Damage Control

I was just thinking about our Arizona trip! What do you think of Sedona? I looked at some resort type places and found this: https://www.arabellahotelsedona.com/amenities-services/.

It has bikes, pool, hot tub, gym, free breakfast and seems close to some hikes. It does not have a spa, but it's hard to find something that has everything for a reasonable price. I looked at dates from 4/20 to 4/24 and it would be about $750 each for the stay. Or did we decide May is better? I forget. I'm flexible, but I thought we decided sometime in April. We cold fly to Phoenix and meet there early afternoon the 21st. A shuttle is $153 there and back and takes you right to the resort.
new_reservation

What do you think?

I know I need something to look forward to as well. I feel like I'm falling apart some days with managing all the physical changes that come with aging. My latest is increased acid and reflux. My diet no longer regularly includes coffee, citrus, cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, alcohol or chocolate. I started having this weird taste in my mouth that seems to be from the acid. I have an appointment in September to discuss my interventions and to see what to do about it. I don't want to have to take medication for it, but have had to use a PPI for several weeks now just to not feel nauseous all the time and to not have that sour taste in my mouth. My goal is to cut back the medicine and eventually be off it for good. I've also elevated the head of my bed.

I have to focus on the positives! I can walk and have been walking and lifting as heavy as I can. Sorry to hear that intense project is back on your plate. At least you get some longer rests and the fires are not too close.

Off to walk,

Beth
 
It's finally Thursday. Whew it's been a very hectic couple of weeks. I work tonight, but I'm off tomorrow. I have a haircut appt and that's all that is planned for the weekend. Since I have to work tonight, I only worked 1/2 day and was able to go grocery shopping this afternoon.

The girls started school last week and it's been pretty hectic thus far. I think they will start settling into their new routines though. They are seniors this year. DS is still trying to find them a car. Right now, they have friends that take them to school and bring them home.

I've been pretty consistent with my workouts, which makes me very happy. I just feel so much better when I get my workout in. I'm so looking forward to my vacation, we leave on the 29th. Oh, the Dr. didn't see anything on my CT scan. Next is a colonoscopy and if that doesn't show anything, then a upper GI scope. I am feeling better though.

I'm with you, just doing the best I can everyday. Most days I feel pretty good. I'm tired of being stuck in the house, it is simply too hot to be outside. Maybe in September I can resume walking a few times a week. After my vacation, I may start Meso 2 again. The rotation I'm following now has more cardio in which I like. It's hard to just lift all the time. Yesterday she did intervals on the treadmill and then weights. I used my rower and I was spent! I haven't used it much lately and it was nice to use it again.

April works for me, and that hotel/location looks good too. I've seen a couple other hotels but they are in Scottsdale. It seems like a good time to go, after Spring Breakers and before it gets too hot. We need to solidify the dates. The April 20-24 works for me.

I'll check back in this weekend.
 
I feel like I'm finally starting to pull myself together. My reflux is a LOT better-still taking one PPI a day and following the diet. Between that, trying to eat enough protein and get enough calcium I think about food all the time. I did restart my anxiety medication which also helps with pain and am sleeping much, much better.

The appointment with the endocrinologist went very well. I've had some labs done and am waiting to hear what she recommends. She encouraged the weight vest, getting calcium from food and supplementing with calcium citrate as needed, and gaining 10 pounds. She wants my BMI around 21. I personally don't agree with that-where would I put the weight? I don't think BMI is a good measure and am focusing on lifting and protein.

Does Scottsdale have some better deals? I didn't even think of that area. I'll look around again.

Hope you had a relaxing weekend. Soccer started back last week and it's been great. Still playing cards with my parents every Saturday. Other than that, I've been reading a John Irving novel and just enjoying some cooler weather here. Saturday night I walked the Relay for Life downtown. I'd never been to it and it was inspiring!

Beth
 
Well I'm back from vacation, and it was wonderful. We spent one day at the beach, a 4 minute walk from the resort. The girls and I played in the waves for a while. I did get up early 2 days to go catch the sunrise on the beach. The temperature was perfect. We did do a bit of site seeing and shopping too. On our way back to the airport, we got to see an alligator. They live in all the ponds on the Island. We didn't think we would see one though.

