Rae April 23rd, 2008
The Heart Cath went off with out a hitch. After kissing our good byes, I sat with my Aunt in the waiting room talking our time away while Chuck went through the procedure. It seemed like an eternity in that waiting room. Then the doctor came out with a scowl on his face. He explained how he couldn’t find any blockages or problems to correct. He said Chuck was to follow up with our primary doctor and continue preventative heart care (healthy diet, active lifestyle, exercising) I felt so happy yet slightly confused. Chuck has been having chest twinges and his left arm and fingers have had issues. So now what could be causing all of this. I waited another long wait until they told me I could go back to see him. He was also confused as to why he is having these symptoms. We are happy that it isn’t his heart. He goes in on Friday for another procedure that is GI related. I am hoping for some answers soon. So for now Chuck is on the mend from the place where the cath went into his groin. He is on strict movement orders as well as weight restrictions for a short while. Thanks for all the support. This has been a tough time for us.
Rae April 21st, 2008
Chuck is going in for the Heart Cath in the morning. We are hoping they just end up taking a look with out finding anything. This is a pretty scary moment in our lives. Please keep us in your thoughts. I will update when things have settled back down.
Rae April 16th, 2008
With the invention of the DVR/TIVO I have become such a TV junkie. I record a ton of shows then watch them while I am feeding Chelsea since I am sitting on the couch most of the times she eats. Right now I have 3 Days of Our Lives to watch, Tuesday’s Big Brother Vito Comp, and the Final Biggest Loser Weigh in. I also record and keep stuff off the FIT channel. With the finales coming for most of the shows I am waiting to see what will come on next. Chuck and I record Reaper and Chuck when they play. Those two came back shortly then disappeared off radar again. We as a family watch the Simpsons and own the first three seasons on DVD. We also own all the seasons of Alias with Jen Garner. Oh and Hell’s Kitchen just started back. That is a torture show for me to watch.. but we watch none the less. Chuck has a ton of nature/universe type stuff he likes to watch. Oh and we love Ghost Hunters on the Sci-fi network. Wow we are little TV junkies. What did we ever do with out the DVR? That’s right we didn’t watch as much TV.
Rae April 15th, 2008
Among all the stress and worries that abound in my life, I have taken the time to notice the change in season. Flowers are blooming. The air is crisp to the lungs. Although we are feeling this cold air move through the south east, it is still nice to see this time of year come. I think every beginning of a new season is exciting. With Spring comes hope of the summer to come. The thoughts of bathing suits and sun lotion would send most girls into an exercise freak out. Not I. I can breath deeply and know that will come in it’s own season. I have enough concerns and worries to fill my waking, somtimes sleeping, hours.
Chuck’s colonoscopy came and went with out a hitch. He is now on a path of healing. The coming Heart Cath has added a tension in the air. I can only hope things will go just as smooth with an easy recovery. I will be happy when Chuck’s doctor lifts the no exertion no lifting rules. It has really put a hold on Chuck’s diabetes care. I hear him saying I can’t wiat for things to go back to being normal. I know exactly what he means. Since February, we have not been able to catch a medical break.
I am trying to remain positive and optimistic towards it all. I take the change in strides hoping that good habits form. My mental health is becoming clearer. The welbutrin seems to be helping me keep balanced. As much as I hate to admit it, I am grateful to have the meds. I will strive to get better so that maybe in the future I will be med free, and remain at peace with my demons. A good thing that has come out of all of this is that I am blooming into the woman I want to be. It isn’t an easy transition. Even Chuck has commented at times, ” Are you going through some kind of midlife crisis?” I really don’t think that is what it is. I think that it is more of a redefining moment in my life.
The kids are growing fast. Chelsea just had her 6 month check up. She is now 16 lbs 3 oz and 26 1/4 inches. She is accomplishing many firsts and remains on developmental track. Yesterday was her first time sitting up in a grocery cart with out help. It was so precious to see the joyous smiles of her first ride. Chuck took a picture with his phone. I hope to get it on here for you all to see. Vincent enjoys entertaining Chelsea on a daily basis. I get a real kick out of their giggles. Brittany just came back from her spring break vacation to S. Carolina. She went to visit her bio father. Although the trip was very short it gave her an appreciation for home. She is struggling in school so she has started visiting a tutor this week. We are lucky that a friend of the family is willing to try a few things with her. I really hope that she can overcome her reading challenges. I will continue to do what I can here at the house to help.
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I was just day-dreaming looking out my living room window. It really is a beautiful day. I think a walk to the park is in order this afternoon. Take a moment and enjoy Spring.
Rae April 8th, 2008
Change was over due in our household the day Chuck was diagnosed with Diabetes. As most know change does not come easy. Although we strive to make those changes there have been a few set backs. Chuck failed his nuclear stress test and was referred to a Cardiologist. The Cardiologist has ordered Chuck to cease all exercise along with work restrictions. She told Chuck that he could take off from work until after the surgery, but seeing how he is the bread winner that was not an option. So she insisted that he only work 8 hours a day and/or 40 hours a week. That has complicated things at his work. The Doctor is going to preform a Cardiac Catheterization on him on the 22nd. Both my mother and aunt have had this procedure. It doesn’t make it any less scary. It is sad that it has taken such a harsh wake up call for us to realize how precious things are and to take better care of ourselves. I hope that Chuck pulls through all this poking and prodding to find that he still has a job. We want to get over this hurdle and move forward in life. When we thought of the future together this was never in our plans. I guess I am still in a stage of shock with all of this. This Friday Chuck has the colonoscopy to go through. As they say when the shit hits the fan it makes a mess of life.