“Moderation in all things” – Terence

My coworker wanted me to get on the Master Cleanse diet, or the lemonade diet, and wanting to know what my friends thought, I posed it to twitter. The overall responses were to avoid this “fad”, but Ryon Day (@Ryon_D) had a series of tweets I just had to pass on in this post. If you are into being healthy and living a good life, follow this man right now. RIGHT NOW. He’s one of the main reasons for Year of the Edgar, a year ago this month.

What follows are well written tweets and a perfect guide to great health, and weight loss:

Our detox mechanism is called ‘the liver’ and it’s extremely effective. The best way to detox is a substantive lifestyle change – source

Our lifestyles and habits are toxic, NOT our bodies. Even if a 7 day ‘detox’ worked (it doesn’t) it’s bailing out the sea w/ spoon – source

Here’s the order of operations: 1: Stop smoking/drugs/heavy drinking – source

2: Proper diet: Lean meats, fish, nuts, seeds, no refined sugars, no grains, some starch. Lots of veggies, lots of healthy fats – source

3: Excellent sleep habits. No shift work. Avoid bright lights (TV/computer) after 10-11PM, bed by midnight – source

4: Excellent exercise habits. If you aren’t into physical culture, concentrate on a McGuff “Body By Science”-type protocol. Safe.- source

At this point you are 80-85% of the way there. ONLY THEN optimize with Fasting, Supplements, precise nutrient ratios, etc etc etc. – source

TRUE health and longevity results from doing less, eating less, spending less, and exercising less, but doing them all CORRECTLY! – source

Only by following these steps, will we enjoy a healthy and fruitful life. Tell me what you think!

“All things change, nothing is extinguished. There is nothing in the whole world which is permanent. Everything flows onward; all things are brought into being with a changing nature; the ages themselves glide by in constant movement.” – Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)

My last post I mentioned PCC Salud Family Health Center. I’ve been attending a monthly diabetes class, where we discuss a particular topic regarding my disease. Yesterday was one such class.

I’d like to thank Courtney Matthews, RD LDN who’s a dietitian at Salud whom has been instrumental these past few months in affirming my new lifestyle in the way I eat. Through her also, I was introduced to a dietetic intern from University of Illinois at Chicago named Dioscelina who needed to complete some type of poster/board as part of her rotation.

Courtney said she wanted to “feature” some of their inspirational patients on their waiting room walls, and because of my progress and this website and you guys, she thought to start with me. Such an honor.

I’ve known for a couple of months, and the poster was completed a while back, but nothing was really official till yesterday after my diabetic class. Their corporate HQ actually made up a specific release form just for me.

Notice “publish information regarding the positive lifestyle changes of” in the form. Puts things into a whole other perspective. I mean, I know I was doing good, all my numbers say so so far, but having this piece of paper state it so eloquently that I am bettering myself, and its pure existence is due to me and what I’ve been doing, it just reaffirms everything for me. This is just one of many examples to a life of positivity. Everyone tends to focus on all the negative in their lives, if they took the time to do the opposite, maybe some good vibes will come their way.

I hope to get a shot of the poster when its hanging up on the wall. I did manage to get a picture of it, although I believe that a picture of my face will replace the one in the center.

I hope that with this poster, it will give people encouragement as they wait to see their doctors. Its very important to me that people get motivated to help themselves. Its not a lost cause. If I can do this, anyone can do anything.

I am proud to announce that my blood pressure is controlled. I’ve had high blood pressure for some time now, since even before my diagnosis of diabetes. Sleep apnea was definitely one of the reasons, but with my dietary changes and CPAP machine, and medicine, my blood pressure is finally normal.

Score another victory for me! I’d like to give a little shoutout to Salud Family Health Center, a PCC Community Wellness Center and the group there. They have been wonderful to me.

I am on track, I have my sugars and my salts controlled. I need to make sure my cholesterol remains good as well, so in December I will be checking up on that. It is my plan to start up going to the gym once again, I had stopped a while back, resorting to walking only. So, given this, I should be well on my way to some further weight-loss as well as continued success in my battle with diabetes, blood pressure, and sleep apnea. Since sleep apnea is usually due to weight issues.

