There's Going To Be Some Changes Around Here

Yesterday, Rob was finally able to get in to see his new cardiologist. I've never met anyone like him in the medical profession, and I've met a lot of medical professionals! When Rob saw his doctors at MUSC, he was told his congestive heart failure was caused by his sleep apnea. Wear a CPAP to bed, lose 20 pounds, eat a low sodium diet. End of story.

However, his new doctor is telling us that for JUST apnea to cause his heart failure is nearly unheard of. Very rare. He is starting Rob's care over again. He got an echo yesterday and has ordered a CPAP trial for Rob. He also told Rob that he needs to lose 75 lbs or he will be dead before he's 50. We've never heard that before! When I told the doctor we were applying for disability, he urged us to do so. Not for a check, but for medical coverage!

As of July 1, we are no longer able to get Medicaid and my job does not offer private insurance. The kids will be covered under the K-CHIP plan, but as adults, Rob and I don't qualify for any type of coverage.

It is imperative that Rob lose weight. He's been on a low sodium diet for over a year, and in my opinion, didn't eat that much to begin with. I don't know what it is going to take for him to start dropping the weight, but we've got to do something! I know it will help if he and I start walking again. Even to the mailbox and back. For those that have not seen our driveway, walking to the mailbox IS a workout! We're also cutting all soda out of our lives. I secretly think this is the culprit, and it was NOT a fun time when I told Rob I thought soda was an issue. But, he gave them up right then and there. He doesn't LIKE the changes, but he's doing them anyway.

I plan to be right there with him. Every step to the mailbox and salad for dinner. If it's good enough for him, then it's good enough for me. I could stand to lose a few (okay, way more than a few) pounds myself, and I really don't think it's fair Rob suffer alone. We can do this. It will be hard, but I'd rather go through this than be a widow in 15 years. I might be blogging my frustrations more often because I know this is going to be a struggle for both of us. But the end result will mean both of us are healthier and we will both live longer. We want to grow old together and watch our kids grow up and have kids of their own. Life doesn't need to be cut short over something we can do.

His heart will always be failing, but if he takes care of himself, he can extend his life. He needs to find a balance between taking it easy and still burning calories. He returns to the doctor in two weeks. I'm hoping to have lost 10 pounds each by that time.

Day 1.