Recovery & Rehab for a Torn Aorta

I have some really great news! My aorta is healing just like the Drs. want it too. :-) Yeah!!!!  It does take patience and time. Remember, the information I post here is not to be medical advice of any kind. But instead, a resource and to encourage those who have been diagnosed with torn aorta otherwise known as a dissected aneurism of the descending aorta type B. 

If you have been diagnosed with this condition and are reading my post on this blog, then consider that you are able to do so by the grace of God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Most people are diagnosed on the autopsy table. Once diagnoses is made, your recovery chances are very high. I have a level 4. Level 4 and lower are typically treated medically. Mainly getting the blood pressure down through scripts, etc. The first few weeks are more critical than later on in the recovery process. It will get better. :-) My GP put it the way, "slow down and smell the coffee." 

This experience has brought my husband and I closer together. We cherish time together, with our daughter and as a family. We are not letting 'little things' bother us. We just let it 'roll off'. If you are not doing that, you need to learn. It will do wonders for your attitude and blood pressure. 

Yes, we are told to exercise. When your Dr. tells you to go on a regular exercise routine. Make sure you get clarification on that. Before they knew I had a torn aorta, I was released to go back to exercising "build up slowly to what you used to do.." And I could go back to lifting weights. It would almost make me sick. So I slowed down. I still did not seem to get any better. Then they found the torn aorta. Rehabbing for a torn aorta is different from rehabbing for a heart attack. Really, you do not need to 'work up a sweat' if you know what I mean. Forget intensity. The most I can do is to work up to a 30 minute mile for 4 months. After that I can start lifting again and build from there. 

Then why exercise???? While the 30 minute mile seems like nothing, one walk will lower my blood pressure by 10-20 points for a couple of days. It has something to do w/the constant moving and blood flow. I know it seems boring if you are used to Hi Intensity, lifting, cross training, etc. But you have to do it. The walking needs to be on a treadmill or a flat even surface. My neighborhood is full of hills, way too much intensity so not a good place to walk. We have school tracks nearby that I can walk at before or after school. Our church has a wonderful rec center that I go to and walk on the treadmill. 

OK, a 30 minute mile only burns about 73 k calories. And I know from personal experience that you will start spreading like butter. I have increased almost 2 dress sizes w/out gaining more than 3 lbs or so. What that means is I am going to have to cut back on food intake. Smaller portions, and this is so hard to do, but cut sugar out of my (your) diet. I can do this for a short period of time, but it is very hard long term. 

About Sugar... If you read much of this blog you will see that I am in favor of sugar fasts. Or rather a 'white fast'. Sugar can stimulate (very temporary) your heart rate and raise your blood pressure more than caffeine will. In addition, what is not burned up for energy will be stored in fat. Not a good thing. I have been saying for years that if you want to see a difference in your body, cut out the white stuff and just cut back on your fat intake. You will see more results whether you are training or rehabbing. It works! 

I will post more about additional exercise that you can do as time goes on. Have a blessed day for now! By the way, non spammed posts are welcome here. I have to moderate b/c of the spam, but myself and others would love to read of your recovery journey's as well. 

Hugs! 
Missy

Physical Healing Continues

How do you heal from a 'torn aorta'? Rest, do what it takes to lower blood pressure, emotial & physical stress. Our December and the beginning of January was not what we would have liked. It started out w/me in the hospital and ended w/my father in law (who we all deeply loved) in the hospital. He passed away the third of January. God is so good. He has given us the grace that we need to see us through this trying time. My Father In Law's life celabration & homegoing. He is with the Lord, my sweet Mother In Law and others who went before him. Healing is coming along well. We now have my blood pressure under control. I rest, limit my activity in order to have no strain on my body. I have a CT scan later on in the week and see a Thorastic Surgeon the following Monday. I feel eager to start exercising (more than walking on a flat surface and light house keeping) and I have photography sessions set up, which will put me back to work. My husband will be assisting me in these sessions. Some photography shoots can be quite physical. I give God the glory for the progress in my healing. Hugs, Missy

It has been a long time since I have posted. Much has happened. For a year or more, I have not felt my best. Chalked it off to being older. Last summer I started having some adominal discomfort. Pain moved to my chest. I went to the ER and diagnosed w/a heart attack. Still experienced pain & adominal discomfort. 5 months later I am back in the ER and I have a dissected anurism of the aorta type B. Also called called a "Torn Aorta". Can you say "John Ritter"? "Lucille Ball"? Apparently it is hard to diagnose. It was missed last summer. 50% of patients are diagnosed on the autopsy table. God is Good! Currently I am being treated medically. The goal is for the aorta to heal on its own, creating scar tissue to reinforce the wall. At this time, there is absolutly nothing on the internet that offers any personal experiences or encouragement on this condition. Currently, I have to be very careful. Keep my blood pressure down. The goal is to heal. For the forseeable future, I plan to use this blog to post my recovery. Not meant to be medical advice in any way, but to have some information out there to offer encouragement for future patients. These last few months would not be possible w/out our personal realtionship with the Lord Jesus Christ. To know that be be "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." means to much to me. God has sustained us throughout. I will post more later! Missy

Soreness

If you exercise, whether regularly or not, while cutting out white stuff, you will find yourself a tad more sore than usual.  Perhaps a lot more sore. 

