My Mom had a heart attack in July.
She wasn't in Church that Sunday. That was odd so after Church I went to her place to see what the story was. She told me what happened - you'll read her account below - but wasn't convinced that what happened to her was as serious as I was making out. I wasn't fully convinced of the seriousness of the event either, but I did stress that at her age, and with her past health history, things like this need to get checked out sooner as opposed to later. Anyway here is her story sent in an email to her female friends and relatives...
THIS COULD HAPPEN TO YOU
I am writing this especially for the ladies. This is what happened to me.
I got up in the morning and went to the bathroom and while I was sitting there, suddenly I experienced a series of weak spells lasting about 10 mins accompanied by a cold sweat which was dripping off my chin. When I felt able to move, I got up and fell across the bed and slept for about an hour. Wes woke me up to see if I was getting up for the day and I told him what happened and fell back to sleep again. A couple of hours later I got up and dressed and proceeded to get on with my day, but I felt so weak and unstable I was unable to continue. After Wes made supper that evening, I went to bed and had a good sleep.
The next day, I had an appointment with my doctor to renew a prescription, so I told her about my experience. She had a blood test done and informed me that I had had a heart attack. I did not recognize it as such because there was no pain, but the blood test showed that certain enzymes had been released that indicated the heart attack.. She immediately had me shipped off to the Three Hills Hospital where I remained for 4 days while awaiting admittance to the Foothills Hospital for an angiogram.
Everyday they did blood tests and gave me bloodthinners. On the 4th day they said I could go home because the enzymes had diminished and they had cancelled the angiogram. Horray for me!!
So you see, a woman’s heart attack is not like a man’s.
Just goes to show you that you never know who the next one will be. I’m just happy that my name was not on the Lord’s daytimer that day.
-Pat Campbell
During this event my parents got their Personal Directives done and she and Wes along with the Executors named in their wills are getting together to share all plans, wills and directives.
It usually takes something like this to get ourselves in gear to make sure we have our affairs in order... after all we never know when our name will be in the 'Lord's daytimer'.
About Me
- Diane
- I love my life. I'm contented enough to be relaxed and discontented enough to quest. I want to see it all, smell it all and touch it all and through writing I can. I'm especially grateful for the gospel in my life. I don't need to search anymore. I can get on with perfecting talents and abilities.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Stay tuned, I'll be right back...
Ouch, ouch and ouch... I spent a great weekend scrapbooking with 5 dear friends and my wrists are certainly telling about it - AND - the microphone in headset that came with the voice recognition software has stopped working (I'm on the hunt for a new one sooo it'll be a bit slow in the posting dept for a bit) - SO - please hang in there (you too, Joni ) I'll be back on line soon!
I need to finish telling you about my Edmonton trip; tell you a picture taking story and share not only an amazing talk by a humble 19 year-old but also, a conversation about energy, chemistry and why we need to feed relationships!
So stay tuned...great things coming up here!
I need to finish telling you about my Edmonton trip; tell you a picture taking story and share not only an amazing talk by a humble 19 year-old but also, a conversation about energy, chemistry and why we need to feed relationships!
So stay tuned...great things coming up here!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
House/Cat Sitting Day 8 - July 6th
I went to the Edmonton Telus World of Science today. Interesting...it's just like the one in Calgary - a lot of exhibits weren't working. That was always such a big headache for us in Calgary. With so many hands-on things to do and very little staff - things just get neglected. Hmmm...now that I think of it -I don't recall seeing any staff at all after the ticket counter.
One of the exhibits was about how our bodies work. I totally backed out of one room in record time!!!! It was full of jars - sealed, I hope - of fluids and excretions and...well, you get the idea. I didn't need to look at those. When you think about it - the body is pretty amazing - and pretty...well... of the earth, so to speak. I learned that every time you learn something new - your brain reshapes itself in that area - I guess we are a lot like nanyites - creating and building and inventing as we go.
I also saw an IMAX film called, "Fly Me to The Moon." (I love the way Frank Sinatra sings that song!) It was a cute film about 3 flies who tag along on the famous 1969 trip to the moon. It was cute. One thing, though...I thought the screen was supposed to be gigantic?
