tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74436604921773858442024-02-08T10:53:51.216-08:00Running For My HeartResuming Running After Open Heart SurgeryClaudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-80563418229455916442010-08-21T21:00:00.000-07:002010-08-21T21:00:38.593-07:00Another Diagnosis<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2010 4:11 PM, MST</div><div class="apply-wordwrap uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">We have friends and then we have TRUE friends. One such true friend of mine is Julie. Actually, we're twins because we share the same birthday but I remind her that she'll always be one year older than me. No running from the truth. We've been through thick (have we ever) and thin during our nearly 20-year friendship. Julie and her husband, Tom are relocating to Denver and their going-away party is tonight. It's not as sad as it sounds (or so I keep reminding myself) because their two children are ASU students and they have ties here that will bring them back.....often, I hope. Nevertheless, I will miss having them close-by (they're only about a mile from me), and wanted to publicly acknowledge and thank Julie for her never-ending support, love, and true friendship.<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Results from this week's blood test came back and my iron and hemoglobin levels have returned to normal range so I can stop taking my iron pills but the results further indicated that I now have hypothyroidism. I'm not sure which is worse! So, I'm starting a new medication for that. As you can imagine, I have many questions most importantly if it's somehow linked to my heart disease and is this chronic or temporary? Dr. Heuser's office will be closely monitoring my thyroid levels, and in the meantime, I will visit Wednesday with my cardiothoracic surgeon to review the CD of my most recent catherization procedure to verify that the bypass artery is working efficiently.<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Although I have learned so much from my medical condition, the lesson that seems most relevant in this case is the importance of going with the flow and living for today. I guess I used to be a hard-core type A personality, but for the most part, I'm working on regularly reminding myself that if it's not life-threatening I just have to let it roll off my back . It doesn't do me any good to agonize over the past or get anxious about the future because I can't do anything about either. So, I really focus on what I can do about the here and now. As Julie says, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." </div><br class="clear" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><div class="subsection_links" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 20px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-30538937817981702752010-08-21T20:58:00.000-07:002010-08-21T20:58:37.408-07:00My First Fill Mile<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2010 9:21 AM, MST</div><div class="apply-wordwrap uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">I ran my first full mile (10:20) yesterday on the treadmill (my least favorite) at the gym 13 weeks after the surgery. I think it would have happened a tad bit sooner had I not had the complication with the low iron but I'm just glad it happened! There really isn't anything that gives me a more natural high than running, and I can tell that my mood is certainly improving as I'm (slowly) increasing my physical activity including lifting some weights.<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />I had more blood drawn earlier this week to get an updated count of my iron and hemoglobin and some other levels (ie: thyroid). I'll get the report early next week from Dr. Heuser's office. Although I am feeling better than I did since leaving the hospital two weekends ago, I still have some moments of lightheadedness and some fatigue due to the anemia (and the latter from surgery). <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Isn't this combination of heat and humidity absolutely unbearable? I can't believe I used to train in this stuff. I wonder if my body will ever be able to handle the stress of running in our summer weather. I'm sure it will just not this summer. <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Stay cool but don't let the excuse of our summer temps keep you from exercising your heart! </div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-89683256673700392802010-08-21T20:56:00.000-07:002010-08-21T20:56:29.238-07:00Answered Questions<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010 8:43 AM, MST</div><div class="apply-wordwrap uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">"You absolutely did the right thing by going to the hospital." These were the first words I heard Friday from Dr. Heuser's nurse. My friend, Nancy from the Heart Association told me that my nurse at the hospital made the same exact statement immediately following my catherization last week (although I don't remember). These unsolicited comments from medical professionals drive home the point I try to reinforce whenever I get a chance: listen to your body (it's talking to you but you need to sit still long enough to hear what it's telling you) and get medical advice if you have symptoms that persist or you get a nagging feeling that something just isn't right. I've read and heard far too many stories of women (especially) who had symptoms, didn't get medical attention, and the end result was tragic. I'm very passionate about this because there's no shame in going to your doctor or even the ER especially for cardiac patients. To get back on track.....<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />It looks like the mystery behind the cause of my symptoms is solved. Friday, Dr. Heuser's nurse (Karen) confirmed that all looks o.k. from a cardiac standpoint. She added that there is definitely one, and possibly two reasons for my extreme fatigue and weakness. <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />The first possibility is that there is competitive blood flow between the mammery artery that Dr. Smolens peeled down and used as the bypass artery and the portion of the LAD that was bypassed. The latter is still open because I'm taking plavix (blood thinner) but may eventually close off leaving the mammery artery to take over completely. <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />The second, and more definite answer, is that based on blood work from last week, I am anemic. My iron level pre-cath was below normal and it dipped even lower post-cath. Lack of iron equates to lack of oxygen which explains why I felt better on oxygen in the hospital! By the way, the extreme fatigue and weakness was one of the symptoms I had whenever I had a blockage which resulted in stress. This stress caused angina (chest pain) resulting from inflammation of the arteries and leading to spasms of the arteries. Are you beginning to see how all of the symptoms are connected? Given Karen's news, you can imagine how relieved I was because this is a much easier fix. So treatment includes taking prescribed iron pills and a multivitamin with iron. I'm also going in tomorrow for further blood work that will also help determine the exact cause of the iron deficiency. Karen said I'll be feeling better in one to two weeks, and I have a follow-up visit with her in four weeks.