A Night In The ER

First of all, I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love, prayers and best wishes, I am well blessed to have so many people who care about me, and so sorry to have worried you all so much. Last night was a very worrying one for me, and although technically I didn't get any answers, in many ways I did, and - if nothing else - validation that what I was going through was real.

Following on from Monday night's "horrible night", yesterday during the daytime, I kept getting the "beginnings" that normally come before a full blown session, but "it" never happened.

It waited until about 7.30pm and then hit me with guns blazing. The palpitations, clamminess, shakes and so I took my blood pressure so that I could make sure that it was ok, and it wasn't. BP was 187/107. At that point I told hubby I was going to the ER. I took 1/2 of one of my pills that my doctor has told me to do when it's that high, as strokes run in my family, so that's a big issue for me, avoiding one!

We were in the waiting room almost 5 hours, we'd got there just after 8pm, they checked me in, then had a nurse give me an EKG, that was normal (as was the one at the doctor a couple of months ago), and triaged me. Then just played the waiting game, along with everyone there at Hillcrest last night.

Just after 11.30pm they took me back, had me give a urine sample, took blood and hooked me up to the monitors. I blubbered like a baby as they put the line in, and she drew the blood. I am just so bad with having needles, and I can laugh at my silly self now, but it never gets any easier.

The monitor was all over the place. My BP went high, then low, then stupid stuff like the top number up in the 170s and the bottom one in the 60s. My heart rate varied between 48 and 58.

The doctor was concerned and they monitored me for over 3 hours, but he says he is glad I have the cardiac appointment for Friday to get a monitor fitted and then a week later to see the cardiologist, as he says, that testing will have a wider net to catch any issues, than a standard EKG does.

But that's where I am at right now with all this, just trying to relax and deal with whatever it is. The good thing from both EKGs I've had so far, is that my heart is healthy, so we just have to figure what's causing the issues.

Thank you all for caring. I am blessed with great family and friends .

A Horrible Night

It happened again last night, first time in about 10 days. The palpitations, clamminess, my blood pressure going up. Lasted almost 3 hours on and off, and I was very shaky and trying to calm myself so that it could pass. Had to take an extra dose of one of my drugs, like my doctor had told me to do when my BP goes up too high, but it was almost 3am before I got to sleep, and the alarm going off at 5.30am was most unwelcome, this morning. After getting hubby fed, lunch packed and off to work, I crawled back into bed and napped on and off for a couple of hours. 

It's afternoon now and I feel like I'm just getting started, LOL. No worries, slow and steady wins the race. I'll just keep plodding on through.

Going to hook up the new DVD player, and get my notebook ready, and start  working the online marketing course so that I can learn some new skills and improve some old ones. 

It's a gorgeous day outside, I have doors and windows open, all 4 dogs are out enjoying it. Sun is shining, birds are singing, I love days like this. Wish I could still walk, normally, as this would be a perfect day for a stroll. Just to be out and about, wandering country lanes or a footpath, relaxing by a stream, all tat good stuff.

Well, enjoy your day, my friends. Blessings to all, and thank you for stopping by

Good morning all, on this peaceful Sunday morning. Hubby is snoozing, in bed, beside me. A few birds keep singing, intermittently. Nature is waking up slowly. We are promised rain today, and there is a greyness in this dawn.

Two of my dogs are out, the other two raised neither an ear nor an eyelid. They are still in dreamland on their cozy blanket. Along with two of the cats, Gizmo and Precious, our ginger fur balls, but Snuggles is on the window sill in the bathroom, and Bandit is out on the front porch, which is her favourite place. 

The coolness is being enjoyed by all, I have the doors and windows open so that the fresh air can just waft on through.

Planning a lazy day ahead with hubby. We were supposed to meet with one of my ladies, down in Hickory Tavern, for an #AVONdelivery, but she has gone down with a virus, so it's postponed now until next weekend. She works as a nurse's aide with the elderly, so being ill is not a luxury that she can afford, so praying for her to get well as quickly as possible.

I used to work as a nurse's aide many years ago, when I was younger. Sadly, although I joke about it, I am coming to the point where I am going to be needing one of my own, soon. I wrote a poem, once, also, from the point of view of a caregiver :

This poem "wrote itself" one night as I sat at my computer and I realised later it was about an older woman, maybe suffering from Alzheimer's or paralysed by a stroke, from the view of a caregiver.

