Heart Trouble

No, it's not what you think, David and I are doing well together. My heart trouble is literally the ole ticker. July 10, as a result of the echocardiogram done that day, I had emergency heart surgery to drain fluid from around my heart. The surgeon drained nearly a liter of fluid that day, and the 'hose' they had in me drained another 250-300 cc's. The scary thing is, there really were no symptoms to speak of, at least not before the Ct. Scan. I'm pretty sure the allergic reaction I had to the IV dye triggered an increase in the fluids- I felt worse every day after until Tuesday when the echocardiogram was conducted. But the cardialogist that met me in the ER said that I'd had fluid in the pericardium for some time. We still don't know what started it, and may never know why there was blood in there first. Anyhow, I had surgery just a few hours after the echo, and there is no doubt that the decisive and quick actions of the technician conducting it saved my life.
The surgery went well, but somehow the other specialists involved, the internal medicine guys, decided I should be put through a bunch of abdominal tests while I was in there, I guess heart surgery isn't as important as their work. Anyhow, they put me through the wringer for nearly a week before I finally got home, 10 days after the heart surgery. I'm pretty mad at those doctors right now, but David says I can't think about it too much right now, cuz I get all stirred up. OK, raging might be a better word..... Anyhow, that will be dealt with, but I have to get well first from the heart surgery. I still have some bleeding from the wounds, but it's healing well.
The hardest thing for me is to take it easy, and not overdo things. I think I keep getting these health problems just to learn a little patience, and to pace myself better. Obviously, I dont' learn that lesson well, so I keep getting more opportunities!
Just a note- I'm grateful to be alive. I'm so grateful for my family- when I woke up from surgery, David, Heather, Nic and Jared were there. Hap & Sandy, my brother and sister-in-law, came up that evening, and my sister Debbie was here Wednesday morning. Allison had spoken to them, making arrangements to come down when I got out of the hospital if needed. My poor mom had left here Tuesday to be with her brother California, who has terminal cancer. She was so torn when she called me Wednesday, but I told her that I have all the other family here, but Jerry really needs her, she is the only one that can help him right now, since his wife is hospitalized.
So many of my friends have been here, Jenny and Laina came to see me in the hospital, Julie came up shortly after I got out. My niece Shawna came on Monday and stayed here all week, helping us in every way. It's tricky to cook for me, I have a lot of allergies to food, but she very patiently worked with me to make meals I can eat, that also taste good to David.
Everyone has been checking in on me regularly. I just want them all to know how much I love each of them, and I'm humbled by the love and compassion shown to me.