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Life Threw a Curve ball last week.....

which is why my post is later than usual.

 
 

When we get up in the morning, we may have our day planned, but it may not turn out that way.

     Last Thursday I woke up feeling a little 'off.' You probably know what I mean. Within two hours I was totally miserable, and it started to look bleak for the plans my husband and I had for the rest of the day.

     It turned out to be a very long day. It always is when you are very uncomfortable. I have nurse's training and knew the possibilities of my symptoms. It is also our lifestyle here to seek our Heavenly Father for advice and not run willy-nilly for assistance in a state of panic. By nine that evening my priority was to find out the cause of the discomfort so it could be addressed. For the first time in years and years I sought help in the emergency room. I've been there - to support other people.

     Now all you have to do is say you have chest pain - it was actually an acute burning between my ribs - and you get all the attention you could ever want. Pokes, prods, blood draws, electrocardiograms....  The end of questions and tests was, a cardiac accident. We call it a heart attack. There was no doubt.  That earned me an ambulance ride to a higher level of care facility. It also got me the medication that finally stopped all of the discomfort. What a relief! (And my covid test - an unpleasant experience - was negative.)

     It is humbling to be on the receiving end in a health crisis. It was gratifying to know that with God's help I could do it fairly graciously. After all, when I chose to go through those emergency room doors it gave the professionals there permission to do what they have been taught to do.  And they did it well. Were there some glitches? A couple, but nothing serious. My caregivers knew their jobs and came across as caring individuals. Everything was explained ahead of time. (Almost all of the nurses were so young and energetic! The doctors too.)

     Less than forty-eight hours later  found me home again, in my own bed. Had all of the tests, the transfer, the explanations, the procedures, and the discharge - which is complicated enough in itself - really happened since getting out of bed Thursday morning??? 

     One unfortunate side effect was water leaking into my muscle tissue in my right arm due to the catheter procedure that located the problem and fixed it. Looking at my black and blue right arm, which is a bit tender to touch, verifies that yes, this really happened. 

     This was rough on my husband although he wouldn't admit it, at least not then. People should always remember the people who Care about the people who are in crisis. He had that support and it meant a great deal.

     Not my time yet, apparently.  We had a lot of caring friends and relatives giving prayer cover.  My goal is to be there for all of them, in any way I can, when they need me to be. 

There were few restrictions and I feel good. But drat, now there are these pills to take.... 


 

  

Comments

  1. Yes, we are praying for you.
    As one who has never been blessed with anything more than "indifferent" health (sounds better to me than sickly, which I often hear), I am well aware that the harder role is the loving bystander.

    Your thoughts about giving permission to the hospital staff to do what they were trained to do resonates. I have put up with a lot of unnecessary stuff without complaint, mostly tests that I know are more for the benefit of physicians who have been threatened with ridiculous lawsuits than for the benefit of the patient, and I have always been grateful for the treatment that has brought relief and sometimes saved my life.

    Over the years, I have heard a lot of complaints about ER staff and wait times. But you won't hear them from me. I have received mostly excellent care without any unnecessary wait. (It was right that the man with a puncture wound near his eye be treated before me. ) One former ER nurse, encountering us in a shop once, responded to my thanks for the great and quick care by telling us that we never waited because I only went with true emergencies.

    Sadly, yes, the staff knew us by sight well enough to recognize us around town.

    So glad you are recovering. I continue to pray for healing.

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    1. The emergency room in this little town had a very poor reputation at one time. They have worked hard to change that, and having accompanied two other individuals who needed care before being on the examination table myself, I think they have accomplished that.
      The remarks one hears from the local populace is encouraging too.

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    2. I'm very glad the changes happened before you needed the ER!

      As a nurse, you are probably aware of the many possible aftereffects of a heart attack, including a type of depression resulting from changes in hormones in the brain (like dopamine or serotonin or something). I certainly hope you don't have any additional issues, but then that's why we keep praying. For you and for Bill.

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    3. A retired health care professional friend and I were talking about this very thing after my discharge home. Because so many cardiac patients are now active so much quicker, plus the treatment is usually less traumatic, the depression factor has lessened. We remember how long term and debilitating recovery was not so very long ago.
      Some conditions require open heart surgery, which is more invasive and has a longer recovery period.
      Just realizing the ticker had a big hiccough is rough on many people mentally, I think., and do not hormonal changes always put the person at risk for depression until mental adjustment is made?
      Any reason you want to pray for us, we welcome it!

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  2. Glad you are back home and recovering. You're a good story teller! You would make a great author.😊

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  3. And the beat goes on..... as you say, time for the pills and hopefully your recovery will be as smooth as the apparently wonderful care and repair you received. But, it really isn't over just yet. Still thinking of you and Bill and sending positive vibes your way. P

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  4. thanks for all of the support!
    Life is a gift; one day at a time.

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  5. I'm so glad you were given the care you needed in good time. In the cities here, doctors and specialists seem to be hiding in a secret room somewhere and only show their faces on video chats. Praying for your continued recovery. Take care:)

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    Replies
    1. Well I never did see anyone's noses or mouths.....

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