When I look into your eyes I see the pain from deep within, the confusion and inner turmoil of an active mind in a body which frustrates it.  I catch glimpses of an earlier twinkle, when life was good and your manner gay; now, in the twilight of your life, the copper hair is silvered and a mist falls over your eyes.  Where is the young girl who ran on the clifftops, paddled in oceans, picked shells on the shore? Where is the maiden who courted the young man, resplendent in uniform, bound for the war? He who returned to her, shell-shocked and wizened, who took her to wife, and whose children she bore? And where is she, that mother, who gave birth to two children, but whose love had no boundaries, and who craved even more?  She is here, in your mind, in the pictures that play there, the memories of all that you've seen and you've done, and I see her sometimes, in the looks that you give me, with your mind ever active, and the body you shun.  I feel for your sadness, your independence long taken, and wish I could grant you, strong limbs, straight and true . But all I can offer, is respect and assistance in this twilight existence, I'll stand beside you.

I always think it's one of my favourites, almost like 2-poems-in-1 because of the change in cadence.

Well, the rain has started, so enjoy your day. I'm listening to it pattering on my awnings, and the fresh scent of it on the grass and int outside of my bathroom window.

Saturday is turning out pretty awesome!

I'm really enjoying this first day of the weekend. It began with a lie-in, always a good thing, yes? 

Then my friend Dimple was over to clean for me, and brought her hubby and kids to visit. She also put my #AVONvinyls on my car, so now I feel I've got an #AVONmobile again, LOL.

Sara and Sam were in fine form, driving her nuts, but giving us lots of smiles. I'd forgotten how hard it is to not giggle when kids are being sassy and mama is trying to maintain her cool. 

Hubby tried to work on his bike for a little while. Then he went to KFC to grab himself a late lunch, and I had him get me some potato wedges. I made myself some Bisto chip shop curry sauce and mixed 3oz of roast chicken breast, out of my freezer, in with it. Def filled a spot!

I know, fast food. Bad for me. High in sodium and fat. My "thing" though, with my weight loss journey is "a little of what you fancy ..."  By not denying myself anything, I'm learning to limit those indulgences that really aren't so good for me, but my body knows that nothing is forbidden. Just some things are more "occasional" than others.

It's working for me, I'm now 46lbs down, and very thankful. Still have a long way to go, but they say "slow and steady wins the race" so I'll just keep on keeping on.

Yesterday was a comedy of errors on my visit to Carolina Cardiology - apparently, I had mixed up my dates, and my appointment isn't until NEXT Friday! That's when they hook up my monitor, and then, the following week, I meet the cardiologist and he'll go over everything that the machine shows, with me.

Hubby said we were like a pregnant couple making a "dry run". Well at least we know where we are going next time!

Just enjoying a lazy afternoon, now. Watching "Chopped" on tv, it's a stars tournament for charity.

Have a wonderful afternoon, and enjoy your weekend!

I LOVE my doctor

Last night's storms played havoc with my blood pressure, as I hate thunder and lightning, always have since I was a little girl. I was so stressed, it was probably 1am before I nodded off, and when hubby's alarm started beeping this morning, my eyelids were like lead and DID NOT want to open!

We'd had an hour and a quarter lie-in, but 6.45am was still only 5 hours sleep or so, for me. We both had early doctor appointments though, his being at 8am and mine at 9am, so the  shower was calling my name, and it did feel so good once I was sat in there with the water running over me.

My doctor appointment went sooo well, my blood pressure was awesome 130/60, and my weight!!!! Ta-raaaa, another 4lbs gone in the past couple of weeks. She was sooo pleased with me, that's a total of 46lbs now! We discussed what I'm doing, we discussed my meds and me being able to cut them down as my weight goes down and my BP stays stable within a normal range, and it was just a really good appointment.

I no longer get an annual Pap Smear, apparently the ACA cut the requirements for my age group from annually to 3-5 years ... so that's all insurance will pay now. Not sure how that is better for my health/prevention, but it's just another way the ACA has affected things and our insurance. 

I still rant about our deductible and have been round and round with the insurance company on it, but I know I will never win. It just annoys me that our deductible is SUPPOSEDLY $3000 per person, yet ours is $9000 for the 2 of us BECAUSE WE ARE CLASSED AS "A FAMILY". Yes, but we are still only 2 people. I know they get so aggravated with me when I ask them if they are using Common Core and to explain how 2 times $3000 somehow equals $9000.

Oh for the days before ACA when our deductible was only $900 a year.

Hubby took the whole day off since we had the appointments, and is going to take trash and recycleables to the dump/collection point, and also work on his motorbike. 

Later this afternoon, I am going to be out delivering #AVONorders to a couple of my customers. I did give #AVONbrochures to my office ladies in the doctor's office, while I was there. 

