Home from the Hospital

I had to go into the hospital last week for 5 days for observation and testing for my blood pressure problems. Things checked out Ok there and the doctor put me on a strict dosing schedule with my meds and a strict low sodium/diabetic diet and I got home 2 days ago. Boy, did I miss Blossom, my dog and my pc! It was so good to get home. I stayed at Doctors Hospital in Shreveport, it has been partially closed down for several years with just a wing open for drug rehab but is now open and accepting patients and that is where my doctor works out of now. It was very clean, the food was good, and staff wonderful, a pleasant stay for a hospital but there is no place like home! I feel better and my blood pressure while still getting a little high is much more stable. I had an abdominal ultrasound day before yesterday and we will be comparing it to my tests done in 2005 which showed the right side of my liver enlarged and deformed. If it has gotten worse, that will explin the sudden changes in my blood pressure. There won't be anything we cn do about it, but it will be an answer. My biggest challenges: this new diet and the strict time table for my medicines. I know I can do it though, I want to be as healthy as I can be and it is up to me in a large way.

Still Battling

Just a quick post to let you know I have not forgotten you! My blood sugar has now joined the battle along with my blood pressure and things are pretty rough, been to the ER 4 times since the 18th of August. Blossom's (my Maltese dog) birthday was August 20th and she wanted me to post about her birthday wish, the end of puppymills. As soon as I am better, I will write about this for her.

The Fight

Suddenly I have found myself in a fight for my life. Even the slightest touch of salt in my food makes my blood pressure skyrocket, a week ago it went up to 244/117. This was a mini stroke. Scared the you know what out of me. I did not go to the hospital, last time this happened, all they did was do some uncomfortable tests, admit me, throw me in a room, gave me NO medicine to bring my BP down, and forgot all about me. I left after some hours of this. This time, I called a caring friend and neighbor, Suzanne, and she sat with me whle I took an extra clonidine (what the hospital gives), drank plenty of water, and practiced self biofeedback to lower my pulse rate and blood pressure. This time it worked, but I cannot get my BP down to normal and am terrified of eating anything. I guess that is one way to lose weight! LOL After being told twice by my doctor's office that I could NOT come in for a follow up to my 1st transient ischemic attack (mini stroke) on June 5th, at other's pleadings, I called again on Thursday and they agreed to let me come in yesterday. He checked me out, will pore over the labs taken, did not want to change anything till he perused the labs, refilled my prescriptions and told me I was following the best course of action and did the right thing this time. I will return to see him on the 8th of September, now just to manage to live long enough to do so! I find it ironic after so many years when I wanted to die (years ago when younger) I now have no intention of going anywhere. I am happy - truly happy - for the first time in my my life and have tons more soap to make!