Nov 28, 2017

Recovery and a Thank You

It's been awhile, so I thought I'd let you know how I am doing. (Short version -- fine.)


After a few rocky times, I think I'm on the road to recovery. I am driving (yeah!), and pretty much self sufficient. My doc says the surgery** was a success. I can feel a difference. I used to have chest pains every day, but I haven't had a single one since the surgery. I also used to pretty much fall apart after noon, but I find I have more energy than before. I'm still a little short of breath, but it's anemia, not the heart, so it is a temporary thing. 

Nevertheless, I wonder if having the surgery was the right thing to do. That pulmonary embolism was crazy painful and could have killed me or damaged my heart. I'll be on blood thinners the rest of my life (which is not that uncommon but is concerning). Plus, the whole scene was very hard on my husband -- at one point he slept on the living room floor because he didn't want me to be alone and I was in too much pain to sleep in a bed. The man is a keeper and I hate to see him so worried and exhausted. He's still fussing over me and I suspect it will take awhile for him to recover....

And even more worrisome, at some point, both Mike and I began to feel very vulnerable. It seems like just yesterday that I was accompanying my Mom to the ER and doctors' office and handling all that drama. I was really good at handling the drama when I wasn't the patient. Now we are the patients -- Mike also had a medical scare this fall -- and it's a whole other game. We started talking about moving to a home without stairs and then stopped and pulled ourselves together. We are so not there yet! We just need time to get 2017 in the rear view mirror and are already planning a short getaway sometime for early 2018.

So the jury is still out on whether the surgery was a good thing, but this jury doesn't need to vote. It's over and time to move on and I see good things ahead.

** By the way, did you happen to catch The Good Doctor on ABC last night (11/27)?  The little boy with the heart problem has my heart condition and had the same surgery I had.  Although the writers got a few details wrong, I thought they did a decent job. 
_______

I received many, many get well cards, emails, comments on the blog and on Facebook. My husband saved all the cards and I recently reread them. I think I was too sick when I first received them to focus on them. They are beautiful and it was so kind of so many to send them. Thank you all so very much for taking the time to encourage me in whatever format. My family, friends, and the stamping community are truly a blessing in my life.



19 comments:

Betty said...

have been thinking about you and so good to hear you are the road to recovery and it's all getting better - i was thinking i was crazy to feel so vulnerable after my problems this past summer and even more so 'cause i'm alone and i don't have a "Mike" to take care of me - my kids have been wonderful, but they're not here all the time. hugs.

Joan B said...

I don't blame you for feeling vulnerable particularly since you did not have anyone with you on a full time basis. That is tough!!

Janet said...

I have been checking my News Feed 3X's a day waiting for this Post. Such good news!

Joan B said...

Janet, what a sweet thing to say!

vdoyle8 said...

I'm so happy to hear this news! I've been thinking about you. We've had some serious health issues also - it sucks. And the PTSD is real. I'm glad you recognize it (my husband is STILL in denial four years later). I pray you have a lovely holiday season and enjoy planning your getaway. If I had your address, I would have totally sent a card!

Teresa Doyle said...

I have been wondering how you were doing as I haven't seen any updates.still praying for your full recovery. Glad to hear you are coming along..(((hugs))).

Leslie Miller said...

When you're fully recovered from the surgery you'll likely decide it was the right thing to do. Maybe one of these days there will be a better alternative, but remember how carefully you thought this out, and it sounds like the post surgery You is showing signs of feeling better than the pre-surgery You. You'll grow more comfortable with the new normal and you and Mike will worry less. That feeling of vulnerability is no small thing, though. It can keep me awake at night and I get on a worry kick until I push the reset button. Keep on keeping on, Joan, and know that, yes, you'll come out the other side of this. I'm glad for the update today. You were about to get an email from me.

MyLittleBlueDog said...

Sounds like things are going well, you never can tell about the outcome of surgery, and you seem to have benefited from it. So good to hear you are out and about and tackling the stairs. You'll be increasing your stamina and muscle tone each day. Glad you found the time to post, great to hear you are doing well and looking forward to a trip away.

Meg M. said...

So grateful that all of this is in the rear view mirror now. You are doing incredibly well. Keep taking those baby steps. Celebrate the wins, remember to notice the normal moments so both you and Mike can relax that nervous system. XOXOX

Pat said...

So glad to hear you're making progress & feeling stronger, Joan.Having had a serious illness last spring, I recognize that vulnerability & its fears. Just take it slow & listen to your body. Best wishes for the holidays.

Joan B said...

sorry to hear about your serious health issues. Thanks for your kind words.

Joan B said...

thanks Leslie. It's been a crazy year for sure. Here's hoping 2018 is calmer for all of us.

Joan B said...

thanks so much!

Joan B said...

sorry to hear about your illness. thanks for the kind words and I hope you are doing much better.

Lisa Elton said...

My life has been crazy busy lately Joan, I apologize for my lack of commenting lately. I've seen your posts here and on FB. You've been in my prayers. I'm so sorry you and your husband have had to go through so many trials this year. I pray that 2018 treats you both better.

Joan B said...

thank you so much

Joan B said...

thanks!

Joan B said...

never apologize for not commenting. but I do appreciate it. I hope your 2018 is wonderful

Cindy Beach said...

Hi Joan,
I'm pretty new to your blog but I've been praying for your recovery! So glad to read this update and I appreciate your vulnerability in sharing all you've been through and your thoughts about it. Especially glad to see there are a few card post too. Stamping is the best therapy, isn't it?