I'm just looking forward to enjoying my time with hubby today, and then tonight we have a pick up for our pork chops order from Zaycon between 6.30-7pm. We loved the chicken breasts we got from them, and I have an order of sausages coming the next time. I LOVE this service, and it saves us a lot of money on meats that we eat!

Have a lovely day, my friends. The weather is gorgeous here right now, cool but bright, just really comfortable. Enjoy!

Happy Sunday

Good morning everyone on this beautiful Sunday morning. The sky is clear, the temps are comfortable, and my doggie family members are all outside enjoying the freshness.

I was just reading my daily Bible reading, and found a study Bible on sale, so have ordered it for myself. I need to get deeper into studying The Word. I'm excited to receive my new Book!

Hubby is headed out to his chiropractor at The Barnyard in Greer, in a little while, and will be stopping by the European Market on Woodruff Rd, on his way home. They got my Bisto Chip Shop Curry Sauce in, yesterday, about an hour after we'd been there. Isn't that always the way stuff happens??

Tomorrow is my son's birthday. My firstborn. He'll be 45. Wow, and I can remember everything about his birth, and counting his fingers and toes, and thinking just how perfect he was. Being totally amazed at how he had grown inside me, what a miracle it truly was, and immediately being totally besotted by him!

He's still my pride and joy, and I am so proud of him. He has done well, and is a good son!

My grandson, Dylan, is just over halfway through his Army Basic Training, and is doing well at Boot Camp in Missouri. I've had a few letters from him, and am so proud that he is doing something so honourable. He is going to be a Medic.  

When he was living in New York, he was volunteering as a fireman, while working as a welder, so this is another experience for him.

On Wednesday, I have my next doctor appointment and physical. I am hoping the scales show another drop in my weight, as that's the only place I get weighed. My eating plan is going well though, and I seem to be having less of the whacky heartrate episodes, so I am hoping my body is healing itself, and that I am on the mend, finally.

Yesterday, we bought a DVD player so that I can work an online marketing course. Being ill for almost the whole of the last 6 months, has meant my business has suffered, so now that I am beginning to feel better, and get back into the swing of things, I am going to be working extra hard to jumpstart it again ... and hopefully to make the rest of this year even better!

We've also ordered me a portable one so that, hopefully, in the future, I will be able to work with some of my team members to help them utilize what I learn too. For now, it's going to be the challenge of getting my lazy brain cells to comprehend what I'm being taught, so that I can put the ideas into action.

Have an awesome day, my friends.

A nice day!

It's been  a lovely day.  It began cold, actually ... frigid is a better word to describe it!  It was bitter, this morning, but the weatherman did say this was supposed to be the last of it and we were supposed to start a warming trend, so I'm hopeful.

This morning was my friend Dimple's day to come in and do my cleaning for me, since I now can't. It's always nice when she comes we laugh a lot, chat, and my house is always so clean and fresh-smelling after she's done. I am well blessed in having her as a friend, she helps me so much. I would be lost without her, she has helped remove so much stress from my life. The guilt I had after becoming disabled, and being unable to do it myself any more. And my hubby, working at his job all day, and then coming home, and trying to keep up with it ... and me feeling even worse about that. Dimple coming in, once a week, has taken all of that stress away. It's wonderfully freeing.

I've started trying to learn some new tricks, ha ha. I'm working on getting my online activity more pronounced, for my business, so am going to be working through a marketing course that includes using various platforms, and walks you through how to do it. I am so un-techy, so watching the lady demonstrate what she is explaining, will be very helpful in giving me the ability to understand and try it myself. I'm not in a race, I'll just be taking my time to let it all sink in ... and probably taking copious amounts of notes as I go along.

I've actually been feeling pretty decent the past couple of days, too, and my blood pressure has been within normal limits, even when it's been a somewhat high-normal. I am very thankful for that, I so need my health back! I can deal with the lack of physical capability, as long as I feel ok, and not sick all the while.

Well, hope you all have a nice weekend. Just watching some telly tonight now with my hubby. Goodnight all.

Ups and downs

So many things going on right now, gosh life sure has a way of making you feel you are on a roller coaster, that's for sure!  Things start going great, almost tooooo great ... and then it's like, ok, you enjoyed THAT moment so now let's throw a spanner in the works! And it does!

It's like the weather ... it was in the 20s this morning! Brrrrrrr!  It was 70s just last week! No wonder everyone keeps getting sick. I have so little tolerance to heat and cold now, so it affects me  a lot when it swings like a pendulum. My body just can't seem to adjust quickly enough. Ah the joys of a bad thyroid, and getting older. LOL.

