Hey
Moonwatcher! Glad you got a kick out of the BP story! I know I did. In fact, it's my go-to thought when I get overwhelmed over the last few days.
Yes, I think the Esselstyn book is hard to ignore. We are hoping he'll finish it, and it seems like he is really reading it, too.
Thank you for the support and wishes. You are so very sweet!
The Saga Continues...But it Ain't So Bad!So we left the in-laws in the hands of my MIL's very spry and healthy older sister (78 years young!) who was able-bodied enough to demonstrate how her husband collapses to the floor in pain when he has an angina attack (side benefit of this demo - scaring my FIL into healthy choices, we hope) and then hop right back up and continue vacuuming.
Apparently they have been eating vegan and on-plan ever since. On their own! and MIL's sister is too, just to be polite, we imagine. But still! MIL even called from WF's yesterday because she could not find the Health Starts Here no-oil options at the deli counter. (Yes, she could have asked someone who works there, but she has come cognitive difficulties) This is unprecedented commitment. Perhaps FIL was snowing my SIL about eating meat, instead of us about not eating meat and dairy. Or maybe Esselstyn's book is sinking in. Who knows?
All we know is the two of them seem to have switched from each other's biggest poor-eating-habits enablers to each other's health police, since they are both concerned about the other's poor health and diet so much.
To make things more overwhelming for DH and I personally, my parents are visiting this week - they came in Monday - DH got two job interviews, both for jobs that could really help us get out of the debt-pit, and I got two new commissions (I paint portraits.)
Plus the cats peed all over everything because they don't handle visitors well.
DH and I are holding up though! Healthy eating has more benefits than just reducing cholesterol. We are far less stressed, despite the stress, if you know what I mean.
Also -
A Marker, A Milestone, A Moment in TimeAbout a year ago, I had a really big flare up of the arthritis. And in fact, I wrote (via Speech Recognition, on that day, no typing possible) in my regular journal - not this one -on Sept 18th 2011 -
"Today is the worst I have felt since I don't know when. All I can do is lie here, in agony, watching Netflix streaming all day. I can't walk. I can't make food. I have to wait for Mike to come home to feed me. I can't bathe. Life seems like it is not worth living right now."
Aside from the fact that I tend toward a bit of self-pity and melodrama (character trait I try to minimize in this journal since it is tiresome and a downer for others) reading that entry yesterday made yesterday such a better day!
Yesterday, in the midst of running around, I got stuck on the way to the post office to mail a portrait. Why? Well, because there was construction in the parking lot, therefore no spaces, and someone had decided to just park their car on the very narrow, one-way, single exit detour route to EAT AN ENTIRE ICE CREAM CONE!!! Someone who did not respond to polite honks or me just getting out of the car and asking her to please get out of the way.
In short, someone infuriating.
I went back to my car, and in typical melodrama-of-the-moment mode, began to get really upset about how LIFE was all about GETTING in MY WAY. Me-PERSONALLY!
And then I remembered a year ago yesterday and I just laughed out loud in the car, my tension gone. My whole perspective changed. I was struck by how thankful I was to be able to be driving, running around, and handling all the stuff that has been going on. I was ready for that lady to eat 5 ice cream cones while I sat there and enjoyed the day
Yes I was overwhelmed and veeerrry tired yesterday, but that was all for good reason! Stress and no sleep! A year ago yesterday I could not walk. I was bedridden. I was utterly dejected, even though I was tenaciously hanging on to not giving up (I am very stubborn, thankfully in this case.)
My ParentsMy parents have been eating this way for about a year and a half, after my Dad was diagnosed with A-Fib and pre-diabetes. A-fib is still an issue, but the pre-diabetes is gone and his a-fib is not very bad.
They have both lost weight, of course, and gotten much healthier. But I had no idea how healthy!
We went for a walk yesterday afternoon, and then sat in a shaded spot in a park with a lap pool. My Mom went over to watch a kids swimming class, and apparently the kids who were not swimming were doing push ups and lunges. How do I know? Well, she came over and showed us with some push-ups and lunges of her own!
I was blown away. She started exercising! I had no idea, and let me tell you, this is a woman who has looked down her nose at exercise her whole life!
I am so glad to see them really looking out for their own health. The contrast between them and DH's parents is stark, and they are just a couple of years younger.
Life is very interesting. So full of turns you never expect.