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Three years ago today I was being rolled into the operating room for a Quadruple Bypass.



I vividly remember the man rolling me through the door of the holding room and down a series of hallways. 

There were several closed doors down each hallway and I kept thinking, "Where are they taking me... this place is huge!"  Along with, "Any minute now, I'm gonna jump ship and run... I DO NOT want to go through with this!"

As we finally arrived at our destination... aka, MY ROOM, the room where they were going to crack open my chest, stop my heart, do some repair, clean up inside my arteries and then wire me shut, I could not believe just how big this one room actually was.  I had never seen so many huge machines and such in one operating room.  (I used to work at our local hospital, sterilizing surgical instruments and had actually wanted to be a surgical nurse at one point.)

Another thing that sticks out in my mind is my Anesthesiologist.  He was wearing OU scrubs and a hat covered with the OU logo.  He was obviously a big fan as it was almost OU overkill!  (OK, OK, you love OU... I get it! Let's just focus on what we're here for today, shall we?!)  The fact that he was adorably young, handsome and charming made up for the fact that OU was about the last thing on my mind at this point!

One thing that I do not remember was my Cardiac Surgeon coming into the room to do the surgery.  I imagine, by that point, I was already out.  It's probably a good thing as this man was no picnic to be around.  He was all business and had quite an intimidating personality so not getting to see him was just fine with me!

Once surgery was done, I was taken to ICU for a few days.  Again... no picnic.

Once out of ICU and into a regular room, it was there and then I began to realize the challenges I was about to be faced with.  The physical limitations are one thing, but the emotional are quite another.  Unless you've been down this road, you have no idea. 

Overall, when I look back on that time in my life, I find it hard to believe I actually went through with it and survived it.  I really had doubts that I had that kind of strength inside of me.  I guess you do what you have to do when it comes right down to it.  Not to mention, it's times like these when you have to either rely on faith or fear.  Obviously, faith won out.  As they rolled me into that huge surgical suite and the feeling of being overwhelmed tried to overtake me, I remember telling God, "It's all Yours..." and being able to lay back, relax, let go and feeling His peace begin to wash over me.

Three years ago today...



XO

Success!

The party for my husband's 50th birthday was a success. 

He is truly an amazing man and deserves to be celebrated.  So glad many of his friends could come out and 'show him some love'!

 

 

 

When I say the party was a success... I'm also saying I SURVIVED all the planning, setting up and running around, making pickups!  It truly was an answer to prayer that I was able to maintain the amount of stamina I had.  That makes me happy and gives me confidence.  (Not enough confidence to want to do this again anytime soon, but it is a great boost to my self-esteem!)

 

Now.  Let's talk about being 50.  I honestly cannot believe he is 50.  Where did all the years go?  Why did they have to fly by so quickly?

 

If I had one piece of advice to give, it would be to... well, there's no way I can give just ONE!  So, here's some advice to ponder:

 

Life is short.  In the grand scheme of things, it really is very short (or if you're one who thrives on misery, it can seem very long... change your attitude) so make each and every day count.

 

Don't push your little ones to grow up so quickly.  Enjoy every little stage of their little lives... and be sure to TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES!

 

Always carry a camera of some kind with you... I promise there will come a time when you'll be glad you did.  (Oh, and write the name of the person and the date on the back of the picture.  After going through my dad's pictures, I have so many that have no info on them and now there is no one to tell me the background of that image!)

 

Don't sweat the small stuff.  I know, it's cliche, but it is certainly true.  Most of the stuff we worry about robs us of our time and our joy.  Sometimes, you just have to know when to let it go and then let it go and move on.

 

Get out and make some good memories with your loved ones.  You don't have to create a huge, dream vacation or anything like that.  Have a cookout at the local park and invite all your friends and family.  TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES and VIDEO! 

 

Be spontaneous.  Within reason.

 

Forgive quickly and move on.

 

Living a happy life is a choice, just like anything else in this world.  It is what YOU choose to make it.  Upset with someone about something?  Go to them and work it out somehow or know when it's time to forgive and walk away.

 

If you feel led to do something out of the ordinary with or for someone... DO IT!  Don't wait and think that you'll get around to it later, do it and do it soon!  Example:  During last season's basketball playoffs, I suggested to my husband and daughter that we get some pizza and go over to my dad's house to watch the games with him... he loved sports and since our state's team was one of the last two standing, we were all into this last game.  They agreed.  However, when the time came, we didn't do it.  The last game came and went and then my dad passed away.   I don't get a do-over with that one.  I blew it.  I had good intentions, but sometimes that's not enough.  I have several other stories just like this, but the moral here is... Don't delay.  Do it today!

 

Lighten up.  Try not to take life and what it throws at you so seriously.  Remember... it's not what we go through, it's how we go through it!

 

 

 

With that, I'll bring today's post to an end.  I've decided to take my own advice and be spontaneous and invite my oldest granddaughter over to spend the night with us and she is on her way as we speak, or as I write.  Gotta run and get my camera ready...

 

 

 

XO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Back In The Saddle

I've successfully managed to blog for two consective nights.  I do believe that's a record... at least for me, anyway.

Today was filled with phone calls, party planning and letter writing.  The big 5-0 Party is coming quickly and I'm starting to freak out.

I used to be able to plan a party, cook the food, bake the cake and everything else a good get-together involved, but now... to say that it's a challenge is quite the understatement of the century!  When did this happen???

