Here's an update - I'm a little tired today. Last week I took a long walk, probably too long, and then yesterday, I took another long walk. I thought I was supposed to be doing a lot of walking, but find that my neck hurts much much more after I do. And since Farah, my daughter, has been working a lot these days to raise money for her books for college, she hasn't been home much to help so I've tried to do a little around the house, but I'm trying to avoid that temptation right now. I keep thinking about what your wife, Annis told me about not picking anything up that is heavier than a plate, but I had been, but I'm not any longer! :)
I'm counting down the days until I see Dr. Stefanis on Sept 13th. I'm not sure if he will release me then to return to work or not, but right now even though I'm bored silly, I'm hoping he'll extend my return to at least the end of September. I keep hearing that if I don't heal well, I could easily wind up having another surgery in the future, or worse yet, that I'll still have pain in my neck to live with each day.
I feel that I'm just now getting "used to" not working so I'm d thinking of things to do that I haven't had the chance to do in the past. I'm making up a list. My arms are beginning to get better. They felt tingly and my hands felt as if they were asleep, but I hope to start drawing again.
I have yet to make an appointment with the cardiologist. While in the hospital, they discovered that I have a very low pulse rate. Even though I had been awake for a few hours, my pulse rate was 39, of which I've heard was kinda bad. (I'm not athletic either)
A Dr. Khan referred me to a cardiologist for an echocardiogram and to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours in order to track my pulse rate during the night. Dr. Khan commented that he was afraid that my pulse rate may be dipping lower, into the twenties, during my sleep. They took blood tests as well and found that my potassium level was very low and that I have an under active thyroid. I just finished taking those huge potassium pills. But all in all, I'm assuming that all that may be part of the causes of my low pulse rate. I think I'm too young yet to be in need of a pace maker :) But then again, one never knows.
One thing that's on my list, which I'm rather ashamed to admit, is that I've never read the bible straight through. I'm beginning to now. In a way, and this may sound odd, but I truly believe that God made me take this break in life. I've honestly have never been off work for this long since my early teens and when I lived overseas in 1984.
This "break"is beginning to allow me to rediscover myself, to face hardships that I choose to avoid by working even harder at my job (all my life and because I was a single parent), and to allow myself a rest that I've long needed to heal from those hardships, do a little crying, and become a better me in the long run by becoming closer with the Lord, and myself for that matter. It is truly a journey, and although wearisome and sometimes difficult, it is a positive step forward that has been long overdue, but it is on God's timetable! :) I find comfort in knowing that as I press on , moving forward.
Thank you ever so much from the bottom of my heart in being there for me! I always look forward to hearing from you.
Bless you and much love always, Beth :)
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