The Header picture is Chris, Carol, nephew Matt and wife Laura. They live in Norway, and we met up with them in Barcelona after our short trek on the Camino in Spain a few years ago.
The weeks are adding up, but I wouldn’t say they are flying by….although we are six weeks post operation now.
I asked my ‘peer counselor’ today how long he lost weight before it turned around and he started gaining. He admitted he was a bit more robust than I, but he said he lost weight for two years!! My gawd…..I can’t do that.
My weight yesterday morning was 125.4, down from 126.2 a week ago. I talked to my dietician on Wednesday, and we went over my meals for the past couple weeks and looked at the calorie intake, as well as fat and protein intake. My average calorie intake last week was 1579….not enough to gain any weight. My protein intake was 358 grams versus a goal of 700, while my fat intake was 731 grams versus a goal of 469. Carbs were 796 grams versus goal of 1750.
So, I need to cut down on the ‘not so healthy’ calorie sources (fats), and increase the good sources (protein), AND increase my overall caloric intake by 20 percent. This is going to be a major challenge…eating when full is not a pleasant experience. But, armed with bean burgers, turkey burgers, lentils, and whatever else, we are ready for the charge.
I’m getting my walks in most days, although I missed yesterday. The 30 minute walks seem to be a little bit easier. And every other day or so, I’ve been trying some very light weights and a couple of yoga stretching poses. I can see I’ve got a ways to go!
I communicated with the Celtic Trails outfit with whom we are planning our Wales walk in March. After some thought and a review of their cancellation policy, and some more thoughts about airline tickets, we told the Celtic people we would still like to go. But, since the March walk in quite early in the year, we would like to wait until January to commit, under the assumption that the early walk would not fill up until late in the process.
They thought that was a good idea, and it does take a bit of a load off my mind. A ten mile walk seems a long ways off right now, as I am huffing and puffing after a 30 minute spin around the neighborhood. So we’ll see how the rehab process goes and how I feel in January. Also, as an aside, my ‘peer counselor’ said it took him a year to get back to a ‘near normal’ condition.
So that’s my brief recap of past week. I’m actually feeling pretty good today even though my weight was down to 124.6 this morning. Nonetheless, Carol and I went on nice 30 minute morning walk in light fog. It was very pleasant.
And here’s a little something about everyone’s favorite condiment….
SALT
He’s an old salt
He’s the salt of the earth
That’s too much salt
For whatever that’s worth.
A grain of salt
A pinch of salt
A salty dog to drink
Water, water, everywhere
And now what do you think?
Sea salt, kosher salt
Rock salt, and Himalayan pink salt
There’s salt licks in the sticks
Pass the salt, get your kicks.
Salt flakes, patty cakes
Baking soda, baking powder
Add the salt, oven bakes
And magic makes
Muffins, breads, and pizza dough!
All with salt the oceans know.
Hi Chris,
What a beautiful picture of the two of you. It is how I see you in my mind’s eye.
This morning, I decided to review the “beginning” and the following weeks of your blog; and was struck by the notion of how the days are long, but the year is short. Already, it seems you have crammed the journey of a lifetime in to the five months from diagnosis ’til now. For me it is a story of many emotions and experiences, all filled with love. Perhaps the best book I have ever read.
Your friend,
Don
Don,
What very nice words! You give me renewed hope I might make it through this long slog.
Thank you!
Chris, I always love the poems, and glad to see you have the energy to write one or two!
Thanks HA,
But the poems are ones I’ve already written (I have a large stash).
Mr. G’s
We continue to follow your progress through your great blog. We hope that the one year time line for feeling nearly normal is exaggerated in your case and that with the support of family and your many friends you find encouragement in experiencing at least gradual and steady progress. It does sound very tough and our thoughts are with you. We don’t want to be nosy but do have questions. To ask one (anyway), we are curious where the “tipping point” is where it will be easier to eat and to maintain or gain weight and how is it achieved? Does your stomach, which we understand was reduced in size by the surgery, somehow expand over time? Or is it more a matter of perfecting the timing and mix of your food intake? Our very best wishes.
Mr. and Mrs. B’s
Mr B’s,
Your question is right on target, and it’s exactly what I’ve been wondering….when does this weight loss stop? We saw the surgeon today and basically asked him that question. We did not get a definitive answer…but he said we should see some positive weight gains in a couple/few months. I have to increase my caloric intake (which is difficult), and my stomach has to gradually expand so I can eat more at each sitting. In the meantime, I’ll eat every two hours, and wait for something to happen!