It was below freezing while I walked

 

Judy was busy with a puzzle of Bear Lake, so I went walking by myself. On the way back, I felt stronger than I had felt yesterday, indicating I am getting used to the distance. The temperature was below freezing during my walk, and the high for the day was in the low 30s (F).  The wind was still blowing about 15 MPH.

After the walk, I changed my clothes, and Judy drove me to my appointment with Dr. Erik Allen, my personal doctor. Dr. Allen said my blood tests show I have good kidney,  liver, and blood functions, and he said I should continue doing what I have been doing;  I will see Dr. Allen by appointment in six months. He is a marathon runner, and he said as soon as I get up to 5 miles per day, I should let him know so he can join us. He said it is good that we are moving our bodies regularly. We should enjoy what ever we do to keep our bodies moving. 

Judy drove me home and we watched the Disney version of Aladdin. Judy is now watching the Disney version of the Lion King, and I will join her in a few minutes. These Disney versions have a lot of music them. We watched most of a movie about high school students. I hope the high schools in real life are not like the ones in the movie. The high school kids are not like the ones I knew as a child.

We received a nice Christmas box from Seth and Kristen in Arizona. The box was full of candy and cookies, and the contents made nice snacks while we were watching TV.

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It was colder this morning

 I went walking about 10 am and the temperature was 24 (F) degrees when I left my house. I walked 0.3 mile and then returned to my home. The temperature was 27 degrees when I returned home. There was a south wind of about 15 mph, so there was a wind-chill of some amount. It was hard to walk against the wind, but it was nice at times to have a tail-wind to help push me forward. My hands were cold even though I wore cotton gloves, but the rest of my body seemed OK. The sidewalks were clear of packed snow, and it was faster to walk on dry cement.

Winter is here

 After the man came and wrapped my swollen legs again, Judy and I went walking. The temperature was about 30 (F),  and there were snow flurries while we walked. There was no wind blowing, so there was no chill factor to make it seem colder. It seemed warm to be outside, even though it was slightly below freezing. Because we were moving, our bodies created heat, and we felt warm and nice. 😊 We did about 0.6 mile and were glad to get in our warm house at the end of our walk. 

Weekly summary -- 4.000 mile this week

I went walking for 5 days this week and did 4.000 miles. Judy went with me for most of the walks. The temperature during our walks was in the low to mid 30s (F).

Weekly summary -- 2.800 miles this week

I'm still taking the chemo medicine but I felt pretty good so I went walking with Judy. We did 2.8 miles over 5 days of walking. Next week I'll add more distance.  Christmas is next week and I'll probably go out 4 days.

Weekly summary -- 0.6 mile this week

 My legs are getting really tired when I go around the east block, so I drastically reduced my distance this week. As long as I'm taking  the chemo medicine I'm not walking or running, and there will be no additions to my blog.

Weekly summary -- 2.925 miles this week

We didn't go out on Thursday, because I had a doctor's appointment in mid morning, so we went walking on Friday. I didn't feel very well during the past 2 walks, so on Saturday we only went 0.4 miles instead of the 0.625 miles that I had scheduled for the week. The extra rest helped me a lot.

I'm making sure I eat breakfast before I walk, because I've been walking before breakfast.

Weekly summary -- 3.175 miles this week

 Judy and I followed the same schedule and route that was used last week.

Weekly summary -- 3.175 miles this week

 This week was the first time I've increased my medium walk. I added about 0.05 miles. to my Wednesday walk.

Weekly summary -- 3.125 miles this week

This week was a rest week.

I went walking five (5) times this week for a total of 3.125 miles. Except for the last day, the wind was blowing strong, indicating a front was coming through, and the wind chill made it seem colder than the temperature indicated. This temperature is a shade temperature outside and under my deck. The temperature during  my walk was in the low to mid forties. Today, the temperature was about the same as previous days, but there was no wind to speak of, and it felt warmer during my walk than it had during previous days.

I went out five times because I didn't go out yesterday. I'm ready to start increasing my walk on Wednesdays to be an intermediate walk. I will still walk only five days per week, because Friday will be a rest day. My intermediate walk, when when the increases are finished, will be about 1.025 miles.

