womens heart health: In despair, I almost let the phone roll to voicemail
- 08/03/13 01:55 PM
In despair, I almost let the phone roll to voicemail Owners of three of my listings phoned me one day after I had a heart attack in late June. The first two asked how I was doing and then quickly segued into how my health might affect the marketing of their houses. I assured them both that I had only been in the hospital overnight and had returned to work the day after I was dismissed. Even if that had not been the case, I explained, I am not the only agent in my family-owned agency. Both my husband and … (74 comments)
womens heart health: My bell has not tolled yet!
- 06/22/13 11:29 AM
I am forcing myself to just stay on cruise control for a few days. Yesterday's angiogram confirmed what we already knew, that I had a heart attack recently. The angiogram showed that this heart attack was caused by failure of one of my eight-month-old grafts. The damage was already done to my heart and to the now-useless graft when I first went to the ER on Monday. Both a stress test and the angio said that heart damage was minimal, and I have adequate circulation around the damaged area. Rather than putting a stint in the graft, they are going to … (35 comments)
I was "The Patient" exhibit at a cardiology symposium this weekend, sponsored by SoutheastHealth. Believe me, I know what a gift my heartbeat is. Listening to the various speakers, I learned that I should always have been considered at HIGH risk for heart disease. Are you? You are, if genetics and one other risk factor affect you. I honestly did not know that I was HIGH risk. Check with your doctor today. The most common risk factors are family history, diabetes (type 1 or 2, and this is a huge risk factor), high blood pressure, … (16 comments)
womens heart health: Getting healthy in the Rain
- 03/31/13 04:39 PM
For two months now, I've been thinking of Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, and her GET HEALTHY challenge. It fit right into what I needed to do as I continue to make the lifestyle changes that will, literally, lengthen my life. My goal in the challenge was to continue to keep up an exercise regime after I graduated from the formal Cardiac Rehab that I was in following quadruple bypass surgery in October. As I explained at the start of the challenge, supporting my heart health was my primary concern, but losing weight is a component of that. I did lose a few additional pounds … (3 comments)
womens heart health: Not just another New Year's resolution; not just another AR challenge!
- 02/02/13 01:03 PM
Not just another New Year's resolution and not just for the Get Healthy in the Rain blog challenge... I thought of you today, Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, and your GET HEALTHY challenge. It drove me to the health club, not for the usual New Year's weight loss resolution, but for a far bigger reason. As I have written about several times in my recent blogs, I had a quadruple coronary bypass in October. My cholesterol and triglicerides were in the normal range, my blood sugar was in the normal range (though I do have Type 2 Diabetes), and my blood pressure was … (12 comments)
womens heart health: Three months ago, I made a life or death decision
- 01/05/13 10:46 AM
I went to the hospital ER for the FOURTH time with what turned out to be a heart problem. On each of the three previous trips, I was told that my heart was "strong." Turns out, it was strong, but it was also being strangled by blockages. Here's what I did NOT have: Pain in my chest Crushing pressure in my chest Pain in my left arm Sweating What I DID have: Gripping tightness in my throat from my chin to my collarbone, with an accompanying breathlessness Searing pain on the entire left side of my face--though it developed only in the … (44 comments)
womens heart health: Turns out, I was NOT too young or too anything...
- 12/08/12 09:50 AM
Today marks two calendar months since I had quadruple coronary bypass surgery. It has been an amazing journey. I am almost "normal" now, though who really wants to be normal, anyway? ;-) Things I can do now that were difficult or ill-advised earlier in my recovery: Sleep without pain medication, and sleep on either side (sleeping on my stomach is still uncomfortable). Get into and out of bed without pain (I no longer lie in bed at night, debating with myself whether or not I can wait a few more minutes to go to the bathroom). DRIVE! My heart surgeon kept me … (8 comments)
womens heart health: My own October surprise: Now I'm a CABBAGE!
- 11/01/12 05:20 AM
And just how did I become a CABBAGE? After hearing nurses use the term "cabbage" several times, I asked what it meant. Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG or "cabbage") was the answer, and they were referring to ME. Much to the surprise of almost everyone who knows me, I had quadruple coronary bypass surgery on Oct. 8, and that means I am now a cabbage. What a Halloween costume idea that is! Maybe next year, as I'm not quite up to doing much more than the necessary daily tasks--just yet. My first follow-up visit with the heart surgeon was yesterday, Halloween. He … (13 comments)
womens heart health: ALIVE and grateful for it!
- 10/15/12 02:07 PM
One week ago today, I was on the operating table for quadruple bypass surgery. Today, I woke up hungry for the first time since surgery, and my loving husband cooked a real breakfast which I could actually eat! Later today, we went walking OUTSIDE (just as far as the neighbor's mailbox and back) on a lovely fall day! Celebrate life, friends and loved ones. I now believe that it's way easier to die than I ever thought before and actually have a strange peace about that. My heartfelt thanks go out to all family and friends who kept vigil and sent … (5 comments)
In despair, I almost let the phone roll to voicemail Owners of three of my listings phoned me one day after I had a heart attack in late June. The first two asked how I was doing and then quickly segued into how my health might affect the marketing of their houses. I assured them both that I had only been in the hospital overnight and had returned to work the day after I was dismissed. Even if that had not been the case, I explained, I am not the only agent in my family-owned agency. Both my husband and … (74 comments)
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