This year is nearing a close, but I feel that I have progressed well in various aspects of my life. Mostly, that I continued to look on the bright side of life. I hope to have several posts before the end of the year, but these next three months (including this one) hopefully will be filled with more fun and excitement.

Stay tuned. Stay happy.

“Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow — that is patience.” – Unknown

I know I have been slacking here, but know that IRL I have not. There are several YotE updates coming up I promise. I did want to update my health, though, since I had a very good day yesterday.

Every once in a while, I get an A1C test. Its basically a blood test that tells us how my sugar has been over several months. This is because red blood cells carry the “memory” of how much sugar there was. Weird.

In some ways, the A1C test is like a baseball player’s season batting average. Both A1C and the batting average tell you about a person’s overall success. Neither a single day’s blood test results nor a single game’s batting record gives the same big picture.

Now, A1C tests the percentage of blood sugar levels and a normal non-diabetic is at 5, although it could vary 4.5 to 6.

A result between 6 and 6.5 percent is considered prediabetes, which indicates a high risk of developing diabetes.

For most people who have previously diagnosed diabetes, an A1C level of 7 percent or less is a common treatment target.

I was diagnosed with diabetes, if you’ll remember, and the last A1C came back at 6, which was good. Yesterday, it was at 5.4. YAY!

This means that I have a very controlled case of diabetes. This means that my lifestyle change is working. This means that I actually have a VERY good chance at a normal life, quite possibly off medicine. I have you guys to thank for that, your support has kept me true to myself.

As for my blood pressure, it had turned out that I was not taking the correct medication as prescribed. I replaced a medicine when it was supposed to supplement it. Yesterday, it showed my BP to be lower than before, which is what we wanted. We’ve adjusted the medication once more and next month it hopefully will be at normal levels. Further weight loss and eating right should make that go away too.

Lastly, sleep apnea was discovered when I had a sleep study. Its been three months, but I finally got a scheduled appointment for a CPAP machine fitting. This too should help my BP.

That’s it on my front. Just know that patience IS a virtue, but there’s a fine line between patience and laziness… please be very proactive about your health, and do whatever is possible to get checked for anything and everything. You are very precious to yourself and your loved ones. I am living proof that its never too late to motivate yourself into health.

Year of the Edgar is going strong!

Through these trials, I, along with his family adapted to this and became as supportive and hopeful as possible. I saw him get into depression and hopelessness. he was one of the many reasons I created this website. By helping myself, I wanted to help others. I wanted to help Rick see that things aren’t really THAT bad, and that he would soon get better and get back to normal. Through positivity, support, and a little hope.

I would visit Rick, we would watch movies, eat, and play video games, like normal friends do. We would talk and I would be encouraging, and I even got him to go out to the tweetups in Chicago. He was opening up and it helped me show him that sometimes changing yourself helps your outlook in life.

Ultimately, he just got the right medication and is off his wheelchair and has such a happier demeanor. I am encouraging him to go back to one of his loves, cooking, and hopefully he will continue to make more friends online. Rick represents what it is to take the year and make it yours. He’s come from a low in life and is quickly climbing back up. Year of the Rick is in full force and he will relish his second chance at life. I am happy and excited to be a part of it.

Don’t take MY word for it though, here it is in his own words. I asked him to write up/summarize what he’s gone through in the past few years. Please take the time to read about his experience and keep in mind that right now he’s at the beginning of this new phase, of rediscovery, and of a better happier life.

“Easier to Run… My Fight Just to Walk”

By Rick Montanez

It’s hard to put into words the last three years of my life but, with a world of words at my disposal, the simplest way I could describe it would be…Frustrating!

I want to start at the beginning. The point at which my struggle should have, at least in my mind, been taken more seriously. Back in 2006 I went from walking “normally” to falling to the ground as I would walk. It just so happened that the months prior to March 2006 were a struggle just to find work. Walking to job interviews had become habit but, little did I realize, my walking was off. As I would go to interviews, there would not be one moment where I didn’t trip or fall at least once prior to getting to the interview office from my car. It wouldn’t be until a few months later that I looked back at myself and found that my “walking” was off and I just brushed it off as clumsiness.

