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Change is in the Air – from Vince

Hello Everyone,

First, I want to thank all of you for your thoughts and kind words as I deal with my medical condition.  How ironic that last week I was talking about health and then I got a wake-up call.  I still must see a few more doctors and have more tests performed before I know exactly what’st going on.  However, one thing I do know is that a life change is upon me.  Weight needs to come off and a blood pressure cuff is my new best friend.  If you haven’t, I suggest everyone learn more about blood pressure and heart rate and how quickly they can change.  For years, I have taken the same blood pressure medication and then, suddenly, it was no longer working.  Finding a blood pressure medicine that works is complicated.  They are so many kinds and they work differently.  Take a look at this website and it will give you an idea of the major types and how they work.  This is a trial and error process because of: the amount of time before they start working, determining the correct dose, how they work, side effects, taking them in combinations and on and on.  So, over the next few weeks (I hope that’s all it takes), with the help of a specialist or two, I can work through all this.  Remember, maintaining a healthy weight, exercise and a good diet are your friend.  A sedentary lifestyle, stress and fast food are not your friend.  I am just glad this happened now before there was any long-term damage and I have a chance to adjust.

Thanks again for your kind thoughts and remember as my daddy always said, Get off you butt and do something, NOW!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Good to hear you are on the right track. Blood cuff size makes a big difference too. Always make sure have the right size for your arm otherwise will give you a false reading . Take care of yourself and Judy retirement is fast approaching and you both want to enjoy that.

  2. Take care of yourself and Judy. Change is always not so easy at this time of our life but it can be done. Best of luck

  3. Growing older gets complicated, doesn’t it?! Take good care of yourself, Vince. Not always easy, but it’s important. I, too, need to get the weight off. Makes life more difficult. My best to you and Judy!

  4. Yes, fast food, ham and bacon is not good for you.
    glad you are doing better.

  7. We will be right there with you, Vince! Wishing both of you well; same for ourselves. BTW, I do enjoy your entry each week!

  8. I am glad that Both you and Judy are alive and kicking! How does access to good medical facilities factor into your retirement plans?

  9. My comment is similar to Tricia’s. When looking for the perfect place to retire, remember that good medical care will become even more important as you age. Good luck on your decision and on your journey to better health. I, too, enjoy your blog entries.

  11. The best thing about this situation is that you are taking it seriously and resolving to make a change. And you have a wonderful supportive partner with a great sense of humor and a great cook. You both will conquer this bit of a setback and move on to a happy retirement. Prayers for you and your doctors to find the best solution. As my mother would say,,”It is what it is until it isn’t. Then adjust”

  12. Having blood pressure issues is a pain and there are no quick fixes unfortunately. Take care of yourself and listen to your doctors and Judy.

  13. My husband lost 100 pounds in about 18 months. He started by just recording everything he ate for a couple of weeks. Then, he started looking at where he could make healthier choices and the weight started to come off. The biggest change for him, a meat and potatoes guy, was to eat smaller portions of meat and potatoes and more vegetables, salads, etc. He never thought of it as a diet. He said he was just learning to eat the way thin people eat. As you progress and start to lose weight, you will learn what works for you. Hubby said he didn’t gain it overnight and he wasn’t going to lose it overnight, so he was patient, determined, and when he splurged for a day, he got right back to measuring and weighing the next day. (Eventually, you get pretty good at eyeballing serving sizes, but in the beginning, weighing and measuring is helpful. We tend to overestimate how much 3 ounces of chicken really is, LOL! We’re both wishing you success in your efforts to lose weight, Vince. You will feel so much better and be in great shape to enjoy retirement whwn you get there!!

  14. Sending you both my best, I’m really hoping that the tests show what will get all systems running like a well oiled machine.

