Monday, January 22, 2018

JAW DROPPING PLEASURE


First off I want to thank each of you who stopped by with words of encouragement, prayers and positive thoughts. It meant a so much when I was not feeling up to blogging to read your messages. Really helpful since was maybe just a bit scared  I have said it many times before but that is because it is true--"YOU'RE THE BEST."  Thank you!!!

Also want to give a huge shout out to my friend Iva who was my transportation, my advocate, my support, good for a giggle and a place to lean for the two days I was in the hospital. Couldn't have done it with out you girl friend.   I owe you big time but I also owe your husband Mike for graciously loaning you to me. Thank you. 

I had something interesting happen to me when I first went to the ER for chest pains. Oddly, my pains totally disappeared when I got to the ER and I began to feel that I was paying good money to be exposed to the flu. Every nurse was masked and barking a cough or sniffling behind her mask. It was third worldly.

Various tests were run as I lay in the cold ER room. Then a delightful, happy looking pink lady, with her face exposed and wearing a huge smile instead of a mask, asked if I would like a blanket?

I had been in this same hospital two years ago and knew how cold it could get so
I eagerly nodded yes.

She left the room and shortly returned carrying a tightly folded blanket and that same delightful smile.  Then she fluffed it out and laid it on my goose bumpy body.

My eyes flew wide and an absolutely orgasmic groan left my throat. That blanket was so warm it was almost hot.  Oh my, it was wonderful. First class all the way.  I immediately wanted to find who ever thought of heated blankets in hospitals so I could propose to or adopt them, which ever was appropriate.

Now I knew why she had such a beatific smile. What a job she had. Just to bring such delight to people on a daily basis has to be the best-job-ever.  If I ever to do hospital volunteer work, I want hot blanket detail.

I was surprised a few days later when I was in surgery for my stents, that another hot blanket was provided while I was on the operating table. Wow. Someone finally realized that putting patients into mild hypothermia for surgery was counter productive. For me this was right up there with sanitation and penicillin as a medical advancement.
A version of a blanket warmer
The huge blockage in my artery was corrected with two stents and I have been rebooted for another couple of years. Yea!!!

Sorry it took so long to get back writing but I was having a bad reaction to my meds once I got home.  I was given a new blood thinner that left me with severe shortness of breath and zero appetite.  For a while I was thinking I was probably in heart failure till I Googled the drug and found both of my complaints were side effects.

I was taken off the drug and put on an old reliable one and the difference is amazing.  So I should be back posting once a week perusal and visiting your blogs. I've missed you and I'm feeling a ton better.

Again, thank you so much for bearing with me and for all your kind thoughts. It is good to be back in the saddle again.

53 comments :

  1. So glad to see you back and sounding well again! You were missed!

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    1. Joey,
      Thanks you so much. I sure missed being in the mix.

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  2. Good to have you back and feeling so well. Aren't the side effects listed on the packet or in a leaflet inside? Or even mentioned by the person who gave them to you? I think that should be mandatory.

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    1. River,
      You are right. Normally there is a leaflet but I changed pharmacies so that I could use a drive thru and they don't give them out.

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  3. Yes those heated blankets are the best. So glad you have corrected the medications and are feeling better. Let's hope we are both better for more than a couple of years:-)

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    1. Annie,
      Good point. Hopefully for both of us that there will be no repeats down the road.

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  4. How wonderful to know you're back! And I was also treated to warm blankets while I waited for my cataract surgery. What a treat! Your optimism and happiness just flow out of your words, Patt. And thanks to Iva! :-)

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    1. Djan,
      Wasn't that just the best surprise? Wonderful to be back. I missed you.

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  5. So pleased that you are successfully rebooted! (Love the image it brings to mind.) And that the med problem has been successfully sorted.
    Warm blankets are the best. Blanket warmers are a great invention.
    Toes crossed that you are enjoying some warm(ish) weather.

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    1. Smartcat,
      Amazing what they can do for us these days isn't it? I love whoever thought of the warm blankets. What a caring person.

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  6. Great to know you are doing okay and will be writing once again. Warmed up blankets and towels are a major luxury.

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    1. Olga,
      So simple but so welcome. Kind of felt like I had been bumped up to first class.

