Dear All,
I had hoped not to write about the full extent of the ‘poor health I enjoy’ — try out the phrase yourself; it’s rather fun to drop it into the conversation and avoid others thinking you feel sorry for yourself.
You know a little about my autoimmune condition, LcSSc, and the cataract problems in both eyes. However, before Christmas, I was diagnosed with COPD/Emphysema and a Leaky Heart Valve. I wasn’t in the least surprised by the former as I’ve been a smoker for decades but it did prompt me to make another determined effort to give up. I’m not there yet but I’m getting there.
The Leaky Heart Valve was a shock but LcSSc affects several internal organs so I’ve always known it was a possibility and that the combination is dangerous.
I went to see my GP a week ago since it seemed that the Emphysema had increased at a rate of knots because I was getting more and more breathless. ‘No,’ she said, ‘I’m 90% certain your breathlessness relates to your heart, partly because your emphysema is negligible.’ She was shocked that I had not yet had the follow-up investigation to discern whether the heart problem could be solved by medication or would need surgery.
She is chasing it up. I’m frightened because the breathlessness has become almost untenable and can manifest itself simply by walking a few yards to the kitchen or the front door. It’s making me dizzy and the unconscionable exhaustion I have mentioned in earlier posts now makes a lot of sense. I shall be ringing the GP tomorrow or even taking myself off to A&E.
The point of this post is that I have to take a break from blogging as the pressure of posting and answering comments as well as visiting other blogs to like and comment is too much to cope with on top of the physical difficulties. That’s not to say there won’t be the odd post on First Night Design, First Night History or Rogues & Vagabonds but I will only be liking comments and not be replying.
As for news on the eyes, my GP said they won’t do anything about the cataract in the right eye until more is known about the heart and its ramifications. To top it all, another stitch has come to the surface of the left eye because I can see a shadow in the shape of lips. Would it were a ‘wooden O’ but no; it resembles nothing so much as the pursed lips of that unspeakable man in the White House.
Enjoy Easter!
Take care and keep laughing!
Reblogged this on Rogues & Vagabonds.
LikeLike
You have a lot on your plate. It’s hard to blog through medical issues. There are a lot of treatments available for leaky heart valves. I would think that is one condition they can probably fix for you. I wish you well with all your medical adventures. Tim.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My love and best wishes are with you, love.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Be thinking of you girl. Go see your heart specialist. Leaky valves are fixable. My sister in law had a steel valve in her heart for 25 years.
Best from Florida. Come back when you are able.
LikeLiked by 2 people
At least you are back in England, so hopefully will receive some prompt and correct treatment. You seem to be facing that old dilemma. An operation or procedure may well cure the valve issue, but that will only be possible if the other conditions do not affect your ability to have an anaesthetic.
The ongoing problems with the cataract operation have really put me off going ahead and getting surgery for my eyes too. Dear Sarah, I do worry about you, alone on the IOW with all these worries.
All I can do is send you my best wishes, and to assure you that I will be thinking of you. Take the blogging break you deserve, and get better as soon as possible.
Best wishes, Pete. xx
LikeLiked by 3 people
I am so sorry that you feel so miserable! Sending love and support to you. ((Hugs))
LikeLiked by 2 people
Take care of yourself. You are in our thoughts.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi, Sarah. I hope that you get treatment very soon and you can feel better again. Can you get a good referral to a cardiac specialist from your own doctor? I am so sorry that you’re not feeling well. And yes, I can understand imagining those “puckered lips.” That made me smile! Your positive attitude and strength will prevail, I am sure.
LikeLiked by 2 people
As one who suffers the breathlessness of COPD I can really empathise with you if it’s suddenly worse and then to find it’s the heart causing the increase must be terrifying. Please take great care of yourself Dear Sarah. Good luck with stopping smoking. I hope you do better than me.
xxx Sending you the gentlest Massive Hugs I can xxx
LikeLiked by 2 people
So sorry to hear. Wishing you the best, Sarah!
Best,
Jack
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh Sarah so sorry to ear all this happening! Please take care yourself your health comes first! We are all here for you! Much love and a big hug! ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
All strength, courage and humour, to you, Sarah. May you be in the gentle, kind and clever hands of healers. X
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thinking of you Sarah and hope for a speedy resolution of your heart valve issue. You might think of bypassing your GP and get to your local ER if your breathlessness is that severe. love and hugs xx
LikeLiked by 3 people
You make me feel so sad. I am sending to you all my compassion and hope you are well again soon and return to us stronger than before. All my best.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m so sorry to hear, Sarah. Do take care and don’t worry about the blogs, yours or anybody else’s. I’ll be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts your way.. You can close the blog to comments in case you decide to post the odd one. Take lots of care.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh, Sarah, I’m so sorry about your health problems and hope the leaky heart valve can be sorted soon. I know how hard it is to stop smoking. I tried everything from chewing gum to acupuncture. The thing which did work was mint flavoured nicotine replacement lozenges. I’ve now been addicted to them for about ten years!
