The hospital

Things have been busy as they normally are this time of year. Nothing out of the ordinary other than my adding grad school to the picture. But that hasn't even started yet (tomorrow is the big day) although I have already been working on it. So much to my surprise, I ended up in the hospital last Wednesday evening.

I woke up that day with a heavy feeling on my chest and my neck felt like it was swollen or puffy. It felt just plain weird. I thought it was because I didn't get enough sleep. I was tired. By the end of the day the heaviness was worse and I had a bad dizzy spell. Then I just stayed light headed. I felt so weird - it wasn't right. So I decided I had to get to a doctor right away. Ended up going to the ER... my blood pressure and pulse were way up. That's never happened before. But since I had heaviness in my chest, they admitted me and treated me as a heart patient. They did all kinds of tests and determined I am healthy. No heart attacks or thyroid problems. All my levels are good. My blood is "thick". So now I have to take aspirin. My regular doctor ordered a CAT scan to check for pulmonary embollisms before I could leave the hospital. That came out good too. So on Thursday, I go for a cardio stress test just to be absolutely sure my heart is OK.

They never really gave me an explanation of what was wrong...we surmise it was a stress event. I didn't feel any more stressed than normal, but I guess that's what it could have been. The doctor, (and my old one too) discussed losing weight with me. Yes, I know I've gained tons of weight. I hate it. I hate how fat I have become but up until now, and I don't know why, I just haven't had the will power to do anything about it. I know I don't exercise like I used to and that is a big factor. We try to eat healthy but there is definitely room to grow there. I drink cokes a lot. Tons...I probably have coke in my system instead of blood. Well, I haven't had one since Wednesday. That is like a major miracle.

Chance decided we are going to make a life change and eat healthier. He's wanting to get rid of his tummy pooch. So, on Friday, he signed me up for Weight Watchers. I didn't have a choice in the matter other than I wanted to attend the meetings rather than online so I would have accountability. Today was my first meeting. There is alot to take in. I think I can do well because I can eat whatever I want. I just have to measure and add points on everything. That part sucks. But if I know I'm not restricting myself, I think I will do fine. I am scared about it. Not sure if I will keep up with the counting and weighing. But I must. I need to lose all this weight.

I now have books and journals and 100 calorie snack things. I have more salad and veggies in my fridge than normal. He's keeping track of points too so that will help me. He's surprised at how the fast food adds up. I hate that he eats that crap all the time and doesn't gain weight. He's set up the garage for a home gym. We have the bicycle, the weight bench and the treadmill ready to go. I have to wait until after my cardio test to exercise. But the day after he's pushing me out there.

Today I was pleasantly surprised to find out I had lost around 4 or 5 pounds since I went in the hospital. That hasn't even been a week. I bought a new WW scale today. It has a memory and keeps track of your weight loss, your BMI, your water level and your bone density. Not sure how it does all that but it goes off the moisture in your feet. Go figure. I just have to figure out how to eat at lunch and I should be good to go.

Well it's late and I should rest for work tomorrow. I will be working alot on my two classes in the evening as well as my WW journal and the exercising. I will do my best to keep writing about my progress.

Later gators.