July 19: Just catching up

It was delicately pointed out to me yesterday at Fellowship that there hadn't been a posting in a while, this after someone else made a comment about a week ago. If I expect people to read this, then it is incumbent on me to keep posting!

As with many people, this weather has really sapped my energy. The unremitting heat and humidity are difficult to cope with. The last Friday before this several week session hit I did one long hike in Valley Forge Park, finally climbing the small mountain, Mt Misery, that I'd had my eye on. Despite looking at topographical charts I can't find a way to directly compare it to the the mountain in NH, but it clearly is not as high or as difficult. It is, however, the best practice in the area. But with the weather getting so oppressive, it was the first and only time so far. It took me a while, stopped frequently, a little over an hour and a half to do about 3 miles. The trail is on a loop, and there were several people I passed who were clearly making much better time. While passing one such person I commented that she was proceeding much more quickly, to which she rather arrogantly responded she'd been doing this trail for three years. As we had already gone by each other she was unaware of my muttering that three years ago I'd been near death in heart failure and about to get my chest cut open for the third time, which gives me a dandy excuse for not having been there with her.

The third year anniversary of the third heart surgery just passed: July 12. It isn't realistic that anyone else remembers all the dates involved now, although you'd think my mother would have a clue.... This year was spent in NY, taking Lyle to get his wisdom teeth out. It was done at the dental surgeon's office and went very quickly. It was funny to see him under the influence of first the gas and then post-anesthesia--he gets very giggly! This was just after driving out to Carlisle for the day to visit with Emma at ballet camp. She introduced me as her Aunt Laurie, told me that all the girls were asking if I was her mom. She doesn't really like to talk about it, and at this age being different isn't a good thing. Some of the girls know, and one in particular is either very mean or very insensitive as she goes on and on about how much she loves her mother and how close they are. Emma doesn't seem up to confronting her, telling her how hurtful she is being, and so just tries to avoid her. Considering that most adults have a hard time handling these circumstances she can't be blamed.

Not sure if I mentioned before, but Emma was asked to speak at the Relay for Life that was done in Ossining. She raised an incredibly impressive $5,000!!

While sometimes the humidity drops enough that I can go out for a walk in the evening, the other days the air conditioner gets a major work-out. One of my window units broke, so got a stronger one for this year and have it in the study. Then I can open up the windows onto the enclosed porch and use the treadmill. I've done the Pilate's a few times, but enjoy the walking more.

The weight loss proceeds slowly, but down ten pounds now. Obviously dropping more would be beneficial to so many things. While Dr. Cohn wants me down to 120, that doesn't seem realistic as even in high school I ran about 140. In 2003/2004 I'd dieted and exercised down to the 140 and see that as more likely to shoot for as a goal. Having shrunk more than an inch, putting me down to 5'3", the weight should be even lower. It stinks when the goal post moves!

With the increased exercise and really watching my sodium the lasix hasn't seemed necessary for several weeks. Last week noticed a minimal amount of swelling, then for no dietary reason my weight shot up 3 lbs, so took some today. It's definitely doing it's job and I'll be curious to see the decrease tomorrow.

The left arm seems to be totally recovered from the cat bite, but with typing seems to still be affected. After only a couple paragraphs the whole hand and lower arm started to ache. Nothing, it seems, can happen to me physically anymore without long-standing repercussions.

The family vacation starts July 31 and I'll try to post prior as to my hopes for my goal in climbing the mountain up there.

Thanks for continuing to check in, Laurie