<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Had I not gone into the hospital last weekend, I may still be sitting here with the symptoms worrying needlessly.<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-88304943609461218892010-08-21T20:52:00.000-07:002010-08-21T20:52:16.237-07:00Unanswered Questions<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2010 1:46 PM, MST</div><div class="apply-wordwrap uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Well, I'm not feeling as well as I did in the hospital. Although the chest pain/squeezing/tightness are gone, I still am getting quite fatigued which is leading to weakness and then the inability to pretty much function. How incredibly frustrating after feeling so great! I had a follow-up appointment next Wednesday with Dr. Heuser but will now go in this Friday to see the nurse practitioner who has always been extremely helpful. Is it the mere fact that I pushed too fast and too hard too soon? Could it be a side effect from any of my meds? Is it something completely unrelated to my heart stuff? Possible but my gut feeling is that it's not. Perhaps I just really need to scale back my activities because physically I really am still recovering? Maybe my expectations of myself are too high? As of tonight's class, I'm taking a leave of absence from teaching the RE class much to my disappointment. I hope to get some clarification Friday when the nurse can review with me my cath report and hopefully provide answers that will give me some peace of mind. <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Here's an uplifting thought: we're one day closer to cooler temps :) </div><div><br />
</div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-80300632012996205292010-08-10T14:10:00.000-07:002010-08-10T14:10:02.429-07:00Back in Hospital<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2010 12:11 PM, MST</div><div class="apply-wordwrap uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: medium; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I was hit with the stark reality this weekend that as "healed" as I may look externally, I really still am recovering internally. Last week, I pushed the envelope to the point where I ended up in the hospital Saturday and Sunday. I went in through the ER early Saturday afternoon and was admitted to telemetry almost immediately. The EKG was normal and my cardiac enzymes showed I had no heart muscle damage. That is critical because if heart muscle is damaged due to a heart attack, the longer left untreated the less likely it is to be restored....forever. So, even though I've had two previous heart attacks, I was told again that I have no muscle damage whatsoever. That is a blessing! Sunday, I had a catherization and more positive news: the bypass is working as is the stented area in the LAD. I thought it would have closed off by now but the cardiologist said the plavix I take is keeping that area open. Unfortunately, I had a cardiologist I had never seen before (imagine that) so he wasn't at all familiar with my care. The doc's best explanation for my symptoms of tightness/squeezing/pain in my chest along with the extreme weakness and fatigue is from spasms of the arteries. Kids had been back to the school for the second week, and I was really starting to feel more energetic, and I revved it up a gear (or two) and forgot to slow down until my body forced me to. So, I have a new med to the mix and the bottom line is I have to continue to pace myself. As my nurse told me, I have new plumbing but my disease is and will always be there. It's my job to learn to manage and monitor my symptoms and control stress. We each need to focus on living today because the present is all we can control.<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />I got home about 7 p.m. yesterday, and I feel and look so much better. My word of advice is to never feel ashamed about seeking medical attention especially if presenting with heart symptoms. The best news you can receive is that you're not experiencing a heart attack. Turn-of-events can happen in a heart beat. <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />I have absolutely the BEST group of friends who jumped into action again. Dianne was my dependable taxi driver, Laurie and her two girls took Katrina to the mall yesterday so Katrina was in her glory, and Sonja and Jim and their two girls took Kyle (hey, Kyle wanted to spend the day with Caitlin and Brooke but who can blame him). Nancy and Carolyn were my support crew at the hospital (the three of us can't seem to coincide schedules to get together for lunch so the impromptu hospital gatherings seem to work best) and others called or texted messages of support. Of course, my parents are always at my side.....thankfully! <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />It's time to put my feet up and take a few deep breaths before picking up the kids from school......<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /> </span> </div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-58167804874043928672010-08-03T20:07:00.001-07:002010-08-03T20:07:34.091-07:00Three Month Op Update<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2010 7:18 PM, MST</div><div class="apply-wordwrap uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: medium; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Twelve weeks post-surgery, I'm still bumping into people who tell me how much better I look: more color in my face, don't look as tired, don't have that grayish undertone. I appreciate hearing such comments because they're encouraging. I just have one question: If my appearance now reflects how terrific I feel post-surgery, I wonder if I truly looked as horrible as I felt pre-surgery? I think I know the answer.<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />I'm continuing to make strides in my physical strength which is easy to do given where I started out. I logged four miles for the first time today on the treadmill. I am now able to run half-a-mile at a 10:30 or so pace....not blazing speed so I guess I'm actually only jogging. I've been running every third day but am going to try every other day because I'm not experiencing any discomfort of my incision either when I'm running or afterwards! I can't even begin to tell you what a relief it is not to have any lingering discomfort! I'm also continuing to increase my time on the bike and elliptical, the latter of which is actually my favorite given that it simulates running so much. Overall, I'm extremely happy with the progress I'm making, and I never take for granted that I'm feeling better than I have in years. There's such an enormous number of people who, over the last four years, have played a role, whether large or small, in getting me to this point in my journey. I'll always be thankful to each one of them, to each one of you, because as a result I can continue to tell my story.<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />What are you going to do today for YOUR heart? </span> </div><div><br />
