Yup. I have a functioning heart. Today I had a stress test, to check my heart and such, and the cardiologist cleared me for surgery!
The stress test was much less painful than people told me it would be. First they took a sonogram of my heart in its resting state, and then they had me walk on a treadmill until my heart rate reached 170. Then I hopped back on the table and they took another sonogram.
The only weird thing they noticed was that while resting, I have an extra heart beat that ought not to be there. The doctor says that it also makes the next beat a little stronger – weird. And when at a higher heart rate, my pulse is normal.
So, they cleared me for surgery, but decided I ought to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours to check things out. I, like an idiot, said “Lets hook it up now and get it done since I’m here!”
Then I realize I couldn’t take a shower. After jogging. Ick. I smell. I want my shower. I am SO taking a nice bath tomorrow morning when I take this thing off. With my copy of “Lord Brocktree” Yes. And bubbles.
Anyway, its not a bad thing to check this out. I’m getting the most thorough check up of my life these past few weeks!
Today I also went to the nutritionist, to get weighed in, pick up more optifast, and talk about my diet.
I have lost a total of 12lbs in 2 weeks!
122lbs to go! Hehe.
The nutritionist is very happy with my progress! And I’m proud of my self for doing so well. She told me to keep on doing what I’ve been doing.
I’m just about half was to my pre-surgical goal of losing 26lbs. The weight loss will slow down in the next couple of weeks, but I’m not in a rush. It looks like the tentative date of December 2 is more realistic now that I have to take care of this wheeze thing.
The best thing, is that this is getting the rest of my family in shape too, even though I don’t live here 100% of the time. Josie is going to go see the nutritionist as well, and talk about her diet (she’s a vegetarian, but she does it badly, and doesn’t eat well) and think about optifast, and my dad might go on it as well. I gave him some bars and strawberry shakes to try, and he’s finding them pretty good. Christine is already a good eater herself – she’s the only one of us who is at a good weight for her height and age. Mom does weight watchers, but she doesn’t stick to it as well as she could.
She has this habit of making waaaaay to much food for dinner. We don’t really need meat, veggies and a vat of pasta. Or ice cream and cookies and such all over the place.
I’ve also become one with the veggies. I like to have two veggies with a meal, and I’m allowed to eat quite a bit of them, which is *awesome* considering I don’t get to eat much. Today, I even cooked up spinach. It didn’t turn out quite the way I’d like, but I did try!
Even though I’m eating less, and only lost 12 pound so far, I feel so so so much better. I’m eating a diet more balanced than any time in my life. I’m getting all my vitamins and shit, and I feel great.
Now if only I can get my sleep schedule back to normal. 