I remember when they were first bringing this technology out. A couple of my brothers, some friends and I were at the Calgary Stampede and we were in this tent. They showed a short movie of a roller coaster ride and of a car ride. In both you felt like you were in the front seat and wow! was it great! Because you had to crane your neck so far back to see everything, you got real dizzy and a lot of people were falling down. It was great!! This IMAX was like being in any cinema...(pout).
In the evening I went through some of Cristen's scrap booking paper pack, that she, Trish and I all bought from Costco back in the fall, (we are having a scrapbook weekend in Linden near the end of the month and we all need to prepare a 2 page layout for each of the others) looking for some paper to borrow. We're supposed to make our layouts from our stashes but I don't have 12 of any one patterned paper.so...
And yes, I did read some of the 3rd book...I don't know if there are anymore in the series. I hope not - I hate to be left hanging...even if it's done gently...lol!
One of the exhibits was about how our bodies work. I totally backed out of one room in record time!!!! It was full of jars - sealed, I hope - of fluids and excretions and...well, you get the idea. I didn't need to look at those. When you think about it - the body is pretty amazing - and pretty...well... of the earth, so to speak. I learned that every time you learn something new - your brain reshapes itself in that area - I guess we are a lot like nanyites - creating and building and inventing as we go.
I also saw an IMAX film called, "Fly Me to The Moon." (I love the way Frank Sinatra sings that song!) It was a cute film about 3 flies who tag along on the famous 1969 trip to the moon. It was cute. One thing, though...I thought the screen was supposed to be gigantic?
I remember when they were first bringing this technology out. A couple of my brothers, some friends and I were at the Calgary Stampede and we were in this tent. They showed a short movie of a roller coaster ride and of a car ride. In both you felt like you were in the front seat and wow! was it great! Because you had to crane your neck so far back to see everything, you got real dizzy and a lot of people were falling down. It was great!! This IMAX was like being in any cinema...(pout).
In the evening I went through some of Cristen's scrap booking paper pack, that she, Trish and I all bought from Costco back in the fall, (we are having a scrapbook weekend in Linden near the end of the month and we all need to prepare a 2 page layout for each of the others) looking for some paper to borrow. We're supposed to make our layouts from our stashes but I don't have 12 of any one patterned paper.so...
And yes, I did read some of the 3rd book...I don't know if there are anymore in the series. I hope not - I hate to be left hanging...even if it's done gently...lol!
House/Cat Sitting Day 7 - July 5th
Last week I called the Bishop of the Castle Downs ward to get some phone numbers so I could arrange a ride to church today. He gave me the numbers of the RS President and her two counsellors. He told me he'd be away and he thought the RS President would be away but Thursday afternoon I started by calling her anyway - you never know. I got her answering machine.
Then I called the 2nd counselor as her name was familiar to me. Her little girl answered and said her mom was at work and no, her dad couldn't come to the phone because he was at work, too. I left a message that I would call back. Each time I did, I got the answering machine. I found out later that she had gone away for the weekend, too.
After my first phone call to the 2nd counselor, I called the 1st counselor. Another answering machine. I wondered - what's the chances of all three of these ladies being away at the same time? I found out later that this sister's mother had just got her visa to come to Canada and that they had been busy picking her up and getting her settled in.
No luck with phone calls I turned to the transit map. It only took me 2 hours to decide that no matter how I configured it, I would have to spend 2 hours and transfer 3 times jut to get there 30 minutes late! Incredible - this is a 12 minute car ride. I threw that idea out.
I debated walking, then I passed on that. It would take me at least 2 hours just to get there.
Then I called about taxi rates - $15-20. I'd spent a lot more on things of a lot less worth. I figured I'd try to get a ride home from a member but if that didn't work out I'd take my walking clothes with me.
The cab ride was interesting - from the website and yellow pages ad all these cars were supposed to be equipped with a GPS. I guess they missed this one. I had to direct his first major turn. It was hilarious! He stopped right in the middle of a usually busy street, backed up and headed the right way! From then on I knew I'd have to watch him.