</div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-73824696233159914842010-08-03T20:05:00.001-07:002010-08-03T20:05:47.884-07:00Cardiologist Visit<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2010 8:48 PM, MST</div><div class="apply-wordwrap uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I saw my cardiologist, Dr. Heuser, this morning for the first time post-bypass. He walked into the room with a huge smile asking, "How's my favorite patient?" :) I think we were both happy to see each other after going through such a traumatic procedure. Based on my physical exam, everything looks great....blood pressure (111/69), heart rate (61), healing of incision so that's a tremendous relief. I am to remain on my same regimen of meds. I'll return to his office in four months for a nuclear stress test and a chest x-ray. He noted that it'll take 6-8 months for the chest wall to completely heal. This first year post-bypass is critical not only for the healing of the chest bone but to make it through without any blockages or scarring that would need stenting. If I can get through next May without any heart crises then my long-term prognosis will look bright. We are both optimistic that I'll sail through the next 10 months without any incidents. In the meantime, I can continue to resume running and working out, and in two more weeks, can slowly begin increasing my upper body weights. Doctor's orders.</span></div><div><br />
</div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-44503581954356805392010-07-24T11:20:00.000-07:002010-07-24T11:20:09.289-07:00I'm Jogging!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010 10:54 AM, MDT</div><div class="apply-wordwrap uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">IT happened! I began running, well actually jogging just as I begin week 10 of my recovery! It happened pretty much as Dr. Smolen had predicted. I stepped outside to go for a walk and decided at that moment that my body was ready for me to at least try running a few steps to see how my incision felt. Much to my surprise, I had no discomfort! So, I jogged but mostly walked for two miles at 12:30/miles. Just a touch faster than the 15:00/mile I've been doing on the treadmill but it's a start. It felt so invigorating to begin moving my body and sweat and feel the strong beating of my heart! What a world of difference post-bypass. I don't have that incredible heaviness in my chest, and I can actually take in deep breaths and expand my chest. It's such a stimulating and healthy sensation! I'm having some residual effects of my incision in the hours following but I think that's too be expected. So, my game plan is to wait a day or two until I jog again. I have to say that as I regain my physical and emotional strength, I have a greater appreciation of the work of my entire medical team. I know bypass is a common procedure but having gone through it, I still marvel at the end result especially considering I didn't have any complications. I still think it's a miracle!</span> </div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-39549703627323962952010-07-17T16:15:00.000-07:002010-07-17T16:15:18.904-07:00Four Weeks To Go<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2010 2:55 PM, MST</div><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;">Eight weeks down and four more to go before my restriction<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>s of lifting, pushing, and raising my arms overhead are lifted. I really miss lifting upper body weights, but more than that, I miss doing push-ups! With all of that comes physical strength and I can't wait to get that back. But for now, the three pound weights will have to suffice.<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Thi<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>s morning, Kyle (who turns 10 next month) came up to me and said: "Mom, I hope you never have to go back into the hospital because that wouldn't be a good thing. If the surgery doesn't work or if you have another heart attack then you have to go to the hospital. But I know to call 9-1-1 if something happens to you. Sometimes I think about that when I sleep." Kyle then went on to mention a time when he and Katrina had to sleep over at my friend, Christie's house because I was in the hospital. He remembers but I don't...jus<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>t too many hospital and ER visits over the last four years.<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Wow! I often wondering how having a mom with heart disease will impact both Katrina and Kyle. Katrina, who has always wanted to be a teacher, told me the other day she is thinking about going into the medical field. Kyle wants to be a firefighter. He is extremely sensitive to my needs and always very inquisitive about my condition. While he and Katrina were in MI last week, Kyle asked me nearly every day how my scar is coming along. He has been taking periodic photos of the scar so we can see the healing process. </div><div><br />
</div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-13557307322458086262010-07-17T11:45:00.000-07:002010-07-17T11:45:19.879-07:00Rebuilding my Life<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2010 9:29 AM, MST</div><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;">Thanks to my friends, I'm continuing to plug myself into the outside world....ev<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>er so slowly. Last week, Melinda called and said our church's religious education program was still in need of a fourth grade teacher. She wondered if I may be interested. My kids have been in St. Steven's RE program since its inception, I've helped Melinda a few times in her third grade class, and I've wanted to co-teach a class for the last several years but have been too symptomatic. This opportunity seemed to come at a perfect time. It would help build my physical stamina and in turn regain some self-confid<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>ence. Yet, I still harbored the fear that I may lack the motivation and energy level to prepare for and co-teach the 1.5 hour class every Wednesday. After some thought and much prayer, I decided that the only thing standing in the way was my fear. So, I decided that the only way to conquer that fear was to embrace the opportunity! Teachers had their initial meeting at church yesterday and planning begins for the classes which start the first week in August. Kyle is actually in the fifth grade (RE) class on Wednesdays and Katrina will be going to RE class on Sundays following the 5 p.m. mass. So, Katrina has already volunteered to be an aide in my class on Wednesdays. I've really learned that it's opportuniti<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>es like this to become actively involved in your kid's lives that you can't put a price tag on, and so, there's no time like the present. Thanks, Melinda for thinking of me!<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />This week, I began riding the stationary bike at the gym for 15:00 intervals. Walking on the treadmill is getting monotonous! </div><div><br />
