Thursday, 26 March 2015
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Sorry it has been so long, but it has been a busy few weeks. We/ve been to Kingston, and the defibulator was installed. He did AMAZING. They kept telling us he would be there overnight. I think they're in cahoots with the hotels (haha) We booked a room for Teri and I and then they let him out. At precisely 6.10 pm they told us we could leave, not only that but we could actually take him home. Too late to get my money back on the hotel room of course.We could have stayed up there anyway, but he wanted to come home and Teri decided that if he wanted to come home, she would bring him home. So home we came.
He has improved steadily since then. The difibulator has not been activated but slowly but surely the medications for the heart failure have helped him to improve steadily. He's helping out around the house a little bit, He has more energy, stays up longer, and seems to once more be enjoying life. Teri and I both shake our heads in amazement. He is just about his old self.
We've had some golden moments too. We haven't celebrated valentine's day in years, but this year we both needed to mark the day in some small way. Emmy and Gregory are always frequent visitors but grandpa is once more enjoying the visits and participates enthusiastically.
As spring gets closer, I look forward to a healthy, more active husband this summer. I'll keep you posted.
He has improved steadily since then. The difibulator has not been activated but slowly but surely the medications for the heart failure have helped him to improve steadily. He's helping out around the house a little bit, He has more energy, stays up longer, and seems to once more be enjoying life. Teri and I both shake our heads in amazement. He is just about his old self.
We've had some golden moments too. We haven't celebrated valentine's day in years, but this year we both needed to mark the day in some small way. Emmy and Gregory are always frequent visitors but grandpa is once more enjoying the visits and participates enthusiastically.
As spring gets closer, I look forward to a healthy, more active husband this summer. I'll keep you posted.
Friday, 13 January 2012
The view from the upside of the coaster.
The view's a bit better on the up side of the rollercoaster.
The big guy is doing better. His colour has improved, his breathing is better, the swelling has gone down in his feet, and he can talk normal. The doctor seems pleased, at least we assume he is pleased. He made the next appointment for a week from now, and thats three days better than the last one.
I am breathing a little easier, sleeping a little better, and enjoying life a little more. Funny how that works - he goes to the doctor and I feel better. haha
He decided not to go to Susan's funeral today which I think was a wise choice. I was more than happy to take him if he wanted to go but I knew it would be hard for him. He's so emotional these days. I would rather he just remember New Years Day and forget that she's gone.
He is doing a bit more around the house which is nice to see and the last couple of days he has been able to go out on his own so his quality of life has improved. I find myself looking forward to spring. ME!!!!! The winter lover!!!!!! But he always seems worse in the winter, and I know if we can get him through until spring, he will be okay. COME ON SPRING!!!!!!!!!
We haven't heard anything from Kingston, and the only news I gleaned from the taciturn Dr Hughes, is that his heart function is a little less than 20%, which is better than I expected. I was afraid this episode of heart failure would have made it worse or damaged the heart more. I guess we have dodged this particular bullit. I wonder how long befor the next one arrives?????
The big guy is doing better. His colour has improved, his breathing is better, the swelling has gone down in his feet, and he can talk normal. The doctor seems pleased, at least we assume he is pleased. He made the next appointment for a week from now, and thats three days better than the last one.
I am breathing a little easier, sleeping a little better, and enjoying life a little more. Funny how that works - he goes to the doctor and I feel better. haha
He decided not to go to Susan's funeral today which I think was a wise choice. I was more than happy to take him if he wanted to go but I knew it would be hard for him. He's so emotional these days. I would rather he just remember New Years Day and forget that she's gone.
He is doing a bit more around the house which is nice to see and the last couple of days he has been able to go out on his own so his quality of life has improved. I find myself looking forward to spring. ME!!!!! The winter lover!!!!!! But he always seems worse in the winter, and I know if we can get him through until spring, he will be okay. COME ON SPRING!!!!!!!!!
We haven't heard anything from Kingston, and the only news I gleaned from the taciturn Dr Hughes, is that his heart function is a little less than 20%, which is better than I expected. I was afraid this episode of heart failure would have made it worse or damaged the heart more. I guess we have dodged this particular bullit. I wonder how long befor the next one arrives?????
