Clean bill of health

Whew! A big sigh of relief. I went to the cardiologist last week and had an exam and an echocardiogram. Everything looked great. He said I have a very healthy heart and everything looks wonderful. We were worried I had a prolapse mitro-valve like my mom and both my grandma's. But, he didn't see anything. I do have an incomplete right bundle branch block (RBBB). He told me it is nothing to be concerned with. It will not cause me any cardiac problems now or down the road. I do not have any limitations and I can lead a healthy, long life. The only thing he said to stay away from is shellfish (I can do that) and pork?! I thought it was the other white meat? Not, so he said, that's just a marketing ploy. Good to know.

And some great news for me!

Scariest 24 hours

No, it's not even Halloween yet but I just spent the past 24 hours in the hospital and that was the scariest 24 in my life! I went to the doctor on Friday the 13th(don't ever make an appt. on that day!). Anyhow, I've been sick with this horrendous cough, mucus, stuffy nose and congestion for almost 4 months. The doctor 6 weeks ago told me it was allergies and gave me a script for allegery meds. He also wanted me to have further bloodwork and an EKG because I had been having some chest pains. I went in to tell him I still wasn't feeling well and to review my bloodwork and EKG. It turns out they did a strep test and I have strep. Could have had it for 4 months! I'm so pissed he didn't check me out sooner, as I''ve been suffering for so long. I also found out I am on the borderline for high cholesteral and had an abnormal EKG so he was sending me to a cardiologist. I totally freaked out, I'm too young to have heart problems. So, I leave there with an antibiotic for my strep and immediately call David crying. David finished teaching and came home. By the time he got home I was having severe chest pains with it radiating to my shoulder and jaw. He talked me into to going to the ER. We went to the ER and they did another EKG and admitted me to the hospital. They were showing that my heart was not getting enough oxygenated blood so they admitted me. David of course, had to take Miranda home and get her to bed. The hardest thing was watching your husband and daughter walk out of the ER and leaving me behind. It totally sucks that we have no family up here. I was so scared and alone. They kept me hooked up to the EKG all night and kept me monitered. I had bloodwork done every couple of hours to compare my cardiac enzymes. In the morning, I was waiting to see the cardiologist and to have an echocardiogram. No one could tell me when either of those would happen. I had not slept in 3 days and even though they gave me a sleeping pill I still stayed up all night. The guy across the hall from me was moaning and yelling all night. Finally the cardiologist came in around 1:00 in the afternoon. The good news is, I don't have a heart problem. BUt I do have something called right bundle branch block(RBBB). That is what was causing my abnormal EKG. From what he says it is not life threatening (God is so GOOD) But, he wants to see me in a week and still have the echo test. He said the chest pain was most likely caused by my severe coughing as RBBB will not cause chest pain. And my shoulder and jaw pain was probably from anxiety. So, being so exhausted, I was able to come home and slept for a few hours and then slept all night (which is something I haven't done for several months.) What a scary experience for me! It totally kicked my butt and is now getting me in gear and scared me into being more healthy and will start some sort of exercise routine now. Hopefully the antibiotics will make me feel better soon and get my energy levels back. Then, I have no excuse for not exercising. I don't ever want to be that scared again.

I'm done, I'm done...........I can't believe I'm done. With my first completed album that is. This is going to be such a surprise for my mom. She has no idea that I've been working on this for her. I can't wait to see her reaction!

I used the Basic Grey Romani line. I thought these papers looked the best with black/white and color pictures.

Happy Birthday MOM!

Contents

Dedication

This was definitely the most emotional page for me to complete.

First 60 years

Several images of my mom when she was younger through today. The mini album in the center contains more pictures. You know, the ones you don't necessarily want EVERYONE to see. :-)

Siblings

My mom with her sisters and brother when they were younger.

Aunt Karen

My mom and Aunt Karen. The pink envelope has a poem from my Aunt to my mom inside.

Aunt Janie

My mom and my Aunt Janie, through the years. The tag on the right has journaling on the back about some memories my aunt gave me about her and my mom.

My mom and I

Through the years

With love from your sons

My mom and brothers, Mark and Michael through the years.

In memory

These LO's feature my grandparents and my mom's dog, Lady, whom she had to put down in June.

Family times

Family times shows several pictures of our extended families during different functions and vacations. The right side of the LO features an accordian album with more pictures.

She calls you Nana

This one covers multiple pictures of Miranda and my mom from the past 3 years making memories for a lifetime.

The gown/spring

The left LO is of my mom's wedding gown which someone made into Miranda's christening gown. The right side is of this past spring in my mom's garden. Miranda spent hours helping my mom plant new flowers.

Creative Juices

My creative juices are flowing today. I only have 6 more pages to complete for my mom's album. I'm so excited to see it finally complete. Let's keep flowing!!!