Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Pardon the Interruption


Sometimes life just walks up and slaps you upside the head, and if you've been wondering where I've been, that's pretty much what's happened.

There I was, minding my own business and vaguely wondering why I was feeling out of sorts and ornery, when suddenly I found myself lying on the floor in front of my usual sofa and thinking, "Gosh.  That hurts."

"That," it turns out, was a tiny heart attack, and I credit myself with a certain presence of mind that in the next five minutes, I managed to get up and unlock the apartment door, call Mr. Muscato (off at work), call 911, and then calm the dogs until the EMTs got there.

Now it's five days later, and in the meantime I've learned a few things.  One, that I am lucky beyond measure to have a husband like MM (not new information, but made every clearer with every passing moment); two, that family really will come through sometimes when you need them; and three, that apparently for the past several years I've been developing a pretty significant case of heart disease.

There is good news; the attack really was mild, and there seems to be almost no damage to the heart.  Of course, there is bad news, and that's the sheer volume of blockage of a number of the surrounding vessels.  That I've had two previous alarms in the last seven years that doctors at the time and on two continents tested every which way and declared of no concern is vexing, to say the least, but here we are.

My Dear Sister the Doctor has taken things in hand, and now after these past few days in something I've never heard of called an Intermediate Intensive Care Unit (sort of the business class of ICUs), today I'll be heading off to another hospital, where because Sister's downstairs neighbor's brother-in-law is Chairman of the Board, I'm being whisked to the head of the line for what will most likely be extensive open heart surgery.

So things are going to go dark around here for a few weeks.  Everyone is being most encouraging, and the prospects are good.  With any luck at all I'll be back to regale you with gory stories and endless complaining about my aches and pains (and doesn't that just sound enertaining as all get out?).

I'm not a big one for praying (although I've always been terribly fond of the music and a little incense), but I hope you'll spare a thought, now and then, not so much for me, but for the Mister.  He's in a state, poor darling, and gosh I love him so.

So, for the moment, my dears, au reservoir.  Wish me luck.

23 comments:

  1. I was going to post something flippant to cheer you up like Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler or Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart by Marc Almond and Gene Pitney, but instead I'll just send you every bit of good luck and sincere best wishes for a full and speedy recovery from all this. Love to you and to Mr M. Jx

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  2. All the best wishes for a safe journey through the Operating Room. Have a speedy and complete recovery. Your glistening prose will glisten all the more when you're feeling better and your loyal fans will wait.

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  3. Best wishes on your recovery.

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  4. Love and the best wishes from Rio, Brazil.

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  5. Sending best wishes for a quick recovery and hope you're back in the pink very soon! Godspeed & looking forward to you regaling us with pithy tales of recovery.

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  6. Oh, Doll, be well. Thanks for keeping us posted. I was supposing you were off on a top secret Golden Handcuffs Amalgamated mission. Would that you were.

    Glad that you sound to be in good hands and are keeping the right attitude. It's at least half the battle IMHO. I'm not one for prayers, but I make up for it with good wishes, positive vibes, and healing energy all sent your way.

    xo

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  7. I never pray for myself, I think it's tacky and what would I with the libido of an 18 year old at my age anyway? But, I gladly pray for others and for our world so I will include you immediately. You are in the best of hands and in the best place. I look forward to your triumphant return!

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  8. Oula - habibi. Wishing you a speedy recovery, and best for MM as well.

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  9. Thank goodness we live in the age that we do. And that you have the sister you do. All good vibes, zinging your way.

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  10. Love to you both from San Francisco.

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  11. Oh gosh! So glad you're okay and hope for a speedy recovery!

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  12. Sorry to hear this news. Medically you are in the best area for such treatments. I will definitely have the both of you in my thoughts, prayers and meditations. Wishing you the best and a speedy recovery. On a lighter note, it is one of the best motivations for taking better care and for losing some bad habits and of course a few pounds.

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  13. My dears Mr. and Mr. M. and dogs... I am one for prayer, and I shall continue to be a supplicant and remember you and family in my daily devotions. May you know a speedy recovery and a sense of comfort in this time...I look forward to your wit and wisdom in future days...I cannot express how I enjoy your daily musings, and look forward to your return. Blessings.

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  14. The Best of Luck to You! We will all count the minutes to your next post. Enjoy the male nurses, and Get Well Soon!

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  15. Please get well soon -- you still need to write a Lizabeth Scott obituary! Wishing you the very best.

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  16. Oh, dear, oh, dear. I send positive energy in your direction and wish you a speedy recovery, as well as many more years with Mr. M and the little ones. Keep a good attitude, but don't let that firm, fixed smile of the true believer develop, the way Daisy did.

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  17. A great man is the best medicine (and cure-all)!

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  18. You know you are in my thoughts and prayers, dear friend...

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  19. Oh sweetie, all I can say is eeks. I'm sure everything will be fine once they're done rearranging the plumbing. And I'm so glad your sister has connections. They're so very useful.

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  20. I am praying and sending every good vibe to you, Mr. M and the doggies. Thank goodness you have connections. They really, really help. I love your posts and look forward to hearing all that you care to share with your fans.

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  21. I my goodness!!!! Sending you prayers as well!!!

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  22. Sending you every good wish for a quick and full recovery. Mr. O'Hara has had two open hearts, and not only were his recoveries amazingly fast, he remembers very little about them -- hoping your experience is the same.

    Looking forward to your return.

    xoxo Neely

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