Beginning to feel like a new woman

What an awesome feeling it is to be feeling well again or at least better than I had in several months.
After several trips to the Dr, a lot of blood work and an Echo on my heart it was determined that I have Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrom. You have no idea what a relief it was to finally receive a diagnosis and some meds to help. There are a lot of diet and exercise changes that need to be implemented for me to be symptom free and gradually it is getting easier and easier to do.
I only drink caffeine one time a day, it would be better to be caffeine free but baby steps right ? I no longer eat or drink anything that has been made w/ white sugars,I can't remember the last time I ate a cookie,the times I have really craved something sweet I have reached in and grabbed a plum or some strawberries.
I no longer have wine w/ my dinner, I am completely alcohol free and my diet is pretty much vegetarian. The nice thing is that I don't feel like I am being denied anything and just keep looking at the big picture. My biggest challenge is getting back to exercising, before I was running at least 3 miles a day and at least 10 on Saturdays, then all of this started and I was getting out of breath and experiencing palpitations just walking up the stairs. As I am feeling better and feeling the meds kick in I can feel my energy increasing and finding it easier to take a brisk walk.
As much as I would like to think I'll be able to do another 1/2 marathon this year and receive my Duo medal for participating in 2 Rock N Roll marathons in a year, the reality is it won't be happening, that makes me sad, but I have to think of my health first and realise it's nothing that I did it's just shitty genes. I am however going to work towards completing a couple of 5Ks, there are several going on in the community in the next few months, each raising money for a very good cause, I'm hoping the kids will join me.
So as I said in a post a little while ago, Madonna will be back, she's just under the surface now folks, so be warned ;-)