Tag: Health

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A Day at the Nephrologist’s Office With My Wife

Written 6/24/2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Today, I found myself at the nephrologist’s office instead of my usual Tuesday or Thursday appointment due to a schedule change initiated by the doctor’s office. 

Luckily, my wife was able to take a day off to join me today, turning the appointment into a little excursion. She’s been eager to meet my nephrologist, and we’ve also planned a treat for ourselves—a visit to the new cupcake store that just opened near us.

The appointment was set for right after lunchtime. My wife was all over the house, ticking off her to-dos before we headed out. The appointment only changes my daily schedule a little. Changing the appointment day meant I’d skip my usual run. Given today’s scorching heat, missing it seemed alright, rather desirable. I’d still fit in with my other exercises, keeping up with my usual activity level.

At the doctor’s office, I introduced my wife to my nephrologist, who welcomed us warmly. This was her first time meeting him. The usual health check followed, with him logging my blood pressure and heart rate from my smartphone, which I monitor constantly with my smartwatch. He also took note of my body weight and composition from my smart scale. He was looking for any sign of unusual changes. Ever since I had a brain stroke, I have had a smartwatch and intelligent scale to monitor those. It makes it much easier to detect any unusual signs. 

Unfortunately, my creatine and potassium levels were high, prompting the need for additional tests. My doctor thought it was similar to last summer when dehydration skewed my results since my logs did not seem unusual or bad at all. Despite my efforts to stay hydrated, I can quickly lose a few pounds of water by lawn mowing, resulting in summer yard work sometimes getting the better of me.

Post-appointment, we headed to that much-anticipated cupcake store. The cupcakes were not only a feast for the eyes but also delicious. I’m saving mine to enjoy after dinner, a sweet end to a day of health checks and treats.

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Title: Refueling After Yard Work: Balancing Hunger and Health

Written 5/17/2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Yesterday, I managed to complete mowing the remainder of the yard. This endeavor took a considerable amount of time and energy. Afterward, I found myself overwhelmingly hungry. This intense hunger isn’t unusual after three hours of strenuous physical activity. Yet, the quantity of food required to satiate this hunger surprised me. My post-activity meal consisted of a generous bowl of spaghetti, four granola bars, and a cookie. Only then did I feel the edge of my hunger dull—not full, just no longer hungry. I learned this important distinction from my grandparents, who emphasized it as a practical approach to maintaining a healthy weight.

Given the intensity of my hunger yesterday, I half-expected the scales this morning to suggest that my weight had dropped alarmingly low. I intend to maintain my current weight, so I need to be more mindful. The thought made me frown a bit. To my mild surprise, the scale showed that I was only half a pound lighter than the previous day, which was already slightly below the lower end of my desired weight range. I felt better. I can manage that by eating marginally more.

I make it a practice to regularly monitor my weight to ensure I maintain a healthy balance. On days like yesterday, when my physical activity leads to a higher calorie output than intake, it’s natural to see a slight decline in weight. Additionally, we are vigilant about our salt intake due to my high blood pressure issues. Even though salty foods tend to increase water retention, impacting weight measurements, I allow for what I consider an acceptable daily fluctuation—about 10% over or under my target weight.

As I prepare for my morning run, I’m curious how my robust eating from yesterday will influence today’s weight measurement. It’s a delicate balance, managing food intake against physical activity and overall health, and it’s a journey that always keeps me engaged and attentive to my body’s needs.

Navigating through these challenges, I continue to learn more about my body’s responses and how best to maintain a stable and healthy weight while still enjoying the foods I love and the activities that keep me fit. This balancing act is not just about numbers on a scale; it’s about feeling good, staying healthy, and living life to the fullest.

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A Night of Forgotten Steps: An Encounter with Sleepwalking

Written 5/2

Hello Dear Readers,

Last evening unfolded with a most unusual occurrence. As usual, I retired for the night at our standard bedtime. The evening routine was methodical, almost mechanical, in its execution—a necessary ritual since the stroke that urged a restructuring of my daily habits. But at 2:00 AM, I awoke to find myself standing in our bathroom, bewildered and piecing together fragments of memory that suggested I had been elsewhere in the house mere moments ago.

The sensation was disorienting. Had I neglected my bedtime rituals? The usual checklist ran through my mind in a haze. Did I remember to brush my teeth? A rush of confusion overwhelmed me as though a veil had been draped over my memories. Soon, a small but significant discovery alleviated one of my concerns: I was wearing my mouthguard. This small cue hinted at the likelihood that I had completed at least part of my nightly regimen.

This practice of linking tasks, a method instilled by my occupational therapist post-stroke, has been a lifeline. It involves a simple chain of nighttime preparations: laying out sleepwear, setting aside clothes for the following day, brushing teeth, and finally, the mouthguard. Each step is meticulously planned to ensure everything is remembered.