</div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-7982318197171155332010-07-17T11:43:00.000-07:002010-07-17T11:43:01.534-07:00Getting Back on Track<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2010 1:50 PM, MST</div><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;">I gave into peer pressure last night. Actually, it's better than it sounds. My (running) friend, Christina had persuaded me to go to track practice, and so I gave in. Although I was a bit uncertain about my stamina, especially given the heat, I'm so grateful Christina gave me the nudge I needed. Getting lots of hugs, words of encourageme<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>nt and support, and being with many of my friends whom I've logged hundreds if not thousands of hours and miles with over the years was so therapeutic. They're like my extended family. Going to the track feels so natural and brings me an element of peace but the experience is always made more powerful by the presence of good friends. Oh, for those inquiring minds, i have not yet started trying to run due strictly to the discomfort of my incision. Trust me, you will all know when that happens! </div><div><br />
</div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-52540010263397972322010-07-17T11:41:00.000-07:002010-07-17T11:41:00.876-07:00Finally....Some Relief!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2010 4:49 PM, MST</div><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;">As I wrap-up the seventh week of post-op recovery, I've FINALLY noticed some RELIEF from the discomfort of my incision. Having said that, I went to the gym twice this week and worked my upper body using 3 lb. weights. That was enough to trigger some irritation of my chest bone. To be expected and I can use it to gauge my progress. I'm up to walking 2.0+ miles every day and am certainly noticing an increase in my overall stamina. Some of the things I'm still not able to do are to lift (anything more than 5 lbs.) and push a grocery cart. My mom took me to the store this morning, and bless her heart, even carried the bags into the kitchen for me. Although I've regained most of my independenc<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>e (ability to shower, drive, laundry, and cook), it's still tough not to be able to do everything completely for myself. It's only temporary and a better alternative to dealing with a setback. <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />One of the elements of post-bypass surgery that often times is forgotten is the emotional trauma that it has on patients. Depression runs rampant among cardiac patients especially those of us who've had a bypass. Sufficient research has not been completed to identify the exact cause. Some real possibiliti<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>es include physiologic<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>al reactions from the surgery to the emotional trauma of surviving such a life-alteri<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>ng procedure. Based on my experience, I would say it could easily be the combination. So, last week, I began individual counseling and found a therapist I've really connected with which can often be the biggest hurdle. Having a counselor validate my thoughts and feelings helps to normalize my journey if that's even possible. </div><div><br />
</div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-29264922414833901052010-07-17T11:39:00.001-07:002010-07-17T11:39:28.593-07:00Growing Up Too Fast<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2010 6:32 PM, MST</div><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Katrina has grown up right before my eyes. I dropped her off tonight for her first official babysitting job! Katrina was thrilled; mom was a bit nervous. Honestly, anyone who knows Katrina recognizes how well she interacts with lil' ones. They always seem to gravitate towards her--could be that bright, friendly, energetic smile of hers. Katrina has always seemed mature beyond her years, and I couldn't be more proud of her. I guess this officially puts Katrina on the list for babysitting jobs. Hey, someone in the house needs to be working :) It looks like tonight marks a new chapter for the both of us! </div></div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-67631608173320603392010-07-16T19:21:00.000-07:002010-07-16T19:21:04.113-07:00Discharged from Surgeon's Care<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2010 7:14 PM, MST</div><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;">I had a wahoo! moment this afternoon. I saw my cardiothora<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>cic surgeon, Dr. Smollens, and she discharged me from her care! That's when the wahoo! moment came.....al<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>ong with, I must admit, some tears. Lots of emotions rolled into those puppies. The flood of feelings and thoughts caught me off-guard. They shouldn't have because Dr. Smollens told me at my previous appointment that today would be my last visit with her. I guess that's my reward for being such an obedient patient. I will resume visits with my regular cardiologis<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>t, Dr. Heuser, next month. You know I didn't let Dr. Smollens escape without talking to her about returning to running. Actually, she brought it up before I even had a chance to mention it. She told me that she'll leave it up to me when I try running again. My initial reaction was, "Wow, she trusts me to make that decision?" But as we talked in length, she explained to me that she based the statement on her experiences of working with runners post-bypass. She added that the runners knew when their bodies were ready to take on the pounding. For me, it could be as long as another six weeks or as short as another two weeks before I may feel like trying to trot. So, it'll come down to this: w<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.6667px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">hen I decide to try and run and if I experience pain in the area of the incision, then I'll need to hold off. Based on that statement, <wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span></span>I recognize I'm not ready to try running because I still have a constant sensation of pulling at the site of the incision (6-1/4" long) which I feel it every time I inhale. Then, when I try and move my upper body in one direction, it's as if the incision stays stagnate; there's no give in that specific part of my chest. So I guess it'll come down to this: I'll have to do what I've been doing for several years and that's listen to and read my body. Looks like this will be my next assignment.