ONE MORE WEEK

I admit I was nervous when I visited my surgeon yesterday. During the week I have been feeling slight discomforts and twinges in my abdominal area that I have never noticed before. Last weekend, I even started feeling (and/or imagining) pains and twinges on my left side (my surgery was on the right side!). When I met with my surgeon today, I immediately blurted out that I feared that I was suffering from a new hernia. It took him all of 30 seconds to assuage my fears.  There is no new hernia. The hernia surgery is healing precisely as it should. I have been advised to continue to not lift more than 15 pounds for one week more. After the third week, I was advised that I could physically do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted.  On Monday and Tuesday, I have appointments with customers who will be unoffended as I go back and forth into their stores to bring my samples in on multiple trips. On Wednesday, I fly to Salt Lake City for International Quilt Market. By the time that I return, I should be ship shape and ready to resume my life as it was before this unpleasantness started. The hernia surgery wasn't the worst thing that can happen to someone, but I am glad that this chapter in my life is soon to be concluded.

The surgeon had indicated that my bicycle ride last weekend was not my best idea. The reason that bicycle riding during week one of recovery was ill-advised was that if I had fallen down somehow, that would have been a problem. Nevertheless, I had no mishaps during the bike ride and caused no problems with my recovery. Most of my phantom pains, twitches and twinges ceased to be a nuisance after being assured that I had healed properly.  Once I returned home, I hopped onto my treadmill for a full 90 minute session.  This was the first time I had done any exercise in four days. I think now with a more serious effort to get back on track calorie-wise and the resumption of a daily calorie burn I will have a better shot at losing some of the excess pounds that have been creeping back on.

SATURDAY WEIGHT 239 LBS
better than last week, still much work to do

Your Food Diary For:

Friday, May 13, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original	200	44	0	4	620	0
Butterball - Bacon Style Turkey, 4 slices	140	2	12	8	600	0
Egg, whole, cooked, poached, 3 large	215	1	14	19	446	1
	555	47	26	31	1,666	1
L U N C H
Nathan's Skinless Beef Franks	280	2	26	10	960	0
Campbells Soup Italian Wedding	200	26	5	12	820	8
	480	28	31	22	1,780	8
D I N N E R
Shrimp - Cooked, breaded and fried	400	19	20	35	569	0
Cream Corn	100	22	1	2	360	8
Codfish - Codfish	100	0	1	22	74	0
	600	41	22	59	1,003	8
S N A C K S
Sage - Red Delicious Apple, 2 medium	190	50	1	1	4	38
Ghirardelli - Chocolate 86% Cacao	250	15	25	3	0	5
	440	65	26	4	4	43
Totals	2,075	181	105	116	4,452	59
Your Daily Goal	2,665	333	89	134	2,300	100
Remaining	590	151	-16	18	-2,152	40
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 735 extra calories from exercise today

.

       Your Exercise Diary for:

Friday, May 13, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
MATRIX TREADMILL	90	800
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-65
Daily Total / Goal	91 / 30	735 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	160 / 210	1,331 / 4,130

.


.

WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS NEED TO BE LIFTED - SOON

Today I visited a customer in Wisconsin. This customer reviewed my entire button line, my entire trim line and my entire Japanese fabric line. Normally, my lines would have been three heavy suitcases. I am currently under doctors orders to refrain from lifting more than 15 pounds. Some of my suitcases when full weigh 75 pounds or more. I have removed all the suitcases from my car and put my lines in multiple canvas tote bags. I made nearly 10 trips in and out of the store to bring in my lines and made the same number of trips to get my lines back out to the car again. Although the staff at the store offered to assist me - I just figured I would be accumulating steps on my fitbit. Later today, Friday, I visit my surgeon again. The last time I saw him, two weeks ago, I was lying in an operating room staring at bright lights overhead. I am hopeful that he will determine that I have healed according to schedule. I really need to be allowed to lift more than 15 pounds - soon.

I desperately need my spring weight restrictions lifted!

