What a great Sat meeting!!!!!

We had a great time today!!!!  The turn out was really good too.  We haven't decided yet how often we should meet, but we did decide that a different topic, each meeting on our health would be a good idea. We missed those of you who could not attend. This weeks topic was Knowing Your Cholesterol levels. We learned what our optimal cholesterol numbers are.  Your total Cholesterol should be under 200.  Your LDL (remember L for Lousy) should be under 100.  Your HDL (remember H for Hero) should be higher than 40.  Your total Cholesterol Ratio should be less than 5. We learned that by loosing just 10 pounds, can reduce your LDL cholesterol by 5 to 8 percent.  Becomeing more physically active, and eliminate or drastically limit the foods that contain saturated fats, trans fats, dietary cholesterol and refined carbohydrates are all other good ways to help control our cholesterol. We learned that Soluble fiber can improve your LDL-cholesterol by grabbing onto cholesterol and escorting it through your digestive system and escorting it out of your body.  Some good fiber rich foods are oatmeal, barley, lentils, brussel sprouts, peas, beans (kidney, lima, black, navy, pinto), apples, blackberries, pears, raisins, oranges, grapefruits, dates, figs, prunes, apricots, broccoli and sweet potaoes. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce heart disease and lower blood pressure, decrease triglycerides, help to make blood thinner and less sticky so it is less likely to clot...Plus raise the HDL cholesterol. Bottom line is, know your levels, and get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly. Thanks again everyone for making this such a great turn out!!!!!! Deb

Deb,    It sounds like such a good meeting.  I'm so sorry I missed it.  I ended up having to spend the night at Trident, I was very dehydrated and had some complications after my surgery Friday morning.  But I'm home now and trying to get off of the pain meds.  I'm tired of them (which is something I never thought I'd say)   Did you have a speaker with the chloresteral info?  I know that musc has such tremendous resources I had been talking to Amanda at MUSC and I know that they were looking for a North Area locations for support meeting.  I told her about the auditoriam at MUSC's resident program with Univerisity Family care by Trident.  She was working on that.  She also has been giving me calls sometimes with names of brand new post ops who just might need a call, let me know if anybody is interested in that.  I usually just talk to them once or twice and tell them about the board, meetings, etc and just answer those first questions we all haed.    Anyway, I can tell I'm rambling.  Sorry to miss you all Mary

You poor thing, I know you must be so sick of going to the doctor.  I hope things will start to look up for you.  Heck, you have had a physical overhaul this year haven't you? I was the speaker.  I did my homework, copied some information for everyone, and we all had a group thing.   Yea, I'd like to touch base with some of the post ops.  It's nice to get a call out of the blue to check on you. We haven't decided yet on how often we are going to meet, but I think it will be a good thing.  I guess we were kinda feeling everything out.   Any suggestions are so welcomed. I do hope you get to feeling better.  If I can help in any way, please, please let me know. Deb

Thanks so much Deb,    It sounds like you did an awesome job with your research.  Maybe musc needs you. I am so much better.  DH took the little one with him to visit relatives in FL and John has been here helping me recover.  Once they got the kidney stone out, it has been a piece of cake compared to the past week.   I'm going to my two year post up next week,  where i'm sure that Dr Byrne will chew me out abou****er which I well deserve, then have a meeting with Amanda.  Maybe we can work on getting a phone tree started for new post ops to call.      Have a great day.  I'm procrastinating doing my senior project for school, so I'd better get busy.  Drink some wate right now, I am mary

Deb....  This was such a great meeting!     I know that I need to start following a lot closer what my levels are and all of your hard work and research just hit this all home.      I want to thank you again for your hard work and time for this.

I was excited to see what a great turnout we had too.   It was great to meet your Mom too, she is such a nice lady and its nice to see she is doing better in her health.    :)

The idea of a topic and socializing is great, maybe we could have some kind of suggestion box and anyone that has a topic they want covered.... it can 'get done'   giterdun!   lol

THANKS AGAIN DEB!     And thanks to everyone that participated.  It was so nice to spend time with you.

hugs,

Jill

:)

ps.  GO RED SOX!