LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Friday, July 3, 2009

Six Days and Five Units of Blood Later...

It's been a rough week! I've been in the hospital following a totally unexpected gastro-intestinal bleed. I had no idea I even had an ulcer. I am much improved after six days in the hospital, five units of blood, two endoscopic procedures and a week of being away from my husband and lovely dogs.

I'm feeling well but may not be blogging as frequently as usual for a while. I've got a lot of your blogs to catch up on and I have missed you. Hopefully, I'll be back to whatever qualifies as "normal" in a few weeks.

These lovely flowers are from my children. A diverse and colorful arrangement, it gives me joy to look at it. The Golden Girls were so happy to have me home. Ever since I got home this afternoon, Ellie has come to my chair about every 15 minutes to lay her head on my knee as if to say, "Mom, I'm glad you're home." I pat her sweet head and say, "Oh Ellie, so am I. So am I."

I do hope you have a wonderful weekend. I repeat my advice from last week to look for discord in your life and try to resolve your differences with others. This horrendous week has taught me that we have no idea what our future holds. One day all is well and the next you are in ICU lucky to be alive.

Ironically, the bleed-out occurred on my birthday. After I was on the road to recovery my daughter asked me if perhaps my warranty had expired with that birthday. We have a strange sense of humor in our family. Believe me, it helps.

Have a safe and happy celebration of our independence. Embrace your loved ones and don't sweat the small stuff. Most of it really IS small stuff.

41 comments:

Rae said...

I am so sorry to hear you've been ill. I have missed your posts. Glad to know you are on the mend. I am sure the golden girls are pleased to have you home again. Take your time and get well. Look forward to seeing your beautiful photos then.

Anonymous said...

Wow! I had no idea. I hope your recovery is successful and speedy.

jan m said...

Glad to hear all is well after a bit of a scare for you. Your girls must have missed you terribly. Take care.

Carol Murdock said...

Oh Carolyn, thank the Lord you are Ok! I knew it was strange that you hadn't posted since Friday but it never occurrd to me this had happened and you were in the hospital! Take it easy and I'll be putting you on my prayer list!

Mary said...

Sorry that you've been ill. Our lives can change in the blink of an eye. I've seen this many times and have learned to value the moment.

Hope you're feeling better soon.
Blessings,
Mary

robin andrea said...

I'm glad you are home and on the mend. Take care of yourself and enjoy your time at home with your husband and the Golden Girls. Sending good wishes for your continued recovery.

Tina said...

Oh my, so glad to hear that your are doing better. Take it easy and get back to us when you can. ;)

Cedar ... said...

What a nasty thing to have happened to you! I'm so glad you are home and recovering. Hugs and best wishes from me!

KGMom said...

My oh my, Carolyn. Sorry for your unexpected trip to the hospital.
Glad you are on the mend, and have the golden girls to monitor your health and accompany you to a healed body.
I do love how empathetic pets can be--especially dogs--sensing your discomfort.

Twisted Fencepost said...

I'm sorry to hear you have been so sick. I'm glad you are getting better. And hope you are up and running (and blogging) quickly!!
Happy Independence Day!

D.K. Wall said...

So sorry about the past week. If you need anything at all from a "neighbor", please let us know how we can help.

P.S. - Your families humor sounds like mine. My sister and I are planning my parents 50th wedding anniversary next Saturday - and having a hoot doing it.

laurie said...

wow. so glad you're ok. your dogs must have missed you terribly. glad you're home.

Sam said...

Was wondering where you'd been. Glad you're feeling better!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Holy Cow, Carolyn... I had no idea. I knew you hadn't been around lately--but I just thought you either had company or were on a trip somewhere.

WELL--you were on a trip (of sorts). I'm so glad you are home and are better. Please take it easy and get well.

Yes--we can't take life for granted can we???? From one day to the next, who knows what can change.... Yipes!!!

Have a wonderful 4th with your hubby and Goldens.

Lots of Hugs and Prayers and Love,
Betsy

Rudee said...

Oh my! That must have been some bleed to lose half your circulating blood volume. I hope all is well now and you're taking your PPI. You are, aren't you?

Karen said...

So sorry to hear that you've been unwell! Take care of yourself.

Robin's Nesting Place said...

