More Black Belt Stitching Wizard Stuff

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Adventures, Stuff, and Status Quo

I was on the road this weekend, and it was fun to be playing the road warrior again. Its been awhile since I've had a little road trip. This past Friday after work hungry and I got in the car and headed down to St. Lawrence College in Kingston. This was where the Embroiderer's Association of Canada was holding seminar this year. I wasn't going down to attend any classes but to help out my friend Ann who moved her entire shop there on Tuesday to set up as a boutique. Boy at times we were soooo busy that you needed two hands running things. Ann and I had lots of fun, camping out in her motor home in the parking lot at night. Actually we were wayyy too tired to have fun... just sleep! I'm always happy to help out Ann, and I enjoyed myself.

Now onto "Stuff" some of my regular blog readers might remember this post from October 2008. When I got home from Kingston on Sunday I felt good and full of energy, and decided to go outside for a 10K run. It was just too nice to be indoors staring at the wall on a treadmill. Todd wasn't home and my cell phone battery was dead, I left Todd a note and went out. I had done this same run on Wednesday evening so really didn't think twice about doing it. About 20 minutes into my run I started breaking out in hives (again no big deal, I just do that form time to time, sometimes when exercising... sometimes when not. Something we've never been able to pinpoint.). I decided okay better turn around and start walking home. Not too long after this I wasn't feeling great at all, thought maybe I wasn't breathing properly, and decided to sit on some rocks at the end of a driveway (imagine gravel country road, houses aren't on top of each other). This was when I started to realize I was in trouble, I was having trouble seeing, focusing, really even just thinking. What came to my mind was my episode in October, that it was going to happen here on a back road, no one is around, and I don't have me cell phone to call for help.

I think someone must of been watching over me on Sunday, a woman happened to pull into the driveway I was stopped at, to use her cell phone. At least that's what I think remember. I know I wasn't sure if I really saw the car or not, things were bright white. I must of walked around to the driver's side of the car to ask for help to get home. Poor woman, I passed out on her, fell right to the ground! I know she got me in her car, and I was lucid enough to tell her my address and describe my house. She did get me to my house, when she pulled in the drive she asked me if this was my house. I didn't know! Everything was white, with vague shadows, I recall saying to her if its got a reddish roof and a blue car yes. Between the car and my front door I know I passed out at least two more times, maybe three. I know at one point in the driveway I used her cell phone to call Todd, my luck it went to his voicemail. My good Samaritan got me into my house but I couldn't get up the stairs, I know I passed out one more time just sitting on my bottom step. I was having trouble breathing, my lungs were wheezing with each breath. It was after this that I asked her to call me an ambulance. I had no clue when Todd would get my message, and it wasn't fair to ask this lady to get me to the hospital. I found it harder to get lucid than my first episode in October, and at this point felt like I wouldn't stop passing out.

Todd did get my message and got home shortly before the ambulance... if timing had been better I would of had him get me to the hospital. I know when they got there that my blood pressure was very low, I was given oxygen and taken to the hospital.

While at the hospital we went through the same series of questions and an ECG like last time. They did spare me the blood work this time. Once my blood pressure was back to normal and I seemed stable enough (about 10PM, this all happened sometime around 6PM) I was released. I have to say the doctor I saw in the ER was great. I left the hospital with an prescription for an Epi Pen and an inhaler, since we're not sure if the problem is an allergic reaction, or asthma related its safer to have both. Yesterday morning I took a sick day from work and I was very surprised when the phone rang and it was the ER doctor to let me know I had an appointment the next day (today) with an Internalist. Wow! I'm impressed with this doctor!

So the long and the short of it is... my October episode wasn't a fluke, something isn't right. The doctor I saw this morning (the Internalist), is looking into my heart. I was born with a mummer and apparently it can still be heard, so on Thursday I'm being hooked up to a 24-hour heart monitor, later in June I'm going for an Echo cardiogram. Also on Thursday I've got an appointment with my physician to update her on the situation. Friday morning, I've got an appointment with my allergist (I was on the phone a lot on Monday calling my health care team), he possibly suspects "exercised induced anaphalaxis" ... yup its what you think it is "allergic to exercise" google it, it does exist! So hopefully with all these doctors and specialists on my side we can figure out why this has happened to me twice, what I can do to prevent it and still remain active.

