The Top10 Things You Should Do If You Test Positive For Alpha1

  • Have A List Of Questions When You See a Doctor About Your Alpha1(If you try to remember the questions you want to ask you may forget half of them)
  • Learn To Breathe Effectively
  • Limit Or Eliminate Your Alcohol Consumption
  • Don't Be Afraid To Be Proactive About Your Alpha1
  • Get Plenty Of Rest(You will likely have a higher oxygenation level)
  • Avoid Sick People(You have a lower immune system than most people)
  • Drink Plenty Of Water
  • Eat Healthy/Avoid Processed Food(Carbonated beverages)
  • Start A Careful Exercise Program/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program(Your muscles will become more efficient so they won't use as much oxygen and if you have surgery you will likely recover quicker as well)
  • Stop Smoking

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Hopes, Dreams, Miracles & the Dairyland Dare

All happen everyday (well maybe not the DD)...and as we get older we sometimes forget this! Somewhere around the age of 7 - 9 years old I' d dreamed of owning & living on a farm. By my early 30's it came to seem like such an impossible dream. About a month ago it seemed like my co-worker was assisting me in doing my job(granted he wasn't complaining...but, it sure didn't feel good ). I felt really helpless(I believe one of the rottenest feelings I have ever felt). I made an appointment w/ a new pulmonologist signed up for the DD, submitting an article(which I questioned whether I should submit) and hoped I hadn't wasted anybodies time including my own.

Last Saturday I attempted the DD and made it almost 40 miles(of approximately 65 miles) I averaged about 7mph by the end. Although, I didn't finish , I was satisfied w/ the results. Although, I may not set the world on fire....I set my soul on fire. At the 10 mile marker I was ready to throw in the towel! Fortunately the guys working the water stop booth at the 1o mile marker didn't have a clue about the course....so, I continued on. I was a beuatiful, demanding but, satisfying course. I averaged 7mph(w/ a top speed of 39.6mph inadvertantly).

I went down to Janesville, WI (where I grew up) and took the chance that RAC was open & the TANITA scale was setup. I got on and experienced the joy I had been hoping for thanks to Dr. Hogarth at UofC(University of Chicago). I had finally lost fat weight[23.8 lbs] and gained muscle weight[???]. On top of that I was in range hydration wise!! Although, I may not be seeing it on the scale I am seeing it around my waist!!!

Today, I met w/ a new loan officer for a 20 acre home w/ a shed, greenhouse, barn & garage on 20 acres. She told me my house pymt would be $12 less than the previous loan officer. I grew up with a fantasy of having a woodworking shop that would rival my fathers...I think it's on the horizon!

Inspite of everything.....what a beautiful life I have attained!!!
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