When someone says they had a wake-up call, they usually mean that something happened in their life to "wake" them up and make them truly see the importance of something. Often times it's the health or death of a loved one that "wakes" a person up or makes them take a look at their own life and make changes.
In the last 10 or so years we have had plenty of what should have been "wake-up" calls about health. We have spent much more time in the local hospitals than I'd like to have due to family members being sick and having major health issues such as organ transplants, heart surgeries, cancer treatment, and more. In that time we have learned a great deal about the body, how things work, and what is vital to keeping a body as healthy as possible.
To keep a long story somewhat short let me just say that I have done my share of taking care of everyone else...everyone but me. I did put my health on the top of my priority list for awhile a few years back. Though in the last two years I have allowed myself to put my health and sanity on the bottom of the priority list. A choice that is costing me my health and the very last thread of sanity I have.
I went back and forth about writing this post and sharing it with you all, but I see so many in the same position and my hope is that one day us moms will "wake" up and truly see that our health has to be a priority if we are to take care of our family properly.
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Just before our camping trip over July 4th, I ended up taking a trip to the emergency room. I am not one to get sick often or have many health issues, other than asthma, which I have dealt with since I was young. But this time, I found myself very worried about my own health and future.
For nearly two weeks before we were to go camping, I had been having pain in my chest, most of which I dismissed as a pulled muscle. It would come and go in intensity and at times radiate across my chest. I tried to ignore it, and for the most part just pushed it of as something that would go away if I ignored it long enough. Well, guess what? It didn't go away.
The night before we were to leave on our camping trip up in the mountains, I was running errands with my mom and was feeling really crummy, my chest was really bothering me, I was dizzy, I was weak, and I just felt "off". At my mom's suggestion, we took my blood pressure and were surprised to see that it was very high, and my heart rate was through the roof. My mom suggested we go ahead and take a trip to the E.R. and though I did not want to, I decided that as much as I'd tried, I could not, should not, ignore it any longer. So off we went.
Once at the emergency room, I had an E.K.G, which was abnormal, and then due to how and where my pain was, along with my blood pressure and fast heart rate, I was given a chest x-ray and a cat scan to check for blood clots or heart and lung problems. Luckily, both the x-ray and cat scan came back as normal. But what they did say was that the lining/tissue connecting the sternum and ribs was inflamed and irritated. Their explanation was brief but it is supposedly due to high emotional stress. They said they didn't have a clear explanation of why that happened but it happens often in those under enough stress.
I was then given something for the pain and told to meet with my family doctor to follow up and then a cardiologist to deal with the erratic E.K.G results.
Before I go on, I have to say that as one who has spent plenty of time in the E.R, being the one who is being seen in the E.R. is not something I am ok with. It was enough to be in the E.R. at all for myself, but having to be wheeled down the hall on a bed for a cat scan because the doctor was worried that there could be a blood clot, was the most vulnerable and
not in control feeling I have ever felt. I will tell you I was saying some prayers! Hearing the doctor say, "Well, it could be a sign of something very bad, but let's hope not", or "Wow, your heart is really racing", was scary and something I don't plan on hearing about myself again!
After the hours spent at the E.R, I was finally allowed to go pick up meds and head home to sleep. But with the instructions to rest the nest day, before going camping. The Dr. did suggest we not go camping because he felt that I would end up in more pain because of the altitude, but he did say it would not be dangerous, just uncomfortable. So of course the following day I loaded up the camper, truck, and kids and off we went, with pain meds ready for once we made it to camp! Thank goodness the pain wasn't too bad most of the time, and the pain meds helped at night when it was bad enough to take something.
Since then, with meds and rest the pain is not as bad and not as frequent. I have since been to both my family Dr and a cardiologist. I just recently met with a cardiologist, and have some strict instructions to follow as well as a new medicine for a time. I have to say that walking through the cardiologists office as a 34 year old woman, with most of the patients waiting to be seen having silver hair and canes, was in itself a wake up call!
In order to deal with the chest pain and other issues we found, I am now under strict orders to say, "so long" to caffeine! I think I may be having caffeine withdrawals! Mornings are just not quite right without my coffee. But I'm managing. I also have to increase my fluid and salt intake. Yep, more salt for me! That's one I can do with no problem. I was also instructed to spend a minimum of 30 minutes exercising daily and time each day to be alone and relax! I was also given the names of two books to read, "The Relaxation Response", by Herbert Benson and "Full Catastrophe Living", by john Kabat-Zinn.
The cardiologist was very nice, straight forward, and very pro-active. Along with the names of those two books and strict instructions to better care for myself, he also gave a gentle but clear lecture about how moms often take on too much, and allow life to take over without making time to care for their own health. He spoke about how even though a family (mine) has to deal with a child/children with health issues it's imperative for the parents to make their own health and sanity just as much of a priority as the health of their children. For when a parent is in good health, they are far better equipped to care for a child or family member and their health. And we all know that to be true, we just need to abide by that rule!
Basically, no matter how difficult your life is, no matter how stressful it is, no matter how many demons you're fighting, YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF YOU! Because if you don't, who will?
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| Everyone needs to take a break now and then! |
I used the struggles we have been dealing with for the last two years as an excuse to neglect myself and my health, and it has got me nothing but more to deal with. So, making myself and my health a priority is a must! No longer is it optional!
My hope and goal is for future posts to show a healthier and more relaxed me!
First step is working to follow the Dr instructions, next step is to enjoy a weekend away with my dearest friend who also is in desperate need of a break! We have it on the calendar and are working out the details.
Withing the next two weeks I will have 3 days away, up in the hills with my best-friend since high school, doing nothing but hiking, taking pictures of God's great gifts, and relaxing. I can feel the stress leaving my body just thinking about the time away.
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| A flower out of my own yard, that I didn't even notice until another pointed it out! |
Now that I have shared this with you all, please make time to take care of yourself!
I think many have those "wake-up" calls! What was yours? What did you change and are you still working on those changes?
Next Post: The Liebster Award. Thank you Yellow Rose.