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Bad Days are gonna happen
Today was a bad one,
It started out with my husband short of breath, I don't like that and as much as he was trying to hide it - it was too bad, he couldn't. His feet were swollen and he was having trouble breathing. Then we find out we have lost a favorite neice. I think we should have gone back to bed right then and there, Just pulled the covers up over our head and been done with it.
But you can't do that, so we kept plodding on. A trip to the doctor then sparked some real action!!! Usually we go in, he talks into his dictaphone, we sit and look stupid till he tells us we can leave. This time started out the same, until I pointed out the feet and the breathing. That got some response - finally.
Willie is in heart failure. They have put him on some water pills to see if they will help. He had to go for a chest xray today, he has blood test tuesday, and an echocardiagram on thursday. followed by an appontment with Hughes afterward. So we have action at last. It'll keep me hopping this week.On top of all that I have a doctors appointment myself on Monday, the flee market on Sunday, Payroll somewhere in between. and somewhere in there we will probably have a funeral to attend.. Am I supposed to be sewing??
Still, we can count blessings. We had a visit from our neice on New Years Day, so we were happy about that, the foster child phoned to say he was coming for a visit this weekend or Monday, so we are happy with that, and we have each other - - - we are happy about that. No matter how bad things seem, there are blessings to count.
It started out with my husband short of breath, I don't like that and as much as he was trying to hide it - it was too bad, he couldn't. His feet were swollen and he was having trouble breathing. Then we find out we have lost a favorite neice. I think we should have gone back to bed right then and there, Just pulled the covers up over our head and been done with it.
But you can't do that, so we kept plodding on. A trip to the doctor then sparked some real action!!! Usually we go in, he talks into his dictaphone, we sit and look stupid till he tells us we can leave. This time started out the same, until I pointed out the feet and the breathing. That got some response - finally.
Willie is in heart failure. They have put him on some water pills to see if they will help. He had to go for a chest xray today, he has blood test tuesday, and an echocardiagram on thursday. followed by an appontment with Hughes afterward. So we have action at last. It'll keep me hopping this week.On top of all that I have a doctors appointment myself on Monday, the flee market on Sunday, Payroll somewhere in between. and somewhere in there we will probably have a funeral to attend.. Am I supposed to be sewing??
Still, we can count blessings. We had a visit from our neice on New Years Day, so we were happy about that, the foster child phoned to say he was coming for a visit this weekend or Monday, so we are happy with that, and we have each other - - - we are happy about that. No matter how bad things seem, there are blessings to count.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Rollercoaster living.
I was feeling pretty good this morning. The "Big Guy" (BJ's name for him) had better coloring and seemed to be feeling a little better. He actually puttered a little bit in the kitchen and drove down to the legion on his own. This is a red letter day!!!! It gave me hope. I know that if we could keep him going until spring, he will weather the summer okay. We just gotta get through the winter and be done with cold and flu season.
It was a nice feeling while it lasted.
When he was getting ready to go out I looked down at his feet. They were swollen - bad! Thats a new thing. Brand new. It"s a sign that the heart is not doing it's job. Man, didn't need that!!!! Will is a kind big-hearted kinda guy, seems all wrong that his heart is giving out. By all rights that should be my problem.
It was a nice feeling while it lasted.
When he was getting ready to go out I looked down at his feet. They were swollen - bad! Thats a new thing. Brand new. It"s a sign that the heart is not doing it's job. Man, didn't need that!!!! Will is a kind big-hearted kinda guy, seems all wrong that his heart is giving out. By all rights that should be my problem.
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Happy New Year!!!
This New Years eve felt just a little strange.
Always you ring in the New Year with excitement and optimism. You look forward to positive changes in the coming year - the worst we expect is the status quo. That is the way it has always been. I guess I expected it to go on forever. I have had bad years befor, 1998 was a douzy, but it snuck up on me unexpected like. New Years Eve 1997 I looked forward with optimism and by the time New Years Eve 1998 came around I was once more optimistic, and gladly kissed 1998 goodbye. I wasn't quite sure if I wanted this New Year to begin because I'm not sure what it might bring.
