Queen of our Hearts

Today....29 years ago, the queen of our hearts was born...I am talking about our daughter "Jacquelyn" or Jackie as we've always referred to her. She came into our lives on Nov. 9, 1979...at 8 pounds 6 1/2 ounces and 21 inches long...a head full of beautiful brown hair and the most gorgeous eyes and dimples I've ever seen. Yes, she swooped in and captured our hearts at 15 minutes past 4:00 p.m. CST and stole our hearts...forever and always. I hate that I don't have pictures to post...but I am in California as I post this...so I have no access to my photos...but you all know her...and you know how lovely she is...So-oooo I just wanted to give a little shout out to our girl...and wish her the best birthday ever. To let her know we love her, are constantly amazed by her heart, her talents and her sweet little ways...I know kids don't always want to hear that they will always and forever be our little child...but when I think of her...I can't help but remember those days of soft curls around that cherub face...those expressive eyes...and those deep delicious dimples...but then again...she still has those gorgeous curls, expressive eyes, and deep dimples...so I don't have to look far to be reminded of how precious she is and always will be to both lovin' hubbin and I.

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Jackie...we love you...and pray you have a fabulous day!!!

Uhhhh...Ya think???

I may be starting something here that isn't of great interest to some out here in blog land...but I've sat on the sidelines a little too long not to say something. I mean to tell you...we ALL think we know what the right answer to our next president is...and thank God we have THAT freedom...but please folks...don't believe everything you read or hear...and please by all means do the research yourself...don't depend on the media...as you will see and most already know our media has been so biased during this election...more so than I've ever seen before...so please READ, READ, READ...about your candidates...look at their voting records...take into consideration how long they have served our country and to what capacity. Look at whether or not your candidate was willing to take a stand for his beliefs without worry whether they were popular with their prospective parties or future contributors to their campaign funding...check into the people they have associated with most of their lives. Look at what they have put on the line to be running in this election...and look at the state they are from and read about how their state has faired...and what the candidates have done to encourage unity in those states. Just try and get your hands on something other than the not so unbiased news cast and newspapers...reading the candidates records and remembering their voting records may be your only chance to see and read fair and balanced reporting. Also, look at whether your candidate ACTUALLY voted for a specific bill OR if he just managed to be "present"....it's hard to change things in our government if you are physically present...but not mentally engaged enough to vote....hmmmm...is that what they are referring to as a "telflon" canidate...nothing of any substance to stick to him??? Makes me wonder???


I ran across this tonight before heading off to bed...it is less than 96 hours away from election day and of those days only 2 are voting days...and just NOW they are coming out with a report that the media has been biased and unfair in their reporting of the election toward John McCain and Sarah Palin and the entire Republican party....REALLY...how many folks had to participate in this little study before they managed to come up with that little tid-bit of information...better yet, if they knew this(and believe me they have known...we ALL HAVE!) 1) why didn't they put it out here before now 2) why isn't it ALL OVER the tv programs that run non-stop polls on how well one candidate is doing over the other...HECK, I could have told them about the biased journalism months ago...AND I would have done it for FREE!! The media has been so far left-sided since oh I don't know Feb. or March of this year...so much so...I felt they might need to invest in ankle weights to keep them from completely tipping over! Honestly, I know that the republicans are trying so hard to get the word out there and trying their best to win this election without any media help...but why oh why? have we just now had the opportunity to hear what others have known for a very long time...I am so tired of all this liberal media crap...what ever happend to fair and unbiased journalism...OK...sorry, I'm on a tangit...but when I saw this report tonight...I just couldn't believe it has taken this long to garner ANY media attention. WHY oh WHY haven't they released this way before now...but then again...would it even help??...whew...I'm afraid we are heading down a path that soon we will want to run from! But that is just my opinion...and I am thankful we still have that freedom...for now anyway!!

Below is the article to which I refer...

NEW YORK – John McCain supporters who believe they haven't gotten a fair shake from the media during the Republican's candidacy against Barack Obama have a new study to point to.

