Stressfull Times

My husband had a heart attack while traveling in Brazil last week. He underwent an emergency coronary artery bypass surgery. Thankfully he is doing well. It has been quite stressful having something like this happen to a healthy 47 year old man. He's never been overweight, let alone obese! Having this happen in another country while I was in the US added stress to an already terrible situation. Add family dynamics and a different language (his doctors and family all speak Portuguese and I don't) and I've been about at the breaking point. He is out of the hospital, and I am in Brazil now. Hopefully we've turned the page on the worst of things! The good news is I saw my surgeon since I was in Brazil. He was very pleased with my results. I've lost 32% of my starting weight in 4 months. His expectation is that patients will lose 30% in the first year. He anticipates I'll get to 40% by the end of year 1. I think the stress knocked me off my plataeu! I weighed 162 lbs at his office. Make sure those you love have a cardiac work up if they are over 40 years old. The doctor told me that 50% of patients with my husband's condition die of "sudden death" with the first manifestation of symptoms. Take care, Betsy 237/162/150/ maybe will reset my new goal!

Ohmygod, Betsy. I am so glad he will be alright! How long will you guys have to stay in Brazil with him in the hospital? I'm sure Brazillian hospital food is just as bad as American hospital food. Are you stress-eating? Hang in there. We'll be thinking about you! Jenn