<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />As Dr. Oz says, "Don't take your health for granted."</div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-30511975300006102932010-07-16T19:14:00.000-07:002010-07-16T19:14:05.118-07:00Among the Unemployed<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2010 11:07 AM, MST</div><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I became another statistic this week. Much to my chagrin, I joined the ranks of thousands of fellow Arizonans and filed for unemploymen<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>t. Now, I play the waiting game while the government determines my eligibility and benefits. Well, I always knew, based on my work in crisis services and from personal experiences<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>, how quickly life can change especially when you are dealing with a major health issue. I am just adding it to my list of stressors that I have to and will overcome. Regardless, it's really the pits. I know I'm certainly not the last person that will become unemployed, but like anything else in life, when it happens to you, and you're already in a crisis mode, it's hard not to wonder how much worse can things get. Maybe I'm naive in thinking that good things happen to good people, but maybe not. This afternoon, my hair stylist (for the last 10+ years), is going to cut and color my hair pro bono. It's tough being someone's charity case when I'm used to always being the giver; the one who provides aide and crisis services to those in need, but I'm grateful that I have people in my life who are willing to go that extra mile for me at a time when I am now the one in need. </div></div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-38936340318872743462010-07-16T19:09:00.000-07:002010-07-16T19:09:07.173-07:00Best Friends<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2010 3:07 PM, MST</div><a class="thickbox" href="http://www.caringbridge.org/tres/images/photos/1/8/9/2/189274/l.HXRfnnrSAANnlDTS.jpg" style="color: #bb1c61; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img class="journal-photo" src="http://www.caringbridge.org/tres/images/photos/1/8/9/2/189274/t.HXRfnnrSAANnlDTS.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 8px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">There's nothing quite like girl power! There was plenty of that at my house this weekend. My BFF's from high school (Jill, who flew in from San Francisco and Carolyn, who drove down from north Phoenix) were here for a sleepover last night. Carolyn's 11-year-old daughter, Christina came along and kept Katrina company. Five women in the house, what a blast! Given that Carolyn, Jill, and I have known each other for 30+ years, we are never at a loss for conversatio<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>n nor is there ever any shortage of red wine! Yes, I finally followed by cardiothora<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>sic surgeon's advice and had a glass or thereabout. There's nothing like having best friends at your side during difficult times. Whether through laughter or tears, Jill and Carolyn instictivel<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>y know how to make my troubles and worries disappear if only momentarily. We've seen each other through life's most tragic times including the deaths of one of our other BFF's from high school, the death of my sister, and most recently, the passing of Carolyn's father when Jill and I flew to Wisconsin to be by Carolyn's side. Although we are never sure when, where or what will reunite us, we always manage to come together from our various ends of the county, country or world (Jill often travels to India for business, works in San Francisco, but flies to WI frequently to be with her family). So even with all of life's uncertainti<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>es, our friendship is the one constant that the three of us can count on and that is truly priceless! <wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span></div><div><br />
</div></div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-16947141389651417152010-07-16T19:07:00.001-07:002010-07-16T19:07:58.999-07:00Telling It Like It Is<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2010 12:49 PM, MST</div><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;">A couple of you have given me the permission that I need to go ahead and be very up front and honest about the emotional part of my journey because only through grieving can healing begin. Since being diagnosed with heart disease in September 2006 and most recently with undergoing the bypass, I have experienced every single emotion possible multiple times, simultaneou<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>sly, and every which way possible. This is a disease I will have for the rest of my life unless a cure is developed. So even though I don't have any of the risk factors and my cardiologis<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>ts have been telling me that I've been leading a healthy lifestyle, it didn't make me immune from heart disease. I grieve the loss of my health. <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Acc<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>umulating PR's, All-Americ<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>an honors, and being a member of the U.S. Duathlon team no longer mean anything to me now because I have this disease that has turned my life upside down. I can't help but wonder if all those hundreds of thousands of hours of training, the two knee surgeries from running 70 mile weeks, the countless number of other injuries I've rehabbed, and the numerous sacrifices I've made along the way....was it all worth while? The benefits from being an athlete and leading such a physical lifestyle are that I became so in tune with my body that it literally saved my life half-a-doze<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>n times, my heart is such a strong muscle, and my body was like a well-tuned car that has helped ward off any other physical conditions that could have easily developed along the way. All of the awards and t-shirts are now just icing on the cake. How I would long to be free of this