What Not to Eat!

I was reading a friend's blog and found a picture of something I doubt I should ever eat.

Food: An Everyday Challange

Yesterday was Memorial Day. In otherwords it was a day where food was a top priority. I remember a time when I gave absolutly no thought about what I ate except whether it was good or not. I don't know how much my diet played a role in my coranary artery disease, but knowing what I put into my mouth I have to believe it played a major role. The reality was that I loved fried food and all the other things people sometimes call "artery glue." After my surgery I had to face some major lifestyle changes and food was near the top of the list. About a year post-op I was talking to a cardiac nurse who claimed that the majority of people who had bypass surgery we back to their old ways of eating within two years.

With the help of a wonderfully supportive wife, everything about my diet changed, but after three years I still have a some challanges. First, days like yesterday are tough. We had a bunch of family over and we did have grilled chicken, but we also had fresh strawberry pie, and homemade lemon ice cream made with heavy whipping cream. I know it is ok to have some of the bad stuff, but on days like yesterday and the 4th of July the challange becomes moderation. By the way, that ice cream is out of this world. I face a second challange everytime I go out to eat. I just wish there were move healthy options for folks like me. When I look at the number of fast food places and resturants in general I am amazed that there is not even more heart disease. I am not interested in becoming the food police, but I do believe that the resturant industry could do better.

Three Years to the Day

My wife and I were watching some TV and she looked over at me and asked me if I knew what today was. I looked at he funny and told her it was Tuesday. She smiled and said,  "It's May the 13th. It's been exactly three years." I couldn't believe it. Not that three years had passed since my bypass, but that I didn't think about it one time today until she reminded me.  I remember when I thought about it all the time, but now things are different. I am back to a new normal. In a sense nothing will ever be the same, because as my wife also said, "You were given a second chance at life."  I know a lot of folks think that someone who survives bypass surgery wakes up from surgery with a realization of this second chance. I guess some do, but to be honest, it has taken me a while to get to that point. Today has been a good day. Three years down and a bunch more to go!

Back and Doing Well

My trip to Pepperdine exceeded all expectations. I feel great. I feel alive. I feel whole. I really wondered how my return to the place where it all seemed to have started would feel. For a long time after my bypass I spent a good deal of time wondering when I would have more problems. Every passing pain can feel like a heart attack. I no longer feel that way. I can laugh again. Three years ago my friends were joking about my constant complaining. This year we were laughing together about my past complaining. Recovery takes time. When my wife's uncle told me that I would feel like a new person, but it would take eighteen months, I didn't realize how right he was. I am a survivor.