My walks on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday will be rest walks and will continue to be one time around the east loop for a distance of 0.625 miles per loop per walk, as my walks on those days are doing now.

After the walks on Wednesday have finished their increases, I will begin making increases to my long walk on Saturday by adding the loop, west of Memorial Drive, to my walk.

Weekly summary -- 3.75 miles this week

 I went walking 6 times this week, going clear around the east block that includes Congressional.  That is 0.625 miles for the loop, as measured by my Garmin 110. I think I will do the same next week because I am not quite ready for more distance. I feel a bit tired at the end of the loop.

Weekly summary -- 3.6 miles this week

 I was out six (6) times this week, doing about 0.6 miles each walk, for a weekly total of about 3.6 miles. I walked to the power box on Congressional and back home. 

Judy came some of the time but not every time because she was getting ready for a party of our grandchildren and one great grandchild. This week has been quite windy, indicating a front is coming through.

Weekly summary -- 3.0 miles this week

I was out six times this week doing 0.5 miles each day and did about 3.0 miles for the week.

Next week, I will do 0.6 miles each day or 3.6 miles for the week, going to the power transformer box where I usually take a rest break and sit on the box for a few minutes. This is more than the 5-10% called for  by the 10% rule, but I've felt good so far during and ending my walks. I listen to my body and see how I feel when I return home.

In about a month, when I've completed my trip around the block, I will probably take a rest week of less mileage. We'll see.

Weekly summary -- 1.8 miles this week

I went walking six (6) times this week, doing about 0.3 miles each time.

Next week I should go to the corner and turn left to a tree that is just past the second driveway that I encounter after turning left.

Weekly summary -- 1.3 miles this week

Judy and I went walking six (6) times this week and did about 1.3 miles. I need about two more weeks to reach the corner.

Weekly summary -- 0.1 miles this week

 I'm still taking the new medicine, but my PSA is coming down and I move about the ground floor of my house quite well. So, I decided to venture outside and walk a bit.  I went out twice this week and walked to the cable TV connection box that is the first one south of my house and back.  Next week I will go to the cable box that is after the one that I went to this week.  I am making small increases in my walking to avoid being injured from going too far in one big jump.

Weekly summary -- undefined

 I'm not walking at all as long as I'm taking the new medicine

Weekly summary -- 0.2 miles this week

I went walking this week, on Monday for 0.2 mile.

Weekly summary -- 0.62 miles this week

Even though I'm still taking the new medicine, I did go out one day this week (on Saturday) and walked around the east loop for 0.62 miles. This distance was a bit too much for me, but I made it home OK.

Weekly summary -- 0.2 mile this week

I'm taking new medicine to lower my PSA, and only went out walking one time this week for 0.2 mile total. The medicine makes me weaker.

Weekly summary -- about 1.62 miles this week

I forgot to keep accurate distance figures, but this was a very low distance week. I felt very weak and needed a lot of rest.

Weekly summary -- 2.86 miles this week

This was a low mileage week. I'm still in need of additional rest.

Walking 5 days per week with a rest day before and one rest day after my long walk has served me well as a younger person. But, as I've gotten older, I think I need less walking and more rest. So, starting with the upcoming week, I'm going to walk four (4) days with two (2) rest days before my long walk and one rest day after my long walk. The two rest days before my long walk on Saturday, will be Thursday and Friday, and my rest day after my long walk will be Sunday, my Sabbath. Here is the week I propose.

Monday:      Rest walk of 0.62 miles (1 east loop)
Tuesday:      Rest walk of 0.62 miles (1 east loop)
Wednesday: Medium walk of 1.22 miles (1 east loop and 1 west loop)
Thursday:    Rest day
Friday:         Rest day
Saturday:    Long walk of 1.84 miles (2 east loops and 1 west loop)

Total distance for the week:  4.30 miles

As I get used to the numbers shown above, I will slowly increase my distance. I would like to walk longer distances, but I need appropriate rest to recover from the longer walks.

Weekly summary -- 3.34 Miles this week

I didn't feel very good so I aborted a couple of walks to get extra rest.

