What a year. Jeezus Fucking Christ what a year. Back to running after hip surgery with PT all summer into my first triathlon in 4 years, then a heart attack sequence on Labor Day weekend. As of now on the 31st, I'm back to running and planning a swim.
My goals for 2018 were to return to running and racing. To get back to my long distance training. I was getting there. Then my goals changed.
When the year started I was keto and experimented with carni keto. I'm not sure this worked for me, as I look back and recall lots of fatigue and heaviness that isn't present now. As of now, I'm 99% plant based, no longer keto but still relatively low carb.
My total cholesterol in Sept was 460, 360-ish LDL. In December, after a month of tapering into plant based and the injected Repath, it was 89. As in, the total was 89. LDL was 11! With permission I'm stopping the Repatha and continuing the plant-based until Feb when I'm tested again. The goal is to stay OFF the drugs.
My recent visit on the 21st with a nutritionist didn't go well. This is not the nutritionist I met with in November. She first said a multivitamin "doesn't really do anything for you", then said that I should drink rice milk "because it's fortified". Why do people get so hung up on drinking milk? She set some goals for the next visit in February -- eat 3oz of chicken a day (why?!), etc etc. I was upset about this and it showed in the ave HR for the run that day (I just realized that might explain the high HR for that rehab run lol). But I felt better after realizing that it's not like she's following me and tracking me. Duh, I can report back anything as long as I'm healthy.
Later that day I had my annual bone scan. Significant decrease in the lumbar, but significant increase in the hip/femur. So I guess that's a wash? My vitamin D came back at 66, a WIN as I stopped the prescription D2 in May and went OTC instead. Ironically, this costs me more but whatever I feel like it's a win. No other suggestions or changes from bone doc. Good, because this annoys me every year.
I gave oatmeal on honest try -- instant or rolled or steel cut, whether microwaved, soaked overnight, or fermented (yes, fermented) upset my stomach. It sat heavy and a few times came back up. Felt much better after that! Next I'm trying millet, so far so good.
WTF is it about oatmeal? Dunno, it's got FODMAPs but this is a more severe/different problem. I've been picking up any veg*n book from the library and one book that I almost returned unread has my attention. I've been through the Furhman, the Engine 2, the this, and the that. But this is my first reading on lectins in the diet. And as it turns out there's a list of foods I should be able to eat but react badly too: corn, oats, peanuts, sunflower seeds included. These cause a lot of pain, heaviness, reflux. As it turns out, these are high lectin foods! What ?! Is that a clue? Millet is lectin free, hence that test.
So now I'm reading more, learning, wondering, not sure. Seems like another faddish thing. But starting tomorrow I'm going to give it a go, following the Phased plan from the book. If it seems like a bogus science project, I ditch it. But I should try it. It really only changes a few things for me. Like nightshades for one.
And I'm looking at buying an Instant Pot! I tried mom's over the xmas break and the lectin book says pressure cooking breaks down the lectins. But that's an expensive test!
More later. Nah never mind. Quit thinking on the past and L'Audace. Toujours, l'audace.
Monday, December 31, 2018
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Last half of December
Another rolling update post, since dedicating an entire post to my short days would just eat up paper.
Rested the weekend of Dec 15-16, no training and all work. Oooh and a Blues game Friday night! I was worried about being cold, not so bad. Thankfully he patiently explained the game, otherwise I would have been too fascinated (well I was still fascinated but at least able to follow the game) with how the ice is cooled, how the zamboni works, and how the ref's do their signaling. Happy to say, I wasn't "lost" on the game itself.
Tried oatmeal Sat and Sun, at SO's encouragement. And milk! Oof, not great.
Monday Dec 17th, I was up'd to 5.4 mph for 10 min, interval and rest intervals not specified. So I mapped out a 5 mins 3.0 WU, a 5 mins 3.5 more WU, then 4x 5.4 mph for 10 mins (RI: 3.5 mph for 2.5 mins). This added up to a wonderful 3.6 mile RUN! And also my 2 mile commute from Fo Pa.
I asked Marsha about how my low blood pressure (they read 80ish/50ish at rest; 90ish/60ish in RI) might impact my running. Will I be slow to bust up a hill or have a burst of speed? Slower to recover? More sensitive to temperature and hydration? She will ask.
Tuesday only my 2 mile bike commute. WasGonna swim. Didn't. I re-activated my YMCA membership in late November with the best of intentions (aren't they all?) for December but have yet to get there. So if'n's I get a swim in before the end of the year, it'll be a $42 swim. Ugh.