However, the mystery deepened as I questioned whether I had managed other essential evening tasks. Had I taken my medication? Was the programmable coffee pot set for the morning? Driven by a need for reassurance, I checked both. They were in order, to my relief, yet this brought little comfort against the nagging confusion that clouded my mind.

In my semi-awake state, I grappled with two possibilities. First, I had been sleepwalking, wandering about the house in a nocturnal haze until a flicker of awareness returned in the bathroom. The alternative was perhaps even more bizarre—a vivid dream in which I moved through familiar spaces in our home, only to awaken when I reached the bathroom.

Each theory seemed plausible yet left much unexplained. As I slipped back into bed, careful not to disturb my sleeping wife, the strangeness of the night’s events hung heavily in the air. The experience was perplexing, to say the least. I lay there, a mix of concern and curiosity stirring within, pondering the depths of the human mind and its mysterious workings during the hours meant for rest.

Regardless of the proper explanation, the event poignantly reminded me of the complexities introduced by my health condition. The mechanisms I had put in place to safeguard against forgetfulness had held up. Yet, the unexpected venture into the night showed that surprises lurk even in well-planned routines.

As dawn approached, with the first hints of morning light filtering through our curtains, I found solace in the normalcy that daylight brought. Yet, the night’s journey left a lasting impression, a reminder of the delicate balance we maintain as we navigate the challenges that life and health cast in our path.

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The Joys and Comforts of Returning Home from Vacation

Written 4/30/2024

Hello Dear Readers,

After a delightful break, it’s refreshing to be back in the comfort of our home. As invigorating as our getaway was, there’s a unique pleasure in returning to familiar surroundings and the daily rhythms of life. There’s nothing quite like the first night back in your own bed, complete with your favorite pillow and the comforting heft of a weighted blanket. Plus, it’s a relief to wake up on my own terms, without the early morning serenades from roosters, which was charming but less than restful!

Despite the fun and adventure, I did find myself missing the comforts of home, especially the way we manage the temperature indoors. This isn’t about how the weather back in Tennessee was any better but how we regulate our indoor climate, which stands out particularly during travels. Whether we’re headed to places known for their sweltering summers, like Florida or Tennessee, public places often seem to overcompensate with their air conditioning. This has been a consistent discomfort for me. I struggle with regulating my body temperature—too chilled indoors and overwhelmed by the heat outside.

My wife firmly believes that such extreme fluctuations in temperature aren’t just uncomfortable but could be harmful to our health. She argues that frequent, sharp changes in temperature force our bodies to adjust, potentially straining our autonomic nerves constantly. This concern is more than theoretical for us; following a stroke I experienced, maintaining a steady, “natural” temperature has become essential for my comfort. My wife’s approach to managing our home’s environment—keeping it at a steady 65°F (about 18°C) in winter and a mild 74°F (around 23°C to 24°C) in summer—has been a blessing. It has made me particularly sensitive to and appreciative of our home’s stable climate.

I find the stark contrast between the overly chilled interiors of many public spaces during summer and the excessively heated ones in winter increasingly troublesome. While businesses might think they are providing relief from the outside temperatures, the severity of the indoor cooling can be quite jarring. This is particularly poignant for someone like me, whose ability to adapt to temperature changes has been compromised.

Our recent vacation was yet another reminder of the value of the carefully controlled climate we’ve cultivated at home. It underscores how significant seemingly mundane aspects of our environment are to our comfort and health. As we resume our regular life, I am grateful not only for the experiences and memories we gathered while away but also for the renewed appreciation for the tranquility and stability of our home.

In conclusion, while vacations are a wonderful escape from the norm, they also sharpen our awareness of the comforts and conveniences of our everyday lives that we often take for granted. Returning home has not only given me back my comfortable sleeping arrangements but also renewed my gratitude for our ability to control our living environment, keeping it as welcoming and healthy as possible.

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Rediscovering My Passion for Running: A Journey with Runkeeper

Written on March 3, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

After a brief hiatus of a few weeks, I finally laced up my running shoes again for a refreshing 10k run. This wasn’t just any run but my inaugural journey since I integrated a new virtual running companion into my routine—Runkeeper. Recommended by my nephrologist, the app was developed by Asics. Runkeeper has quickly proven to be an invaluable addition to my training arsenal, bringing a new level of engagement to my runs.

One of the standout features that I’ve come to appreciate about Runkeeper is its ability to provide me with audio cues regarding my pace at every half-kilometer mark. This small but significant detail has been a game-changer, encouraging me to dig deeper and push my limits further with each stride. The thought of tweaking the settings to receive these updates every quarter kilometer has crossed my mind. While I’m slightly wary of the potential annoyance from an increased frequency of alerts, curiosity is nudging me towards trying it to see how it might intensify my motivation.

