Where Do I Go From Here?

After spending four days in the hospital, I was released with six medications, an appointment with the cardiologist an admonishment to see my GP immediately, and a packet of information.

I had an arteriogram, the news was good, no blockages.  However, my heart was functioning at 65% and I was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure.  The package said no salt, no more than 1-1.5 liters of fluid a day, and learn to manage stress.  Oh, like that whole stress thing was going to be easy?!

In the following months a few things changed.  First, more testing, and out of the blue, chest pains.  The chest pain has a sweet little name, Angina.  I can take a Nitro pill if it gets awful, hello, the Nitro pill is disgusting.  I've taken one.  I've lost 18 lbs., and yes I have more to go.  I now walk 15 minutes, once or twice a day, every day.  I'm working my way up to 30 minutes at once.  I now take 10 pills a day, which is just unreal to me.  My stress?  Hello, I have CHF, how in heck do I stop being stressed?

So, where does this leave me?  I read and read and then read some more.  I decided I have to be in control of where I go from here.  So here's the plan.

1. Continue to work on my walks.  As silly as it sounds, I add one more driveway a day to my walk.  I'm taking mouse bites instead of elephant bites. 

2.  I've researched the best way to feed my body.  I've decided to transition to a plant based diet.  Now, I'm a sugar, caffeine, meat eating person, so this should be interesting.

3.  Work on the stress, step number one to reduce it, get the 31 year old boy to get a job or get out. Okay, and I'm trying Yoga as well.

4.  Deal with the overwhelming depression that feels so crippling.  Taking medication, which is helping, and I am hoping the change in diet and the regular exercise will help.

So, here we go!  I'm making my way back to Normal (or just my regular quirky self).