atypical1 and Greg: Thanks guys. I guess what I meant is that I didn’t feel powerful and “in the groove” on any of the sets. Stella will hopefully be there next week. 
Matty: That was awesome. He did a really good job. The flannel was a nice touch too. 
That vid was awesome.
james
Mondays BLOW!
The work part that is… the workout was good.
random thoughts are… bodyweight was 173.6 on sat morning. My belt buckle is getting tighter and I’m looking softer but I’m not gaining weight. I’m fine getting softer if my bodyweight is going up. I blame this on crappy diet, too much drinking, too lazy to get enough protein the last few weeks. So I plan on tackling the protein element this week. No desire to track everything i eat for at least six months but I’ve got to work on being more consistent with the protein. If i write it here… maybe I’ll do it. lol.
Chest/Bis
DB Bench press
65s x 10
75s x 8
85s x 6
95s x 5
BB incline bench
135 x 10
155 x 8
175 x 5
195 x 3
weighted dips
BW+45 x 5
BW+45 x 6
BW+45 x 5
Bis
EZ preacher curls
25 ps x 10
30 ps x 8
35 ps x 6
40 ps x 4
BB curls
65 x 8
65 x 8
65 x 8
65 x 8
65 x 8
Weighted dips looking good. Interesting that you do them on chest day. I never know if they hit my chest or my triceps more (or my shoulders).
Adding protein should be easy for you to do and especially if you’re not tracking macros. More steak and burgers!
james
[quote]DJS wrote:
BB curls
65 x 8
[/quote]
NICE! And I must correct you: Mondays actually SUCK!
Atypical: I’ve always liked dips as an alternative to decline press. Rough week. Only lifted twice but I did get to see pearl jam twenty flick. Loved the old early nineties footage.
Shoulders back and tris
Bb seated shoulder press
Bar x 10
95 x 8
115 x 6
135 x 8
Wide grip weighted pull ups
BW x 5
BW +25 X 4
BW +25 X 4
BW +25 X 4
BW +25 X 4
BW X 7
Db one arm rows
65 x 10
75 x 8
85 x 6
95 x 8
CGBP
Bar x 10
135 x 8
185 x 6
225 x 4
185 x 8
Skull crushers
25ps x 10
30ps x 10
35ps x 7
Lots of sh!t is going on at home with my wife. I lifted only once this week and twice last week. With all the below plus my hamstring tear, lifing is definitely on the back burner and its kinda silly to log it. I have not been keeping up with anyone elses logs and have not really been on T-Nation at all lately. Even if I’m not around I’ll be still lifting when i can etc until things get a little more normal.
She has Rheumatoid Arthritis and has had it for a number of years now. Unlike regular arthritis which is caused by wear and tear of specific joints, It is an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks your own joints and will destroy them if not medicated for life. I give her weekly shots of Enbrel for that.
Quite suddenly towards the end of the summer, her vision started to quickly deteriorate. Almost overnight she could not drive anymore because she had permeant double and blurry vision. This is very uncomfortable to deal with and makes every day activities like reading, driving, watching tv, doing bills impossible.
It did not go away and we began the process of going from doctor to doctor trying to find answers. It has been an extremely scary for her as you can imagine. Her mom has been a great help in coming over every day to drive the kids to school, take her grocery shopping etc because she has been helpless to do any of these things on her own.
She has not driven in over a month now. Besides her vision issues, she has also had some other symptoms like temporary loss of control of muscles in her throat when speaking, and difficulty opening and closing her eyes.
We’ve been going to different doctors and specialists in the city every week and getting all the tests done. x-rays, cat scans, mri’s, eeg’s, lots of vials of blood taken, etc. We finally got a diagnosis this week. I took the day on Tuesday and brought her into the city to see a Neuro-opthamologist.
It’s another autoimmune disease called Myasthenia Gravis. MG is the acronym. It is neuromuscular disease where the immune system attacks the muscles and nerve endings.
While I was in Toronto for work on Wednesday, she came into the city with her dad to see a specialist who gave her the options for treatment.
Option 1: high dosages of prednisone for life.
Most common side effects of prednisone are high blood sugar/diabetes, weight gain, osteoporosis, constant nervousness, sleeplessness, depression, etc.