Your Food Diary For:

Thursday, May 12, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original, 2 packet	200	44	0	4	620	0
Sage - Red Delicious Apple, 2 medium apple	190	50	1	1	4	38
Mozzerella Cheese and Proschiutto	80	0	6	7	340	0
Hormel-Kirkland Signature - Bacon	160	0	12	12	700	0
	630	94	19	24	1,664	38
L U N C H
roast beef and provolone cheese, 1 sandwich	390	41	15	26	1,430	4
Apple, Red Delicious, Medium, 2 medium apple	190	50	0	0	4	38
	580	91	15	26	1,434	42
D I N N E R
Manhattan Clam Chowder, 2 cup	240	36	6	10	1,600	6
Butternut - Enriched Hot Dog Bun, 2 bun	220	42	3	6	440	4
Nathan's - Beef Hot Dog, 2 Hot Dog	300	2	26	12	820	0
	760	80	35	28	2,860	10
Totals	1,970	265	69	78	5,958	90
Your Daily Goal	2,002	250	66	101	2,300	75
Remaining	32	-15	-2	23	-3,657	-14
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 72 extra calories from exercise today

.

ONE WEEK AGO

As I write this it is precisely 8:00AM Central Time in Chicago.  One week ago at this time, I was probably being stitched up after my surgeon placed a medical mesh over the internal rip in my abdomen that was allowing my intestines to go places where they were very unwelcome and the cause of considerable pain and discomfort. I guess I could have just written that I had had a hernia surgery. My recovery form this minimally invasive procedure has astounded me. I was walking like an old man for two days afterwards and taking a strong prescription for pain.  By day three, it has become evident to me that I was no longer in pain and therefore stopped taking the painkilling medication.  On the third day I was able to navigate a four mile walk with my family around Chicago. This was just a casual stroll.  As the week ended on on Wednesday and Thursday, I was able to spend two hours on the treadmill zipping along at a 4.2 mph pace with seemingly no ill effects, each day logging more than nine miles.  As I was coming out of my anesthetically induced stupor one week ago - I didn't think that the speed of my recovery would be quite so fast. Still I am operating under a highly restrictive order to avoid lifting anything more than 15 pounds.  One week from today, I will visit my surgeon, hopefully for the last time with final instructions which will allow me to resume my life as before (or at least a schedule that will advise me when that time is due).

two gallons of water weigh approximately 15 pounds - this is the limit of what I can lift until the restriction itself is lifted

.

.

Your Food Diary For:

Thursday, May 5, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
3 Egg Omelette - Ham and Cheese	400	1	30	40	1,225	0
Kirkland - Pre-Cooked Bacon	240	0	18	18	1,050	0
	640	1	48	58	2,275	0
L U N C H
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich	520	70	30	18	700	26
	520	70	30	18	700	26
D I N N E R
Golden Butternut Squash	110	21	2	2	740	12
Broccoli	120	12	1	11	98	0
Chinese Style Orange Chicken	640	48	32	42	660	12
	870	81	35	55	1,498	24
S N A C K S
CHERRY VANILLA GRANOLA	500	83	15	10	125	31
Add Food Quick Tools	500	83	15	10	125	31
Totals	2,530	236	128	141	4,598	81
Your Daily Goal	2,974	372	99	149	2,300	111
Remaining	444	136	-28	7	-2,298	29
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 1,044 extra calories from exercise today

Your Exercise Diary for:

      Thursday, May 5, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
MATRIX TREADMILL	65	606
MATRIX TREADMILL	65	594
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-156
Daily Total / Goal	131 / 30	1,044 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	448 / 210	2,763 / 4,130

.

Session 1  minutes: 65   distance: 4.57miles    calories: 606

Session 2  minutes: 65   distance: 4.69miles    calories: 594

.

NINE MILES

I remember so well that day in early April when I was taking an urban hike in Bloomington, Illinois and how much pain and discomfort I felt.  The last two miles of that hike were painful and proved to me finally that something was wrong with me. I spent two hours keeping ice on my abdomen thinking that would help.  Ice is not the cure for a hernia. Rest is not the cure for a hernia. Only surgery is the cure for a hernia.  It was less than one week ago when I had my surgery.  I have followed the advice of my doctor and I have not lifted anything weighing more than 15 pounds.  I have also followed the advice that I could walk as much as I pleased as long as I felt no pain or discomfort.  Yesterday, I 'walked' nine miles on the treadmill. It was a bonafide workout. My speed was set to 4.2 miles per hour - which is very close to my top speed of 4.5 mph. After two sessions of 65 minutes each - I had accumulated 9 miles. It felt so good to be breaking a sweat. 

Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
3 Egg Omelette - Ham and Cheese, 1 Omelette	400	1	30	40	1,225	0
Kirkland - Pre-Cooked Bacon	240	0	18	18	1,050	0
	640	1	48	58	2,275	0
L U N C H
Pepperidge Farm - Sourdough Bread, 4 slice	480	88	6	16	880	8
Sensational Seafood Salad	380	18	28	18	960	6
	860	106	34	34	1,840	14
D I N N E R
Homemade - Chicken Breast	360	0	0	0	0	0
Spaghetti With Meat Sauce	480	126	3	21	0	0
	840	126	3	21	0	0
S N A C K S
Nature Valley - Oats 'n Honey Crunchy Granola Bar, 2 bars	190	29	6	4	160	12
Apples, 1 medium apple	80	22	0	0	0	16
	270	51	6	4	160	28
Totals	2,610	284	91	117	4,275	42
Your Daily Goal	2,867	358	95	144	2,300	107
Remaining	257	74	4	27	-1,975	65
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 937 extra calories from exercise today

.

Your Exercise Diary for:

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
MATRIX TREADMILL	65	596
MATRIX TREADMILL	65	608
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-267
Daily Total / Goal	131 / 30	937 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	316 / 210	1,663 / 4,130

.

.

.

.

HELLO RAZOR

My carefully cultivated wild (unshaved) appearance which was hatched over a week or so between by surgery pre-op and post-op has come to an end. I was under the impression that I was under doctors orders and forbidden to drive during the first week of hernia recovery. I admit I could not fathom why driving would be disallowed. I did discover that that that particular warning is based on the premise that a patient recovering from hernia surgery might be under the influence of strong pain killer drugs during the first week. My pain was completely dissipated after 48 hours - and I know that the absolute biggest challenge facing my recovery now will be remembering to take it easy and not to lift anything more than 15 pounds. I have made my first post op appointment with a customer to sell some buttons today. I emptied my buttons from their large suitcase and placed them in 6 individual canvas tote bags. Once I start selling my fabrics this will present some additional challenges. Fabric samples are heavy! I meet with my surgeon in 9 days. I am hopeful that some of these weight limiting restrictions will become much less restrictive. The good news is that I am back to exercising daily. I am starting where I started last year. I am spending time on the treadmill. Yesterday I was able to log 6.93 miles in a 104 minute session. The weather should be getting real good real quick and I am looking forward to to once again taking some long vigorous urban hikes. It feels very good to be pain free, as long as I remember not to sneeze, cough or sit up or sit down too quickly. Soon I will be firing on all cylinders. 

Goodbye wild look.  Pre-Shaved, Post-Op Appearance.

Hello Civilized Appearance.  Still Post-Op, but now Post-Shaved

.

I would like to thank my wife Jennifer for being very helpful in my quick recovery. She answered the bell last Friday, and got me to the surgical center on time at 6AM. She stood by me as I awoke from my anesthetically induced stupor (if only all stupors were so easy to awake from - I am talking to you, America...way to go making Trump your nominee)  In addition, Jennifer has helped prepare lots of delicious meals while I have been spending more time at home than usual. I am very accustomed to eating my breakfasts at the Super 8 or some other equally uninspiring lodging - it has been much more enjoyable having a delicious freshly prepared ham and cheese omelette for breakfast.

.

Your Food Diary For:

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Malt-o-meal Cereal - Honey Nut Scooters	360	72	5	9	630	27
3 Egg Omelette - Ham and Cheese, 1 Omelette	400	1	30	40	1,225	0
Sage - Red Delicious Apple, 1 medium apple	95	25	0	1	2	19
	855	98	35	50	1,857	46
L U N C H
Costco - Cheese Pizza Slice, 1 Slice	700	70	28	44	1,370	7
	700	70	28	44	1,370	7
D I N N E R
Generic - Chicken Breast, 1 breast	500	37	26	28	520	3
Wild rice, cooked, 2 cup	331	70	1	13	10	2
	831	107	27	41	530	5
S N A C K S
Apples - Apples, 3 medium apple	240	66	0	0	0	48
	240	66	0	0	0	48
Totals	2,626	341	90	135	3,757	106
Your Daily Goal	2,306	288	77	116	2,300	86
Remaining	-320	-53	-12	-18	-1,456	-20
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 376 extra calories from exercise today

.

Although my photograph of the treadmill display shows 99 minutes, 59 seconds - this is only because this particular treadmill is restricted to a two digit maximum on the number of minutes. After a 99 minute workout, and a 5 minute 'cooldown' the total time spent treadmilling was actually 104 minutes. It felt good to be moving my legs after so many weeks of serious inactivity.  My distance travelled was 6.93 miles.  I am happy.  My fitbit is happy.  My patched up intestines are happy.  I think in about two weeks time I will be given the 'OK' to use an elliptical machine again. And at some point, I should be able to lift more than 15 pounds.  That day can't come soon enough. Then I will be very happy.

