For the first time in decades, I was awake to watch the Times Square ball drop on TV. It wasn't because I stuck to some well thought-out plan, like taking a nap in the afternoon. It was because I've been sticking to the resolutions I made this past September. While getting ready to "street me" at the end of my unplanned visit to Atrium Health University City in Charlotte, I was given a long list of instructions to follow. Celia took careful notes. Angel and her husband, Chad, went to the supermarket to pick up foods that made up my new diet. They then went to the pharmacy to pick up the first set of meds prescribed by both of my new doctors. They refused to take a dime for all of the things they bought that day. And they a lot! Enough to fill my refrigerator, my freezer, my pantry, AND my medicine cabinet. I'm still trying to think of a way to pay them back. Now, back to the resolutions. I was told watch my sodium intake. So I've become an expert at reading labels in the grocery store. It was quite depressing to find out that I have to swear off the deli counter in Publix. I was also advised to keep tabs on my level of physical exertion until my stress test that's supposed to happen later this month. My first visit to my cardiologist was an event I'll never forget. Although he looked like a man who's seen it all, he took one look at me and asked why did I take so long to seek medical attention. He then hosted my latest "come to Jesus moment". (I was getting a lot of those during that time.) I don't think Dr. V held out much hope for me. Not because he though my condition was dire. I probably looked like a person who lacked the fortitude, and follow-through, undertake the changes necessary to get back to some level of normalcy. What he didn't know about me is that once I set my mind to do something, a bulldog determination takes hold of every fiber of my being. And one of the things that triggers that state is when it's suggested that I can't do something. With the zeal of a new believer, I dove into my new regimen, with shockingly positive results. My heart guy is happy. He noticed some major changes at my follow up visits. My wife is happy. Angel and Chad are happy. And most important, I'm happy too! I have an appointment with Dr. V on this Tuesday. I also have an appointment with my general practitioner. She hasn't seen me since my initial visit in October. I can't wait to see their reactions. I'm not expecting them to take me off of my meds. I've come to terms with the fact that I'll be taking between 10-12 pills a days for the rest of my life. What I'm hoping for is a pat on the back for sticking to my New Life Resolutions! But wait... there's more!
2 Comments
Fred
1/6/2020 09:48:24 am
Hurray for you, Ken. I know of your mindset to do something and your bulldog determination. It helped me get my GED;). You have great support, so the combination of surrendering your will, and putting your trust in family and doctors will surely give you good results. There's a guy I like you to google. Dr. Gary Null. He's into natural remedies. Also, if you don't mind, can you speak on what exactly are you eating to get the results? What is considered a good sodium level, and those 'come to jesus" moments. I know I should have ran to jesus when #45 was elected;). Again, I so happy for you and if anybody can do the things needed to live a reasonable normal life, it's you. It's a little more harder for me. But nothing beats a failure but a try.
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Ken
1/7/2020 06:59:14 am
Fred - Thanks for kind words and encouragement. When you shared a similar story re: health, you gave me hope that all was not lost! I'll be happy to about my regimen in my next blog post. But for now, they have me on a 1500mg/day sodium limit. Double-check that number in your case. Also, I've become militant in reading nutritional labels on foods. You'll be surprised how much sodium is in stuff we eat every day. I'll also check out Dr. Gary Null. Thanks for the recommendation! Talk to you soon!
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About the AuthorAs owner of the Descant Music & Media Group, Ken is a creator and producer of several podcast shows. He is also a music producer, as well as a writer and an accountant for small businesses and nonprofits. Archives
June 2020
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