Sunday Snippet: The Good-Hearted Woman (A Heart Update) Edition
Glenda, you are my winner! I’ll contact you for your email to send your ebook to you. Hugs to all who stopped by and wished me and my heart well. I soooo appreciate you!
A good-hearted woman. That would be me, mes amies … well, sort of. I had an appointment with my cardiologist on Monday last week. The first one in a year because I had been doing well and the every-three-months checkups seemed excessive. This time, though, I had some concerns—I’ve been more tired than usual, I’m getting breathless again when I walk with the ladies, and my blood pressure is consistently in the hypotension (low blood pressure) category. Dr. B, who is the best-ever cardiologist, and I talked about all my concerns. I was prepared for drastic measures to fix what I thought could be my worsening HFrEF.
The good news is she felt we could fix things with a medicine switch—changing up the beta blocker that is part of the 4-drug protocol keeping me alive for the past three years. (Yeah, it’s been three years since I was diagnosed with Heart Failure with reduced Ejection Fraction.) We made the switch and even after only six days, I feel more energetic. My daily BP checks are in the normal range—and okay, it’s very low normal, but it’s normal. I’ll take it.
The best part is otherwise (and I know this is ironic given that my heart is failing), I am healthy. Very healthy. All my bloodwork came out perfect. Dr. B even pointed to my bloodwork results on the computer screen and said to the student she had with her on Monday, “Want to see perfect numbers?” The student was impressed, and probably surprised because I am a 72-year-old round woman in heart failure.
Oh, and we talked a little about the weight thing, which is down 10 pounds from my last visit. Dr. B. reinforced that my size is fine, as long I take care of myself. I eat right, I exercise, we’re starting yoga classes on Wednesday, and I’m drinking lots of water. Yes, my butt is round and bodacious, but it’s okay. I’m strong, my heart is beating, and the meds are doing their job, plus I’m kinda cute and sexy (think red cowboy boots!). So all in all, I left the visit feeling like things are going to be okay. I see her again in three months, and I’m supposed to call in a couple of weeks with a report about how I’m feeling since the med switch-up. So far, so good.
The weight thing preys on my mind sometimes, even though at this point, I’m pretty much average size for a women of my age. I occasionally wonder if I should try the whole GLP-1 micro-dosing thing that nearly every woman I know is doing, but I’m not a good candidate for it, as Dr. B has emphasized that more than once. Besides, I’m not sure I’m want the “food noise” to go away–I like the food noise. I like the anticipation, the cooking, The ordering of and the thinking about the taste of good food. And frankly, since I had Covid in August, I eat way, way less anyway. And I’m tired, so unholy tired of counting every calorie I consume. Tired of labeling foods good or bad. Food is neutral–neither good nor bad. I want to make my eating choices based on “Does it sound tasty?” rather than “Where will this end up on my body?” I know how much the GLP1s are helping friends who need/want them and I wish them every good thing, but for me–I’m going to try to make peace with food and my body. Hold a good thought.
One of my Facebook friends posted this little story a couple of years ago and I saved it because it spoke to me about my constant battle with weight…
A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was “This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?”
The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:
“Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.
They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.
They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.
Mermaids do not exist.
But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?
They would have no sex life and could not bear children.
Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?
Without a doubt, I’d rather be a whale.
At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.
We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn’t enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.
We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.
Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I ask myself: “How amazing am I?!”
~~originated with a Facebook post by Delphine Fieberg
Yup, that’s my new mantra whenever I pass a mirror… How amazing am I?!
~*~*~*~
News & a Giveaway! On Friday, N.N. Light’s Book Heaven is featuring The Cowboy’s Comeback as a New & Upcoming Bookish Event pick! I soooo appreciate N.N. Light’s support and the support of all my readers! Thank you! Let’s give away a couple of e-book copies of The Cowboy’s Comeback to celebrate. Just tell me in the comments what you’re grateful for this week. I’ll draw a winner on Tuesday.
Gratitude for This Week: Dr. B. changed my beta blocker–seems to be helping; Took a quick trip up to the lake to check on the cottage–all is well; Several good long walks around the hood this week; Sent book 3 to my editor; Started book 4–Levi and Zoe are talking.
