On a New Journey

I was going to start a new blog, but decided what I wanted to say was still a part of a journey, so I thought I would include it in this blog. 
Since I last posted anything in a blog, a lot has happened.  I have been laid off from my job due to a merger with the other area REALTOR Boards.  I now collect a weekly check from Uncle Sam.  That is a little off the subject so I'll get back on track. 
I have always had a weight problem.  My Grandad used to say I just had big bones, but since having 3 pregnancies whch produced 4 children (last time was twins!), raising those children, and then menopause, so I just quit trying to lose weight. This has resulted in my being morbidly obese. I was in pretty good health I thought, with the exception of high blood pressure, and I never really worried about it.  Well, I got a really drastic wake up call on our last trip that almost cost me my life. 
We planned a trip to Riudosa, NM. It's a long story of why we picked there, but it is in the mountains of New Mexico only 125 miles north of El Paso.  It is close to Roswell, NM and the White Sands National Site.  It is kind of off the beaten path, but we like that sort of place.  (I must interject here that I was not getting around very good, and had not been sleeping at night yet I would fall asleep several times during the day, and thought I might be depressed since losing my job. Luther and I had had a discussion about my health just a couple of weeks before we left for vacation. Our discussion was quite eye opening and I came to a realization that something was wrong with me.  I went to the doctor and he just changed my hormones some. He also mentioned that it might be sleep apnea and he could get me in a sleep center if I wanted. I did not take him seriously.) So on we go to Riudoso and it is 6,000 feet elevation.  Luther had had a cold and had some serious cough medicine and I had started coughing and felt lousy so I tried some of his cough medicine on Friday night.  On Saturday morning I woke up feeling awful and decided to stay in the condo that day while the others went out to do some sightseeing.  I slept nearly all day, but it was just a chore for me to move very quickly or do anything other than sit.  On Sunday I did go see the sights with the others and Monday also, but still felt awful.  Little did I know that I was being watched and Luther and one of my sister-in-laws were very concerned about me.  I hardly talked, or ate or did anything at all except sleep. This was unusual for me because I am quite a talker. So on Tuesday Luther woke me up and said that we were headed back home because they knew I didn't feel good. They thought I had altitude sickness.  They had started packing everything up getting ready to leave.  All I had to do was take a shower and Luther kept checking up on me to make sure I wasn't asleep again.  I tried to protest, but I was outnumbered.  So we started home and to tell you the truth I don't remember much of it.  I do know that we would stop every so often and some times I did not get out and when we got out to eat I did not eat much.  We stopped in Amarillo, TX at a hospital (Baptist St. Anthony's) and Luther and Kay took me in the ER.  I was too sick to protest and I know I sat in a chair and they asked me my name and I guess Luther told them what was wrong with me.  The last thing I remember is the nurse saying something about when they got me up to my room they would do that.  I do remember asking if they were admitting me and they said yes ma'm.  The next thing I know I am in a bed with restraints, and my sister- in-laws are there and I have a ventilator in my mouth.  This was sometime Wednesday morning I think.  I really don't remember a lot until Wednesday night. I was in ICU and was told that my oxygen level was in the 50's when it is supposed to be over 90. And my carbon dioxide level was supposed to be 40 something and mine was close to 100.  Dangerously close to causing brain damage among other things.  Apparently when I came in the ER my lips were blue and purple and they were treating me as a "blue" patient.  Well, it gets worse from here.  We also find out that I had serious sleep apnea and that is made worse by high altitudes. And I had pnuemonia, and had had a slight heart attack. Luther had called our kids Tuesday night and Mandy and Lindsey came out on Wednesday. The other two came out on Thursday.  I told Luther they didn't need to come, but I was really glad they did.  Our traveling companions left on Thursday morning early.
I had the ventialtor until Thursday morning.  The restraints were there so I would not pull the ventilator out of my mouth.  Those came off anytime someone was in the room with me.  I could not talk so I tried to write notes.  I kept these notes and you can see the progression I made coming out of the fog.
I know there were a lot of prayers going out for me and I really appreciate them.  God spared my life at that time and now I am on a journey to get healthy.  In coming posts I will let you know about my time in the hospital and my time at home since then. (I am now on oxygen 24/7.) Also, I will let you know how my weight loss is coming along.  Hope you enjoy! 
Oh - If you have sleep apnea don't go to the mountains!!  Stick with the beach!

