Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

Henry David Thoreau

Not Such a Great Wednesday

Wednesday June 10, 2015                                                        Previous Post Link:
Big Meadows Campground                                                        
Lewis Falls Trail in Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park

 

Today David left to go back to Charlottesville to get the results from his myeloma blood tests of last Friday and determine whether to continue with this current treatment by getting the velcade shot today.  I talked to him later in the day and the results are not bad, not good.  His numbers have really not changed which isn’t getting him  closer to remission or an oral medication with which he can travel BUT the good thing is his numbers haven’t gone up either.  So he plods on with this triple cocktail that requires he go into the hospital for a chemo shot every Wednesday.

The bad news is that he has been having jaw and chest pain on exertion when we are hiking as I mentioned yesterday.  So his doctor set him up for a stress test and echo cardiogram.  He did that today too. All day long in the hospital.  First the cardiac lab then the oncology clinic.  You’d think he was 95 not in his 60’s.

The results from cardiac tests were immediate and show he has some significant blockage in an artery.  They immediately put him on a beta blocker and a statin, as if he isn’t taking enough drugs already.   These are the same drugs I refused to take when they told me the same thing after the same tests. 

He’s getting scheduled for a cardiac catheterization next week.  That’s also what I had.  Depending on what that shows, he may have to have a stent put in or who knows what other invasive procedure they may recommend but until then, no hiking inclines.  For him that means no hiking or biking since there are no flat places in the mountains of Virginia.  I’ll be doing my hiking alone for the foreseeable future.

It’s pretty hard to understand how a man in such seemingly good health 3 years ago who exercised, was a vegetarian (mostly), and didn’t smoke could have both cancer and heart disease.  Is it really all in the genes and it doesn’t really matter what you do?  We know lots of people who are seriously overweight, eat foods soaked in oil, salt and sugar and they don’t have nearly the restrictions on their life that we do now.   David says they might all be on beta blockers, statins, have stents and/or have had heart surgery.  Maybe so.  I’ve never asked them.

Perhaps Dr. Esselstyn, whose program I used to avoid statins, beta blockers and stents, is correct.  You can take no breaks from the Whole Foods Plant Based No oil diet if you don’t want to have heart disease as you age.  In my opinion, David takes too many breaks. 

I wasn’t going to even talk about this except that people have been asking about his results. Sorry for the whiny post.  I’m feeling pretty down about all of this as is David.  When’s the sunshine going to show up in our lives?  We retired early but it’s clear he sure should have retired at least 10 years before he did. 

Those of you younger than we are who are waiting until you “have enough money", “can get full retirement” or any of the other standard reasons for working 40+ years, take heed.  That Life is SHORT is a very serious understatement and unless you take some risks you may not have the freedom to follow your dreams until it is too late to do it.  How much money you need depends entirely on you and how much you actually have to spend to maintain a lifestyle that makes you happy.  It’s not money but your health that will determine your joy.  So be careful.

Back tomorrow with something more pleasant.

43 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear about the results of David's tests. We're praying for BOTH of you. It's so true about not waiting to do something. Get out there as soon as you can and follow your dreams.

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  2. Thank you for sharing, Sherry...It's really truly hard to know how much genes play a part in our health any more. I used to think that they played a far bigger role than the environment, but now I think that's reversed due to our poor eating habits, the pesticides and plastics that govern our food supplies. Some doctors and researchers say everyone lives with cancer, it's just when the "switch" gets turned on, that it develops. Who knows? All I know is, Eldy and I truly believe that you "can't take it with you", and we are determine to make the most of our life while we are still here. So we still travel and do things and cut corners in other places. We're so sorry to hear that David is so uncomfortable, but at least the heart problems can be successfully treated, and hopefully, he will be feeling better and well enough down the road to get back to doing things he enjoys. Hope he can have a little respite from all of this!

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  3. It is so disheartening every time I hear of a person who lives a very healthy lifestyle that is very ill. Even those who do every little thing according to the healthiest doctrine can still have problems, so I don't believe that is the magic bullet. I do believe that allowing ourselves to cheat every now and then for something we truly enjoy is just as important to our mental well being as being a stickler to a "perfect" diet or routine.