We got the the church parking lot safe and sound for $15.60. I debated handing him cash and, instead, gave him my MC. He tried three times but it kept saying 'invalid expiration date'. How is 08/09 invalid? He did put it in right...it was a good thing I'd finally listened to the still small voice telling me to get cash out yesterday.
Church was great - my spirit was truly fed. I met a nice lady who gave me a ride home, too!
I spent the rest of the day journal ling... and yes, I read - and finished - The Shunning. I also finished the next book in the series. The plot resolutions were a little contrived but pleasant stories nonetheless.
Then I called the 2nd counselor as her name was familiar to me. Her little girl answered and said her mom was at work and no, her dad couldn't come to the phone because he was at work, too. I left a message that I would call back. Each time I did, I got the answering machine. I found out later that she had gone away for the weekend, too.
After my first phone call to the 2nd counselor, I called the 1st counselor. Another answering machine. I wondered - what's the chances of all three of these ladies being away at the same time? I found out later that this sister's mother had just got her visa to come to Canada and that they had been busy picking her up and getting her settled in.
No luck with phone calls I turned to the transit map. It only took me 2 hours to decide that no matter how I configured it, I would have to spend 2 hours and transfer 3 times jut to get there 30 minutes late! Incredible - this is a 12 minute car ride. I threw that idea out.
I debated walking, then I passed on that. It would take me at least 2 hours just to get there.
Then I called about taxi rates - $15-20. I'd spent a lot more on things of a lot less worth. I figured I'd try to get a ride home from a member but if that didn't work out I'd take my walking clothes with me.
The cab ride was interesting - from the website and yellow pages ad all these cars were supposed to be equipped with a GPS. I guess they missed this one. I had to direct his first major turn. It was hilarious! He stopped right in the middle of a usually busy street, backed up and headed the right way! From then on I knew I'd have to watch him.
We got the the church parking lot safe and sound for $15.60. I debated handing him cash and, instead, gave him my MC. He tried three times but it kept saying 'invalid expiration date'. How is 08/09 invalid? He did put it in right...it was a good thing I'd finally listened to the still small voice telling me to get cash out yesterday.
Church was great - my spirit was truly fed. I met a nice lady who gave me a ride home, too!
I spent the rest of the day journal ling... and yes, I read - and finished - The Shunning. I also finished the next book in the series. The plot resolutions were a little contrived but pleasant stories nonetheless.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
House/Cat Sitting Day 6 - July 4th
Well, well, well. I guess I showed those cats who was boss...yep...oh yeah... I lured them out of the living room...and shut the door...oh yeah...it was a thing of beauty to behold...a great night's sleep was mine...Ahhhh...the only thing I don't understand is why I didn't think of it before my 5th night here?!?!?!?!
Okay...deep breath...one more... there that's better.
So - today I finally did it. I took my courage in my hand, put my backpack on my back, got my feet into my shoes and all of me out the door! (loud rebel yell...WHOOOOO!!)
Ever watched 'Mantracker' ? It's a reality show where this guy on a horse has to track human prey while they run for their lives trying to beat him to the finish line. They do NOT want him to catch them. Well my bus run this morning was like that - with a 'twist'. I was pretty sure I'd gotten to the bus stop a bit ahead of the next bus, so I started playing a game I used to play all the time during my busing it days. I walked from stop to stop trying to see how far I'd get before the bus came. The 'twist' is I wanted the bus to catch up with me - and guess what, 8 blocks later it did...thank goodness - I wanted to get to the Strathcona Farmer's Market before the popcorn guy was gone!
The market was great - lots of samples and the popcorn guy!!!!! I bought a couple of cool, inexpensive (cheap applies to quality - inexpensive applies to price - at least that's what my husband keeps reminding me) necklaces and an...interesting ...almond...bar... well, what did I expect for 75 cents? But it was absolutely miles ahead of the two chocolate ... things ... I bought.
They looked great - two chocolate creations poured into cute mini muffin cups and topped with nuts; one was a peanut butter cup, the other a Turtles...mmmm. I nestled them carefully in my backpack until I'd get home where I could do them proper justice. (Not like the popcorn. I had to stop at a bench and eat it down so I could at least close the backpack zipper which kept opening up as the bag bobbled while I walked.)
