Well, I've been MIA for over a week now. Last Wednesday I started to feel out of breath. By dinnertime I was quite breathless and started to have chest pain. I didn't want to alarm my kids, so I waited for their father to come home. I convinced him that I was okay enough to drive myself to the hospital. Big mistake. I wasn't even out of my neighborhood when I realized I was in serious trouble and pulled over. In my rush to leave I had forgotten my cell phone on the kitchen counter. Luckily I made it to the trama center (my guardian angel must have been driving).
They quickly discovered that I was suffering from a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs). I spent 24 hours or so in ICU and then spent another 5 days recovering in my own room. Thanks to morphine and the extraordinary care of some fantastic nurses, I'm home.
I'm still in a lot of pain and there are many questions concerning my future care. But, I'm going to be okay. I'm one lucky lady.
At first I didn't think my hospital gig was appropriate for a pre-trip Disney report, but then I remembered something.
For several days I could not get out of bed because of my condition. I was determined to get active, since I know how important it is to stay positive and aid my healing. I finally got up one morning, just to drop into the nearest chair from lack of breath. My nurse comes in and is so respectful and encouraging. Our discussion soon turns to our children and I tell her how I need to get strong because we are planning to go to Disney soon. Her face lights up and she and I get into a delightful Disney discussion. It was just what I needed. For a moment or two I wasn't hooked up to two IVs getting blood and medicines pumped into me, but feeling some Disney magic. We quickly discover that our October trips overlap and we are actually going to be at MK on the same day!
Boy, will it be wonderful to bump into her in a couple of months, recovered and happy with my family again!
Let's hope the days fly by!