I've had 2 dr. appts already and my mammogram is tomorrow morning. I should get my test results next week. This was the first day I got in a workout. I did a leg pyramid workout that was pretty good. DH and I are going to lunch after my appointment tomorrow. Probably won't get in a workout tomorrow.

I'm planning on tackling 2 linen closets and my under the sink area tomorrow. I bought some organizers that should help. DH ordered some kind of shelf liner to put on the wire racks so we have a flat surface. I'm not holding my breath that they will work though.

How was your week?

ttyl
 
Well my bloodwork results from my physical on Wednesday are in. My cholesterol is still high. Waiting to see what my Dr. says. I also had a mammogram yesterday and those results came back negative. Next up is a colonoscopy. With my brothers colorectal cancer diagnosis, my dr. recommends a colonoscopy every 5 years instead of 10. He said having a close relative with colon cancer increases my risks also.

Today I did a circuit workout. It was nice and had some cardio in it. Afterwards, I walked around the lakes. It was only 61 degrees and was just beautiful. It was nice to be outside. I started listening to Die with Zero on my walk. It's just a different perspective than anything I've heard. He talks about experience dividends, living for today while saving some for the future. I'll let you know what I think when I finish it.

I signed up for the juice cleanse every 3 months. I started the 3 day cleanse today. I prefer to do it on workdays, but this is when it fell. They are so good though.

My vacation is coming to an end. I go back to work on Monday. I only have to work 2 weeks. Then DH and I will spend a week in the mountains. The weather should be nice and we should be able to see some of the leaves changing colors.

What are you up to? How was your week?
 
I had a good week. Your Hilton Head vacation sounded so nice and now you have another week in the mountains on deck! We tentatively have a beach trip planned for the week of the 21st. If the weather looks bad we're not going. You just never know in September/October how warm it's going to be. Even if we don't go I'm taking the week off-I usually just give it back and end up working, but fall is my favorite season and either way it'll be nice to be off!

Not a whole lot going on here. I finished a book yesterday called The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier. It was set in the late 1400's in Paris and Brussels and is historical fiction. It was fun read about tapestries and the women at that time. We played a little cards (my dad is getting worse by the week) and they stayed for dinner. I think next week we're just going to go to their place to hang out and watch the Penn State game. I'm not sure we can play cards anymore. It's exhausting for my dad to figure out the differences between the suits. He's falling a bit more often and after his shower on Friday night he left the water running for what my mom says is a long time.

I've got a load of wash going since it's sunny today! Also plan to meet up with some girls from work for a bike ride on the rail trail here this afternoon.

Enjoy the cleanse!

Beth
 
I know I have at least 5 years left to work, but right now I'm really looking forward to it. My job has just become so stressful and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. Some days/weeks are better than others. Overall it is just a lot.

One of the gals I work with that lives in Arizona gave me 2 hotel recommendations. One of them is closed until spring of next year-being rebranded and remodeled. I couldn't find an opening date. The other is part of the Hilton Vacation Club. Not sure if we have a member or not. Los Abrigado's If these don't work, then we should just book at Arabella. Wherever we stay, it will be a nice and relaxing break for both of us!

I'm doing STS Meso 2, Week 1 this week. I did more circuits last week, but want to start again on STS when I get back from the mountains. We leave on Friday and I mostly just walk while I'm there. Yesterday I did a heavy leg workout from the other platform. I'll do STS for UB but the other platform for lower body. She just goes much heaver and I can use my squat rack.

We had a nice birthday party for my MIL last night. She turned 87 on the 10th. She is such a strong and amazing lady. It was nice to see my niece and my 2 great nephews.

Yes, glad to hear you are taking your vacation. I used to save so much of my PTO, but as I've gotten older it has become more important to me to take time off. I'm sorry to hear that your Dad's health is declining. It's so difficult seeing our parents health decline. Is your relationship any better with your Mom?

I have laundry, yard work and shopping on the agenda for today. I better get to it.

