In The Next Few Months…

 

Fall is coming and just as in nature life has its own seasons as well.  I feel like I am entering a new season in my life right now.  This has been a very strange year for me.  A heart attack (times 3) has literally rocked my world and I know how fortunate I am to still be on this earth and doing as well as I am.  I also know how quickly things can change and that has made me really sit back and take stock of everything.  My children are my most important asset and they mean the world to me.  I know I am an important part of their lives as well and I want to be here for them for as long as the good Lord is willing.

 

Last spring while I was hospitalized I received top notch care.  I left on my own two feet and although still in shock that what had happened to me had really happened I felt blessed and fortunate.  I was diagnosed with an unknown heart defect that was believed to be the probable cause of what was going on with more tests to determine if that was truly the case or if there was something else needing to be addressed.  It turns out there was something else and the heart defect was no longer considered the culprit.  Just a lucky bonus item.

 

The real culprit is a rare disease called Fibromuscular Dysplagia that affects the major arteries.  It is found in about three percent of individuals with ninety percent being women.  In most cases it is mild and goes on unnoticeable and doesn't really cause any problems.  Or, it is on the more serious spectrum where there are complications which includes dissections and aneurysms, heart problems and even strokes.  Guess which end of the spectrum I'm on?

 

The great state of Idaho has wonderful physicians and specialists, but one of the biggest problems I've noticed recently is that due to the massive influx of people moving here our healthcare system is extremely overwhelmed.  Throw in a pandemic for good measure and it is downright insane and very difficult to get ongoing medical care.  Add to that a rare disorder that no one specializes in here and things really become complicated and not in the least frustrating.  I found myself passed around from provider to provider wanting to repeat tests I had already done or didn't need simply because they didn't know what to do with me or wanted someone else to handle it.  I quickly put a stop to that nonsense and made other plans.

 

I have an appointment coming up with the Mayo Clinic and I will be traveling to Rochester Minnesota soon for a proper assessment and treatment plan.  I've been told to expect to stay in Rochester for up to two weeks while they get me all sorted out.  While my insurance will handle the medical expenses I'll need to handle travel and lodging.  It is an unplanned expense, but one I feel is going to be well worth it and I am more than willing to take it on.  I feel really good about my decision to go to the Mayo Clinic.  So far my experience with them has been exceptional and I feel like I'm going to get top notch care once I arrive.  Which is no less than what I deserve.

 

I probably won't post much about this visit until long after I come back home so please be patient with me.  I will need the time to get all my tests completed and digest all of the information I receive as well as work out whatever treatment plan they come up with.  It will be a process.  In the meantime a lot of you wonderful people have reached out to me with your concern and prayers and I appreciate that so very much.  Many of you have asked about a Go Fund Me or some other way that you can help and to be quite honest, as much as I appreciate the thought, it is not something I feel I can do.  But, if you really want to help I would be honored if you just purchased something from my Etsy shop.  I'd feel like you got something for your money and I had earned it.  I hope you can understand.  But know how truly, truly grateful I am that you even care enough to want to do something for me.  It means so much more than I can tell you.  You guys are the best!

 

There is more to this story and many more things coming up, but for now I will stop as I think this post is getting rather lengthy.  It is a post I've wrestled with as far as whether or not I should even write it, but I feel like we're all friends here and friends tell each other stuff.  So here you go.  I'm so glad I have been blessed to know you all.  Please take good care of yourselves, stay well and stay healthy.  XXX