disease. <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />I'<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>m pretty angry and upset that I have this disease and more frustrated that I had multiple incidents of in-stent restenosis (blockage/s<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>carring of the stents) in such a short period of time that it lead to having a bypass! And through no fault of my own! Cardiac research is still trying to find an answer as to why some people develop in-stent restenosis while most can tolerate a stent(s) and go many years symptom free. Researchers didn't come up with an answer in time to help me. <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Even though I recognize that kids are resilient, I get teary-eyed when I think of Katrina and Kyle because I can see the sadness and worry in their eyes. This isn't just about my disease, but the loss of their only aunt to cancer, and the loss of their family unit. Katrina said it herself in her speech at the Heart Association luncheon: it's difficult having a mom with heart disease because she's always tired. Here's an 11-year-old who has grown accustomed to going to the track with her mom, running (and sometimes keeping up) with the adults and being part of a healthy lifestyle and then it's pulled out from underneath her because the healthiest female figure in her life developed heart disease: the number one killer of women! How absolutely crazy is that? <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Out of necessity, my life has become very simplified. I'm still not driving, I can't do any lifting, I become very fatigued quickly, and I've learned more about home decorating from the HGTV channel than I'll probably ever put to use. I'm waiting to hear from my cardiothora<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>sic surgeon because I've been having spells of dizziness and lightheaded<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>ness that may be related to a blood pressure med I'm taking. You may recall that my BP dropped quite low while in the hospital and it now hovers around 100/60. <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />In the months just prior to Lisa's death, she gave me some glass candle holders that she made with the inscription<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>s: "You are a survivor," and "You are my inspiration" I know like so many other times in my life, I will get through this because I have to prove to Lisa that once again, I am a survivor! </div><br class="clear" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><div class="subsection_links" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 20px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-10856846922166762042010-07-16T19:06:00.000-07:002010-07-16T19:06:41.074-07:00Physical & Emotional Trauma<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2010 9:00 AM, MST</div><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;">A eucharistic minister (Amy) from my church shared a story last Sunday with me that has been weighing heavily on my mind. She told me that this past April, her girlfriend, who lived in Mesa died of a heart attack. She was in her early 40s and left behind a husband and three teenagers. Amy said that the week prior, her girlfriend told her that she had been really, really tired. How many of us, men and women alike, have had that same complaint? I know I did just prior to being diagnosed with heart disease in 2006. I had gone in to see my OB with that same complaint. My doc sold me some vitamins. A few weeks later, I had my silent heart attack and my first stent was placed. Amy's story has hit me particularl<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>y hard which is one of the reasons this week has been rather challenging for me. I am a heart survivor x 5 (the first three times when I had stents placed, the fourth time on April 29 when another 60% blockage was found and the decision made to do the bypass, and then finally, the bypass itself). I know that at any point along the way, my story could easily have turned out very differently and it would have been Katrina and Kyle without a mom. I've tried to keep my journal entries positive and light-heart<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>ed, but let's face it, I'm documenting my recovery from the most traumatic surgery to the human body. I've had several cardiologis<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>ts along my journey and they've each told me that I wasn't going to like how I felt following the bypass. They were right on. Recover<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>y from open heart surgery tests my physical and mental toughness daily. I can tend to get very sad and discouraged because the fatigue and the discomfort from the scar still keeps me confined to the house except for my daily walks and doc appointment<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>s. I'm looking forward to start living again! I know I'm headed in that direction b<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>ecause yesterday, I graduated from PT! Jeff, my PT, left me with a regimen of upper and lower body exercises and compliments to keep me motivated during this ultra-marat<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>hon of a recovery. I urge you today to identify five blessings in your life....it'<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>s easier than you think. Here's my five blessings that I'm most thankful for: that I have such a tremendous awareness of my body, that my two children and loved ones are healthy, that I had (have) an incredible medical team that has saved my life multiple times, that I am alive to share my story and hopefully make an impact, that my heart keeps beating!<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /> </div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-32071153440943903422010-07-16T18:55:00.001-07:002010-07-16T18:55:53.713-07:00Lots of Spoiling<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2010 8:14 PM, MST</div><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;">So many of you have gone the extra mile :) to make sure my recovery is going as well as possible. Walking and doing such strenuous exercises, however limited they may be, works up my appetite. I'm especially thankful to my friends who have been dropping off such fabulous meals and am especially grateful to Christie for putting together the meal schedule. Tonight, Jenni delivered scrumptious homemade chicken enchiladas and she happened to include a plateful of chocolate macadamia nut cookies. No waste there. Thanks, Jenni! How quickly can I begin running to burn off all those extra calories? I'<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>m not even remotely interested in testing what little culinary skills I have because the scab on my scar is now completely off leaving the scar sensitive to my every move. You are all spoiling me! </div><div><br />
