Day 58 - Pictures, Recipe, and News

April 7, 2012

Thursday's rehab went real good. I increased my watts on the Nustep. I also increased my walking speed and incline on the treadmill. It felt really good. I'm still working with the 5 pound weights. I had just enough time on the clock to get the first three weight exercises done. My time limit for now is 3 minutes of weigh lifting. I'm not sure when that gets increased, I just go by what the little sheet with the name "Gary" on it says to do.

I took a better picture of the Heart Institute this last week as well. My cardiologists office is on the first floor just to the right of the entrance.  My heart surgeon and the rehab area are both on the fifth floor. It's actually very nice to have them all located together like that. We had to stop by the cardiologists office Thursday on the way to rehab. Over at State Street we would have probably drove over to the cardiologists office since the doctors and rehab weren't all in the same building. In fact, my doctors were in different buildings on State as well. So the new Heart Institute puts everyone in the same building. Much nicer even if it is further away.

I took a few pictures of the view from the fifth floor. This is taken from the edge of the track at rehab. The bottom picture is a shot of the Samaritan helicopter. Unfortunately it was sitting backwards from normal.

Oh, I should answer a few questions from previous posts in case ya'll didn't see the answer.

Q: Have you ever seen Jim Gaffigan's hot pockets skit? Its hilarious. -Ar

A: No, Ar, I haven't. But now I will have to google it. I do hope it's online somewhere

Q: Is the food out there as good as on State St - Dad

A: The food is as good as on State Street. Some of it is even better. Or maybe that should be "different". They make the pasta right in front of you when you order it. Haven't tried that yet but it sounds really good. And the Gelato is really good. Lisa and I have shared a bowl of that twice now, different flavors each time.

Q: When will you be able to go back to work full time? - Aunt Shirley

A: May 7th will be my first day back at work. I'm able to work part time from home until then. but no more than 24 hours in a week.

After rehab Lisa and I stopped by Menard's to get new tires for the lawn mower, peanuts for me, and look at some bricks (or something) for around one of the trees. Lisa had never been to Menard's and didn't realize they had the variety of food stuffs that they do. Needless to say, we picked up a few extra things. They had Malt-O-Meal cereal on sale so we got some. It keeps for quite a while so why not. Haha. We also picked up a few snacks. I bought some small packages of a variety of snack foods to create my own trail mix.

Trail Mix Recipe:
8 oz. Chipotle Sunflower seeds

5 oz. Sesame Oat Bran sticks

5.5 oz. Banana chips

4.5 oz. Pumpkin seeds

5 oz. Soynuts

The snacks I used were on sale so I was able to make the entire mix for five dollars.

We went to Angel's Cafe for dinner Thursday. That's a little place down the way from our house, 5 miles or so. I had the Fried Chicken special. Lisa had Biscuits and Gravy with Scrambled Eggs. Looked really good.

My in-house nutritionist informed me when she got home from her lab that fried chicken wasn't really good for me and I should have had something else from the menu. Hmm. Am I paying her for advice? Geez, I hope not. This isn't the advice I really want to hear. Hehehe.

Ah shucks, she's a good daughter and means well. I will have to try and not eat too much fried foods in the future. After all, she is right about that one.

Had to take Lenny to the vets this morning. He did the splits on the tile floor in the kitchen the other day and his inner thigh was really red looking. His hock is also swollen a little. The vet thinks he might have pulled a muscle. At least that is what we and the vet are hoping. He is on meds for the pain and swelling. If it isn't better in a week I have to take him back in for an x-ray.

Tomorrow is Kristin's birthday. I can't believe how fast she has grown up. I guess I better do the same one of these days. Hardy Har Har Har.

Seriously, Kristin is a good daughter and Lisa and I are very blessed to have her. I thank the Lord for both Lisa and Kristin every day. If it weren't for them, I might not be here to celebrate Easter with them tomorrow.

Speaking of Easter tomorrow...Happy Easter everyone! He is Risen! God bless you all!