It just so happened that, in March 2006, I was finally able to find a job after almost a year. Work became a weekly routine again and so did the falls. I began to notice, more consciously, that the normal task of walking from my car to my desk at work was beginning to be difficult. As I would walk from my car to the elevator, it was a mental fight just to keep my back straight and my posture upright. This would be the start at which I would trip over my own feet. At first, it was a weekly struggle. I would have to consciously make sure not to fall. Even worse, when I would fall, I would hope that there was an object that was sturdy enough that I could catch myself on so as to avoid injury. There were other times when I would try to avoid the falls in front of people so I wouldn’t injure them.

As time went by the falls would get increasingly worse. I began falling on a daily basis. At work, my legs would feel extremely weak and I would drop to my knees several times within the course of the day. I was finding it more and more difficult just to keep my balance. At home, I had to get dressed sitting down cause if I tried to dress standing up, my balance would falter.
After four months of falls, I was finally able to afford health insurance for myself as my job was only on a temporary basis and offered no health coverage.

It was in July of 2006 that I finally went to see my family doctor for my walking difficulties. I mentioned to him that I did some research on WebMd.com and felt that, at that time, the closest diagnosable match to my walking difficulties was Ataxia. He explained to me his thoughts on Ataxia and informed me that he would do some research himself but that he would help me to find an explanation for my walking. After two months of waiting, my doctor admitted me into the hospital for a three night stay so that he could run blood tests, MRI’s, etc. He explained to me that my difficulties could be the start of MS and wanted specific tests done to see what showed. He even referred me to one of the hospital neurologists while I was a patient so there would be more expert opinions available. A month later, October 2006, would find me hospitalized again for more testing. This time I would be in the hospital for almost the entire month of October. They ran blood work, did a spinal tap, which was one of the most painful and uncomfortable experiences I had to endure, and physical therapy. As a result of being in the hospital for so long, I lost my temp job because the company is not able to hold my job so, on top of being sick, I’m now unemployed.

After finding no answer to my walking difficulties through testing, I was released from the hospital on Halloween, of all days, and sent to Outpatient Physical Therapy. I was also put on muscle relaxant medication to see if that would help any. For a while the medication seemed to be helping. I was able to walk slightly better and had fewer falls but, two months into physical therapy, my symptoms returned. This time, the symptoms had gotten worse and, if that wasn’t bad enough, my health insurance dropped me from being covered due to a “Pre-existing Condition.”

Now its 2007, my condition has worsened to the point that I fall with every step, it’s difficult to get dressed, I can’t even stand up long enough to take a shower. My physical therapy has ended because I have no insurance and no means to pay the therapy bills so I’m basically stuck.

Months go by; my condition goes up and down. Some days I’m ok but not 100% stable, other days I just don’t want to be alive because my symptoms are just hard to deal with. I feel weak, tired, my legs feel heavy and hard to move, I get shaky in both my arms and legs. I just have no energy whatsoever to even initiate movement. I go through more testing at a third hospital as I was finally lucky enough to get state-sponsored health coverage. At this point it’s around the end of summer 2007 and I’m sent to a Movement Disorder clinic at the third hospital for more “help.”

It’s at this hospital where it is determined that the symptoms are stress-related. Basically, it’s all in my head and I’m sent to see a psychiatrist and psychologist. They put me on anti-depressants because of my thoughts of suicide but tell me that seeing these two doctors should help in getting my symptoms to subside. They also have me do hypnosis with the psychologist. About a year goes by and I’ve been seeing those two doctors with no improvement. My primary neurologist is no help so I seek another opinion. I’m referred to another neurologist at the same Movement Disorder clinic and she, after some time, runs more blood tests, sends me to see an eye doctor, and does a thyroid test. After all results come up negative, she looks at my file and says to me that she too believe my issue is stress-related. I think to myself, “She’s fucking nuts.” How can stress cause a person so many problems?
I don’t know what to do. I can’t move well and have been getting around for over a year in a wheelchair. My friends and family are supportive. They try to keep me positive. I’m at my wits-end though. No answers, no help.