What's Next?

Even though I didn't get much written about our traveling to Gulf Shores this past year, I now find I have time on my hands and need to take up blogging to fill some time.  I am now unemployed and am drawing unemployment.  Several things have changed in my life and I'm still just traveling through life.  I took a fall last summer and hurt my sciatica and tail bone. I had to use a walker and a cane to get around for about 5 or 6 months.  It was not fun.  I am still walking kind of weird, but I don't need any "assistive devices" to move. Then, my employer (Board of Realtors) merged with the other REALTOR Boards in our area and I was left without a job. So now I am unemployed and watching a  lot of TV and running errands, etc.  But I do get a check each week from Uncle Sam which I greatly appreciate.  I am going to work on my resume' and look more diligently for a job.  I don't know what I want to do with my next job and would like to take my time to see what is out there for a 50 something year old woman who can't walk fast but has good people skills. 
So in the meantime, I vow to write on my blog more, learn more about blogging and selling stuff on e-bay, and keep om "Traveling through" life. 
And by the way we have a little trip lined up to Branson with my husbands sisters for a full week in a couple of weeks.  It will be fun.  I'll let you know all about it.

What to pack or not to pack

Well, I am starting the dilema of packing for our trip that is one week away.  This is a whole situation all in itself when I start packing.  You know I like to have options, but then I am always told I take too much luggage.  At least going to one area and staying there a few days makes it easier.  You start with the basics - underwear. How many days will you be gone and then a couple of extra pairs for possible "mishaps" (when you get older you have to plan for that) and then just one more for good measure.  Then you have to make sure you have enough clean to wear a day or two before you leave.  Sometimes I don't have enough, so I have to dig in my drawer and get out some old that might have holes or bad elastic.  You know the kind- everyone has them. 
Anyway, after the underwear comes pants or shorts or jeans or capris.  Then tops to match those.  And then you have to find out if you are planning something fancy or different that you might need a set of clothes that are not too casual.  And of course you have to throw in a jacket, "just in case", and your best Arkansas shirt.  Then comes the shoes.  Tennis shoes, one or two flip flops, crocs, and a nice pair of shoes, (another "just in case" item). Then at least one pair of house shoes, and some socks to weak in the house.  Then socks to wear with tennis shoes. But this year, I have a bad back (I'll tell you about it later.) and have been wearing tennis shoes with everything (yes dressy outfits, and they are white.)
And this is just my clothes!!
I usually pack for Luther, but he likes to wait until one or two days before. This drives me crazy.  But he only takes his croc sandals and his tennis shoes.  Simple.  And he will wear the same shorts 2 days or so, and just changes shirts.  So I add in as many shirts as I can and all the underwear he owns.  Then his "sleep" shorts and some socks and maybe one pair of slacks, (another "just in case").
Then when I get everything laid out, I pack a small bag to take into the hotel on the first night so that means deciding what I am going to wear the first and second days! 
Last come toiletries and medicine and make-up.  Plus bug spray, sunscreen, snacks for traveling, and a pillow and blanket, and reading material which includes Ipod, Nook and some mgazines! Oh yes and binoculars, cameras, extra batteries........
There - that concludes a lesson on packing.  I think I need to have Luther get the suitcases down tonight!!

Trip Changes

 The only thing constant is change.  That being said we have made a change in our upcoming trip.  We were going to leave around 2:00pm after some of us got through with work.  And now we are going to all take Thursday off and leave at 8:00 am.  That means I have to be packed and basically ready to go early Thursday morning.  Which means being ready Wednesday night.  I can do it, but it would be easier if I had a little bit longer.  I'll have Luther bring up our suitcases tomorrow night and get started this week. 
Then I will also have the weekend to pack some too.  I have already decided most of what I am taking. 
We are taking two cars this year on the trip so that we do not have the expense of a van.  We (Luther and I) are taking our van.  Luther talked about taking our truck, but I cannot get up in it without a stool our curb (due to my back - have I told you about that?), but he has decided to take the van instead. 
Well, I don't have much to add this time so I'll let you know at the end of the week as to how my packing is going.  Have a good week!