Weekly summary -- 6.12 miles this week

Judy and I went to the graveside service for Ruth Bergstedt Anthony, and then I took a nap after I returned home. Ruth was a niece to Borghild Marie Bergstedt (Mor). During the late afternoon and early evening, I walked 1.84 miles, which was twice around the East Loop and once around the West Loop. I took another nap after I finished the long-walk. I needed the naps because I was up early this morning.

Weekly summary -- 6.03 miles this week

On Saturday I went  walking after the sun was down but before it was completely dark.

Weekly summary -- 5.74 miles this week

Still walking late in the evening.

Weekly summary -- 4.82 miles this week

This week was a rest week.

The daytime temps have been very hot (90+ F), and we've done our walking in the late evening, just before dark.

Weekly summary -- 6.30 miles this week

We had a good walking week, but my legs were tired after the long walk was over!

Weekly summary -- 5.74 miles this week

This week was uneventful. It was warm, in the mid to high 70s (F)

Brother Furgerson came by and we checked out my sprinkling system. All of the zones are working OK, but without the pump to increase the water--spray.

Weekly summary -- did 6.87 miles this week

This week was uneventful. We (Judy and I) were out earlier in the morning, because it is getting warmer during the day,

Weekly summary -- did 4.92 miles this week

I walked 5 days this week for a total of 4.92 miles. Judy walked 4 days but didn't go out today. Instead, she donned her face mask and went shopping. She spent the rest of the day deadheading her flowers and planting new flowers she bought today.

It has been a while since I added distance to my walks, so I think I will add a bit of distance, starting with a rest walk on Monday.

Weekly Summary -- did 4.90 miles this week

Judy and I walked 4.90 miles this week (5 days). The temperature was in the 50s and 60s (F). A few people were out walking, but none of them (including us) wore face masks.  Judy later did some shopping and wore her face mask while shopping.

My temperature was several degrees (F) low immediately after my walk and one degree low at bed time.

My temperature is low

My wife, Judy, and I did a rest walk around the east loop for 0.62 miles. I measured my temperature after the walk and again before I went to bed, and the temp was low. I assume I don't have the coronavirus since one of the symptoms of the virus is a high temperature, although about half of the persons being tested positive for the virus don't have any of the known symptoms. I feel fine and am not tired or sluggish.

Summary of the week: 5 days walking and 5.04 miles

My wife, Judy, and I walked for 5 days and did a total of 5.04 miles. We did stop and talk with a neighbor, but we wore no masks and kept a distance of 6 feet or more between us and the neighbor.

My temperature

Today is a rest day, but I took my temperature. It is still low at 97.3 (F, under my tongue).

A bit of rain last night

The sidewalks were dry this morning when my wife, Judy, and I took our rest walk. There was a north wind blowing, not hard, but cold. I was glad to finish my walk and get inside my house. The air temperature was in the mid 40s (F). That temperature was warm during the winter but feels cold now. Tonight is forecast to be freezing cold.

Lots of face masks

After doing a rest walk in which I added to my distance, I went to the Riverton Hospital for a blood test, and everyone at the hospital had on a face mask. I wore one that Judy had made. The hospital had people at the door with a hand sanitizing substance and extra face masks to make sure newcomers didn't spread the virus.

Summary of the week: 5 days walking and 4.04 miles again

I walked 5 days this week (four days with Judy (my wife); she didn't go on Saturday for the long walk),  and I did 4.04 miles total for the week. I went out on Saturday morning for a long walk, because it was forecast to be raining during the late afternoon and evening. I'm still using the walker for stability, but since the walker isn't motorized, the walker doesn't help me with the distance. I am, though, able to walk faster because I'm not worried about falling down. Because I am going faster, my getting greater stability is worth the extra energy to push the walker around the neighborhood. The wind was blowing quite hard during the week, indicating a front is coming in.

I took my temperature when I got home, and it was low, only 90.7 (F). As I rested from the long walk, for the next couple of hours, my temperature increased until it was 97.7. I've always had a low temperature. The supposedly normal value is is 98.6 (F).