Scary eh?

Finally "Status Quo" yup that's what it was at the scale tonight. Still no change in my weight! But then my eating habits were not normal this weekend so I guess I should be happy with that.

Oh yeah, here's Blackstone Fantasy Garden as of bedtime tonight!

36 comments:

valerie said...

OMG, that is so scary! I am very glad you are ok and have what sounds like a great team of doctors handy to help you figure out your health issue. Lucky the Good Samaritan was nearby to help you. I hope you and Todd can thank her in some way.

So nice of you to help Ann at the show. And great progress on your wip!

Unknown said...

Yes, that is totally scary! But so good to have doctors that know what they are doing and are going to help you. I hope you find out what is wrong and how to fix it with as little further drama as possible.

Jo said...

Dani, that is really scary. Thank goodness your good samaritan passed right on time. It sounds like your doctors are really on top of this, hopefully they will figure it out quickly. In the meantime take care of yourself, don't worry about the little things, and enjoy your stitching time - BFG is looking brilliant, you'll have the knotwork finished in no time, and the little motifs look like great fun to stitch!

Wanda said...

OMG Dani!! What a horrible experience!!! But it's good to know that there are still people that will help. Thank the Lord! I sure hope that they find out why this is happening! At least when you know, you know what to do. Please take care. Do you have a phone with GPS on it? OK...maybe I'm getting paranoid. My prayers are with you for good care and for your health. Don't worry about the other stuff...

Christine said...

Dani that must have been so frightening! Thank Goodness that lady was able to help you.
I hope the doctors can get to the bottom of this for you

claudia said...

That is scary! I am glad you are okay though and have a team of doctors to look after you.
Take care!

Stitcher said...

Glad you're OK, lucky that woman turned up when she did. Hope the tests give some good results.

Carmen said...

Oh Dani,is a really really scary experience, I hope that doctors are able to isolate the cause of this episode. Take care,,and for few days,not excersises,,just in case.

Tammy said...

Wow. That is so scary. Thankfully the lady that helped you was in the right place when you needed someone.

Hopefully the doctor's can get to the bottom of what is causing your illnesses.

Take care.

Heather said...

Wow, Dani, that is scary. How wonderful that that woman showed up when she did and that is was so very kind.

I hope the doctors are able to pinpoint what is wrong and come up with a treatment plan for you. In the meantime, take it easy!

Louanne said...

What an awful thing to go through! Thank goodness somebody stopped to help! Glad to hear you are home and safe, now... Make sure to follow up with all the doctors, diagnosis is the hardest part! "allergic to exercise" yep, sounds like something I would have! Don't it just figure?! Hope they figure it all out quickly, and get you on the road to perfect health soon!

ollie1976 said...

WOW. Thank God you're okay. That recently happened to me as well about a month ago. Luckily I was with a friend and her two dogs when it happened.
Take it easy!
-Jen

Kathy A. said...

Oh my God Dani - are you sure you are ok! How scary that must have been. Thank goodness there are angels out there.
I will call you later and see how you are.

Erin said...

Oh Dani, you've just described one of my worst nightmares and the reason I rarely run "out in the world"!! Treadmills and circular tracks are my friends. I'm so glad you were able to get home and get help. I hope the doctors find out something soon!

In the meantime, do lots of stitching... :)

Anonymous said...

OMG what a scary experience! How amazing that the lady who helped you happened to stop there at that exact time, and even more amazing that she helped you so much. I hope all the tests you go through lead to a definite diagnosis so you know exactly what you are dealing with. For the time being, feet up and lots of stitching!!

Gabi said...

This sounds outright scary Dani. I hope they will find out soon what causes it. Although that might take some time. My husband has something similar to your problem, be it that he never totally passed out. Thank god that woman did help and brought you home.

