Category Archives: Heart Attack
Milestone?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
One month ago today I wound up in the hospital emergency room and then in the cardiac cath lab where I had a stent put midway in my right coronary artery.
It’s hard to believe it is already a month. It certainly doesn’t feel as though that much time has passed.
At this time I’m waiting for the arrival of a medic alert necklace for me and, since I was ordering one anyway, I also ordered one for DH. He’s finally convinced that HE should have one. (It’s about time!)
Posted in Heart Attack
Tags: Author, Bones, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Life, Multiple Sclerosis, Post A Day 2011
First check up
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Yesterday I saw my cardiologist for my first check up since I was in the hospital. It’s nice to know that there is no damage to my heart. He told me I probably won’t have to stay on two of my meds for more than another month or two.
My doctor is very pleased with my progress. He released me to all normal activities. YAY! I was cautioned to not over do it. He gave me the old ‘if you feel tired…rest’ speech.
In two months I go for another blood test, and then in another two months after that I go back to see him again. By that time I hope to have my cholesterol and blood pressure down to acceptable levels.
Posted in Heart Attack
Tags: Author, Bones, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Multiple Sclerosis, Post A Day 2011, Writer
Another day…
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I finally went grocery shopping. Wow, I had no idea that I’d get so darned tired. It was wonderful to have the bagger follow me out to the van and load the bags for me. I was very tired.
I felt as though I’d walked miles by the time I arrived home. Then I had to unload my van. I was fortunate to find no cars parked in front of the house so I could pull my van’s rear door even with the front door. Yay, that saved me quite a few steps.
DH arrived downstairs in time to carry in the two heaviest bags for me. It seemed to take forever to put things away.
Then for dinner I got to try out my new Le Creuset Bistro grill pan that was delivered right before I went shopping. I L O V E it!
I made a lovely Sockeye salmon fillet for my dinner and DH had a hamburger steak–he doesn’t like fish. The grill pan was a treat to use and very easy to clean up afterwards.
Posted in Food, Heart Attack
Tags: Author, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Food, Multiple Sclerosis, Post A Day 2011, Writer
Oh, freaking DUH!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Wednesday I go for my first cardio check up since the heart attack. It’s a bit intimidating it’s not like I had any advance warning I’d be having surgery.
Which brings me to the bill we got on Saturday. It seems that I wasn’t precertified for the procedure. Um, it was an emergency, doesn’t that mean there wouldn’t be a precertification? Or do you call them for precertification before you dial 911 for the ambulance?
Don’t you just adore insurance companies?
Posted in Heart Attack
Tags: Author, Bull Terriers, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Life, Multiple Sclerosis, Myocardial infarction, Post A Day 2011
But, but, but…DANGIT!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
The gardens were screaming for a weeding. I couldn’t help myself, I started by tugging some bindweed off my tomato plants. That lead to pulling some hummingbird vine that is invading everything.
Then there were those tall grasses that were crowding into the flower beds. I tugged a bunch of them out. I guess DH missed my presence because he found me outside.
I was scolded and sent inside. {Pouty face}
Posted in Heart Attack, my garden
Tags: Author, Bones, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Post A Day 2011
Dinner sucked
Posted by doggonedmysteries
last night’s dinner was a poor choice but both of us were too damned tired to care. Beanie Weenies were fine. Not every meal around here is going to be heart healthy perfect.
Hopefully, we’ll make up for it the rest of the week. We are doing the best we can but when you’re too tired you are too tired. We looked like two marionettes on broken strings by the time dinner rolled around.
I do wish the local chain pizza places offered a heart healthy pizza, but that’d be too much to hope for wouldn’t it?
Posted in Heart Attack
Tags: Author, Bones, Bull Terriers, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Life, Multiple Sclerosis
What should I ask my cardiologist when I see him on the 14th?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Everyone says you should ask your doctor questions. I have no idea what I should ask my cardiologist.
Do I ask him how much damage the heart attack caused? Do I really want to know that?
Do I ask him if it means I’m crazy because I’m not depressed?
Nevermind, I’ll think of something.
Posted in Heart Attack, Misc
Tags: Author, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Myocardial infarction, Post A Day 2011
Frustrated, yes.
