Been A Long Past Several Months

It seems like so long since I have been able to do any blogging. So much has happened over the last year. I was called in January of 2012 and asked to return to work to help at several of the County Senior Centers. There seemed to be lots of illness and the roving cook could not be in two places at once. So yes I did return as the On Call person and agreed to work all centers  in the county if needed. What was to be a few days here and there turned in at least 3 days or more a week until mid October.

It was about this time I got a call from my cardiologist after a few tests I had run. I needed to get right into them and they already had me scheduled for the next day. Now I had known for about 20 years that eventually I needed a pace maker so my thoughts of good they have finally decided that my heart rate has slowed enough that they wanted to give me one.

Husband George went in with me the next afternoon. And what a shock. It seems that my heart valves were beginning to fail and I needed open heart surgery to either replace or repair them. Nothing at all mentioned about a pace maker.

So started the long journey to surgery. Right after Christmas I went in for a double heart cathe. That showed no blockages and I was safe to have surgery . Then there were echos, lung and breathing tests, blood work and so much more. I have lost track of everything having to be done before surgery.  My surgery was finally scheduled for February 5th. On the 3rd. they called and delayed the date till the 11th and on the 10 received another call delaying till the 14th. So on Valentines Day I was getting a broken heart fixed.  Surgery went so well and I was recouping fast compared to many for the first few days. Then on the 17th the Dr. was removing pace wires and it threw me int Afib. Upper right chamber of my heart decided not to work. I came to surrounded by Dr. and Nurses and hooked to a temporary pacemaker with emergency surgery taking place early the morning of the 18th to install a permanent pace maker. I had been put first in surgery for the morning. No delaying this one.

I was released to come home on the afternoon of the 19th with a visiting nurse scheduled to come out each day for a week and then twice a week for the next month. I did very well and after the first few weeks was already noticing a big difference in my breathing. For the good I must say.

I am now able to do most things. Still no yard work or heavy lifting. Hope that will all change on the 14th of May and I will be able to do some gardening and things I so enjoy doing that the last few years have been very hard for me to do.

I did , before my surgery manage to put a few crafts on the cabinet in the basement so granddaughter or hubby could bring them up when I felt up to doing some crafting. I have managed to do a bit of embroidery and also some plastic canvas. This week I plan on getting back into my painting. Several ornament bird houses I want to do up for this years tree. Also have several ornaments George had cut out for me a few years ago that were not done up. So the rest of my recuperation will find me busy with crafting to my hearts content.

I started Cardiac Rehab last Monday and am enjoying the exercise. It has been way to many years since I have been able to do so much without getting so out of breath that I had to sit for a bit. I go three days a week and am using our machine here at home too.

Now that I am well on my way to better health I am looking forward to getting back to blogging and doing all the things I love doing.

I did manage even with all going on getting the house all decorated for the Holidays last year.   And I got it all down other than my village which I think I may be able to climb to this next week and get it down and wrapped. Just have to have George take it too the basement.

I also need my white tree dragged up so I can get it decorated in red, white, and blue. Big party here on the 4th. of May. Sort of a combination party. Granddaughter Ashley graduating from Grad. school, her fiance'  Ray graduating from college and a going away party for them as they leave for Georgia, Ft. Benning where he will be stationed in the Army. Planned on an outdoor party but it is two weeks away today we woke to snow on the ground and 26 degree weather.

This was my Red, White, and Blue tree last year up till Late November to honor my Grandson who at the time was in Afghanistan. He is home and been to Jordan for 3 months and now back in California.

I hope that you  will all have a wonderful week end and hope that you have some wonderful spring weather.