A Fresh Start...

Well as you have probably heard we made an emergency trip to Lubbock to see my dad that was in the hospital for some heart issues. It took a couple of days to figure out the problem, but after he failed his stress test they scheduled him for an angioplasty on Saturday morning. He had 99% blockage in one area and they ended up placing 2 stents in his heart. It all went well and he is feeling much much better, but naturally is a little slow and sore, but certainly back to his old self! (We came home last night, from the TTU football game, late, to find that my parents had left a note saying "gone to Ruidoso, feed the dog." --obviously they didn't go, but my dad was perky enough to do that!) He got to go home on Sunday afternoon after a 3 night stay. The picture is of him and me -- in front of the cardiac ICU minutes after he found out he was going home that day -- clearly he was eager (already dressed out of his gown). Now marks the hard part....low fat and low salt diet. The Dr. referred to it as the American Heart Association Diet -- but we haven't checked out their website yet for recipes and food ideas, but we will. Dustin and I got home this afternoon from Lubbock and hit the grocery store for some low fat choices. Our dinner tonight was a turkey wheat wrap with spinach, carrots and tomatoes. Good, but well not great -- BUT we're pledging to make better choices and limit our red meat intake (cattle-raisers, please don't sue me -- this is a personal choice haha...referencing the Oprah incident in Amarillo in the 90's). Life is too short, to not feel your best or to simply not be around -- this has been an emotional few days for both Dustin and myself. My dad has said he's changing his diet to reflect that of the Dr's suggestion and limit the nicotine intake and eventually have NO nicotine intake -- I didn't have much to give up to compare with that, but I am giving up alcohol, with the exception of 2-3 glasses of red wine per week (heart healthy, baby!). Dustin claims that his life is now going to be miserable based upon my insisting that we eat healthier -- but he'll thank me soon. I encourage each of you, as our blog readers, to consciously grocery shop and make healthier food choices -- we love you all, that's why we have given you this address! Now back to work -- thank goodness it is a 4 day week, that's about all I can take!