Day 54 - Surgeon visit, hospital photos, and Food!

April 3, 2012

Author's Note: This post has been done for a couple days but sitting in my "drafts" waiting to be published. Don't ask why, I have no idea.

It's been almost a week since my last post. It seems the better I get the less I post on my blog. I start doing more things around the house and time gets away from me. And this made me spend a little time thinking. Once I'm "better" and there's no real recovery news, what do I post? Well, I've got a few things bouncing around in my brain that might make it into a blog post. Either that or they will damage the inside of my head. Hehe.

Anyway, on to the recovery news, pictures, and more pictures.

As for recovery news, I had a real good visit with my heart surgeon last Thursday, March 29. Dr. Sowden checked out my stiches, heart, and lungs. We had a little chat about how I was feeling. He said I made him look good with how well the surgery went and how well I am doing in recovery. I think he probably says that to all his patients.

We also had a chance to get some answers to a couple questions, like how long do I need to wait before getting back in the waterbed. He said I should be fine in the waterbed so I'm giving that a shot later this week.

Rehab has been going very good as well. I'm starting to feel like I want to push myself a little more though. According to the techs my numbers are good but on the days when I work up a little sweat I think I feel better than on the days when I just sort of maintain. So today I'm going to try and push up a level on most of the equipment. Just one level, nothing crazy.

I took some more pictures of the new Parkview Regional hospital last week. The top picture shows the Heart Institute on the left, Medical Park 11 in the middle, and the main hospital on the right.

 

The middle picture is the same buildings but from the other side, Medical Park 11 on the left, Heart Institute in the middle, and main hospital on the right.

 

 The bottom picture shows how far down the complex goes. All those buildings to the right of the main hospital are connected to each other.

 

Everything is connected with large hallways and you almost can't tell they are separate buildings. I'm not even sure they really are except they look like it externally. 

Hey, how about some pictures of all the food I've been eating. Note: This is not all from one day. Haha!

Pasta is always good

What, still only 2 pieces? Wah! LOL

Asian pot stickers. These were good!

Chicken & noodles, Mashed Potatoes, and Carrots. Nomnom

Mesquite Chicken with Mashed Red Potatoes

Gelato (Italian Ice Cream) at Parkview. Oh my, that was good.

Woot! Taco Bell. My first since sometime in January.

Lemon Herb Chicken. It says so right there in the picture :)

Dinner at Parkview on State. Soup, Beef & Mac, and Veggies.

Oatmeal and a bagel

Subway Black Forest Ham sub

Chicken and Broccoli stir fry made by Kristin. I helped a little

Asian Chicken with Veggies. Another good microwave entree.

Day 48 - So how much does heart surgery cost?

March 28, 2012

Covering a couple days news here. Food pictures are being held for the next post.

As the subject line says, So how much does heart surgery cost? We'll get to that in a minute. First, rehab news. And no cheating by skipping down a few paragraphs. lol

So yesterday I had rehab. It went okay from my perspective. The Airdyne bike gives me the best work out. Megan, one of my rehab techs, says that an airdyne bike gives a better workout than any other piece of equipment. And I believe it. The airdyne can either be used for your arms or your legs. I'm currently doing 3 minutes with my arms and am at level 0.6. With my legs I'm doing 7 minutes and reaching level 1.5. I don't know exactly how the level is determined but it reflects the amount of "work" or "energy" you are expending.

I also lifted some weights. A whole 3 pounds in each hand. Haha. Sadly, by the time I'm done with my 3 minute weightlifting, they feel more than 3 pounds. O_O I only get through about three-fourths of the exercises on the board but the techs have said they will be increasing the amount of time I'm allowed to do weights so I'll get to do the entire board eventually.

I also walk around the track and use a NuStep recumbent cross trainer. I get a decent workout from the cross trainer. Walking is at my pace so I can't say that's too hard or too easy.

But enough of my rehab info. Let's get to the stuff you really wanted to see. So, how much does open heart surgery cost these days?

Well, my situation is a little unique although maybe not as much as I think. If I hadn't had as much blockage as I did, I would have had a couple stents put in and been out of the hospital probably a week sooner than I was. Unfortunately, my left coronary artery had blockage on a couple of the "branches", one had 100% blockage and another had 90% at the top and 70% further down. It was the 100% and 90% blockage that was the problem, if I remember all of it correctly. So open heart surgery was the only other option. And from the reports I've got from my insurance company, that isn't cheap.