  16. Hi Vince, Nelle here. I am soooooo glad you and Judy took my suggestion and you are to another doctor “in a taller building”. We are very pleased with the cardiologists from Hendricks in Abilene. They literally saved my husband’s life! As Judy probably told you, we spent 2 hours and 38 minutes in the waiting room at the ER here in B’wood. This was after giving the Triage nurse the symptoms of “”chest pains, soreness in the jaw, and a terrible headache”. Plus I told her he had a 5-way bypass in 2004. Went right over her head! We never saw anyone but her and the lady who signed us in. The next day he drove to Abilene, went into the ER at Hendricks, they asked his symptoms and he said Chest pains and that was all he got out before they whisked him off! I had to stop them to get his insurance cards. I was signing the paperwork and I heard “ER Stat” on the loudspeaker and I knew who it was for! He was having a heart attack at that time! They immediately inserted one stent but due to heart damage, they had to wait 2 months to do two more stents, then in October he had a defibrillator installed. His heart was only functioning at 36%. Long way to get around to saying the ER and hospital may be crap but they have a great cardiac rehab there. Pat took is rehab there and continued on with the next phase. Our insurance doesn’t pay for this session but it is only about $30 a month without insurance. He has made friends with some of the others there and some were already friends. The exercise is good for him but I think being with others with the same problems is helping him more than the walking. You might want to consider that if it goes that far. The exercise is low impact.
    I am praying for your speedy recovery and I am praying for Judy to get through this also! It is not easy on the caregiver either.

  17. Vince, I am o glad to see that you are going to be in control and work with this. Oct. 27th I suffered a major heart attack, My DH did CPR, police arrived and the paramedics. I was not aware of any of this as I was GONE+DEAD.I somehow was recusisitated, a month in different hospitals and finally surgery. I have been told by 3 surgeons, I should not be alive. I have lost 20 lbs with 20 more to go. Food is not as good as it always ways. Not fun when you enjoy food and are a good cook. I love junk food but it is deadly for us to eat it. Please do all you can to loose all the weight you need too. Judy has a little to lose…..bye bye Dr. Pepper and ice cream. I walk daily. I have been told to not push it too much yet. I do 1.75 to just under 3 mils per day. I do not push it. I am still alive and enjoying every day I am alive. I cook. We eat. All organic. Baked fish – not fried (and I do not like fish). I am 72 and DH is 79 and they think he has had a H/a…he was supposed to have knee surgery in a week. I am flying up to San Francisco for my brother’s memorial – just a big family dinner this weekend. That is what he wanted. Los for us to deal with. Hope you get lots of help from doctors and get to put things in order. Love both of you!

  18. It is good to hear from you, Vince! Continued prayers for your good health!!

  19. Hope the future dietary changes will not be major as I know you have a wonderful wife who is a great cook. She has inspired me with her recipes and her introduction to me of new devices, like Instant Pot and more!! I too have had major changes in my life-style, A-Fib, new medications and somehow I am doing well. I am sure you will too!!! Enjoy your posts!!

  20. Thanks for sharing this journey. I’ve copied and am having my DH read it in the am. His and your symptoms and tests and treatments are nearly identical!

  21. Great attitude Vince! Sending healing thoughts to you & I’m keeping you & Judy in my prayers!

  22. It’s good to hear things are headed in the right direction for you. I’ll be thinking about both you and Judy.

  23. You are the only you, you have and learning what works is what it is all about once you pass 50. The warranty seems to run out at 50. I finally reached 70, ando each decade for me presented a “new normal”. Old age is not for wimps after all. . Think of you and Judy often as we travel along this journey. Taking care of each other is the only way and you are on the right track. Judy C

  24. your situation has really hit home with me. I am turning 50 this year and I am not supposed to be scared of a stroke or heart attack! My blood pressure has been high for 15 years, and I went through several medications at first until something worked for me. I have been on it many years, but it is no longer working. I have GOT to lose weight and reduce salt. To me, I feel like a drug addict being told they have to stop taking drugs. I have hit rock bottom and it’s time to get better, not worse. Good luck to you Vince.

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