Comments made by sources, voters, reporters and anchors that aired on ABC, CBS and NBC evening newscasts over the past two months reflected positively on Obama in 65 percent of cases, compared to 31 percent of cases with regards to McCain, according to the Center for Media and Public Affairs.

ABC's "World News" had more balance than NBC's "Nightly News" or the "CBS Evening News," the group said.

Meanwhile, the first half of Fox News Channel's "Special Report" with Brit Hume showed more balance than any of the network broadcasters, although it was dominated by negative evaluations of both campaigns. The center didn't evaluate programs on CNN or MSNBC.

"For whatever reason, the media are portraying Barack Obama as a better choice for president than John McCain," said Robert Lichter, a George Mason University professor and head of the center. "If you watch the evening news, you'd think you should vote for Obama."The center analyzed 979 separate news stories shown between Aug. 23 and Oct. 24, and excluded evaluations based on the campaign horse race, including mention of how the candidates were doing in polls. For instance, when a voter was interviewed on CBS Oct. 14 saying he thought Obama brought a freshness to Washington, that was chalked up as a pro-Obama comment.(this is the one that has me most afraid!)

When NBC's Andrea Mitchell reported Oct. 1 that some conservatives say that Sarah Palin is not ready for prime-time, that's marked in the negative column for McCain.

ABC recorded 57 percent favorable comments toward the Democrats, and 42 percent positive for the Republicans. NBC had 56 percent positive for the Democrats, 16 percent for the Republicans. CBS had 73 percent positive (Obama), versus 31 percent (McCain).

Hume's telecast had 39 percent favorable comments for McCain and 28 percent positive for the Democratic ticket.

It was the second study in two weeks to remark upon negative coverage for the McCain-Palin ticket. The Project for Excellence in Journalism concluded last week that McCain's coverage has been overwhelmingly negative since the conventions ended, while Obama's has been more mixed.

Meanwhile, another survey issued Friday by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press showed that television continues to be Americans' main source for campaign news, particularly the cable news networks.

But there were clear partisan differences in where people turned.

For instance, of the people who said they got most of their campaign news from Fox News Channel, 52 percent identified themselves as Republican, 17 percent as Democrats and 30 percent as independents, the Pew center said.

MSNBC viewers interested in campaign news identified themselves at 11 percent Republican, 50 percent Democratic and 36 percent independent. The breakdown for CNN: 13 percent Republican, 45 percent Democrat, 38 percent independent.

The study was based on a survey of 2,011 people taken Oct. 17-20 and 24-27. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percent.

I'm home...

I'm home...I arrived late last night after a wonderful visit with my daughter in Colorado! The scenery was of course spectacular...we even enjoyed a little snow while traveling into Evergreen. The weather there is starting to become pretty brisk...and the fall colors are really just awesome!
I stole this lovely picture from Jackie's blog when she went on a road trip with her hubbin a couple of weeks ago...beautiful!!
Can you believe that neither one of us took one single photo? YES, we are BAD...I have an excuse though, hubbin took our camera with him on his hunt...so I didn't have one. However, my daughter has several, but we were so busy doing our thing...we just never took time to photograph anything!!


This is another stolen picture from her blog...I just couldn't post without some pictures....it goes against my grain...but stealing from my daughter doesn't appear to bother me in the least!! :)

We did lots in Colorado and stayed pretty busy. I was able to accompany her to one of the art classes she teaches in Evergreen and had a wonderful time watching her with the kiddos...she had her hands full with the 7 year olds, who were not only very inquisitive & energetic... but so very smart! One of her students even told me I was a very good artist (Jackie let me join in), so of course that little girl became my instant friend! Jackie told me after class..."I think she liked you, Mom!"...well, I did draw and paint a pretty spectacular owl! They were really just too precious and Jackie did a fabulous job...and YES I am biased! We also, were able to dine at one of my favorite restaurants in town..."Bella Bistro"...it did not disappoint! We shopped some, watched a cute chick flick, organized her studio area, we both cooked some of our favorite things, and of course we spent an afternoon at the spa...yes, all in all I would say we had a great time and were able to relax some, too! I miss being with her...but as you all know it is always GREAT to get back home, too! Double edge sword, I suppose...but I'm just so thankful that we both had the time to hang out together while the guys were gone!

