Go Ahead Take A Bite

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

A Shocking Turn of Events, An Update and A Blog Break

This identical post is appearing on both of my blogs, so for those of you who subscribe to both, I apologize for the duplication.


Hello all,

Just wanted to get a short note out, to explain what's been going on in my world and to let you know that I'll be here on a somewhat limited or spoadic basis, at least for a little while, anyway. It's hard to be specific about potential posting dates, but I hope it won't be too long before I'm able to get back to the blog on a more full time basis. So, what's the big hold-up?

Well, much to my surprise, (and shock) a little over a week ago, I had (and am now recuperating from) a pretty serious heart attack. Honestly, folks... I never saw it coming and I had no idea that I was even remotely "in the risk zone", until it happened.

The Hubbers and I were out shopping at the local outlet stores, for some last minute attire and accessories for our daughter's upcoming (August) wedding in Virginia. It was unbearably hot (as it has been for most of the summer here in the Northeast) and I was feeling quite unwell, from what I assumed was a combination of how brutally high temperatures and humidity affect my Lupus and what I believed at the time, was a really bad case of heartburn, that I'd been battling on and off for the last couple of days. We decided to head home, but once we were in the car and on our way, that little intuitive voice in my head told me that something was horribly wrong and I told my Hubby that he needed to drive me straight to the Emergency Room instead.

After arriving at out local hospital's ER and once it was determined that I was indeed in the midst of a major
cardiac episode, I was taken upstairs to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab where over the next 2 hours, three arterial wire mesh stents were placed, during a procedure called an angioplasty. After three days in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, I was discharged home and ordered by my doctors to rest extensively and lay pretty low, so that my body has an opportunity to heal from this unexpected and frankly, terrifying attack. I honestly feel like I've been hit head on by a Mack truck and I believe this will be a long recovery for me.

On a slightly more positive note, my doctors were somewhat astounded by how little permenant damage there seems to have been to my heart, given that I had what was apparently, a major heart attack.

I'll try to post updates as often as I'm feeling up to it throughout the coming weeks, as I slowly but surely heal and get myself back on track. I am one incredibly lucky woman and I can't even begin to say how grateful I am to the doctors, nurses, aids and other staff at our local hospital, for literally saving my life.

And as for my husband, my daughter and other family members and friends.... well, let's just say that without their love and constant attention, I would have never made it through all of this with the kind of strength that I needed to push through the pain and work toward getting home and on my way to recovery. They have been taking exceptional care of me here at home and I am truly blessed.

Take good care of yourselves and of each other, my friends. You never know what might be around the corner.....

8 comments:

  1. Wow,that was pretty scary. Very glad to hear you have had a happy ending to your story. Take care of yourself and recuperate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the good wishes, Barbara. I'm getting there, slowly but surely. My hubby isn't letting me do any more than I absolutely have to and even then, he's "mother henning" me allover the place. That's OK, though. I know where it's comming from and I'm sure I'd be doing the same thing to him. ;)

      Delete
  2. Well oh my gosh Mary! What a shock 'cause you are so young! What a miracle that you were out and went straight to ER. You will be in my prayers for a quick recovery. Take good care of yourself because we'll miss you while you're gone. You are loved!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw Nan... You're such a doll. I very much appreciate the prayers and the good thoughts and believe me, I need as many as I can get right now. I just want the constant worrying about every little twinge I feel, to stop. Doc says it's normal after a heart attack, but I'm not liking it one bit.

      Delete
  3. Never ignore that inner voice! I am so glad you went straight to the ER. That was good thinking. It very likely resulted in the Better Result of "very little heart damage" due to your quick thinking. You follow the doc's orders and be easy on yourself. Love and light to you!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Rob... That's what the docs are saying. I was honestly afraid that those 3 or 4 days prior, where I kind of pooh-pooh'd it as heartburn, would have made it much worse. I'm shocked, but obviously happy that I'd read at least a little bit about the differences between men's and women's symptoms when having an attack. I'm taking it easy, so no need to worry about that. I also think I can safely say that this is one of the few times where I won't be questioning docs orders. :~) Lot's of love and light to you too! XOXO

      Delete
  4. Just coming over here to SEE HOW YOU'RE DOING??? Missing your posts but hope you're recuperating and enjoying life to the slowed-down max!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for checking in on me, Nan! I've been pretty good, but tired. They're keeping me very busy. I've been going to cardiac rehab classes 3 times a week and have been trying to tie up as many loose ends as possible regarding my daughter's wedding from way up here in NY State. (she's getting married a week from today in Virginia!)

      Hopefully, once things settle down in the early part of the Fall, I can get back to the blog. I do have some posts that I've been working on, but focus is not my forte right now, it seems. lol I miss it and I sure do miss all of my wonderful friends in cyberland! XOXOXO Mary

      Delete

Spill your heart out!