Mar 29, 2019

More Learning Through Inspiration and a Life Update



My latest Learning Through Inspiration, studying Jill Foster, is up on the Penny Black blog. You can find it on this post.  Would love if you checked it out!

Life Update

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you may know that I got a cardiac defibrillator* implanted this week. It's a long story as to why I decided to go down this route again, but ultimately my doctors convinced me that it could prolong my life.

I decided that I could live with the anxiety of my heart stopping, or live with the anxiety of the ICD going off by mistake (that's happened to me with a prior ICD and it is horrible) or causing a life threatening infection. We all face hard choices and this was a hard one, but I'm glad I did it.

I am enormously grateful for the gift of life. All of us have a limited amount of time and the opportunity to possibly prolong my time is worth the pain and risk of getting and having an ICD.

I have limited use of my left arm for the next few weeks (there's a wire from the ICD near my left collar bone into my heart and I can't risk dislodging it until it heals). Plus, pain! I'll be up on the Penny Black blog next Tuesday with a prewritten post, but other than that, I'm not sure how long a break I'll take from stamping. Hopefully, not too long!


* An internal cardioverter defibrillator, known as an ICD, is placed in your body surgically. In the event you go into a fatal heart rhythm, it will shock your heart and usually terminate the fatal heart rhythm.

14 comments:

Betty said...

heal quickly, Joan and looking forward to your next Penny Black post!

Cat Craig said...

Sending healing prayers.

Vikki H said...

Prayers for healing and patience~ The PB post is quite good and kudos for the honors.

Jan said...

Take good care of yourself. Recovery time will give you more time tot plan out all those great cards you make.

Ginger said...

My pastor's wife (60 or so)had ICD placed 3 yrs ago. She is doing well. My 75 yo friend had one placed before Christmas. Both ladies report improved quality of life and more energy. Take good care and listen to your body.

Julie Ebersole said...

No words, really... Just sending all the love and healing vibes in the world. (((((((((((((((((YOU)))))))))))))))))) <- that's a mondo squishy hug. ❤️

Elaine C said...

Sending healing prayers for a quick recovery. I love all your cards, and seeing a post from you makes my day :)

Cheryl Robertson said...

Speedy recovery Joan! You are one of my favorite bloggers and I love that you are blogging again. Also, Congratulations on your PB posts! So excited for you!

Pat said...

From a new follower of your blog, I also want to congratulate you on your PB posts. It was on your first post that I found your blog which I enjoyed reading at lot. Rest and take care of yourself....

Leslie Miller said...

I hope you're already feeling better pain-wise, Joan, but I know the healing will take some time if you want to be as cautious as you should be. I also know this was a hard choice for you, but glad you're feeling good about it. I've been to the PB blog and read your post. Again, on my laptop I cannot leave a comment there (WordPress). Weird, huh? Love those brushstroke stamps and the gorgeous things people do with them. The stamp platforms have been a boon to the use of brushstroke stamps. I do not have any kind of stamp platform, but this is the best reason I've seen to own one.
Interesting about using water on the stamp. Good post, Joan.

Karen @ Misplaced Mojo said...

I know your decision must have been a tough one, after what you went through before. Fingers crossed this time goes flawlessly! Now, eager to hop over to PB to read your post!!! Hugs!

Marianne said...

Sending positive vibes your way. Hopefully, this new ICD will be an improved version of the one you had before and will improve the quality of life for you.
Marianne x

Jeanne H said...

Best wishes to you! My DH had one for years and only went off once! A wonderful invention. Take good care of you.

Andrew and Bertha Pilgrim said...

Although this post was some time ago, I still wanted to comment to say I hope you're better now. I follow your cardiac story closely as my mum, who has a pacemaker, moved in with me after suffering heart failure (two heart attacks). The change in medication seems to be working but I can see that her success depends on having a really clued-in cardiologist. Thanks for sharing your story.