Thanks Jackie...I enjoyed spending time with you and Corinna (my grand-dog)!

I'm off tomorrow before the guys get back home to indulge my DIL in a little pampering, too...she's had a tough week...missing her guy, attending class AND taking two major test this week. She will finish this semester of med school and then in January she starts her rotations! Whew! She will need the pampering then more than ever...and I will just be too happy to oblige!

Hope all is well in your world...I've kept up with some of my blog pals...but I am sorely behind...so forgive me while I try and play catch-up!

Updates...graphs...and getting away!

I feel so technical..not sure how well I did on the graph but I did want to show everyone how well my levels are looking since we first found out about my coronary blockages.(ignore the left side numbers...I don't know WHERE those came from...but they don't have anything to do with MY graph!!)

Overall my levels have improved immensely...so much so the doctor has lowered my lipitor from 20 mg. a day to 10 mg. a day. My HDL levels did lower slightly, but he said this was not uncommon since everything else plummeted...but we'll work with diet to get those back up as high as possible! One of the main reasons he lowered my Lipitor dosage is b/c my levels are very, very low (which is not bad...actually very good, but leaves room for some change if needed) but he noticed my liver levels AST and ALT were slightly elevated...normal being AST 10-35 U/L mine was 46 and the ALT normal being 6-40 U/l mine was 72. This means my liver is reacting a tad to the lipitor...so to keep that from continuing he lowered my lipitor intake. He told me as a general rule they never lower the lipitor dosage unless the liver levels have almost tripled and as you can see mine are no where near that...but b/c my LDL and cholesterol are now so unbelievably low he felt comfortable lowering the Lipitor dosage which in turn will only help the liver get back to normal . He was shocked how quickly my levels lowered. He told me he can't ever remember any ones levels coming down that quickly on that low of a dosage in less than a month! I'm sure he thinks this all happened b/c of the statins...but I know differently. I know lots of folks have been praying for just this and God has answered so many prayers already. Plus, I'm going to pat myself on the back...just a tad...b/c I have been living like a saint as far as eating goes ( now b/c I gave up one vice...I fear my vice of spouting a few inappropriate words may have increased...but I only say this to myself and out loud on occasion...HEY, it's my ONLY vice!) I have stuck strictly to a heart healthy diet...which in turn I believe helped out with the lowering of my cholesterol and LDL...plus I've lost 7 pounds...so that is another great thing!! I will return to the cardiologists in 3 months with new test in hand...he will then see how things are going (which I KNOW are going to be great) and if so he wants to run another nuclear treadmill test to see just where we are at with the blockages! I'm going to love it when he says..."all is good" and I can breath a sigh of relief. I know it is something I will always have to be diligent about....but these last few weeks have been a little more stressful than I care to think about. Nothing like having to carry a bottle of nitroglycerin around with you at all times to make you feel a little "freaked"!!

I tell you I don't know if I am more excited about my doctors report or the fact I was able to navigate my way around designing a graph :) :)....weak and lame maybe...feeble in fact...but hey it was my first ever attempt and WELL, I'm just so darn proud of this little baby!

Other news...my lovin hubbin and the boys are gone to Montana and Idaho...in fact I just talked with my man minutes ago. He was about to board a little hopper flight to the Bitteroot Mountains where the base camp will be for their 9 day excursion of wilderness, eating and sleeping in the cold mountains with their Indian guides, hunting elk, bear, deer and sheep...you know living a childhood dream of being mountain men doing all those crazy things that have to do with nature and I'm sure LOVING every minute of it! Remember now...my idea of "getting away" was going to Costa Rica with my girls...and we did...and we had a blast. I pray for safety for our fella's and that they have the time of their lives. Meanwhile, I am flying to Colorado to spend some time with my girl...we're going to do a little exploring ourselves...like the local Oasis Spa...the downtown Denver art museums and restaurants...and of course some "shopping" in all the quaint little towns surrounding that area...not to mention I will be accompanying my daughter to a couple of art classes she teaches...I can't wait!