Wednesday RUN 3.7ish miles! I was told to do the same workout at Monday, they haven't yet discussed moving me up more, so once I realized that no one was really looking at the numbers on the treadmill I snuck it up to 5.5 mph in the second and third interval, then up to 6.0 in the last one. SHHHHHHH don't tell anyone! LOL! My Garmin didn't accurately pick up the HR in the last interval, it kept reading 125-129 and that didn't feel right. Marsha said I got upwards of 150s. Still under my 160 bpm limit.
Friday the 21st, again 4 intervals of 10 mins at 5.4 mph. Marsha was out for holiday, but another rehab peep said next week I get to do 5.6 mph. And for the first time in rehab, I put my foot down and said "no, that's not real running". I explained that running is intervals and surges and terrain and hills and stoplights. That if they really wanted to test the heart, this had to progress faster. I think I have only a few more weeks of this, then I'm done. We'll see what happens when I get back.
Rested the weekend. Worked mostly.
On Monday rehab was closed for the holiday so I went to the gym. My first appearance since the SCAD! My friend/aquaint who is always smiling and saying hi and high-5'ing peeps was near the door and I was delighted to see him. Even a brief hug? When asked how he's doing, he said "I'm alive". Oh buddy if you only knew.
I was thrilled to be at the gym! And it showed as I didn't stick to the rehab numbers. And I downloaded a new song, one I almost picked up right after the attack: Tubthumping. "I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down". Yeah, no keeping it 5.4 mph with that rocking :) I made it up to 7.5 for a few mins, but mostly stuck to the 6-7.0 range. Only the pace changed, time and incline as per rehab. My stride feels so much better at those paces. Or do I just tell myself that? HR was good in the early intervals but went high in the last 2, upwards of 170. Could that be right? Didn't feel that good. Looking at the data, might be cadence lock.
Tuesday, full Christmas rest!
Wednesday and Friday on parent's treadmill. Again snuck up to 7.0 speed at the most, but kept the 0% incline and 10 min intervals. Only changed the pace. Ever the scientist. HR stayed as expected in the 140-150 range. Friday's run even lower with a lot of 130's.
Since I'm keeping the intervals of rest and run the same, I might be able to lightly compare my ave HR numbers over these runs? I do a longer warm up in the rehab facility....so starting with my graduation to 10 min intervals:
17th at rehab averaged 120 bpm
19th at rehab 111bpm
21st at rehab 152 bpm?!
24th at YMCA 149
26th at home 130
28th at home 131
This all feels great! Some minor fatigue pain in the flexor/quads, and back muscle fatigue. So gotta get back to strength on that.
Rested the weekend of Dec 15-16, no training and all work. Oooh and a Blues game Friday night! I was worried about being cold, not so bad. Thankfully he patiently explained the game, otherwise I would have been too fascinated (well I was still fascinated but at least able to follow the game) with how the ice is cooled, how the zamboni works, and how the ref's do their signaling. Happy to say, I wasn't "lost" on the game itself.
Tried oatmeal Sat and Sun, at SO's encouragement. And milk! Oof, not great.
Monday Dec 17th, I was up'd to 5.4 mph for 10 min, interval and rest intervals not specified. So I mapped out a 5 mins 3.0 WU, a 5 mins 3.5 more WU, then 4x 5.4 mph for 10 mins (RI: 3.5 mph for 2.5 mins). This added up to a wonderful 3.6 mile RUN! And also my 2 mile commute from Fo Pa.
I asked Marsha about how my low blood pressure (they read 80ish/50ish at rest; 90ish/60ish in RI) might impact my running. Will I be slow to bust up a hill or have a burst of speed? Slower to recover? More sensitive to temperature and hydration? She will ask.
Tuesday only my 2 mile bike commute. WasGonna swim. Didn't. I re-activated my YMCA membership in late November with the best of intentions (aren't they all?) for December but have yet to get there. So if'n's I get a swim in before the end of the year, it'll be a $42 swim. Ugh.
Wednesday RUN 3.7ish miles! I was told to do the same workout at Monday, they haven't yet discussed moving me up more, so once I realized that no one was really looking at the numbers on the treadmill I snuck it up to 5.5 mph in the second and third interval, then up to 6.0 in the last one. SHHHHHHH don't tell anyone! LOL! My Garmin didn't accurately pick up the HR in the last interval, it kept reading 125-129 and that didn't feel right. Marsha said I got upwards of 150s. Still under my 160 bpm limit.
Friday the 21st, again 4 intervals of 10 mins at 5.4 mph. Marsha was out for holiday, but another rehab peep said next week I get to do 5.6 mph. And for the first time in rehab, I put my foot down and said "no, that's not real running". I explained that running is intervals and surges and terrain and hills and stoplights. That if they really wanted to test the heart, this had to progress faster. I think I have only a few more weeks of this, then I'm done. We'll see what happens when I get back.