.

THE FIRST 72 HOURS AFTER SURGERY

It is now becoming increasingly clear to me that the biggest challenge facing my complete recovery from my hernia surgery will be successfully refraining from doing too much too quickly. Too much in this case is going to be defined as lifting more than the prescribed amount (15 pounds) before my doctor gives me clearance to do so. I say this because yesterday my family joined me on a walk around downtown Chicago. No lifting was involved, and therefore no risk to my recovery was involved. It is still true that I sit down and sit up with some trepidation, and a clear cut reminder that my midsection was recently patched up, but the actual walking about was completely pain free.  I had (repeatedly) asked my surgeon the question about walking. He was quite clear in his response: 'Let your comfort by your guide.' Well, yesterday, bopping around town, I felt no pain. This is in direct contrast to the walking in Minnesota with my daughter one week prior to my surgery. Although, I was walking in the Mall of America and the City of Duluth, there were times during that trip when I was clutching my abdomen in great pain. Yesterday, I was able to move about without any regard to my hernia. I suppose that I can be forgiven for thinking that I no longer have a hernia. Medically, this may be the case. Right now I do not have a hole in my muscles where my intestines are popping out. So, by that definition, I no longer have a hernia. This could be the simple explanation why I walking around pain free, and why the 4 mile walk around downtown Chicago was so enjoyable with my family yesterday. It could have been even more enjoyable had it been a nicer day. What's the deal with it being so cold in May? Yesterday's temperatures in Chicago were under 50° F.

Back in the 'old days' (last month) I would walk around town at and average 13 minute miles. My four mile walk yesterday was closer to 18 minute miles. Still, I am only within 72 hours of my experience on the operating table - so I currently have no complaints.  I am mending.  Right now, I am grateful for my mobility.

.

Your Food Diary For:

Sunday, May 1, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Sage - Red Delicious Apple, 1 medium apple	95	25	0	1	2	19
Malt-o-meal Cereal - Honey Nut Scooters	480	96	6	12	840	36
	575	121	6	13	842	55
L U N C H
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, 2 sandwich	520	70	30	18	700	26
	520	70	30	18	700	26
D I N N E R
Havarti - Costco Dofino - Cheese	220	1	18	12	420	0
Pepperidge Farm - Sourdough Bread	240	44	3	8	440	4
Minestrone - Homemade	400	68	5	24	690	7
	860	113	26	44	1,550	11
S N A C K S
Dreyer's - Outshine Fruit Bars Creamy Coconut, 2 bar	240	40	6	8	80	36
	240	40	6	8	80	36
Totals	2,195	345	68	82	3,172	128
Your Daily Goal	2,620	327	87	132	2,300	98
Remaining	425	-17	19	49	-871	-29
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 690 extra calories from exercise today

.

THE FIRST 48 HOURS AFTER SURGERY

It is hard for me to know precisely where my discomfort is coming from now. I have had the hernia surgery and a mesh has been placed over the torn muscles so that my no part of my intestines are poking about where they should not be. I either am no longer feeling pain in my abdomen or imagining that I no longer feel pain in my abdomen. I believe most of my discomfort is localized in my belly button area where the surgeon made one of his incisions. It is still difficult to sit up, sit down, sneeze or cough. When I am actually walking, moving about, I don't feel so bad. I have stopped taking the pain medication because I guess I don't feel enough pain. I think that the physical discomfort that I do feel should be utilized to more accurately assist me in assessing my rate of healing. I feel that it will not be a good idea to further mask the discomfort. I have not lifted anything heavier than a gallon of milk, and that it going to be the biggest challenge going forward. Not attempting to over-exert myself based on doctors orders. I certainly do not want to risk causing the surgery repair to fail.

Your Food Diary For:

Saturday, April 30, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Special K - Original	480	92	2	24	880	16
Sage - Red Delicious Apple, 1 medium apple	95	25	0	1	2	19
	575	117	2	25	882	35
L U N C H
Omelette With Ham, Spinach and Swiss Cheese	600	9	33	64	696	2
	600	9	33	64	696	2
D I N N E R
Roundy's Organics - Cheese Pizza	560	74	16	32	1480	2
	560	74	16	32	1480	2
Totals	1,735	163	44	105	2,317	38
Your Daily Goal	1,930	241	64	97	2,300	72
Remaining	195	78	20	-7	-17	33
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar

.


.



.