Prepping for the journey ...
It was five years ago that I began the year-long journey of Hepatitis C treatment; in fact, it was five years ago Tuesday that Nurse Amy and I went to Dr. Scott's office to learn about administering PEG-Intron and Rebetol.
It seems like so long ago, but it's not too difficult to remember some of the struggles. I suffered the normal side-effects of the interferon and ribivarin, and even a few abnormal ones. Nonetheless, I'd do it all over again to reach that wonderful phrase "virus undetected."
There was another benefit to the treatment: I went from about 245 pounds down to 222 in 52 weeks. Tough way to lose weight, though. Today, I popped the scales at 239, which is one reason why a few days ago I started a walking regimen.
During my last physical, which was months ago, Dr. Bruce told me I needed to exercise more and eat more sensibly or I was headed for blood pressure and cholesterol meds.
"I used to walk nearly daily," I told him. "But ever since my schedule changed ..."
King of Excuses.
The truth is, though, I did walk more when I worked nights. I also used that time to pray and gain some spiritual focus.
About three weeks ago, Donna and I drove to Glasgow, Kentucky, to visit with Steve and Karen, longtime friends of ours whom we would love to see more often. I met Steve during those wild years at East Tennessee State University. He was in ROTC and I was on TDRL (Temporary Disabled Retirement List) awaiting final disposition from the Navy. Because of that military status, I was allowed to drink beer at the ROTC table during Happy Hour at Poor Richard's.
As fate (God) would have it, I met Donna and she worked with Steve's then girlfriend, Karen, at Western Steer. Steve and Karen later married, beginning their journey in the world of career military. Donna and I married, beginning our journey in the world of career journalism. We never lost touch, but always wished we lived closer to each other. This sense of family became more intense because of our common faith journey.
In the mid- to late 1980s, Steve, Karen and kids visited us in Knoxville. While there, Steve talked about having hiked portions of the Appalachian Trail. We mused about how neat it would be to take our boys hiking on the AT one day. It never came to pass. Still, while visiting in Glasgow three weeks ago, we talked again about taking that journey; in fact, Steve had a group of men from the outdoors ministry at his church who were interested.
So, with that goal in mind, on the five-year anniversary of that visit to Dr. Scott's office, I began what will be a five-month regimen of getting in shape for a three-day, two-night hike on the AT. It's a stretch from an area in Upper East Tennessee to Damascus, Virginia.
Not sure if the hike will come to pass; however, I pray it does. Whatever the case, it's a worthy goal.
At that last physical, Dr. Bruce said I need to walk two miles in 30 minutes, five days a week.
The past three days, I've walked a little over one mile (1.2 miles, I think) in 20 minutes, so it's doable.
It's raining outside and the temp is about 37. Weather.com expects it to be clear about noon today. So, I'm taking my walking shoes to get in my regimen on the Greenbelt.
Maybe I can dethrone the King.
Grace and peace ...
It seems like so long ago, but it's not too difficult to remember some of the struggles. I suffered the normal side-effects of the interferon and ribivarin, and even a few abnormal ones. Nonetheless, I'd do it all over again to reach that wonderful phrase "virus undetected."
There was another benefit to the treatment: I went from about 245 pounds down to 222 in 52 weeks. Tough way to lose weight, though. Today, I popped the scales at 239, which is one reason why a few days ago I started a walking regimen.
During my last physical, which was months ago, Dr. Bruce told me I needed to exercise more and eat more sensibly or I was headed for blood pressure and cholesterol meds.
"I used to walk nearly daily," I told him. "But ever since my schedule changed ..."
King of Excuses.
The truth is, though, I did walk more when I worked nights. I also used that time to pray and gain some spiritual focus.
About three weeks ago, Donna and I drove to Glasgow, Kentucky, to visit with Steve and Karen, longtime friends of ours whom we would love to see more often. I met Steve during those wild years at East Tennessee State University. He was in ROTC and I was on TDRL (Temporary Disabled Retirement List) awaiting final disposition from the Navy. Because of that military status, I was allowed to drink beer at the ROTC table during Happy Hour at Poor Richard's.
As fate (God) would have it, I met Donna and she worked with Steve's then girlfriend, Karen, at Western Steer. Steve and Karen later married, beginning their journey in the world of career military. Donna and I married, beginning our journey in the world of career journalism. We never lost touch, but always wished we lived closer to each other. This sense of family became more intense because of our common faith journey.
In the mid- to late 1980s, Steve, Karen and kids visited us in Knoxville. While there, Steve talked about having hiked portions of the Appalachian Trail. We mused about how neat it would be to take our boys hiking on the AT one day. It never came to pass. Still, while visiting in Glasgow three weeks ago, we talked again about taking that journey; in fact, Steve had a group of men from the outdoors ministry at his church who were interested.
So, with that goal in mind, on the five-year anniversary of that visit to Dr. Scott's office, I began what will be a five-month regimen of getting in shape for a three-day, two-night hike on the AT. It's a stretch from an area in Upper East Tennessee to Damascus, Virginia.
Not sure if the hike will come to pass; however, I pray it does. Whatever the case, it's a worthy goal.
At that last physical, Dr. Bruce said I need to walk two miles in 30 minutes, five days a week.
The past three days, I've walked a little over one mile (1.2 miles, I think) in 20 minutes, so it's doable.
It's raining outside and the temp is about 37. Weather.com expects it to be clear about noon today. So, I'm taking my walking shoes to get in my regimen on the Greenbelt.
Maybe I can dethrone the King.
Grace and peace ...
Labels: Hiking
posted by Pastor Buzz at 7:38 AM
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