</div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-54379592643024446332010-07-16T18:54:00.000-07:002010-07-16T18:54:25.319-07:00Nothing Beats Good Healthy<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2010 10:22 AM, MST</div><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Growing up, I remember my parents telling me on occasion that nothing is more important than having good health. That statement always baffled me because I wondered how they could say something like that at a time when my mom tried to create as many different meals as she could from Kraft mac & cheese. My parents worked multiple jobs to send Lisa and me to Catholic schools. Wouldn't they have preferred to have lots of money over having good health? It wasn't until Lisa was diagnosed in January 2006 with breast cancer and I was diagnosed in September 2006 with heart disease that I grasped the gravity of my parent's statement. Now, I find myself passing along that message to Katrina and Kyle. Unfortunate<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>ly, I speak those words from the heart (no real pun intended there). Fortunately<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>, I'm alive to share that message with my children and anyone else who will listen :)</div><div><br />
</div></div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-15170506645211854312010-07-16T18:50:00.001-07:002010-07-16T18:50:54.445-07:00Braving a Visit to Kid's School<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<ul class="pnl-journal" id="uc_entries" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><li class="entry" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(246, 138, 67); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: auto; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 10px;"></li>
<li class="entry first-entry" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(246, 138, 67); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: auto; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 10px;"><div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2010 6:25 PM, MST</div><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;">Whew! That was a whirlwind of activity. It felt great to get plugged into the outside world for a bit but it was more taxing than anticipated. Let's just say it was a reality check. At the last minute, my mom was unable to pick me up and drop me off so Christie, bless her heart, zipped on over at the last minute. Christie told me she saw Katrina at school earlier in the day, and Katrina told her with great excitement not once, but three times, "my mom is coming to school this afternoon!" So Christie made that happen. When I walked into Katrina's classroom, her smile made any pain I had in my chest at that moment melt away. I've always told my kids I'd run around the world for them, and the physical act of getting ready and then walking into the school and to the classroom felt like I had done just that. But, oh, it was so worth it. Christie--y<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>ou were my angel this afternoon. Thank you, my friend! By the way, let's just say that I headed straight for the couch after the Clark family (thanks, Sonja, Jim, Caitlin & Brooke) dropped us off at home and I haven't budged since! </div><br class="clear" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><div class="subsection_links" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 20px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="read_link" style="float: left; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a class="link_bullet icon journal-entry-sign-guestbook" href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/claudiaward/guestbook/sign" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.caringbridge.org/tres/themes/summerfun/summerfun_linkicon_left.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #bb1c61; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 18px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Sign My Guestbook</a></div></div></li>
<li class="entry" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(246, 138, 67); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: auto; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 10px;"><a href="" name="5591223" style="color: #bb1c61; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></a><div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2010 11:30 AM, MST</div><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;">My PT (Jeff) used a terrific analogy this morning during our walk. He said the majority of his patients are discharged at the point I was at when he initially began services with me one week post-surger<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>y. He said I'm used to going 60 mph and now I'm only going 10 mph but am at least moving with the speed limit. <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />I'm still planning on venturing to the kid's school today for the last 30 minutes or so of the final day of school. I cringe when I think about the hundreds of students darting into the halls when that bell rings for the final time. I'm going to have to duck inside a classroom where I'll be well protected. Other than doctor's appointment<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>s, it'll be my initial public appearance post-surger<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>y. Stay tuned for a follow-up report :) </div><br class="clear" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><div class="subsection_links" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 20px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div></li>
</ul>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-64556780163964598142010-07-16T18:48:00.000-07:002010-07-16T18:48:51.194-07:00Getting Pain Under Control<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2010 2:50 PM, MST</div><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;">My OT and nurse visited this morning. They convinced me to get on a regular schedule of pain med + 600 mg ibuprofen to try and get ahead of this pain from the incision down my chest bone (the scar measures 6-1/4"). So, I began that this morning. My nurse will stop by on Friday so we can re-evaluate the effectivene<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>ss of the med. <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Tomorr<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>ow is the last day of school for Katrina and Kyle. I'm hoping to be feeling well enough to have my mom drop me off at the kid's school (CTA-Indepe<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>ndence) for the last 30-45 minutes. I'd like to thank their teachers in person and hopefully track down the principal, Nancy Branch, to give her a hug. She's been a fantastic part of my support system, and I'm so thankful to her.