Utah is still getting more people each day who are contaminated with the Coronavirus, but the number of people dying because of the virus hasn't increased for several days (On Sunday, April 12, one more death was reported in Utah). Social distancing and the wearing of face masks seems to be helping keep the number of people low who are infected. I'm not wearing a face mask, because I usually don't pass others on the sidewalk. Once in a while I do pass others using the sidewalk, and they usually go into the street while passing me. Judy sees a lot of face masks when she is shopping at Costco and Walmart.

Summary of the week -- 5 days of walking

It was cold, but I did walk with Judy for 5 days this week. I did 4.04 miles. We had sunshine, but a cold wind was blowing, and the temperature was in the high 30s and low 40s (F). On Saturday, we went for a long walk between sessions of conference. The long walk took about an hour.

During the week there was an inch or so of snow on the lawns, but the sidewalks were clear, and the snow soon melted because the temperature was in the high 30s.

Christ is the Light

On the way back, during my rest walk, I stopped to talk with Bro. Hardy, and he gave me a small lantern with a statue of Christ inside the lantern. The statue was like the one I gave his son, Landon, when I taught Primary a few years ago. Bro. Hardy put the statue inside the lantern, instead of a candle, so the lantern would represent Christ is the Light.

The temperature was in the low 60s (F) during my walk.

Added a bit to my rest walk

It had been raining during the night, but the sun came out while we were walking, and it was nice to be out. The temperature was in the low 50s (F).

I added about 0.1 miles to my rest walk, making the rest walk about 0.6 miles round trip. I will add the 0.1 miles to my medium walk and my long walk.

I turned around and did an out-back while Judy continued her walk and went around the east block in one big loop . She went further than I did, but she walks faster than I walk. We arrived home at the same time. We walk alone and usually don't have any contact with neighbors who might be outside.  Some times, though, we do stop and talk with neighbors, but on most of our walks we don't see any neighbors. We do wave at cars going past us during our walks, since most of the cars belong to neighbors.

This week in review -- 3.04 miles

This was a nice week for walking. Temperatures were in the 40s and 50s. There was a light rain in the middle of the week, and a very light snow on Saturday during my long walk. On Saturday, I kept on walking and was soon home and in the house, where it was warm and dry.

I did a bit of jogging in the middle of my long walk on Saturday, alternating 20 steps of jogging with 20 steps of walking. It was kinda hard jogging while pushing the walker, because the walker is narrow and I tend to wobble sideways while I jog or run.

My right arm is still sore, but it is less sore than it was last week. I do curls with a can of soup, and I can tell that my right arm is getting stronger.

I did 3.04 miles for the week for 5 days of walking and jogging.

A neighbor was cycling

While I was returning home from doing a rest walk, I saw a neighbor on her bicycle, and I waved at her as she went past. That is the key during these times of COVID-19. Unless you live in one of the states where isolation is mandatory, go outside by yourself to exercise, that is, do it alone, or in small groups of 10 or less people keeping at least 6 feet between persons. However, it is better to exercise alone.

Walks this week

 I walked 4 days this week, for a total of 2.64 miles. Normally, I would walk 5 days for a total of 3.04 miles, but I took an extra rest day to give my right arm extra rest. My legs and body feel fine, but my right arm is sore from pushing my walker. My right arm is connected to my right shoulder, and that shoulder was injured when I fell in Ogden. My right shoulder apparently hasn't fully healed from that injury. Rest helps my right  arm to not give pain when that arm is used a lot. When my right arm gives a bit of pain, I don't push as much with that arm.

Did a long walk

The temperature today was in the low 40s (F), but there was a strong wind, with gusts up to 20-30 mph. The wind was a south wind, which made it difficult to go south but easier when going north. There was a light rain during my walk, but I kept dry because the rain was very light. Also, the wind helped keep me dry.

I like walking with a walker, because the walker gives me stability, and this lets me focus on my distance without fear that I might fall. My wife, Judy, thinks I am walking faster than I was walking, without the walker, prior to my fall in Ogden.

I did my long walk today (going around both loops), doing about 3 miles for the week. My walks are usually uneventful, so in the future I will just give weekly posts with the number of days walked and the total distance for the week.