    I so agree that we have no guarantees in life so we've got to live it to the fullest. I wish you both the strength to handle the challenges ahead of you.

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  4. Thanks for sharing your personal experiences, please don't apologize. I think blogging should be mostly about your thoughts first and keeping readers happy second. I love your comment of not waiting for the perfect retirement. Much more risky than enjoying the present.

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  5. I agree with Martin - never apologize for honest posts - life is not all pleasant all the time. It truly doesn't make sense why Dad has ended up with these kind of health concerns; I don't think there is an answer and there are no words to just make it 'go away' as much as I wish there were. I do hope some good news comes your way soon. I love you and Dad and hate that all is so depressing right now - try to keep your spirits up in whatever way possible and remember you are not alone. I'm sending healing and thoughts of happiness your way every day. xoxox

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  6. Thanks for your honesty and for sharing your heart. It seems that cancer is hitting so many people today till it is horrific. Our best friend has skin cancer and now dementia. He had a heart transplant many years ago and is doing great, but the cancer has spread and it is such a shock for he had it so little time. I wonder if the flouride, chem trails and GMO's aren't causing most of it. Oh yes, and this man I mentioned....his wife has had two strokes and both were in such good health just a few months ago. Go figure.... Bless you and you shall be in our prayers.

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  7. Oh Sherry, I am really identifying with your emotions right now. In the last two and a half years TM has had a heart attack, three stents, and a triple bypass [bypass last November and third stent in January]. He too had another nuclear stress test last week and we got the results yesterday. Let's just say I cried as the doctor talked. TM is also scheduled for another heart catheterization next Tuesday and we shall go from there. Bless you and your David [TM's name is David, too]; you are most definitely in our warm thoughts!

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  8. Sherry, I just don't know what to say, as I can imagine how depressing this is to both of you. Life just isn't fair sometimes.
    It is tough to stay on the Esselstyn or Ornish diet plans but from what I've read it seems like the only way to prevent and reverse heart disease, not stents or surgery.

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  9. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear the latest news :( David being able to be active despite his cancer is a blessing, but this latest news is just horrible. I don't understand why people lead seemingly healthy lives still get these diseases. You continue to be in our prayers through all this.

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  10. I am thinking of you two, Sherry, and will be sending along a note when I return from Eugene. I know how depressing this must be. I, too, have never been able to figure out the health thing. I know many people like you two who have been extremely careful, and as they age, they still seem to have to deal with "stuff". As you said, it is in the genes I think. I also know folks who haven't been careful at all and they just keep going along healthy as can be. It is a crap shoot. It is why I refuse to let the food police rule my life and try to simply use common sense. Either way, we all are going to die. Which is a bummer when it looks you in the face and messes with your fun times. Love and hugs to both of you.

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  11. Sorry to hear that more health issues are making living your dream so difficult. Healthy lifestyle ... genes ... or perhaps just fate ... who knows anymore; so many contradictory studies make it hard to know what is best for us. Carpe Diem as Judy is fond of saying.

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  12. You guys are often in my thoughts and prayers. . .thank you for sharing, as I haven't wanted to "get in your business" by asking. I do understand your frustration, as I felt the same when we lost our child. . .life is so unfair sometimes. . .especially when there seems to be no rhyme nor reason.

    Hugs, prayers, and good thoughts coming your way. . .

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  13. It's not unlike people who abuse their children being able to conceive while those who would make wonderful parents needing expensive and often unsuccessful intervention - there is just no "fair" distribution in the health of humans. I do believe that how we eat and breathe and move makes a huge difference in our overall well-being, but something else is rolling the dice with our health as well :-( In some cases statins and other drugs are allowing people to live better, longer lives, while they're not as effective as life style changes for others. But who knows for sure anymore?! What I know is that David's attitude and the love of his wife and daughter are his greatest defense against the diseases that stalk him. Hugging a tree, seeing your smile, knowing Carrie is happy - these will sustain him. And you my dear find whatever outlet you need to release the fear into the universe so that your own well being is not compromised. You can whine to us anytime :-)))

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  14. Sorry to hear of David's heart problems. When I have bad days, I remind myself that tomorrow will be better. Hope you two have a better tomorrow.

