all labs

As a Nurse on Low Carb, 

I am constantly asked

If I know how *BAD* LC is for me:

It always makes me laugh out loud!

I have lost and kept off very close to 90 pounds

(It was closer to 100 but I gained some muscle in Cross Fit

And I have about 10 pounds (of skin) and some weight to lose, in fact)

Since I never weighed to start, 

Let's just say I have lost A LOT of weight!

My last BP was 117/70

Pulse 74 with no missed beats

(When I was heavy, I was in and out of A-Fib)

My labs are better, and my vision is better! 

At the tender age of 54, I don't wear bifocals

And just wear glasses to drive!

So tell me again how eating no bread, no potatoes,

And no cake or candy is "bad" for me? 

I just happened to have labs done about a month before I was injured.

Now I have this current set to compare!

I keep meticulous records - for the supporters

AND the naysayers of the Low Carb Lifestyle.

It helps, too, that I have kept a food journal

In the form of daily photographs...

(EVEN on the days I cheated or tried to beat the system!)

So here are my labs- for all the world to see.

You are welcome!

The BUN is higher than before, probably due to injury

Or mild dehydration - NOT excess protein!

ALT up a bit from injury and reabsorption 

Of that bruise from my knee to my ankle...

Please note the Ha1C on its way down!

And the Cholesterol - And the Triglycerides!

The more strict I am to LC

The better my labs improve.

Atkins was definitely ahead of his time!

belated post - injury

 

Lots of good food - 

And for me, that means Low Carb

And some light range of motion - stretching

And partial weight-bearing crutch walking!

I still am not free from pain - 

And prone to lots of crying!  :(

I appreciate everyone checking in on me -

And all your kind, healing thoughts!

a fatty leg story

Got up early to take Lyft -

To the VA for a check up - follow up

It is a totally different place at 4 am-

Than it is a 10 am!

So my Doc says WHY ARE YOU NOT BETTER?

I tell him - I don't know - it is JUST a contusion, right?

Doc asks me about my diet.

I tell him I am on Low Carb, and have had GREAT success with it.

My labs are much better - as good as anyone on a low fat diet.

He says Yes - I agree!

(wow - I have waited a long time to hear a Doc agree with that!)

But he thinks that because of my being heavy for so many years,

I caused microscopic damage to my knees.

And now, with an injury -

Well, it show up in the form a delayed healing.

Hell told me to come back in a week.

And ditch the wheelchair.

Just use the crutches, and he can release me to work.

Then he asked about Lyft - 

And I told him how great it is!

I got a good Doc - thank goodness!

He also told me to lose 10 pounds

Which is fair. 

I guess some weight is skin and some is just aging.

I did good at 150 - 155.

Still wear the same size - 

But wear it "better" - you  know!

night at the opera

Before I was injured, Sherri had tickets to see an organ concert

So we went!

It was a great test of my ability to navigate from point A to point B

In organ concerts, they don't well the floor seat -

Just the upper tiers 

We sat in a different part - 

Thinking no one would tell an middle-aged somewhat frumpy woman (me)

On crutches - to move

The Usher said I could take a short cut and slide down the bannister!

Crutches are kinda cool -

Everyone wants to come up and visit you - 

Fancy Dinner at Racetrac- 

Then later in the week - 

When I could safely climb the steps to my apartment,

I went home - 10 days after all this happened!

I only was to be gone for an hour or so.

You just never know!

So always have your dishes done...

And for gosh sake - 

Always wear clean you-know-whats!

Turns out mom was right about that one.

break a leg

This is me, long sitting with a torn up knee, touching my toes.

I guess I sprained my ankle, as well.

Yep

 

Great Gams! The deep bruising and pooling begins.

 

Doing my range of motion... Since day one

I can now bear full weight on my bad leg!

I can now crutch walk 25 feet.

I did this 4 times in a row today!

I can crutch walk forward, backward, and around corners.

I can march in place.

I can bend my knee back a bit, and forward full on.

a friend in kneed

Get a job walking dogs, they said... It will be fun, they said!

During the interview, 3 big dogs knocked me down from behind.

And I fell forward onto (and over) a Pit Bull.

So I called Sherri and she took me to the ER in the pouring rain

Keep in mind, this type of knee injury can make a football player cry!

So I am doing my Rehab, day-by-day...

You really find out who your real friends are

The knee is very complex...

And lots of Law and Order