Rested the weekend. Worked mostly.
On Monday rehab was closed for the holiday so I went to the gym. My first appearance since the SCAD! My friend/aquaint who is always smiling and saying hi and high-5'ing peeps was near the door and I was delighted to see him. Even a brief hug? When asked how he's doing, he said "I'm alive". Oh buddy if you only knew.
I was thrilled to be at the gym! And it showed as I didn't stick to the rehab numbers. And I downloaded a new song, one I almost picked up right after the attack: Tubthumping. "I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down". Yeah, no keeping it 5.4 mph with that rocking :) I made it up to 7.5 for a few mins, but mostly stuck to the 6-7.0 range. Only the pace changed, time and incline as per rehab. My stride feels so much better at those paces. Or do I just tell myself that? HR was good in the early intervals but went high in the last 2, upwards of 170. Could that be right? Didn't feel that good. Looking at the data, might be cadence lock.
Tuesday, full Christmas rest!
Wednesday and Friday on parent's treadmill. Again snuck up to 7.0 speed at the most, but kept the 0% incline and 10 min intervals. Only changed the pace. Ever the scientist. HR stayed as expected in the 140-150 range. Friday's run even lower with a lot of 130's.
Since I'm keeping the intervals of rest and run the same, I might be able to lightly compare my ave HR numbers over these runs? I do a longer warm up in the rehab facility....so starting with my graduation to 10 min intervals:
17th at rehab averaged 120 bpm
19th at rehab 111bpm
21st at rehab 152 bpm?!
24th at YMCA 149
26th at home 130
28th at home 131
This all feels great! Some minor fatigue pain in the flexor/quads, and back muscle fatigue. So gotta get back to strength on that.
Friday, December 14, 2018
First half of December
Dec 1st I dedicated to a full-on but not facultative (haha, science joke) vegan diet. And of course on this first day SO brings me steaks! I haven't told him about this, too complicated. YUM. I enjoyed slowly over the course of the week. I said facultative, not obligate!
RUN 1.5 miles Monday Dec 3rd is 99 days since first attack (episode, whatevers) and my goal was to be running by this point. WIN! In my mind there were confetti cannons and Ray of Light song. 4x 5 mins on treadmill at 4.5 mph and 0% grade, with 5 mins 3.5 mph rest. AWESOME.
Oh and don't tell anyone, but I'm riding Puppy the 1 mile each way from my Forest Park parking spot. Goal is to bike commute Tues and Thurs once I have permission to do so.
Weds RUN 1.5 miles
Fri RUN 1.66 miles (when I'm down to the hundredths of a mile, it shows my desperation). Now up to 4x 5 mins intervals at 5.0 mph. I talk to Marsha and beg for more, mention my goal race of 24 The Hard Way. (I know of no other way to do it!)
Weekend Full rest. Mom and Dad visited!!
Monday RUN 2.42 miles now up to 7 min intervals, 3 min rest at 5.2 mph. More please. Marsha said Dr W was thinking the 24 hour race was a relay. LOL! Even with M&D here I went to rehab. Desperation. Naw. LOVE.
Weds RUN the same as Monday. Had the cardio education class with the dietitian. I was jumping to get on the tready, and ran out like a schoolkid once I could. Got new cholesterol panel results today:
TOTAL 89 (!); HDL 73; LDL 11; TGs 25. Holy shit! I emailed Dr S to inquire about stopping the Repatha to see if my new diet changes are effective. Waiting for reply.
Friday RUN 3.0 miles!!!!!!!!!!!! Added another 7 min interval, same 5.2 mph. Asked Marsha about the cold weather limit, it's 40F. So no exertion below 40. I ask if I can bike outdoors if it's over 40. Yes, but not the bike commute. Maybe a 20 mins ride to a park and bike. Next week I can do 5.4 mph (sooooo conservative!) but 10 min intervals. YAY!
Songlist additions. Ray of Light by Madonna and Anything But Mine by KennyC. More love songs about running. :)
RUN 1.5 miles Monday Dec 3rd is 99 days since first attack (episode, whatevers) and my goal was to be running by this point. WIN! In my mind there were confetti cannons and Ray of Light song. 4x 5 mins on treadmill at 4.5 mph and 0% grade, with 5 mins 3.5 mph rest. AWESOME.
Oh and don't tell anyone, but I'm riding Puppy the 1 mile each way from my Forest Park parking spot. Goal is to bike commute Tues and Thurs once I have permission to do so.
