Friday, March 11, 2016

Happy to still be here

There is no other way to say it than to just say it. In the early hours of March 7, 2016 I had a heart attack. I'm fine. Honestly. Because I knew the early warning signs, which are very different in women, I got to the hospital in plenty of time to avoid permanent damage to my heart.

I won't go into all the gory details, just suffice it to say that the monstrous heart burn and jaw pain were enough early warning to have me concerned. The nausea and lightheadedness that followed sealed the deal.

The five minute drive to the hospital gave me just enough time to consider my mortality and be grateful for matching (and clean) underwear (not that anyone besides me noticed). Just mention chest pain and you won't be wearing much very quickly.

The first blood test was inconclusive, the second blood test changed all that, and the third blood test had me bundled off to the cath lab for some quality time with a balloon and a stent to repair a completely blocked right artery.

Within 36 hours my blood enzyme levels had returned to normal levels and I was sent home to start my new life as a heart attack survivor. Because we got there so early in the attack I have nearly no damage to my heart. It's funny, on one hand I don't feel any different at all. I'm still me, and yet everything has changed. I'm shopping for stylish medical alert bracelets and nitro pill holders.

The hardest part was telling my family. To be honest, I felt pretty ashamed, certain that I had brought this on myself. The marvelous cardiac care nurses assured me that being embarrassed was a waste of good energy. I don't have any underlying conditions, despite being overweight, my blood pressure and cholesterol are just fine. Let's face it: my sole purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others. If just one woman's heart is also spared because of what happened to me then I've done my job.

I made sure to call my sons myself. I didn't want them to have even a moment's panic while Kent got from "Mom had a heart attack" to "but she's okay". I figured if they heard my voice they would already be reassured. My youngest son assured me that I couldn't die, I didn't have the most fabric yet. (Yeah, he's a keeper.)

I'll be on special meds for at least a year while my body gets comfortable with the stent. It will take a little while to get all of my energy back and to get past that feeling of fragility that comes when a crucial body part misbehaves.

It seems that having such a great outcome means there must be something left for me to do in this world, hopefully still a long way off. What ever it might be, I'm already back to putting the finishing touches on A Fine Romance. I think I can be forgiven for missing the Tuesday deadline for basting the thing. I was in the hospital with a heart attack after all. (I plan to claim "heart attack" now anytime I feel the need to princess out, I'm going to milk it for all its worth.)

If you're a woman, or love a woman, please make sure you understand what a heart attack looks like so you can have the same great outcome as I have. Just google it and read several articles. It might just save your life too.

29 comments:

  1. Glad you had a happy outcome. Take it easy now.

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  2. Oh wow, I'm so sorry you had to go through this but so relieved that you're okay. Take good care of yourself!

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  3. Wow! So happy to hear that you heeded your body's warnings and got the care you needed. So glad you are still here, too!

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  4. So glad to hear that you had a good outcome with prompt treatment! And, yes, you still have so much to do-for yourself and your family and your creative endeavors. Take very good care of yourself-we want you around for many years to come!

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  5. Oh so glad you are ok now. Thank goodness for being alert and aware of the symptoms. You deserve every bit of that "I had a heart attack time" you get and then take a little bit more.

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  6. So..............my mother was right......."Always wear clean undies, cause if something happens, you might not have time to change it." ☺ You are living proof that it is true!!!lol ☺☺☺
    ♥♥♥ Thankful for your sake everything turned out all-right.♥♥♥

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  7. Glad you knew the symtoms and went to the hospital immediatly, take care

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  8. So happy that you knew to get in quickly...clean or matching underwear! From "The Bernina Sisters" your Davison, MI teaching days.

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  9. Oh Beth, how scary!! I'm very thankful that you paid attention to your symptoms and got the help you needed. Take care!!! <3

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  10. I'm so glad you are okay Beth. Thank you for knowing the signs, for believing things were not right, and for going straight to the hospital. The world DOES need you for a very long time. And that cardiac care nurse was right.

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  11. OMG Beth! I'm so glad you're doing well and knew the symptoms.

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  12. You're the second woman I know to have a heart attack since the beginning of this year! Both of you have had good outcomes, thankfully...take care of yourself, your son's right about the fabric.

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  13. Thank God you knew the symptoms, that you are ok and that you received such excellent treatment. I know you look forward to sharing a longer, completely fulfilling life with your family and friends.

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  14. Peggy Welchert8:23 PM

    Those were the same symptoms my husband had on January 29,2016. He was not as lucky as you were, but I at least knew to get him to the hospital asap. This was his second heart attack and ended up with his second triple bypass surgery. He is getting better after a set back of congestive heart failure late in February. We all can count our blessings and I please take care of yourself.

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  15. Oh Beth, my breath stopped when I read about your Heart Attack. I am stunned that this has happened to you. I often wonder how I would react if I had symptoms. I am an ostrich about things (head in the sand and all that) and probably would try to deny what was happening. I am glad you did go straight away to the hospital. Please take care of yourself.

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  16. Cathy9:17 PM

    I'm so glad you are well. I learned so much from your web page, and loved it. You are a treasure. I guess the powers that be know you have more to teach us! If you need more fabric I can send you some (okay, lots), just need an addy! :) Rest, and enjoy the spring unwrapping its glory.

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  17. Happy you are good to go!

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  18. How very typical of you to deal with scary situations with grace and humour. Lol. I am glad your on the mend. My sister was very very tired for awhile afterwards. Just rest and do what you can. Milk it, milk it, milk it.

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  19. OMG! I was floored when I read your post. Thank you so much for posting about your heart attack - what a wake up call! It makes me realize that I am not exempt from the risk. I am so glad you recognized the symptoms and weren't in that Egyptian river. (De-Nile.....) Take all the time you need, rest up and get better!

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  20. You are so funny. Few would be writing about their ♥ attack 4 days later & with such humor. Glad you have done so well.
    A good site for attractive medical alert bracelets is Lauren's Hope. You can change out the bracelet to match your outfit. I have had one for about 10 years.
    Be well.

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  21. Best wishes while you recover. Thank you for sharing your experience. We, as well as your son, would like you to take your time collecting the most fabric as you have much to share.

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  22. Continued speedy recovery

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  23. I'm so glad you are okay. My aunt had those symptoms, but it was too late - her daughter had them a few years later and learned from her mom...and is still with us. I had a minor stroke about 8 years ago - that alone was an eye-opener, so I understand how you feel. I've been active in getting into a better place health-wise and much more aware of the people in my life that are important. As for "princessing" - go for it girl! BTW-you raised your son well!

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  24. Anonymous4:19 PM

    So so glad you did the needed and are basically okay. Thank you for sharing and warning. Hugs.
    Neame

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  25. I'm so thankful that you are OK!

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  26. So glad you are doing well! Thanks for the warning. As women we must help educate each other on the warning signs as they are different than for men.

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  27. When I read your story my eyes are in tears I am so glad you are ok.
    And you make the most beautiful quilts, thanks!
    Gisela in sweden

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  28. Anonymous11:18 PM

    I just read this on Easter--thankfully you reacted quickly. so glad you are OK!!! Margaret

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  29. Wow! Today is July 15th. I was puttering around in the kitchen and your name just popped into my head so decided to go to your blog and see what was up. So sorry to learn of your heart attack and grateful that you are still here and doing well. The yellow looks really good and reminds me to get myself in gear and finish my "Fine Romance".

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