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.

March 14, 2006 was Tuesday

I remember it well. Sorta.
The day of my open heart surgery to repair or replace my heart's mitral valve.
I was to be transported to the sister hospital where the heart surgeries were done.
The paramedics who were to do the transporting were an hour late.
The nurse to sign me in and get started in the prep was not happy.
Turns out the paramedics didn't start work until the hour they were suppose to pick me up.
I was just happy to get a dose of fresh air for the first time in almost two weeks.
Made it through the surgery unscathed.
In fact a nurse boasted how I tried to wake up faster than any one she'd ever seen.
Of course--I wanted OUT.
That night, my TV in ICU was on American Idol. I dozed off and on-mostly off.
Hooked up to every machine like from the Starship Enterprise.
The next morning around 7 am, a physical therapist told me I was going for a short walk.
Sure. Well, we did--with catheter and another jug hooked up to my belly to collect fluids.
My best friend announced my surgeon had said I'd probably have to stay 6-8 weeks.
Because of this 'stroke' which wasn't a stroke, per the neurologist, I had.
Don't think so. Surgery was Tuesday. By Saturday, I was asked how I felt about going home.
Don't to ask me again.
Fast forward to this day in 2009.
As Movie Man was there for me in 2006, he was there for me today.
Quite the adventure we had today--from morning til past sundown.
Rode the train to Ft Worth.

Laughed. Walked. Did a movie. Laughed more. Basked in the moments.
After dinner, back in Dallas, headed to his place to walk the dogs Movie Man's dog sitting for.
By this time it was dark. Couldn't see much.
To finish up the day Movie Man proved once again how he's a true friend.
He washed the dog poo off my shoe.
If not for my date with a surgeon 3 years ago, coupled with my trust in the One most High.
I would not have had today.
I am blessed.

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.

A Day

one day closer to Movie Man leaving me. Not in a bad way. In a good way...for him. Movie Man had a good interview today. Proud of him. Know he sparkled. Happy for him, kinda yuck for me It's that whole patience thing I have to remember. It's all in His time. Not mine. That really is the kicker. I am better than I was in the past. Some folks, who read this blog may disagree. :)

Oh well.

On the bright side. I headed for my Poke today. That's what I call my Coumadin check-due to having the mechanical mitral valve in my heart. I tick. Did you know? When it's real quiet, you can hear me. Anyhoo, the Coumadin check is to see if my blood is too thick or too thin. Vitamin K affects Coumadin aka green stuff like broccoli or spinach. Today I was right in the middle of my range. 3.0. So I don't have to go back for another month. Glad. Through this whole ordeal, I've not had one major setback. Very Glad.

And since we're in February, it's when I start to reflect how my life changed in February 2006, February 27 to be exact. The day paramedics carted me to the ER. I spent all day and all night, and nobody knew where I was. Left the hospital on March 24, 2006--scar and all. Movie Man picked me up. Took me to Wal-mart so I could buy groceries. I drove that little cart and ran over everybody. I digress, plus I was scared to even THINK about spinach or broccoli, cause the nutritionist told me 'avoid it at all costs' because of the Coumadin. I didn't buy any that day.

Took me six months to finally get OVER that. Brings me today. I'm consistent in my Vitamin K eating. Don't think twice. Your body needs em. Just need to be consistent. Today, I'm in my range. Feel good. Cardiologist says, my valve works great, my heart itself works great, and she knows all is well with me. Even tho Movie Man might leave me, that's OK--it's time for him to move on. He'll just owe me a burger at the best burger place in Dallas: Burger Island! :)

On this day I'm very, very glad.

A Big Deal...

Just carried in the bag of kitty litter from my car. Planned to washout all the poo boxes and pour fresh litter in them---tomorrow. Well, I decided we needed a little refreshing in the meantime. Cat lovers—you’ll know what I mean. So I go get the bag of litter. Big deal right?

Consider it’s 11:15 pm and the bag was 50lbs. PetCo had great deal—50lb bag for $6.99—if you had your PALS card. I did. Back to why it’s a big deal. In late 2005, I was ill with endocarditis—didn’t know it, more less ever heard of it, Movie Man let me use his Sam’s card to buy 40lbs of kitty litter (yes, even then).

When we got back to my place, he carried the litter up my steps and set it in my apartment. Sometime later, after Movie Man left, I decided to move the bag to another part of the apartment. When I tried to lift it, my heart pounded against my chest as it never had before. I immediately dropped the bag, and couldn’t seem to catch my breath. The thump was so loud; I just knew my downstairs neighbor could hear it. Had some discomfort, yet not really pain. I was scared my heart would burst from my chest ala the Sigourney Weaver classic, “Aliens” (the 2nd one, because it still makes me jump). Sat on my couch, then went to my bed—and just lied there. I wasn’t sure what to do. I’m sure it was only minutes, yet it seemed like hours before my heart calmed down. I remember asking out loud, “What was that?” To look back, I wonder what my blood pressure was at that moment. My breath eventually evened out and my heart eased its bang a gong through my chest.

So what did I do? Did I call a friend or even 911? Of course, not. I went to Wal-mart.

The big deal tonight was being cautious as I carried the 50 lbs of litter, with both hands, into my house. No pounds in my chest. No shortness of breath. Every time I carry large bags like that, I get a little antsy. I still recall being ordered to not carry anything heavier than a milk carton—and here I was cradling 50 lbs of litter.

Now the refreshing is done. I have cats to pet, a couple spoonfuls of ice cream to savor while I read a few pages of an entertaining book by Lydia Adamson, where the cats help their human solve a mystery—yea, yea…I love cats…all this before I thank God for this day He made and for the one I pray He blesses me with tomorrow.

Home Closing....

Tomorrow--at High Noon, I close on my first Home. I am excited. Scared. Eager. My apartment is in such disaray. Just want to lock the door and leave everything---well, everything except plants and cats---yet, I'll be adult. I clear out the clutter. Adult. Gee.

Prior to Close, I do my Six Month Blood Draw. To make sure everything is doing well. Then I walk across the Heart Clinic's lobby, for my coumadin check. I've been great with that--'in the range'--with the whole Vitamin K business. Took awhile to get regulated. To not be scared of eating a leaf of spinach. Vitamin K . Have too much of it, your blood thickens, too little, your blood thins. I've had it 'just right' for the last few months. God is good.

Psalms 50:15

Tomorrow--I close on my first home. WOW. This little guy, will pick out his window. Then all will be right with the world...and besides tomorrow night, I will have my house keys, chocolate covered strawberry ice cream, and Dancing With the Stars...yes, all will be right with the world.