According to my plans, today I should be cruising on this beauty, the Navigator of The Seas, from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas. Seven glorious days sailing the Mexican Riviera. But I'm not.
You see, my life has not been normal as of late. My wings have been clipped. My best laid plans have been interrupted. And I have been remiss in letting you, dear friends, know.
I had been short of breath at times for a few years, but on Monday, May 15, 2023, I had a real scare. I got so out of breath loading my car that I could not drive to mentor my beloved 6th grade boy. I was diagnosed that day with AFib, sent to a cardiologist, and placed on medication. Four days later I was hospitalized for 12 days after additionally being diagnosed with pneumonia. The lengthy stay was due to my blood oxygen level (02) failing to stay above 90. You know...it's measured by that little thing the doctor clips on your finger (pulse oximeter) during a check-up.
I missed my boy's end of school activities and party. I missed 7 Sundays with my Sunday School class. The medication didn't control my AFib well enough for me to pursue life normally. I opted on October 24, 2023, to have a cardioversion, a shock to the heart under anesthesia to restore normal rhythm. It was successful with only one shock. I was out of AFib, but unfortunately I was still also out of breath. I just never regained the ability to walk any distance at all without very frightening huffing and puffing.
I limped along through November and December with some adjustments. My mentee would meet me in our room rather than my going to get him. I ordered all my groceries and even my Christmas gifts. I was extremely blessed to be able to hostess my Sunday School class for our Christmas party and then my family for opening Christmas gifts, with a lot of help from my girls! Both events were simply wonderful.
By January 2, 2024, I realized my 02 was dropping and staying below 90 again. (With my history I had bought a pulse oximeter.) I went to my primary care doctor but didn't feel bad while I was there, and my 02 measured 92 (of course it did!) Therefore, I came home and got worser and worser! I took 4 Covid tests, all negative, and I believe it was just a horrid cold. But my 02 levels demanded attention, and I was put on supplemental oxygen. It didn't even seem real that was happening to me!
Since that day I have been tethered to a 50 foot tube connected to an oxygen concentrator 24/7 inside my home. I have only ventured out three times to get my hair done (I know!) and a few times for doctor visits and another CT scan. Susan has taken me each time wrangling a large wheeled oxygen tank as well as a spare in case it runs out.
I finally had an appointment with a lung doctor on Monday, January 29th after the results of the latest scan raised some questions. He listened attentively to my story and took a progressive but conservative approach. We are waiting hopefully for all of the congestion in my airways from the cold to clear out before doing further lung testing. In the meantime the doctor prescribed a lightweight portable oxygen concentrator which will give me some freedom to leave my home and put some normal back in my life...and Susan's!
This is the scripture I have clung to during this recent phase of my plight:
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Whether here on this earth or in heaven above, my future is secure because Jesus died in my place. He paid the highest price so that, by believing in Him, I might live forever in heaven.