Anyway, back to the chocolate. Ick, ick and ick...did I say ick? Because I really wanted to say ick. Ick. ick. ick! Two treats never hit the trash can so fast. The chocolate reminded me of a time I was given Ex-lax and told it was chocolate. Here my mouth was already for this nummy, chocolate deliciousness to ooze its way over my tongue and what did I get? Waxy, no flavor, no cream ick! Ick, ick and ick!
I may need a recovery program to get over that experience.
Anyway, it's off to bed to read some more of ... you know. lol!
Nite, nite...
Okay...deep breath...one more... there that's better.
So - today I finally did it. I took my courage in my hand, put my backpack on my back, got my feet into my shoes and all of me out the door! (loud rebel yell...WHOOOOO!!)
Ever watched 'Mantracker' ? It's a reality show where this guy on a horse has to track human prey while they run for their lives trying to beat him to the finish line. They do NOT want him to catch them. Well my bus run this morning was like that - with a 'twist'. I was pretty sure I'd gotten to the bus stop a bit ahead of the next bus, so I started playing a game I used to play all the time during my busing it days. I walked from stop to stop trying to see how far I'd get before the bus came. The 'twist' is I wanted the bus to catch up with me - and guess what, 8 blocks later it did...thank goodness - I wanted to get to the Strathcona Farmer's Market before the popcorn guy was gone!
The market was great - lots of samples and the popcorn guy!!!!! I bought a couple of cool, inexpensive (cheap applies to quality - inexpensive applies to price - at least that's what my husband keeps reminding me) necklaces and an...interesting ...almond...bar... well, what did I expect for 75 cents? But it was absolutely miles ahead of the two chocolate ... things ... I bought.
They looked great - two chocolate creations poured into cute mini muffin cups and topped with nuts; one was a peanut butter cup, the other a Turtles...mmmm. I nestled them carefully in my backpack until I'd get home where I could do them proper justice. (Not like the popcorn. I had to stop at a bench and eat it down so I could at least close the backpack zipper which kept opening up as the bag bobbled while I walked.)
Anyway, back to the chocolate. Ick, ick and ick...did I say ick? Because I really wanted to say ick. Ick. ick. ick! Two treats never hit the trash can so fast. The chocolate reminded me of a time I was given Ex-lax and told it was chocolate. Here my mouth was already for this nummy, chocolate deliciousness to ooze its way over my tongue and what did I get? Waxy, no flavor, no cream ick! Ick, ick and ick!
I may need a recovery program to get over that experience.
Anyway, it's off to bed to read some more of ... you know. lol!
Nite, nite...
Friday, July 3, 2009
House/Cat Sitting Day 5 - July 3rd
During the night, the cats joined me. I was wondering how long that'd take. They're not used to sleeping without someone to snuggle up to - or so I thought. But it was only to make sure that I was otherwise occupied before they began their midnight games.
They made so much noise, I actually woke up. Part of me lay there sleepily debating whether I should get up and see if it really was just cats creating that ruckus and the other part of me struggled to keep my heart rate under control while mentally trying out and rejecting hiding places should I hear footsteps coming down the stairs.
Then, of course, like any other normal responsible person in charge of the well being of 2 felines and their home - I fell asleep.
I continued the day in the same pattern established yesterday - working on my assignment, ripping out my hair, screaming aloud, "Tom, why did you keep the cat?!!?", interspersed with Spider Solitaire, and cleaning. I did vary the routine, though, - I watched some woman take credit and debit cards away from couples in serious debt instead of a home reno show.
I also found a goodie bag Edmonton Transit sent around a few days before I got here. It has 2 adult transit tickets, a pen, a pad of paper and a transit map. This fits in nicely with my plans to visit the Farmer's Market tomorrow... now if I can only figure out the shortest route there - so far I'm down to 3 buses in 64 minutes...hmmmm..
Off to bed to read - you guessed it - more of The Shunning...shhhhh
They made so much noise, I actually woke up. Part of me lay there sleepily debating whether I should get up and see if it really was just cats creating that ruckus and the other part of me struggled to keep my heart rate under control while mentally trying out and rejecting hiding places should I hear footsteps coming down the stairs.