Did a rest walk

My rest walks (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday) are south to the corner of my street and 100th South and then back to home. It is about 0.4 miles round trip to the corner and back. They are uneventful walks, but they provide activity to keep my legs active without the stress of longer walks.

Did a medium walk

My plan calls for Wednesdays to have a medium walk, and that is what I did. A medium walk is once around the east block. The distance is 0.62 miles as measured with my GPS. I was out a few minutes before noon, and the temperature was about 50 (F). My legs handle the distance OK, but my arms and shoulder ache a bit. I like the walker, because it allows me to walk without worry that I might fall.

The distance this week (3 days of walking) was about 1.42 miles.

Another rest walk

I went out around 2 pm and did a rest walk up to the corner and back. My wife continued around the east block pushing our great grand daughter in her stroller.

The temperature was in the 50s (F), and there was no wind.  A great day and time to be outside!

Did a rest walk

Today, about noon, I went to my mailbox. Later, around 2 pm, I took a rest walk. I like the walker, because it gives me stability, and I'm not worried about falling down. The walker doesn't make it easier to walk, and I still have to get my legs in shape for the distance I am going.

The wind was still blowing (a south wind), and the temperature was 60 (F).

Did a long walk plus going to my mailbox

I was cloudy and cold during my long walk. I took one rest of a minute on my walker. The gusty wind made if difficult to go south, but going north was nice.

My legs felt pretty good, but my arms and shoulder felt tired and sore a bit from pushing the walker. The total distance for the week was about 2.3 miles, not more because I didn't do rest walks on Monday and Tuesday.

Getting back into walking

Using my walker, I went to my mailbox a bit before noon  and went to the corner during the afternoon. The total distance today was about 0.5 miles.

I'm making a slight adjustment to the plan of walking given earlier. My week now consists of the following:

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: a rest walk of about 0.4 miles, to the corner and back.
Wednesday: a medium walk of about 0.62 miles, around my block one time.
Saturday: a long walk of about 1.2 miles, around the block one time and around a different block one time.
Friday and Sunday: rest days of no walking.

The difference is that Thursday (today) was changed from a no-walking day to a rest walk.

This plan gives a total of about 3.02 miles.  This distance will be increased once or twice a month. The basic idea of all of this is to make increases in distance small such that ones body can adjust without being injured. In the meantime, walking is done with lots of rest, such that the body is not injured.

The two blocks that I go around are the blocks east and west and adjacent to the street I live on. The corner I go to during a medium or long walk is part of both the east and west blocks. On my long walk, after I reach the corner, I go left to do the block east and then go right to do the block west. The east and west blocks are  my long walk performed on Saturdays. On the medium walk, I do the east block but not the west block. On the rest walks, I reach the corner and then turn around and return home.

I am still using my cane around my house or elsewhere, such as to church or to the temple. There is a certain rhythm to the proper use of a cane, and I'm getting used to the rhythm such that it is becoming a habit when I walk. The rhythm is proper when my walking is as if I wasn't using the cane.  Since it is my right leg that had the broken bone, I hold the cane with my left hand, and when I move the cane forward, I also move my right leg forward. That is, the cane holds me steady while I move my right leg forward. Then, I move my left leg forward and in front of the right leg. In this way, I move my two legs in normal walking, each leg going in front of the other leg. The cane hits the ground at the same time as my right leg (the one that had been damaged) hits the ground. Thus, I walk with my two legs and with the cane being used simultaneously with the damaged leg to give me stability while I move my damaged leg.

Used the walker to go around the block -- 0.7 miles total (including the mailbox)

The walker worked fine, and I had no stability problems. Used the walker earlier, about noon, to go to my mailbox.

My walker came

My new walker was delivered to my house on the 3rd of March, Tuesday. The walker came to Salt Lake City on Monday but was delivered to me on Tuesday. I haven't used the walker yet.

