27. January 2010 by PawBill.

Lately, I have become a fan of Dr. Oz (www.doctoroz.com).  I believe his informative medical program is filling a void at a time when many are seeking to become healthier through simple lifestyle changes in nutrition, exercise and weight loss. Frequently his program also examines medical concerns or conditions that have in the past been considered too embarrassing or socially taboo.

His recent television show exposing teenage sexuality in its crassest form should frighten all parents and grandparents.   The frightening aspects are unwanted pregnancies and diseases that will have a lifetime impact on those who, in some cases, only engaged in a sexual act of promiscuity one time.  Whether you want to accept it or not, teenagers and many preteens are engaging in dangerous sexual practices without any knowledge of the life changing consequences that may result.

The continual practice of unprotected anal, oral, and vaginal sex practiced without regard to gender or number of participants will ultimately lead to a life time of incurable and life threatening diseases that could ultimately lead to death. America’s teenagers are engaging in these practices without regard to the consequences that may result. This is a medical and social fact that no one wants to discuss but that must be discussed.

Sexually transmitted diseases are real, but they are not new.  Hollywood promotes sexuality as being cool and liberating, and many in the world have accepted and condoned their message. Your teenage children and grandchildren have embraced the “lie” and “lifestyle” of Hollywood and are recklessly engaging in sexual practices that they have not been forewarned against.

Is this a new phenomenon that has suddenly appeared?  In a word, “NO.” Sexually transmitted diseases were known and written about thousands of years ago.  Biblical writers called them “sins” because many people of the time would not have understood the terminology and concept of virus and bacterial infections.  Most of our teenagers and to some extent their parents do not understand the dangers and have been unwilling to jointly discuss.

Although this is both a morality and public health issue, a discussion with your child should not initially be about morality but about your child’s safety and health.  This should be an open discussion and not a lecture on right and wrong.  A frank discussion about the dangers of unprotected sexual practices could make a difference in a child’s life.  Do it today!

If you have never given sexual immorality and godlessness much of a thought, consider what Paul wrote in the book of Romans (NKJV), chapter 1, verses 18-32.  Whether you will consider it or not is a decision you will have to make.

Consider if you will Paul’s words written through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit almost two thousand years ago.  Apparently man is not as intelligent as he considers himself given his arrogance in ignoring history.

Romans 1:18-32

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” 

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27. January 2010 by PawBill.

“Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils.  Of what account is he?” (Isaiah 2:22).

Do you read the fine print? I have never been a detail reader of the “fine print” placed in documents by legal attorneys.  That is not to say that I blindly sign all documents without reading. In days gone by you could rely on honesty between individuals and their explanations of the “fine print.” Contracts were fairly simple in nature, and if you upheld your commitment all went well. Humor me here, and let’s not get into contract law and all that stuff.  I understand the necessity.

Twenty-ten is a new year with reset medical plan deductibles for most people who have some form of health insurance.  I am thankful that I have medical insurance, but there has been and always will be “fine print” that I care not to read.  

When I began my career with Southern Bell in 1970, I had great medical coverage.  It was one of those benefits you soon came to take for granted.  Southern Bell at that time was under the umbrella of AT&T.  Eventually AT&T was broken up and Southern Bell became BellSouth.  Now AT&T has bought BellSouth, and we have almost gone full circle with AT&T owning many of its original entities. Go figure.

I could have retired from BellSouth in the early nineties with a “no cost to me” medical benefit plan.  I chose to continue to work but slowly my medical plan changed, and I was saddled with paying a portion of my medical expense coverage. BellSouth no longer paid the entire cost of medical care. After all, there were exorbitant executive salaries and perks to pay, and the cost of medical benefits were beginning to escalate for employers.  However, my medical co-pay for drugs remained low, usually under twelve dollars for the medications I took.

Medicare is now my primary care provider, and my retirement medical coverage as provided by AT&T is classed as secondary coverage.  CVS Caremark administers AT&T’s drug plan.  I now have a deductible of approximately twelve hundred dollars per year plus a larger co-pay for any drugs that I may require.  Heaven forbid that I “mess up” and do not use an approved provider, hospital or my authorized mail order drug system, as my cost would sky rocket out of control.

Now, I am not complaining about my medical benefits.  I worked for the medical benefits that I have, and I am thankful that I am still able to afford a medical plan even though “verbal management promises” were made regarding the great medical benefits Southern Bell provided to its active and retired employees when I first became an employee of “Ma Bell.” Any changes made in my medical plan coverage have all been legal and were all covered in the “fine print.” 

