Monday, December 15, 2008

Gratitude Monday - Still Hanging Around Edition

A female hairy woodpecker anchors in at the peanut feeder. The cage beneath her has peanut butter.

A year ago yesterday I was in ER for a few hours. I had several dedicated medical personnel hovering over me. I was hooked up to several machines. Many tests were done.
I had a cardio-conversion by drug that was both very painful and didn’t correct my fast and feeble heart.
At one point the attending physician muttered, “We don’t have much time.”
I had congestive heart failure. I went through six doctors in three hospitals and no one could sort out why this happened.
I’ve had two cardio conversions since then and am more than pleased to report I’m alive and well. I am grateful for that.
Like the female hairy woodpecker in the photo above I’m going to hang around and eat a lot. Life is good.
In honor of the anniversary of my near-croaking experience I have written a sappy poem:

It’s been a year,
And I’m still here.
Screw you, heart failure.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

happy year of health Leah!!

here's to manymanymany more to come.

Leah J. Utas said...

MizFit, thanks. I intend to stay healthy and live a very long time.

Tokaiangel, thanks. The poem begged me to be written.

Tom Rooney said...

Good for you Leah. Happy anniversary to an unhappy day. Very eloquent poem too.

Leah J. Utas said...

Why thank you, Tom.

Terrie Farley Moran said...

df Leah,

We are grateful you are here as well. Happy Anniversary signifying the end of many happy years to come.

Love the poem.

Terrie

Leah J. Utas said...

dfTerrie, thanks so very much.

Anonymous said...

Nice poem! Happy anniversary!

Crabby McSlacker said...

LOVE the poem. I do wish the greeting card makers would hire you the next time I have to buy a card and have to settle for sappy sentiments.

Gotta say, a year ago I was really, really scared about what was going on with your health. I'm so glad you fought back and beat it and regained your strength. It must be so frustrating for someone who leads a healthy lifestyle to be stuck with a heart problem!

We are all very grateful that you've recovered so well.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thank you, Mark.

Crabby, thanks. I appreciate your concern and I'm very sorry to have scared you. I guess if something's meant to happen, then it does.
I'd love to write sappy greeting cards. I just know I have the knack.

Reb said...

Love the photo, love the poem! Am very grateful you are still here to produce both! And yes, you had us a wee bit scared...I don't go to hospitals for just anyone you know!

Leah J. Utas said...

Oh Reb I know. I felt very special.
Glad you like the photo and the poem. It truly is from my heart.

the Bag Lady said...

Great poem, dfLeah!
I, too, am really glad you kicked your congestive heart failure to the curb! And I know you will be around for many years to come, because I decreed it!

It was really awful news to receive on my birthday last year! This birthday so far is slightly better. (well, except for the fact that my truck won't start, and I'm supposed to be meeting someone to pick up all that meat.....sigh)

Leah J. Utas said...

Yeah, my timing left a hell of a lot to be desired.
And now that you've said I'll be around I no longer have a choice.

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

I'm so glad you're still around. Happy Anniversary on your membership in the Tough Girls' Club!

I love the woodpecker, btw! We have them around here but I more often hear than see them. Shy little critters...

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Bunnygirl. It's fine club to be in. Glad I made it though the initiation.
Glad you like the woodpecker. Ours aren't shy at all. I can get quite close to them when they're absorbed in eating.

Thomma Lyn said...

hehe, I love your poem! And I'm so glad you're healthy and feeling great. :)

What a neat picture! Love the hairy woodpecker. *grin*

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks so much, TL.

Hilary said...

I think you should be the official greeting card writer for the blogosphere. We'll tell you the occasion and you can give us the sappy/snappy sentiment!

OK..never mind. I'm just really happy that you're alive and kickin'. No more scaring us!

Missicat said...

Yay for you! Save that poem for next year and the next year and so on...

Leah J. Utas said...

Hilary, that would be an honor, and a wee bit too much fun.
Thanks. I'll make ever effort not to scare you anymore.

Missicat, thanks. That's a great idea. I think I will re-use it.

Dawn said...

Love your poem, Leah. I've been thinking about your close call last year because it's raspberry season here again.

And don't ask me why I think of you when I think of raspberries but I do!

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Dawn. I'm honoured that you equate raspberries with me. Glad you like the poem.