had a beer since we've been home but we've been home since ? March. When she and I start this it will truly be a re-training, a re-learning.

We will need to learn how to grocery shop and will need to learn to cook healthy. Good thing we have internet. We are gonna need to find some healthy recipes.

Cold Salami!!

[Redetotry]

Eating well does take time and planning so you don't get a Mac attack Here is a link from the Mayo Clinic about a Mediterranean diet. I know there are many others but this is a start that will give you some ideas and you can go from there. Lots of good information and recipes online. Also good mult-vitamin would probably be good for you and Kelly. Take care and think a better new life is just ahead!!

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/medite ... et/CL00011

[Sandersmr]

Echo - it may be easier to concentrate on one change at a time. I've done WW off and on for years - more off than on lately. But I know that sometimes it's easier to focus on one facet until it comes more naturally. I know in your case, smoking and cholesterol management are going to be your biggies. Focus on those while not so much on the overeating. The thing is the diet for high cholesterol is going to have you focusing on more healthy eating anyway so you are bound to lose weight.

[Gentleladybear]

Don't let this just be a "let's talk about it on the forum" but actually get in there and do it. I have sleep apnea and you can get use to that mask on your face at night. If I lay down, I pop that mask on my face. I had an inverter put in my motorhome so I could use the cpap if I am dry camping. I never smoked, but did have a few drinks. So have cut out the alcohol no matter the type, cutting back on breads (ie carbs) and again this summer I have lost almost 15 pounds. I walk some, ride my bike when I can and drink a ton of water. I now drink only two cups or less of coffee. But as someone said earlier it has to be small steps to really make a big difference.

You can talk about it, but it takes real determination and an enjoyment of living to make the difference. Bottom line you are in the position to make changes or plan to let your life be over. I am not ready to check out of here yet.

See you have sistas on her that will call it like it is...

[Echo]

Don't let this just be a "let's talk about it on the forum" but actually get in there and do it. I have sleep apnea and you can get use to that mask on your face at night. If I lay down, I pop that mask on my face. I had an inverter put in my motorhome so I could use the cpap if I am dry camping. I never smoked, but did have a few drinks. So have cut out the alcohol no matter the type, cutting back on breads (ie carbs) and again this summer I have lost almost 15 pounds. I walk some, ride my bike when I can and drink a ton of water. I now drink only two cups or less of coffee. But as someone said earlier it has to be small steps to really make a big difference.

You can talk about it, but it takes real determination and an enjoyment of living to make the difference. Bottom line you are in the position to make changes or plan to let your life be over. I am not ready to check out of here yet.

See you have sistas on her that will call it like it is...

Not gonna have much choice in it. I am either gonna have to change my ways or else. I would like to live more than just a couple of more years so if changing will give me the extra time I'm gonna do it. And for sure I know it's not gonna be easy. Found out today that I will have to limit my intake of spinach, brussel sprouts which I imagine others here know about if they take Coumadin. I've been a butt sitter and to tell you the truth it's gonna be hard to get up and get moving again tho I don't mind working. Would much rather work than exercise. But that that will be changing too. Time to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

[Bethers]

Really good to hear you say that, Echo. This is your third major hospitalization in 4 years. You can't know the next one won't be the last if you don't take these steps. And, believe me, there's lots of really good foods you can eat in almost any quantities, and still help. I took my triglycerides down last summer (from way, way high) to in the normal range, strictly by diet. Easy? No. Necessary, yes. You can do it. You both can. If you truly have the desire to do it.

Wishing you all the luck - like many others, I quit smoking (and I was a pretty heavy smoker) and did it cold turkey. I had said I'd quit many times, but it was the determination and really making up my mind that worked for me. You have a lot more incentive than I did. So I know you can do it!

[Readytogo]

With this motivation you'll do fine with lifestyle changes. When I was up there I walked way down the parkway in Pigeon Forge. There is a lot to look at along the way and it is flat (until you get to the Smokey Mtns!) Not to make light but I can easily cut back on spinach and especially brussels spouts! Wendy

[Echo]

Have totally reread this entire thread causeI had to check on this posting to get some dates.

I know that I read it before? But it didn't stick in my mind and I forgot a lot of the postings.

I have no idea what I have done in this life to deserve knowing such a wonderful, thoughtful and loving group of women.

There is no way to begin to cover all the owed thank yous, for all the well wishes. The care and concern. The support for Kelly. And most of all, Thank You for all the prayers.

It will take the rest of my life to pay this forward!!!!

[ali1257]

Echo I have asked myself that many times...why am I so blessed in this life with good friends and people who love and care about me...and I have learned to say "why shouldn't I be blessed and loved on."

Each of us struggle in our own ways and I believe God blesses us in ways he knows we need. One of those ways for me is with friends who I can call on to pray for me, who bless me in surprising ways and ways I would never expect.

Have a great night.

[Carolinagal]

Echo, how are you doing ??? I know not smoking is hard hope you're managing. I quit 10yrs ago, not easy but I was determined, and won. Hoping you win too!!!, Kelly with you on that? been thinking about you , and looked for an update, I'm so far behind in reading post, so missed it if there is one.

Hope your doing well with your efforts in your change of lifestyle, and that your gaining more strength each day, wishing you the very best .

Take care, See you in Fl,


CArol