And I'm not making any apologies either. Me being sick, and the fall out from it, pretty much dominates my life these days whether I want it to or not.
So the blood pressure monitoring kit that HSM sent over for me to use, well, it proved to be too much for my Uncle David. I am now the proud possessor of a 21st century automatic battery operated model, compliments of Uncle David.
This new one is really cool. I can do it all by myself. You just place the cuff around your upper left arm, press a button and voila! It self-inflates and then gives you a digital readout of your blood pressure and your pulse rate. Easy!
I spent yesterday afternoon and evening at HSM's for a bbq. It was fun and the food was good. I even had two s'mores for dessert! And when I got home and took my blood pressure, it was the lowest it's been since I started charting it.
Today is another hot and humid day. There are wicked storms just southeast of here, winds clocking at 60 mph and hail. I don't see how it's going to miss Farmington Hills. As such, I have to wind this up so I can start shutting windows, etc.
You be good and be careful,take care, stay strong. And remember I'll be gone for part of the day tomorrow at the doctors.
hugs, Tawny
248-615-1300
--
Sent on a phone using T9space.com
Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Who me? A whiner? Oh no!
That stuff I wrote yesterday, while all true, I sure do wish I'd found a better way to say it minus the whining. I have nothing to whine about, absolutely nothing. I am so blessed to have come through all of those medical things as well as I have.
This morning HSM's #1 Son came by with their blood pressure kit. Those darn homeschoolers have everything! Not only did he take my blood pressure, but he showed me how to do it myself. Unfortunately, for some goofy reason, I can't get the hang of it. My Uncle David has now been taught how to do it and he is my designated twice daily blood pressure taker.
Changing the subject, are you a Ray Charles fan? I like him okay, but I'd never bought any of his cds, leastwise not until I picked one up for $1 at a garage sale. 'Visonary Soul' is the title. I've been listening to it most of the afternoon and it's really good.
Another thing that's really good is the reality/documentary show '30 Days'. I caught an old episode of it on the Green Channel last weekend and loved it. Apparently, the FX channel is where it originally ran. Amazon is my friend and the entire series arrived in Thursdays mail. If you've never seen any of the episodes, oh my goodness but you've missed a good show.
And, last thing for today, my Uncle David became a great grandfather for the first time today. His oldest grandaughter had a baby boy, 7 lbs. 1 oz. He is so thrilled!
Be good and be careful, take care, stay strong.
hugs, Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
--
Sent on a phone using T9space.com
This morning HSM's #1 Son came by with their blood pressure kit. Those darn homeschoolers have everything! Not only did he take my blood pressure, but he showed me how to do it myself. Unfortunately, for some goofy reason, I can't get the hang of it. My Uncle David has now been taught how to do it and he is my designated twice daily blood pressure taker.
Changing the subject, are you a Ray Charles fan? I like him okay, but I'd never bought any of his cds, leastwise not until I picked one up for $1 at a garage sale. 'Visonary Soul' is the title. I've been listening to it most of the afternoon and it's really good.
Another thing that's really good is the reality/documentary show '30 Days'. I caught an old episode of it on the Green Channel last weekend and loved it. Apparently, the FX channel is where it originally ran. Amazon is my friend and the entire series arrived in Thursdays mail. If you've never seen any of the episodes, oh my goodness but you've missed a good show.
And, last thing for today, my Uncle David became a great grandfather for the first time today. His oldest grandaughter had a baby boy, 7 lbs. 1 oz. He is so thrilled!
Be good and be careful, take care, stay strong.
hugs, Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
--
Sent on a phone using T9space.com
Friday, May 28, 2010
It Only Gets Better
I'm on all sorts of medication these days. All of them have the potential to have side effects. Some of the various possible side effects are silly, some are annoying and some have the potential to be hazardous to ones health.
Lucky me, I am experiencing side effects that, unless immediately dealt with, have the potential to be health busters.
One of the meds I take is Diltiazem. That's the generic name. I take the generic form because, while it's still pricey, it's less expensive than the name brand drug.
My feet and ankles are swollen. Initially I figured it was a result of the high heat and muggy, humid days we've been having. Nope. Starting tomorrow I am off Diltiazem. Just like that. They say within 7 to 10 days it should be totally out of my system. And my shoes will once again fit, and I wont walk funny anymore.