Went to the mailbox about noon time

My wife thinks I should get a walker so I can do longer distances without worry that I might fall. I ordered a walker this morning from Amazon, and the walker will be delivered on Monday. I'll still visit my mailbox, but I will also be going longer distances to eventually go completely around the block two or three times. I will continue using my cane inside my house, so the walker will be for long walks. The walker has a storage bag, so I can put the mail in the bag while returning to the house. I need both my hands free to go up two steps to my front door

Went to the mailbox again

I walked to my mailbox again and got today's mail. I need to get a bag that hangs from my neck so both hands are free. Today, I handed the mail to my wife while I went up two steps to my front door. My wife, however, may not always be available. She was outside today to monitor what I was doing in case I fell.

I walked to my mailbox.

I walked to my mailbox and back. The mail box is on my property line, north of my driveway.

On Sunday I walked a greater distance. I went outside using the wrong door of the church building, and I walked (outside) around the church building to my car, which my wife was driving.

This week, I will go to my mailbox.  Next week I will go further. I am using my cane while I walk. I plan on walking next week to the first cable TV box that is south of my driveway

My plan is to do a long walk on Saturday, a medium walk on Wednesday, and rest walks on Monday and Tuesday. This leaves Thursday and Friday as rest days. Sunday, of course, is always a rest day since it is my Sabbath day.

Going to my mailbox is a rest walk. Going to the first cable box is a medium walk, and going the second cable box will be a long walk. It will take a week or two to put this plan into operation. I need to get used to the distance to the first and second cable boxes before my plan goes into operation.

Keeping my balance

Getting to the second floor is now quite easy, although I use the banisters to help me get to the next step. The banisters help me keep my balance while my leg muscles move my feet up or down to the next step. My arms pull me forward, using the banister to provide an object in front of me to pull against. Thus, the banisters serve two purposes: to help with my balance and to help me move forward.

I use a cane when I do walking during the day. I could walk without the cane, but the cane provides a third leg and helps me keep my balance. During the evening and night, while is is dark, I use the 1/2 walker, because it helps me keep my balance and is more steady since it has four legs. I get dizzy when it is dark.

I'm about ready to start walking outside. My first goal will be to walk to my mailbox and back.  I'll probably use my cane outside because I don't want to fall. 

Took a shower, a real shower!

My shower is on the second floor, and I took a real shower this morning, after navigating the 15 step to the second floor. After church, I went to the second floor and changed to different and easier to maintain clothes. I like to wear shorts that extend to just below my knees, because they are easier to put on and off than long pants.

Made it to the second floor

My living room is one step below the rest of the floors in the house, and I'm practicing  going down that step and then up that step. The problem I'm having is keeping my balance after I make the change in elevation.

However, I have good news to share. I made it up 15 steps to the second floor. I went inside my bedroom and bathroom and filled my pockets with bottles that I needed to use downstairs. I've been taking most of my daily pills but not quite all of the pills. I've been practicing on one step, but this was the first time I went up 15 steps to my second floor. I felt pretty good after I came down 15 steps to the main floor. The Physical Therapist, Gary, has been coming twice a week to do exercises that strengthen my leg and arm muscles, and his work is paying off.

No cancer in my bones

I mentioned in an earlier comment that I had a scan of my total body, and the scan showed no signs of cancer. This is good news!

Attended church

I attended church yesterday. It was nice to go to my ward again. The only steps involved were three  steps out of my house and one step in front of the ward building. I used the railing on my front porch to get out of the house.  The one step in front of the ward building was OK because I've been practicing doing steps, and I touched my car to keep my balance. Once inside the ward building I walked around OK because it was a level floor. I carried my cane in case I needed it.

No help needed on level ground

I discovered that I can move around my house with no help from the 1/2 walker or a cane, as long as the floors are level with each other and steps are not involved.

I made it up and down 5 steps of the way to the 2nd floor of my house. That is 1/3 of the way to the 2nd floor.

I'm home but am still learning to walk

I came home a few days before Christmas, but I'm still learning how to walk. I have 1/2 of a walker, which I use with my good (unharmed) arm; the 1/2 walker still has four legs, but no wheels, and I'm starting to learn how to use a cane. The cane gives less balance than the 1/2 walker, since the cane has just one leg. I'm doing pretty good with level ground but have problems with steps.