As of March 26, 2012, the total cost of my "visit" to the hospital has bee $182,450.30. Yes, you read that correctly, One hundred eighty-two thousand four-hundred fifty dollars and thirty cents. I'm glad I had insurance.

The Heart Institute visit cost $4,821.00. Surgery and related costs were $175,128.28. Post-op visits, etc. - $1,769.00. Drugs have cost $2,501.02 so far. I hope to be getting off of some of the drugs I'm taking in a few months. But I'll still be on the full batch until at least 3 months from now when I get my heart checked to see how the arteries and capillaries are doing.

And there will be more costs still. I have the rehab that I'm sure isn't free. Plus follow-up doctor appointments, blood work for cholesterol, an ultrasound to check my heart, drugs, etc.

Well, there it is. The cost of heart surgery here in northeast Indiana. Obviously that cost can be more or less depending on where you live. And that cost is without any discounts negotiated by your insurance company. Mine insurance company had discounts. The cost was still well over $100,000 but not the full $182k.

Next time we'll get back to pictures of food, more rehab news, and an update from my post-op visit with Dr. Sowden, my heart surgeon.

Day 33 - Critters, food, and my missing...

March 14, 2012

A few posts back I mentioned I was going to post a picture of my roommies. I am unable to sleep in the waterbed like Lisa so we had to rent me one of those electric reclining chairs. The kind that will also lift you out if you need the help. We had this chair put in the family room so we could close the door and keep the dogs from trying to jump on my lap. That isn't so much an issue now since I've healed quite a bit but in the early days of being back home it was definitely a concern.

Soooo, I've got these three little fellas I share the family room sleeping space with; Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. Yes, those are indeed rats in that picture. These are not the kind you would find roaming the streets though. They were bred in Ohio by Raffinhouse Rattery and their litter is registered with the North American Rat Registry. I plan on getting them individually registered with the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association this Spring.

They are all Russian Blue Seal Point colored. Alvin and Simon are black eyed Dwarves (they are about half the size of Theo). Theodore is a ruby eyed Dumbo (standard size but with really large ears). They are super friendly and very funny. They like to climb around like monkeys. LOL

Alvin and Theodore are on the bottom, Theo is the one on the left. Simon is on the top.

Yesterdays menu was fairly simple. Blueberry shredded wheat for breakfast. Tilapia, rice, and pasta for lunch. Fish sticks, green beans, pineapple, and milk for supper.

The temperature here has been great for outdoor stuff. It got into the 70's today. Made it so nice. I was able to go outside with Lisa and the dogs to get some fresh air. Lisa and I went for a walk in the afternoon as well. Again it was just around the neighborhood but it is so refreshing. And I know the fresh outdoor air does me a lot of good as I continue to heal.

Last but not least, sometime during the first couple weeks of being home I commented to Lisa about freezing my butt off in the hospital and I still seemed to be cold very often at home. Basically still freezing my butt off. She said that yes, I seemed to have lost my butt. Well, it's been several weeks since then and my butt has not returned so I guess we are going to have to head over to the hospital one of these days and visit every place I was where I may have lost my butt.

There's only a few places it can be: Cath lab, surgery, telemetry unit 3. Hmm, I wonder if it might be at the lost & found???

Day 32 - Recovery & Food! & other Stuff!

March 13, 2012

Well it looks like I missed a few days posting. Nothing real exciting has happened since the last post.

Saturday night we had pizza. Yes, PIZZA!!! Yay!!! I was excited until I realized I only got two pieces. Yes. Two. Pieces. Sad panda.

It was a healthy pizza. Not sure of the brand or anything. Lisa and Kristin picked it up at the store. That's how I know it's healthy. I do know it was chicken something or other. And it was good. All two pieces. hehe.

Look how empty my plate looks. There really needs to be at least a third piece on there. Hahaha.

We had company for dinner. They didn't get much. In fact, I'm not sure they got anything. I guess that might explain the sad faces. Those aren't sad panda faces though. They are sad puppy-dog faces.

Sunday we all went out for my Father-in-laws birthday. We went to Flanagan's Pub for dinner. I had the Sicilian Chicken. It was good. I had enough left over for lunch on Monday. Lisa, Kristin, and I shared a quesadilla for an appetizer. That was really good.

After we got home and let the dog out, Lisa and I went to Lakeside Park which is near our house. Since the temperature was in the upper 60's, we decided it was a good idea for me to get in a walk. And the park seemed like a good place for that.

