Staying the Course -- 08/05/2019

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Superbob

Steely Resolve!
Supporting Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2005
Messages
8,481
Location
Coastal Carolina
Fresh start to a new week. Welcome to all Staying the Course.

Jim, thanks for the mention of renting a recliner. It is an idea with merit if you can find a good deal. I'll check that out further, but my DW would much rather I go ahead and purchase one. (Maybe so I will have my very own and not eye hers with envy. : ) She uses hers a lot in the aftermath of her terrible fall last December. After my first OHS in '05, I slept in a recliner for at least two months because I found it difficult to get in and out of bed.

My exercise teacher pointed out that the day AFTER my surgery, if it goes off as scheduled, will be 09/19/19. That will be a great day for a fresh start, she notes. Good Lord willing, it would be. So that is a happy thought to keep in mind -- in addition to having cardiac rehab again (which I enjoyed greatly back then) and being back in Sarah's great exercise class, the best ever. Our annual Heart Walk also is scheduled 10/19/19, exactly one month post-surgery. (I may be able to drive a car one month post-op.) I have looked forward to walking the American Heart Association fund-raiser each of the past 10 years, but hope just to make it out maybe to walk a block and cheer all the others (a couple thousand, young and old) walking the 5K course this year. That's a dream, a goal anyway.

As for a ban on "political" comments here, I certainly have none. I am not even officially a moderator -- just kept STC going because a hardy band of folks seemed to want that. Nor have I heard of any official policy on that from our new adminstrators (who are doing a terrific job, BTW). I will say this: Long-time members here will remember a terrible split that occurred on vr.org when about half wanted no-holds-barred political debate and the other half wanted zero politics. I don't know if it was exactly 50/50 but it was a pretty even split. And that's what occurred, the folks wanting political debate split off and formed their own site, among them some very good friends. I still have a membership there also ( think) but it is hard to stay active on two heart forums.

I am NOT going to be a censor. Expressing pain and sorror over two more tragic mass shootings is not necessarily "political," of course. I am as sickened by these horrors as anyone, and I yearn for holistic solutions that work and heal the nation. But comments can drift into the partisan, and that's when feelings start to get hurt and the rancor level ratcheted up. I am not going to censor those kinds of comments either -- but my personal recommendation is not to go there; to stay non-partisan. Just my hope for us remaining friends here. Not a rule. There are hundreds if not thousands of Internet sites to post about issues of the day, and I use some of them myself.

Okay, climbing down off the soapbox now. Best to all...

Cheers,
Superbob
🦸‍♂️🇺🇲🇨🇦🇦🇺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧
 
Thanks for getting us started today, Superbob. I like the thought of 09/19/19 being the first day of your new lease on life. Look out World!!! I am really working at shedding pounds in addition to upping my exercise routine. It’s easier to eat more fruit and vegetables with the seasonal availability of all the fresh produce, and I am trying! Regarding the political discussions I have seen the damage it can do to this forum. It almost destroyed it. I really dislike having it brought up on the Staying the Course threads. As Superbob mentioned, there are many other places on the internet to discuss politics. Not so many to discuss heart valve issues.
 
What you're talking about was before my time. I find it astonishing that this would occur. As part of normal conversation people can 'stray' into other issues. That others would jump on each other seems petty.
 
I was barred from one of the forums years ago because I indicated that one of my goals was to try and get testing for everyone who took warfarin, regardless of ability to pay. This idea was apparently too radical.

The moderator who barred me didn't like my admission that I went a few years without testing my INR (I couldn't afford it), and my statement at that time that I was somehow able to 'tell' when I needed to change my dose. I made it clear that I didn't endorse or agree with the idea that a person could safely go without testing. The moderator who barred me apparently didn't like any of its members to admit that I did something reckless, or the terrible socialist idea of wanting anyone who needed INR tested should be able to get a test, regardless of ability to pay.

The people who run these sites have control over who can belong, over what topics are permitted, and can issue warnings to members who stray too far out of line or whose views they disagree with (if they want to restrict thought).
 
Protime, it sounds like a power trip. Sad really, that someone could feel exhilarated because they can bar someone from a forum over something silly. Life in the fast lane. LOL
 
Missing our long-time regulars here: epstns (Steve), MartinF, FredW (who did make an all-too-brief appearance this week), Honeybunny, dornole, jwinter, Superman, Warrick .... and on and on, I know I there are many others. Just wanted to say the light will be on here, and you and of course others, are welcome to check in anytime. Hope all of you are well. Now, what other folks from recent years am I not remembering at this moment? Others seen since Spring, a few regulars, some who go way back: leadville, gordo, ottagal, mom2angel, Marguerite, Bina (!), and the guy who started this whole dang Throwdown thing -- the man, The Chimp -- Cooker! And others? Who am I forgetting?
 
