Hemingway, do you know where Mom is?
No, but she’s sure been gone a long time!
The Mom Explains:
It seems like 2020 has turned out to be quite the challenging year. We all apologize for not being on our blog for so long, But I have a good reason. It all started on April 11th. I was outside raking and trying to clean up things in the yard. I was frequently taking rests but it didn’t seem to help. I finally decided to stop and I had a sharp pain that went all the way through my chest to my back. I took some aspirin right away and convinced myself that I had twisted some muscles with all the raking and weed pulling. The next day I rested and felt a little better. On Monday I went to work (actually I walked over to the computer since I was working from home) and then went to an eye appointment. I noticed that I was kind of spinning out of control so when I got home I sent a note to my doctor. I told her what had happened and how I felt. She called me back quickly and told me to go to Emergency.
My brother took me over to the hospital on April 13th and since Covid was making it hard to do anything, he had to just leave me there. I was hooked up to all kinds of machines and poked with all sorts of needles. The docs told me that I did have a heart attack on Saturday and it was a major one. They had determined that I wasn’t still having a heart attack, but my heart was very ticked and was kind of bouncing all over the place.
I got moved to a room and was hooked up to a monitor. During the first couple of days, one of my medical team members tested positive for Covid. They gave me the test, but mine was negative. However, I had to be put in quarantine.
On April 20th, I had open heart surgery and had a single bypass. I went through all of this without anyone I could hug. I ended up staying in ICU for several extra days because of the quarantine. I had yet another Covid test and it was negative. Once I finally got to a regular room, I started doing exercises and seemed to be improving. When it came time for me to go home, one of the nurses had noticed I was having trouble breathing. They ordered a chest x-ray and discovered fluid on my lungs. They tapped both of them and then I was finally able to go home, after spending 20 days in the hospital.
I started physical and occupational therapy at home and then I noticed I was having trouble breathing again. Back to the hospital for another chest x-ray and then back again so I could be tapped. (I’m on blood thinners now and they have to kind of wean me off them for procedures.) Oh, and another Covid test.
I was doing really good until I noticed that I couldn’t even cross the room without huffing and puffing. My therapy sessions were pure torture ‘cuz I couldn’t breathe. My cardiologist set up an echocardiogram for me. That didn’t show what they expected it to show so we were back to square one. I became my own advocate and told them I couldn’t live like that.
You guessed it…………back to Emergency and yet another Covid test (which was still negative). Last weekend I was in the hospital. By the way, my birthday was on June 11th and I actually had a good day, even though I couldn’t do much. They diagnosed me with congestive heart failure and while in the hospital I lost 17 pounds of fluid. The change was amazing. I could breathe and I didn’t have all the pressure on my chest.
It’s now been two months since my open heart surgery. I am finally on the road to recovery. The boys have helped so much. Just their purring and paw pats mean so much.
We are hoping to get back to blogging, but it’s been kind of hard. This is the first time I’ve really felt good so maybe the three of us can get some things posted soon.
Thanks for reading through this long explanation. If you have any friends or relatives in the hospital during Covid, do all you can to encourage them. I was lucky because my niece is a nurse at the hospital so I was able to have a “visitor”.
TwoCatsViews 
How terrifying! Thank goodness you are on the road to recovery FINALLY! It sounds like you were very smart and had very smart and caring doctors and nurses. What an awful thing to have to go through. Mom and I will say prayers for you to make a complete and quick recovery. Stay brave!
Love and licks and xoxo,
Cupcake and Mom
Oh Cupcake, we really missed you and your mom. Thanks for the kind words and prayers. I am really hoping I’m finally on the right recovery road. Take care and big hugs to you both.
I am so sorry this all happened to you! It is a terrible time to be sick. My brother-in-law is in a nursing home with dementia. No one can go to see him. He fell this week and broke 3 ribs. He is in pain, doesn’t understand anything and his wife can’t go in. I am glad you are recovering. CHF isn’t easy but hopefully you can control it. More purrs!
Kate, so sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. I feel so much more for those in nursing homes now after my experience in the hospital. I hope and pray we can control this virus and knock it out.
BFF, you are always in my prayers. As we always told my grandmother, ” God doesn’t want you yet and he’ll is full so you have to stick around here. “. 😘
LOL…God must have a very interesting plan for me. Can’t wait!!
Oh, this is so devastating and difficult to hear. I wish your blogging friends could have been there for you to encourage and support you. It is a blessing that you did not get that nasty virus on top of everything else. We are so thankful you are home and feeling well enough to let us know you are okay. Mom wishes she could have been praying for you all this time, but will definitely add you to her prayers now. Please stay well. And boys, you take extra good care of your mom. XOCK, angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer and Mom Janet
Oh, I knew all of you would be praying. Thanks so much. It was a rough experience, but I felt peace the whole time. Now that I’m actually on the road to recovery, I feel so much better. I missed all my boys’ blogging friends, but I knew you were all still there wondering what happened. Love all of you!!!