What I am complaining about is the merciless greed AT&T and Caremark engages in at the beginning of each new calendar year.  I just refilled my first prescriptions for the year.  A medicine that will cost approximately seventy-six dollars in co-pay for a three-month’s supply will cost two hundred and seventy dollars.  After meeting my deductible the drug will once again revert to a lesser co-pay. Last week there was a seven hundred and sixty-two dollar charge for other drugs. Apparently their goal is to eat up my deductible as fast as they can. It was the same last year, and I hoped there would be a change.  I should have complained last year, but I just let it go.  This year I will not let it go, so I am going to complain.

I have to meet my deductible so whether it is taken all at once via the drug plan or taken throughout the year only impacts my cash flow for January and February.  It is a hardship but fortunately I can manage it. s I am sure there are those who cannot, and it will be a hardship for them. I will not argue the merits of AT&T’s and CVS Caremark’s contracts since I am sure it is all covered in the “fine print.”

The ObamaCare medical bill that has been under consideration has “fine print” and may still be under consideration in some format that would fundamentally change America’s health care system—not for the good of everyone but ultimately for the detriment of all.  Heck, the present bill contains “large print” that no one has read or even fully understands much less what’s detailed in the “small print.”  I feel confident that my drug coverage will escalate in future years if I am still able to keep my AT&T medical benefits. I am sure the “fine print” has or soon will have provisions to “dump” me from coverage.

It is past time for those who believe in the Constitution of the United States of America to take a stand and defend our great country against those who seek to, “Fundamentally Change America.”  Let there be such an outcry that those who are seeking to change our country by destroying its Constitution will “craw” back under the rocks from which they came.”

Continue to call and write your Senators and Representative and make your demands known; they work for us, we do not work for them.  In this election year and in all future election years let’s vote out of office any elected official that has not demonstrated a love for their country by defending its Constitution. We can overturn the destructive agendas and laws that have been enacted by our Socialist, Fascist and Progressive extremists who have only sought power and money for their needs, rather than what’s good for the country and for the individual.

“If you will not fight for your country you will lose both your country and your freedom.”  Now is not the time to bury your head in the sand and pretend that there is no problem or that you will not be affected.  Are you willing to fight or will you “stay on the plantation with Uncle Tom” as the old saying goes? This applies to everyone who believes in God and the morality He demands.

Read the “fine print.  Let’s make the sacrifices required to protect our children and grandchildren.  Do it now!!!!! 

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27. January 2010 by PawBill.

When the Israelites were brought out from Egypt, where they had been slaves for over 400 years, Moses led them through the wilderness for forty years while they were prepared for entry into the land promised to their ancestor, Abraham, by God.

It was in the wilderness that God gave them through Moses the Ten Commandments and other laws.  I find it interesting that God gave specific restrictions and punishments for pagan practices such as the following: consulting mediums and spiritualists, homosexuality, cursing your father or mother, adultery, sexual relations with an animal, a man having sex with his daughter-in-law and the list goes on.

If you have an interest, read the various commands as recorded in the book of Leviticus, found in the Old Testament of the Bible.  Christian morality standards were derived from the Biblical commandments given to Moses by God for the Hebrew people.

God specifically prohibited a variety of sexual immoralities He called sins, and death was the required punishment for those caught practicing those sins.  No one over the age of forty who left Egypt with Moses was allowed to enter the Promised Land because they continually rejected the laws of God and continued in their pagan desires; they all died as a result.

Can you imagine living in an era where such practices were routinely practiced?  Actually, these activities are still being practiced in our so-called “modern world” so I guess we have not made a lot of progress since the time before Jesus.  Today’s society even condones this type of social behavior so I guess God is not very pleased with us.

So what about all of this?  Do you believe the story?  Do you believe what is written in the Bible?  Do you condone or approve of sexual immorality?  Today’s movies and television programming are promoting sexuality, disguised as entertainment.  After all, if the “movie stars” are doing it, it must be OK for your children and yourself.  Have you ever taken the time to read what is written in the Bible?  Do you believe in God?  Do you even care?

I believe that Jesus is the Son of God; that He came in person to save me from my sins and death; that He was crucified and died on a Roman cross and arose from the dead; that if I confess my sins and confess that Jesus is Lord, I will one day live with Him for eternity. Nothing about the name of Jesus offends me.  He is my savor.

