Life is a Challenge

I had high hopes for this week, but they all went out the window. Everything is just hard right now. My doctor sent me a message that she is now worried about my kidneys and has scheduled more tests. I had no idea, so this was yet another shock. My upcoming trip to MT is fading away. I should find out tomorrow if I can go or not.
I just don't feel good yet...all these chemicals in my body are just such a challenge. I do understand I NEED them to survive.
Just checking in and thankful for prayers, friends and family.
My attitude is not too good tonight. I feel like my world has just stopped spinning. My faith is a bit weak tonight too. 

A New Month A New Life and Progress!

Happy September! I love this month as it brings my favorite season a little closer. It's still warm and pretty and you can still be outside. Jimmy's tomatoes are almost done but I think we can enjoy them a little longer.

So, I have made a lot of progress since my last post. I feel like I have been given a chance to have a healthier life and pass that on to my loved ones. I have been to SOOO many appointments, have had many tests and lots of blood draws this past week. But, here I am at the end of the week and am thankful to have many of those big tests behind me. I am continuing to keep my THANKFUL JOURNAL and have my prayer list in the back of my book. Oh, so many people on that list right now. It has been good therapy for me to be thinking of others and it draws me to my Lord. I find myself starting off the day slower and enjoying that quiet time with God and that prayer time.

It has been hard for me to accept the fact that I didn't take good care of myself. I have been eating so poorly. I didn't bother to get much exercise or sleep. I never said no.....push push push. I am paying the price for all of that now. When I get down, I have to remember how blessed I am to still be here...no heart attack, no stroke! Thank you Lord for protecting me and giving me a second chance.

Jimmy has been so supportive and has been going to most of the appointments with me. I get so nervous going alone and he is such a comfort to me. 43 years years of marriage...what a blessing. He has been working with me on menus and both of us have shed a great deal of weight already. Next week, we are going to start some walking. My doctor has recommended that for now. So, that's my progress report, so far!

Our little Otto started a new chapter in his life too. He started 3 year old preschool today. We watch him now on Wednesdays and hope to bring him over to our home a little more. He loves to be here and it's a bit easier for me right now. Still getting stronger! He is my JOY and is so funny. He told me he had his new fall pants on yesterday. It just cracked me up. My daughter and SIL took these photos today. I am still waiting for a report on his day.

I have shared the information with my readers that I never thought I would have a grandbaby. My daughter Angie had such a hard time carrying a baby. Yet God gave us little Otto and he is a dandy.

I am feeling more normal as the meds level out. I have been sleeping so much and resting a lot. I finally feel a little more normal. Maybe next week I can get back to a few of my fun activities and I hope to start visiting some of my blog friends. Thank you so much for prayers and good thoughts and nice replies to my blog posts. I appreciate it so much. 

Friday Morning Blues and Lots of Thank You's!

My sister and her family sent these pretty flowers to me yesterday. I just love flowers and it was a lovely surprise and they really cheered me up. So thoughtful.

I love daisies...I had them in my wedding and the the fabric that the girl's dresses were made out of also had tiny daisies in the print.

We had to chuckle as there are green carnations in the bouquet. My sister didn't ask for them, but as we had a wee bit of Irish in us that we adore, it was just fun to see that they had been added.

So, one week ago, I ended up in the hospital...so much has happened in a week! I went to see my primary care Dr yesterday and was upset as my BP was up. More adjustments, more meds. I am thankful to be here, but it's been hard being on a roller coaster with all these meds. I just feel a bit down today. My sweet Jimmy, who was a pharmacist, keeps trying to cheer me up and assure me this is normal and it will take time to get me adjusted. More tests scheduled next week at the hospital.

This gives me the opportunity to send out heartfelt thanks to my blogger friends. I just don't have much energy to visit you all right now...hopefully soon. But I do send big thank you's for the prayers and good thoughts and sweet replies. It is so encouraging to me right now and I do thank you.

I need to just relax and take things day by day. God is bringing that home to me! Man, it's hard to learn new tricks when you're an old doggy. I'm not good at patience either...sigh. It's hard to face all of this and learn to let go of things that really don't matter much. It's hard to feel worse after a health issue, but I do. I never felt bad or had any pain before and now I don't feel good.

So, I hope that blogging will help me track my journey. I am looking forward to seeing some improvements. 

Home From the Hospital and A New Life Ahead

Well, I had no idea when I took a break from blogging that I would find myself in the hospital and need to take even a longer blogger break. I think I really need to start blogging now to help me move forward.

I went to the doctor last Friday. I needed to get established with a new primary doctor and I have been having a lot of problems with my left foot. I was very nervous when I went in, as it has been way too many years since I had visited any doctor. I know, stupid. I waited for Dr Jen Butler on the recommendation by my daughter that she would be a good fit. She is wonderful and a hugger and a good listener. That's what I need. So my blood pressure was sky high and went up during the visit. She listened to my heart and then sent me over for an EKG. The next thing we knew, Jim was driving me to the hospital. They were waiting for me at the emergency. I had super high blood pressure, a racing heart beat and AFib. Not good. I am so blessed to be alive. It's a miracle that I didn't have a stroke or a heart attack. I guess God has more plans for me, as I really shouldn't even be here.
They gave me meds and kept me in emergency until about 8 pm and decided I needed to stay over night.
I had the best nurses and care...so kind. The chaplain was so kind and sweet...really love her. She brought me a bible as I didn't have time to get anything before we went to the hospital. One of the nurses, Katherine, was just a gift from God...so funny and so understanding. She sat on the bed and held my hand when I feel apart.
They sent me home on Sunday and so the journey begins. I am on Coumadin, which really sucks. I have to learn what I can eat and what I can't eat. I am also on a low sodium diet. There is hidden salt in everything. It's going to be hard to figure this all out. I know I have to. It is a bit overwhelming too.
I decided it was it will be good for me to blog about this...at least I can get it out and express myself.
Oh, I am so thankful to still be here1 i am grateful that nothing happened when I was watching my grandkids, so thankful.
I had a really bad night last night. This is hard and not fun. I will have many changes and that is always hard for me. I want to get well, I want to be healthy, I want to be here longer. So, I will do what I need to do.
I don't want my blog to be a downer, but it might be occasionally...I need to write sometimes.
The sun is shining this morning, I can only have one cup of coffee, but I'm still here! I might have a sick heart, but I have a grateful heart.