Wednesday, October 20, 2010

CHECKING IN HOME - AT LEAST FOR AWHILE

We checked out of Arkansas Heart Hospital Oct. 16 and spent night in Little Rock, both of us worn out, so felt an immediate resumption of a near 175 mi, long drive simply to much to attempt under the circumstances.

Since WiFi did not reach the hospital 3rd floor, I am behind on reading all your blocks and a few FaceBook notes.

I have a couple of funny and not so funny stories to write.

Mainly I am trying to get some strength to do just daily stuff like washing clothes. It is not the washing--I do have a clothes washer and dryer, it is the sorting, folding, carrying from room to room, etc.

And cooking is proving a problem. I think I may consult the a certified nutritionist. The hospital warned me to watch salt, and of course fat. Yet they served me bacon, but no breaded, fried foods in the heart hospital. This does not help me in food selection, nor my husband who tries to help cook.

I have some Mrs. Dash products. But meat tenderizer has salt in it, same for Lawry's seasoned salt, both long time staples in my seasonings.

Last night I had one serving of Healthy Campbell Chicken and Rice soup and 1 serving Kashi Original crackers. It alone had 1/2 my daily salt allowance. That is after turning down black-eyed peas,which I love, my husband cooked with a hunk of ham in it. I still don't know which was the better choice. He did not add salt to the peas, but the cured ready-to-eat ham was injected with solution which usually includes salt ablationin addition to other ingredients. The curing process usually includes salt also.

As the King and I movie: "IT IS A PUZZLEMENT!"

It will be hectic until we adjust to so many paradoxical changes, not to mention the drug, called TIKOSYN, has a lot of other restrictions as to which medications can be used, but no food restrictions that I have yet found.

The ablation may be the answer; as soon as I have my lungs re-evaluated, I may sign up for it. It is not open heart type surgery. It is done with special catheters, but under general anesthesia--the one hold up in my opinion.

I took no pictures but really enjoyed the Kindle and had time to learn a few features. I read one Max Lucado book, Imagine your Life without Fear, three times, underlining passages I thought I needed to re-read frequently.

Of course, learning a few the Kindle's features were great, like using the dictionary, highlighting passages, but have yet to find them in My clippings. Am sure I'll get it eventually.

19 comments:

Rosaria Williams said...

Good to see/hear you. I think I can help with the salt issue, as I cater to my hubby's needs for no-extra salt.

1. Make your own stock when you can, with lots of herbs. Mrs. Dash has a variety of non-salt herb concoctions.

2. Use frozen rather than canned whenever possible.


3. Marinate your meats in oil, vinegar or juices before you cook them. The combination will flavor the meat and you'll not need any salt.

4. Keep lemons in the fridge. When something tastes bland, splash a bit of lemon.

5. Use mozzarella, fresh if you can find it. It has less salt than any other cheese. I have been known to dry it up by leaving it uncovered in the fridge, out of the water bath it comes in, then grate it on top of my pasta.

Hope you get your strength back. Hire someone for those chores that someone else can do. Your health is most important right now.

Anonymous said...

Glad you are home and I hope you can heal quickly. You will eventually get used to all the changes but I know it must not be an easy thing for you to do. I thought about you and told hubby had I know what room you were in I would have peeked in on you just to say "Hi". Take care of yourself and I hope you are feeling wonderful in no time. Hugs

Dimple said...

I'm glad you're out and home, and I bet Luckie is, too. Sorry you're so wiped out from the hospital stay, I hope it was fruitful and what was learned will be of use. Feel better soon!

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

I've been thinking about you. So glad you are home. Take it easy until you get your strength back. Meal planning does sound like a chore. Hope you can get help from a nutritionist. Glad you're enjoying the Kindle.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Max Lucado is WONDERFUL!!!! So glad you are home...but I can well imagine that you are puzzled by all the new dietary restrictions...sigh!!! I have food allergies...so I understand how complicated a special diet can be...you have my deepest empathy!!! Take care of yourself...don't worry about catching up with us!!! We'll be here!!! Love, Janine XO

CHERI said...

So glad to hear from you and also that you are hanging in there. I do hope and pray in time your strength will return. We should all watch our salt intake...it's definitely not good for us. You take care and continue to improve. I've missed you!