Day 37 & 38 - Going to the dogs

March 17 & 18

The weather has continued its higher than normal temps. Not complaining one bit about that. It has given me the opportunity to get outside so many times to enjoy the fresh air. I've even managed to sit on the edge of the deck while outside with Lisa and the dogs. I'm feeling a lot better even though I still have several weeks of rehab yet to go.

Getting our dogs to pose for a picture has to be one of the most difficult things to do. They do not want to look at the camera. They do not want to stand still. Springtime is in the air and all they really want to do is smell the fresh air, the growing grass, and whatever other springtime smells are in the air. And we want them to pose for a picture? Silly people. Hahaha.

We did finally manage to get a few pictures of me with them. Top picture is Spring Hill (left), Lenny (right), and I. Bottom picture is Georgia and I. Spring and Lenny are both retired greyhounds. Georgia is American Bulldog/Jack Russel mix.

I lost track of what I had to eat for breakfast and lunch on the 17th. We had Subway for dinner.

On the 18th I had cereal with blueberries for breakfast, left over Subway for lunch, and dinner was...geez, it was just last night. Am I that forgetful? I rely on pictures way too much. Hehe.

Day 36 - Food, Sun, and Fun

March 14, 15, & 16

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!!

The weather has been great the last few days. Lisa and I took the Greyhounds for a walk on Wednesday. The greys are so funny. The further we got from the house, the more tired they acted. And we didn't even go for a long walk. On the way back towards the house they both acted like they were dying. Lenny was so slow it was like he was 90 or 100. Spring Hill kept wanting to walk in the grass instead of the street. And then she'd get in the grass and almost stop in her tracks. Haha. What a laugh I got from them. Lisa wasn't laughing so much but those two greys are so dramatic you have to laugh at them.

We went walking again Thursday and Friday. Friday it got into the 80's. Not our normal March temperatures here in Indiana. Lisa and I went back down to the Dairy Queen after dinner to get a Blizzard (Friday). They are having a buy one get one for 99 cents special. Half of mine is in the freezer this morning waiting for me to finish it. We pass the Dairy Queen on our walks. It is maybe 1/8 of a mile from our house.

On Thursday Lisa and I drove up to Autoline in Butler, IN. I've been cleared by the doctor to work part time from home and I needed to talk to my boss Tony and pick up a few documents. It was great to see some of my co-workers that I've not seen in a couple months. I didn't get to see all of them but I will in time.

To answer Aunt Shirley's question: I've lost around 17 pounds from what I weighed in the hospital. But I think I gained a couple pounds while in the hospital so I'm not sure how much in all that I've lost. At least 12 and probably a little more than that.

I'll be posting a recipe (or two) real soon. Hopefully today but if not at least tomorrow. Have to get Kristin's recipe book so I can post the requested recipe.

The weather is beautiful again this morning. We have most of the windows in the house open, letting in lots of fresh air. The sun is shining and I'm inside typing a blog. ROFL.

Enough of that...on to the menu!

~ The Menu ~

 

Wednesday, March 14

I decided I wanted something different for breakfast on Wednesday so I fixed a couple eggs. They were supposed to be over-easy but didn't come out quite that way. Guess I'm not completely back to my old cooking abilities. I had a piece of toast, strawberries & blueberries, and juice with my eggs.

Lunch was a simple affair; a roast beef sandwich and tortilla chips.

For dinner Lisa fixed beef stew. I had that over a piece of bread and peas on the side. A glass of milk washed it all down.

Thursday, March 15

Cereal for breakfast. I forget which kind. We have four boxes of cereal open on the kitchen. Cereal is yummy.

For lunch Lisa and I went to this little Chinese/Italian place near our house called Orange Garden. We both ordered from the Chinese part of the menu. Egg drop soup and Rice noodles for me. Lisa ordered the Chicken and Vegetable platter. The servings were really big for lunch orders. We ended up with enough left to have Chinese for dinner (Kristin was at lab at dinner time).

