Thursday, March 28, 2019

I’m Alive!

Hello everyone.  I thought I should check in with all of you because I had so many wonderful and thoughtful comments on my last post. I have a hard time comprehending just how wonderful it is to have girlfriends like you all over the world, who truly care about me and we haven’t even met. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being there for me.

I went to my cardiologist visit yesterday and he has ordered a nuclear stress test for me in April. I still have tachycardia, but it’s not as severe as it was when I saw him in December, so he is recommending to hold off on the ablation for now, which is wonderful news to me. He doesn’t know what is causing the chest pain and fatigue and so hopefully the test will enlighten us on that. If it doesn’t show anything, I guess that would be good news that there are no blockages anyway.
I have completed 15 dishcloths for the church with one more almost ready to come off of the needles.  I have made a big dent in my bin of scrap cotton yarn. I also have the pattern and cotton ready to begin a kitchen towel like Nancy’s who is “Wyoming Breezes” over on my sidebar.  She has included a link to the free pattern on Ravelry.
I forgot to say earlier that I did ask the doctor about the meds causing me to feel down and he said that’s not a typical side effect from the ones I’m, on so that was a relief.  I think it’s a combination of the long winter, frustration over my back and then dealing with these chest pains and fatigue. All of them together just got to be a little too much. I could tell he was somewhat peeved at me that I hadn’t taken one medication that he prescribed me. But when I read the side effects I decided I would rather take my chances. :-) Sometimes I think they just automatically prescribe medications and don’t think of the side effects. That particular one causes low blood pressure, tachycardia and anxiety. Three things that I already have without making them worse.

 I’m getting excited. My big sister Melanie is coming to visit me.   She will be here April 9-16.  We don’t get to see each other very often and we plan on doing lots and lots of talking.  Poor Dennis.  Seriously, he doesn’t care how much we talk. He enjoys her company just as much as I do. We used to take trips sometimes with Melanie and her husband Mike. The guys wouldn’t say a word and we never stopped talking.  They said that they had a great time with each other. How do guys do that anyway? So often they seem to communicate fine without using any words. But then again, I  use enough for both of us! Ha!

Anyway, I’m really excited to see her. If you would have told me when we were children how much I would enjoy her company when we got older, I wouldn’t have believed you. She picked on me something fierce. But she always protected me too. I guess that’s being a big sister isn’t it?

I have my nuclear stress test on the 17th, the day after she goes home. I wanted to be able to enjoy our time together and not have to see any doctors during that week.

I hope you’re all having a lovely day and I’ll be back soon. 

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  Psalm 19:14

Blessings, Betsy

18 comments:

  1. One step at at time! It's so hard to maneuver through the maze of doctor's visits and not get anxious or depressed. It's good to have something to look forward too. I haven't seen my sisters in ages. They are not retired yet and are always so busy with work and grandkids.
    I can't believe all those dishcloths!!!

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  2. I'm so happy for you that your sister is coming for a nice long visit. Sounds like having winter go away is helping your mood.. it should get better too when it warms up more! I know the sunshine is helping me perk up. I'm amazed at how quick you knitted 15 dish cloths! It takes me forever to knit one.. LOL! I hope that you will be coming this one sometime soon. We miss you! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. Fifteen dishcloths - good for you! The church will appreciate them. Health issues are stressful enough without dealing with medication side effects. I pray you get some relief and answers soon. Enjoy your visit with your sister.

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  4. The dishcloth are lovely Betsy. It's so nice to have your sister come visit! I'll be praying for you dear Betsy. Tim is a having an ablation done next month which hopefully will fix his heart.
    Take care!

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  5. How exciting to have a visit with your sister. Yeah .... mine was pretty bossy when we were kids too, but we get along just fine now. LOL I guess we BOTH grew up.

    Have a wonderful visit with Melanie.

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  6. I don't think you're alone in your feelings after this past winter - many, many have had a tough go of it with long, endless grey days and bitter cold. You, my friend, have had the addition of health issues which doesn't help anything.

    So glad your sister is coming to visit - that will be wonderful. Girl time always soothes my soul.

