Tuesday, November 30, 2010

50% is not going to cut it

Out of all my goals that I set out to accomplish last week, I'd say my rate of success was about at 50%. That's simply not going to cut it. If my ultimate goal is to be the absolute healthiest I can possibly be, knocking out half of my mini-goals will have me falling short every time. Good thing is that I'm able to look back and see what I can adjust from last week to try and make sure it doesn't happen again, bad thing is I can still feel last week this week. So let's go through my goals and see how I did and why I came up short:
I refuse to miss any treatments. My middle day treatments always seem to get caught in the crossfire when things get busy. When this happens, I generally feel like dookie at the end of the day and my lungs get super tight. Even with that foreknowledge I'll still put off my middle treatments for some reason. Doesn't make sense. This week, I can't afford to do that. I need to stay on my game by staying on top of my treatments.
I'd say I was 3/7 (42%) on this one. I REALLY wanted to do all 4 treatments every single day (which did happen Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday), but I ended up only doing 2 Thursday, 3 Friday, 2 Saturday and 2 Sunday. I wish I could tell you that "life got in the way" but I can't put it all on that. I did have the opportunity to squeeze in another treatment each weekend day, but I decided to put other things first. I could have brought my vest and compressor down to Tucson on Thanksgiving day, but I chose not to. Excuses 1, Ronnie 0.
I will go for a run everyday. My runs have been going well for quite some time now and I refuse to let this crazy week derail the train. Lately I've been running every other day to let my legs rest, but have been going on long walks or bike rides on my "off" days. This week, I want to run every single day. I want to run every single day to make sure my body knows who is in charge and even though he's not going to feel like lacing up his shoes and hitting the road, he's GOING TO DO IT!!
You'll see a reoccurring theme happening here. First three days of the week were good, last 4, not so good. I did not run at all after Thanksgiving until today. I still got in some bike rides and my morning walks, but that wasn't my goal. My goal was to run and that I did not do consistently. I can feel it this week as my mucus is thicker, darker and generally harder to get up and out. Excuses 2, Ronnie 0.
I will not forget to remember all that I am thankful for. This shouldn't be too difficult to stick to as Mandi and I have made this part of our daily lives, but out of any week of the year, I want to make sure this isn't the one I forget to be thankful. If I started listing everything I had to be thankful, we'd be here until next year, but I definitely want to be more vocal about it his week. I want to make sure the people in my life know how thankful I am for them.
I'd have to say that I nailed this one. I don't think a day goes by that I don't voice how thankful I am for my wife, family, friends and life. I was able to reflect even more on that this holiday weekend, but in general, I'm a very thankful guy. Excuses 2, Ronnie 1.
I will not overeat on Thanksgiving Day. Now, I don't want you thinking that I'm watching my weight (although I probably should be); Thanksgiving Day and I have some history. I had my first ever full intestinal blockage in 2003 on Thanksgiving Day and it was not pretty. I won't go into details right now, but I'll try to write about it this week. Long story short, know when to say when when it comes to turkey.
I'm proud to report that I did not overeat. I had seconds, but they were a small seconds. I even managed to throw away some dessert after I started feeling full. With my history of stomach blockages on Thanksgiving, overeating is not something I can afford to do. Excuses 2, Ronnie 2.

They say a tie is like kissing your sister, but I'd rather that than be shut out 4 to nothing versus Mr. Excuses. It looks like I'll have something to work on for this next holiday week coming up shortly. I can only hope that I do better.

Comments (8)

Loading... Logging you in...
  • Logged in as
A wiser man than I likes to say "there is no try, only do" and another one of those gems along the same lines is "easy does it... but DO IT!" No copping out this week! If I can run (jog at 3.6mph) for 40 seconds 28 days after transplant, you can do your "normal" running routine...even if running is the furthest thing from natural to get.. Am I jealous? Damn straight I'm jealous! I wish I could just run. And I will...soon, you know, after give you a head start!
3 replies · active 748 weeks ago
Thought about you before I ran today...
You're my running inspiration! My PFTs and oxygen sats are no longer an excuse not to run, or at least jog. Now my only road block is conditioning. I said yesterday, I need to be working out at LEAST once a day, no exceptions. I'll let you know how that goes today. :)
My sister has got cf and is fighting stong so more fight our way out the better!
I agree with a lot of it. Sometimes is hard though, this full time job not to be human and miss a few treatements. to me though, you should give yourself a break on thanksgiving... sometimes cf is being able to enjoy yourself, I would say the family time you got to spend is worth missing the 2 treatments... doesnt make up for the rest of the week lol, but turkey day, to me... special enough to miss those treatments....
but thats just me. haha
1 reply · active 748 weeks ago
Yeah, it's definitely worth it. I guess I just worry that if I "give in" for family functions, what's the next thing I'm going to give in for? I see most decisions like this as slippery slopes :)
Beth Steury's avatar

Beth Steury · 748 weeks ago

Thanks for being so human -- right out there where everyone can see it!!! Nothing teaches better than a fellow patient really laying it on the line! As always, Ronnie--you're amazing! Keep up the awesome support and encouragement!
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
Thanks Beth. I'm always real on this blog and it will always be that way!

Post a new comment

Comments by