I was also told that now I have to have someone daily take my blood pressure and record the numbers. Then on Tuesday I must go to the doctors and have the nurse write my daily bp numbers into my file. And I need to see the doctor. This is serious business, I was told.
My game plan was to fully return to answering the phones on the 1st of June. This just may be a minor setback. I hope quitting the darn drug doesn't mess me up or make something else worse.
Be good and be careful, take care, stay strong.
hugs, Tawny
248-615-1300
--
Sent on a phone using T9space.com
Lucky me, I am experiencing side effects that, unless immediately dealt with, have the potential to be health busters.
One of the meds I take is Diltiazem. That's the generic name. I take the generic form because, while it's still pricey, it's less expensive than the name brand drug.
My feet and ankles are swollen. Initially I figured it was a result of the high heat and muggy, humid days we've been having. Nope. Starting tomorrow I am off Diltiazem. Just like that. They say within 7 to 10 days it should be totally out of my system. And my shoes will once again fit, and I wont walk funny anymore.
I was also told that now I have to have someone daily take my blood pressure and record the numbers. Then on Tuesday I must go to the doctors and have the nurse write my daily bp numbers into my file. And I need to see the doctor. This is serious business, I was told.
My game plan was to fully return to answering the phones on the 1st of June. This just may be a minor setback. I hope quitting the darn drug doesn't mess me up or make something else worse.
Be good and be careful, take care, stay strong.
hugs, Tawny
248-615-1300
--
Sent on a phone using T9space.com
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Update!
So how tired are you of hearing that on my answering machine (smile)?
I saw the stomach doctor earlier this week. After looking over the ultrasound of my stomach he agreed that it appeared as if I had gall stone(s). After examining me, and finding no tenderness in that area, he said that while he could send me for an additional test, something nuclear (?), there was no sense in doing that. Better I should continue on as I have been--with my new low fat diet and the meds the cardiologist gave me (one of which is for cholesterol). He said if the whites of my eyes turn yellow, if my urine and/or excrement turn a funny color, or if I have another gall bladder attack, I should call him.
My game plan is--should any of those above mentioned things occur--to proceed immediately to the emergency room. Since a heart attack happened in conjunction with the last two gall bladder attacks, well, I'm not taking any chances.
I've been following the cardiologist's orders--taking my medicine, eating a low fat/low salt diet. He said I should exercise so I pedal. I started out pedaling for one hour a day and now I'm up to three hours a day, seven days a week. I have the bike thingie set up in front of the tv I use the webtv on, so I pedal as I surf the internet.
The rest of my day I spend reading and crocheting. I'm working on my second afghan since the heart attack(s). I listen to cds. And Facebook is my friend because it lets me stay in touch with my friends at my own pace.
In the beginning, I wasn't permitted to drive. Once the cardiologist restored my driving privileges that gave me the opportunity to get out of the house by myself and freed up my friend, HSM, who had so kindly been chauffeuring me. HSM still takes me to my doctor appointments though. And then we go to lunch afterwards. I have become a Lady Who Lunches (smile).
I'm eating more now, although often times I still have to force myself because it's rare for me to be hungry. I think it's all the darn medication I'm on. And I don't get hot, not even when it's 80+ degrees out. The meds have made me elderly-like (smile).
I'm starting to answer the phone every now and again. I don't catch it each time it rings so you still catch the update message, but when I'm feeling good I pick it up. I still get tired, but not as wore out as I was a month ago so that's a very good thing.
My life is quiet and peaceful. I'm still blown away by all that's happened to me. And I am so thankful to the Most High for getting me through it all. Heart attacks are life changers.
I'm looking forward to speaking with you again. Until then you be good and be careful, take care and stay strong.
hugs, Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
248-615-1300
--
Sent on a phone using T9space.com
I saw the stomach doctor earlier this week. After looking over the ultrasound of my stomach he agreed that it appeared as if I had gall stone(s). After examining me, and finding no tenderness in that area, he said that while he could send me for an additional test, something nuclear (?), there was no sense in doing that. Better I should continue on as I have been--with my new low fat diet and the meds the cardiologist gave me (one of which is for cholesterol). He said if the whites of my eyes turn yellow, if my urine and/or excrement turn a funny color, or if I have another gall bladder attack, I should call him.
