Feb 24: Brief catch-up, appt pending

Well, the past two weeks did turn hellacious, as forecast. I'm so glad they are over. This week I worked only Mon, Weds and Thurs, and it was so much better on me physically. So shooting for 20 hours a week, which my body likes but my checking account doesn't. The strain of decreased hours is really showing now financially. Just now collecting everything to get ready for taxes, and my out-of-pocket expenses that could be kept track of (hotels, food, travel, meds) totaled MORE than $10,000 for 2006. And most of that will not be deductible, although I will find out more this week. So yes, finances are a strain. Therein lies the reason for the move.... Would be nice if the shorter hours were all in the office, but with the docs vacation schedules--between the four main ones they have SIX weeks a year, so six months out of the year the schedule is not "normal"--but I am going to have to do some hospital. I like doing hospital, but it means more exertion and having to leave and drive to the office after a few hours. Is easier to take, however, with the knowledge that it isn't every day. Already have things to do both the days "off" this week that I haven't been able to schedule before. And, of course, this week is Boston on Weds with hopefully some answers. Noticed some edema yesterday, so, even though the cardiologist down here had told me to not take diuretics anymore I knew I needed some. And the heart surgeon had told me I would always be on them. Took one yesterday and dropped about 3 pounds, so that was needed. Will take one tomorrow so it isn't coming off too quickly. Then will just hold tight until I hear what the gurus in Boston say.

So now is the time for all good boxes to be used for packing. The realtors came over Tuesday and did some repairs and packing, and my friend Ellen came over yesterday and helped with some more. Both times I was amazed at how quickly both Jane and Ellen were moving around, how much they were getting done. Then I realized yesterday (lying on the couch while Ellen continued to bustle around) that what they are doing is NORMAL activity. I've gotten so used to having to do so much less, and more slowly, and for such a short period of time that I forgot what normal looked like. It was kind of depressing to see how long it's been since I was able to do that. So, anyway, I have to get out and accomplish things. And Mom is coming over to help for a couple of days, and with bad weather predicted she just called and is coming tonight. So off to accomplish great things! Thanks for checking, Laurie

Feb 11: And life rolls on....

So, I got through the week better than I thought I would. Did keep to a very strict sleeping schedule, which I am sure helped. This week should be a little easier, although I still have to get up early to lecture on Thursday. At least Saturday is later in the day for lecturing--I have to keep people up at the end of the day talking about cardiology when all they are thinking about it hitting the bar in the hotel. And then next week I get the mixed blessing of cutting down hours, but also my paycheck. Met again with the real estate agents, and they are willing to help me out a lot. I mean, let's face it folks, I am a pretty pathetic story. I deserve to get some sympathetic help out of it at least. Making plans to swoop in and start renovations on the P'ville house as soon as I can get in there. Well, better get to bed.... Thanks for checking, Laurie

Feb 4: some problems....

Sorry I didn't write last week. My cousins came down from NY and we were out and about Saturday, and then stayed in and did board games in front of the fire until they left on Sunday. It's the most fun I've had for quite a while. Anyway, I know I have indicated that I wasn't improving the way I or anyone else thought that I should have. I've been putting it down to working too much, but the bills have to be paid, and I'm low on cash reserve after two years with long episodes of decreased income. Have been on 3/4 pay since I started back, as I was for six months after the first heart surgery. If I had had a chance to recup from that, it wouldn't be so bad. And I have the worst of both worlds: decreased pay but still working five days a week. Had an appt with my local cardiologist on Thursday, with my first stress echo since the surgery. My last echo still showed my lung pressure being elevated, at the same level of pulmonary hypertension (increased pressure in the lungs from the back up caused by blood not going through the mitral valve). My local cardiologist was not concerned and told me that it might take it a year to come all the way back down. I was expecting it to still be elevated, again needing more time to rest. Unfortunately, the pressure was worse at rest and went up really high with seven minutes of walking. (I haven't been able to pass 7:20 since this whole thing started, but that is also on a protocol where it goes higher and faster every three minutes. So seven mins is 1 min into 3.4 mph at a 14 degree incline.It's considered low normal for my age.) He doesn't know what to do, which I don't blame him for. He mentioned the possibility of a third surgery to cut tissue out and replace the valve, but Dr. Cohn said he didn't feel that was the right thing to do, or he would have replaced it. And he's the one who was actually staring at the valve (and holding it in his hand while I was in cardiac arrest and on bypass, but I try not to dwell on that....). That point in the office was when I couldn't control myself and started sobbing. But, considering that my version of hysterical is what most people do when they are several days into bad news, I think I deserved it. Couldn't go in to work, obviously. Called up to Brigham on Friday, spoke with the very nice nurse practitioner (I like her despite that flaw!) who works with the cardiologist up there: Dr. Baughman. Get to know that name--it's the next important one. He is Chief of Advanced Cardiac Diseases and Heart Failure. As I have said, when you are really unusual you only see the top people. The echo report wasn't dictated well, although my cardiologist here dictated a more thorough letter. So, I have an appointment with Dr. B Feb 28 in Boston. Don't know what tests he will do, and he is away next week, so the NP can't schedule me before he comes back Feb 12. So in a holding pattern for another > 1 week. In other news, I interviewed several real estate agents this weekend, and have chosen a nice couple from Weichert. Didn't tell them about my health issues, so please pity them. They say it is already late to be listing my house for the Spring season and want me to get it ready ASAP. But I can't get into the garage in P'ville until March 1, and can't get into the downstairs until they move out the weekend of March 3/4. Only so much I can do. And since Angie is away getting married (do you believe she wanted a whole two weeks for that?!), I have to work over 30 hours the next two weeks. That will help pay wise, but I'll be exhausted. So the 20 hours will start the week of 2/19, but will then be followed by packing and organizing.

So, it's time to go to bed. I'm determined to be in bed before 10 pm every night this week, so don't call, please. There won't be anything new health wise until after next Sunday, so I may not post until after that. Thanks for checking in, Laurie