I have been wondering what happened to you all. I am glad you are doing better now. I am sorry you had to go through all that alone. I will be praying for you to fully recover. XO
Thanks for the prayers and kind words. The boys and I are working on getting me back to better than normal. 🙂
Oh my Catness ! We were just happy to see you again, and then to find put what all you’ve been through ! We are sending all kinds of purrayers and Power of the Paw to you and the boys ! Take all the time you need to recover and keep purring !
Thanks so much. I really appreciate the purrayers and Power of the Paw. My boys send a big thanks as well.
Pam, Nels and I are so happy you are improving. We pray each day you will feel better and better. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️
Thanks so much, Donna and Nels. I am feeling so much better at last. Hope to stay on this road now!
Wow, that has been some experience, and one we are so happy that you have come through ok, and are well on road to recovery. Thank goodness you had the boys and great medical team to help you make it better.
Gentle healing purrs to add to those from your team
ERin
Happy and belated Birthday to you too! Life is by far the best gift, and friendship 🙂
Thank you ERin. My boys didn’t understand what was happening but once I was home from the hospital they stayed very close. Thanks for the birthday greetings! 🙂
Oh no, what a story… So sorry to read this news about your condition. Wishing you all the best and a quick recovery.
Thanks, Herman. I’m finally on the right road and I can actually see the possibility of full recovery. The boys told me I should explain things to all their readers and I’m glad I did.
Oh my goodness! We wondered why we hadn’t seen a post from you all in so long but what a scary reason to have disappeared! Thank God you were well looked after at the hospital even though it was during a rough time with Covid. What a miracle that you made it through all those challenges. I know that was an incredibly scary time for you and your family. Please take it easy – I know your “boys” will look after you and I hope your recovery will continue and your heart will be stronger than ever. HUGS……..
Pam and Teddy too
Pam and Teddy, thanks so much for your kind words. My boys have been great nurses and they were so excited when I cam home from the hospital. We’re all working on me getting better and better.
Wow! What a grim way to spend your time! Glad to have you back, and healing.
It was unique, that’s for sure. Now I just have to stay on the healing road.
Oh my goodness! What a scary thing to have to go through…with no one to be there for you. We are so glad you are recovering well and send you many purrs for continued recovery.
Thanks so much. That’s what’s so neat about the blogging community……people care. Purrs back from my boys.
Oh my! The only good thing, (well 2 good things) in all this is 1. You didn’t have COVID, and 2. You got to have your birthday and are recovering! Wishing you a much better year ahead and ear scratches to your two home-nurses. Amy
Thanks so much, Amy. There’s still lots of recovery ahead but I finally feel like I will make it. Purrs from my boys.
What dangerous times you have gone through! It must have been really frightening. So happy to hear you are improving with the two furry nurses.
Hugs,
Kristiina
Thanks, Kristina. It was rather frightening, but I felt at peace. I have a wonderful support group in my friends, choir members and bloggers. Of course Hemingway and Steinbeck have been awesome nurses!
Nice to have you back here.
It’s good to hear from you and I’m glad you are doing better.
Thanks so much. I really appreciate that.
I am so sorry that you had to go through all that. It must have been absolutely terrifying. Glad to hear that you are starting to feel a bit better. Fingers crossed that recovery is quick and that this year improves soon. Happy belated birthday as well.
Thanks so much for the birthday greetings and kind words. I feel 279% better this week so that’s a good thing!
I’m so sorry you had to go through all this, especially right now with all the covid restrictions. 😦 I’m glad you are feeling better, and am purring for your recovery to continue with no more problems.
Thanks so much. I love to add more purrs to my recovery! 🙂
What a terrifying experience to go through, and COVID makes it all the worse. We’re glad to hear you’re on the mend and we’re sending healing purrs.
I love all the healing purrs. Thank you so much!!
doodz….we R sorree yur mom went thru thiz….we pray her stayz on de road ta ree coveree….CHF iz a scaree diagnosis….we noe all bout thiz…..keep an eye on mom; we send prayerz her way ! ♥♥♥
Thanks so much. We are watching here and making sure she is doing OK. We kind of like having her around. 🙂 Summer purrs……..Hemingway and Steinbeck
My goodness!! What a long ordeal for you…it sounds really frightening but so glad you are doing better and are home with your fur babies! Keep us posted when you feel up to it ❤
Sorry it took me so long to respond. I am doing good. A few setbacks here and there, but I have to tell myself to take it slow.