That's all the news I have for today. I've got rehab later today. Only have the one this week. The rehab folks and all of their stuff are moving from the location near us to the new regional hospital that is located further out north. I'm a little bummed out about that. They are only 5 minutes away from where we live now. When they get moved they will be about 20 minutes away. But I'll get over it.

I'm hoping we have some nice weather the rest of the week so I can go walk at the park again. Or even just around the neighborhood.

Day 27 - Menu and recovery news

March 8, 2012

I'm going to combine both the menu and recovery posts today, mostly because I only have one picture for the menu. Hehe.

Breakfast consisted of a bowl of cereal while watching "Holmes on Homes" on the HGTV channel. Yup, I went real light on the breakfast this morning. It was a rehab day and we needed to get moving a little earlier so we didn't feel rushed like Tuesday. Not only that but we also wanted to eat lunch at Parkview so we really had to get moving earlier than Tuesday.

For lunch I had a Turkey Burger, Macaroni salad, and pickle spear at Parkview. I also got a Spinach Chicken Salad wrap to go.

Dinner was the Spinach Chicken Salad wrap and leftover Chicken and Noodles from the other day. With a glass of CranRaspberry juice. I had a Blueberry muffin for desert.

I had a decent day at rehab. Six minutes each on four different machines. All working the legs. Lisa and Kristin didn't feel like walking the track with me today so I opted to use the treadmill instead. That was the fourth machine.

I was able to increase the wattage output I had on each machine above Tuesdays which is a positive. Wattage is the measurement method they use at rehab. The more wattage, the more you "worked". I worked enough today to get a little sweat going. Not much as they don't want you to work too hard but enough to know that I was working. My blood pressure at the end was also very good. 102 over 65. All in all a good day.

Day 26 - Recovery news

March 7, 2012

Today was another one of those days where I seemed "Sloooow".

The day didn't start that way. But as the day wore on it seemed as if I moved slower and slower. I know, I'm supposed to have days like this. It just always feels weird when I do.

It was most noticeable when Lisa and I went to the grocery. We decided to take a little walk at the strip mall where the grocery is located. It was a really nice day out with the temperature over 60 degrees so a walk sounded like a good idea. We got to the half way point from the grocery to the other end of the strip where we decided to turn around. Probably a good thing as by the time we got back to the car I was walking as slow "as a snail" according to Lisa. I could tell I was moving slow as I couldn't keep up with Lisa which isn't the norm.

After we got back home, I realized I needed a rest, something I have not been needing on most days. I reclined in my "bed" for an hour or so. I napped some. I snored according to Kristin. Guess I was tired, eh?

One good thing about the day. We found a used cardio treadmill at a store in the mall. After doing a little research online it sounds like this is a pretty good deal for a home treadmill. We're going back down to the store tomorrow or Friday and if it's still there we're going to go ahead and get it. We'll put it in Kristin's old playroom after a little cleaning in there. A home treadmill is probably just the thing to go along with my rehab.

I've got rehab again tomorrow. I'm hoping today's walk doesn't affect me tomorrow. I don't think it will if I get enough sleep. I just hope I don't sleep in late again. That always seems to put me in a funk of some kind. Maybe that is making me feel "Slow" as well. Hmm.

Day 24 & 25 - Recovery

March 5 & 6, 2012

Making a double post today for recovery news. Hopefully I get the menu back on track tomorrow. I've forgot to take pictures a couple. Whoopsies!

Monday Lisa and I went to Glenbrook Mall near our house so I could get some walking in. We did a little window shopping while we were at it. Also stopped at the Starbucks and got a Latte'. It was a nice and relaxing time.

Today I had my first "real" day of rehab. I got on three different machines, each working the lower part of my body. That's where my focus will be for the next few weeks until my breastbone is fully healed. That should be at about eight weeks after surgery. I did each machine for six minutes then moved to the next machine. Six minutes is where they started me at but it seemed very easy to go that long. They will move me up over time.

I then walked for six minutes around the track. Lisa and Kristin were able to walk with me. Kristin set the pace so I wouldn't go too slow. LOL. She set a pace that felt good and kept me moving.

Throughout my exercising the technicians would check me blood pressure. It didn't jump too high. I think the highest I heard was 120 over 60 or around there. I wasn't paying real close attention since they have televisions mounted on the wall. Haha. Of course, they have me on a heart monitor the entire time.

Cya until next time!

Day 23 - Recovery

March 4, 2012

Thought I'd post an update on my incisions just so those of you who are interested and not freaked out by that stuff can see the progress. I'll post the incision pictures at a small setting. Maybe that will help not freak everyone out. Click on the picture to see it closer.