• Increase you simple carbs (fruits and veggies)
• Increase water intake

I had a charlie horse in my calf in the middle of the night.  Woke me up.  Very sore this morning.  This is caused by toxins.  Sugar, fried foods, snack crackers, candy bars, cakes, etc. are all full of toxins.  As you start a complete fast on these items, by day 2 your body is reacting.  It is not a bad thing.  Just drink more water to flush it out.  And increase your sugar intake by eating MORE FRUITS & VEGGIES which is what God intended for us to do. 

You will feel better for it!  I promise!

God bless!  Let us pray for each other.
Hugs,
Missy.

Need a snack?

Chopped up fruit, veggies, lowfat cheese, cottage cheese, old fashion rolled oats, almonds, all of these are acceptable.  One protein one carb.  Small portions and that will stave off hungar. 

When I go on a fast like this, a serving of melon or a spoon of honey on a slice of multi grain toasted bread is a life saver to get you through those first few days, especially if you exercise a good bit. 

God is good!

A New Sugar Fast!

For our better health. 

On Monday, I want to start a new sugar fast for better health.  I am copying and pasting from an older post guidlines to follow.  Anyone who would like to join and pray w/me for strengh to follow thru is free to join me. 

I do not want this to be a mandatory prayer fast unless you feel lead to.  I personally do not feel lead to at this time.  I simply want to exercise it for better health.  Will you join me? 

Feel free to post prayer needs and words of encouragement. 

I always start out w/a treat day in the beginning, but you will find it makes you feel yucky as the weeks go on. 

Remember to exercise!  God made our bodies to move!
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And I am so excited!



If you have never done a Sugar Fast before, there are a few things you might want to be aware of. The first week will be a tad bit hard. Days 3-5 will be the hardest. Day 7, you are home free and will begin to feel great!


I know that I mentioned that you could have a 'treat' on the 7th day, but if you can refrain from that for at least another week, you will reap many benefits. This fast is only for 28 days and that is not long.


Speaking of benefits of Sugar Fasting here are a few that I have listed:


Lower blood sugars


Lose weight


Reduce insulin resistance


Reduce symptoms of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome-annoying & uncomfortable)


Improved endurance training and sports performance


Reduce heart disease


Lower lipids


Prevent diabetes


Prevent heart disease


Reduce hunger


I took the above right off of this web site that you can go to for more information - http://www.diabetes-blood-sugar-solutions.com/glycemicdiet.html and something I want to add from personal experience is


ADDED ENERGY!!!!


Days 3-5 you will feel zapped or tired. But that will begin to improve on day 6. Day 7, you will feel great.


MONDAY Weigh and measure your waist. I hope that you have a prayer journal, either a written one or one on the computer. But have one somewhere. When we fast, we pray. God may lay one need, person, situation on your heart, He may lay dozens. You might want to write them down. I am finding that I need to write them down. Start to pray over these needs written in your journal. Ask God to remind you of them throughout the day. He will. Especially when you have that desire for that Mocha Cap, Sweet Iced Tea, Scoop of Ice Cream, that little piece of candy, etc. As you fast on that sugar, pray. When you put sweetener in your coffee, pray. As you prepare healthy foods for you and your family to eat, pray. You will be ministering to the Lord and you will see Him move.


What is included in the Sugar Fast?


Obviously-white sugar, refined sugar (that includes brown sugar. It is just white sugar with molasses added to it.)

Anything with sugar added to it.


White breads


White crackers and ... snacks. Yep. Full of white flour and yeast and sugar


Most cold cereals, especially those with the 2nd and 3rd ingredient listed "sugar" or "corn syrup" or "fruitose" or other fancy words for hidden sugars. Read the labels.


Anything with "..ose" tacked on the end of an ingredient they are mostly fancy words for hidden sugars. By the way, "Fat Free" items are full of "sugars".


Now your whole wheat breads and whole grain breads sold in the stores are cut with white flour. That is mostly what I purchase. It is better than the solid white bread. But if you want to be a purist go with pumpernickel bread. Sweet potatoes better than white potatoes. The occasional white potato is fine, just be careful of what you put on it. Same with sweet potato.


More on what you can eat:


Fresh Fruits and Veggies!


Fresh Frozen Fruits


Fresh Frozen Veggies


Meats


Eggs


Cheese


Milk & other Dairy


Whole Wheat and Whole grain products


Nuts


Brown Rice


Whole grain pasta


There is plenty out there to eat. Just read the labels! :-)


Love y'all!


Sugar Fast Scripture Theme: Acts 13:2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting , the Holy Spirit said , "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. "

I will also add honey to my tea.  It does not seem to have the same effect as sugar. 

Y'all are probably wondering...

...where I have been?  Well busy.  And it seems like this blog attracts spam.  From the first week this blog opened, from being emailed to doing product reviews for merchandise I consider being inappropriate, to spam posts for merchandise (script drugs to rolex watches), seems like we get hit several times a week to several times a day. 

Are spammers the only people reading this blog?

Sorry if this post seems "down".