Where do you stand?  Do you have a savior? Is it God or some other god? The God I’m referring to is the God of the Bible; the “I AM that I AM.” (As a side note, Oprah has proclaimed that she and everyone else are “I AM’s.”) Do you believe Oprah or what is written in the Bible? Just what will you decide.  Will you confess Jesus as the Lord of your life or will you deny Jesus and accept man’s gods and their ways?

God is not a person that we can see like we see others or ourselves; God is Spirit.  God is invisible but visible through His creative acts and through the life of His Son, Jesus.  Now, you can believe what the intellectual biologists believe—we just evolved over eons out of a quagmire of poop—or what the Bibles teaches.  I believe the creation story and the Biblical teachings about Jesus.

What about you? What do you believe?

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25. January 2010 by PawBill.

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV). 

Progress report for period ending 01-23-10 

Vital Signs:             01-09-10      01-16-10      01-23-10    01-30-10

 Weight:                    194lbs           193lbs     191.5lbs    

Blood Pressure:       128/62          127/62       120/58

Pulse:                         73                   61             60

Waist:                         43                  42              41

How I feel:

A week without Nexium resulted in a return of my acid reflux symptoms.  I am back on Nexium so we will see how it goes this week. Otherwise I feel great!  I added a multi-vitamin to my drug list.

Physical activity:

I have maintained my morning exercise program, but I was still delinquent in my 10,000 (10K) steps per day goal. The 10K steps are in addition to the number I do in my exercise routine every morning.

Nutrition schedule:

My nutrition meal schedule and food items remain the same.   No additional salt was added to any food item.  I have always added additional salt before tasting any food but those days are gone.

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20. January 2010 by PawBill.

The recent earthquake in Haiti and the untold deaths that will ultimately be attributed to it is a reminder of what nature is capable of inflicting on the inhabitants of earth.   There have been other disasters in recent years that have been just as catastrophic, and there will be others in the future on a scale that will dwarf known events of the past.

Today’s scientists are aware of the earth’s earthquake fault lines. Google “international earthquake faults” and you can find a world map showing known faults.  If you have an interest, you can also explore historical and future comet and meteor near earth orbital impact zones.

But, just how did Biblical prophets of old know of such future occurrences? Earthquakes, comets and meteor events of the future were revealed by God to His prophets thousands of years ago.  God sent messengers to warn the inhabitants of earth about these future events—natural occurrences that would one day bring worldwide doom and gloom.  God’s prophets wrote about these future catastrophic times that would affect the earth, and one day soon these future times will be brought to fruition. Unfortunately, most of humanity does not know or believe in Biblical prophecies as foretold in the Bible. 

Scientist know there is an earthquake fault that will one day cause destructive forces to strike the nation of Israel, just as scientist know of faults in other geographic locations. Why is this important?

Biblical prophecy, see Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39, tells of the future invasion of Israel by Russia, Iran and other Islamic nations.  The invasion will not succeed because a natural disaster will occur and destroy five-sixths of the invading armies.  Review your current events.  Only a fool would deny the obvious war that will soon be waged by the parties mentioned above against Israel.  Yet, earth’s inhabitants were warned about this future invasion thousands of years ago.

God already knows the outcome, but chose to reveal it to us through prophesy so that those who will witness this event may finally acknowledge God’s supremacy.  God’s people will be miraculously saved, and they will turn and worship Jesus Christ as their messiah.

Russia and its Arab hordes do not believe their future has already been foretold.  Too bad, a lot of young adults will be slaughtered as a result of their Nation’s  ignorance and unbelief. 

What about you?   Do you believe this to be fact or fiction?  If fiction, your “eyes have been blinded,” a biblical concept, and you will suffer with most of humanity in some of the most horrendous disasters that will plagued the earth.

There is a way out, and that way is through the saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I pray you will seek Him before the events of the future unfold. 

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18. January 2010 by PawBill.

My Weight Loss Program for 2010 

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV).  

Progress report for period 01-16-10 

Vital Signs:             01-09-10      01-16-10      01-23-10    01-30-10

Weight:                    194lbs           193lbs

Blood Pressure:       128/62          127/62

Pulse:                         73                  61

Waist:                         43                  42

How I feel:

01-09-10 -  “I feel good.”

