We had a really great, laid back week. Until Saturday. More about that in a minute.
We spent Tuesday with our bestest friends.† There was a park day with Moms and kids running everywhere.† It was a great time.
*See my cool collages? Thanks Theresa! I LOVE these!
Then we went to Heather’s for the FIRST Swim of the Year.† YAY for warmer weather.
We also watched squirrels, rabbits and birds galore in our yard.† We are amazed by how much wildlife we have!
Kei and I spent a lot of time outside.† She played Webkinz under the tree.† Is there anything better than that???
Saturday morning about 1:00 AM I woke up feeling quite yucky.† I was shaking all over, my heart was racing and I felt like I was going to be sick.† Now I have had panic attacks in the past and I thought that is what it was.† But it did not go away.† For an hour it just got worse.† I woke Kei up at 2:30 AM and told her I was going to go the the ER.† Now I have NEVER gone to the Emergency room in my life except when an ambulance took me when I cut my wrist so badly.† But I knew something was not right.† Well 14 hours later, 7 sticks of needles for blood work [including 2 blown veins, I have horrible veins], 3 EKG’s, an echogram, X rays and tons of poking and prodding they determined my thyroid was way out of whack.† I had hyperthroidism when I was 27 but haven’t had it checked in a few years because I don’t have insurance.† I should have just gotten the money and done it because I don’t even want to think about my hospital bill.† I also have really low potassium and magnesium levels.† It was a long, scary time.† They put me in ICU for observation, purely standard they said, but I was freaked out.† Also they put a IV port in ‘just in case they had to Med Flight me to the nearest city’.† It was not a fun time.† By 9:00 AM I was so ready to go but the cardiologist didn’t come until 3:00 PM!!† But he released me with new medicines and the stern “Stop drinking so much caffeine” that I knew was coming.† I walked out and honestly felt like kissing the ground.† I wasn’t sure when I walked in 14 hours earlier if I was even coming out.† Stuff like that is so scary! Kei wasn’t afraid.† She told me she knew I was fine, that she prayed and knew God would watch out for me.
So ..scary time but good results.† My thyroid being so low explains so much. Like why I freeze when everyone else is burning up, why I am so dang tired all the time and other things.
Today is Monday..and I am happy to be alive. 🙂
Karen
The greatest wealth is health.† ~Virgil
The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they’ll ease
Your will they’ll mend
And charge you not a shilling.
~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990
I was just sitting here having my Friday beer with Jason and I realized that I never commented on Kei’s AWESOME WONDERFUL AMAZING TOTALLY TUBULAR Squirrel photo!!!! Kudos, to Miss Kei!!!!!!!!
Glad you had fun with the collages.
Oh my gosh, you poor thing! That must have been so scary. I am glad that you are okay!!
How wonderful that you have given Kei the gift of faith in something greater than herself–something that she can look to when she feels powerless in her situation and it can provide her with a sense of calm.
Believe me, there are a lot of other people out there without insurance who find themselves in your situation. It is one of the questions I get when I am at reference. Here is a link to an Alabama Medical Bill Assistance site that may provide some info. http://www.medicalbillassistance.com/help-paying-medical-bills.htm You would be surprised at what is out there!
Scary, indeed! So glad you are okay!
Oh, KarenÖ I am so glad you’re okay. What an amazing week! To go from swims in the pool and so much smiling to your newsÖ I hope your medication works well, and that the bill is manageable, and I am so glad you walked out of that hospital! Yes, a scary timeÖ but I am blown away by your girl, for believing and trusting you’d be okay. That’s just beautiful. Love to you and Kei.
Okay, now no more of that stuff!!
Goodness, I’d be scared to death, too. Glad you’re okay now. Or recovering at least.
I have Grave’s disease and I can totally relate to your experience. If I had to do it over again (I had radioactive iodine treatment) I would try things holistically first. But like you, I had extreme symptoms. My heart rate (resting) was 180. Before the doctor confirmed thyroid, I was hooked up to a heart monitor and put on heart rate reducing meds immediately. Thankfully my doctors were great and once I had the treatment my levels have been consistent even through both pregnancies. As you know, your thyroid health is vital. Please take care of yourself and find a doctor who can work out payments through a plan if not through insurance.
Kei is an amazing girl. I hope we can meet someday…..