Half of year 2015 in history books

The first six months of 2015 have been transformative for me. I literally almost died in January ( see previous posts).While recuperating, I have made purposeful lifestyle changes. I am seriously making the attempt to exercise regularly and eat less fat grams. The ebb and flow of these efforts have rewarded me with a loss of 22lbs so far.However, I am a foodie and wine lover, so I constantly struggle between opposing desires- taking care of my heart and enjoying the gourmand life. Joining a gym surprised me, but I found a good fit with aqua aerobics and beginning yoga.I clock steps on a pedometer and dance to a song or two almost daily. [Who are you and what have you done with Linda?] Also, our sweet cat CJ died in May and so did my sister- in- law Diana; these are difficult losses for me( and, of course, for Alfredo).My son recently asked if I was writing on my blog any more. I haven't posted since March, but his question spurred me to do so today. I hope the second half of 2015 will be joyful for me. I will be able to travel and look forward to both short and long trips.Travel ignites and rejuvenates me, especially when I am able to be with dear family and friends. I just finished a TN mountain cabin getaway with my sweet friend Melanie Salas. I will be at Tybee Island this coming weekend with my immediate family.In August, I will be in Michigan with my sister, family and friends. In October I will be on a church retreat with my soul sista, Ms. Loretta. I will also be going to Hawaii the second half of October to be with my lifelong friend Ruth, who graciously bought me the airfare.In November, I will be driving to Disney World with another close friend, Felicia.I have never been to Disney World without children; it should be a blast. Also, next February Al and I are going on an almost free cruise. I feel blessed and Life is good once again.

Maladies

I am getting over my " heart " saga fairly well. Six weeks later and I'm now resuming most activities. However, I'm now in cardiac rehab which is essentially monitored exercise for up to twelve weeks, three days per week. It's ok; I know that I need it, I tell myself unconvincingly. The next saga is about my eyes. I had cataracts removed a couple days ago; I 'm still healing. The worst part of post-op has been the 4 different types of eye drops. Until this afternoon's set, they burned like hell. So nice that has subsided; I can endure the blurriness and killer headaches a while longer. I don't need to wear a patch( I kind of wanted to do that actually).The cataract removal is commonplace, I know. Lots of tune ups going on... It is the next step that is bothersome - cornea replacement after Easter. That said, I can't fly until at least 8 weeks after my last procedure, and I already have cabin fever; taking a weekend road trip to Nashville mitigated that, at least..Nevertheless,let me just say , thank goodness for modern medicine. I am mollified by planning little daytime excursions to get me walking: Gibbs Gardens, wine country, the zoo( it's been years),and a farmer's market or two. Well that catches you up,albeit malady related. I will be overjoyed when these health issues are behind me.I never thought I would be so absorbed with medical crap. I can't even have a glass of wine right now because of antibiotics. Oh woe I me.... Ha!

Señor helpmate

I am not the only person who has suffered through my medical crisis. Al has carried a lot of stress and anxiety with sleepless nights, while being a selfless caregiver for me.Let me back up to November when Al's position was eliminated with the company with which he was employed. The chemical company decided to eliminate outside chemical sales positions. He got a bit of severance and a great recommendation,but Al is 62, and although he is supremely experienced and competent, age is an issue. He does get unemployment ( whoopee) and although he was going to wait until 66, he applied for social security. Work is very important to Alfredo and this has preoccupied him. Also, after Christmas break,our 18 year old daughter Gina overdosed on pills and liquor ( on Al's birthday no less) and she was in Lakeview behavioral hospital for a few days. She is out of danger now and is in Florida with Al's side of the family for a while to give us some respite here.The day I went into the hospital I was not supposed to stay.When complications arose with my procedures, I almost died. Al was alone in the waiting room and he said it was the longest, scariest night of his life.At one point when my blood pressure couldn't be stabilized, a doctor came out and talked to Al and told him to prepare for the worst, and that if I did make it, I could have brain damage. Wow! If our positions had been reversed, I know I would have been freaking out, too. Through ICU and the cardiac care unit, Al stayed by my side and helped as best he could. Some might say , " yea, of course; that's what spouses do." I know differently. Anyway, the shell shock experience drew us even closer together, and I believe he not only showed grace under pressure, he was incredibly kind and patient with me, especially the first few days after I returned home.Nobody really helped him. He has been my hero. He says that I must be getting better now, because I'm back to my sarcastic self again. I truly don't know how I would have fared without him. Unemployment, daughter in crisis,seriously ill wife- any one of these is major. Al is stronger and tougher than I imagined. I am proud that he is such a loyal husband and caring father ( he shielded Adam from my situation until I was out of danger, for example). Our love of 40 years is stronger than ever, and I am blessed that we will have more time together.

No hyperbole

Sometimes people say they almost died (more figuratively than literally). Well, I did almost die. Here's a story....Back in November my primary physician sent me for some tests because my blood pressure could not seem to get regulated through medicine, etc."Irregularities" took me to a cardiologist, who went through a sequence of more tests including a nuclear stress test and a pet scan.He decided I should get a heart Cath to make sure everything would be ok.I was asymptomatic for the most part, but they found a 90% blockage on my main artery , and put a stent in.Wow, that in itself was unexpected. However, it's not the Cath or the subsequent stent that is unusual.I know many people have had those procedures. Everybody kept telling me , "It will be ok", yada, yada. Well.... After the stent was put in, complications occurred that less than 1% of people have with this procedure. My IV was"positional" and not enough blood thinner was able to get to the heart; I developed a blood clot which had to have suctioned out and I was sent to OR from recovery so another Cath was put in my groin ( again not unusual) to get the clot; this was emergency enough but then my blood pressure plummeted, and they could not get it stabilized.( something like 40/20). They did another scan and found "serum sanguine" surrounding my heart and not letting the heart pump, probably due to either now too much thinner or a micro perforation.They opened my chest ( euphemistically called a window)and had to insert tube as well to get the excess fluid out.( 15 staples)Meanwhile, I had aspirated into my lungs so I was intubated as well. Good grief! An outpatient procedure- or with an overnight stay if I needed a balloon/ stent- turned into 2 nights in cardiac ICU and 5 days more on the cardiac unit. My nurses were wonderful but I must say I had to let go of my dignity with all the care I had to receive. I have been home now 4 days and will be recuperating for a while.My staples need to be taken out soon and I currently have no energy. I seem to be getting a little better each day. I should be resuming activities and driving, with in reason, by the 10th( coincidentally, my son's birthday). I thank everybody for their continued prayers for healing. When I feel more cogent and stable, I will revisit all the medical reports surrounding these events. I believe the clot and serum sanguine issues were preventable. We will see.