When the first heart doctor handed us Cliff's options on Thursday, he strongly recommended the bypass surgery. In passing, he mentioned that the bypass is good for ten to fifteen years, adding, "... but who knows what they'll come up with by then?"
In fifteen short years, Cliff will "only" be 75 years old.
It's a risk. Even tonight, I could get a call from the hospital saying something went wrong. Like my friend Sue did. Or Cliff might come home and then take a turn for the worse. Like Carlene's husband did (another of my J-land friends). None of us knows what tomorrow may bring.
As my daughter and I left the waiting room today, I got into a conversation with a fellow who'd been hanging out there for more days than my family had; he congratulated me on how well Cliff was doing, and told me he'd had bypass surgery himself, twenty years ago.
Twenty years? What happened to the ten-to-fifteen span?
That must be the minimum.
I'm off to find lots of heart-healthy recipes. I bid you all good night.
Anybody know of a good salt substitute?
what I try to do is just add different herbs that we like .. please share your recipes with us as you enjoy them so we can all get heart healthy too... I'm so glad you found the man that is a 20 year man.... makes you feel better I bet. Sandra
ReplyDeleteTried all the salt substitutes. Found that most left a particularly bitter taste. Try AlsoSalt http://www.alsosalt.com/alsosalt.html it's a little more expensive, but the after taste is not near as bad! and Morton makes a light salt, which, if you don't use salt while cooking low or no sodium food, it's not a lot of sodium when used sparingly after cooking. A good thing to do, believe it or not, is toss a chicken (whole, or your fav part of the chicken into a crock pot... no seasonings needed, and let 'r cook. Actually tastes good. One more thing.... there is a diet you can check out http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743289838/ref=nosim/103-8396221-1927858?n=283155
ReplyDeleteWhich has some pretty good recipes in it...and a lot of good ideas on how to have a life long low-sodium diet. Hope it helps.
Don't worry about tomorrow, let God take care of that! Just enjoy today & the time God has given you two!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't use salt, I use lots of garlic & Mrs. Dash on my foods.
Hugs dear one,
SUGAR
Honey, I am SO Glad you're home tonight and Cliff is doing well. Daddy's lasted over 20 years, and "they" ARE coming up wit better and better procedures all the time, so...try not to listen to the people in the waiting room too much. It'll make you crazy.
ReplyDeleteAgain, SO happy that it went well.
xoxoxo,
andi
I'm so thankful that the surgery was so successful and that you found out in time to do something ! None of us knows what tomorrow will bring ! Make the most of each day and you'll never have any regrets. 'On Ya' - ma
ReplyDeleteMosie is getting this show on the road...the proper way...priorities in order....Cliff will be so well cared for...LOL..and Mosie...just a note...that Rachael sure looks like her Mama...accept maybe for the hair coloring....she did well keeping us informed....glad you had the family there for support...we love you all....Ora and Mixon of KY...(some more hillbillies LOL) PS...we enjoy Morton's lite salt...not for cooking for when you are ready to eat....easy does it too...
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of the 15 year thing. Larry King from CNN had one about 20 years ago, I think.
ReplyDeleteAngela
Happy to hear things are going so well for Cliff. Take care of yourself too. Paula
ReplyDeleteGod is awesome and I just feel it in my bones that your Cliff is coming home to stick around for quite a while. - Barbara
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that Cliff is doing good, thanks for the updates.
ReplyDeleteOh, this makes me feel better :-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Cliff on his speedy recovery. I have a friend who had the same surgery more than 20 years ago and is still doing fine. I am sure he will be glad to get back home, and I am also su8re you will be glad to have him there. Good Luck to you both.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Mosie! It's good to see you here and know that Cliff is doing so well. I don't use salt in my cooking, at all. I do use fresh herbs and other spices to flavor while cooking but no salt. That comes from living with a mother who suffered hypertension from her 30's on. She always kept sea salt in the house for after cooking flavoring -- although it was rarely used. After a while you do get used to low or no salt. I am looking forward to hearing about your 'new' recipes and how they go!
ReplyDeleteall the different Mrs Dashs are good for flavor...as you know my brother had the bypass and has high cholestrol and blood pressure.. we use mrs dash , they have all sorts of flavors ..we also cook with alot of garlic and alot of onions here..both are very heart health. and if you fry food... get a good olive oil .. no cholestrol there either lol...