Posted by doggonedmysteries
The most frustrating thing is dealing with the low energy. I do half of what I’d normally do and am looking for a nap. Somehow the idea of doing a sink full of dishes and collapsing from exhaustion afterwards makes me crazier than the idea that I won’t be painting my house any time soon.
The idea of not being to weed the gardens in a few hours frustrates the hell out of me.
Amidst all the frustration, I find that I do not suffer from one thing that worried my doctor. I’m not depressed. I’ve managed to find the humor in the situation.
The fact that I’ve been relegated to sitting on my butt has DH moving around more is rather amusing.
Posted in Heart Attack, Misc, MS related
Tags: Author, Bones, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Multiple Sclerosis, Post A Day 2011, Writer
I am more than a little ready to get moving
Posted by doggonedmysteries
With my health below par for the time being, DH has begun to do more than he has for ages. I think he’s surprising himself with what he can do if necessary. In the meantime, I am going a bit bonkers with my body restricting my activity.
My next big project is to go grocery shopping. I have a growing list of items we need. I am sure that DH won’t let me go alone. I’m not sure if I’ll do it as a joint project with DH or have G go along with me. Having G go along with me will probably be less stressful and a lot easier in the long run. We’ll see. It won’t happen until midweek next week anyway.
Posted in Heart Attack, Misc
Tags: Author, Bones, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Multiple Sclerosis, Post A Day 2011, Writer
He may cheat on the diet but I won’t
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I am ever so slowly making headway in my dietary changes. The trip to IHOP yesterday was proof of that. I behaved and ordered a completely heart smart meal from the turkey bacon to the egg substitute scramble. Never mind that DH ordered two rashers of bacon, a huge stack of pancakes swimming in butter, syrup, and blueberry compote, and he ate most of it.
He’s not making it difficult but he’s not making it easy either. It’s a good thing I’d already made many dietary changes for us over the years. For example, we haven’t used white bread in over thirty years.
My grocery list has grown and I must soon get out and go shopping. As I slowly get back into the daily routine of cooking, I am converting most of my recipes on the fly. It’s not taking all that much to drop the cholesterol and salt levels. Yes, there are changes. However, since many of the changes were already a regular part of our diet it’s not as much as you would think.
We already use whole grain breads, we’ve added more fruits and vegetables to our daily meals, and DH was getting used to a more Mediterranean based diet. The changes I’d already made to our diet may have been what saved my life.
Posted in Food, Heart Attack
Tags: Author, Bones, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Food, Multiple Sclerosis, Post A Day 2011
The comedy that is our home
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Doing laundry was an interesting experience yesterday. I’m not supposed to lift anything so the plan was DH would carry the laundry basket to the cellar and back up while I loaded the washer and dryer. Hmmm, we need to rethink that strategy. A man who can’t walk well should not attempt to carry a laundry basket.
Eventually some of the laundry was done. DH has clean dark clothes. None of mine made it yet but that’s my fault I should’ve sorted mine first. Two more loads to go and we’ll both have clean clothes—although it may take a couple of days to do it.
We’ve worked out how to cook and do dishes between us. We haven’t any qualms about stopping what we’re doing to sit down and rest when we need to.
I hate this. I want my energy back.
Posted in Heart Attack, Misc
Tags: Author, Bones, Bull Terriers, Dead, Doggoned, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Post A Day 2011, Writer
Any help is welcome
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I have a freezer full of meats, a lifetime of recipes stashed in my brain, and suddenly I have to change everything. ACK! Low cholesterol, low-fat, low or no sodium, buzz words swirl though my brain.
I haven’t gone shopping yet so all those healthy side dishes, vegetables, fruits, and other fresh items are in low supply. Any recipes, ideas, or handy dandy tips on changing my regular recipes are welcome.
What I haven’t found in the several heart healthy cookbooks that I now own are decent snacks that are easy to make and both tasty and satisfying. I like crunch—not celery crunch, but crunchy crunch. I absolutely abhor cold cereals of all flavors so don’t even go there.
Posted in Food, Heart Attack
Tags: Author, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Food, Multiple Sclerosis, Post A Day 2011, Special Diets
Doggonedmysteries 