Consulting the Blood Doc - Part 1

When I returned home from the MMA Training Camp at Xtreme Coutrure, I was sore and tired. I thought it was the result of intense workouts, the heat of Las Vegas, and the depressing thought of going back to work. Time moved on. I started back up with my workouts. I remained tired and just kind of accepted that as part of getting older. Than the worst possible thing happened. No it wasn't the loss of my job, it wasn't my wife Kelly kicking me to the curb, and it wasn't some bad medical diagnosis. It was worse.

For the last couple of years, my daughter Tammy and I have been playing racquetball, about once a week. It's always been fun and a great workout. Fun, because my daughter is very athletic (she runs triathlons) and even more fun because I've never lost. The game is always a great workout because the game forces you to basically run intervals for an hour. Then it happened. The game was no longer fun. Tammy beat me. Not once, but twice. She beat me two games out of two games. OK, it was still fun, but extremely humbling, and being my daughter, of course she just had to rub it in. I had to listen about how old I was getting, and how my glory days were over. To top it all off, Tammy hit me with the ball and I had a huge welt on my back! This was not good.

While I was mulling this over, I was surfing the web. I read a story about some guy called "The Blood Doc." The story talked about how this guy worked with many pro fighters and other pro athletes. The article went on about how this guy works with these pro athletes in helping them to dial in their nutrition. It also talked about how he analyzed their blood tests and sculpted their nutrition to improve their blood tests and their overall athletic performance. I guess he is kind of a behind the scenes superstar in the UFC. Now here is the catcher, the article talked about how he was able to tune your body, through nutrition, to the point where your athletic performance was not reflective of your age. This was starting to sound good. Then it dawned on me. Hey, I know this guy. I met him at Training Camp, and he had invited me to call him or e-mail him with any questions.

When you have gastric by-pass surgery, your body changes quite a bit. You no longer have a normal digestive track. Your body does not absorb things the same as it once did. As a result, people who have the surgery are forced to take supplemental vitamins and minerals for the rest of their lives. About 6 months after surgery, post-op patients are subjected to a complete series of blood tests. The tests are repeated at the 1 year mark, then again annually for the rest of your life. These tests check all kinds of stuff, and depending on the results, you adjust your supplements. Kind of a pain, but a very small price to pay to get your life back. I had my blood work done in March. Things were all in a great range, but I thought why not send them to the Blood Doc?

I converted about 5 pages of blood work into a pdf document. I then sent them, along with an e-mail to the Blood Doc. I re-introduced myself and told him my concerns, and I gave him a list of the current supplements that I currently take. I really didn't expect a response, and was really surprised when I received an e-mail saying "Give me a call and we can talk about it."

Here is my current list of supplements:

• Fish Oil 1200 mg capsules - I take 5 in the morning and 5 in the evening.
• Calcium Citrate 500 mg tabs - I take 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening.
• Super B Complex - I take 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening.
• Vitamin B12 100 mcg sub-lingual - I take 1 in morning and 1 in the evening.
• Flinstones plus Iron - I take 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening.
• Glutamine - I take 5 in the morning and 10 after my workout in the afternoon.
  

As soon as I got that e-mail response, I jumped on it. I called the Blood Doc. I ended up talking to the guy for about an hour and a half. In the next installment, I'll tell you what he told me, and what steps I'm taking now. Stay Tuned! :-)

Meeting The Blood Doc

We all have secret dreams. You know, those little feelings that you are almost afraid to think about. Everybody has them. When you are obese, many of these dreams are about loosing weight, about having better mobility or just being more active. I know when I was obese, those were my dreams. After my surgery, I began working with Aaron as my Personal Trainer.


Aaron's dream was to become a professional cage fighter. He was training hard at a local academy, eating right, and working out. He had even some amateur fights and was teaching some MMA classes. Aaron was progressing well. He was also working on becoming a certified Personal Trainer, and I was his first fitness client.

Aaron worked me hard. He taught me many things about nutrition, and about getting back into shape. I packed on muscle, and increased my cardio. While all this was happening, Aaron became a fully certified Personal Trainer. He took a great job in Palo Alto at the Equinox Fitness Club. That was great for Aaron, but at the same time, it was kind of sad for me. I was extremely happy for Aaron, I mean he deserved this more than anyone, but I was worried about me. Could I still get in shape? Could I still loose and maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle?

The answer was a resounding YES. I was able to leverage the tools that Aaron had taught me, and as I continued to loose weight and build muscle, I had a new dream.

My dream was to be a cage fighter. Don't laugh. This was my secret inner thought. My dream was to get a pro, semi-pro, or even an amateur fight before I turned 50. I knew that I wasn't going to be on TV, headlining at the Mandalay Bay Hotel, or even at The Hard Rock, but I figured there was something out there for me. There are lots of smaller organizations, and lots of Indian Casino's hosting fights.

