Thursday Tune Up

Naw. It wasn't for my car--

Eventho it could use an oil change for sure--plus a good wash I digress.

This tune up was for my heart. It was a six month check up with my cardiologist, Dr. Sara. I'll be honest, I was a little scared. Why?

Because Dr. Sara was going to review my ECHO (an ultrasound of my heart). When I took the ECHO, I was so under stress professionally, which slid off into my school work. I didn't have any solace. I just knew Dr. Sara would tell me my heart's lining had gotten thicker. This concerned her in my last appointment and was due to blood pressure. This go-round she was happy because it was back to normal. My EKG was 'clear' and no change to meds I take.

I had mitral valve replacement surgery caused by the disease endocarditis. A valve I never knew existed literally got feasted on by a disease I never heard of. What basically happened, bacteria from an infection landed in my valve and clustered. They decided my valve was tasty and dug in. A piece of the cluster broke off and journeyed to my brain. The neuro-doctor said I had a stroke that wasn't a stroke--basically my brain burped.

Well, it burped enough because my speech was effected for about a week. Slurred. Missed words, even tho I knew what I wanted to say but couldn't.

Now almost five years later, I got this exam thing down pat. EKG and ECHO are more than just alphabet letters. I check my own coumadin level. When the scar itches, I just scratch and pretty much forget who may be looking. I remember what it was like when it hurt to move an inch in bed, due to my breastbone healing and weeks it took to sleep on something else than just my back.

I don't see Dr. Sara again until July. She's a nice lady, looks like younger Susan Lucci. I don't want to see her any sooner than July, unless we're both eating pie at Celebrity Bakery. Dr. Sara's parting words to me were: "I don't know what you're doing, just keep doing it."

Yes, indeed--that's the kinda tune up I like!

I am blessed.

Thursday Trek

It's 6:15 in the morning time as I write this and so wish I had some coffee. Alas, I'll need to get some on my way to work. The kicker is I do have my own coffee maker, yet there's something how my coffee doesn't quite turn out as good as when I buy it.

Right now the sun isn't up. Me neither really. I can't believe July is really bout over. The class I'm in now, is SO much better than my last one. This teacher calls me 'amazing' and said my paper was 'excellent.' My grade is an 'A" so far, with 2 more weeks left of this class. Plus I had my six month check up with my Heart Doc last week and she even said I was 'excellent'! Blood pressure was good. I still need to lose the weight I gained. Which comes down to exercise--more of it. Ick.

Found time to write fun fiction stuff. The dedication is already going to go to my classmates. It's their inspiration from our recent reunion. Stay tuned.

Coffee. Need it. Want it. Where is it?

OK, have you seen the clips for this Fall's TV show, "Hawaii Five-O?" It may be good--yet, I kinda feel there's just something wrong with that.....

Coffee. Gotta Get.

6:21AM

Then

As I drove home, after pretty much planted in my work seat all day today, I knew needed to do something. I recalled my visit to my cardiologist a week ago, this very day, for my six month check up. After the pesky open-heart surgery, in 2006, things I never thought would ever be in my repertoire are now life long routines. I'll talk about all that, as the anniversary grows closer--not today.

My Heart Doc, is great. Love her. She's just a couple years younger than me, and has a 21 year old cat. Yes, we've bonded. Even if she's about a size 8, and looks like a young Susan Lucci.

I digress. So anyway, first thing Heart Doc tells me is, "You need to exercise more." I stare at her. How did SHE know I'd not being as religious to my exercise as I once was?

My ECHO (ultrasound of my heart), Heart Doc says, "It told on you." Went on to say, we need to make sure my heart muscle is as strong as it can be. I sat there, on the bench/bed thing, just furious at myself. Being the sweet person she is, Heart Doc tried to encourage me. God bless her.

I can only blame me for not walking the at least 5 days out 7, or the not biking, and let's not even mention racquetball or the dance classes I desire to take. Now, I've been doing my 74 ounces of water, however there's not been enough motion to eat up the calories, some good and not so good, I chow per day. I know better. I remember those IV's stuck in my hand. Can't blame anybody--'cept me.

So back to the main thought of this tale, hey, I know I get a bit long winded--it's the writer in me..:) And if anything I write makes you chuckle--I'm glad, because it's suppose to. OKOKOK, So as I drove home, before I even got home, I pulled into the park up the street from my house and parked.

Got out and walked around the park. No excuse since I had on my tennyshoes, and it is a nice path--inclines, flat, ducks, pond and trees-nice. Kinda chilly, so had my gloves on too. Scooted around the path. Felt good to do it. Needed to do it.

Already set tomorrow's date to do it again.

My heart deserves it.

Stay tuned.

Tuesday Twinkle

Had the day off. So nice. Jaunted to see my Heart Doc for my 6 month check up. Said all my numbers looked good. I looked good. My mechanical mitral valve sounded good. And silently I was glad the medical assistant didn't weigh me. Said their scale was outta whack. Being told tidbit that lowered my blood pressure about 10 points alone. The only thing my Heart Doc says is, "You need to be exercising more."