Another aspect of Runkeeper that resonates with me is its ability to monitor my running shoes’ mileage. This feature serves as a poignant reminder of a valuable lesson from my wife: the importance of managing the lifespan of my running shoes. Wearing shoes past their prime diminishes their support and can harm my body. Thankfully, Runkeeper offers this tracking service without any added cost, embodying everything I desire in a running app—efficiency, practicality, and foresight.

Incorporating these features into my running regimen has ignited a newfound motivation, propelling me towards greater achievements. The aftermath of my recent 10k—the soreness in my legs and the general fatigue I’ve been feeling—is a testament to the effort and determination I poured into that run. Despite these temporary discomforts, the sense of accomplishment that enveloped me post-run was unparalleled. It was a vivid reminder of why I run—not just for the physical benefits but for each completed journey’s profound sense of fulfillment and pride.

In essence, Runkeeper has not just been a tool for tracking and improving my runs; it has rekindled my passion for running, inspiring me to continually challenge myself and strive for my personal best. The fitness journey is fraught with ups and downs, but with the right tools and a resilient spirit, every step is closer to achieving one’s goals.

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A Day Out of Sync: Navigating Schedule Slip-Ups and Seasonal Shifts

Written on February 10, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

From the moment I woke up, I knew something was off. My morning run, usually the first accomplishment of my day, was delayed, setting a domino effect in motion that threw my entire schedule into disarray. This hiccup directly resulted from my decision to burn the midnight oil, leading to an inevitable oversleeping and a disrupted day ahead. To attempt a semblance of normalcy, I considered halving my usual 10k run to a 5k, hoping to claw back some time. It’s a bummer, to say the least.

Reflecting on the cause of today’s scheduling mishap is crucial for me. I aim to understand what went wrong to avoid repeating the same errors. The changing seasons are a significant factor contributing to my delayed start and overall time mismanagement. 

Recently, we’ve experienced a spell of warm, rainy days, making the initiation of my runs more challenging than usual. Motivation is complex when the weather acts as a deterrent. However, I recognize that this is but a temporary phase. Soon, the weather will settle, and early morning runs will become essential to beat the heat.

My delay in hitting the sack last night also played a pivotal role in today’s delayed start. In an unusual move, I opted out of my regular melatonin dose, thinking it unnecessary given the late hour and my level of fatigue. My rationale was that my body wouldn’t have ample time to process the supplement before my wake-up, potentially leaving me groggier than if I’d skipped it. While this decision seemed logical then, it didn’t sufficiently mitigate the effects of my late-night.

This experience has led me to a critical conclusion: maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is integral to the smooth flow of my day. No matter how minor they seem at the moment, Deviations can lead to a ripple effect, disrupting my routine and productivity. As I navigate through these seasonal adjustments and try to balance my health and productivity, today serves as a reminder of the delicate interplay between our plans and the realities we face. It’s a lesson in adaptability, self-awareness, and the constant pursuit of balance amidst life’s inevitable shifts.

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Rebooting Myself: Navigating Life After a Stroke

Written on January 8, 2024.

Hello Dear Readers,

Reflecting on my stroke often leads me down a path of wonder and confusion. The cause remains a mystery, as extensive medical evaluations have failed to provide any definitive answers. The complexity of my condition posed a significant challenge, not only in terms of personal acceptance but also in explaining it to others. Through much contemplation, I’ve likened my experience to undergoing a factory reset.

This analogy perfectly encapsulates the profound impact the stroke had on me. The intuitive shortcuts and pathways I had formed over the years to manage my bodily functions and interact with my environment were suddenly erased. It was as though I had to start from scratch, relearning basic tasks that had once been second nature. Brushing my teeth, a mundane task I had performed effortlessly countless times before, suddenly became a formidable challenge. Holding the toothbrush felt unfamiliar, and applying toothpaste required a deliberate effort that was previously unnecessary. Brushing itself could have been more problematic and challenging to navigate.

This transformation extended beyond personal care to everyday activities, such as typing. Previously, typing was an automatic process where thoughts seamlessly transformed into words on a screen with minimal conscious effort. However, post-stroke, this task demanded significant focus and patience, as my mental connection to my fingers had been disrupted. The ability to multitask effortlessly, a skill I had taken for granted, was now a source of frustration and a poignant reminder of my lost capabilities.

The rehabilitation journey was arduous, filled with the painstaking task of reacquainting myself with the most straightforward routines. Activities that had once been effortless, such as walking, eating, and personal hygiene, became hurdles to overcome. Despite the frustrations and challenges, I embraced a mindset of resilience and improvement. The notion of reprogramming myself became a silver lining; if I had to start over, I would strive to rebuild myself to be more robust and capable.

The experience of recovering from a stroke is akin to navigating through uncharted territory, with each step forward marking a victory in itself. It tests patience, endurance, and the human spirit’s capacity to adapt and overcome. My story is one of many, a testament to the challenges and triumphs faced by those who have had their lives unexpectedly reset. It is a reminder that, despite adversity, there is hope for renewal and the possibility of emerging stronger.