From KT – June 9, 2013
Good Evening DaVita!
It is Sunday night up here in northern Wisconsin, I hope all of you had as robust and positive weekend as we did. Some precious time with my mommy, my wife, myself … and exercise!
We were up late once again, not turning off the reading lights (I read myself to sleep pretty much every night of the week – sometimes 10 minutes, sometimes 45 or a bit more) until a little after midnight. It took quite awhile to get my mom ready for bed, and then we had to drive back to our cottage. I got a big sleep once again, not getting up until 9 am.
I worked until 10:30, at which point we drove back to see how she was doing. We helped get her changed out of her pajamas and into her clothes, and gave her the 7 or 8 pills she takes in the morning. She had to sign some papers, as I am the executor of her and my late dad’s estate. We also chatted a bit. Then I hustled back for a family conference call with my 5 siblings, which was followed by a DaVita call about our upcoming shareholder meeting on June 17.
Then I hopped on my new mountain bike and got a 64 minute ride in, with solid intensity. This was followed by an excellent rehab session, 20 minutes long, shoulders only. I so much want to get these shoulders back into a good place so I can resume more forms of exercise.
Once I was done with my PT, Denise and I took a recreational bike ride together, for about 40 minutes. Do I get to count those minutes? I will say the answer is no, that was not the spirit of my goal, which was cardio or strength or balance exercise for a certain number of minutes per day. A recreational bike ride would not fit those guidelines.
I returned to my work office in the new cottage and worked a couple more hours, until about 7 pm. We had to do some family administration stuff for about an hour, then we warmed up leftovers for a long and relaxing dinner in front of the fireplace.
It was a glorious weekend overall! I hope the same for most of you! I typically like to get more intense exercise, but we simply got in too late on Friday and had too many other things to do…with my mom , the fact that we are still moving into the new cottage, and work for dear old DaVita …..but at least I got in about 2.5 hours of rock solid activity.
This week starts with a flight Monday morning to Omaha to have lunch with Warren Buffett. That is exciting. Then I fly to Washington DC for a meeting then a dinner with a member of the Board of Directors. Tuesday and Wednesday are filled with DC meetings, from breakfast Tuesday until dinner on Wednesday. Then I fly to Rochester, New York on Thursday for a lunch meeting, then to Los Angeles for a dinner that night. Then to Denver after dinner so I can get in a full day on Friday. The good thing about all those plane flights is I can get caught up on a lot of emails and other work, I typically work every minute on every flight, it is kind of a break from meetings. Unfortunately, as of now, as usual, there is no downtime outside the plane flights. I am glad I love my job and our Village.
One of the things I love about it is how we band together to do good stuff for our patients, for our healthcare systems … AND for each other!!! I am grateful for the positive encouragement many of you have given me to maintain my exercise, and today, with your help, I went my 6th day or whatever of zero diet poisons, I mean cokes! I have not done that for years. You may at the same time be appropriately merciless about the fact I am not dropping much weight, I am accountable and deserve it.
I got to respond to a bunch of your comments late this past week – maybe I will get to do some more this week. If not, please know that (a) I read each and every one, and (b) that all 3,800 of us are shoulder to shoulder marching towards being the Captains of our own ships, the masters of our fate.
With much respect and affection, with you in service, ….. KT
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rich nee said,
June 10, 2013 @ 9:29 am
With your leadership and example there are many teammates in TWC that are doing more than they would have normally (myself included). A good example and friendly competition go a long way. Thanks for making the time for this important aspect of our lives!
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shirley grotheer said,
June 10, 2013 @ 9:36 am
My mom died March 7, 2013. She was 85. Her birthday is march 15 so she was almost 86. I have 2 brothers and we all live in Savannah with my mom and where we grew up. It’s a Southern thing.
She had type 2 diabetes and a heart condition but was on the go until 3 weeks before her death. She loved pottery and shopping sales at the grocery store, playing bridge and doing crossword puzzels. My dad died when he was 65 and mother traveled the world with ladies until she couldn’t walk as well about 10 years ago. She moved to The Marshes an upscale independent living apartment about 7 years ago.
Telling you this because you mentioned moving your mother to Colorado . I think we take our parents for granted and even though we know they will die, it is a shock when it happens. I talked to my mother everyday but only saw her about every 2 weeks. I was busy with my husband, daughters and 6 grandchildren.(They also live in Savannah in my same neighborhood) My only regret is that I had spent more time with her. She had a great sense of humor and I miss that as well as losing my biggest cheerleader. I could do no wrong. She didn’t feel the same way about my brothers. HA!