Small City Scenes said...

I have been thinking and wondering about you. I hope the hospital time has been fruitful for you.
Listen to what lakeviewer says about the food.
On my say--nothing canned or processed--not good not good.
Take your time and relax and not worry about stuff.
So much advice---I bet you get tired of all us 'mean gooders' ha ha. MB

faye said...

Welcome home. Hope you get the
dietary restrictions under control
soon.

faye said...

My first post was gobbled up by
blogger.

Anyway......

Welcome home.!!
Don't overdo.

Arkansas Patti said...

Sure am glad you are home. Been thinking about you and wondering.
Your new restrictions sure don't sound like fun but are wise even with no health problems.
Lakeviewer has some great suggestions.
Can't believer they gave you bacon in a heart hospital. I think of all I have given up, I miss bacon the most.
Take care Carol and get really well soon.

Anonymous said...

Hope you all get back and are well soon.

I have never been in a "heart' hospital but I have all sorts of heart issues and take a lot of pills for it.

Thanks for the visit.

Reply to NitWitt1...
Polaroid was still a long ways off in the future when I was taking pictures in Japan but when I did get back home we got one. Small. Still have some of the images. Had to wipe that goop over them to protect them I guess.

Thanks for the visit.

Pat - Arkansas said...

I'm glad you feel up to writing; we've missed you. While I don't (yet) have any dietary restrictions, I do need to cut down on my salt intake. I found lakeviewer's suggestions most helpful, and hope you do, also.
Hopeing you feel much better -- soon.

NitWit1 said...

Although I thought this a somewhat dull post I am glad Lakeviewer gave all of us some great tips. I am washing most canned goods, but am slowing replacing with frozen steamed products if there is little or no salt added. I have found some. Some have "light sauce" so have to watch salt. However I have to watch fats too, but I have a recipe for rubs for pork and chicken without salt.

THANKS lAKEVIEWER FOR TIPS. MANY STRUGGLE WITH VARIOUS CONDITIONS WHERE SALT/FAT ISSUES ABOUND, NOT JUST HEART BUT KIDNEYS, TOO.

Liz Hinds said...

Good to hear from you again. I'm sure you'll soon regain some of that strength.

I hope you find an answer to the puzzlement. Salt is an intrinsic part of so many things it won't be easy. Good luck with it.

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

I am so happy that your home and you left me a message so I could get in your site. Two days ago I tried from my desk top where I saved your site and it would only let me see your headboard but tonight when I clicked on your name I had no trouble. Go figure sometimes I wonder if it is me or the computer.
Sorry you have so much on your plate to deal with... pain is enough with out having to watch everything else.
I was reading lakeviewer comments and she has given you some really good advice. Aren't we lucky to have such sweet friends.
Laughed at your comment about lights on the ghost. No lights out there maybe next year..lol
The wind started blowing really hard today so they may be in another county when I get up in the morning. Too bad because I made them for my grandbabies and they want be here until tomorrow afternoon. If I ever put them out again it will be closer to the house where the wind doesn't blow as hard.
Take care sweetie and keep us up on how you are.
Oh I loved reading about the Kindle I would love love to have one
Love
Maggie

Silver said...

Have a blessed week end!

I posted something today. Good to be back but not sure i can post as often as i would before due to work.

But it's good to be blog walking when i can again..

Hugs,
Silver

Amber Star said...

I'm so glad you are home and getting around. What LakeViewer had to say makes a lot of sense. And hiring someone or talking to your doctor about getting some home health aid might be a good idea. Now that the pneumonia and all the heart issues have cleared up I feel so much better and have more energy. I go to ocupational therapy twice a week at the hosepital and am getting the range of motion back. Hurts like heck that day then is better the next.

Glad you are feeling better, kiddo.

Lisa said...

First of all: I am so very glad your home. Second: It's times like these when I wish this syber world could open up to a real visit and homemade chicken soup.

Don't you worry about visiting any of us unless you of course you are trying to avoid feeling bad about the laundry ;) Folding laundry and syber visiting can wait. Let us check on you.

Love to you and your hubby!

xoxo,Lisa Rest and feel better soon!

Linda said...

Glad you're back home. Things still sound serious however. Take good care of yourself and keep us posted.