When I return I am going to pamper my daughter-in-law some...she deserves it...she has been working ubber hard in med-school!! I think this has been one of her toughest semesters yet...but she is hitting home runs all the way! She is so dang smart, she works her butt off and she has an incredible work/study ethic...so she is having quite a bit of success. She starts her rotations in January...so I want to give her some Pamper Time before her sweet hubbin gets home!

Thanks for all your prayers and continued prayers for not only my health...but the safety of our guys while traveling!

Thanks again...I'll catch up when I return...if not sooner....hopefully with pictures...I'll have to rely on my daughters lovely pictures however, because my lovin' hubbin' took my camera....hmmmm...I may have to find me a new one...after all that one is really his...ahhh...now I have a mission...FIND a new camera...if any of you have a great one that you think I should know about PLEASE let me know...soon!

HEARTfelt....

Over the weekend...we were blessed to see our sweet daughter. She flew in very briefly for her 10 year class reunion...YIKES...I have a daughter who has been out of high school for 10 years...GEEZ...I can remember my 10 year, 20 year...and not too long ago my 30 year reunion....kind of makes me feel old....Anyhoo...she was only here for what seemed like a minute...then she had to fly back home to Colorado! While she was here...she gave me this book that she compiled from information off the Internet, magazines and healthy heart articles. I know she worked very hard on this and it is a very comprehensive guide to living "heart" healthy! It is compiled of not only facts and articles for the mind, body and soul...but it is complete with wonderful heart healthy recipes, workouts and practical guides to living heart healthy! Folks...I nearly burst into tears when she gave it to me. I never expected anyone to do so much for me when it came to helping me figure out all this crazy heart healthy lifestyle, it's sometimes daunting or at least to me! (I've never had to really worry too much about my weight, in fact I was always told when I was younger that I was too skinny; even my husband thought I was way too thin when we first met, my how things can change!!...but skinny or fat has nothing to do with bad genes). I also think she was rather excited about it herself because she gave it to me the minute she got in our car to leave the airport (she's the one who can keep a secret forever, too)...and she should have been excited...it is absolutely GREAT! I love it... AND I love her for taking the time to compile it...I feel like the luckiest woman and mother on earth! It is divided into chapters and each is color coded...making it so easy to refer back to other articles and such. I have spent several hours reading over it, making lists, compiling new menus and basically learning a whole lot of things I should have listened to a long time ago. I've always thought of myself as someone who never really ate too badly (remember I was a child of the late 50's and told to always clean my plate and when it came to exercise we all got plenty by just being kids and playing hard), but with the issues I face now...I am not giving it a chance to get worse...I am going to stick to the healthiest possible way of eating for my heart for as long as I can. I am hoping at one point my levels will be so great (they aren't bad now for most folks...but need to be lower b/c of my family history) that I won't have to take statins or beta-blockers...but for now...I'll continue to take those 2 pills a day...eat healthy and start a better work out regimen.

THANKS JACKIE...you've made this a whole lot easier for me and I am so grateful to you for taking the time to do this for me...I think your love language must be "giving" or "quality time" b/c that is just what this is to me!!

Between Jackie keeping me on my toes with this book and Emily (my daughter-in-law) passing on more heart healthy eating lite recipes....I should be in great shape before next summer....hmmmm...maybe that would warrant another trip...somewhere...???? Costa Rica...maybe????