Option 2: open chest surgery to remove the Thymus gland and lower dosages of prednisone. The Thymus gland is one of the root causes so it’s removal usually leads to lower medication being necessary and sometimes remission. Depending on your personal physiology, sometimes less evasive surgeries are possible but the standard way is to open up the breast plate as in open heart surgery.
We have appointments with thoratic surgeons next week to discuss options.
If we do nothing, it will get worse and she will have to be hospitalized if muscles associated with her breathing become effected.
As you can understand, this is a lot to take in and things are pretty crazy right now. Obviously, it is a relief to know what the issue is and that she doesn’t have cancer or a tumor and isn’t going blind. But, its still a lot to take and adjust to the new reality. Things will continue to evolve but just wanted to give a snapshot. Hopefully she’ll react well to the medicine, we can avoid surgery, and things can settle down a little.
peace out
Well that fucking sucks. I’m really sorry to hear that. I’ll send whatever positive energy I can.
Thanks a lot giterdone. Everyone here is really awesome.
Hey DJS,
Sorry to hear this.
I definitely have some experience with everything you stated above. My ex had elevated rheumatoid levels and experienced a great deal of back and leg pain (bi-lateral). She had seen a number of rheumatologists including a pretty prominent one at McMaster hospital (just outside of Toronto – in Hamilton). Nobody wanted to specifically diagnose RA but most symptoms were there.
She often complained about headaches and vision issues but nothing to the point you’ve described above. How we dealt with all of that was really a factor in why our relationship survive. You guys sound like you’re in this together (not that we weren’t) and I’m sending all my positive energy your way.
As it relates to MG, my father has had that for 35yrs now. Strange since it’s a 90% female disorder. He routinely sees specialists in the Toronto, Hamilton and London areas. MG can be a pain but it’s livable. My dad went through Option 2 35 yrs ago. Basically 2 weeks after I was born he was having the operation. My poor mother went from having her first child in room 201 to living in room 403 with my dad at the hospital.
My dad now takes prednisone regularly. There’s obviously potential adverse effects as you’ve stated but it does help. My dad only experienced the weight gain and his diet is SHIT (so if I had to have guessed which side effect he would have experienced, it would have been the diabetes).
True story: MG is the reason I began lifting. Although not believed to be hereditary, I was always afraid of getting MG and thought if I could just gain muscle, I would be beating MG to the punch. Weird what you think when you’re a 16yr old kid.
Wishing you guys all the best buddy. Stay strong.
That is facinating ddot. Such a small world. I may bounce some questions your way if we elect surgery. That must of been soooo hard on your poor mother. Your new avatar looks sick by the way. Great work.
Sorry to hear that, DJS.
Keep us updated with whats happening. I work at a medical research university so I have an idea about what you guys are going through. Keep your head up buddy, the surgery will most likely go along way to mitigating the MG effects.
[quote]DJS wrote:
That is facinating ddot. Such a small world. I may bounce some questions your way if we elect surgery. That must of been soooo hard on your poor mother. Your new avatar looks sick by the way. Great work. [/quote]
Sure thing. My Dad’s ALWAYS online. Freakin’ computer geek. Although I am quite certain surgical procedures have evolved since 1976.
What Doc did you see in Toronto? I’ll see if my old man knows them.
I hear that. I supose he had the full sternum opening surgery? Yikes. I was in Toronto for work. My wife didn’t come with me. She has been seeing different docs in New York city.
Damn bro, sorry to hear this. Positive energy and thoughts for you both.
was just comin in to check on you. Sorry to hear about your wife…stay strong for her.
Im sorry to hear about this bro, I will keep you guys in my prayers…
DUDE!
You and your lovely bride are going to be OK. Re-read what Todd posted. Of course, you’re still highly stressed as I think all of us would be… but like EVERYBODY ELSE I will send my best positive energy and wish you the best.
DJS, sorry bro… That is quite a emotional issue I’d I imagine. My brother is a pastor and if you don’t mind I’d like to pass you and your wife’s story on to him and his churches prayer chain. Let me know what you think about that idea. I won’t be offended if you’re not down with that…
I’m sure this is a lot to handle but you and the lovely Mrs. DJS will make it through this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Take care and do what you gotta do… We’ll be here thinking about you when things get less crazy.
Keep your head up my man.
Just getting caught up on everyone’s log. So sorry to hear about your wife’s condition. My thoughts go out to both of you. Please keep us informed as to how she’s doing. Is there a particular way she’s leaning now?
james