Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those that love Him. James 1:12
In the last few weeks, we have felt like we have been under many trials, but we have been blessed and so give to God the praise due Him.
Wendell is status quo today. One good thing is that he's again lost 2 more pounds of more than likely fluid. He still has a way to go. The left knee drain hole is draining a bit more and I've had to double the dressing to absorb it all, and change it more frequently. The right knee is draining also, but about the same as before. His blood sugars are running on the high side yet, and may need an adjustment in his insulin. We can deal with that. He's moving a little better, and today we plan a walk outside for 10 minutes if he is able to tolerate it. Yesterday he went outside to sit on the porch a few minutes, but didn't quite feel up to the 'walk'. Each day he's a tad bit stronger.
The diet is going well, and we both are feeling the benefit. I told him I would not sit in front of him and add salt to my food while he had to eat sodium restricted. I'm learning how to season foods and make them taste good- after all, I have to ingest them too. It's a real incentive. I like the fact that in the evening, I have only minor swelling in my ankles where before they would be very swollen and aching. The healing process goes on for both of us.
Today the Blair children are planning a visit after church. This will give Wendell (and me ) a real shot in the arm. How we LOVE those kids! JJ and Keith will also likely stop by after church. We are lifting the 'no visiting between 2pm and 4pm' rule for today. We are both feeling more rested.
This week will be another busy one here with VNA nurses coming Monday and Friday, the dietitian returning Wednesday, an office visit Tuesday to have the staples/stitches removed, and then I return to the office Thursday while Keith helps out by staying here a few hours. It'll be a full day, and we'll see how Wendell makes out. Friday he'll be on his own in the evening while I work at the hospital. It all makes me tired just thinking about it.
Keep praying.. we are thankful for everyone who supports us that way.
2 comments:
You"ll have to give me some recipe ideas that the dietician gave to you:)
She really didn't give me recipes per se. More like pointers so that we eat in a more healthy way.
Example:
grilled cheese sandwich made with whole grain bread (rather than white). The cheese is low fat,low salt Farmer cheese. It's expensive at $6/lb, but Wendell missed his American cheese..but has decided this was an excellent choice. I spray the bread sides with cooking spray- no calories, no fat, no sodium.. but boy, is it delicious!
The 1800 cal ADA diet was simple.
2 milk exchanges
4 fruit exchanges
6 meat/protein exchanges
9 starch exchanges
3 fat exchanges
and then she gave me a booklet with the listings of what an exchange amounted to.
In the mean time, she said to go ahead and use any food on the list with a sodium count of <300mg. That's considered low. As far as the carbs go, he can have most all veggies, but we rinse the canned ones to eliminate most of the salt, and if the carb count is <6, it's free. If it's above, it has to be counted as an exchange.
It sounded like a lot of food to me, and it is. I'm following what he's eating, and haven't been able to finish all the exchanges. The milk is is a tough one for me- being lactose intolerant.
But the cheese works, and I finally got frozen yogurt, so your Papa is quite content to save his milk allotment for the day to have 3/4 cup yogurt with fresh fruit on top.. like 1 1/4 c fresh sliced strawberries last night.
I could live like this for a long time.
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