Stay well, stay safe, but speak out when you are able; always choose kindness; and most of all, mes amis, stay grateful!
16 Comments
Kimberly
Hi Nan, I swear I sumbitted this rather long comment yesterday not sure where it went. i am so happy that your new medicine is helping. I am still working at getting some of mine under control and hoping to make it to RAGT and get to meet you.
Patricia Barraclough
I am so glad your doctor visit went so well. You are lucky to have a good doctor. Hopefully the change in medication will make a big difference in a good way. Thank you so much for sharing the Whale/Mermaid post. It is easy to admire the thin, beautiful ones, but it isn’t worth making yourself miserable trying to become something your body may not be genetically programed to be. Those good peasant genes make us a bit rounder for a reason. They survived in tough times because their bodies stored enough to survive them. Think positive. If you and the thin ideal were stranded on a desert island, you would have a better chance for survival. Life is to enjoy. Do so within reason and let the mermaids enjoy their lives as they can.
Take care and enjoy.
Nan
Thanks, Patricia! So glad you stopped by and now I’m imagining that desert island. 😉
Patricia Barraclough
I am so glad your doctor visit went so well. You are lucky to have a good doctor. Hopefully the change in medication will make a big difference in a good way. Thank you so much for sharing the Whale/Mermaid post. It is easy to admire the thin, beautiful ones, but it isn’t worth making yourself miserable trying to become something your body may not be genetically programed to be. Those good peasant genes make us a bit rounder for a reason. They survived in tough times because their bodies stored enough to survive them. Think positive. If you and the thin ideal were stranded on a desert island, you would have a better chance for survival. Life is to enjoy. Do so within reason and let the mermaids enjoy their lives as they can.
Take care and enjoy.
Glenda M
I’m glad your new meds were the fix and that they are helping you feel better! I’ve seen the mermaid vs whale before and love it every time I see it. Words of wisdom for sure.
A graditude for this week is that my in-laws live very close and are able to help out with the animals when we need it. They came over and fed the cats and dog this evening while I was 45 minutes away helping my daughter and her wife pack for their move the first weekend in March. While I’m not thrilled that the ‘kids’ are moving, I am happy for them being able to follow their dreams. I am even more grateful that they’re 12 hours away via car and we drive past their new city on our way to Idaho for the summer so we can stop by and see them twice a year at least.
Nan
Lovely gratitude, Glenda! I wish your kids all good things in their new life and what a lovely opportunity for you to see new places too!
Kathleen Bylsma Bylsma
I have a new rescue…he’s been here one week Saturday…so one week plus today…so odd having a hearingg dog after the last seven or so years witrh my last rescue… he’s a goiod little fella
Nan
Oh, Kath, how fun! What kind of a dog is he? Thanks for stopping by!
bn100
weather
Nan
Nice weather where you are, eh?
Latesha B.
Yay on the new meds working. Love the story about the whales and mermaids. It puts a new spin on things and makes one think. Thank you for shaing it. Have a great week. I am grateful that we are not getting any snow.
Nan
Hi, Latesha! Happy to see you! Yeah, I loved it too! We got a dusting last night, but supposed to be in the 50s by Friday, so I’m not sweating it. Hugs!
Leigh Ann Edwards
I always enjoy your Sunday snippets, Nan!
I’m so glad the new meds are helping. How great that your numbers are all good.
I have a couple that I’m working on since they’re high normal. (That doesn’t include the number on the scale. I just don’t go near that despicable gadget anymore.)
I love the mermaid and the fish story and the thought “how amazing am I?”
I will try to think that way when I pass a mirror.
Have a great week, my friend!
Nan
You ARE amazing, Leigh Ann and gorgeous exactly as you are. I love the scale as a despicable gadget–yes!! Hugs, sweets!
Liz Flaherty
Oh, I love the whales and mermaids thing! Glad your numbers are great, too.
Nan
Isn’t that fun? I loved it, too! Thanks, Lizzy!