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  15. so sorry to hear all this trouble you and David are having....sending healthy wishes and prayers for both of you please keep us posted don't feel bad about whining sometimes it's a must do things

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  16. Wow, what words are there to say to comfort you and David in this new trial? You both have been such an inspiration getting out and enjoying life despite the curve balls that have been thrown at you. You are certainly right to share this unsettling news with your blogging family, we all will continue to pull for you to see your way through it.

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  17. Hey kiddo please keep using us, as your sounding board as often as you want! And in return we will keep the both of you in our prayers. ( sounds like you could use some coconut right about now too).

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  18. Some how bad news just seems to track one down and attach itself like a leech. So, very sorry the leech is again in your lives. You have been such encouragement to me as I adjusted to life changes as best I can. All we can all do is to live each day the best and fullest we can. You are continuing to do that. I am hoping to track you two down this summer. It will be a bright spot in my travels as I have wanted to meet for so long. Please, Please continue to post what is real. That is all we really have to offer. Life continues, the good, the bad and the ugly.... so sorry you are limited by the ugly....again.

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  19. Well friend... there are no words. You have every right to say what you are feeling and hopefully sharing the load with your blogging family will help see you two through. We are all out here pulling for better days and sunshine for you and David. Hopefully the heart procedure next week will go well and David will feel better and be able to more of the things you both love. You are so right when you say, "It’s not money but your health that will determine your joy."

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  20. I hesitate to comment since I promised you I wouldn't ask about David's state of health, but know that the two of you are in my thoughts.

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  21. Ahhh, the "fun" of entering our "golden years." I understand your frustrations as John and I are having the "fun" too. You are in our prayers-daily. Hugs to you and David.

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  22. My wife and I have been vegan since reading Dr. Esselstyn's book in 2009. Our favorite web site for nutrition information is nutritionfacts.org which I highly recommend.

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    1. Thanks for the web site! It looks like a great resource for me.

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  23. All considered, it's understandable that this would have you feeling down.

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  24. So sorry to hear about David's health. You both have so many great experiences and memories since he has been sick. The beta blockers, statins and even a stent should not stop your life style. Unfortunately traveling is out for now. Enjoy the farm for awhile and praying you will be on the road soon.

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  25. I'm so sorry to hear about the cardio problems - it's bad enough to have to deal with the cancer. I had a stent implanted because of a blocked artery in 2004, definitely due to the fact that I had gone back to smoking. Of course I quit, but the stent was in. I never took statins or beta blockers, although most doctors will push statins because the drug dealers - excuse me, I mean the drug reps - tell them to push Lipitor, Crestor, or whatever they are selling. I hope that even if David goes on these horrible drugs he can possibly go off them one of these days. I tried the Lipitor for about 3 wks a few years back and could move my right arm. I knew it was the Lipitor and stopped them immediately. If David has a severe side effect, he can go off the stuff.

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  26. So sorry these are not the results you would have preferred... You guys DO, do a lot, have seen a lot. know there is a lot more out there tho... Take Care and God Bless..there are lots of us out here thinking of you and wishing you of the very, very best....

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  27. You are right, it just doesn't seem fair that David should be having these health issues when you have both been doing everything right in your way of healthy living. Hoping that there is good news coming your way soon.

    I so love your last statement about going out and living your dreams now, and not later because you are waiting for full retirement or you don't think you have enough money. I can be done, we are doing it but it is all about what everyone's priorities are. I think Martin had it right, there is more risk in waiting for the perfect retirement than there is in living in the present.

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  28. I'm so deeply sorry that you guys are having yet another health challenge (not fair!!!), and I appreciate so much your honesty. Life is life, on or off the road, and it's an inspiration to witness how you guys handle all that you've had to deal with. I agree with you that health is more important than money and security, and I would also add that living every day with gratitude and presence (as you two do so well) is more important than anything else. Life is short, but it's wide, and you guys have the great gift of making the most of every day. Wishing you both resilience of spirit as you deal with this new challenge. xoxo

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  29. You are in my prayers as always. Too much bad news out here. Please keep your spirits up. If you have to rant, we don't mind!