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  7. I was in another of my sporadic blog writing moods and I didn't know you were ill. Your writing always has that under-note of cheerfulness, even when you are sick. How do you do it? I am glad that you have that behind you.

    It's so satisfying when we can appreciate the small stuff like warm blankets.

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    1. Belva,
      I guess it is that darn half full glass I drink out of:)) Me too happy this is now just a memory.

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  8. So good to read these uplifting words, Patti! I am relieved that you are feeling well enough to write and share these stories. You remind me of the five hours Roger and I spent in ER with my mom a couple of months ago. It was a very busy day there, and my mom was wheeled into a room where she waited for a CT scan. Interestingly, that room had a large refrigerator-sized machine that held those heating blankets. A nurse came in often to retrieve a blanket or two. And my mom was warm the whole time we waited. Yes, a truly grand way to make patients comfy. Take care there, Patti! So good to have you back blogging!

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    1. robin,
      Aww thanks so much. I am so glad your Mom got to enjoy the warmth. What a simple thing that brings such comfort when things are looking a bit bleak.

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  9. I love how you make us laugh! I was pretty sure that your hospital experience would give you fodder for your blog :-)

    But seriously, so glad it all turned out ok. It's a reminder of two important things: 1) Listen to what our body is telling us; don't ignore what could be dangerous symptoms. 2) Always treat new medications with a healthy respect and an awareness that people respond differently. And if it doesn't seem right, call the doctor!

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    1. Carole,
      I do always try to see the humor in most things and darned if it isn't there most times. I guess we only have to listen to the drug commercials to know they can pack an unwelcome wallop.

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  10. What a wonderful surprise to find you posting again. Glad the surgery went well and you were able to nail the medication issue quickly.

    You must not have been in a hospital much because they've been using the heated blankets---at least around here---for over a couple of decades. But I agree, they are so welcome.

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    1. Jean,
      Actually I was in that same hospital 2 years ago and froze my butt off. Evidently we are slow here in Arkansas:) So glad we have finally caught up with the rest of the world.

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  11. I'm glad that everything has been taken care of Patti, those warm blankets are a Godsend I agree, after my first stent and then later after my heart surgery I could not get warm, but in the hospital those blankets were a slice of heaven.

    After going through what you did there is the healing process, you have a different mindset and every different feeling in your body scares you to death, writing is the last thing you want to do I know, I am so happy that you are coming along so well and I am glad that you are back.

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    1. Jimmy,
      Me too on being cold natured. I'm almost reptilian. I am anxious to get back exercising. Cardio rehab has already been courting me.

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  12. I am SO glad you are on the mend! And I agree, those warmed blankets are WONDERFUL.

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    1. Silver Willow,
      Thank you so much. And, yes, they are a wonderful gift for the puny in hospitals.

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  13. I'm so thankful to hear you are better! Prayers answered! Now take it easy and don't overdo!

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    1. Bonnie,
      Thank you so much for your prayers. They were felt and yes they worked.

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  14. I agree with you that the simple act of giving a warm blanket can mean so much. I also appreciated this when in the ER for my emergency appendectomy last summer. Don't know if it's the temperature, the crises, or the medication (morphine) that gave me the shakes, but the warm blanket was wonderful.
    So glad you are home and on the mend. Do take it easy...

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    1. Rian,
      Think you are right and there are several factors into the big chill in hospitals but who ever came up with the heated blanket idea was a genius.
      Thank you and I am taking it easy but am anxious to get going on cardiac rehab.

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  15. Dear Patti, it's a relief to know that all is well for and with you now. Meds can really do us in when we're allergic to them. It's so good that you googled the side-effects.

    As to those heated blankets . . . I'm with you. They made all the difference when I had my operation last March. I felt warm and toasty and I think I became drowsy even before they gave me the anesthesia!

    So good to have you back. Peace.

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    1. Dee,
      Thank you so much. So glad we both were given that special treat. What an attitude boost it is.

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  16. Wow, heated blankets I never had the pleasure during any of my hospital stays. Glad to hear you have been rebooted and are feeling better sweet Patti. So nice of your friend to be there for you. Stay doing well and take care sweet friend. Hugs

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    1. Maggie,
      It was new to me also but I hope it is here to stay. What a tool to help a patient heal.
      And, yes, having Iva there took a huge burden off of me.