I increased my workouts. I pushed my strength training and my cardio. I read everything on cage fighting and studied the shows on TV. Then I received a great birthday present. For my upcoming 50th birthday, my wife, Kelly, sent me to a 3 day, professional cage fighter training camp in Las Vegas. The camp was at Extreme Couture and featured some of the best instructors in the world. (See my posts on this blog from June 14th, June 23rd, June 24th, and June 26th).

While I was checking in to the Camp, the receptionist said I should "talk to John over there, about nutrition and the new XCAP line, oh and by the way, here is a sample of one of the new products"

I went over and introduced myself to "John." I explained that I used to weigh over 400 pounds and that because of my surgery, my absorption rate is much different than most people. He totally understood and said that I really need to watch my vitamin and mineral intake. He then explained a little about the product, O2 Plus+. The product is a "Methyl Donor" and is used for increasing endurance. He then gave me a business card, and told me to call or e-mail him with any questions. I didn't think much about it. I tried the sample and went on to the workout. Little did I realize, that guy was the "Blood Doc." (That's him in the picture)

In my next installment, I'll talk about my consultation with the Blood Doc. Stay Tuned! :-)

The Cost of Getting Fixed

Well it finally came, We got the bill from the Hospital for Kelly's RNY surgery. I am so thankful that my insurance is covering everything, 100% with no deductable! The bill was beyond imagination. Here is a break-down. This does not cover the Surgeon, the Anesthesiologist, or the Radiologist.

Room and Board: 9,510.00
Pharmacy: 1, 172.61
Medical Surgical Supplies: 44,746.41
Implants: 11,938.76
Lab Services: 1,805.92
Diagnostic Radiology: 1,410.00
Operating Room Services: 18,641.07
Anesthesia Services: 5,842.22
Self Administered Meds: 154.28
Recovery Room Services: 1,297.66
Heart and Vascular Lab Services: 1,428.50
Total: $ 97,947.43

Wow - almost $98,000. She had gone in on Monday and come out on Wednesday afternoon. Room and Board for that time frame was over $ 9,500? I read further down the list. I turned to Kelly and said.. "I'm not trying to be a creep, but it says you have almost $12k in implants. Shouldn't things be a little perkier?"

Kelly, always being able to hold her own responded... "Maybe they put them in my but!"

All kidding aside, I thought this bill was a little high. I called the hospital and they sent me a fully itemized bill. What they sent me was 5 pages, with little type, and a bunch of words that didn't look like English. I was able to learn that what I thought implants were, was not what they installed. It turns out they were some kind of sealant, used to close off stuff on the inside.

The operation was a lot of money, but worth every penny!

Pigs, Rabbits, and Chickens - Oh My!

Well a couple of days after Kelly finally saw the pig, I found more livestock in the neighborhood!

You see, I get up early on Saturday and Sunday and I take the dogs to the Aptos Dog Park. I loaded the dogs into Kelly's car and the dogs took their positions. Bindi jumps in the back and lays down and goes back to sleep. Rex always jumps in the front passenger seat and sits up straight, because he doesn't want to miss anything. The dogs are all loaded, and I head off to the Dog Park. I go around the corner, and head on up the street, when suddenly, Rex's ears perk straight up. Right smack in the middle of the road are two of the biggest rabbits that I have ever seen.

As I slow the car to a stop, Bindi jumps up and hops into the front seat. She immediately begins barking at the bunnies. What's funny, is at the dog park, they always see bunnies. Of course they are the smaller, cottontail type, but still, they won't pay them any attention. Now that there are bunnies hopping across the street, they have to bark at them.

After our adventure at the Dog Park, we head for home. We saw at least a dozen bunnies at the Dog Park, and neither dog even barked at them. Once I get home, I tell Kelly about the new livestock in the neighborhood. Of course, she doesn't believe me. "You know I have a soft spot for bunnies, ever since Prunedale." "You are just trying to get me to walk farther."

Back when we lived in Prunedale, we had a pet bunny rabbit. The story of how we got that critter is a classic Prunedal tale. Prunedale used to be really a small rural community. The most exciting store in town was Deaton Feed.

Deaton Feed was an old school feed store. They sold hay bales, dog food, chicken feed, and of course, pig chow. I am serious. We used to buy big sacks of King Brand Pig Chow at Deaton Feed. The store was kind of a community meeting place. Everyone in town would go there for their animal food, the 4H kids would be selling animals, the Girl Scouts were selling cookies, and the old guys would be swapping stories about the good old days.

One Saturday afternoon, Kelly and I loaded up the kids and headed for Deaton Feed. When we got there, there was a guy out front with a bunch of cute bunnies. My daughter Tammy got really excited. "Daddy, Daddy, look at the bunnies!"

Tammy ran up to see the bunnies. Guess what? Yep, she wanted to get a bunny. Not just a bunny, Tammy wanted two bunnies. I explained that you don't get two bunnies, because two don't stay two. "Please, oh Please" she begged. I told her we would look and see if they have any cages inside the store. Well we picked up some pig chow and looked for cages. They were all sold out of the cages. Probably because of the guy out front with the cute bunnies.

