Today was a rather memorable day, one that I'll probably remember for quite some time.  Actually, the last few days have been special; I am still pinching myself, to see if all of this is a dream ...

I have only been home from the hospital for a few days, but already I feel so much better.  Friends from church have stopped by, bringing gifts and get-well wishes and cards, and family have offered to take care of any unpaid bills or phone calls, just so I can get some needed rest.

In fact, just a little bit ago, some friends from church stopped by to bring me a home-cooked meal of meatloaf, topped with home-made mashed potatoes (gravy optional), a garden salad (lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers), home-made rolls, and, for dessert, pecan pie.  It is to die for: it tastes as if angels themselves cooked it!!

I was in the hospital for five days after a very high blood pressure: it registered 240/175.  Stroke category.  I was taking my blood pressure medications, but then I'd run into some unexpected bills and didn't refill my prescription (and didn't bother telling my husband because I didn't want him to worry).  Well, on Monday, I was at the store, and I suffered a sudden seizure.  I was rushed to the hospital and was found to have a very high blood pressure reading, so they admitted me and checked me from stem to stern (amazingly, my kidneys and heart checked out fine!) and now I'm on stronger B/P meds and have been warned by the good doctor to "stay on them ... or ELSE".

I have been taking them religiously.  I have been a good girl.  Yet I don't like how the one in the morning (Coreg, or Carvedilol) makes me feel: it makes me dizzy and so I've had to lie down and sleep for an hour or two; then, when I wake up, I feel like an overdrugged zombie.  I also take a Losinopril (another blood pressure medication) in the afternoon, and that one doesn't seem as strong as the one in the morning.  I also take a pill for my cholesterol; in fact, it was my cholesterol that caused this whole mess in the first place.

Lesson learned.  The hard way.  If I had just told my husband I needed help paying my prescription and took my pills like I was supposed to, none of this would have happened.  I am feeling rather repentant this day and have promised my doctor that this will never happen again.  I also pledged this to my husband and my family.  I could have very easily had a stroke (or a heart attack); I could have easily died, but I thank God I didn't; I thank God that I am still here to tell you my tale.

I still feel a little weak and have bruises all over my arms (from tests and needle pokes), but I know I will feel better in time.  I just have to take it slow and easy and follow my doctor's instructions (or he would probably wring my fool neck! LOL).  I am just grateful that I have friends and family who care enough to make this sick person's day just a little bit brighter!  And having the meal like I just did certainly has helped my hunger: anything is better than that nasty hospital food!