Then, of course, like any other normal responsible person in charge of the well being of 2 felines and their home - I fell asleep.
I continued the day in the same pattern established yesterday - working on my assignment, ripping out my hair, screaming aloud, "Tom, why did you keep the cat?!!?", interspersed with Spider Solitaire, and cleaning. I did vary the routine, though, - I watched some woman take credit and debit cards away from couples in serious debt instead of a home reno show.
I also found a goodie bag Edmonton Transit sent around a few days before I got here. It has 2 adult transit tickets, a pen, a pad of paper and a transit map. This fits in nicely with my plans to visit the Farmer's Market tomorrow... now if I can only figure out the shortest route there - so far I'm down to 3 buses in 64 minutes...hmmmm..
Off to bed to read - you guessed it - more of The Shunning...shhhhh
House/Cat Sitting Day 4 - July 2nd
Let's see... what did I do today?
Well...I watered Cristen's garden.
Then I ... picked some parsley and ... found some raffia to hang it by ( yeah, I know...pretty rustic, eh?) and then I ... hung it from this awesome spice cabinet she has on the wall (pretty artsy, too, eh?)lol!
Let's see... oh yeah and I did my best to break up a couple of fights in the back yard and then...
Okay, okay...I'll tell you about the fights.
I was taking the hose from the main garden area over to the raspberry patch when I noticed this little piece of chain on the sidewalk. It rolled and then moved sideways and then rolled again. Getting down on my knees I saw that the 'chain' was three ants.
At first glance I thought the two ants were working together to bring some dead bug to the nest. Wrong - on second glance I could see that two ants were tugging on opposite ends of a third ant. At first it looked like the ant in the middle was a different type until I saw it struggle and saw how hard the other ants were pulling it. It wasn't different, it was just stretched right out!
I tried to use my fingernails to pull them apart - no luck. I grabbed a pair of nearby twigs and, trust me, it took a lot of MY strength to separate one end. I quickly tried to get the other end separated but no luck there, either. Instead the two ants left formed a circle - head to head. I guess they were copying the dance another pair of ants was making to the left! Weird...
I spent the rest of the day toggling between cleaning, Spider Solitaire (yes, again), home reno shows and my writing assignment.
That assignment is driving me crazy. I guess it's just not my fortune to be a naturally gifted writer that never has to work at her craft...whine, sniff, wince.
I hit the sack a little earlier. I want to get up earlier, finish the cleaning, finish the assignment and get it in the mail!...and I need to get in another few pages of The Shunning...nite, nite.
Well...I watered Cristen's garden.
Then I ... picked some parsley and ... found some raffia to hang it by ( yeah, I know...pretty rustic, eh?) and then I ... hung it from this awesome spice cabinet she has on the wall (pretty artsy, too, eh?)lol!
Let's see... oh yeah and I did my best to break up a couple of fights in the back yard and then...
Okay, okay...I'll tell you about the fights.
I was taking the hose from the main garden area over to the raspberry patch when I noticed this little piece of chain on the sidewalk. It rolled and then moved sideways and then rolled again. Getting down on my knees I saw that the 'chain' was three ants.
At first glance I thought the two ants were working together to bring some dead bug to the nest. Wrong - on second glance I could see that two ants were tugging on opposite ends of a third ant. At first it looked like the ant in the middle was a different type until I saw it struggle and saw how hard the other ants were pulling it. It wasn't different, it was just stretched right out!
I tried to use my fingernails to pull them apart - no luck. I grabbed a pair of nearby twigs and, trust me, it took a lot of MY strength to separate one end. I quickly tried to get the other end separated but no luck there, either. Instead the two ants left formed a circle - head to head. I guess they were copying the dance another pair of ants was making to the left! Weird...
I spent the rest of the day toggling between cleaning, Spider Solitaire (yes, again), home reno shows and my writing assignment.
That assignment is driving me crazy. I guess it's just not my fortune to be a naturally gifted writer that never has to work at her craft...whine, sniff, wince.
I hit the sack a little earlier. I want to get up earlier, finish the cleaning, finish the assignment and get it in the mail!...and I need to get in another few pages of The Shunning...nite, nite.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)