They are minor and few, but changes are happening. At the end of our day yesterday I was concerned with my right leg – it had swollen to 1-2+ pitting edema (meaning when I pressed on the swollen area it did not rebound) – not a good change.  That is the leg that the vein was taken from for my bypass surgery 3 years ago, so it is not unusual for it to swell a little bit. This was worse than what it has been.  This morning my swelling is almost all gone – a good change. I also awoke with more energy than normal.  I didn’t jump up and do any cartwheels, just didn’t droop around wishing to go back to sleep, like I usually do – another good change. Tiff and I are noticing that we are satisfied with the amount of food that we are eating.  Usually after a meal I am looking for a dessert of some kind.  It’s not uncommon for me to snack on something in the evenings whether I’m hungry or not.  We have both noticed that our appetites are not as large as they were 4 days ago.  Another good change!

I have an eye condition called Juxtafoveal telangiectasia.  It’s in the same vein as macular degeneration (I think).  There is no cure for this. It will ultimately cause me to lose my central vision, I will only have peripheral vision. There are eye injections that you can get to attempt to slow down the progression.  I have had 3 of these injections and it didn’t seem to have any effect in my case.  My cousin, who is an optometrist, has been very helpful with advice on other things that can be done to help slow progression.  He advises keeping blood pressure under good control, taking PreserVision vitamins and eating healthy.  I am unable to take the PreserVision as it makes me itch.  I am hopeful that these diet and lifestyle changes are able to improve, or maybe even reverse, this condition.  Over the last few months, I have noticed that my vision is worsening.  There are times I find myself mourning the coming loss of my ability to read – I really enjoy reading.  Now I try to remind myself that I have a chance to stop the progression and maybe even reverse the current deficits.

This morning Tiff and I went to a Farmer’s market.  It was a good place to get plenty of fresh air, exercise and sunshine.  The detox is more challenging today.  We are both a bit grumpy, hungrier than we were yesterday and just feel overall discontent.  We went out for freshly extracted juice today so that we could have a day off from doing the actual juicing.  We went to a juice bar called Nekter.  It was a very different juice from what we have been drinking.  It was okay.  I drank it but didn’t care for it very much.  Tiff and Hannah both enjoyed their juice.  I’m funny that way – just ask my husband. We are trying to be more relaxed over the weekend, not quite so stringent.  We will watch a movie this evening.  Have I told you that I have not watched any TV since arriving at Hannah’s on 4/15?  I can’t recall the last time that I have gone this long without any TV watching.  One of the items on our program we will be reducing our screen time.  Guess we are already starting that one 😊. This is the time to take advantage of reading while I can.

Day 4 is done, day 5 is on the way.  In the words of George R.R. Martin, “a reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.”