What a wonderful Christmas!

Time with the kids and Ashley all day. Didn't get out of my jammies till almost 4 pm. Dinner with a WONDERFUL family in Lexington, NC. Picture a home with so many loving family members in it that the living room was emptied to make room for the dining tables.

Fun conversations, kids eating all sorts treats, and delicious food; it was GREAT.

Merry Christmas to everyone who has stopped in to read today.


Prepping for Discharge

Leaving a hospital is never simple. When I left though, I had a small library of books and papers. I also has a mobile pharmacy.

Normally, the instructions are to rest a little, follow-up with your family Dr. and take your meds.

When I left, I had all of that and more.
I had a list of things I couldn't do for a week, for 2 weeks, for a month and for 6-8 weeks. I also had TWO doctors appointments already set up, and my list of medications to fill.

The medication list was one of the hardest parts for me because, until now, I had never taken a medication on a consistent basis.

Now I have iron, children's asprin, cholesterol medication, pulse lowering drugs and anti-platelet drugs. I also walked out with pain meds and nitroglycerin. It is so daunting that Ashley had to get one of those daily pill trays so we could keep track of my 4 dosings a day.

A slight clarification here...the HARDEST part was knowing I couldn't pick up and carry my baby girl; nothing over 10 pounds until permitted by the doctor. It was horrible to see her standing right at my feet, arms outstretched with that face begging me for "uppies" knowing I couldn't do a damn thing about it.

Fortunately, by the time you read this post, I was cleared to hold my baby.

What I am NOT allowed to do still is drive.
I have not been allowed to drive since I got back from the grocery store on the day of the heart attack. Do you know how hard it is to shop for Christmas when you can't drive? Thank heaven for my neighbor who was willing to chauffeur me around the last couple of days. WHEW!

Well, I see this is getting a little long winded tonight, and everyone is probably already asleep from their sumptuous Christmas dinners, so I'll say good night, Merry Christmas, and thanks for taking this trip with me.