I'm so glad that you are on the road to recovery and home with your family again.

Please take good care of yourself.

Kim said...

I am so sorry to read this. I saw your headline on my blog and was afarid to open it! So glad you are feeling better. Just rest up and do everything the dr tells you. I get heartburn on occasion and my mother is always telling me to get it looked at and now I am gonig to!

Jane said...

Please take care of yourself and get better soon!

Jane and Gunny

Jayne said...

Holy cow Carolyn... so glad to hear you are on the mend. Scary, scary stuff indeed. Take it easy and enjoy being pampered. :c)

troutbirder said...

Oh my Carolyn what a shock. I was wondering and now I know. Glad to hear you are on the mend and looking forward to your safe return home and to the blogging world.

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George said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your health problems, but I am glad to know that you are on the road to recovery. I hope you will let the girls (and your husband) spoil you until you are feeling back to normal. Just take care of yourself.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Carolyn! I'm so sorry to read of this. I am grateful that you received the help (and blood)are mending. That must have been terribly frightening for you and your family. Your advice is sound.

Anonymous said...

Oh Carolyn...! A week in the hospital and all those procedures, tests, poking, and prodding. I'm thinking that you don't have to add this onto your age if you don't want to. I ignore mine from time to time.

So what now...? Rest? Any prescribed diet changes?

You must be one tough cookie not to even have known you had an ulcer. NOW THAT YOU DO KNOW...take care!

Karen Hargett said...

Scary! I hope you heal quickly and feeling better than ever.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you're OK. I'm almost speechless because as I'm reading (and it's sinking in what a very serious, life-threatening GI bleed you had - one you could have very easily bled out from had things not been such that you arrived to the hospital in time.) I'm so sorry you've been through such a serious thing, but I'm so very glad you're OK and that you're home now.

The message you send (to find and correct discord and resolve differences) it's the most important thing someone can do. It truly is.

Get well soon, take it easy, rest, be with family, friends, blog when you're able or when you want to.... I've got you in my thoughts and prayers. You've been a special person to me at a special time in my life, and so.... you just get well soon : )

1000 Goldens said...

So sad to learn that you were in the hospital! Take care and we will be thinking of you...

JeanMac said...

Sending love.

Cheryl said...

I am so sorry....I had a feeling something was wrong.
My thoughts are with you, may your recovery be swift and may you soon be back blogging...

We never know what is around the corner.......each day is a God given gift.......

Dawn Fine said...

Holy Mowlee..Glad you are Ok now!
How crazy is that..and on your birthday too...Well I guess maybe you are meant to carry a message to us all..
You never know what is around the corner..mend fences..good stuff to remember.
So thanks for the reminder..
sorry you got sick...
I think your pups will keep you company while you mend, I bet they missed you.
Take care...
Hope you got an Extended warranty!

Kerri Farley said...

Oh Carolyn, I am so sorry that this happened!! I am so glad you are doing better now!!!!

Barb said...

Hello Carolyn,
I'll be keeping you in my thoughts. So glad you're back home with your Girls and Family. Hope you heal quickly!

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

I am glad to hear that you are ok now and that you are home. Dogs know. I went home sick on Thursday and was throwing up and Samantha just sat next to me and kept wanting to "hug" me.

KB said...

I'm thinking of you - recover well. It sounds scary for you and your family but I'm glad that you're on the road to recovery.

Rest and relax.

pat said...

ahh...healing prayers your way!!!!!

Cicero Sings said...

Wow, I'm so behind on reading blogs I had no idea you were so ill! Glad you are on the road to recovery and home again. I bet the girls were very happy in deed to have you back. My little Mingus has a hard time when I go out, even if D is home but he does okay. I don't want him to be TOO attached.

Kelly said...

Oh my goodness!! I'm so glad you are okay. My husband had a heart attack at 35 (he was playing hockey). It totally shook us up and changed the way we look at life. It sounds like you had a similar experience.

Shelley said...

I'm so sorry to hear you were in the hospital and that you were ill! I hope you feel good soon and that your golden girls give you lots of doggy smooches!!

Janie said...

I'm so sorry to hear you were ill. Glad to hear you're back home and feeling better.

Charlie said...

Scares like that do help refocus attention on the things that matter. So glad to hear that you're better!