Weds RUN 1.5 miles
Fri RUN 1.66 miles (when I'm down to the hundredths of a mile, it shows my desperation). Now up to 4x 5 mins intervals at 5.0 mph. I talk to Marsha and beg for more, mention my goal race of 24 The Hard Way. (I know of no other way to do it!)
Weekend Full rest. Mom and Dad visited!!
Monday RUN 2.42 miles now up to 7 min intervals, 3 min rest at 5.2 mph. More please. Marsha said Dr W was thinking the 24 hour race was a relay. LOL! Even with M&D here I went to rehab. Desperation. Naw. LOVE.
Weds RUN the same as Monday. Had the cardio education class with the dietitian. I was jumping to get on the tready, and ran out like a schoolkid once I could. Got new cholesterol panel results today:
TOTAL 89 (!); HDL 73; LDL 11; TGs 25. Holy shit! I emailed Dr S to inquire about stopping the Repatha to see if my new diet changes are effective. Waiting for reply.
Friday RUN 3.0 miles!!!!!!!!!!!! Added another 7 min interval, same 5.2 mph. Asked Marsha about the cold weather limit, it's 40F. So no exertion below 40. I ask if I can bike outdoors if it's over 40. Yes, but not the bike commute. Maybe a 20 mins ride to a park and bike. Next week I can do 5.4 mph (sooooo conservative!) but 10 min intervals. YAY!
Songlist additions. Ray of Light by Madonna and Anything But Mine by KennyC. More love songs about running. :)
Friday, November 30, 2018
November is ending on a Puppy note!
BIKE COMMUTE about 2 miles!!
Shhhhhh.....I'm not really supposed to be riding Puppy, but I couldn't resist. The rear tire has been flat since he came home from SO's mechanic, wouldn't hold air. Then in October Dad moved Puppster to the basement. Last night I pulled him back up and this morning popped a new tube in. I was singing "Go Puppy, it's your birthday, we're gonna party, like it's your birthday..." Don't worry, that song won't be added to the IM Songlist. Oh, maybe it will. Playing on the YouTuber now for review.
LOLZ can't help but laff at the video. Yeah no not sure about this one. As a side note, SO's Candy Shop song is next on the playlist. Hahaha! Oh ya this In Da Club song is awful. Why was I singing it?
This morning Marsha and I talked about running next week, only with permission from Dr White. In my mind's eye there will be confetti cannons. Today I did my longest treadmill and bike sessions - 30 mins of each (no handcycle, boring!). 1.75 mi walk and 7.8 miles biked.
I've been aiming for 60' mins of activity a day. On Tuesday (or Weds, not sure) I did the first P90X CD, did it lightly and was still sore and numb afterwards. It was the push-up/pull-up workout.
I'm feeling great! No symptoms since around Nov 5th or so. A few days ago I committed to a 6-8 week vegan test, I'm a few days in and starting with a juice "fast", not really a fast and not really all juice. But it's pushing veggies, I tried beets today - just a half cup of canned - and Yummy! So my shopping list for next week has lots of F&V that I don't normally buy.
Oh did I mention I bought a Breville juicer for only $10. Thanks neighbor! The doctors aren't telling me to go veg*n but when they hear about it they support it. So I'm happy to try it. I really never thought I'd be OK not eating meat because I love it so much! But I haven't had my fluff in over a week, had a few egg whites while home for Turkey day, and other than a steak SO brought over for dinner (a man after my heart!) I've been pretty meat free.
The goal of this veg*n test? 6-8 weeks, depending on how I'm feeling, to see if I can shift the blood numbers. I get tested next week or so and this will measure the effects of the Repatha anti-PCSK9 human monoclonal, then the next test in February will test the effects of the diet. At least that's how I see it.
Oh and speaking of SO, last night I got my xmas present! A SUPER NICE jersey and bib shorts. Bib shorts?! New for me, oooooh hope it warms up so I can wear them. The material is soft and thin and way nicer than I've ever owned for biking. Or running. Or well much of anything lately.
Speaking of Turkey day, I enjoyed some Turkey on two days, no cheese, and no other meat! Only some yogurt and a few nibs of SO's lasagna cheese that I made for him and Dad. Dad's pan was enjoyed by the whole family, including niece and nephew who stayed there for the weekend while sis and BIL were on vacay in New Orleans.
Speaking of neighbors, I'm getting more follow-up-ish on queries about the furniture and schtuff I'm trying to sell. My living room so cluttered - sofa, swivel chair, lamps, rocking chair. All piled up.