My game plan is--should any of those above mentioned things occur--to proceed immediately to the emergency room. Since a heart attack happened in conjunction with the last two gall bladder attacks, well, I'm not taking any chances.
I've been following the cardiologist's orders--taking my medicine, eating a low fat/low salt diet. He said I should exercise so I pedal. I started out pedaling for one hour a day and now I'm up to three hours a day, seven days a week. I have the bike thingie set up in front of the tv I use the webtv on, so I pedal as I surf the internet.
The rest of my day I spend reading and crocheting. I'm working on my second afghan since the heart attack(s). I listen to cds. And Facebook is my friend because it lets me stay in touch with my friends at my own pace.
In the beginning, I wasn't permitted to drive. Once the cardiologist restored my driving privileges that gave me the opportunity to get out of the house by myself and freed up my friend, HSM, who had so kindly been chauffeuring me. HSM still takes me to my doctor appointments though. And then we go to lunch afterwards. I have become a Lady Who Lunches (smile).
I'm eating more now, although often times I still have to force myself because it's rare for me to be hungry. I think it's all the darn medication I'm on. And I don't get hot, not even when it's 80+ degrees out. The meds have made me elderly-like (smile).
I'm starting to answer the phone every now and again. I don't catch it each time it rings so you still catch the update message, but when I'm feeling good I pick it up. I still get tired, but not as wore out as I was a month ago so that's a very good thing.
My life is quiet and peaceful. I'm still blown away by all that's happened to me. And I am so thankful to the Most High for getting me through it all. Heart attacks are life changers.
I'm looking forward to speaking with you again. Until then you be good and be careful, take care and stay strong.
hugs, Tawny
www.tawnyford.com
248-615-1300
--
Sent on a phone using T9space.com
Saturday, May 08, 2010
The 411 On My 911
Begin at the beginning is the general rule of thumb and it's really great advice but sometimes the beginning is difficult to locate. Please bear with me.
The last blog entry, March 25th I believe, I spoke about a life changing experience for me--what I self-diagnosed as a gall bladder attack. Well, that was nothing compared to my next life changing experience on April 10th.
I had another (self-diagnosed) gall bladder attack in the wee hours of Saturday, April 10th. It was horrendous. Between vomiting, bathroom issues and pain in my chest, under my right breast and the right side of my stomach, I was messed up. When the pain was still with me many hours later I called HSM and she and her #1 Son drove me to the emergency room at the local hospital.
I walked in talking about gall bladder and ended up diagnosed as a heart attack!
And if that wasn't shocking enough, they said that was my SECOND heart attack!
They did gazillions of tests on me. Everything from chest x-rays to ekgs to echocardiograms to heart ultra sounds to, and this was the whopper of them all, a heart catheterization. And blood? They drew enough blood from me to satisfy the cravings of a starved vampire colony.
The first blood they took from me, someone in the emergency room was not real skilled at it. Instead of hitting a vein they skin-popped me. My hand swelled up and was so bruised it looked like I was wearing gloves. That hand is still tender. And the many, many, many bruises on my arms have finally healed.
The heart cath, as they called it, was a risky one. They said I had a 1 in 1,000 chance of it causing me to have a stroke, a heart attack or die. They also told me that after the heart cath was done I would immediately be transported by EMS to a nearby hospital to either have something inserted in my arteries to open them, or to have heart surgery.
They shockingly found, however, that I had no blockages. My arteries were clear. After two heart attacks--one of which went untreated--I had no damage to my heart!
I started crying. Not boody-hooing, no hiccupping, just tears falling from my eyes. Are you in pain? They asked me. Oh no, I replied, God has given me a miracle!
As you can imagine, when I was finally released from the hospital some days later, it was wonderful to be home. I missed Kathleen, my cat, something fierce. I missed my home. I missed my life.
I have since been to see a family-type doctor who arranged for me to have an ultra sound of my stomach. It appears as if I may have gallstones. I see a stomach specialist at the end of this month.
When I saw the cardiologist last week he said I was very fortunate. Most people, he said, never know what type of shape their heart or arteries are in until there's something wrong and then they find there are problems. Me, my heart is fine and my arteries are clear. I have no heart disease.
