The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Monday, February 1, 2016

Winners... and Survivors

          Yesterday I put all the names of the people into a bowl (I'm old-school)-- all the people who left a comment--and drew a name.

           The winner of the Carly Simon memoir is...



                     Mama Zen.

           MZ, if you email me your address, I'll send you the book.

           And as far as survivors,  I've spent most of the last two weeks at the hospital. For some of those days I'd work, hurry home to let the dog out and then head to the hospital.

          My husband has felt bad for several months. But like the typical stupid stoic male, he tried to power through it. Two weeks ago, he went in for a pre-planned 3-4 day hospital stay so they could try a new heart med.

          We thought it was working. He was released on a Friday. 

          On Sunday night, because of an electronic monitor he was wearing, they could tell he had a heart attack. Sunday night, we were ordered to go to the emergency room immediately. He was admitted, after wonderful care from the ER nurses at St. Mary's, and stayed until Thursday.

           Because of the diagnosis he has (congestive heart failure), we are now label-lookers. Looking at every label is going to become second nature to us. Low or no sodium things are the only foods allowed in the house, which will be good for me, too. (However, if I am out and about with friends at  a restaurant, and you see me order the "Deer's Special--a salt lick--you'll understand how much I miss salty things.) Thankfully, there are sodium-free versions of salt, and we're experimenting with different salt-free versions of spice blends.

           So, how about you? Do you have certain dietary constraints? Are there certain foods you avoid? (And do you have a plate of bacon you can send me--to my work?) Salty minds want to know...

25 comments:

  1. Gosh, I am sorry you have faced such a two weeks...and with more to deal with. Here, food has always been an issue. Hubby and I are like Peter Pumpkin eater...skinny eating and fat not eating. Long story. But yes, we have food issues. Like you, I want salt...bread...butter more than cookies and cake--although I will eat them too. Alcohol or cigarettes can be given up entirely but what about food? Still have to have something and that keeps the taste buds on alert for more. You have a challenge ahead. Maybe you will find some great things and solutions to share with the rest of us, to keep us on our own health path!

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    1. Claudia--Unfortunately, I don't think I will ever become a role model for healthy eating. But perhaps--together--we can figure out a doable path...

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  2. OMG! I am so sorry to hear this. You must have been a bundle of nerves. Salt is in everything, especially canned goods. Yes, now you are a label reader. Hope M is okay and feeling better. I will bring salty chips if you want.

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    1. Linda--He IS getting better, slowly but surely.

      You're right. Salt IS in everything. It's amazing.

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  3. Replies
    1. Shay--She's sneaky with words. Perhaps that sneakiness makes its way into other facets of her life...

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  4. So sorry to hear about your husband, Sioux. Thinking of you! My husband and I are label lookers, too--on everything--even if it's labelled no GMO or Gluten free.

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  5. Sioux, I'm so sorry your husband has had a health scare. I know how stressful that is for both the patient and for the patient's family. At least you've got a diagnosis and know what to do. Knowledge is power.

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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    1. Pat--You are so right. If we're armed with knowledge, it makes us more powerful...

      Delete
  6. Oh, how scary! I'll be thinking about both of you.

    I have celiac disease so I'm a living documentary on food restrictions.

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  7. And I can't believe I won! I never win anything!

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    1. MZ--Thanks.

      And that makes you an expert on label-reading...

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  8. Dang! Good to hear that he's okay!

    We don't avoid much around here, but my husband is supposed to be off sugar and carbs, what with Type 2 diabetes. Or "sugar diabetus" as my grandma used to refer to it.

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    Replies
    1. Val--I had an aunt that said it the same way as your grandma.

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  9. So happy to hear he is doing better. I learned about heart disease from my mom's angina condition. When the docs tell you to make a change, make the change. Praying for continued recovery and comfort for him, and you! I gave up refined sugar four years ago...cookies, cake, donuts, and many things that sugar is listed as an ingredient. I got used to doing without. It made a big difference in my life, and my daily attitude. I no longer verbally bash others who challenge me...I now just use subtle and loving sarcasm. Brighter days are coming!

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    1. NoExcuses--Thanks. We ARE making the change.

      No sugar? Subtle sarcasm?

      I couldn't do either one...

      Delete
  10. Oh, Sioux, so sorry for your hubs' troubles! And I know EXACTLY what it's like to follow a no/low sodium diet as my Mister Man has similar issues. No more Stouffers lasagna! No more dishes made with Campbell's soup!I mean, honestly, I skip about six aisles in the grocery store now.

    But you know what doesn't have much sodium at all? Ice cream.

    A big bowl of ice cream can make up for a lot. :-)

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    1. Cathy--Thank you.

      Ice cream. Don't leave home without (having) it.

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  11. I am fortunate to be able to eat anything I want. It's the moderation that sometimes leaves me unsatisfied. Stoic or stupid, it's all the same to us men.

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    1. Jono--I have a problem with moderation as well... (And you're sooo right about men. ;)

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  12. Gosh, I'm so sorry about your hubby. Glad he had on the monitor and that you have something to work on... as Pat said, "knowledge is power" and isn't that the truth?
    Wish I had jumped on sooner, as I'm pretty sure I'd like that Carly Simon memoir... I learned so much just reading that post. I'm a Cat fan :-) Um, even though I just read all the things I hadn't in SOOOOOO long, I already can't remember them... must've been that fall I took earlier. LOL. Although that should have knocked some sense back into me as I don't think at that point I had any to knock out, if you get my drift. Oh good grief, this is too long. Keep on writing, I'll read it eventually... one blog at a time.

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    1. Lynn--I'll be glad to loan you the Carly Simon memoir.

      And you shouldn't make excuses about staying off blogs. After all, you're working on a HUGE project. :)

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  13. Hey Sioux, I'm so sorry to hear about your hubby. Keeping him, and you, of course, in my prayers. Sending a hug your way, with a little bit of salt on the side :)

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    1. Theresa--Thanks for the prayers, and thanks for the salt. I've found that if it tastes good--if anything tastes good--it has salt in it and also probably sugar.

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Thanks for your comments. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by...