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Kristine Velez said,
June 10, 2013 @ 9:54 am
KT, as we all know, you are one busy man! We love you for it and for taking care of us all, our patients and of course, foremost your loving family. Glad to hear you got in a good weekend with your Mommy (I love you still call her that) and some great cardio in.
With your busy week ahead I hope you are able to get some more workouts in.
You inspire me to keep moving. If you can do it with your busy schedule there is no reason I can’t keep it going. So far so good for me too.
Back to training for the Tour (my 6th year), eating great and losing weight along the way!
Thank you again for all you do and for inspiring us to keep fit and keep moving!
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Stacey B said,
June 10, 2013 @ 10:16 am
KT…sounds like a wonderful weekend. It is nice to know that our fearless leader takes some time for himself and his family with such a demanding career. Thank you for setting the example that work and life can balance and that you are always dedicated to our Village! Blessings for you this week.
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Corinne Fox said,
June 10, 2013 @ 10:22 am
Dear KT,
Being a Wisconsinite now living in Virginia I could smell the “up north” Wisconsin air emminating from your post. How I miss not only the smell of Wisconsin, but the food as well. Your blog encourages me to MAKE THE TIME for myself and my health. Thank you,
Corinne Fox
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Diane Lange said,
June 10, 2013 @ 12:16 pm
Hi KT!
I was reading over your comments and saw you ate a Snicker’s bar!! I instantly thought, if he can do that I can too and rushed to the candy machine to feast. And it was empty!! So your temptation got me nowhere and I was saved. 🙂 Til next time you mention eating chocolate 🙂
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Brenda St.Clair said,
June 11, 2013 @ 7:08 am
What perfect timing! I decided I was going to the Dr. for a thorough physical along with some fine tuning on my meds. The news wasn’t great, I wasn’t totally surprised I knew I was not taking care of myself like I should. So I decided I was turning things around! Within a day of this major decision “Match the Mayor” showed up on my email. I knew I needed some encouragement and support so I joined with some of my DaVita family. I am doing so much better making strides in improving my blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. This is just what the Doctor ordered! What other company would do this! I am proud to work for DaVita !
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Suzanne Fox said,
June 11, 2013 @ 4:16 pm
Dear KT,
I didn’t drink soda’s for about 30 years…. but recently I found this soda called “Zevia”….. it’s made with the natural sweetner Stevia and has zero calories. They use natural flavors too. You can get it at Whole foods but I’m finding it in mainstream grocery stores too. They make many flavors but the cola is the second best and the Cream soda is by far the best flavor, so much so that my Whole Foods here keeps that flavor marked up a dollar more! I know– what’s up with that!Thank you KT for all that you do for our Village.
Suzanne Fox
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KT's responses to June 9 comments said,
June 12, 2013 @ 12:19 pm
What perfect timing! I decided I was going to the Dr. for a thorough physical along with some fine tuning on my meds. The news wasn’t great, I wasn’t totally surprised I knew I was not taking care of myself like I should. So I decided I was turning things around! Within a day of this major decision “Match the Mayor” showed up on my email. I knew I needed some encouragement and support so I joined with some of my DaVita family. I am doing so much better making strides in improving my blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. This is just what the Doctor ordered! What other company would do this! I am proud to work for DaVita!
Brenda St Clair
I am proud as well.Because of citizens like you!
KT
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KT's responses to June 9 comments said,
June 17, 2013 @ 2:38 pm
Dear KT,
I didn’t drink soda’s for about 30 years…. but recently I found this soda called “Zevia”….. it’s made with the natural sweetener Stevia and has zero calories. They use natural flavors too. You can get it at Whole foods but I’m finding it in mainstream grocery stores too. They make many flavors but the cola is the second best and the Cream soda is by far the best flavor, so much so that my whole foods here keeps that flavor marked up a dollar more! I know– what’s up with that! Thank you KT for all that you do for our Village.
Suzanne Fox
I often drink Vitamin Water when I want some flavor. My issue is when I want caffeine. I must try tea some more! Enjoy!
KT
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Nancy Tiek said,
June 20, 2013 @ 11:57 am
My name doesn’t matter. What matters is that I am sitting here sobbing at how much you care about ALL of US here at DaVita. As I read your journaling I am humbled by your dedication and love for each teammate and each patient. As an FA, I am going to work the floor until every teammate has had an opportunity to read your journal and know what a great opportunity they have to (not work) but to “serve” at DaVita.
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