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Missing our long-time regulars here: epstns (Steve), MartinF, FredW (who did make an all-too-brief appearance this week), Honeybunny, dornole, jwinter, Superman, Warrick .... and on and on, I know I there are many others. Just wanted to say the light will be on here, and you and of course others, are welcome to check in anytime. Hope all of you are well. Now, what other folks from recent years am I not remembering at this moment? Others seen since Spring, a few regulars, some who go way back: leadville, gordo, ottagal, mom2angel, Marguerite, Bina (!), and the guy who started this whole dang Throwdown thing -- the man, The Chimp -- Cooker! And others? Who am I forgetting?
Eva
 
I am really working at shedding pounds in addition to upping my exercise routine. It’s easier to eat more fruit and vegetables with the seasonal availability of all the fresh produce, and I am trying!

Duffey -- meant to say an amen to the blessing of seasonal produce. Every Saturday morning, we go to a local farmers market trucked in by one farm family from 50 miles away or so. The mama of the operation told me last time that they have been doing this for 26 years. We have been going there for the 10 years since we moved down to Carolina from Virginia (we had some good markets up there too). We have become friends with this farm family -- we share our little challenges -- injuries, illnesses, as well as happy happenings. As for their produce --- absolutely delectable. More different varieties of tomatoes than I even knew existed. Sweet corn! String beans, squash and zucchini, cucumbers, taters, onions, watermelons, and the juiciest tastiest cantaloupes we've ever had since the Cantaloupe Festival that we used to attend in Turbeville, southside Virginia. And much more. Butterbeans! You are right, Duffey, about how nicely this bounty of the earth meshs with efforts to stay fit -- sure better than living on drive-through burgers and fries!
 
Fries? I remember the term. Oh, yes, I used to enjoy the ones from Five Guys (fried in Peanut Oil), and occasionally from In 'N Out burger. I have fries maybe once or twice a year.
I usually avoid drive-thru burgers (although, occasionally, I'll indulge in a Five Guys, and, for convenience sake, a burger from The Habit).

As far as soft drinks are concerned - I don't think I've had a soft drink for five or more years. (I drink filtered water, and occasionally carbonate it with my SodaStream). I haven't missed the drive thru drinks AT ALL.

Whether or not this helped my health - I don't know. I do fine without the fries and the drive thru or canned drinks -- and it certainly hasn't hurt my finances to drink water that is essentially free of cost, rather than buy the canned or drive thru stuff.

I'm still planning to go back to the gym and to improve my diet. ONE DAY.....
 
Hi Superbob and others.

I'm still around keeping busy, enjoying life, playing pickleball, spending time with family, doing summer chores, joined a local writing group, doing some writing, and trying to eat and stay healthy.

Going in for my 6 mo checkup next week. I think this one includes a stress test. Will try to remember to give a report next week. Last month I passed my 3 year anniversary with no fanfare. I actually feel better than I have in probably 10 years.

Hope all are doing well and get their issues under control.

Best to you all.
 
I'm approaching 28 years with my St. Jude valve. Stress test and echo were scheduled, but I had to cancel because I couldn't afford deductibles for those tests. Ditto for a visit to my cardiologist.

I'm doing okay without the regular -- probably too frequent -- testing and visits to the cardio. When or if I get a medicare supplement, I may do some of the testing if the coverage is adequate.
 
Yes. But these threads often take on lives of their own. (For example, my mention of Medicare a few posts ago could possibly devolve into discussions of Medicare, Medicaid, health care in countries other than the United States. At some point, this may look and sound like 'politics,' although my subject was keeping this individual (me) up to date with testing and cardio visits (that I can no longer afford).
 
Yes. But these threads often take on lives of their own. (For example, my mention of Medicare a few posts ago could possibly devolve into discussions of Medicare, Medicaid, health care in countries other than the United States. At some point, this may look and sound like 'politics,' although my subject was keeping this individual (me) up to date with testing and cardio visits (that I can no longer afford).
No, I don’t think it will go anywhere near the political arena. Most people posters have enough going on in their lives that they/we lack the time and inclination to mess with a thread that has proven longevity due to its content. Are you purposely trying to be disruptive?
 
No, I don’t think it will go anywhere near the political arena. Most people posters have enough going on in their lives that they/we lack the time and inclination to mess with a thread that has proven longevity due to its content. Are you purposely trying to be disruptive?
Ignore my reference to people posters, I’m pretty sure that we are all one or the other.
 

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