The easiest way to offer you an update, concerning the current state of my mind, heart and body is to copy and paste the email that was just sent to a dear friend, whom I’ve loved and admired, over these past fifty-three years:
Hi Judy,
First of all, I apologize for delaying my answer to your loving email.
For several reasons, some related to my most recent surgery, some related to the sudden, unexpected death of our nephew, Shawn (three weeks ago) my energy continues to deplete quickly. Even so, you and Ron are always in my heart.
Shawn was our niece Jessica’s husband. They were high school sweethearts and had been each other’s safe haven for more than thirty years. Jessica (my sister Sharon’s daughter) is utterly devastated. They have no children. We’ve always been close with Jessica and eagerly welcomed both she and Shawn when they chose to move to Phoenix, several years ago. My sister and Mickey flew here the evening of Shawn’s death and plan to fly home this coming Saturday as Mickey has a regularly scheduled medical appointment that proves vital to his good health.
As to Will and me, following my surgery, we’re still quarantining, seriously. Based in safety, we remained in our car while attending Shawn’s graveside funeral service. And due to the Delta variant and the fragile state of my health, we visit with friends and family, masked and six feet apart on our patio.
Yesterday’s appt with my thoracic surgeon offered us several pieces to the puzzling state of my shortness of breath (which severely limits my ability to walk from one room to another), and we received answers as to why I experience significant drops in my blood pressure upon standing (enough so as to disorient me while a sufficiency of blood is denied to my brain).
Last week’s test results, concerning my orthostatic hypertension determined that my autonomic nervous system is not regulated, and the cause of that unwelcome change is most likely due to the extensive amounts of chemo that I’ve absorbed, over these past two years.
My heart is also involved in that heart rate naturally speeds up while exercising, and now, mine does not. So while walking, my heart is not pumping enough blood throughout my body. With these puzzle pieces in hand, what’s next?
A referral to a neurologist.
In the meantime, I’m to drink copious amounts of water while consuming more salt in hopes of raising my blood pressure. I’m to wear thigh-high compression stockings to keep my blood from pooling in my legs. And we have chairs spaced several feet apart, throughout the house to ‘catch me’ whenever I feel need to sit down with immediacy so as not to black out. Despite this current dilemma, my spirit remains strong, believing better days lie ahead. Upon questioning my oncologist concerning my orthostatic hypertension, he stated this side effect, which can result from extensive invasive chemo, is known to last several months or years. As that sounded like a choice to my way of thinking, I’m choosing months.
Last week, Will underwent Moh’s surgery to remove a basal cell skin cancer from his nose, and, thankfully, my knight in shining armor is feeling well.
So as you can see, much has been occupying my heart and mind, most especially over these past three weeks. I loved Shawn, and my grief and loving concern for Jessica run deep.
Loving you, Judy and of course, Ron as well, Will joins me in hoping all is fine with everyone in your family, big and small. 👩🏻Annie
❤️😘🔆🌻
And thus far, Morning Glory, that summarizes the current chapter in my story.
Sent from my iPhone
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