Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Health Scare Medical Miracles

On Friday while doing some gardening my hub was complaining that it was really hot out and he was sweating. Of course being the loving wife that I am I told him he was sweating because he had on hot jeans and a long sleeve shirt on.  
When he came in for a second glass of water and was hunched over sweating I thought he just wanted some company outside to watch him weed.
By now he was feeling pretty yucky and was sweating and nauseous.  I started weeding and felt a little hot too. So we took a break and were talking to a neighbor who stopped by to chat.
By now hub was really feeling crummy.  I yelled at him and said it was 2 and he missed lunch and his blood sugar level must be too low. ( he is a diabetic that loves sweets) so insisted that he should check his sugar level.  he sent me in to get him machine because now he felt pretty weak.
He couldn't remember exactly where it was because he hadn't checked his levels in over 2 weeks.
Finally, he found it and showed me the reading. thinking that it was going to be low I wasn't prepared to see  FIVE HUNDRED AND THIRTY ONE.   
Now my neighbor was going nuts too and told him he should get to the ER.
I knew he wasn't going to agree to do that so tried him to call his doctor.
He wanted to wait an hour after he showered to see if he would feel better.
My neighbor left and called me when she got home and said she called her friend who is an RN and she said that he needed to get to the ER she told me to call an ambulance.
Knowing that the hub would go nuts if I did that I convinced him to go to his doctor and would let him give him the news.
Of course the doc went nuts too and told him he needed to go to the ER asap.
so off we went.
I'm still thinking that it was a diabetic problem, but after we get to the ER he started to spill his guts and told them he had shortness of breath and some chest pain.
when they asked him how long it was going on for. thinking he was going to say an hour or two, he said 2 weeks!!!!!
Now, I was starting to think maybe it was something heart related too.
SO after lots of tests it was determined that he didn't' have a heart attack.
Oh yeah, I thought.
Well, now they are thinking a heart specialist should be called in just to be safe since he was having symptoms and has a really bad family history of heart problems.
Both of his parents died in their 70's from complicated heart problems including both of them having bypass surgery for clogged arteries.
The heart doc said to be safe he should stay for the weekend and and have a stress test.
Not the news hub wanted to hear but, knew it was the best thing to do.
After some more talking the doc decided instead of stress test he should have a cardiac catherization.
Where they go in and look at the arteries and check for blockages.
SO he spent the night in the cardiac unit with a room mate.
Now we are both very compassionate people but, after no sleep all night because his roommate was yelling all night and tried to escape a few times and emptied his urinal all over his bed and then to end the night  he was naked and pooping all over the floor. 
Hubs decided he would be better off coming home to rest and go back on Monday for his test.
Monday the doctor came in to do the catherization, they decided that he was able to go in through his wrist instead of through the groin oh happy day!
By this time I prepared myself to hear the news that there was a blockage and was relieved to hear there was only one.
luckily in our town a new heart center was put in place at our hospital so the doctor was able to continue on and unblock the artery and place a stint in to hold it open.
All this was done in just a little over an hour and required only a one night stay.
Luckily, all was well and he even had a private room.
He was able to come home today and is feeling great.
Of course now a new life style will start and medication and a new way of eating will begin.
I told him today when I picked him up "Welcome to the first day of your new life"
We felt very lucky that the problem was found and fixed before any serious damage happened.
Now that he's home safe and sound I realized how lucky we really are.


Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Mother's Day

I just want to share my daughter's blog.  She is an amazing daughter and mother.
this is her mothers day blog dedicated to me.

SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009

Salute to Stregga



Before she was Streggaor Nana, she was Mama.  My Mom is one of the most amazing women I know.  She is funny, compassionate, generous and brave.  When I think of a mother I picture someone who loves unconditionally, that is my Mom.  She is my confidante, caretaker, role model and best friend.  Throughout my childhood I have memory after memory of places we visited like the beach, museums, parks and time spent together.  My mom stayed at home with us and would load up all of our friends and take us everywhere!! We had a blast and she became "Mommy" to many of our neighborhood friends even to this day.

Stregga always made celebrations of our life amazing!! She went all out with making birthdays special.  I remember turning 13, a major milestone.  And my Mom took me for an appointment at a make-up store.  I had been begging to wear make-up but had to wait until I turned 13.  I was taught by a professional what colors to choose and how to apply it.  It was so much fun!! For my 16th birthday I wanted a pool party, but since my birthday falls in January in New England it seemed unlikely.  But, Mom took my aunts and my friends and I to have  a sleepover party at a local hotel.  We had a great time hanging out at the pool and staying up all night chatting!!!  Each year is celebrated in a special way and we always have fun together.

Over the years my Mom has tried to instill in me a sense of independence and courage.  She always encouraged me to explore and have new adventures.  Once we drove to Florida ourselves around my 18th birthday.  We sang and chatted and made stops along the way.  We enjoyed the Disney parks and met new people.  It was a trip I will always remember.  She even let me drive on RT 95 -woohoo!!!  My childhood was filled with fun trips toWildwood, Cape Cod, Clinton.  Always road trips and beaches and fun!!  My dad worked a lot and couldn't always get time off, but that didn't stop Mom or summer fun.  She would load up the car and off we would go! And since we had a pool at our house beinghome in the summer was fun too because all of ourfriends would hang out at the pool.  Summers were the best!!

As I got older I went to my mom for advice that went beyond make-up and boys.  I knew when I was making life decisions I could always count on her for an honest and realistic opinion and unwavering support.  I always felt like it was ok to take chances and make mistakes because I would be loved no matter what.  I am grateful for that because I think it helped shape me into the person I am today.  I wasn't afraid to make new friends and travel to new places.  Along the way those people and places became part of the woman I am now.

