Tonight it is raining ice at my house. This is the view from our cameras. Since we are trapped inside, I thought I would post a catchup.
When I went to the hospital, well when I felt better at the hospital (I was not thinking in the ambulance or the first hour in the ER), I really had not planned to mention this little episode to anyone. But we were expecting grandkids at 7am for breakfast so I had to let the parents know. My text said "Long story short, I'm in the hospital, but your dad will be home to get the kids at 7. Will anyone be around town in the morning to pick them up so he can come back here?"
Well that started it. Kids calling off work, One driving in from out of town. I had a board meeting the first afternoon - I sent a message that I was calling off AGAIN and understood I might be fired (from my volunteer job). They joked that next time I would need a doctor's excuse. Surprise, when I texted a few days later that I would be off for at least a few weeks and that I did have a doctor's excuse.
Word spread around town and as much as I am not crazy about people in my business, it has brought tears to my eyes the amount of people who have called, texted, sent cards and even flowers. I was on a few prayer chains. I have had so many people offering to bring food or go shopping for me. I do tell them I have a freezer full of those dang healthy meals, please don't bring food. I also have a healthy husband with time on his hands, but it is so nice of people to offer. I feel like I have a lot more friends than I realize.
This week everyone wants to know how I am doing. The truth is I feel better than I have for months and it really makes me feel like a fraud. Losing all that fluid in my lungs allows me to breath better than ever and I lost a lot of swelling especially in my legs and ankles (I wasn't fat- I was puffy!). Of course I am basically doing nothing so I am well rested, lol. We did stop at the Cancer Thrift Shop on the way back from a doctor's appointment and I found this fabulous lamp. It didn't accidentally come home with me, I was actually looking for a lamp.My best friend forever (since fifth grade) came to town to take me to lunch. She just wanted to see if I was telling the truth about doing better. A local restaurant has a new owner and the interior and ambiance is wonderful. The food and service so-so.
Today I visited the cardiologist and he increased the dosages on all my new medicines. So even though I feel fabulous, I have to remind myself that we, or me, are dealing with issues. Unfortunately the drug store texted me that my insurance doesn't want to cover one medicine which is $1032 a month. Since it is Friday night, I am planning on checking with the drug store Monday morning, calling the insurance company next and if I finish those calls and don't have a solution before 5pm, calling the doctor's office to see if there is a substitute.
He is sending me to cardio rehab and said he doesn't want me to do any heavy activities until we work that out since the insurance company may not cover that either. (My refractory is one point over the qualifying number). Meanwhile I have the okay for walking.
I kind of feel like I am in a holding pattern. I go to the pulmonologist this week and the cardiologist in 2 weeks to see how I am doing and at this point, I just want to get back to normal. Whatever that is.



So glad you are able to do the walks. That is a great help in recovery (though I don’t do it as much as I say how great it is!) I should sign up for rehab again, where I could work on retrieving whatever remaining possible functions this ole bod is capable of. We shall see…I’m good at having great ideas.
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting for a health update from you (I'm sure I wasn't the only one), thanks for catching us up Miss Merry. It's wonderful that you have such a network of loving and concerned family & friends, you reap what you sow. :^) The bouquet is beautiful, love the classy lamp too--but the price of that one medicine... omigod. How could your insurance deny you?? I very much hope you get better news with that. Anyway very glad to hear you're feeling better, I'm keeping my fingers crossed you stay in that direction. :^)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you were able to get medical intervention at this point! Wow. I have been through this with a family member and let me say Cardio/Pulmonary Rehab is the bomb. Rich did it and it really helped so much.
ReplyDeleteThe normal will probably be taking meds from now on, but dang, this is good news. I am like you, sort of not into sharing some stuff.
You have such a good support system, use it!
:)
Thanks for the update. Glad you are doing so much better and getting so much love!
ReplyDeleteYou give of yourself to your community so I'm not surprised there are a lot of people concerned for you. It's such good news to know you feel so well.
ReplyDeleteMiss Merry, you seem to be doing really well... in attitude as well as physically. And of course you have many many friends as you do so much for others. But this comment is because you surprised me so with that pic of that lamp! That's my mom's lamp... or it was... or it's a duplicate (I'm sure). We gave one like it away to some charitable donation center a while back, but gosh, it brought back memories to see it again - since it was always in our house growing up.
ReplyDeleteHow funny that I found your lamp's twin! I needed a table lamp behind me since my grandkids moved my lamp to the craft table. This one was featured in the Valentine window display but I had to have it. I love the cherubs!
DeleteIt's so good to see your MERRY voice, and to hear how strong and better you feel! My little silver "garden hose" has been with me since 2017, after just a volunteer checkup on one of those $39.95 campaigns at the Heart Hospital. And the three months' therapy after was a lovely outing twice a week, with sweet friendships sustained since.
ReplyDeleteYour is the second fabulous lamp I've seen today---a text from DD2 shows an exquisite pale green leafy-globe, with tendrils of large white roses (which GRAND ARTISTE-who-is-her-daughter will tip in blush, to go into their Fairy-Tale themed library). We spent an hour texting back and forth what the lamp might be---Sleeping Beauty's hedge, or Jack's Beanstalk, etc. Well, they're MY Family, and you know how I go off on a tangent when a subject is fun.
Hugs from the Snowy Heartland!
Great news about feeling better, thank Heaven. You’ve been a friend and giver to so many….my Mom always said, ‘you have to be a gracious receiver’ when tables are turned. Thanks for the update and have a lovely, warm and cozy weekend. Best, Virginia
ReplyDeleteSo glad you’re feeling better and surrounded by such caring friends and family. 💐 Breathing easier and walking again sounds like real progress—wishing you smooth days ahead.
ReplyDeleteMay you return to Normal soon, it's always scary to have a Medical Emergency that lands you in the Hospital and it does alarm everyone. It's great you have the outpouring of concern and support, people can be really great sometimes about being there during crisis.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your giving us this update because I've been thinking about you and wondering. You may be private but it's so good to know how many people love and care about you, who will drop everything because they care. That support is, I believe, critical in one's healing. We never want to be identified by our illness but keeping it all hidden isn't the way to go either. So, I'm glad they have come through for you. And I am also glad that you are getting out, that people are watching out for you. You listen to those doc's orders! (I'm sure you are.) It's a good time to lay low. Do you need a good book or something? Let me know -- I have many I'd pass along!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the update. I've been praying of you and wondered how things were going for you. I'm glad you have lots of help and that your kids have gotten on board too. I'm glad you're getting out and about too. Your lamp reminds me of one we inherited from Dennis's Mom. I think it was actually his grandma's originally. Ours has more red than green though.
ReplyDeleteBe good and do what you're told.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
You are getting better! Nice to know that you have so many people who care about you!
ReplyDelete