“When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better.”
– Unknown
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.”
– Abraham Lincoln
I went for my stress test follow-up appointment this morning, and received some great news from the cardiologist.
The stress test results indicate that the strength of my heart has increased 7% over the last year. It’s now 42%, as opposed to 35% at the time of diagnosis with CHF. 50% is considered normal, so I’ve only got 8 points to go to reach that goal. The cardiologist says that if I continue at this pace on the treatment plan I’m on, with the medications, diet, and exercise, I should be able to reach that goal, and beyond, over the next year or two.
The test results also indicated that the 30% blockage in the Left Anterior Descending Artery of my heart appears to be gone. The cholesterol medications and clot busters appear to have done their jobs.
So yeah, I’m really excited to know that things really are improving, despite how bad I feel at times. I still have a long way to go in this battle, but now that I see these results, I have even more motivation to keep me going.
Keep Fighting, and Rock On!
Empty Wallet
By Mike Durbin
(To the tune of White Christmas)
I’m, crying over an empty wallet,
because the drug store drained it so
Where the greenbacks go missin,
and, big tears glisten, my cheeks,
so sad to see them go.
I’m, crying over an empty wallet,
With every bill hitting new heights
Maybe someday I’ll finally see the light,
And then all, my troubles, will be made right.
Maybe someday, Maybe someday, Maybe someday,
I’ll finally see the light
And then all, my troubles, will be made right.
“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life’s realities.”
– Dr. Seuss
“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!”
– Dr. Seuss
I don’t talk about it much, but one of the hardest parts of dealing with everything I have going on is the fact that my family isn’t here with me.
I live in Fort Wayne, IN, and the rest of my family lives about 250 miles away, in Louisville, KY. I do have my girlfriend, April, and her parents here, but aside from them, I’m pretty much on my own up here.
It’s hard to be going through some of the hardest things I’ve ever faced, and not having my mother and sister, grandmother, aunt and uncle here to help me along. Grant it, there’s not much they can really do, but it’d be nice if they were closer.
I know some people would ask “why don’t you move back to Louisville to be closer to them?”
Well, April and I have been together for 7 years. No way am I moving away from her. Secondly, I have a good, well paying job, with Health Insurance as a benefit. And with all the problems I have now, I can’t afford to walk away from that benefit. Top that with the fact that no other insurance company is going to accept me with the pre-existing conditions I have, and well, I’m kind of stuck. It’s really a nasty double edged sword.
I firmly believe in the line that comedian Ron White used. “If life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade, and try to find someone whose life has given them vodka, and have a party.”
That’s exactly what I’m trying to do.
“If you’re an underdog, mentally disabled, physically disabled, if you don’t fit in, if you’re not as pretty as the others, you can still be a hero.” – Steve Guttenberg
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr Day, today’s quote is from him.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963
I’m currently working on upgrading WordPress, and its many plug-ins, widgets, etc… to the latest versions. I’m doing this to ensure that MyDiabeticHeart.com continues to run smoothly.
This process may take a little while, as there’s a lot involved with the upgrade process. So please be patient and bear with me. We’ll be back to normal soon.
Thanks.
Mike.
My Diabetic Heart 