My coworker SVC had her last day today. I got her a Nathan waist pack and a BRR card for her Disney marathon. Real Disney, like not my Disney, haha.
It's supposed to be upwards of 60F tomorrow, after some overnight rain. Want to go hiking!! But lets see how much mud from the rain and how much work I need to get done this weekend. M&D might be visiting next weekend so I want to get caught up.
So for December it's getting into running and my vegan test!
Shhhhhh.....I'm not really supposed to be riding Puppy, but I couldn't resist. The rear tire has been flat since he came home from SO's mechanic, wouldn't hold air. Then in October Dad moved Puppster to the basement. Last night I pulled him back up and this morning popped a new tube in. I was singing "Go Puppy, it's your birthday, we're gonna party, like it's your birthday..." Don't worry, that song won't be added to the IM Songlist. Oh, maybe it will. Playing on the YouTuber now for review.
LOLZ can't help but laff at the video. Yeah no not sure about this one. As a side note, SO's Candy Shop song is next on the playlist. Hahaha! Oh ya this In Da Club song is awful. Why was I singing it?
This morning Marsha and I talked about running next week, only with permission from Dr White. In my mind's eye there will be confetti cannons. Today I did my longest treadmill and bike sessions - 30 mins of each (no handcycle, boring!). 1.75 mi walk and 7.8 miles biked.
I've been aiming for 60' mins of activity a day. On Tuesday (or Weds, not sure) I did the first P90X CD, did it lightly and was still sore and numb afterwards. It was the push-up/pull-up workout.
I'm feeling great! No symptoms since around Nov 5th or so. A few days ago I committed to a 6-8 week vegan test, I'm a few days in and starting with a juice "fast", not really a fast and not really all juice. But it's pushing veggies, I tried beets today - just a half cup of canned - and Yummy! So my shopping list for next week has lots of F&V that I don't normally buy.
Oh did I mention I bought a Breville juicer for only $10. Thanks neighbor! The doctors aren't telling me to go veg*n but when they hear about it they support it. So I'm happy to try it. I really never thought I'd be OK not eating meat because I love it so much! But I haven't had my fluff in over a week, had a few egg whites while home for Turkey day, and other than a steak SO brought over for dinner (a man after my heart!) I've been pretty meat free.
The goal of this veg*n test? 6-8 weeks, depending on how I'm feeling, to see if I can shift the blood numbers. I get tested next week or so and this will measure the effects of the Repatha anti-PCSK9 human monoclonal, then the next test in February will test the effects of the diet. At least that's how I see it.
Oh and speaking of SO, last night I got my xmas present! A SUPER NICE jersey and bib shorts. Bib shorts?! New for me, oooooh hope it warms up so I can wear them. The material is soft and thin and way nicer than I've ever owned for biking. Or running. Or well much of anything lately.
Speaking of Turkey day, I enjoyed some Turkey on two days, no cheese, and no other meat! Only some yogurt and a few nibs of SO's lasagna cheese that I made for him and Dad. Dad's pan was enjoyed by the whole family, including niece and nephew who stayed there for the weekend while sis and BIL were on vacay in New Orleans.
Speaking of neighbors, I'm getting more follow-up-ish on queries about the furniture and schtuff I'm trying to sell. My living room so cluttered - sofa, swivel chair, lamps, rocking chair. All piled up.
My coworker SVC had her last day today. I got her a Nathan waist pack and a BRR card for her Disney marathon. Real Disney, like not my Disney, haha.
It's supposed to be upwards of 60F tomorrow, after some overnight rain. Want to go hiking!! But lets see how much mud from the rain and how much work I need to get done this weekend. M&D might be visiting next weekend so I want to get caught up.
So for December it's getting into running and my vegan test!
Friday, November 16, 2018
I cn haz hundredz?!
YES according to Dr W who said that intensity is more the problem than volume. So when I specifically asked about the low HR races like ultras and hundreds, she seemed OK with it.
I can't WHOOP loud enough on paper for this!
It's a wonderful carrot. I joke that I'm already race shopping, but it's a joke. I went through all this spring race shopping and planning and mapping and thinking and etc and etc, only to have most none of it pan out. My eyes and brain were bigger than my endurance capacity and my hip healing.
This week has been my best week since the initial events on Labor Day weekend. 80-some days ago I think. (I set a countdown in my phone for this). I'm pain free, no cardiac symptoms, no dizzy or fatigue, or breathlessness like I was having. Whether it was mental or physical or a combination of both, who cares. I'm out of it.
This past weekend I had a strong urge to run, even just a block or two. I still have it, but haven't acted on it. At rehab I started doing 10' handcycle (swim), 20' bike, and 20' treadmill (run). Only the bike gets my HR up, walking will need more hill.