So, it’s nearing the end of 2008, I’ve been to 6 different hospitals, had an array of tests/procedures done, and nothing has come about. I’m still falling, still experiencing tremors, still feeling extremely weak, and have idea why. I return to the Movement Disorder clinic and am told by my neurologist that she recommends I enter into this research study where I see a more experienced psychiatrist on a weekly basis for three months to see if intense psychotherapy sessions can help. After the three months are up, my neurologist says to come back and see her. If there has been no improvement in my condition she will start me on Parkinson’s medication as a potential treatment.

It’s December 2008 and I’ve started my weekly psychotherapy sessions. About a month and a half goes by with no improvement. It’s now mid-January 2009 and my symptoms are getting even worse now. At this point, the tremors in my arms and legs have increased to the point that, when I fall, I can’t pick myself back up. Have to have help from others in my family to get me off the floor and onto a chair. Heading into February, I can’t take this anymore. I go back to my original, or rather primary, doctor for help. He informs me that he doesn’t understand why the doctors aren’t helping me and will do everything in his power to get me better help. Another month goes by, condition still horrible, and I see my primary doctor again. After my appointment, he has me checked into a hospital again will he will work with the neurologists there to try and find an answer or possible solution to my walking difficulties. I spend about a week in that hospital. More blood tests are run and, after the first two days, am told I will be moved to the Cardiac monitoring floor as they, the neurologists, are going to start me on Parkinson’s medication. I am told that my symptoms resemble Parkinson’s so trying the medication might help but that the medication affects the heart so they will have me monitored for a few days. Three days have passed while I was on the Cardiac floor and the medication has had no negative affect on my heart but, in a surprise turn of events, has had a positive affect on my symptoms. Into the fourth day of being at the hospital and on the Parkinson’s medication, I’m feeling much better. I am able to walk, with a walker, more stable, and my tremors and weakness has subsided slightly. It’s now that I have a more positive outlook and can begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. After 3 years with the symptoms, I’m now happy.

It’s nearing the end of March as I write this. I’m still doing the weekly psychotherapy sessions and my condition is stable. I’m still on the Parkinson’s medication and it is still helping. I have had days where the symptoms nearly returned but, at least now, I have enough energy to fight back for my life.

tea is delish

January has passed. Year of the Edgar is in full swing. As I mentioned before, this year its all about positivity. Its time to do things just because. No other reason but that. I want to take this moment to comment on what major goal I have accomplished this past month. If you follow my personal blog Edgar of all Trades, you know I have begun to lose weight. Yes, I dedicated January to start doing something I’ve tried to do in the past many times before only to fail. What’s different this time? Its my year.

This, my friends is the power of this message. I am here to tell you that anything is possible. If I can do this, so can you. There is so much behind my decision to become healthier. My sisters are a prime reason. I love them and I want to show them that when it comes down to it, we each have the power to change ourselves. I will continue my path of health for the rest of the year. I wanted to start this year off strong and show you that I meant business.

February is the shortest month and I have so many things I need to get done this year. It is my goal to step up the game and work on at least two goals. Note that the goals do not have to be major changes. One of the February goals is to learn and play Dungeons and Dragons. I’ve never done it before and have been curious for a long time. Through the help of @leahjones, I have a group to play with and it shall begin soon. I have not decided on the second goal so I will have to figure that one out soon and start working on it.

Have you taken this year for yourself yet? This is about the time that the new year’s resolutions begin to dissolve. This is the time to act! Please let me know what you’ve accomplished already this year, and/or what you plan to accomplish for February.

One final note, I’m looking for like-minded individuals with similar messages. If you have fully embraced this year as being your year, and you want to spread your story, or you have topics to discuss that coincide with positivity and creativity, please contact me so we can discuss collaborations on this website. I’d like to be able to add other forms of content here to better help people. May it be a one-shot blog post, or a specific column (weekly, monthly). Lets work together to show the world that live IS this easy.

Edgar