First, as I said a while back, all the dogs seem to be taking turns checking up on me. Here is Spring Hill taking her turn.

Next, I've got a picture of my arm incision. Most of the glue is gone and the incision is healing up nicely. Not sure if all the redness will fade but most of it should. Right now I can still feel a little "tightness" when I turn my arm a certain way thanks to the little bit of glue that is still there.

Last, I've got a picture that I debated not even posting. It's one of my chest incision. There are several scabs from when the incision was seeping blood after I came home. The scabs are stuck to the glue which hasn't all come loose yet. The glue is starting to let loose though so we've got good progress there. It still hurts when I laugh though.

Day 19 - Recovery

February 29, 2012

Today I had my first day at rehab. Easy day. Seriously. And I'm glad for that.

We (Lisa came with me, she is my chauffeur) met Megan and Jim at the Parkview Cardio Rehab Unit. It's on the ground floor of the Heart Institute. Megan then took us to a consultation room to go over what rehab consists of, asked lots of questions, answered our questions, and some other general stuff. All the administration type stuff you have to go through before you can begin to rehabilitate. LOL

So after we got through all of that, Megan took me to the locker room where I got to put on a heart monitor. Oh boy, I've had once of these on before. For days on end! Fortunately the ones at rehab are a lot lighter than the ones I had to wear before. Thinking back on the day I now realize they also had a lot less wires which probably explains the lighter weight.

After I got the monitor on, we came back out to the exercise area and Jim activated the monitor I was wearing. Megan then took my other vitals. After that it was off to the races. Well okay, it wasn't exactly racing speed but Lisa and I walked around the track at a decent pace. They had me walk six minutes and gave me a counter I clicked for every lap I made. We (Lisa and I) walked seven laps in 6 minutes. Not bad, I guess. We both felt like we were walking faster than we had last week at the mall so that feels like a good thing.

Megan then walked me through the cool-down exercises and we finished up my first day of rehab. My next day is March 6th, one month since my surgery.

After that we went and got some lunch at the cafeteria. Some more walking. Haha. And that was quite a walk from the Heart Institute to the cafeteria. And then back again after eating. They still have good food there. I had the stuffed peppers with corn. Lisa had a turkey wrap with potato salad. I was going to get a wrap to go before we left but they close between 2:00 and 5:00 so no wrap for lunch tomorrow. We'll keep that in mind next time we are there.

After we got back home I noticed my back was bothering me a little bit. I told Lisa I was going to take a little rest in the family room. It turned into a two hour nap. My body knows how to talk to me. It just shuts down and says "Nap time"!

We had dinner a little after I got up from my nap. We had a visitor too. Georgia the bodyguard. Hehe.

Wow, I just realized today marks 30 days since my heart attack. Wow, it all seems so...surreal, in a way. Just over a month ago I thought I was "normal" in my health. Little did I know there was something going on inside that I didn't expect. Thank the Lord he got me through it. With lots of love and prayers from family and friends. Bless all of you out there.

More recovery news soon!

Day 18 - Recovery

February 28, 2012 - The Recovery day 18

Today I had my first follow-up visit with someone from my heart surgeons group. I met with Dr. Sowden's nurse practitioner Kim. First I had a nurse that checked all my vitals, checked both incisions, did the nurse stuff.

Then we met with Kim and she listened to my lungs and heart, checked my incisions, and asked much of the same questions that I've answered before. Basically about how I am feeling, any issues with breathing etc. Everything is going good based on what she sees and hears.

I found out a couple of the things going on with me are related to the surgery and should clear up in time.

For one, I seem to get cold when I shouldn't. I'll walk into a room and ask Lisa why it is cold. Checking the thermometer, the temperature is between 70 and 75. Okay, not as cold as I thought. This could be from my nerves healing or possibly from the anesthesia that is still in my system. The anesthetic will take about a month to get fully out of my system. 

The other is my back. It seems to begin aching whenever it feels like it. This stems from a couple things. First, I am sleeping in a recliner for now until my breastbone fuses back together. Our waterbed is not real easy to get out of and I may cause more damage than good trying to get in and out of bed. So I'm in a sitting position all night which doesn't help my back.

Second, they would have had my arms stretched out during surgery. Some of the ache could be coming from this as well. In time my back will get better but for now I will just have to use a couple Tylenol to deal with it.