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  17. It wasn't Verapamil that was causing your shortness of breath, was it? Last Summer I, too thought I was having heart failure. In fact the ER doctor said that is what he thought it was. Come to find out by halving the Verapamil, all my shortness of breath went away. Anyway, glad you are doing better. Those heated blankets are a blessing for sure.

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    1. Buttons and quilts,
      No, my culprit was Brilinta. I checked your drug and saw easily how the wrong dose would weaken your heart. So glad they caught it and didn't just give you another pill to boost the heart. Drugs scare me.

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  18. So sorry that I was a total failure supporting you. I've been shrinking away from things as my teeth fall apart. So glad to read that you are better, didn't get the flu, and did get a heated blanket. Glad to know you are repaired and ready for the next year. My blocked artery got a bypass instead of a stint. I wear my lymphademe like a flag of happiness. Hugs to you.

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    1. Mage,
      Hey, you have had a lot on your late lately. You had a much more radical procedure but will most likely have longer good results than with just a stent. We are both survivors. Onward and upward.

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  19. Yahoo! Glad to hear from you again. Sounds like you are on the mend. So true about hospitals being full of sick people. Hahaha. The hot towel sounds marvelous. Why did I never think of owning a towel/blanket warmer.

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    1. Barbara,
      Ha ha, I have been looking at towel/blanket warmers. I mean, why not? Such a simple way to have pure pleasure.We deserve it:))

      Delete
  20. you were so casual in reporting your stents in your last post that I was not sure of what you were going through. Obviously you had a serious situation with complications. It is very good to have you back.
    I have a recent memory of a warm blanket being placed over me during some sort of procedure, but I am unclear of which. I do know it felt wonderful.

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    1. Linda,
      That makes my point. The procedure has faded but the memory of the heated blankets remains. Powerful tool that I hope they continue to use.

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  21. I remember warm blankets being provided for my mom too and she also nearly swooned with delight. I'm so glad you're on the mend now. That was darn scary! We really have to keep on top of those meds and side effects. The doctors don't know everything. I went to the pharmacist and she ended up looking online which is what I was doing. Sheesh.

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    1. Kay,
      Swooned is a good word. Me too. I guess with all the drugs out there and how they interact, it is hard to know it all. I guess we should be grateful for the Internet.

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  22. Heavenly for sure... I remember having a nice, warm blanket when I had surgery once.... Felt so so so good...

    Glad you are doing well.... Thank God for good doctors and hospitals... NOW--just take it easy and take care of YOU....

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. Betsy,
      I have yet to hear anyone say that the warm blankets were unwelcome. Still doing well and taking it easy. Thanks.

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  23. All around good news indeed, Patti. I believe I may have had something akin to an orgasm myself once in a hospital when a warm blanket was placed on my half frozen body...:)

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    1. Ray,
      Ha ha, it really is a sublimely sensual experience. Kudos to the one who thought of it.

      Delete
  24. So good to read your news, Patti. Watch out for your meds - sometimes they cause "issues" too! Keep healing and feeling better day by day.

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    1. Barb,
      Thank you. I feel the old Patti returning. I really hate taking any meds so I am a bit of a difficult patient regarding them.

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  25. Oh Patti, you have been through the mill. See what I miss out on when I am a slacker blogger. I truly hope you are doing better with each new day. Thank goodness you had yourself checked out at the ER. Yes, they have good warm blankets, AND they run all those tests that tell the docs that the blood just might not be flowing too well in certain places. Take care my friend. Those meds are harsh. My hubby has been on a blood thiner since his scare earlier this month, and they do have their side effects. Get better soon.

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  26. I am so sorry I missed the post about your surgery, but thank God you are ok! I know that comfort of warmed blankets- it is almost delicious when you are laying on a cold gurney in the exam room, half nekked. Bless your heart. Sending my thoughts and prayers and of course virtual {hugs} Feel better soon. I am trying to get scheduled for Keep the Beat...what my husband did a couple of years ago where they discovered he needed a quad bypass with the main artery being the widowmaker. Feel better soonest!

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  27. I have been away but I am very glad I stopped by today. Hope you continue to get stronger and I will do my best to keep up with you. I love your posts.

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