I think you should go to A&E and get admitted to hospital. It must be quicker than waiting for a referral appointment through your GP.
I’m sorry, too, about the news on your eyes – especially the nightmare of looking at that man’s mouth all the time. I so admire your ability to sound so upbeat despite everything but you do need to take a break. Sending my love and best wishes.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Don’t wait! Do whatever needs to be done. Then you can relax and let your body heal. -massive hugs-
LikeLiked by 2 people
Bless you Sarah, you’re amazing! You’ve got so much to deal with right now ~ yet you still inject humour into the account of your challenges. If there is anything we can do to help, please don’t hesitate to ask! Thinking of you. 🙂 xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am really sorry to hear this. You will be missed here. Get well soon. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Priorities must be handled – we’ll be here when are more able to return. Take care.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So sorry to hear this, do take care of yourself. My very best wishes for your speedy return to health.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Take care of yourself dear Sarah!! We will be thinking of you xxx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sarah – you deserve a break – take it easy and get through this. We will all be here when you are ready. Take care of yourself!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are in my thoughts and prayers, Sarah. We will all be here when you return.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry to read how your situation is deteriorating Sarah, your health is your first and only priority for the foreseeable future. My thoughts and prayers are with you, as you work with your Doctors to get to the bottom of these troubles. Take care, Mary
LikeLiked by 2 people
Take care. Your ‘likes’ are treasured, and will be. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
My thoughts and prayers are with you Dear Lady! Don’t worry about it all. Just do what you can when you feel like it. I’m sure those that know and care about you will understand. Hugs and Love!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I pray that this will all be attended to and that you will overcome the current challenges, my friend.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My sister had similar symptoms and it was indeed heart-related. Don’t wait. If your heart is not pumping enough for energy it is certainly causing problems in your brain as well – what’s good for the heart is good for the brain, and vice versa.
As for those lips (yuck!) pretend they are the universal symbol for “Kiss my ‘posterior’ !”
Do not even consider worrying about blogging, commenting, making the rounds of the web, etc. Take care of YOU. That’s what matters right now. We’ll all be right here, eager to celebrate your return but not rushing you to do so before you feel up to speed.
My love and prayers go with you.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Take all the time you need, Sarah. We are all thinking about you and wish you a speedy recovery.
Hugs to you.
xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no! I’m so sad to read this news.
Take the time you need to get well. We readers won’t forget about you, and we’ll all be hoping that doctors can improve things.
We’ll be right here when you get back. You can’t get rid of us that easily. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Sarah. My own heart is hurting for all of your issues. Strength. Courage. You are loved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hiya mate > I used the Alan Carre book plus a small amount of determination to stop my 30 a day habit in 2006. Been smoking for 20+ years. I just stopped and that was it. No replacement or build up or talk about it. I just thought “why am i doing something I hate?” strange that isnt it. Every day without made me feel 10 times better. Any smoker that quizzed me or made it sound like a difficult task in order to get me started again made me stronger. Never looked back. Hope you can do the same Sarah X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wishing you all the best and hope you are on the mend soon. X and hugs from China
LikeLiked by 1 person
All the Best. We’ll be right here waiting for you ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on perfectlyfadeddelusions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sarah, you’ve a lot to deal with right now. I’m wishing you some good news from the doctors. I’ll miss your creativity, but it’s much better to focus your energies on healing. Take care, and all the time you need.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you will be better soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Send you healing thoughts Sarah and wish you all the best. Take good care of yourself, we will wait patiently for you ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry I missed this post, Sarah. Some time has passed and I hope that your situation is becoming clearer and a solution(s) found with the least discomfort and greatest success. Health certainly comes first. Take care of yourself, keep your spirits up. Sending much light and love your way. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, darling, I’ve worked my way back to here with many lovely distractions over all your offerings here. My goodness you must be doing well on Z! These are all wonderful.
Such a dreary time I read you are having, my dear, and I know exactly how you feel. It is a scary time not knowing how things are til “they get in there for a good look.” Been there done that. I will assume that nothing much has happened with your breathing condition yet, unless I somehow missed it.
I will hold you within my own heart and meditations for all good outcomes. You deserve the very best of all things. I have peaceful feelings that all will be well in time tho that doesn’t lessen your fears, I’m sure. I am certainly glad I finally was able to get back on here to catch up with you.
My love to you, dear heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bless your heart, Linda. Am I repeating myself?! Iron tablets have brought the breathlessness right down and I’m remarkably cheerful considering. x
LikeLike