That's pretty much it for today's recovery info. More than I've had on most days. Tomorrow I start rehab so I may have more to post tomorrow.

Day 14 - Recovery & Menu

February 24, 2012

I had my treadmill test today at Fort Wayne Cardiologists. The way this test works is you walk as long as you can and it establishes your starting level for rehab. I was able to walk four minutes. Since there is no pass/fail, I guess four minutes is as good as 10 minutes or one minute. My rehab will start next week on Wednesday. I will be interesting to see what they have me do. The nurse said initially it will be all lower body exercising.

I also saw the nurse practitioner. She checked my incisions and said they looked good. Also answered several questions we had like where did the pain in my back come from and when would it go away. Answer: Probably from surgery and over time. Also being contributed to by sleeping in a recliner.

All in all it was a good doctor visit. Next week I visit the heart surgeon office and have my first day of rehab. Exciting week!

I've noticed my chest incision has been itchy the last couple days. For the most part I am able to ignore it but occasionally I have to growl/groan when it gets too much. That helps me go back to ignoring it. Haha.

Menu time!

Breakfast

• Honey bunches of Oats with a banana sliced on top
• Orange juice
• Milk

Lunch

• Turkey Cavatini
• Coffee

We ate at the hospital cafeteria since I had that appointment at FW Cardiology. I forgot to take a picture but the cavatini was really good. And for $3 I got a plateful. I was full!

Dinner

• Tomato wrap with Chicken Salad
• Apple slices
• Pickle spear
• Vegetable Soup
• Milk

The wrap, apple slices, and pickle I brought home from the hospital cafeteria as a to-go order. I had this wrap when I was in the hospital and it is really good. Decided I needed half of one for dinner and the other half for lunch on Saturday. I got so full I didn't finish the half I had on my plate. Didn't eat the pickle either. But it should all still be good for lunch on Sat.

Day 13 - Recovery & Menu

February 23, 2012

It was a pretty good day again today. Lisa and I had a chance to go for a walk in the afternoon since the temps are in the 40's.

My home care nurse visited this morning and said things are looking really good. She checks my vitals and then examines my incisions. Goes through a series of questions on how I'm feeling, my moods, any pains I'm having, etc. Good news so far from each visit. The pains I have and other things are all a normal part of the healing. Good to know but I'll be glad when I'm finally back to my old self. That's still several weeks out though. Healing of this time isn't something you can hurry along. It has it's own timetable.

Spring Hill is always excited when one of these nurses comes over. It gives her a chance to stick her nose on something new (blackberry, paperwork, etc.). Lisa and I tell her to back off and the nurses just say "Aw, isn't she cute". They aren't helping at all. Haha. I guess as long as they don't mind, we don't either. Lenny just lays on one of the beds and stares at them.

Tomorrow marks two weeks since I was released from the hospital. I go in for my first of several follow-up visits with doctors. Although tomorrow's is with Dr. Sowden's Nurse Practitioner. That's one step above a registered nurse from what I understand. Dr. Sowden was my heart surgeon. I also get to do some kind of treadmill test but it's not a stress test that people usually associate with a treadmill at the doctor's office. I think the results of this test will determine how much rehab I am going to need.

Anyway, enough of the recovery talk. On to the menu of the day!

Breakfast

• Pancakes - Whole wheat made by Kristin :)
• Fruit (Strawberries and Blackberries) Exceptional flavor!
• Coffee

Lunch

• Cheesy Ranch Turkey with pasta
• Toast
• "Cutie" Tangelo
• Orange Pineapple Apple juice
• Milk

Dinner

• Turkey sandwich on wheat bun
• Baked Red Potatoes (missing from photo, they were still in the oven)
• Mixed fruit
• Black Cherry juice
• Coffee

Day 12 - Recovery and Menu

February 22, 2012

Somehow I lost the pictures from yesterday's menu so there wasn't one. As for today, the menu is below.

Also had a chance to get out and get my hair cut today. After that, I walked down to the grocery store while Lisa moved the car. I so prefer doing my walking somewhere other than just around the house. It feels so much more like progress.

I seemed to hit a wall this afternoon though. I had lots of energy yesterday and didn't even take a nap. Today went great until late afternoon. I tried taking a nap in the den but had a hard time getting comfortable. Lisa said I slept some but I ended up moving to the living room to be on the sofa. That was much more comfortable.

