Matters Of The Heart
October had more in store for me than I ever anticipated! Besides business travel and a full social calendar, God decided to throw a little congestive heart failure in the mix!
“Congestive Heart Failure” were about the last three words I expected to hear after getting to the point that I could hardly breath about ten days ago. I fully expected to walk into my primary care physician, get a pneumonia diagnosis… possibly take a breathing treatment and get an inhaler, or similar, and be on my way. Instead I was told that I needed to check into the hospital and I wasn’t allowed to drive myself. They offered to call the ambulance and I opted to call my friend, Sharon, instead.
After a few tests, I found that my weak heart was the cause of a list of symptoms I have had for a very long time. I had no idea that the total of these clearly spelled out “heart failure”. Please take note of these symptoms that I’ve been living with for years!
Fatigue
Puffy, swollen legs, ankles, feet, wrists, fingers (I’ve had this my whole life and consistently asked Dr.s about it)
Shortness of breath with routine activity (I’ve had this just within the last couple of months)
Swollen abdomen, poor appetite
Nagging cough
Inability to breath well while laying down
The good news? My cardiologist put me on meds that seem to be working famously! My heart muscles are week, so I’m taking meds that cause my heart to beat slower and work more efficiently. I lost 12 lbs of fluid in 4 to 5 days! You can imagine how much better I feel not carrying that around…and my heart likes it too! I have more energy than I can remember having in years! I fully expect my next tests at the cardiologist to be greatly improved! I know I’ll come out of this better than ever!
Mind your heart, friends! I want to continue to do life with all of your! Let’s feel our best in our journey! XO!
November 5th, 2012 at 11:22 am
So happy that you are finally getting the ‘right’ treatment. Hope you feel well soon!
November 5th, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Oh wow. That’s unexpected! So glad you caught it and that you are on the mend xx!
November 5th, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Thanks so much, sweet Kelly! So proud to share my first name with you!!
November 5th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Thanks so much, Corinna! Let’s get together soon!
November 6th, 2012 at 7:18 pm
Kelley,
Thanks for being so open and sharing about your diagnosis. Imtjink that will be helpful to others. I’m so glad you are feeling better. You were such a whirlwind of activity before, there is no telling what you’ll get up to now! Take care of yourself.
Cathy
November 7th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
So glad you’re okay and thank you so much for sharing these warning signs with us! Hope you continue to feel better every day!
November 10th, 2012 at 2:04 am
I am just catching up on some blog reading and well, this one came as a shock! Kelley, I am so glad to hear that the treatment is helping and you are feeling better. Take care of yourself. Thinking of you x
November 10th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
Thanks so much, Cathy! I’m feeling great!
November 10th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
XO, Jill!
November 10th, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Oh, Lois! You’re so precious! Thanks so much!!
April 18th, 2013 at 3:18 am
[...] I shared with you about my diagnosis of congestive heart failure and the warning signs that we all need to know about! I have received so many well wishes and [...]