UPDATES

Since my last post, life has been a series of medical appointments which I facetiously call my 'social life.'



Not best shot, nor do I remem-
ber where,but taken between
Harrison and Little Rock

Two appointments have required trips to Little Rock and included the heart pulmonary vein procedure. Then three weeks later a return post-surgical checkup in Little Rock.

I also have seen my local cardiac physician and my ANP at least three times.

The procedure was successful far beyond my expectations, resulting in perfect heart rhythm and no breakthroughs so far of A-Fib. This in only one month in to the projected 3- month healing process.

The next positive event is I have been approved for supervised cardiac rehabilitation through our local hospital. Even though I am not a gym body-building, muscle bulging, aficionado, I periodically have been in reasonable exercise routines, but without medical supervision. My main concerns now are cardiac strengthening (the heart is a specialized muscle) and faster weight loss.



Along US 65 from Harrison to Little Rock
near Marshall AR

So my next few months are going to be busy as the cardiac rehab. unit is 15 mi. from our home, entailing a short drive 3 days a week for about 2.5 months, and of course more physician appointments.

The only downer is my shortness of breath  (SOB)has not improved. However, I cannot unreasonably expect this a I have asthma, COPD, and an increasing curvature of the spine from hereditary  osteoporosis which crowds the upper chest cavity space.

My somewhat upper is a recent visit to my ANP which serves as my primary care physician. She had an ANP intern Wednesday. I was complaining of the SOB. Finding no new explanations, verified by a blood panel workup,  she explained in the elderly SOB may have no explanations as well as fatigue which I added to my complaint, and added at 76, my mental acuity, appearance, interests and activities did NOT fit he usual 76 year old profile.

Along US HWY 65 Harrison to Little Rock
near Marshall, AR

I accepted the compliment, but chuckled to myself about the appearance. I never have been the normal female box full of cosmetics to keep me younger looking, not even as a teenager. My cosmetics consist of  several shades of lipstick, a blemish cover, and pressed face powder which I only use when leaving the house.

Yes, I am engaged in as many activities as I can physically handle, participated in local politics, read, and maintain a reasonable level of digital acuity. I have fascinations in computers and photography. But the aging needle on the clock of life continues to roll ever higher on its scale.

Since my recent activities have curtailed my photography, I have only some photos taken from vehicle, which are a tad blurred. I was trying to capture the autumn color  which was muted this year in Arkansas. The extremely dry and hot spring and summer took its toll on the sometimes flaming color we have in mid-to late October.

PHOTOS: NitWit1 unless otherwise attributed

LONG RECESS & SABBATICAL




Bagpiper, U.S.S. Henley Reunion
 Memorial Ceremony
Plattsburgh NY 09/2012
SOOC (Straight Out of Camera)

Since I last posted, August 22, most of you may have either quit passing by or may have quit blogging....I shall soon find out. Thus is the life of blogging as Facebook/Twitter/Google+/etc. have gained in popularity; the consensus  the digital age seem to prefer "microwave' zap-sizzle-pop media to longer, thoughtful sharing.


Bagpiper in 'Pipes & Drum band
1812 Land War Enactment
Plattsburgh, NY 09/2012

Thanks to Lorna of Lorna's Land of Wonder, for inquiring by e-mail of my whereabouts and health.

To refresh memories like mine, I last blogged about my husband's lack of a legal birth certificate for passport purposes as we wanted to view Niagara Falls at the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side.



Drummer in 'Pipes & Drum band
1812 Land War Enactment
Plattsburgh, NY 09/2012

Drummer in 'Pipes & Drum
 band 1812 Land War Enact-
ment Plattsburgh, NY

 

09/2012

Due to state government red tape  time ran out so Niagara Falls was chopped from the itinerary and 100+ mile Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park was substituted, followed by a brief visit in North and South Carolina with Husband's family, before returning home. A reunion of the U.S.S. Henley in Plattsburgh, NY was the beginning, and main attraction of the trip. The leaves were barely beginning to turn. I'd love the same drive this month.

This tour covered 11 states and over 4000 miles and was followed by a my long awaited heart procedure. Luckie is miffed at her long sabbatical at the local vet boarding spa, despite the entire staff spoiling her.

Bagpipe & Drum  Ensemble - 1812 Land War Enact-
ment Plattsburgh, NY 09/2012

Bagpipe and Fife Corp in Plattsburgh, NY
1812 War Parade. Sorry I Missed the
Fife row somehow.

Since the procedure has left this soon-to-be-next week 76-year-old lady in recovery at a slower rate than a much younger person. Some days I simply don't want to even dress; others I dress, to simply do a few chores, then I sleep.

Whether the procedure is successful will not be known for about 3 months. I have had some minor A-Fib episodes, not nearly like I was having. Supposedly this is normal until the scarification has healed that is at the heart of the ablation. Rather than bore you with my impatient grumping, I chose to endure silently. The procedure has a 70/30 percent success rate.

We arrived home Sept. 19, my procedure at Baptist Health in Little Rock was Sept. 27. and YES, WE FINALLY RECEIVED HIS AMENDED LEGAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE, OCT. 4!

Yes, this severely cropped photo is my favorite. This unpretentious lovely little lady so wanted
the friendly dog of another person attending the Plattsburgh NY War of 1812 Parade. Why
wouldn't a dog lover like me love this shot, even though the best photograph so far is the
first one in the post. --NitWit1

However, from time to time I have 100s of shots--none spectacular--from our trip. I may post a few with less comment than usual. Obviouslyy I am enchanted with the bagpipes, because unlike those I've encountered in the South, I actually could NAME THAT TUNE!!!

I will begin visiting some on my bloglist as I regain my strength. I will also try to remember to post on my wall in Facebook.

PHOTOS: All photos by NitWit1 unless otherwise attributed.