Breakfast

• Peanut Butter Cherrios
• Grapes
• Milk
• Orange juice

Lunch

• Talapia fish on toast
• Wild rice
• Sweet Potato cottage fries
• Pears
• Orange Pineapple Apple juice

Supper

• Cheesy Ranch Turkey with Pasta
• Carrots
• Mixed Fruit
• Black Cherry Grape juice (best juice so far)

Day 10 - Menu and Recovery

February 20, 2012

It was another decent day. I got a real good nights sleep last night. Went to the mall today to do some walking. So much easier to walk in a place like that where it isn't the same hallways and rooms over and over again.

Stopped at Auntie Anne's and got a Honey Whole Wheat pretzel. We had them lightly salt it. It was good.

The glue on my arm incision is continuing to shed as the incision heals. That incision is much further along in the healing process than the one on my chest. The chest one seeped a little the first few days home and we are just now starting to see the glue that was used to close it up. The nurse said it would heal slower as that area had a lot more going on during surgery. Lots of internal healing to do in addition to external healing.

Today's Menu

Breakfast

• Waffle
• Toast with blackberry jam
• Grapes
• Orange juice
• Coffee

Lunch

• Chicken stir fry (left overs but still good)
• Toast
• Cantaloupe
• Milk

Dinner

• Turkey franks in whole wheat buns (who'd have thought there'd be healthy hot dogs)
• Rice snacks
• Pears
• Orange Pineapple Apple juice
• Blueberry slushy from the mall

Day 9 - Recovery & Menu

February 19, 2012

I decided to combine both posts today. It just made more sense.

I had a good day today with my breathing and the IS. I reached my goal several times while doing my breathing exercises. It's hard to believe I've only been doing those a couple weeks. It feels like it's been ages.

I also watched a television show with Kristin tonight and had some company in the chair. Georgia Peach seems to think I need some protecting. She doesn't take up as much room as she appears too. She just sort of laid down beside me. Kristin did have to help her get "backed in". I missed part of the show because I fell asleep but oh well.

The Menu

Breakfast

• Oatmeal
• Toast
• Banana
• Orange Pineapple Apple juice

Lunch

• Chicken Teriyaki sub (the other 6" from last night)
• Pringles Light
• Chex Mix
• Cantaloupe
• Lemon Lime soda

Dinner

• Chicken Stir Fry (Kristin's recipe - it was good)
• Pineapple chunks
• Milk
• Lemon Lime soda (finished from Lunch)

Night all. And Eat well!

Day 8 - Recovery

I found out today that according to my "in-house" dietician I am no longer allowed to eat an entire 12" Subway sub in one sitting. Sigh! I have to supplement my 6" sub with fruits and other side dishes that are good for me. I say this is mutiny! Tis a sad day when the captain is told he can no longer eat as he used to. Eh, I supposed I'll survive. hehe

I actually got to leave the house today. We went to the evening church service, then went to Target for a couple items, then Subway to get some subs for dinner. Oh man, it felt so good to get out of the house for a little while. And surprisingly I don't think it left me as worn out as I thought it might.

In other news, I mentioned a few days ago about a new "pet". Some of you might have been thinking I was talking about a fake pet, others might have been thinking "Oh no, not another pet". Well, this one isn't exactly fake but it isn't exactly ours either.

I was sitting at the kitchen table Wednesday morning with Lisa when I saw what I thought was a cat walking along the back fence. Except it had more of a waddle than a cat.

Pennsylvania has Punxsutawney Phil but we have Fort Wayne Freddy.

The cool thing about Freddy is we don't have to feed him. He goes out and finds food all on his own. He's been living under the shed for several months now but the only one of us here that had seen him was Lisa. We weren't even sure he was still around until this week. Geez, I hope he doesn't start coming up to the back door wanting to borrow coffee or anything. I'm not sharing my coffee :)

Day 8 - Menu

Feb 18, 2012 Menu

Breakfast

• Honey Bunches of Oats with Blueberries
• Grapes
• Orange Juice
• Milk

Lunch

• Mac N' Cheese
• Sweet Potato fries
• Salad with Turkey (There was some in the bowl. Seriously. I was hungry)
• Strawberry Jello with Pineapple and whipped topping (the healthy kind)
• Orange Pineapple Apple juice

Dinner

• Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki sub
• Apple slices
• Check Mix - Italian herbs and Parmesan
• Cinnamon Dulce' Latte from Starbucks (non-fat milk)

I am eating much healthier than I used too. It's going to be some time before all of the "not so good" stuff is out of the house though. Lisa, Kristin, and I are eating much smaller portions of the "not so good" stuff until it's gone.