Jan 13: Big and little news!
Well, first the "little" news, which is still a big deal. Carrie, the newest PA who was hired in July, has injured her ankle while running. The current diagnosis is a partial tear of a tendon, so she needs to stay off it entirely for at least two weeks to keep it from becoming a full tear, which would necessitate surgery. So, I have to go back into the hospitals. This week went pretty well in the office almost full time, with my lying down to rest, but I am dreading being back to the increased energy that being in the hospital demands. And for two weeks. Every day. BUT, it would obviously be even worse if Carrie had to be out for surgery, which would mean her being restricted for at least two months. So, I will be going in about 11:30 am or 12 noon, then staying until at least 5:00 pm. At that point, I often stay until closer to 6:00 because the traffic so so horrid and it takes longer to get home. There is not really a choice in the matter, and I suspect that I will be exhausted every night. Goody.
And now the big news: I have decided to move. My current townhouse is gorgeous and rather large, especially for one person. Three bedrooms, plus a den, 2 1/2 baths, full basement. It has been wonderful, however, to have enough space for people staying here and taking care of me. But, as I adjust to being a chronic heart patient, things need to change. Just when I was meeting Dr. Cohn 9/05, I was preparing to feel as lousy as I did then for the rest of my life (which, sadly, is still how I feel now, but with hope for improvement). So, I bought a house in Phoenixville, both as an investment and a back-up. It is a cute two-story brick house that is separated into two apartments, a larger one on the first floor and a smaller one on the second floor, with a separate entrance. Moving into the first floor apartment will substantially decrease my amount of physical exertion and be easier to care for than my current house. I'm planning a lot of renovations after my current tenants leave (they are looking for another place now), so suspect that the move will not happen before late March/early April. It will mean a large amount of down-sizing, which will be difficult as I am something of a pack-rat. But the benefits of less to take care of and everything on one floor will make my day-to-day life much easier. And financially it will be a huge help. I have lost tens of thousands of dollars over the past two years, between decreased pay when I can't work full-time (currently on 3/4 salary), lost bonuses and the loss of all the income from the Squad. My savings are very depleted, and no one knows how much my energy will improve and when I will deteriorate more. Having the income from the second floor apartment will cover a lot of the mortgage, after refinancing when my current house sells. So, I would be OK if I could only work part-time or, worst case scenario, was on disability in the future. This isn't a permanent solution, but will allow me to regroup as I see how things develop over the next several years.
Phoenixville is really a nice place, very diverse, and experiencing a revival. There is lots to do, a real community atmosphere with more things happening in the future. It is right next to Valley Forge State Park, so lots of nature that won't be developed. It is due to go on the SEPTA line in 2009, which will make getting to Phila easy. The hospital has been bought by a major system, and they are expanding their cardiology department as they double the size of the hospital. This would give me a great option if I couldn't work full time and wanted to decrease my commuting time--I can stand in my street and see the hospital. (I am NOT planning on leaving my current employers any time soon because they have been too good to me!)
My next cardiology appointment with an echo is February 1, so it will give me more of idea how I am healing. I may need another stress echo to assess functioning, but that's not a big deal. There are some things that I haven't mentioned as I cope with all the changes in my life. No one ever can plan on what happens to their health, and I never thought I would be so compromised before I even turned 44.
I hope that you all understand why I still am not communicating with everyone individually, between lack of energy and trying to work as much as possible while taking care of all the day-to-day things that need to be coped with. It is not for lack of wanting to, but out of necessity. So please continue to check here every once in a while for updates.
Thanks for your concern and understanding, Laurie
And now the big news: I have decided to move. My current townhouse is gorgeous and rather large, especially for one person. Three bedrooms, plus a den, 2 1/2 baths, full basement. It has been wonderful, however, to have enough space for people staying here and taking care of me. But, as I adjust to being a chronic heart patient, things need to change. Just when I was meeting Dr. Cohn 9/05, I was preparing to feel as lousy as I did then for the rest of my life (which, sadly, is still how I feel now, but with hope for improvement). So, I bought a house in Phoenixville, both as an investment and a back-up. It is a cute two-story brick house that is separated into two apartments, a larger one on the first floor and a smaller one on the second floor, with a separate entrance. Moving into the first floor apartment will substantially decrease my amount of physical exertion and be easier to care for than my current house. I'm planning a lot of renovations after my current tenants leave (they are looking for another place now), so suspect that the move will not happen before late March/early April. It will mean a large amount of down-sizing, which will be difficult as I am something of a pack-rat. But the benefits of less to take care of and everything on one floor will make my day-to-day life much easier. And financially it will be a huge help. I have lost tens of thousands of dollars over the past two years, between decreased pay when I can't work full-time (currently on 3/4 salary), lost bonuses and the loss of all the income from the Squad. My savings are very depleted, and no one knows how much my energy will improve and when I will deteriorate more. Having the income from the second floor apartment will cover a lot of the mortgage, after refinancing when my current house sells. So, I would be OK if I could only work part-time or, worst case scenario, was on disability in the future. This isn't a permanent solution, but will allow me to regroup as I see how things develop over the next several years.
Phoenixville is really a nice place, very diverse, and experiencing a revival. There is lots to do, a real community atmosphere with more things happening in the future. It is right next to Valley Forge State Park, so lots of nature that won't be developed. It is due to go on the SEPTA line in 2009, which will make getting to Phila easy. The hospital has been bought by a major system, and they are expanding their cardiology department as they double the size of the hospital. This would give me a great option if I couldn't work full time and wanted to decrease my commuting time--I can stand in my street and see the hospital. (I am NOT planning on leaving my current employers any time soon because they have been too good to me!)
My next cardiology appointment with an echo is February 1, so it will give me more of idea how I am healing. I may need another stress echo to assess functioning, but that's not a big deal. There are some things that I haven't mentioned as I cope with all the changes in my life. No one ever can plan on what happens to their health, and I never thought I would be so compromised before I even turned 44.
I hope that you all understand why I still am not communicating with everyone individually, between lack of energy and trying to work as much as possible while taking care of all the day-to-day things that need to be coped with. It is not for lack of wanting to, but out of necessity. So please continue to check here every once in a while for updates.
Thanks for your concern and understanding, Laurie
4 Comments:
At 9:29 AM,
Katie said…
I think "the move" is the "right move"!!
At 6:23 PM,
Anonymous said…
All I can say is that your a smart and "AMAZING" woman.....
At 11:55 PM,
Kevan said…
Hi Kiddo,
Still lurking here in the shadow world of EMS. Glad to hear your slowly progressing. Keep it slow & steady, you can't fix it over night (even though you want to.
At 10:20 AM,
Anonymous said…
Laurie,
Good luck these next two weeks, sounds like its going to be rough.
Wishing you the best with the new place, you certainly were smart to think ahead! I think it will suck during the downsizing, but if you can keep focused I agree that you will find the day-to-day easier down the road. You are smart for thinking ahead and smarter for doing the move, most would fight it till it's to late to enjoy the smaller and easier place. You are approaching this with increadable logic and an even head.
well again good luck with the hospital rounds, focus on just using that energy and resting the rest of the time.
always in my prayers
Later Deneen
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