01-16-10 - My Nexium prescription ran out on Friday, and after two days without it my acid reflux symptoms returned with a vengeance. I had one refill left. Walgreens, my favored pharmacy in the past, said they could no longer fill my prescriptions— I would have to use a CVS pharmacy.  CVS could refill my prescription, but it would cost over two hundred and seventy-six dollars unless CVS Caremark, my AT&T authorized mail order administrator and supplier, would authorize.  CVS Caremark would not authorize my refill because they did not have an updated prescription from my doctor, even though I had a valid prescription refill available.  CVS Caremark would not even authorize a temporary five-day supply until they had a new prescription. This is all according to my CVS pharmacy.  I would have “bet the farm” that I had completed an on-line request through the CVS Caremark system, but there was no record of a request being made. 

I was able to resolve my problem this morning, 01-18-10.  A CVS Caremark representative told me that I could get my prescription refilled through a CVS pharmacy. The cost would be “somewhat” cheaper by ordering through CVS rather than by ordering through the CVS Caremark mail-order system. The problem turned out to be my deductible. Since I have not met my deductible I would have to pay two hundred and seventy-six dollars. Once I reach my deductible I will only have to pay seventy-six dollars.  This is a cash flow nightmare since they want to use all of my deductible in January for medical prescriptions. I have written a BLOG Post about this so watch for it.

Physical activity:

I have maintained my morning exercise program.  I failed in my plan to walk 10,000 steps  (these steps are in addition to my morning exercise program).  I will get in my steps this week by “catching up” every evening by using my treadmill.

Nutrition schedule: 

It is hard to consistently eat on a time schedule (every two and one-half to three hours).  I plan to prepackage my snacks so that I can have them available whether I am at home or on the road. The rest of my nutrition schedule remains fixed with the food items previously listed. I must confess that I did “cheat” once or maybe twice this past week when I had dinner out with friends.

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13. January 2010 by PawBill.

I recently recall driving pass a local church that had one of those magnetic signs that read, “Christians meet here.”  I never thought much about it until I passed by one day and there was another sign posted on an old wooden shed across the street that read, “Lions meet here.”  The lion sign, while intended as a joke, probably brought more attention to the church and maybe more visitors. 

The church has relocated to another part of town, but I occasionally pass by their new location.  They still have the Christian sign, but there is no lion sign.  Probably because the property across the street is just a high school field and a lion sign would not be permitted.  Things like this interest and amuse me.  How about you?

The Christian and lion story signs brought back memories of the old Biblical story of, “Daniel in the Den of Lions.”  The story is found in the Old Testament section of the Bible in the book of Daniel, chapter six. 

Darius the Mede (recall your ancient history lesson about the Medes and Persians) had captured the Babylonian kingdom from Belshazzar.  Belshazzar’s father, Nebuchadnezzar, had brought Daniel as a captive to Babylon after Jerusalem had been sacked.  Daniel had found favor with Nebuchadnezzar because of his ability to interpret dreams by the Spirit of God and had been given positions of importance in Babylon because of his prophetic abilities.

After King Darius (Darius) had taken Babylon he appointed Daniel as one of three administrators who would oversee other “kingdom rulers.” Apparently the two other administrators did not like Daniel so they tricked Darius into signing a decree that would put to death anyone who prayed to another god or man other than Darius during a thirty-day period.  Of course Daniel never denied his God and prayed three times a day toward Jerusalem giving thanks only to God.  He did not pray in secret so he was found out and reported. 

Darius liked Daniel and did not want him to die, but because he had signed the decree he had no choice. The law of the Medes and Persians did not provide for the repeal of a decree once it was in writing. Daniel was placed in a den of lions as his death sentence.  The king did not sleep that night because of his distress and at first light hurried to the den where he found Daniel safe.  Daniel gave all the credit to God and His angels.  The end of the story was not favorable to the administrators who had accused Daniel.  Darius had the men and their families thrown into the den of lions, and the lions ate them all. How would you like to have lived during this pagan period?

What about you? Are you facing a “lion’s den” because of your Christian beliefs? Do people even know you are a Christian?  As Jesus said in Luke 9:25-26 NIV:  

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.”

In the troubled days to come, will you deny Jesus or will you stand with Him?  You will be required to make a choice.  I hope you will choose to stand with Jesus.  I have! 

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11. January 2010 by PawBill.

 “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV).  

Generic Meal Plan for Week Beginning 01-10-2010 

Vital signs:  Height 6 ft, Weight 194lbs,  Blood Pressure: 128/62,  Pulse: 73, Waist: 43 inches (slacks 38 x 32).

How do I feel: “I feel good”

Physical activity: I plan a thirty to forty-five minute exercise program every morning which will include weights, treadmill and elliptical. Plus, I will try to maintain a 10,000 step walking routine per day.

