My Odometer Has Passed Sixty and with a BANG

I am so happy to be able to post. I have been on an adventure that I wouldn't have chosen, but perhaps it will help me change my life and save it. I'll start from the beginning. Thursday night I had what felt like a mild asthma attack. My inhalers and medicine for my nebulizer are expired because I haven't had an attack in years (thank the Lord). So Friday I called the doctor to get some new prescriptions called in. They said I had to come in and get checked since I hadn't been to my PCP since the spring. I go to the specialists, but usually not my PCP so much. I went in and they listened to my recent symptoms(chest pains, swollen ankles and feet, short of breathe) So they gave me an EKG and it was showing that something was wrong.



They wheeled me over to the ER and I was admitted. They thought I had a blood clot or possibly congestive heart failure. As some of you know, I am in Atlanta during the week and back in South Carolina on the weekends. Some of my co-workers came to the hospital and got stuff out of the back of my car so I could have my reading materials and get on with life. Saturday they started with what felt like a jillion tests: CT scans, ultrasounds, more nuclear tests and then decided to do a heart catherization Monday.



Sunday I turned the big 6-0 and how much fun was that? Saira brought me fresh warm Krispy Kreme donuts. Since I figured once I got out of there I would not be eating anymore donuts, I had to have one. I only had one, but one of the ladies that worked in dietary and had brought me my meals got me a birthday cake. I will post the picture later. Others from work came up and we laughed about the size of the bathroom. It was like an airport bathroom once I got my IV drips and all my paraphernalia in it. Remembering I am not a wisp of a thing.



My little cute doctors came in and after the cath Mark and Jolie were sitting waiting with me on the results and what would happen next. One of them told me I had an 'opportunity' and I needed to take it. I have to change my stress levels, diet, and I have to start moving around. When I asked him about my diet, he said, "Vegetables and fruits!" I about fainted and then I said, "Really, what do you mean?" He said that I had to get on a low sodium diet and I have to do some exercise. He said water aerobics and a stationary bike should be good for me since I can't put weight on my feet much. So I am off on a new path.



I came home and I'm staying with Jolie so I can truly rest and not have all the dogs at home. Mark will come over and visit and I am strictly in a 'chill-axing' state. I'm just going to read, look at blogs and watch tv. Oh yow, in the middle of all the hospital drama we had so much flooding in Atlanta. Some of my employees couldn't even leave their subdivisions. Schools are closed and it is a hot mess. It took us what seemed like forever to get out of town last night. It's so sad. I think six people have lost their lives. We have had a drought for so long and people were praying for rain. Well, we certainly got it.



I have missed you guys and I would appreciate your prayers as I get on all the new meds and changes my diet. For those of you out there that have great health, be thankful everyday! When you face possible heart surgery and know that you could be controlling your destiny with your eating habits and stress levels....it's scary. I will start leaving work at a decent time and I need to get at least eight hours a night sleep. It's always been easy for me to push myself and keep trying to go farther and I am now realizing it's not always worth it. For sure it's not worth it when I have to think about leaving my family.



My sister in law told me about a site called Spark People and I am trying to get some neat ideas for things I will enjoy and can eat that are low sodium. If you know of any please let me know. I'm so happy I'm back in bloggyworld. I love you guys.