Moving On . . .
March 24th, 2008 at 1:49 pm by Dee O'Neil Andrews
Thanks, y’all for all of the comments and critiques through emails the past few days on my last post. I’ve gotten some good feedback and now am going to work to further edit the piece to get it ready for entering in the contest. I have until May 31st to turn the three pieces in, so should have time to work on them as I need, to get them ready for entry.
In the meanwhile, it’s been 10 days since I got out of the hospital and I’m still checking my blood pressures five or six times a day or more. I have to do two sets of orthostatic BPS, which means that I have to check them lying down, then sitting and standing. I do these at 8 a.m. and again at 3 p.m.
I’m having some good days and then not so good days. This is a real challenge, y’all, and I’m very concerned about it. Checking my blood pressures is like rolling the dice on a roulette wheel because they are so unpredictable and unstable, both high and low.
But, I see my cardiologist tomorrow afternoon, so hope he will be able to help me a bit more in trying to sort all of this stuff out. I doubt it, but maybe. I mean, this, so far, is much worse than dealing with my blood sugars has ever been. Or maybe I’m just used to dealing with blood sugars, because my blood sugars have never been very stable, either. And, we’re talking about 38 years woth!
Even with taking 5 mg of the medication every morning at 8 a.m. (twice what I take at noon and 5 p.m.), my blood pressures tend to run on the low side all morning, to very low. But then by 3 p.m., after I’ve had two doses of meds, while my sitting and standing blood pressures are in the normal range where I want and need them, my lying down blood pressures are way too high most afternoons.
A few days ago at 3 p.m., my lying down blood pressure was 211/107, which is so high it can damage one’s kidneys. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to take an afternoon nap, again, y’all! However, yesterday, my 3 p.m. lying down BP was 160/75, which is liveable, although certainly not ideal.
I’m hoping against hope that I can get this all "regulated" in some order or fashion so that I can make plans once again to go out to Abilene and see my mom in a month or so for about two weeks. I’m really homesick for my mom and want to go visit. Have a little "relief" from my troubles with mom’s good cooking.
I don’t know what this latest health problem means for my life expectancy or quality of like, but I do know that my life is in God’s hands and that whatever may come or however long it may last, it will seem as nothing in the resurrection. That is my greatest hope.
Cheers & Blessings to you all today! Dee
I am really sorry this is so hard on you, I pray that things improve for you soon. Any chance your Mom could come see you?
You do have a full plate, so to speak! You are in our prayers, and hoping you find some answers and some degree of peace about all of this after your visit with the cardiologist tomorrow. I am constantly amazed at your attitude through all of this. I know you get down at times, but you come back to encourage us!! I do hope you are encouraged by the comments, prayers, and concern from your blog family. Much love…to you and Tom.
Praying for you…………..
I’m just catching up with you and I’m so sorry that you’ve got so much MORE to deal with! I, too, am uplifted by your attitude and love for others.
Love ya, sista!
I pray that the Dr. will be given the insight as to exactly what he needs to do to regulate your pressure appropriately!
I hope that the montages help as laughter is supposed to be healthy and you get plenty of that with us!!
We Love You!!
Dee,
I’m so sorry to read about all this. How tedious and bothersome. But like the rest of us, I’m glad to know that you’re keeping your chin up (with your blood pressure somewhere in the middle?) I hope your visit with the doctor goes well. And I hope you get to visit Mom and West Texas soon too.
Speaking for myself and others, I want to say that you’ve been such an inspiration to so many people ever since we first “met” here; such a steadfast and positive presence in our midst. Be assured that you are liked and loved. We hope and pray all the best for you, Dee. May the God of all comfort shower down many blessings on you and yours.
Dee,
Thank you for sharing this with us.
I enjoy reading your blog.
I enjoy our friendship and blessing that you have been to me as I have struggled with my health.
You have been an encouragement.
I hope you have a blessed week!
Dee,
I know you are enjoying having all these doctors fighting over you but this is getting to be too much! So get well!
Oh and you really don’t have to rub it in about afternoon naps. Hope your enjoying some of your mom’s home cooking soon!
Hello, Sis! You have been and will remain in my prayers. My hope is you will sense God’s nearness to you and be comforted during these challenging days.
Love you,
-bill
We hope along with you Dee. May your BP even out so you can visit “Mom.” Hang in there.