Nutrition schedule:  I plan to eat every two (2) to three (3) hours as follows:

(1) Breakfast:

Oatmeal – ½ cup oats, ½ cup water, ½ cup fat free milk, plus a fruit (banana, blueberries, strawberries, raisins or peaches).

(2) Snack (select one):

Boiled egg, tuna fish, sardines, carrot sticks, celery sticks, apple, clementine or cheese stick.

(3) Lunch:

Sandwich or lettuce roll-up: whole wheat bread, spicy mustard, chicken or turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, onions, peppers (jalapeño, bell and banana), cucumber, olive oil and vinegar (less than 1 teaspoon).

(4) Snack (select one):

Boiled egg, tuna fish, sardines, carrot sticks, celery sticks, apple, clementine or cheese stick.

(5) Dinner with dessert:

Chicken or fish with three selections from the following: broccoli, asparagus, sweet potato, whole-wheat pasta or brown rice, beans (pinto, black, green,), greens (turnip, collards), brussel sprouts, okra and tomatoes, or salad with low fat dressing served on the side. For dessert: any low fat dessert not to exceed “cigarette package size.”

(6) Snack (select one):

Boiled egg, tuna fish, sardines, carrot sticks, celery sticks, apple, clementine or cheese stick.

My weight reduction plan is to follow the above nutrition schedule and meal food planning selections.  I do not plan to starve myself, and I will incorporate other food items as I think of them.

I have breakfast with several friends one day a week, brunch with friends after church most every Sunday, and dine with friends one evening during the week. These meals will conform to food items listed in my nutrition schedule.  

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9. January 2010 by PawBill.

They say, “You are what you eat.”  Who they is I do not know, but I do know what I should and should not eat, but for the life of me I do not know why I continue to eat, and enjoy, all the foods that are bad for my health.  It is time for me to get serious about life—a healthy lifestyle, that is.  I am going to get serious, and I hope you will follow my lifestyle changes. To start, I plan to reveal a lot of personal medical information, and I plan to open this segment of my blog to comments.  Let’s get started. 

I am a retired, sixty-seven year old male Caucasian who has coronary heart disease.  I take twelve different medications prescribed by my cardiologist and personal physician for the control of angina pain, blood pressure, cholesterol, and acid reflux.  My drug list is shown in the table below.  As a side note, It has been very helpful when filling out medical forms and keeping my doctors informed.

My Drug List

(1) Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic acid) – 325mg - “Aspirin also has an antiplatelet effect by inhibiting the production of thromboxane, which under normal circumstances bind platelet molecules together to repair damaged blood vessels.” 

(2) Bystilic (Nebivolol) – 5mg - A Beta-blocker for high blood pressure. 

(3) Lisinopril (Lisinopril) – 10mg - Lisinopril is an Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor for treating high blood. 

(4) Isosorb (Imdur) (Isosorbide) – 120mg – Morning- A Vasodilator used to prevent angina (chest pain). 

Isosorb (Imdur) (Isosorbide) – 30mg – Evening- A Vasodilator used to prevent angina (chest pain 

(5) Plavix (Clopidogrel) – 75mg - An Antiplatelet agent used to reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack.

(6) Ranexa (Ranolazine) – 1000mg – Morning - An anti-angina medicine for the treatment of chronic angina. 

Ranexa (Ranolazine) – 1000mg – Evening - An anti-angina medicine for the treatment of chronic angina 

(7) Lovaza (OMEGA 3 Acid Ethyl Esters – 1g – Morning - A Lipid lowering agent to reduce hightriglycerides. 

Lovaza (OMEGA 3 Acid Ethyl Esters – 1g – Evening - A Lipid lowering agent to reduce hightriglycerides. 

(8) Amlodipine (Amlodipine) – 5mg - A Calcium channel blocker for high blood pressure or angina (chest pain).

 (9) Lipitor (Atorvastatin) – 80mg - An HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (STATIN) for cholesterol and triglyceride level treatment.

(10) Trilipix (Antera) (Fenofibric Acid) – 135mg - A Lipit-lowering agent for treating high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. 

(11) Nexium (Esomeprazole) – 40mg - A proton pump inhibitor for heartburn or irritation of esophagus. 

(12) Nitroquick (Nitroglycerin) - .4mg as needed for chest pain - Nitrate is used to treat and prevent angina (chest pain). 

