Saturday, March 14, 2009

Ya gotta have heart

An update for those of you who happened to read my comment on the previous post.

Remember that I told you I was moving? I was having trouble breathing during December, but attributed it to the exertion of moving boxes of stuff, many filled with books. You know how heavy books are. One day, while carrying an overweight cat in a kitty-kennel, I was so out of breath that I got the door of my new place open, set down the cat, and sprawled on the floor. I thought maybe I was breathless from bronchitis or pneumonia, but the doctors now say I have had one (or more) heart attacks. On the morning of January 31, after a night of being unable to sleep because I couldn't breathe, I called my friend Donna to take me to the emergency room. That's when I learned I had congestive heart failure. They kept me overnight and helped me breathe better, but with instructions to see my primary physician that week. I did, and she sent me to a cardiologist -- who did a stress test, which I failed. Heart catherization showed the three heart arteries were 100%, 100%, and 90% blocked.

To shorten this story, I had open-heart surgery on February 19th, with four bypasses. I was able to leave the hospital after six days but, being unable to do much if anything for myself, went home with a friend who volunteered her home and her time to take care of me. I was at her house for eleven days before moving back to the new home I had not fully gotten moved into. I joked after the surgery that I must have gotten blood transfusions from a non-reader, because I had no interest in reading for days and days.

Wanna know what I've learned from this experience? How important it is to have loving friends. Two old friends and three women in my writers critique group have been my faithful supporters, re-scheduling their time for overnights at my house, getting me to doctor's appointments, bringing me meals, running errands for me, and generally "babysitting" me. Friends are wonderful.

Which leads me to the online friendships I have developed through my blogs. Thanks to all of you Book Buddies who called and sent me cards and emails during this time. Getting to know you has been a blessing in my life. God bless you, every one.

16 comments:

alisonwonderland said...

i'm so glad to hear that all is well with you! friends truly are great blessings!

so are now back to reading? :)

Tricia said...

I'm so happy to hear you are home, even if you're not settled yet. Take it easy and let all those wonderful friends take care of you.

Hugs to you!

Shirley said...

That is quite an ordeal that you went through, Bonnie.
Glad to hear that your loyal friends were there for you.
Wishing you a full recovery as you overcome that non-reader blood that was pumped into your system.

Bonnie Jacobs said...

Thanks, everybuddy. I do believe I have won out over any non-reader blood in my veins, since I finished one novel yesterday and read a YA (young adult) novel overnight.

Zorro said...

I don't know how that last comment got stuck on the other post?? Bonnie, glad you are better! What books have you just finished?

Bonnie Jacobs said...

The books I had just finished (when I wrote the previous comment, above) were:

(1) Some Days There's Pie ~ by Catherine Landis, and

(2) Fever 1793 ~ by Laurie Halse Anderson.

I recommend both of them.

Zorro said...

Bonnie, I woke up with chest pains around 2am. I think it was indigestion, but I never know for sure. I had a stent put in an artery 1.5 yrs ago. I always get a little concerned with my pains. Anyway the pain went away in about 30 minutes after I sat up a while. I have had a stress test already this month, so I am thinking I may have an ulcer.

I have really read quite a few book since Christmas. Wish I could talk with someone about my reads!

Bonnie Jacobs said...

Be careful about those pains! If you want to talk, call me (I've sent you my phone number by email). Anyone else want to talk?

Anonymous said...

Bonnie!! What a shock to read what happened to you. I'm so glad that you are healing & getting back to normal. I'm glad you are reading again. I've been thinking about you lately as well as many other times. Take it easy. I'm glad that you got such wonderful friends to take care of you. You are a special person, you know that, don't you. I've been reading the Outlander series by Diana Gibalden. Check them out.Fantastic writing. I'm having computer problems....for many moons now, so please email me anytime you'd like at TobyEL@aol.com.

Anonymous said...

Ummm, My last post...I hope you figured out it was me, Toby, by my email addy. LOL!

ErinPaperbackstash said...

Wow very sorry, I hope you are feeling better now!

Harvee said...

Marg, thank you for your welcome to Library Loot! I love this meme! And I'm glad to see you are back on your feet again! Keep well!

Julie said...

Thanks for the welcome into the book blogging world. I hope you are feeling better very soon!

Bonnie Jacobs said...

Julie, I have no idea who welcomed you to the blogger world, but it wasn't I. My name is Bonnie, and I "own" this blog. I have 14 others who can post here, but I don't know which one welcomed you. To thank her, you'd have to say her name.

Zorro said...

How are you feeling Bonnie?

My heart is doing well. I need to lose weight.

Bonnie Jacobs said...

Doing quite well, Mary. Thanks. I'm glad your heart is doing well. I lost 30 pounds after heart surgery. It worked, but I don't recommend this method of weight loss to anyone! I hope you had a merry Christmas and will have a wonderful new year.