Since becoming a mother myself, I have a newappreciation for my own Mom.  During my first pregnancy she stayed with me in the hospital for weeks.  Sleeping over, visiting every day for over 2 months waiting for the boys to be born.  She nevercomplained that the cot was uncomfortable or the drive was too long or that she was tired.  I never feltlike a burden to her. When my own baby was sick and needed to be hospitalized I tried to call on that example of strength.  And I have to admit I fell short.  I was exhausted and grumpy and that was after only 5 days of staying in the hospital with him.  I wondered, how did my mother do this for all those weeks?? And when the boys are up all night sick I have a hard time finding the energy to care for them with so little sleep.  But, my Mom always manages to come over and help me wipe their snotty noses and hold andcomfort them.  Once day last winter Luccio was so sick.  Stregga came over and sat on the couch withhim for 8 hours!! She fed, changed, bathed and snuggled him.  I sat by in a heap of exhaustion wondering where she gets her energy!! I was thankful and impressed to say the least.

The other day Vincenzo was worried because he thought there was a critter in his outdoor play house and he wanted me to check it out.  I of course don't like critters so Stregga went over and discovered it was only a rock.  I said, "Wow, Mama you are brave!" And she said I better start getting braver myself because mothers need to be brave! And she is right.  I do hide from critters and bugs and bloody boo-boos and Stregga is luckily around to pick up my slack.  But, I do need to be braver and I know I have an excellent role model who is teaching me how to be a wonderful mother!!!!

For all that she does and all that she is I am grateful that God has blessed me with the mother I have.  I cannot imagine my life without her.  I wish my mom and all mothers a very Happy Mothers Day!!! 


3 COMMENTS:

Jennifer said...

Happy Mother's Day to you and your mama! :-)

... I don't know if I can be brave in the face of icky critters! LOL!

ModernMom said...

1st time here but I just had to say...What a wonderful tribute to your Mother.
Such a cute blog.
Happy Mothers Day!

Nita said...

Thank you! I'm so proud to have you as a daughter. 
Know that your a great Mom! It's so much fun being a part of the great memories your making for the boys.
Thanks for making my Mother's day special with the Circus and my day today at Quassy and my season Pass and for the beautiful tribute!
love ya
mama

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Thursday, May 7, 2009

ZING ZANG ZOOM

ZING ZANG ZOOM!    The magic words of the day!   
 Today I was treated to the circus for my mothers day present.
I don't know who had more fun my grand boys or myself. 
I think it might have been me!!   Just the feeling of joy I got from seeing the excited looks on their faces was worth all the money we spent on souvenirs LOL.
we actually didn't need to go into the circus...they thought the lobby filled with vendors was the GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!!
I think no matter how old you are your never too old or young  to enjoy the circus.  
When the lights went out and the show started the looks are their faces  was priceless!!
I know they won't remember their first trip to the circus , but it's a great memory for me.
There are definite advantages to being a stay at home Stregga.
Thank you Ree and Hubby and Vincenzo and Luccio it was a great Mothers Day Gift!!!!!!



Saturday, April 18, 2009

Spring A Magical Time

It still amazes me to see the beauty of spring.   It seems like the winters are getting longer and longer and spring would never be here.
 But, today I was looking at some new buds on a totally dead looking branch on one of my hydrangea's.
  I thought they had to be cut back to be able to bud again so I was so surprised this morning when I noticed all the new buds forming.
I'm still waiting for my daffodils to open up I have tons of them in the yard and only one opened up in the back yard.  maybe tomorrow I will have a surprise when I go out and they will be open.
Every morning this week a new surprise awaited yesterday there was some crocus open and the tulips are getting ready to open soon.
The lawn turned green like magic it was just a dead dried out looking mess just a week ago.
I think I will never get over the feeling that spring is just a magical time of year.
I'm so glad it's finally here!    

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Happy Easter New tradtions

I hope everyone had a great Easter!
  I know we did.  Instead of a big Italian dinner this year I decided to try a brunch.  It was great we started at 10:30.
Most of the menu was able to be made last night so it was an easy meal to prepare.  Of course I thought it was really easy because I didn't have to do anything.  My wonderful saint of a hubby shopped and prepared the whole meal.  He even thought it would be a a good idea to let me sleep in this morning.  Imagine waking up at 9:30 and have company coming at 10:30!!  I was a little upset (well, more like a LOT upset when I saw the time, but, it all worked out great so I guess it was OK.
Everyone really enjoyed the meal and the Easter egg hunt that followed so we decided that it will become our new tradition.
It left the rest of the day for everyone to be able to go and see the other half of their families.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Tea Party

Today I was invited to attend a very special tea party. My niece Miss J is in a great Pre K program and today was Grandparent/special person tea.
I felt very special to be invited.   The students put on a special show to show what they learned this year.  It was amazing to see  little 4 year olds singing their special songs and preforming a story in sign language.  Their teacher thought it would be fun to teach them sign language.  The stories included all the colors and lots of animal sing.  It was precious to see them preforming the full house. 
Their were very proud parents and grandparents and special guests.
The tables were decorated with china tea cups filled with Easter grass and jelly beans.  After the songs and very loud applause  lots of snacks and tea were served. 
It is great to be able to see joy on all their faces.


Thursday, March 26, 2009

Saying Good bye to A favorite show

I'm just watching the 2ND to last episode of ER. It's so sad when a great show ends. I have enjoyed watching ER  since the beginning of the series and will miss it.
Sometimes it was a little stressful to watch it, but now that it's going off  I know I will miss watching it.
The cast of characters has changed many times over the years but, they were all great.
Tonight's episode was one of the best!  
Looking forward to next week the finale!