Oh, Elly - how frightening to go through that

I do know exactly how you must have felt - it was the same for me three years ago this coming February 14th, Valentine's Day when Ed had his heart attack and by-pass surgery. It is such a scary thing for both of you to go through.

I know how Jim must be feeling about the restrictions and diet changes. We went thru the hospital-sponsored heart program while Ed was still in the hospital. Even though I'm a nurse, that doesn't mean we always did what we were supposed to do as far as diet goes, far from it!

The first month after he was home, I literally spent hours in the grocery store, learning all about labels and finding new products. But then, once I learned what we now use all the time, I can breeze thru like the old days. It's worth it to make sure that we can keep them with us as long as possible. Things are definitely different now, but different doesn't have to be "bad".

For Ed, the hardest thing has been breakfasts - he always loved his bacon, eggs, etc. Now, he has EggBeater omelets instead, or high-fiber cereal and fruit, and he's gotten used to them, but once a week, I fix him a home version of an Egg McMuffin, using a real egg and Canadian bacon, and a lowfat cheese slice. He says it tastes like "heaven"

This site was a god-send, because of all the great recipes that started pouring in to me, and all the hints everyone gave for cooking the new way. Plus, there's nothing like the support of friends who have gone through it, too. I was surprised how many of our friends here had either gone thru it themselves, or whose DHs had gone thru it.

Please give Jim a hug for us, and you are both in our hearts and prayers.

Much love, June & Ed