It was a week ago today that I was recovering in Intensive Care for a Heart Attack. The day before, I had walked over 18,000 steps. Since I have been here in Northern California, I have been walking the beautiful trails everyday an average of 20,000 steps everyday. It was a carefree time and I always found time to put in a lunch stop. My purpose for lunch was budget and not quality. When I say quality, I mean healthy.
Now that I am home and beginning my recovery, I have noticed that many of the signs “were there”. I had a Cardiologist. He did the test that I asked for. There were elevated numbers referring to one artery in my heart. I got the results with no explanation. No followup…at least on their part. This was the artery that ended up being completely blocked. This was the one that almost took my life. I would like to think that this is an isolated situation. Since leaving the hospital, I have been trying to get clarification on a conversation regarding the elimination of a specific platelet blocking drug. I would not be so concerned if he hadn’t made such a big deal about this at the time he was going to originally release me.
I revisited the results and will bring these questions to my primary care physician to get his opinion. At the same time, it is time to get with a cardiologist who would like to partner with me in my care. This means a dialog and that means when I communicate with a doctor there is a response. A response like the one that happened when I dialed 911. That was special.
There are no people that I have gained a bigger appreciation for than the EMT who is working late at night and is ready and willing with a friendly face to lead you through a very stressful situation. The ER staff that was ready to catch a patient that needed immediate attention. The surgeon who was ready with a calm hand and used the words “this will be fixed.” The intensive care nurse who said she had only a couple of patients to give her attention to and that I was that important and, of course, the loved ones who were making necessary visits to keep me sane and stocked with supplies.
Thanks to everyone who have sent well wishes and prayers over the last week. It has been wonderful reading your comments on Facebook. I promise to take care of myself better, be kinder to people, more productive with my time, more responsible to my days and remember the true purpose of life…to serve others.
Here’s to today!!!