In the 80's!!

No, it's not 80 degrees F here...

Nor is there an 1980's theme party going on...

It has been 80+ days since I last published an entry here.

As of yesterday, I have lost 80+ pounds on that strict diet I was put on prior to the shoulder operation.

As of yesterday, I have regained 80+ degrees in my range of motion (and I'm promised there will be much more to come!)

Physical Therapy has been brutal and exciting at the same time.  The workouts at the YMCA (in the pool and in the gym) have been tough but I'm feeling like a young man again.  Yesterday, I was told to take a stroll on the treadmill.  It was set for 7% slope (yikes!) and 3.2 miles per hour.  I managed to "hang in there" for 90 minutes, covering 5.25 miles and "climbing" over 1600 feet!  I feel the old, walk 7 miles a day form coming back to me.

As a side effect, really, that's what the Doctor calls it, I've been taken off four (yes 4!) of the eight medications I was on - and in April (hey, that's next Monday!) I will learn if I will be taken off the remainder.  I've already been taken off the most brutal one for me to manage, no more insulin for me!

So, 80 days... they've been very busy with healing, therapy, work outs, learning how to eat right, and of course, catching up at work.  With the (hopeful?) onset of Spring, I should be able to resume my walks with camera in hand, ready to take photos of anything that strikes my fancy, and things I would want to share with any of you that are still reading this... including rascally squirrels, whimsical OCHAs, and other imponderables.

I have much reading to catch up - and beg your forbearance - some of you have 80+ unread entries in my reader - and likely and sadly, I'll never be able to read them all.  I'm pleased to be back... and at feeling 80%+