ReplyDeleteI never cook with salt either.. from the time i was first married and oversalted a mean and made it "ineatable' lol.. so salt is added on the plate if wanted..
I use different seasoning. Look on the list of ingrediants, if salt is way down on the list then it is a safe one to use. Hopefully they will give you mg of how much salt he is allowed to use. Sometimes they just mean dont use the shaker.
ReplyDeleteI know of a man that has now been alive and living well for OVER 30 years after having a double by pass surgery.
If you change the things that caused the stopped up vessiles in the first place then it is very possible.
Thursday was the first day of Cliff's new life in more ways than one.
I am so happy for you and for Cliff. The email still brings tears to my eyes just thinking of it!
I am glad Cliff is doing well and will soon be home with you. Yes, God is Good Helen
ReplyDeleteWe all just hope for the best, I guess, and trust the Drs. and the Deity. I have heard of people getting out of the hospital very quickly after bypass surgery--though maybe not that quickly!
ReplyDeleteI know there are a lot of salt substitutes on the market, but I wouldn't say any were as good as salt--but they're acceptable, and after awhile, you get used to them.
You're all still in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Sim
Hi! I've just popped over from csandhollow's place (trying to play catch up on alerts), she had an update on your Cliff on Thursday. So glad to hear he's doing well. Extended prayers and hugs to you guys. ;) C. http://journals.aol.com/gdireneoe/thedailies
ReplyDeleteSO GLAD CLIFF IS DOING SO WELL. HE IS IN MY PRAYERS. I WILL CHECK IN TO SEE HOW THINGS ARE GOING.STAY STRONG. SUNSHINE GIRL
ReplyDeleteFifteen years? Twenty years? It's all lived one day at a time. Take it as it comes.
ReplyDeleteI like lemon-pepper when I'm trying to cut down on salt.
Glad to hear things are looking good.
:-) ---Robbie
Those doctors always give times for how long people can survive, but you know what? They forget about faith and God's power! I was in and out of the hospital when I was a toddler because of breathing problems. If it wasn't for both of those things, I wouldn't be alive today because the doctors told my mom I was going to die. Her church did a prayer circle for me that night and the next day I was fine. :-)
ReplyDelete~ Susan
http://journals.aol.com/njmom72/TheStrawberryPatch
So good to hear things are going to be alright. I use Salt Sense. It has a third the sodium, and it is still salt. Be careful using salt substitutes, they are made from potassium. Too much potassium can be very dangerous. Prayers for Cliffs continued recovery! (((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteI use No Salt...but I would check with the Dr first...
ReplyDeleteBecky
I just realized I was holding my breath as I finished reading up to date... Now I feel a little breathless! I'm glad things are going well, so far. I hope for the best possible outcome in all this. Thank goodness he went in for testing when he did! You two must have some mighty powerful guardian angels working on your behalf. :-) Crossing my fingers that Cliff comes home soon and has a great recovery.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad Cliff is doing well. I would personally say no salt because a lot if already added to foods that we buy in the supermarkets. I have high blood pressure and my doctor said no salt at all to be added to anything, we already get enough. I agree you can check with his doctor.
ReplyDeletehttp://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/
I am so glad to hear that Cliff is still doing good...I did not use any salt in the cooking and used MRS DASH to seasn at the table.
ReplyDeleteAsk the doctors what they recomend ans also if the hospital is like EMORY in ATLANTA, GA. then a dietician will talk to you and give you a list of all he can have and not have.
You and CLiff are going to be fine Mosie.
My prayers always,
Carlene
We never know if there will even BE a tomorrow! Cliff is so lucky to have you, Donna. I love you.
ReplyDeleteRuss
Hi Donna!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I don't use any added salt, only what is already in food. We use a lot of lemon juice, spritzs of olive oil, and sometimes Lemon Pepper Herbs or Mrs. Dash. We eat a lot of salad, fruit, and baked chicken and fish.
So glad Cliff is back to his ol self!!! :)
God Bless You All
Darlene (PS I sent you an email too.)
I am just so happy and relieved to know that your sweet Cliff is doing well... I don't even want to think about tomorrow.. but to just live for today, and the wonderful blessing that God has given you...
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jackie