Today on the bike my BP was 120/something! The highest it's read for me lately, but also I don't typically get BP readings while exercising. I hit my goal of 5.5 miles in just a squeak under 20 mins. Then on the treadmill a woman who got on an adjacent treadmill halfway through my session set hers to 1.5% incline and 3.4 speed while I was 1.0% and 3.0 (GRRRRR) (but don't forget she was holding the handrails) (but still, the competitive in me...) and this only spurred me to increase very slowly my speed a few points. Next week, >3.0 on the 'mill.
And yesterday I did my first stairs climb at work to the 7th floor of the mouse house. Felt OK, so I'll continue adding that back in.
And I'm looking at being meat-free before the end of November. I'm going to enjoy Turkey and more while on holiday vacation, then transition once the "clean out" is done. Then I don't buy anymore until ....? I'm going for 6 weeks as my initial goal.
Bought a juicer too, did I mention that in the last post? Enjoying a morning juice, still finding my fave ingredients. For the past 2 weeks or so I've had awful bloating and gut swelling, last night was first night that it wasn't a problem. So gotta keep track on that. Some suspicions on the blackberries I've been buying.
I can't WHOOP loud enough on paper for this!
It's a wonderful carrot. I joke that I'm already race shopping, but it's a joke. I went through all this spring race shopping and planning and mapping and thinking and etc and etc, only to have most none of it pan out. My eyes and brain were bigger than my endurance capacity and my hip healing.
This week has been my best week since the initial events on Labor Day weekend. 80-some days ago I think. (I set a countdown in my phone for this). I'm pain free, no cardiac symptoms, no dizzy or fatigue, or breathlessness like I was having. Whether it was mental or physical or a combination of both, who cares. I'm out of it.
This past weekend I had a strong urge to run, even just a block or two. I still have it, but haven't acted on it. At rehab I started doing 10' handcycle (swim), 20' bike, and 20' treadmill (run). Only the bike gets my HR up, walking will need more hill.
Today on the bike my BP was 120/something! The highest it's read for me lately, but also I don't typically get BP readings while exercising. I hit my goal of 5.5 miles in just a squeak under 20 mins. Then on the treadmill a woman who got on an adjacent treadmill halfway through my session set hers to 1.5% incline and 3.4 speed while I was 1.0% and 3.0 (GRRRRR) (but don't forget she was holding the handrails) (but still, the competitive in me...) and this only spurred me to increase very slowly my speed a few points. Next week, >3.0 on the 'mill.
And yesterday I did my first stairs climb at work to the 7th floor of the mouse house. Felt OK, so I'll continue adding that back in.
And I'm looking at being meat-free before the end of November. I'm going to enjoy Turkey and more while on holiday vacation, then transition once the "clean out" is done. Then I don't buy anymore until ....? I'm going for 6 weeks as my initial goal.
Bought a juicer too, did I mention that in the last post? Enjoying a morning juice, still finding my fave ingredients. For the past 2 weeks or so I've had awful bloating and gut swelling, last night was first night that it wasn't a problem. So gotta keep track on that. Some suspicions on the blackberries I've been buying.
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Two weeks into November
I miss typing into my little log here, but at the same time it surprises me that days can go by and I don't even think about ?!
Today is the 13th, almost halfway into the month. On Friday the 2nd I met my lipidologist Dr S. Awesome many times over. He's excited to discuss the science and research and answer questions, what more can I want for? He's starting me on two more Rx, Repatha and Vascepa. I'm still doing the research on them. The first is a PCSK9 inhibitor that will result in more LDL particles at the cell surface, instead of being targeted for degradation. The second is a high concentration EPA fish oil show to reduce cardiac deaths/events but the mechanism isn't clear from what I read. The Repatha is almost $7000/year (this after a 60% discount by the manufacturer) and the Vascepa is $300/month. See what insurance will do for me. Dr S says they'll go to bat for me on that. Oh, and I stop my OTC fish oil, the DHA can increase LDL. He gets tests for TSH (normal), free T4 (low, haven't followed up with that yet), and a serum protein electrophoresis to look for oligoclonal bands indicative of antibody, one theory is that I have antibodies interfering with LDL uptake. Cool, right?! Except, it's me.
So then on to Monday, where I have a head and neck CT immediately followed by an appointment with Dr B. All is well. The 8mm iliac dissection in the abdominal/pelvic CT last week is either not really a dissection or it is and he's not worried about it. I'm feeling MUCH better that I did a week ago, I didn't realize just how fatigued and tired I felt. The metoprolol is the suspect in that. He's stopped that and now I'm on a Ca+2 channel blocker to keep the arterial muscle cells calm. Dr B is optimistic for my future, pleased with how things are going, and what better can you want than to hear "see you in 3 months". Awesome!
