Reflections

It has been about two months since I found out I have a heart condition. I have spent that time reflecting on what that means.  What I realized is that a few things in my life needed to be changed. One of the major changes I have made is restricting my level of sodium.  I really don't put salt on my food, I'm more of a pepper gal.  I wasn't fully aware of how much sodium I ate on a regular basis. I would look at the sides of the packages or cans of food I was eating, but not really paying too much attention to the numbers.  So many of my favorite foods have added sodium, like canned clam chowder.  It has almost 900 milligrams!! Yikes - my cardiologist has put me on a low salt diet where my recommended level for an entire day is 2400 milligrams!! Another major change I have made is that I can't continue to worry about everyone and everything at the same time.  Easy to say, but hard to do!!  My grandmother who lived to the ripe old age of 101, told me once, "Cathy, don't worry about the things you can't change."  That was pretty good advice at the time (which was probably over 30 years ago) and it remains good advice now.  I'm trying really hard not to "pre-worry" which is usually my "modus operandi." My son had his dental appointment recently and I'm happy to report that I didn't get too stressed out ahead of time (like I normally would) and he did great!  The dentist was wonderful with him and he even sat still for a fluoride treatment. I was so proud of him!  My philosophy is to consider each day a precious "gift" that you have been given.  Believe me, my "unscheduled" stint in the hospital back in November with my heart "issues" gave me tons of time to think about how I would change things once I got out!!