OH! and one more thing...Listen to Jack LaLane...and even Richard Simmons...ladies...they both tell of just shopping the parameter of your grocery store...that is the best way to shop for a healthier life style...b/c you don't get into the middle of the store where it is full of processed foods, junk and things that are not healthy! Makes for a faster trip, too...I've heard this for years...but never really took heed! It's funny how the words 75% blockage can cause you to get busy doing what is right for your health! I'm not going to hang my head and look back at things I could have done better b/c honestly I did not know I had a higher cholesterol than I should have had with the family history...b/c those things are in the past...but I will abide by the new rules as if my life depends on it...and I pray we will see a marked change in things...very soon!! I go to the cardiologists on Monday...have blood work drawn, tomorrow...so we should find out soon what is working and how well.

Back Home...with recovery on my mind.

WOW! If that doesn't sound like a country song I don't know what does....

First I want to say thank you all for your kind notes, prayers and well-wishes...AND a special thank you to my awesome daughter Jackie...for being the sweetest most beautiful guest blogger ever!!

Secondly, here's a bit of an update on what was found with my catheterization of the heart yesterday. First, I am a bit sore and I have to stay pretty inactive for the next few days. No lifting, stooping, bending, picking up anything over 5 pounds, no CROSSING my legs, no going upstairs...and no driving...none of that fun stuff. Really, seriously I think this is one of the hardest parts...there are days you wish you could just lay around and do nothing w/o any guilty feelings what so ever...but then when you get the chance (even though I would never wish this chance on anyone) you find yourself wanting to do EVERYTHING you can't do. Hmmmm I guess there is no making me happy! LOL:)

Now the results of the test were a bit surprising and then again, not so much, if that makes ANY sense! It was a great relief to know what has been going on and why...and that I am NOT going crazy or imagining any of this. First, I have 3 blockages...not one, as initially thought...and the major blockage is in a vein called the Ramus that intersects with the Left Anterior Descending artery (the big one)...this blockage is at 75 to 80% according to the 2 doctors I spoke with yesterday...it's not a major artery, but it can still cause some trouble. Also, b/c it does intersect with the L.A.D. and the narrowing or stenosis at or just below the intersection of these 2 arteries...makes it very difficult to stint and result in a great amount of success...PLUS unknown to any of us...I seem to have very tiny arteries and veins...whodda thunk? Secondly, I do have another blockage in the largest section of the L.A.D. which seems to be at best guess around 50 to 60%. There is also another small artery that is a part of the L.A.D. that has some blockage right at the opening of it and the main L.A.D. artery...so again...these 2 are very hard to stint. So, this is the plan. The doctors have started me on a statin and will increase the dosage over the next couple of weeks...at this time I am taking 20mg...but they most likely will increase this amount to at least 40mg. They also started me on a beta-blocker, to slow my heart rate. I DO NOT have high blood pressure...but b/c of the 3 blockages and the fact that I have tiny arteries, they want to slow the heart rate down a bit to help it from having to "overwork" itself. It's kind of like the doctor said, with my family history, I need my roads to be major highways...but unfortunately I just have tiny back roads for my blood to travel, so they are trying to make that journey a little less taxing! Great analogy, eh? So, b/c they don't recommend stinting...this is the plan...I will continue to take 2 baby aspirin a day, take the statins, and beta blockers...work on not stressing my heart too much for the next few weeks, eat low fat and heart healthy (which basically I've always tried to do) and then I check back in with the doctor on week 3. I will be evaluated, my blood levels will be checked and I will document if and when I have any more chest pains. If this all starts heading in a positive direction, meaning lessened or no more chest pains AND my LDL and Cholesterol continues to come down...then we will progress as aggressively for the next round. If it is found at anytime during this treatment that I am not heading toward a recovery, then we will be faced with by-pass surgery...but b/c I am so keenly aware right now, my doctors have really taken an aggressive approach, and I know what to do and not do...I really feel that this approach is going to be the choice of treatment that suits me very well at this time. My sweet nurse told me yesterday..."I know they are working very hard on finding a drug that can dissolve or do away with the existing plaque, so hopefully, this will happen very soon and you can take advantage of it". I hope so too, but until then...I am really being careful, pro-active and hopefully very mindful of how important it is to stay on top of this...and of course be faithful with taking my medications. I am not happy about the diagnosis...but I certainly am relieved to have figured it out, NOW we have a game plan...and we will follow that plan to a "T". If that plan doesn't work to my advantage...I am thankful that there is a plan B! But, I know I am in God's hands, he has held me steady throughout and he will continue to be here for me...always. I find comfort in knowing that he is guiding my journey...and he knows the path so much better than me...so I look to Him for complete peace and guidance throughout this journey. Hey, I'm not done yet, I've got blogs to write...remember!! I was so grateful yesterday, when my doctor looked me straight in the eyes and said, "WE are going to attack this aggressively and I promise we will not sit on the sidelines and let what happen to your brother, mother and father happen to you!" I know he can't make promises...but I did love his attitude...and that is exactly the type of doctor I prayed for...and my prayers were answered. He also had a specialist (who I REALLY liked) come in and review my case, talk to me and lovin' hubbin' and put our minds at ease about the next steps. So let the HEALING journey begin!

