To Answer a Question

I am a 32 year old Mother/wife. And have only been in the hospital 3 times in my life... when I was born, when I needed stitches, and when I gave birth to my wonderful daughter. Needless to say I learned to distrust most doctors and stayed away unless I just couldn't aviod it. Now, I can't avoid it and am looking for others who might understand where I am and am going.After hours at this hospital they whispered and spoke a strange language and the next morning I was in an ambulance headed for the Methodist Hospital in Houston. I was still okay w/ what was happening.. which wasn't much. At this time I still had no clue as to who, what, where, when, or why. I could only just hold on for the ride. Thankfully my Husband was there w/ me and our wonderful Neighbors were looking after our daughter.It wasn't until the Surgeon told me I had to have surgery to remove the blood clots that it hit me. I Had Heart Problems. I was absolutely terrified, but still held it together. The night before the surgery I was on the phone w/ my husband that I broke.. my terror of not being in control got to me and I cried. Needless to say my husband came and stayed w/ me. I do not recall anything other than waking up after the surgery, but apparently proceeded to remove everything from my body and go home.. they knocked me out deeper and had to replace everything. After that I ended up taking numerous tests.. ( some of which I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy if I had one.. they hurt so bad). And the cardiologist told me that my mitral valve was nearly destroyed and most likely from Rhumatic Fever as a child. I couldn't beleive it. There's no way.. I would have remembered something like that, but apparently it didn't take much for Strep Throat to turn into R F even with penicillan. Then I was really scared, and knew my husband wouldn't be able to stay w/ me all the time. Luckily my Mother In Law was with me when D couldnt be. And our daughter was being watched over by his Home Town and going to school there. I felt lucky to know that they were all pulling for me. Anyhow, I had my surgery and after Nearly a month I wanted nothing more than to get out of the hospital.. I had not been outside the entire time, due to the monitor I HAD to wear 24/7. After the Heart Surgery My bp was so low that the nurses would check on me quite often and would go so far as to wake me too. I finally got to leave and went home w/ my MIL so someone was with me and could hook me up to my antibiotics and give me my shots (prior to warfarin). I lasted a week, I got so bad I couldn't speak a sylible without taking a breath. I could not walk very far because of the swelling, but I had not gained more that a few ounces a day. Apparently that's all it took. I went to my check up at the cardiologist and I knew I would have to go back in. He sent me to the Lung Doc. and rushed me to a room. I was there for a bit over a week just to get off the warfardin so he could drain my lungs. And let me tell you.. It Hurt !! It was another week (so it felt like) before it reexpanded. That was from the last weekend in August to the begining of Oct.
We have relocated according to his job, in his home town now. I have an appointment w/ a new cardiologist Dr. Sweet the 19th. I plan to bombard him w/ all my questions and queiries then, but felt it was important that I connect w/ others who understand what I have gone through and know what my future may hold. I take my warfardin religously and non aspirine pain killers quite often. I have been on my period for 2weeks now and am looking forward to getting off of it.
During all of this I had friends/family .. loved ones.. who called, came by the hospital, emailed, and just plain let me know that they were thinking of me. I could not have survived as strongly as I had if not for their support and love. To my Mom and MIL not to mention well everyone else (Kari) who kept me on my toes. I Love You All.
And now I have found ValveReplacement.com a site that is full of those who have gone through well valve replacement and will hopefully answers question I have, and help me as I finish my life on Warfarin.
Brightest Blessings to All
R

Christmas is Coming

Christmas will soon be here then I will have to wait yet another week for the month to end then hopefully start a new job after the New Year, and we can finally get out of my FIL's hair. Oh!! And I can get my puter back and set up again . WooHoo. Or am I jumping the gun again? Getting my hopes up? Whoa what am I doing ? Perhaps I should just wait and see, keep calm, and PRAY for the best , yes I'll do that.