It has been a long, long time since we went out and celebrated the new year with dancing and drinks. I am not sure why we stopped, or when. I realised tonight that I will probably never dance with my husband again. That was a bit of a shock. One of those things that you don't miss at first, but when you realise they are gone for good, you really aren't ready to give it up. My mind searched for the last time we danced and I found a golden moment. I was sewing at the diningroom table, Daniel O'Donnel was keeping me company on the sterio, & a song came on that I particularly loved. My husband danced me around the room. The song was"Far Banks of Jordan'. I like to think it's a promise, but even as a coincidence-- what a beautiful gift to hold in my heart and in my mind.
It really is the little things that count.
20
Always you ring in the New Year with excitement and optimism. You look forward to positive changes in the coming year - the worst we expect is the status quo. That is the way it has always been. I guess I expected it to go on forever. I have had bad years befor, 1998 was a douzy, but it snuck up on me unexpected like. New Years Eve 1997 I looked forward with optimism and by the time New Years Eve 1998 came around I was once more optimistic, and gladly kissed 1998 goodbye. I wasn't quite sure if I wanted this New Year to begin because I'm not sure what it might bring.
It has been a long, long time since we went out and celebrated the new year with dancing and drinks. I am not sure why we stopped, or when. I realised tonight that I will probably never dance with my husband again. That was a bit of a shock. One of those things that you don't miss at first, but when you realise they are gone for good, you really aren't ready to give it up. My mind searched for the last time we danced and I found a golden moment. I was sewing at the diningroom table, Daniel O'Donnel was keeping me company on the sterio, & a song came on that I particularly loved. My husband danced me around the room. The song was"Far Banks of Jordan'. I like to think it's a promise, but even as a coincidence-- what a beautiful gift to hold in my heart and in my mind.
It really is the little things that count.
20
Saturday, 31 December 2011
My first clue
It was a lovely summer day in August 2010. Sunny, warm, bordering on downright hot, I had spent a pleasant morning yard sailing with my friend Jenn. Recently retired, I had started a sewing and alterations business in my home. Life for me was perfect, it was all that I had hoped for and more.
.
Pulling into the driveway I could see my husband in his usual spot out under the maple tree in the back yard. For three seasons of the year you could find him out there, feeding the chipmunks, watching the birds at the feeders, enjoying the grandkids, or drinking a beer. It was "his" spot.
There he sat as usual, but something wasn't right. For one thing, he didn't come to help me unload the car of all the "treasures" I had found. He usually took this opportunity to make some crack about lifting the roof and adding another floor. Even from a distance I could see something was wrong. He didn't look good.
As I approached I noticed he was wearing his winter jacket! Not only was he wearing his winter jacket at high noon on a warm summer day, but he was shivering!! I don't mean a little shiver, I mean full out, teeth chattering, full body shiver.
Questioning him told us nothing. Nothing was wrong, he didn't need a doctor and he hadn't been doing anything!!! I was left to speculate and wonder.
Six weeks later it happened again. Same scenario, but this time he asked me to take him to hospital. Now I was feeling the cold chill. Fear gripped me, and I knew. That knowing settled into my bones, haunted my every moment and rested like a dark shaddow on my shoulder. I don't know how else to explain it. I am not phsycic, I don't get premonitions, but I KNEW, and even as I continued to convince myself otherwise, that knowing never went away.
.
Pulling into the driveway I could see my husband in his usual spot out under the maple tree in the back yard. For three seasons of the year you could find him out there, feeding the chipmunks, watching the birds at the feeders, enjoying the grandkids, or drinking a beer. It was "his" spot.
There he sat as usual, but something wasn't right. For one thing, he didn't come to help me unload the car of all the "treasures" I had found. He usually took this opportunity to make some crack about lifting the roof and adding another floor. Even from a distance I could see something was wrong. He didn't look good.
As I approached I noticed he was wearing his winter jacket! Not only was he wearing his winter jacket at high noon on a warm summer day, but he was shivering!! I don't mean a little shiver, I mean full out, teeth chattering, full body shiver.
Questioning him told us nothing. Nothing was wrong, he didn't need a doctor and he hadn't been doing anything!!! I was left to speculate and wonder.
Six weeks later it happened again. Same scenario, but this time he asked me to take him to hospital. Now I was feeling the cold chill. Fear gripped me, and I knew. That knowing settled into my bones, haunted my every moment and rested like a dark shaddow on my shoulder. I don't know how else to explain it. I am not phsycic, I don't get premonitions, but I KNEW, and even as I continued to convince myself otherwise, that knowing never went away.
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