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  30. Sherry and David, we were so sorry to hear about your latest challenge. The good news is at least his numbers on the cancer haven't gone up. I find it so shocking that you have both had heart issues with the amount of exercise you get as well as your healthy diets. I did not know you also had a heart cath, but I do remember you mentioned your cholesterol was high. We have been very lax on our healthy eating and it's showing up in our weight. After reading this post, perhaps I don't feel so guilty.

    I guess the good news is that you were able to catch Davids heart disease before he had a massive heart attack. My Dad died of a heart attack at 52 years old, so it's not only for older people. We will be thinking of you and hoping for some good results.

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  31. I was an organic farmer and/or gardener most of my adult life. I was a homesteader. I lived in an underground house back in the woods of Vermont. I cook from scratch, I lived a healthy lifestyle. Didn't matter. I have a whole collection of autoimmune and neuro muscular diseases. I am now in a power wheelchair. I think my healthy lifestyle helped keep me going, but it in no way made any of my health challenges go away. It's good to do what we can for ourselves, but I know for a fact that it does not guarantee anything. My father died at 55 from a heart attack. I had a heart cath a few years ago and was told I have the vascular system of a 17 year old. I still have a bazillion other health challenges. Soooooo glad I spent my whole life camping and farming when I still could. It's not David's fault. Life happens when we are making different plans.

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  32. Thoughts and prayers for both you and David. No one knows what tomorrow brings which is why it is so important to live each day to the fullest. Enjoy your days together doing activities that you can do together.

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  33. Sherry and Dave - Better to catch it now, than to catch it on an isolated trail away from medical help. I am confident that they will be able to mend David's heart, and at least the Cancer is not progressing, which is great news. As to the "whys" in life...there are some things in this life that we just don't have control over. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both. --Dave

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    1. But you are right about how we can control how long and how much we work...I look at RV Sue and how much she travels and how frugal her life is...amazing, and she is happier now than she probably ever was.

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  34. Hoping things are looking up this week. Thanks for this post too :) So glad there is a place nearby where you can be and David can come to that gives you some of what you are wanting, for now.

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  35. You are totally correct that it is your health that controls what you can do. Feel free to sound off on your RVing family as we all need a place to vent and to understand that we are not alone.
    We'll be keeping you both in our prayers.

    It's about time.

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  36. Thank you for sharing Sherry. We all live a different lifestyle and practice various eating habits, seemingly good or possibly bad yet in the long run there is so much out of our control. Attitude can keep us in a positive frame of mind, nature can console us and we can work towards acceptance. You are both in my thoughts.

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  37. As if david didn't have enough going on with the myeloma..... So sorry for this news. If it's any consolation, my Dad had a mild heart attack and a stent at age 92 and he is doing well. He called the rescue squad at 4:00 AM and was back in his hospital room with new stent by 7:30. Pretty amazing! Sending hugs....
    xxxooo

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  38. Even though I've had a couple of very minor health issues I always say to myself that if I hadn't started taking care of myself and lost the weight 10 years ago I would probably have diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure by now and certainly wouldn't be doing all the fun things I currently am able to do. Do the best we can and know that the more we do the more we are extending and enjoying what time we have. We had a scare - Wayne went in for an MRI 10 days ago for his back and they found a spot on his liver. His ulrasound today revealed a cyst. He's a happy man today, and maybe he'll finally start taking some steps to improve his health. You have every right to be "whiny" every bit of disappointing news is going to affect your mood and it's okay to share more than your happy times here.

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  39. Sorry to hear this news. Hopefully the cardiac situation can be dealt with quickly. It could be unintended consequences from some of the other meds. Hang in there

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  40. Sherry, I wish I had the words to make all of this go away for you. You are certainly right about seizing this lifestyle (if it your dream) while one still can. That's one of the many reasons we chose to hit the road pre-pension age. You and David and me and my Dave all no how short Life really is and how it can change in a heartbeat. None of us are going to get out of this existence alive, so why not enjoy it while we are here? I hope you and David can continue to find those moments of enjoyment. Gentle hugs . . .

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