Egg Drop soup

Rice Noodles with pork

Chicken and Vegetable platter with Fried Rice

Friday, March 16

Breakfast cereal again. Chocolate mini wheats. With milk of course. And some grapes on the side. No picture. I was hungry.

Lunch was simple again. A Rosemary Chicken entree. I had a chocolate cupcake for dessert. Kristin made these cupcakes and she says they are healthy. Taste too good to be healthy but I'll believe her.

Nomnomnom

Dinner was cheesy turkey with pasta, corn, milk, and bread & butter. I had a tangelo after dinner because I thought I was still hungry.

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 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 16 - Recovery & Menu

February 26, 2012

Yup, I missed another day. Don't even ask how because I'm not real sure. I thought posting the next morning was a good idea but now I'm not so sure. By the time I get up the morning is half over.

Yes, I sleep in every single day. That feels so weird for a person who is usually up before 7 o'clock. And earlier on weekdays when I was working. And it's not even on purpose which is the weird part. My body just takes over and says "We are getting more sleep. I'm healing". Haha, smart body.

So if I'm up by 8 AM I'll have time to get my post done and if it's almost 9 I might not. The nurse and dietician usually get up a little after 9 o'clock.

The last couple days have been pretty good. I've got in some walking, mostly by going to the stores with Lisa. We ate at the hospital last night. I can't think of many places where a family of 3 can eat for less than $15 but we can at Parkview :)

It seems when I'm in the den, I always have at least one dog in here with me. It's like they take turns making sure I'm okay. Usually it's Georgia but since she sleeps with Kristin at night she isn't up as early as me. So in the mornings one of the Greyhounds normally comes in and naps. This morning it's Lenny (racing name "I'm Gold Ya'll"). You can see Charlie our rabbit behind Lenny. Funny thing about our dogs and the rabbit, the dogs just ignore him even when he's hopping back and forth in his cage. Hehe.

Yesterdays menu

Breakfast

• Eggs
• Toast
• Cantaloupe
• Coffee
• Orange juice

Lunch

• Angel Hair pasta with Marinara sauce
• Mixed fruit
• Milk

Dinner

• Chicken Parmesan over Spaghetti pasta
• Green Beans
• Sierra Mist soda

T+4 - Recovery - Home

Home. If you had asked me before surgery if I would be home on day four of my recovery, I probably would have said "no". And yet here I am, at home. The place where my family dwells. The place where my little herd runs. The place where the rattie pack hangs out. The place where the Lord watches over us. He has brought me far. You have lifted me and my family up in prayer and he has listened. He has wrapped me in His Love and carried me through.

I was a little anxious coming home. With four dogs, and three of them at an age where they still like to jump on "Dad" to say high, I had some concerns with how they might react to my coming in the door. So we put together a plan.

Lynnard, our eldest Greyhound at 8, was left in the Living room. He does not get to excitable at his age except at dinner time. Spring Hill, our 6 year old female grey, was placed in the Family room, which is right off the Kitchen. The door was closed as she went in. The two smallest of the herd were placed in Kristin's bedroom in their cages. Safest place for them and me for the time being.

And then I was allowed in the house. Lenny was a good lad, coming up to me and wanting attention but without any craziness. Spring was the funny one when she was walked out of the Family room. She stared for a long time as if she wasn't sure what was expected from her. She did finally come over and let me scratch her ears. And then stared some more. Haha. Georgia was next. I heard her dragging and pulling against Kristin the entire way down the hall. Typical of the 50 pound American Bulldog mix that she is. She knew something was going on and wanted to see what. She sniffed at me a lot but did not try to jump on me. Kristin's Boston Terrier, Teddy Bear, was next. Ted is a bit hyper and protective but I thought he behaved himself well. I'm glad for that because even being the smallest at 22 pounds, he has enough weight to hurt my incision area and breastbone.

And it's snowing. I've told the Lord many times that I love His snow. I guess this is my coming home gift. How awesome is that. Home in time to stay inside and enjoy it :)

February 10, 2012

Snow as seen the next day, Feb. 11

Isn't it pretty?