Health-wise, my weight is going down nicely. At my doctor's office, 2 weeks ago, I had lost another 5lbs. That's a total of 42lbs since last September. My next doctor visit is a week from tomorrow, so I'm hoping to see the scale go even lower this time. I don't weigh inbetween doctor visits, their scales are calibrated so I just stick with that.

As for the rest of my health, I am doing better, but not out of the woods yet. I had gone 10 days and was feeling that the weird heartbeat stuff was over, and then it happened again badly, one night. I hate that, because it stresses me so much and my blood pressure skedaddles up very quickly, and then I'm fighting to both do my deep breathing and trying to calm myself down. It's very scary when it happens. Sometimes I get like a "feeling" before it starts happening, I guess like they say people with epilepsy get an "aura". Whatever, I don't like it when it happens. I don't like it at all!

I am waiting on my last set of bloodwork results, but the nurse did call me and said there was improved kidney function, she just did not say by how much. She said the doctor will discuss it with me next week when I go to see her. I'm glad there's been improvement, and am hoping it's continuing!

I am very thankful this week, my little brother fell off a scaffold at work, fell 30 feet, and is very lucky to be alive. He has numerous injuries (as one would imagine) and had a couple of surgeries already, on morphine for pain, and looks like he did 10 rounds with Mike Tyson. Or more!  I'm just very thankful we did not lose him. Last night, on our local news, a man fell from a roof and died, and it just reiterated how blessed my family is.

Last Saturday, hubby and I made it to Cedar Falls Park, only a few miles from us.

It was a beautiful spot! The weather was a little chilly, but we were well wrapped up. I sat on a rock and just enjoyed the fresh air and watching the birds play, listening to the roar of the water rushing over the shoals.

It was just so calming for me, and it felt good to be out and enjoying nature. I used to love going to places like this when I could walk better.

Hubby went exploring the site, never out of view, but we'd forgotten to bring my wheelchair or walker ... the ground being so uneven though, I doubt either would be of much use. Next time, we'll have to take my ridearound.

"My" rock, LOL. With hubby's help, I had made it from the parking to to this big rock, and sat on the smaller one to catch my breath. Then made it from there to the small rock on the right. That one was a bit higher though, so my legs were hurting, and I decided to sit at one of the picnic tables. From that rock to the big one was maybe 15 yards. It took me a lot of stop and gos to get back to the little one by the big rock, to sit again. I managed maybe 5 or 6 steps and would then have to stop, and rest myself with my hands on my thighs to stay vertical. LOL. I was very proud of myself for making it unaided though. Hubby was surprised and a bit concerned, but it felt good to have managed to have done it by myself.

It's definitely a place we're going to be going back to. It was lovely, and just a nice escape, enjoying the tranquillity of nature. I bet in Summer, it will be lovely to lie down and nap with the sound of the water ... only trouble is, if I was even able to get down on the ground, I know I'd never be able to make it back up.

Well, enjoy the rest of your day. Be blessed, my friends!

A New Day, A New Week

Good morning everybody! Happy Monday!

Well, I'm happy to be starting this week feeling much better than I have the past couple of months, so I'm thankful for that blessing, and hoping to have a productive time over the next few days. As one would expect, my lack of attention to my AVON business has resulted in it floundering somewhat, but when my health was taking up so much of my thoughts, everything else fell by the wayside. I just couldn't think of anything else but trying to keep my blood pressure down and my heartbeat from pounding erratically. I am sincerely hoping that the worst is over, and I can get back to "being me" again.

Yesterday was my darlin' hubby's 53rd birthday, awww he's still such a babe compared to my 62 years, LOL. We have been married 31 years, 32 this August, and that's a def "who'd a thunk it?". We had some really hard times at the beginning, but we made it through.

We went to Chili's for a slap-up meal, and he had the Smokehouse Platter, while I had the Grilled Chicken Caribbean Salad. I was real good too, I had them bring me a take out box and I popped half of mine in the box before I started, which came home with me for today's lunch! Hubby ate all of his, but the dogs were happy as he brought them home his rib bones.

I had bloodwork done again at the doctor's last Thursday morning, and hopped on their scales while I was there ... another 5lbs lost, so that's now 42lbs gone. Another 3 and a half pounds and I will be 1/4 of the way to my goal weight of 140lbs, but will be happy with 160lbs. I haven't weighed either in 30 years! People might joke and say it was marriage that did it to me, but it was actually an underactive thyroid, that went undiagnosed for 20 years as I struggled with putting on the weight of another whole person, in just 15 months.

Had a visit from my granddaughter and her 2 babies, Daniel and Sami, this morning. Now she's on a hunt for a dress for Sami's next pageant in August. I don't envy her!

Hoping you all have an awesome week. Enjoy each moment ... once it's gone, it's gone forever!