It seems my science life has invaded my training life blog.
Tuesday the 6th I see Dr L. I'm holding good there, he says I need to start up the PT exercises to restabilize my hip which has started popping sometimes and occasionally hurts at one of the hip flexors.
On Weds the 7th I go back to rehab! Again I recognize a huge increase in energy, mental and physical. I didn't realize how bad I was feeling in the weeks before my second hospital admission.
This past few days was a quiet weekend with no symptoms. And I bought a juicer. Just what my countertop needs. But, I can see where it fits into a more-veggie lifestyle. Some of the soup recipes use veg juice as a base instead of broth. And speaking of recipes, I'm hoarding veg*n books from the library (probably cruised through 15+ already) to learn what to do about vitamins, protein, how to fix these new foods, and more. Soooo much info, and it all seems to agree but that could be because I'm searching within a defined parameter of "vegan". Engine 2, Eat 2 Live, 22-Day Revolution -- all programs espousing no animal products, little to no oil, limited starch, veg*n life.
As of today, I've cut processed foods, pork, oil, beef, fish, full fat dairy, and this week egg yolks. Leaving me with chicken, egg whites, the remaining liver in the freezer. The goal last week was at least 1 meatless meal a day. This week pushing that out a little further.
I've added tofu and tempeh, more greens, chia and flax seed (don't overdo these either), tahini, sunflower seeds (>1T a fail), red lentils (OK to 1/8th cup so far), butternut (tend to overeat), canned chickpeas (fail), canned lentils (not final test, and kinda yucky), and eggplant. Next up maybe quinoa. Haha, Fuck Quinoa.
Speaking of whom. I have this long draft email to send him as an update. Last time I did this we talked over the phone and he invited me on to the pod. I'm tempted, but not wanting to do so. So I'm wondering, why send the email then. Keep thinking on it.
Well anyway, the nutrition experiment is going good with a potential issue? In the most recent cath before they started they took an image and asked if I was constipated? No... why....? I "looked like i was". Nice. Then in the abd/pelvic CT the same observation of a "large volume of feces" and more etc. Yeah, that would explain why my gut is perpetually SWOLLEN. Ugh, some days I feel nauseated. The next morning I pass what seems to be and entire large intestine of stuff. I'm giving my gut a few weeks to adapt before make more changes. Or worrying about it.
This week, still feeling great at rehab yesterday. On Sunday I had the urge to run, that urge has been stalled out lately so it felt good to see it coming back. Yesterday at rehab I did a "swim bike run" by doing the handcycle first, then a bike, then the treadmill. :)
Today, in an hour I have my first followup with Dr White. More after that.
Today is the 13th, almost halfway into the month. On Friday the 2nd I met my lipidologist Dr S. Awesome many times over. He's excited to discuss the science and research and answer questions, what more can I want for? He's starting me on two more Rx, Repatha and Vascepa. I'm still doing the research on them. The first is a PCSK9 inhibitor that will result in more LDL particles at the cell surface, instead of being targeted for degradation. The second is a high concentration EPA fish oil show to reduce cardiac deaths/events but the mechanism isn't clear from what I read. The Repatha is almost $7000/year (this after a 60% discount by the manufacturer) and the Vascepa is $300/month. See what insurance will do for me. Dr S says they'll go to bat for me on that. Oh, and I stop my OTC fish oil, the DHA can increase LDL. He gets tests for TSH (normal), free T4 (low, haven't followed up with that yet), and a serum protein electrophoresis to look for oligoclonal bands indicative of antibody, one theory is that I have antibodies interfering with LDL uptake. Cool, right?! Except, it's me.
So then on to Monday, where I have a head and neck CT immediately followed by an appointment with Dr B. All is well. The 8mm iliac dissection in the abdominal/pelvic CT last week is either not really a dissection or it is and he's not worried about it. I'm feeling MUCH better that I did a week ago, I didn't realize just how fatigued and tired I felt. The metoprolol is the suspect in that. He's stopped that and now I'm on a Ca+2 channel blocker to keep the arterial muscle cells calm. Dr B is optimistic for my future, pleased with how things are going, and what better can you want than to hear "see you in 3 months". Awesome!
It seems my science life has invaded my training life blog.
Tuesday the 6th I see Dr L. I'm holding good there, he says I need to start up the PT exercises to restabilize my hip which has started popping sometimes and occasionally hurts at one of the hip flexors.