Hope you are having a nice relaxing weekend.

ttyl
 
Wow. That Los Abrigados looks nice! How do you book a stay? Are you a member? Can we stay just 4 nights or does it have to be a week? I just checked Arabella again and they still have rooms available. I can fly from an hour away on Monday and get to Phoenix by 11 AM (Phoenix time) and then leave on Friday at 11 AM. So that gives us Monday PM, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to hike and see Sedona and then leave Friday morning. Let me know what you think!

I hope you are enjoying the mountains. I am also enjoying the PA mountains! The weather just didn't pan out for the beach. I'm actually very happy to be home. We have some fun stuff planned for the week and it's nice to be home. I've been baking a lot again-made 2 batches of peach cobbler and 2 apple breads. I'm definitely eating more, but have not gained weight.

It's been really nice walking weather here-low humidity and temps. Dan wants to get a bike this week so we can do some rail/trail rides together. Other than that I'm stretching, doing upper body heavy weight and lower body ankle weight and band workouts. Today I want to try a 30 minute low impact HiiT workout doing body weight exercises and then go to the pool this afternoon to more or less relax in the hot tub. If the HiiT doesn't feel good then I can just do pool moves for a half an hour before the hot tub.

Have a great week!

Beth
 
We went up to the mountains last week for a few days. I wasn't feeling well so we came home early. I'm enjoying having this time off work though.

My workouts have been pretty good. I'm sticking to STS Meso 2 Upper Body and the other platform for lower body for the month of October. I've been walking most days since I've been off and the weather is beautiful here.

I'm still dealing with stomach pain. I have colonoscopy this week, on my off Friday. It's probably hard to diagnose since the pain it tends to come and go though. Yesterday was bad and I sat in the recliner and watched TV all day. I've lost 10lbs this month. I'm starting to get worried it is something bad. When I have those stomach pains I can't really eat. I might go 2 or 3 days at a time without eating. Hopefully I will get some answers soon.

I couldn't figure out the Los Abrigados either. I'm not a member. I say we go with the first choice of Arabella. It looks like I can schedule a flight that would allow us to meet up in Phoenix. I'm really looking forward to it and am putting in my PTO request this week.

Enjoy the last bit of the weekend.

ttyl
 
I am sorry you are not feeling well. I'm actually having an upper endoscopy on October 9th for the acid issues. I really don't want to have to take medication for it so this will determine (hopefully) if there is blood, polyps, an ulcer, H. Pylori infection, inflammation, etc. or if it's a symptom of my anxiety. Meanwhile I'm not having alcohol, coffee, carbonated beverages, chocolate, or acidic foods.

I reached out to my endocrinologist last week. The Evinity was not approved by my insurance. The nurse was going to ask what the doctor wanted to do next. I have yet to hear back. I'm very disappointed. At least I'm back to osteopenia, but still-I know what's coming and I wanted to build some bone now. So, I've been doing lots of weighted vest walks and planks. I'm still not comfortable doing heavy lower body work so just do bands and leg weights and bodyweight moves. Upper body has been twice a week. All in all feeling pretty good structurally, now it's just my GI tract!

I opted for the Cologuard test this year. It was negative so I'm good for another 3 years. Hope your colonoscopy comes back good. Is it your first? As long as your tract is clean they will be able to see any issues. Then you'll be good for 10 years!

I can put in for the week of April 20 to 24 in October, so will also put in this week. The flight I'm looking to take gets into Phoenix around 11 AM on the 20th. It leaves on Friday the 24th at 11:30 AM. I'm ready to book! I looked at the transport service again-I did not do round trip the first time, so it's going to be about $300 for that. It's worth it to me not to drive. I'm so excited! I want to book the hotel asap so we don't lose it!

Beth
 
It's been so stressful at work this week. I'm starting to wonder if some of these issues are due to my stressful job. Hard to say I guess.

I have to prep tonight for my procedure tomorrow. Not looking forward to that. My last one was 9 years ago and I don't really remember it. At least my check-time is at 7am, procedure at 8. I will be glad to have this over with and be able to eat breakfast. Because I have a family history, I'm supposed to have this done every 5 years. If this is good, then I will ask about switching to Cologuard. Also, if they don't find anything with this test, then upper GI scope is next. I tell ya, 60 is not going well for me so far.

I've walked everyday this week. The weather has been really nice and not too hot. I hope to get back to STS when I can eat again. I just didn't have the energy for heavy lifting. I usually talk to my sister while I'm walking, and we both enjoy that.