I do hope my husband isn't too upset with me when he finds out what we're up to!  He isn't one who enjoys being center-stage at all.  It should be interesting to see how he reacts.

I'm so tired that I think I'm going to shut things down for the night and rest up since I have an early call to be at our grandson's Grandparent's Day celebration at his school.  I'm so amazed at how quickly these little ones are growing up!

Pictures to come later... 



XO 

Playing Catch-Up

Wow.  It's been over two months since my last post.  Can I just say that so much has gone on, it's left my head spinning!

First of all, my dad passed away, unexpectedly, on July 1st.  I had gone over to check on him when I couldn't reach him by phone and ended up finding him.  He was already gone due to cardiac arrest.  It has nearly done me in.  He and I were the last two of our little family of four and we knew, no matter what, we always had each other's backs.  Now... well, he's gone and a big part of me is gone with him.  We've been through so much throughout my life and it is only by a miracle that forgiveness took place and our relationship was restored to better than before.  I am thankful for the last five years we had.  It was, by far, the best and I will treasure those last years with my daddy.



Whew... that was tough to type!  Moving on...

Due to my dad's passing, I've been left with all the business details to wrap up.  If it weren't for my husband, I would have jumped ship a long time ago!  He has been the one to get the ball rolling with the lawyers, financial advisors, utilities, etc.  I can't remember when I've had to sign my name so much!

Today, for instance, I spent an hour working with the lady at the DMV to change my dad's vehicles into my name.  Yes, an hour and that was with NO waiting!  It's days like today, when I have to go take care of business and be reminded, once again, that he is not coming back that I find to be the hardest.

Moving on again...

Before my whole world was turned upside down, we had been trying to decide where to go for vacation.  After the turn of events, it was just assumed we would not be going anywhere.  I was in no way, shape or form able or willing to commit to a solid decision about anything.  Half the time, it felt like (and still does) I didn't know which end was up.

However, after having a particularly bad evening about three weeks after my dad's passing, my husband decided it was time for us to go ahead with the vacation and told me to start planning.  After much thought and debate, we decided to go ahead with it since nothing I did here was going to change anything.  We decided to use our passports we had just gotten and head off to the Bahamas.  Atlantis, on Paradise Island, to be exact.



It was beautiful and so peaceful.  Even though the tears still found their way out from time to time while there, I was able to take in the sights and just 'get away' from the heartache that waited at home.  It was the trip of a lifetime and I am thankful we were able to go.

As far as my health is concerned, the stress of the last few months has tried to take its toll by causing some digestive issues.  Not to mention that my daughter and I brought home a Bahamian bug that was one wicked little sucker!  He hung on for almost two weeks and it was one of the worst two weeks of our lives.  Once I thought I was finally over it, something started up again with me unable to keep anything on my stomach and landing me in the Emergency Room getting fluids and pain meds for stomach cramps!  Doctor had mentioned he thought I might have to stay the night, but, thankfully, I managed to talk my way out of it. 

Today was pretty much the first day I'd gotten out and done anything in about two weeks and, even though it was about 105 degrees out, it was nice to get out.

Tomorrow, I'll be having a couple of friends out to swim and soak up the last of the hot, summer days and just enjoying each other's company.  I look forward to doing nothing, even though there is plenty I should be doing!

School has started and our youngest is a Sophomore this year.  I am so proud of my daughter.  Mostly, because she is nothing and I mean NOTHING like I was at that age!  She has been through more in the last few years than most adults and I so admire her faith and strength.  Needless to say, she has gotten ME through some rough moments.  So thankful for her!

What's next?  Hmmm...   We're gearing up to celebrate my husband's 50th birthday!  Wow.  50.  I'll save my thoughts on that for another post.  Just let me say that I teared up as I picked out a birthday card for him today.

As for celebrations... the 3rd Anniversary of the Heart Attack/quitting smoking has come and gone.  I decided to celebrate by going out and making it a Random Act of Kindness Day with my kid.  I won't go into detail on what all took place that day, but it was one of the most moving and heartwarming days I've had in such a long time.  I want to do another in the near future!  By the way, if you've never performed a RAoK, I highly recommend it.  You'll not only touch someone elses life, you'll find that your own life will be affected, too.

There.  All caught up, I think.  Well, with the major stuff, anyway.

'Til next time...



XO

It's Coming Quickly

It's coming...

THREE YEARS is fast approaching!

Am needing ideas on how to celebrate... send some, will ya???



XO

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Not all heart patients or Pacemaker recipients are sixty and above.

(I ran across this image as I was doing a little research on Pacemaker/Defibrillator Implants... unfortunately, not

 the first image I've run across that gives the false realization that only the elderly have cardiac issues.)

Sometimes they look like this...

What's wrong with this picture?

The fact that Heart Disease is so rampant in our society today.

It's time to get educated and fight back!

S.

Smoothie Recipe

With warmer weather right around the corner, here's a fruit smoothie recipe I came up with that is light, refreshing, filling and quite tasty, especially if you like mangos.



Mango & Banana Smoothie

 Add a couple handfuls of mangos

 And a couple of bananas

 Along with approximately 1 tablespoon of Coconut Oil

 Add enough Rice Milk to cover ingredients in blender

 Blend until smooth

Enjoy fruity goodness that is healthy!

Try it out and let me know what you think.

 

S.