Another thing...I want to really stress here...this was not caused by anything I did or didn't do...I didn't really have high cholesterol for a person with no family history of heart disease...but b/c of my family history it was too high and so were my LDL levels! He did say that my heart muscle was in GREAT shape...that I had done the right things for it as far as the strength of that muscle...it's just the fact that my gene pool is rather tainted/polluted and it most surely would have been to my advantage to have started watching this closer at an earlier age. I DID start watching it rather close at about 46 or so, I'm 51 now...and was told all was fine!! SO...LADIES and GENTS...get your doctor to give you in writing all your blood work and test results...tell them you want a copy of what they received from the testing facility. You keep those records, check your levels and such every year...and more if it is high. Don't let them tell you it's not too high...especially if you have a strong family history. You want your Cholesterol to be as far below 200 as it can be...you want your LDL to be lower than 100...lower than 80 if there is a history in your family...and you want your HDL to be as high as you can get it! Listen to your body, listen to your inner-voice and make darn sure you have some idea of what your family history is...if that is possible...if not...just keep getting regular check ups and pursue what you know you need to do, even if the so-called professionals "poo-poo" your concerns...it can SAVE your life!

Thanks again...for all your love, support and prayers...and just remember I'm HAVING to lay around and do nothing while people fetch things for me, cook for me, bring me magazines and movies...and I just sit or lay around. Honestly, it REALLY is hard for me to do...I'm not a very good patient...but I'm trying...cos after having to have both groins punctured yesterday...I'm not wanting to cause any problems with the wounds or experience any nasty side effects now! Please, pray for a complete and fast healing for me...for continued wisdom for me and my doctors...and for any concerns my sweet family may have for me...and I thank God for them so much, for always being so loving and supportive...in spite of my sometimes over active imagination!

Update

Hello, this is Jackie, Teresa's daughter, & I am writing on her behalf per her request. As we all know my mom had her angiogram early this morning. I received a phone call from my dad around 9:40 central time saying that the procedure went well and that the doctors got some "good information". My mom was still in her room and he had not seen her. The doctor confirmed the blockage, plaque, & shrinkage & will hopefully have a more thorough synopsis sometime today.

Unfortunately, that is all the info I have now, but I will be sure to keep you guys updated. I want to personally thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, & well wishes in this matter. I know my mom & our family appreciate all of the support out here in the wonderful world of blogging.

UPDATE 2: 11:00 am Central: I just received a call from my mom :-) She is doing ok, I think she is a sore, cloudy from the meds, & anxious because she has to lay flat on her back without moving for a couple more hours. She said that they had to try both legs to get the instrument inserted properly because her veins are very small, first the right and then success with the left side. Good news first, the LAD artery has only 20-25% blockage. However, due to her small veins it was discovered that some of her arteries are also very small. In one artery she has 75% blockage. Because it is so small the doctors are not sure how to approach it yet, so they are sending in a specialist. We should know within a few hours how the team of doctors are planning to approach fixing this artery.