Does heavier lower body work bother your SI joint?

I'm so hungry, but off to refill my water bottle! Breakfast is sounding so good right now.

ttyl
 
How did it go? I have been having so many weird dreams before my EGD next week. I feel like my anxiety is in overdrive. I think your job must contribute towards your issue. I was hoping the gallbladder surgery would help.

Yes, heavy weights hurt my leg/back/foot issues. I'm able to use the 10 lb. weight vest to walk and aim for 1/2 hour with it 5 times a week. Sometimes I get more but I notice my shoulders hurt if I go more than 40 minutes. Today I walked and did a band workout for glutes and hamstrings. Then I did a nice long stretch. I've found another youtube person I like for stretching-Devi daly yoga. She does some yin, some yoga, and has lots of hip openers that I've been incorporating.

I put in for the week in April. Do you want me to book Arabella and the ride to and from the airport? After that I would get my airplane ticket. DH will drive me to and from the airport so I don't have to worry about parking the car and all that. I will probably wait to see if I make it through the EGD next week before booking. I just am worried about going under anesthesia.

I started great book today called The Life Impossible. I'm only 5% in, but am really enjoying it. It's about a 72 year old woman who gets left a house in Ibiza and tells her story. At the start, she's lonely, depressed and having vein surgery done and right before the surgery got this letter from a lawyer about the house. That's as far as I am. I'll let you know how it goes, but so far it's great and lets me escape a bit.

60 has definitely been tough. I'm glad you could walk all week and have an appetite!

Let me know how it went-on the plus side at least it's over for you!

Beth
 
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Another work week is behind me! Neither DH or I slept very well last night. I got up and watched tv in the living room for about an hour and a half. When I went back to bed, DH was reading.

The Dr. found some inflamation and took a biopsy. It wasn't where I feel the pain though. I did have a follow up but they don't have my pathology report back yet. I also had to do a stool sample. They are testing for Crohn's disease, H. Pylori and pancreatic elastase level. I just pretty much feel nauseous every day. Some days I have pain and other days just naseous. I can't eat when I have that pain. I do have a couple prescriptions to try. One of them is to limit abdominal spasms (I don't have those).

As far as workouts, I've only walked 4 days this week, no weights at all. I just don't feel like I have the strength. I'm going to try an upper body workout today, knowing I may have to go lighter with the weights.

My vacation request is in and I'm so looking forward to it. Please go ahead and book the hotel and ride. Let me know if they charge you now and I will reimburse you. The hotel shouldn't charge you, but I'm not sure about the ride to the hotel. Let me know when you book your flight and I will book mine to arrive close to the same time.

How did your endoscopy go? Do you have your results back yet. That is what is next for me if they don't find anything from the stool sample and colonoscopy. I just previewed the book, it sounds like a nice read.

ttyl
 
I ended up not feeling well on Saturday, so I lazed around the house. Sunday I did a STS 2.0 full body trisets. I figure starting back with a full body workout be good. Today I did a full body circuit with some cardio/weights. Tomorrow I will start back with STS.

How are you doing? How was your endoscopy?
 
Glad to hear you are up for weights again! Total body workouts are so efficient. Once in a while I'll do a 20 minute upper and 20 minute lower on a Thursday for that very reason.

Last Thursday was the EGD and I did not work out Thursday or Friday. Saturday I did lower body weights with the leg weights and Sunday was upper body heavy weights. Monday I did the pool moves for 15 minutes and I am walking daily. Today I'm planning on lower body again.

The EGD was painless and the results are that I don't have an infection, but have inflammation in my stomach lining and all through my esophagus. So my diet modifications continue (no coffee, alcohol, citrus, chocolate, peppermint, high fat or "rough" fiber foods (like cabbage)). What is ok is soft vegetables, low fat meat, low fat dairy. Poor DH never knows what to make for dinner! We've been having a lot of chicken and pasta dishes with cooked broccoli on the side when he cooks. I've been making soups and rice pudding and having smoothies for lunch (ground up kale and fruits with almond milk for calcium). I did have to start a healing medication called Pantaprazole for 8 weeks. Hopefully I will heal and then just control the symptoms with diet. I just ordered some slippery elm tea for my throat so will drink that in the morning instead of coffee. Cheers to 60!