On Weds the 7th I go back to rehab! Again I recognize a huge increase in energy, mental and physical. I didn't realize how bad I was feeling in the weeks before my second hospital admission.
This past few days was a quiet weekend with no symptoms. And I bought a juicer. Just what my countertop needs. But, I can see where it fits into a more-veggie lifestyle. Some of the soup recipes use veg juice as a base instead of broth. And speaking of recipes, I'm hoarding veg*n books from the library (probably cruised through 15+ already) to learn what to do about vitamins, protein, how to fix these new foods, and more. Soooo much info, and it all seems to agree but that could be because I'm searching within a defined parameter of "vegan". Engine 2, Eat 2 Live, 22-Day Revolution -- all programs espousing no animal products, little to no oil, limited starch, veg*n life.
As of today, I've cut processed foods, pork, oil, beef, fish, full fat dairy, and this week egg yolks. Leaving me with chicken, egg whites, the remaining liver in the freezer. The goal last week was at least 1 meatless meal a day. This week pushing that out a little further.
I've added tofu and tempeh, more greens, chia and flax seed (don't overdo these either), tahini, sunflower seeds (>1T a fail), red lentils (OK to 1/8th cup so far), butternut (tend to overeat), canned chickpeas (fail), canned lentils (not final test, and kinda yucky), and eggplant. Next up maybe quinoa. Haha, Fuck Quinoa.
Speaking of whom. I have this long draft email to send him as an update. Last time I did this we talked over the phone and he invited me on to the pod. I'm tempted, but not wanting to do so. So I'm wondering, why send the email then. Keep thinking on it.
Well anyway, the nutrition experiment is going good with a potential issue? In the most recent cath before they started they took an image and asked if I was constipated? No... why....? I "looked like i was". Nice. Then in the abd/pelvic CT the same observation of a "large volume of feces" and more etc. Yeah, that would explain why my gut is perpetually SWOLLEN. Ugh, some days I feel nauseated. The next morning I pass what seems to be and entire large intestine of stuff. I'm giving my gut a few weeks to adapt before make more changes. Or worrying about it.
This week, still feeling great at rehab yesterday. On Sunday I had the urge to run, that urge has been stalled out lately so it felt good to see it coming back. Yesterday at rehab I did a "swim bike run" by doing the handcycle first, then a bike, then the treadmill. :)
Today, in an hour I have my first followup with Dr White. More after that.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
No _______ November?
November 1st, and it seems my main goal right at the moment is planning out my diet changes. I talk to a lipidologist tomorrow, will know more about whether going veg*n, full or in part, will make differences for me. I should at least try it? Either way, because I like planning and because I don't have any training plans or races to plan for, I'm planning this.
List to add and test slowly over time: soy and tahini already done, then quinoa, red lentils, flax, chia, butternut, oats?, more greens, canned legume, canned lentil, eggplant. I've found 2 more FODMAP apps that are helping with the serving sizes. The schedule will be determined by how symptoms go.
List to eliminate over time: processed food and and pork already done, then in this order: added oil and beef, egg yolks and fish, full fat dairy and chicken, all egg and all dairy and liver. This was in part dictated by what foods I have on hand to use up. I think if I don't consume all of fish for example (bag of scallops, 2 sardines, 1 oyster, 1 salmon, 1 anchovy) it won't be the end of the world. Eat them into the next week, or just leave in cabinet.
So far, butternut was a problem because I ate too much. The latest serving recommendation is only 0.25c. I was eating 1 cup! Also tested flax and chia, but lines got blurred because I was stacking and overdoing the recommended 1 tablespoon serving.
Geezus, VEGAN?! What a HUGE missed-steak.
List to add and test slowly over time: soy and tahini already done, then quinoa, red lentils, flax, chia, butternut, oats?, more greens, canned legume, canned lentil, eggplant. I've found 2 more FODMAP apps that are helping with the serving sizes. The schedule will be determined by how symptoms go.
List to eliminate over time: processed food and and pork already done, then in this order: added oil and beef, egg yolks and fish, full fat dairy and chicken, all egg and all dairy and liver. This was in part dictated by what foods I have on hand to use up. I think if I don't consume all of fish for example (bag of scallops, 2 sardines, 1 oyster, 1 salmon, 1 anchovy) it won't be the end of the world. Eat them into the next week, or just leave in cabinet.
So far, butternut was a problem because I ate too much. The latest serving recommendation is only 0.25c. I was eating 1 cup! Also tested flax and chia, but lines got blurred because I was stacking and overdoing the recommended 1 tablespoon serving.
Geezus, VEGAN?! What a HUGE missed-steak.
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