    The dishcloths look so nice Betsy - lots of color in that photo. I know the church will appreciate them as well as the towels. Great stash busters!

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  7. Those dishcloths are so nice.
    I agree about doctors and medication. I don't always think to see if they interact with others you may be on.
    I am so glad that you will get to spend time with your sister. My little sister and I used to fight like cats and dogs when we were young. Now she is one of my best friends.
    HUGS dear friend

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  8. Such good news that you will be having quality time with your sister, sounds like it is going to be a fun visit. All the better with no doctors visits planned. You are in my prayers that all will be well when you have the next round of tests. The dishcloths are wonderful, such a beautiful array of colour. Take care.

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  9. Oh, praise the Lord, that you don't have to have the procedure right now. I am sure the stresses of winter and so many health issues are contributing, so I trust Jesus to bless your sweet time with your sister and just allow the two of you to talk, talk, talk and laugh and shop and do fun, sisterly things all week long. I am sure it will be very strange without Mike there, and there will be some sadness, but SO thankful you still have each other and your dear Dennis to sustain and comfort. And our dear Lord is EVER present with us. Oh, if we really realized how very near He is to our broken hearts, we would NEVER worry about a thing. I saw a new revelation of Him today in the midst of my fiery trial, and I am weeping as I type this. I needed it so desperately, and I can tell you with a renewed assurance that HE is with you, my friend. Trusting He will bless you and heal you and bring your sister safely there and give you the very best visit together you have ever had.

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  10. Good to hear you are alive and still knitting! You have to be your own advocate in todays healthcare system. (He probably wanted you to try the med to see if it worked for you) I hope you have a great visit with your sister!
    You sound a tad more perky!

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  11. How exciting that your sister is coming to visit! Love your dishcloths... I enjoy making that pattern too. I'll have to go over and see your friends dish towel pattern! Have a great week!

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  12. I accidentely hit 'submit' before I was ready! LOL! I will say a prayer that your health issues improve and glad you refused that medicine! Too much! It can get to be a vicious circle and some meds don't play well with others. If you have questions ask your pharmacist as doctors can't keep up with all the new meds nor can the FDA! Be careful....there are side affects to all of them and they can be hard on your liver. Good luck!

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  13. Good news from the doctor and of course about your sisters visit. I know you have had so many procedure Betsy, have you ever asked your doctor if internal scar tissue could be causing the pain? I am sure he will say no but I have many kids who have had multiple chest and/or abdominal surgeries and I continuously work on their scars because they pull and cause pain. Just a thought. Have a wonderful week.

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  14. Oh Betsy , our prayers are being heard !! This is good news. Happy your sister is such a source of joy to you!! yeah!!!! Bless your heart, really your heart!

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  15. Ah Betsy, so glad it isn’t as bad as you thought. I will pray with the coming test for clarification and also a greatly blessed visit from your darling sis. I’m very blessed, mine live 35 mins away. But they’re often away, and are both away at the moment.
    I had a bad fall that’s why I’m not well, but the LORD was good no broken bones, just very bruised stiff and sore. Was. Checked very thoroughly.
    “As thy days so shall thy strength be.” “Without Him we can do nothing,”
    Sending prayer hugs.
    Shaz.xx

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  16. Hi There, i certainly know about fatigue --but my heart situation is different from yours...I think much of my fatigue is coming from those powerful heart medications --especially the Beta Blockers... I have an appointment with an Electrophysiologist on April 10 to see what else can be done for me.... Good Luck with your nuclear stress test....

    I know you will LOVE being with your sister... That is SO special.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  17. How exciting that your sister is coming to visit you next week, it will definitely be a lovely time of year to visit, as spring comes to our world in beautiful ways! It is funny that the guys have a good time together without all the chitchat, lol! I hope that the situation with your heart is able to be solved. It is scary that they want to prescribe these meds with such terrible side effects though. Will definitely keep your health struggles in my prayers! Our Lord is able! Blessings to you :)

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  18. All your activities and achievements both amaze and encourage me, Betsy, especially in light of the physical challenges you face. It is great you have you a visit with Melanie to look forward to! Thanks so much for posting...sharing your beautiful life with me. xxxxx

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