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Introduction Text Back on SP to track my food and fitness to be healthy once more, having enrolled in Cardiac Rehab program. Hoping to achieve a few goals once again! Update to my story: I am the only person alive, who is diagnosed with IPAH, HHT, Thrombocytopenia and Von Willenbrand's Factor VIII Insufficiency. Though, I am one of the 3 diagnosed with IPAH and Von Willenbrands factor 8 Insufficiency. If you have a combination of any of the above two diseases, I'll be thrilled to meet you! My story: I have led an active life style. I used to be a road runner from '83 to '96 having run a marathon, a half marathon and countless 2,3,5k's. Even won trophies for short distance run and race walking without any formal training. Later on, I picked up walking and hiking with my dog, Sandy, whom I had to give up due to my illness that suddenly crippled me after my surgery in 4/2004 with general anesthesia which may have triggered the mutated genes. I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in September, 2004. Being unable to be as mobile due to shortness of breath, has taken its toll on me. Despite being stabilized by God's Grace, life with this disease is extremely rocky like being on a roller coaster ride!! LOL. If my PH is doing OK, the side effects of meds cause the problems, when both are OK, a simple sinus infection can cause a severe nose bleed that is being sustained by 2 of my meds that are vasodilators. If the meds are stopped, PH gets worse and the meds may not even be effective when I re-start! It's the worst always after an ER visit to stop a nose bleed. Scary to find I know more than the ER medical personnel about my disease, yet they hesitate to telephone my PH Specialist, who is in NYC. It always reminds me how healthy I was for the first 50 years of my life and I try to see my cup as half full. I can do this only by counting my blessings. "Appreciation is fertilizer for the soul."~ Anonymous Exercising is not easy for people with PH. I pace myself whole day just to get by with my daily functions like cooking ( I love to cook!), shower and other personal cleanliness, clearing the daily clutter, keeping the home neat plus walking for exercise which will keep my heart heathier to be able to pump stronger. Its way much easier to stay in bed, or be a couch potato, watch TV and be served , especially considering which is what is expected of me from my doctors due to the 'Super pressures' in my pulmonary artery ~ so called for it is higher than systemic blood pressure. Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a life-threatening disease that affects all ages (including infants), races and, both sexes. However, it is diagnosed most often in women of child-bearing age. If you would like to read stories of people with PH, including mine -100th stroy, please go to: http://www.phassociation.org/Our_Journeys/index.asp For more information on PAH, a rare and orphan heart lung disease, go to: www.phassociation.org You can complain because roses have thorns. Or you can rejoice that thorns have roses. - Ziggy Life is a challenge - Meet it! Life is a dream- Realize it! Life is Love- Live it! ~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba "The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it" ~Marcus Aurelius Antoninus~ WooHoo!!!! I love spark - I lost a total of 28 pounds so far. Its been a slow process as per my doctor's orders of getting rid of 2 lbs per month. Its also not easy when one is hit by obstacles of the disease and is unable to exercise but, eat we must ;-) Its been inspiring to hang out with my sparkpeople friends, who have been there for me with compassion, companionship and understanding, who have inspired me with their positive attitudes and 'Let's make it happen' actions! "At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." ~ Albert Schweitzer If I can be helpful to one person, it will be worth all this typing:) lol. "Two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we take; the larger kind we feel for what we give. " ~ Edwin Arlington Robinson I am grateful and want to support others on this journey too ! Having NOT had a weight issue until now, I never really understood what people go thru and how much it affected their self esteem......until I myself walked in their shoes! But, there is hope - we can do it, we will do it with support and inspiration! Just remember : Only YOU can make it happen! So, let us go kick butt against our own records, constantly raising the standard; while being inspired by other people's achievements! Make it Happen!

Realistically, I want to get down to 130lbs. as realistically as possible ~ my normal weight prior to being ill and maintain it. My short term goal: Bring the weight back down to 140lbs that I was before leaving SP, prior to moving to MN and prior to severe daily epistaxis.

Cut down on fats and added sugar, under 500 mgs of added sodium to a total of 1000mgs per day on most days. Eat 3 small meals and 2-3 snacks a day with 3 hour gap. Include fruits and lots of vegetables. Start stretching again to rid of fluids and walk at my own pace to make 3,000 steps tracked by pedometer.

Live life today, to the fullest one day at a time, a moment at a time, sometimes! Favorite quotes: "I will be with you whenever and wherever you think of me" ~Shirdi Sai Baba. "Why fear when I am here" Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Love nature - the glory of our Creator being seen in His Creation including animals and human beings. Love beautiful pink sunrises and orange sunsets. Love to cook for relaxation. Reading still a pass time, along with knitting, crochet and divine music. FB and now, SP. Traveling is not a possibility at this time. "Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you will die today" ~ James Dean~

Add a Link Samasta Loka Sukhino Bhavantu" - Sanskrit translates to "Let all the worlds be happy!" <link>www.radiosai.org/Home.asp</link> <link>www.saicast.org/serviceprojects.htm</link>
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