For those of you that know me, you're aware I've been off work for the past two months due to problems with my left knee due to osteoarthritis. The results of that arthritis are a detached kneecap, a torn tendon or two, swelling in the entire leg that's been chronic for two months now.
I've started injections of a chicken based product to try to reduce friction in the knee. It hurts a fair amount, but there seems to be about a 30% chance I'll have some improvement in the knee, but more likely I won't see any change at all.
When meeting with my primary care doctor, he discussed having the lapband surgery done to lose weight. Over the past 20 years, I've gained 80 pounds... Mostly since I lost my therapist position, had to start working in retail to have some sort of income, and my feet and legs couldn't handle the stresses of working the sales floor for 40 hours a week and trying to maintain a program of distance walking and running.
That sort of surgery scares me, so I need to get going on something better, so here goes:
1. Swimming laps for exercise. I found out that I can join the Rec Center at my son's university for $16 a month and he's starting there next week. So I joined two days ago and will start swimming there three days a week. My physician approved my use of swimming before I joined up, btw. This will be a long term project.
2. Very temporary use of an appetite suppressant.
My doctor recommended it as a way to jump start my weight loss (and he wants to build a case to the insurance for the stomach surgery). Two to three months for that.
3. Measuring and recording EVERYTHING I eat! I've read studies that show people who keep a food diary are more successful at losing weight and keeping it off. This will be a long term project.
4. Pushing the orthopedic surgeon for corrective knee surgery. He isn't too positive on surgeries to reattach or replace the kneecap, but I can't live the the pain. And since my efforts over the past four plus years to get a job away from retail haven't been successful, I need to be able to be up and about full time! BTW I am still seeking non-retail work! Two months for that.
5. Be able to participate once again in endurance events. I've completed the Crim 10 mile race here in Flint as a runner 20+ times since 1981 and have found it a tough but fun challenge. And they now have a 10 mile walk as well. I may never be able to run again, but walking could be very workable if everything above works out. Plus it gives me a long term target I'm used to shooting for! Time frame of one or more years.
That's it! Feel free to comment!!