He said that while they can't figure out why I had the heart attacks, he could say that the odds of me having another one compare with the possibility of me hitting the lottery.
I've also been to see an eye doctor. Come to find out I need glasses for distance! And I need stronger reading glasses than the 3-pack of readers I've been buying at Costco for years. My new glasses should be arriving in about a week.
As the message on my answering machine has been saying, I am home and convalescing. I am taking it easy. While I am doctor certified as healthy, the whole ordeal has tired me out. It's also given me a whole lot to think about.
I feel incredibly blessed. So blessed that it just about blows me away whenever I think about it.
If you are a woman reading this, or you have women in your life that you care about, insist that they learn the warning signs of a heart attack. Men and women have different indicators. And learn them for men, too. This is so important.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, like what the stomach doctor decides to do when I see him, I anticipate being back on the phone by the first part of June.
Until then, please be good and be careful, take care, stay strong.
Hugs, Tawny
tawny_ford@webtv.net
248-615-1300
www.tawnyford.com
The last blog entry, March 25th I believe, I spoke about a life changing experience for me--what I self-diagnosed as a gall bladder attack. Well, that was nothing compared to my next life changing experience on April 10th.
I had another (self-diagnosed) gall bladder attack in the wee hours of Saturday, April 10th. It was horrendous. Between vomiting, bathroom issues and pain in my chest, under my right breast and the right side of my stomach, I was messed up. When the pain was still with me many hours later I called HSM and she and her #1 Son drove me to the emergency room at the local hospital.
I walked in talking about gall bladder and ended up diagnosed as a heart attack!
And if that wasn't shocking enough, they said that was my SECOND heart attack!
They did gazillions of tests on me. Everything from chest x-rays to ekgs to echocardiograms to heart ultra sounds to, and this was the whopper of them all, a heart catheterization. And blood? They drew enough blood from me to satisfy the cravings of a starved vampire colony.
The first blood they took from me, someone in the emergency room was not real skilled at it. Instead of hitting a vein they skin-popped me. My hand swelled up and was so bruised it looked like I was wearing gloves. That hand is still tender. And the many, many, many bruises on my arms have finally healed.
The heart cath, as they called it, was a risky one. They said I had a 1 in 1,000 chance of it causing me to have a stroke, a heart attack or die. They also told me that after the heart cath was done I would immediately be transported by EMS to a nearby hospital to either have something inserted in my arteries to open them, or to have heart surgery.
They shockingly found, however, that I had no blockages. My arteries were clear. After two heart attacks--one of which went untreated--I had no damage to my heart!
I started crying. Not boody-hooing, no hiccupping, just tears falling from my eyes. Are you in pain? They asked me. Oh no, I replied, God has given me a miracle!
As you can imagine, when I was finally released from the hospital some days later, it was wonderful to be home. I missed Kathleen, my cat, something fierce. I missed my home. I missed my life.
I have since been to see a family-type doctor who arranged for me to have an ultra sound of my stomach. It appears as if I may have gallstones. I see a stomach specialist at the end of this month.
When I saw the cardiologist last week he said I was very fortunate. Most people, he said, never know what type of shape their heart or arteries are in until there's something wrong and then they find there are problems. Me, my heart is fine and my arteries are clear. I have no heart disease.
He said that while they can't figure out why I had the heart attacks, he could say that the odds of me having another one compare with the possibility of me hitting the lottery.
I've also been to see an eye doctor. Come to find out I need glasses for distance! And I need stronger reading glasses than the 3-pack of readers I've been buying at Costco for years. My new glasses should be arriving in about a week.
As the message on my answering machine has been saying, I am home and convalescing. I am taking it easy. While I am doctor certified as healthy, the whole ordeal has tired me out. It's also given me a whole lot to think about.
I feel incredibly blessed. So blessed that it just about blows me away whenever I think about it.
If you are a woman reading this, or you have women in your life that you care about, insist that they learn the warning signs of a heart attack. Men and women have different indicators. And learn them for men, too. This is so important.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, like what the stomach doctor decides to do when I see him, I anticipate being back on the phone by the first part of June.
Until then, please be good and be careful, take care, stay strong.
Hugs, Tawny
tawny_ford@webtv.net
248-615-1300
www.tawnyford.com
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