So my dad had a bad day on Monday. He took his routine pain mediation and then was really out of it and just sat in a dining room chair for most of the day. My mom called my brother 3 times and he finally went over there and helped her move him to his easy chair at 4 pm. At 5 she called the ambulance and sent him to the hospital. At 6:30 she called me and told me what happened. She did not go to the hospital, so Dan and I went over for a few hours to sit with him while they were running tests. It was determined that he had pneumonia and he went to the ICU. He was very combative and continues to be. On Monday night his heart rate dropped to 20 beats a minute and he was transferred to a bigger hospital in Williamsport. Latest is that my mom has to decide if she wants him to get a pacemaker put in or to just let nature take its course. I've tried to help her see the pros and cons of each. So, we'll see.

I checked Arabella! We can pay all of the cost up front and save $250 each. Or pay with the ability to cancel-which would cost more. So it would be about $950 each if we pay with ability to cancel, or $715 each if we pay up front and can't cancel without losing all our money. What do you want to do? It is a gamble to pay all up front. Also: dates are check in:4/20, check out 4/24. We are saving some by not having a weekend date.

Beth
 
How was your week? I was able to walk all but Friday. It's getting chilly and I don't want to walk when it's in the 30's at 7. So Friday I got up early and did a chest and ab workout for about 35 minutes. I figure in the cold/dark months I'll just do more weights. Thursday I met with my doctor and she increased my acid reflux medication to twice a day. Hopefully it will just be for a month and then I can taper back. Apparently they dilated my esophagus during my procedure and that is not something they typically do. It is quite inflamed and that's part of why I'm still having symptoms.

DH has been really good about adapting to my new diet. Now I just have to stick to the diet for a few months (not easy!). Otherwise I'm managing my right hip/leg/foot issue and feeling pretty good.

My dad ended up not getting a pacemaker and is home. They determined that he didn't need one at the second hospital and just did the antibiotic therapy. I did try to call on Thursday to check on things, but no answer. I may try again today.

DS2 got let go from his job...you are the only one who knows outside of DH and I. DS2 is confident he'll get another one soon. I'm of course worried since he doesn't have a job and lives in California which is so expensive. He and his significant other have decided to find a place together in LA. He wants to stay close to the ocean so he can fish and have a place with some kind of area for a grill and for the dog to be outside a bit. I'm more worried about him having health care and a paycheck. Time will tell I guess.

How are you feeling? Have you been able to do more weights?

Beth
 
I've been thinking about you all week. Glad to hear that your Dad is home now. That must be a relief. Hopefully the additonal dose of meds will get you feeling better. Sorry to hear about DS2. I'm sure he will find another job. Did he get any kind of severance? A few weeks of pay can really help during this transition. He should also file for unemployment as soon as possible. It sometimes takes a while to get approved but it will also help bridge the gap. Yes, as parents it is so stressful, it doesn't matter how old our kids are.

I walked Wednesday through Saturday and will walk again today after doing weights. I'm struggling to get STS in during the week. Yesterday I did Disc 15, CSB. Sundays I try to heavy legs or glutes from the other platform. They tend to run a bit over an hour, and it doesn't help that I pause it to do the exercises. It's hard following someone elses heavy lift pace.

I really wish I could get a paid sebatical from work. It's so stressful and there is a chance I could be laid off in the next 2 years. We are sunsetting the application that I work on. Everything is cloud based so I've been working in that environment and taking some online training classes. I'm saving as much money as I can in our HYSA and retirement accounts. My car will be paid off in March and I will allocate 70% to investments and 30% to HYSA.

Most days I'm feeling pretty good. Some days I still have the stomach pain and just really can't do much but lay down and hope it passes. It's really bad when it lasts for days. Having to follow a low fat/low fiber diet for right now. Right now the Dr. is leaning towards Crohn's disease. I don't like taking the medications if we don't have a clear diagnosis.

As far as our Sedona trip, I can book the hotel. My travel credit card has trip insurance so we can book the lower price. I've already requested the time off and can book it today if you like. I'm so looking forward to it.

ttyl
 
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