I laughed. I told her how I hadn't been doing it as much of recent times (months?) as I should.

Heart Doc laughed back and said they could tell. Turns out my recent ECHO (ultrasound of my heart) showed them my dirty little secret. My Heart Doc says we need to make sure my heart muscle remains strong so.....And I so agreed. After my appointment with her, I sauntered to my Coumadin check aka my POKE test (which lets me know if my blood to thick or too thin, where my valve is concerned), I headed to the park I walked so many laps around during my open-heart surgery recuperation. This was at the apartment complex I lived in prior to the purchase of the house. Had the park there, plus a work out room for the days I couldn't get outside. I still miss the convenience of the two.

Lastly, after my laps of the park. I sat on my Forrest Gump bench. How many times had I sat and contemplated how life would be as each day I grew stronger? All in all, a nice walk. Pet a couple of dogs out walking their humans. Nice to realize time has moved on. Nice to realize I've had no set backs.

Nice to know I am blessed.

Twinkle in my eye indeed.

Task Tuesday

Took the day off. OK, so where is the task in that?

Well, it was six months check up with my cardiologist. After that I headed for my coumadin checked aka my POKE test. Honestly, I am always nervous when I go to the doctor. My blood pressure spike proves that. Even with that, I am doing wonderful on both the valve and coumadin. My doctor says my valve sounds good and is happy I'd increased my exercise level. Which tonight includes my first aerobic class at the rec center. Also, last night I chatted with my chum Maria about our resuming our weekly racquetball meet. Maria will go back to normal hours next month--and we both look forward to that! I've missed r-ball alot!

So the doctor was my main task today. Then tonight will be the aerobic class, however in the middle I treated myself to a movie. I thought of seeing "Star Trek" a second time. Then I thought, 'go see something new! So I ventured to a movie that two critics glowed about on TV: 500 Days of Summer. The kicker, it wasn't at any of my usual theater--which translates into the moving picture show less than 5 minutes, up the street from my house-nope. This was a theatre I'd been to, maybe twice with Movie Man--and he drove. I just consider it "out in the field'--because if you don't know it's there--you miss it. Like I did. I stopped and asked directions, because calling the 411 on my cell phone wouldn't let me talk to a real person.

For the movie? Very cute. Not so much a chick flick and I felt for the main guy. I liked it alot. And liked more the fact I did see something new--however I will get beamed up again by Star Trek in the near future...

As for another task-gotta enjoy the rest of having this day off. Being home during the day still conjures emotions I had during my 2006 recuperation--I like doing what I want and need to do on working days...yep--need that home business...

Stay tuned.

March 13, 2006 was Monday

You remember it well.
Twas the eve of your open-heart surgery.
To repair or replace your heart's mitral valve.
You didn't even know such a thing existed.
Only until much blood, tests and x-rays were taken.
Even then your neurologist said, "There's nothing wrong with you. Why are you here?"
But there were lesions on your brain. Why?
Endocarditis.
A disease you never knew existed until that moment.
That's what you get for no grade "A" in 6th Grade Life Science.
Bored, yet eager to get on with it.
Had to wait 6 days til your date with the surgeon.
Sat in the hospital. Made friends with nurses and some doctors.
Chums call and visit. Flowers arrive.
The last person to see you this night was Movie Man.
He stayed until 9 pm or so.
You walk him to the elevator, your arm thru his.
Movie Man has on real clothes, while you in faded, hospital gowns.
Would pay ransom to have on real clothes and leave this place.
Tears and fright cloud Movie Man's eyes.
You smile to console and reassure him that
You'll see him soon.
A hug seals the deal and Movie Man gets on the elevator.
You tell him again that you'll be OK.
Your eyes lock as the doors close.
You stand still and wipe your own eyes.
Then turn and walk back to your room.
You repeat your mantra: Psalms 50:15
Promise to give Him all your troubles.
He will rescue you.
Just give Him the glory.
Tomorrow life will change
You are blessed.

The Sun Ain't Up

.....at 6AM in Dallas. I've been up for 45 minutes. Is anybody else? I just realized my street doesn't have lamps curbside. WOW. World looks different in the early morning---- dark-----. Nonetheless, I'm up because I have a doctor's appointment about 20 miles from here. I could change it to where I live now, however my Heart Doctor is housed there, and I like her. So just as long as I don't have to go there every day--I'm cool. Wow...it is SO dark. Maybe just cloudy?

OK--I need to get the gettin', as my dad would say. I tell you what, I'm exhausted. Not the best sleep--yet I'm blessed with another day.

After work today, another chum, Lamb, are going to play r-ball. It won't be like playing with Movie Man. Oh gosh now. Lamb and I do play, but it's also time to get caught up on our girl chat time....! It'll be a good work out though. Will help me sleep tonight.

Need to get this Tuesday party started!