Yesterday wasn't much .. just mostly laundry and a nap.. (such a life I lead). Today though (and it's young yet) I was at the clinic/hospital in town getting my lab works done... Blood drawn, EKG done, and Chest X-rays for my new Cardiologist Dr. Sweet. It's that a nice name.. I hope it fits him. Just hope that everything is okay.. No News is Good News .. ya know.

Found this and thought I would share again :

Sachets: Tiny pillows scented lightly add a touch of fragrance to a room, closet or in a drawer.

Lavender scented sachets:Lavender 3 ouncesOrris root 1 ounceEssential oil lavender 4 drops

Rose scented sachetsDried rose petals 1 ounce1/2 ounce peppermint leaves1/2 ounce whole cloves Essential oil rose 2 drops

Wildflower scented sachets: 2 cups dried fragrant flowers of choice: lavender, roses, peppermint, clary sage etc. Essential oils add a few drops at a time, mix and continue until desired scent is achieved. Orris root (to help retain scent)

Directions: Mix ingredients in glass or wooden bowl: Place mixture into pre-made organza, muslin, silk, or velvet bags, or make your own. Embellish with ribbon and trinkets of your choice.

Hope you enjoy it. That is if you try it anyhow. I'll post another later. Let me know if you try these and how it went for you.

Brightest of Blesssings to all
R

Is it really Tuesday

Well today was much more productive than yesterday, but then again I wasn't in a vehicle for most of the day. LOL After I got up, and my Hunter got home we went to see the store and I got wrapping paper, tape, and other stuff, plus a couple of cute Snowmen for my MIL. She of course loved them. : ) I didn't get to work on her puter (she wanted a recipe from the Jane Pauley web site.. (http://www.thejanepauleyshow.com) so I found all of them for the specific day and sent them to my "notebook" for safe keeping until I can print them out for her. She was helping a friend of her's set up a christmas tree.. the friend is a couple of days home from the hospital (glad to hear that she is now Cancer Free)
Anyhow, I did find a recipie from Good Morning America that I believed sounded good and copied it for myself but am going to share w/ yall:
Bath Bombs: Nothing beat a good long soak in a warm bath. These bath bombs are effervescent and will add a bubbly spark. They are lightly seasoned with essential oils that will help your host relax after a party.
Dry Ingredients:• 2 Cups of baking soda• 1 cup of citric acid (buy at local pharmacy)• 1 cup of corn starch• 8 tablespoons of powdered sugar• 1/4 teaspoon of Borax (look in your market's detergent section)
Wet Ingredients: • Essential oil of choice• 5 tablespoons of light oil (choose from jojoba, sweet almond, olive, sunflower or canola • 1 1/2 tablespoons of water
Directions:
Measure and sift together dry ingredients. Thoroughly mix together wet ingredients.
In a medium bowl add 1/2 cup dry ingredients. Drizzle oil mixture (less is best) over dry ingredients (start with 1 tablespoon) and blend with your hands. Try to start forming mixture into a ball. If it's too dry (crumbles easily) add a bit more oil mixture. Continue molding the mixture until you can form a firm ball.
Place on parchment paper to dry. Be sure to check within 1-2 hours. If the ball has expanded, remold it shaping back down to original size. Allow to dry thoroughly (about 2 days.)
Wrap or package in decorative jar embellish and you're done.


Hope yall enjoy it if you try it.

Finally got back and wrapped presents, what we had and and I could do before K got home from school. After all that was said and done I finally made myself a Doctor's appointment and believe it or not... I got one the very same day...lol He is a nice man and he and I talked for some time before he sent me for my blood work. ( Bout time I got my INR checked ) Hopefully I'll hear from them tomorrow and find out about the Cardiologist that visit the area once a month and get on his list too.
For those of you who do not know, I had Heart Surgery back in Sept and the Vas. Surgeon had to replace the Mitral valve of my heart w/ a New mechanical valve (thank you St. Jude) because of Reumatic Fever as a child (due to strep throat). Now I am on anti- coagulants for the remander of my life.

Until tomorrow....LAUNDRY DAY !!