As I loaded the pig chow, I explained to Tammy that they didn't have any cages. Tammy asked, "Can't you build one?" I explained that I didn't have any lumber or the time to build one. I didn't tell her that I can't cut a straight line with a saw for anything. I can build a stock car motor that will run with the best. I can pound dents and hang fenders. I can fix just about anything to do with a car, but I'm just not a carpenter. Of course I could never tell my daughter that.

We all got into the car, and I started to back up. I'm looking over my right shoulder when suddenly, I hear a knocking on the drivers side window. I stop the car and look over. It was the guy with the bunnies. He makes a motion for me to roll down my window. I hit the switch. Just as the window gets to the bottom. He reaches behind his back, and tosses a bunny rabbit into the back seat, onto Tammy's lap. The guy tells Tammy, "Tell your Dad not to be so lazy, and build a cage." Then he has the nerve to smile at me. Well our new friend starts hopping around the back seat and Tammy is soooo excited. Ever since then, our family likes bunnies.

When I first had my weight loss surgery, I used to go to the dog park all the time. On weekends, I would go three or four times in a day. Rex and I would walk around the half mile loop, looking for bunnies. We would do up to 12 laps a time. I always counted how many rabbits were seen. It was my way of fighting the boredom of walking in circles. I would return home and proclaim to seeing 20 or 30 rabbits. Of course they were probably the same 5 or 6 rabbits that got counted each time we went around, but that's ok.

Kelly has started walking further. We now walk "to see the pigs and bunnies." I have seen the bunnies a couple of times, and Kelly saw one for the first time yesterday. When I was taking the dogs on a really long walk, I heard the sound of hens clucking and a rooster crowing. Once Kelly builds up some more strength, I'm going to have to get her to go for a walk to look for chickens!

Looking for a Pig! - Part 2

So there I am.... running with my dogs, and what do I see? A pig, sticking his nose out the front door of a neighbors house, in suburban Watsonville. I don't know what's funnier. Seeing a pig, or neither of the dogs seeing the pig and just running by, oblivious to the world with their tongues hanging out.

I get home from my run, and Kelly is still having a tough time. She had Gastric Bypass surgery on Monday. This was Wednesday and had just come home from the hospital earlier in the afternoon. I want her to get up and go for a walk. It is a really important part of the recovery process. So I tell her, I just saw a pig and try to get her to walk down and see it with me. She isn't feeling very well and tells me that there are no pigs in the city and accuses me of making up the story, just to get her out and walking.

The next day, our daughter, Tammy, comes over, and tells my wife "I just saw a pig in your neighbors yard around the corner." Kelly tells her "You and your Dad are in this together." She still wouldn't believe us. The next day is different. I get her up in the morning. "We're looking for a pig. Come on lets go." We walked to the corner and didn't see the pig. We turned around and went home. Later in the day we went again. This time, I talked her into going farther around the block. As we came back I said "watch for the pig." She told me she didn't believe me about the pig. She thinks I'm being a wiseguy.

The next day, once again I use the pig as a reason for Kelly to go for a walk. By this time, Kelly is starting to feel better. She knows she needs to walk and is now a more willing participant. She does let me know that she still thinks that Tammy and I made up the story about the pig. The walk was uneventful. No pig. I'm starting to loose credibility, but that doesn't stop me.

After lunch, it is time to go look for the pig. Just as we get to the area where we should see a pig, Kelly tells me it is time for me to come clean. She wants me to admit that there was no pig. I look her right in the eyes and say "Oh yea, what is that?" She turns to look at where I'm pointing and lo and behold, there is a pig, cute as can be, eating plums that had fallen off a tree!

The pig was pink, with black spots. He looked like a pot bellied pig, but didn't have the dark hair that the traditional Vietnamese Pot Belly Pigs sport. Kelly was excited. She loves animals, and she really hadn't believed me. We looked around and didn't see any humans. Where were the pig owners?

Kelly went to pet the pig, and I went up to the front door. A lady answered the door. I told her that her pig had gotten out. She told me that if she forgets to latch the screen door, he will push through and go look for plums in the yard. I explained that was exactly where he was and asked if she would like me to catch him for her. "I used to raise pigs" I explained. "Nope, I'll just send my husband out.

Her husband came out. He bent down and the pig ran to see him. The pig actually jumped into his arms. This pig must have been at least 85 pounds. I know he was bigger than my dog Rex, not quite as cute, but a lot more solid.

We got to pet the pig some more and learned his name was Bacon. I guess that is a common name for a pig. Anyways.... we also learned that they had a second pig that was 7 years old that was even bigger. I forgot to ask what his name was, but I wouldn't be surprised if his name was sausage.

Kelly now continues to walk, and we still talk about looking for pigs but I have to tell you, I've found more livestock in our area. In my next blog update, I'll tell you why now we actually are looking for rabbits in our neighborhood and how Kelly still won't believe me that I've seen them hopping down our street. :-)