Last year I reduced my weight from 212 pounds (my all time high) to 192 pounds following minor heart problems in the fall of 2008 that I will describe later.  During the 2009 Christmas holidays I “sinned” and added pounds. I have since reduced my weight from 198 pounds to a present weight of 194 pounds.  My goal is 179 pounds.  My height is 6 ft. I do not drink, smoke or use any drugs or medications not prescribed by my physicians. 

To date, my weight reduction method has been exercise, elimination of coke type drinks and desserts, and reading food labels to identify food high in sodium, fats and sugars prior to purchasing and/or consuming.  My program works when I stay on task, but I am prone to wander.  I still love an occasional burger and fries, Mexican chips and cheese dip and with five grandchildren all that birthday cake and ice cream.

I have a family history of heart disease.  On my fifty-third birthday my mother jokingly told me I might die soon; her father, mother and brother all died of heart problems in their early fifties.  Needless to say, I had never given it any thought but I should have. In my fifty-fifth year I had open-heart surgery and received six heart graphs.

What were my signs other than high blood pressure and cholesterol that led up to my need for sudden heart surgery? I never had any of the typical warning signs. It was like this, one day I walked up two flights of stairs as I normally did at work and when I reached the top flight I had to sit down to “catch my breath.”  Within a week I was watching a monitor while doctors performed angioplasty to check for blockages.  The procedure lasted only a few minutes, and no attempts were made to stint, balloon or clear any blockages. The procedure was suddenly stopped, and I was told that bypass surgery would be performed the next day. 

Up until this time my health had been good with the exception of an occasional kidney stone attack, one of which had to be surgically removed.  Six months after my heart bypass surgery I had emergency gallbladder surgery. At the time I asked the doctor if I could wait about the surgery. He replied, “If you can live without pain medication, give it a try.”  I opted for the surgery.  While not as painful as a kidney stone attack, gall stones hurt.  At the time I recall reading that gallbladder surgery was not uncommon following heart by-pass surgery.

My only other significant medical problem is sleep apnea (lack of quality rest).  I was diagnosed several years ago, and now I wear a face-mask at night that corrects this problem.  I was a loud snorer for many years prior to being tested and finally treated.  Sleep apnea is a serious problem that can cause serious medical problems. Seek medical attention if you experiencing sleep problems.

For the next twelve years following my heart surgery, I led a healthy life and participated in any physical activity that I chose.  My weight remained stable at between 175 and 180 pounds.  I was on low dosages of blood pressure and cholesterol lowering medications but life was good.  In 2008 while in my cardiologists’ office for my annual checkup he did an EKG.  For the past month or so I had been having what I refer to as “acid reflux discomfort” and casually mentioned it to see if he had any suggestions.  After reviewing my EKG he suggested that I go immediately to the hospital as I was having an “event.”  An event in “doctor language” meant that I was having a heart problem that required immediate attention.

A cardiac catheterization procedure was performed and blockages were found, but it was determined that no stints would be possible.  Also, I was informed that I would not be a candidate for any additional heart surgery; medications were now being prescribed for the type of heart problems I was experiencing.  In 2009 I had another catheterization procedure performed by a different doctor in the same medical practice, which resulted in the same diagnosis. Question: Am I not a good surgical candidate or is insurance a factor? My primary insurance is Medicare, and my secondary insurance is coverage from my previous employer.  Something to think about with the “coming of ObamaCare.”

You now have an in-depth look at my medical history. (NOTE: All medical information published under the category “Weight Loss” on this BLOG site is considered personal and confidential and is not to be copied or distributed without written permission.) I still do virtually as I please physically, but I just do not do it as fast.  My wife refers to me as the “sloth” in that I move so slowly.  But hey, I’ve never done anything fast.  I’m just slow by nature. 

Here are my goals for 2010: (1) reduce to and maintain my weight at 179 pounds, (2) reduce prescribed drug medications both in quantity and dosages, (3) eat fewer processed and fast foods, (4) perform thirty minutes of cardio and weight training per day, (5) walk 10,000 steps per day, and (6) seek a professional dietitian’s assistance.  Achievement of all six goals will not be instantaneous.  However, they are achievable but will involve a permanent life style change on my part.

My medical doctor wants me to use his program for my weight reduction.  If I do, I will provide the details of his program.

Follow along as I make weekly progress updates on my blog and perhaps daily updates on www.twitter.com/closetchristian.

Of course, I will continue my political and religious orientated blogs because God, family and country are too important to forfeit.

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