<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Where did the day go? The vicodin certainly has a calming effect, which I guess is the whole point, so I haven't strayed too far from the couch. Remember to be kind to your heart......<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>it can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths. Blessings! </div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-84993579537257127772010-07-16T18:46:00.000-07:002010-07-16T18:46:05.848-07:00First Mile Time Trial<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">MONDAY, MAY 31, 2010 2:02 PM, MST</div><a class="thickbox" href="http://www.caringbridge.org/tres/images/photos/1/8/9/2/189274/l.CoMTJMvvvqLiGjEN.jpg" style="color: #bb1c61; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img class="journal-photo" src="http://www.caringbridge.org/tres/images/photos/1/8/9/2/189274/t.CoMTJMvvvqLiGjEN.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 8px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Exactly two weeks after being released from the hospital, I had my initial post-surger<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>y group workout this morning! Of course, everything was within doctor's limits except perhaps for the post-workou<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>t drink. Dean, Rob, Jan, and Katrina all participate<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>d or should I say pushed the pace. The lead changed hands several times so it was hard to keep track but I tried to hang off someone's shoulder at all times to get a draft. Outfitted with my Garmin, we "strolled" exactly one mile and broke a sweat to get to the finish line and break the 25:00 barrier: 24:55! I must admit that doesn't include the time we took for recovery at the turnaround but I think I deserve some slack. Much room for improvement but I know I'll look back on this day perhaps in disbelief and wonder if it really took that long to walk just a mile when I race an entire 5k much faster. Unfortunate<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>ly or fortunately<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>, I have witnesses who I'm sure will remind me. This morning, neither the time nor the distance were significant. What mattered was the camaraderie<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>, the hugs, the laughs, and the joking (trust me, there was plenty) that I've grown so fond of over the years of training with the RxRunning group. Thank you, my friends, for lifting my spirits! </span></span></div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-51641127159939890282010-07-16T18:42:00.000-07:002010-07-16T18:42:04.085-07:00I Need Relief!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2010 10:10 AM, MST</div><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;">After coming down with a low-grade temp (100.9) yesterday and going three days without any relief from my pain killer (my chest bone felt as though the saw was still stuck in the middle of it and the thought of updating my blog was painful), I spoke with the on-call cardiothora<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>cic surgeon last night. I know from experience that the low-grade temp isn't uncommon post-surger<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>y, but I learned that if the temp exceeds 101.5 then medical treatment may be necessary. As for the bone pain, he told me to take 600 mg ibuprofen in addition to my pain killer. I woke up this morning pain free but not without discomfort which I guess is still to be expected. I know that in the beginning of the week I began testing the waters by using my upper body and my body spoke to me loud and clear. I hope everyone has an enjoyable holiday weekend. </div><div><br />
</div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443660492177385844.post-57982505901094559842010-07-11T16:52:00.000-07:002010-07-11T16:52:16.325-07:00Initial Post-Op Appointment<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div class="uc-subheading" style="color: #f68a43; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2010 4:40 PM, MST</div><div class="uc-message" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;">I had an amazing post-op appointment today with Dr. Iva Smolens, my cardiothora<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>cic surgeon. A few of you have met her, and I know you agree with me that she is a dynamo! I am so grateful to Nancy for initially putting the two of us in touch the evening of Wednesday, April 28. That evening, I had finished a trail run at South Mtn, became increasingl<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>y symptomatic<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>, and called Nancy. She knew that my regular cardiologis<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>t, Dr. Heuser was out-of-the-<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>country, so she immediately called Dr. Smolens, who told Nancy to have me call her on her cell phone that evening. I was so touched by Dr. Smolens' interest and willingness to talk to me at the drop of a hat and subsequentl<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>y recommend some cardiologis<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>ts for a second opinion. After that, Dr. Smolens and I talked once or twice more in the evening before I ever had an in-offic<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>e consult with her. That sidebar speaks volumes to Dr. Smolens' dedication to treating heart disease in women. <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Gett<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>ing back on track.....t<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>oday, Dr. Smolens said she wants me to continue to increase the distance of my walks but was adamant that lifting is off-limits for three months to give the breast bone the proper time to heal. Here's a piece of news for those of you who are wine enthusiasts<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>: although Dr. Smolens said she isn't necessarily advocating drinking, she gave me the green flag to have a glass of RED wine a night. Mind you, I didn't ask her how many ounces constitutes a glass.....I will see Dr. Smolens in another month, and in the meantime, transition my routine heart check-ups back to Dr. Heuser. <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />If anyone is ever up for a walk.....no guarantee on pace nor distance but a glass of red wine as a recovery drink is optional....<wbr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr><span class="wbr" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>I'd be more than happy to have the company. At least for me, doctor's orders on both counts! </div><div><br />
</div>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00186211132779742417noreply@blogger.com0