Paula said...

Glad to hear you are okay and I hope the doctors are able to get to the bottom of things quickly.

Anonymous said...

That is SO scary. Hope the internist gets to the bottom of the problem.

Will be sending good vibes your way.

Margie said...

That is so scarry! I hope you get to the bottom of it.

Anonymous said...

Very scary indeed - I hope they pinpoint the problem real soon so that something can be done about it immediately. Take care of yourself, Dani. Great going on the Garden!

CJ in OK ;-) said...

Scary stuff, praise God for the help, just in time. Bet your husband isn't letting you out of his sight right now. Take care, CJ ok;-)

Anonymous said...

Wow Dani! Too scary for words! But your guardian angel was definitely looking out for you! Glad you're feeling better!
The stitching is looking great and we're all thinking about you!

Stacey in NS

Christine S said...

I'm so glad someone was able to get you home and call you an ambulance. Take care of yourself and I hope you can get a diagnosis quickly!

Julie said...

How frightening for you, good job there was a good samaritan to help you. I hope they find out what caused it and can help you.

Andrea said...

Oh Dani, how terrible. Thankfully there was a kind person on hand. Isn't it always the case though that you try and do a positive thing in your life and it creates a whole new set of problems. I hope the doctors/hospital can sort everything out.

riona said...

Be careful, Dani. You were lucky to get help quickly. Sometimes our independent natures steer us wrong and we forget that the buddy sytem is a good system for a reason. If the doctors okay exercise in the future, it might be a good idea to enlist an exercise partner. Best wishes for a return to normalm activity. Just a thought ... could your recent weight loss have triggered this response ... I don't know enough about the effect of weight loss on metabolism to hazard a guess ... but it does seem coincidental that the two episodes seem to bracket your weight loss journey.

Cindy F. said...

Oh Dani!! Girl! I'm so glad your good samaritan came along when she did AND I'm happy you went to the hospital. I'm so sorry you had to go through such a terrible ordeal and I pray the dr's can figure this out! OK...here comes the mother in me....PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND TAKE IT EASY :)...I did say please:) Sending you well wishes and BIG (((HUGS)))
and love your Garden:)

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Girl - it's a good thing your angel was out that day! Sounds like you're trying to get to the bottom of it, and that's a good thing! Take care of yourself, and enjoy that beautiful stitching you're doing on this piece!!

Mary said...

OMG Dani! Hugs! I am glad there was an angel looking out for you. I am glad the ER doctor got you a quick appointment to see the Internist and he was able to figure out what might be going on. I never realized one could really be allergic to exercise. It is good that you have an Epi-pen now. Can't hurt.

I wish you lots of luck and many prayers. Let us know how you make out.

Oh and your stitching is beautiful!

Chiloe said...

Very scary: hope it's nothing wrong ... I didn't know we could be allergic to exercise ... Sending you lots of hugs.

Sally said...

OMG Dani that lady must have been your guardian angel. That must have been so scary. Sending lots of positive thoughts and hugs.

Beatrice said...

I was at Ann's yesterday setting up the shop and she told me about your ordeals. Wow! I hope you feel better by now. It sounds like the Doc's are on the ball and will get you fixed up soon.
Please take care...maybe some rest would be in order until you have the go ahead.
SIT and STITCH!!!!

Karan said...

OMG that must have been so scarey. Looks like your angel was watching out for you that day! Great response from the ER Doc - if it was here you'd be lucky to have any hospital appointments for in 6 months time! Take care of yourself & take things easy (((((((((hugs))))))))). Maintaining is good - waay better than a gain! :0)
Glad you had some fun at the seminar before that. BFG is looking fab. :0)

Lynne said...

((((Hugs)))) I am so glad you are OK !!

Daffycat said...

Holy cow, Dani! How scary is that! I'm looking forward to what your tests reveal.

Sharon said...

Dani, so glad to hear that you are okay. I would think that is so terrifying espcially as you don't know the cause. Hopefully these visits to the dr. will yield some better information.