Last week at this time I was at a very scary point in my life. I didn’t realize until I thought back about it, but I had been having troubles all day. There is a setting on my microwave for Frozen Entree and I remember now that I just couldn’t find it. I had problems figuring out how to access my remote website that I do nearly daily. But it was when my left hand went numb and I had some numbness on my lower face that I realized – something was wrong.

I don’t know why – but I called my son at work and asked him if I should call the ambulance. He said – of course – and to get off the phone and do it.

Within about ten minutes the paramedics were in my living room and checking me out. Then it was off to the hospital to get me checked out. I have to say that the guys who were here were wonderful and made me feel safe and that they were going to take care of me. My son did call during this time and I told him I was on the way to the hospital. I asked one of the paramedics to take my purse with us. He said it really wasn’t his style, but he’d carry it out for me. lol

At the hospital I had the typical EKG, a chest x-ray, some blood work done, and then saw someone from the Heart Hospital. She was with the Stroke team. By this time my son had arrived after going to my place and letting Bootsy out of the bedroom where I had put him when online with 911. I didn’t want him being scared and spooked by the EMTs. Dave took Bootsy to his place then came to the hospital.

They decided to give me a CAT Scan and after they got those results they told me they were going to admit me for further observation.

During the next two days I had quite a few tests including an MRI and an MRA where they give you a contrast dye to help see what’s going on in your brain. It turns out I had several small strokes. My doctor explained that I had a blood clot that was roaming around my brain and small parts of it broke off, did some damage, and then disappeared. I was further tested to see if I had any other blood clots and thankfully they couldn’t find any. I even swallowed a camera! They do that since they can get a better look at the heart with it. Luckily you are given something to make you groggy enough that you don’t really know what’s going on.

There are still some tests that my Neurologist has sent out to California that we are waiting on – like a DNA that will show markers for blood clots – or something like that. She also told me that aspirin is my friend, and I’m taking one daily now.

So, in the end, I had several strokes. But, as I said, I’m very thankful because I have no signs of damage – other than being a bit more tired than usual. But I have no problems with my speech or movement and have no restrictions put on me other than to go at my own pace.

I really do believe that I have been given a Miracle. Things could have been so much worse for me. I thank God for the wonderful people who helped me. The staff at our hospital is just incredible and deserve all the high praise and awards they have received.

As my doctor said, he likes to put a positive spin on things like this – and I agree with him. It’s time to continue my weight loss (15# so far) and work on getting my blood pressure down and my glucose readings to where we want them. I know I can do that – I’ve done it before.

23rd Psalm

1. The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

. . . Jean from Virginia! Congratulations and the handpainted tub will be on its way to you shortly!

Last Saturday I asked for prayers for my dad, who is in the hospital. He’s doing much better and should be out before the weekend, though he will be going to the rehabilitation facility at the retirement complex where they live. He was there around the first of the year for about four weeks, but I don’t think he’s going to need that much care this time.

Thank you to those who posted, and even to those that didn’t post but still said a prayer or sent good thoughts.

My parents are 88 and have been great role models all through my life.

I missed making posts this week due to what seems to be a case of the flu or something. I hope to do better next week.

It’s taken me a day or so to find a template I like and then another day to find a graphic on my hard drive that I liked and then another day to redo the template with the new graphics – and I’m so happy with it.

I prefer having a blog on my own domain so I can do whatever I want. I’ve been doing websites for over ten years now. I really like WordPress and have quite a few domains I’m developing using the blogging program. I’ll list the ones that are worth visiting.

Well, now to see if I can find my digital camera – it’s gone missing in the last six months after the majority of the remodelling was done. I thought I saw it once – but then it vanished. lol

And so a new year begins and a new blog. I’m still putting the finishing touches on the layout – trying to figure out if I like this or that template. But, I figured it was time to get the first post launched and then get on with things.

I’ll post more about this on the About Me page, but for now I’ll just say this blog is being set up for me to keep track of the process of turning my condo, where I’ve lived for 23 years, into the cottage (at least the interior) into something I’ve been dreaming about for years. Thus, the genius of the name for the blog – Cottage Dreamer.

Last year I spent about six months living with my son while my condo was almost completely remodeled. The only room left to do is the back bathroom, but I’m still not sure what I want to do in there. Maybe when I get everything else done I’ll be ready for that room to be done. Until then, I’ve got a kitchen, dinning room, living room, the front bath, and three bedrooms. Currently I like the paint color on all the walls except the kitchen – I’ll get to the later. The crown molding is up, the new hardwood floor is down, new tile in the foyer, bathroom, kitchen, and a new light fixture in the dinning room. What isn’t done is getting all my “stuff” out of the garage and sorting through boxes of “stuff” in my “dayroom.”

So, I’m hoping by journaling what I’m doing I can get more motivation and maybe even get a few suggestions from anyone who might run across my babbling.

More later, at least I got the first post up so I can now get going with getting this blog set up.

Sandra