So - I had a serious health scare recently, and ended-up
travelling to hospital by ambulance, and staying for a week.

I was suffering from a serious build-up of fluid in my legs
which got so bad I could not stand or walk, and my sodium
levels were through the roof.

I am now on medication including diuretics to reduce my
fluid levels and get my sodium levels down, and also an
anti-coagulant to prevent the risk of DVT due to the cellulitis
in my lower legs caused by the sodium levels.

So - I am slowly on the mend but have had to make quite a
few diet and lifestyle changes if I don't want to use up all my
nine lives in the foreseeable future.

My heart has suffered some damage, but the Doc (a lovely
black gentleman who is, I believe, African - but who speaks
English like a native and has the true traditional 'bedside
manner' of the old-style GPs of my youth) assures me that it
is, with management and a sensible lifestyle, pretty-much
reversible. :)

A lot of it is attitude - I need to remember that I'm in my mid
60s, and not my 30s or 40s any more, and learn to be more
relaxed and less impatient, avoid too much stress, and not to
push myself too hard.

I've been walking a fair bit (as much as I can - I'm a bit wonky
on the pins but improving) and have also been doing some
structured exercises to help me get back into condition again.

I even bought a 'circulation booster' thingy like the one Ray
Meagher from Home & Away flogs on the telly (tho much
cheaper) which helps a lot and is also a good substitute for
riding my e-bike if the weather is bad.

Today I managed to get out and fly my drone for the first time
in months, which boosted my spirits a huge amount (see pic).

This is one of the reasons I haven't been on much for the last
few months - hopefully I might now get back to putting in an
appearance every so often.

Just bear with me please, if you will.

Thanks in advance.

Kat. :o :) :)

---

Sorry to hear that - I hope you'll fully recover.

Bobby. wrote on May 23^rd, 2021 at 8:38pm:

Sorry to hear that - I hope you'll fully recover.

The signs are good, Bobby.

Just have to do the right things, and wait and see.

Thanks. :)

Kat wrote on May 23^rd, 2021 at 8:42pm:

Bobby. wrote on May 23rd, 2021 at 8:38pm: Sorry to hear that - I hope you'll fully recover. The signs are good, Bobby. Just have to do the right things, and wait and see. Thanks. :)

I hope so Kat.
I think most of us here are at an age where
we have a few medical problems -
I know I do but I prefer not to discuss it.
I suppose we just get on with our lives the best we can.

Indeed.

Take care Kat!

Hope you get it under control Kat. Aging isnt fun. Me i have horrible arthritis

Spot

Hope you're OK, Kat.

Sorry to hear all that Kat. Take care of yourself.

Maybe trade the ebike for an old fashioned bike to get those legs pumping. ;)

wishing you well Kat sounds like you are doing what the doctor ordered..

Glad you're on the mend, Kat. That must have been super-scary.

Thanks for the best wishes and encouragement, guys.

I'm feeling better by the day, and am told I look like a different person. And I've
just had my do-it-yourself haircut (done after getting out of hospital) trimmed &
tidied by a neighbour who actually knows what she's doing (unlike yours truly)
which makes me feel a lot better.

Exercises are going well, and I'm gradually increasing them - within the limit of
not trying to do TOO much at once. The pedal machine is great for days like
today, which suck too much (windy with potential rain) to want to go walking or
cycling outdoors - although a trip to the letter-box and to retrieve my yellow bin
were undertaken through necessity. And the little (1.5kg) dumb-bell is helping
as I do 20 curls per arm several times a day. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it
is convenient and fills the bill of not over-doing things.

I also got out to fly my new Mavic Air drone yesterday afternoon, which lifted my
spirits immensely - I'd only flown it once before due to becoming ill.

I still feel guilty every time I sit down for more than ten minutes at a time, and
so find myself walking aimlessly around the unit. Now I know how prisoners must
feel, walking up and down their cells for exercise. :P :P

The biggest change I've noticed is that I seem to be eating like the proverbial
horse. I'm often eating more in one meal that I was in an entire day (or more)
previously. Lots of salads and dairy, a protein shake every morning, NO added
salt, more home-cooked meals in preference to frozen/pre-cooked from the
supermarket, and virtually no 'fast food' at all is the order of the day.

I must hit the pathology dept at the hospital for more blood tests on Monday
prior to an appointment with the Dr next Thursday, and hopefully he'll be happy
with my progress. My blood oxygen and heart-rate stats are within parameters
which is good, and are slowly improving.

So in short, things are definitely looking up. Here's a pic for you, from the flight
of the DJI Mavic Air yesterday - it's the War Memorial at Goulburn near my home.

---

Hope it all goes well Kat.  Cheers.

Thanks for the update, Kat.

Stay safe and well.

Thanks, Carl. :)

Still improving by the day - doing more, hurting less.

Weather's been great so have been taking advantage of it with
a few decent bike rides, and more pottering in the garden.

Rain forecast for the next few days, so went for a good ride on the
e-bike this afternoon (over 10km), culminating in another successful
and enjoyable flight with the Mavic Air - this time down at the river
near my home (Marsden Weir on the Wollondilly River).

Here's a pic. :)

---

Kat wrote on Jun 2^nd, 2021 at 7:02pm:

Thanks, Carl. :) Still improving by the day - doing more, hurting less. Weather's been great so have been taking advantage of it with a few decent bike rides, and more pottering in the garden. Rain forecast for the next few days, so went for a good ride on the e-bike this afternoon (over 10km), culminating in another successful and enjoyable flight with the Mavic Air - this time down at the river near my home (Marsden Weir on the Wollondilly River). Here's a pic. :)

Poor lad, living in Goulburn. But hey I'll wave on Sat morning as I head to Bungonia.

Just back from a scheduled visit to the Doc - he is very
pleased with my progress, and said I'm doing all the right
things and to keep it up.

Had my flu vax as well, and am booked in for the covid-19
vax in two weeks' time. Doc says the fact that I'm on anti-
coagulants to ward-off DVT won't be a problem.

So, things are definitely looking up still. :) :)

Kat wrote on Jun 3^rd, 2021 at 1:45pm:

Just back from a scheduled visit to the Doc - he is very pleased with my progress, and said I'm doing all the right things and to keep it up. Had my flu vax as well, and am booked in for the covid-19 vax in two weeks' time. Doc says the fact that I'm on anti- coagulants to ward-off DVT won't be a problem. So, things are definitely looking up still. :) :)

They'll probably end up giving you Pfizer. They've just opened it up to 40-49 yr olds in ACT. Frustratingly taking ages to get a booking

I could probably empathise with you. But, I would only be guessing how similar your symptom are to mine. I had numbing in my arm, the needles and pins sensation in my tongue, slightly slurred speech, and some real memory lapses. I do not recall much else. But it was concerning enough for me to go see a doctor and seek new medication for diabetes.

Certainly keep using that circulation booster. I think you made a wise choice. I do not want to give advice without you seeking the professional opinion of a doctor. But, have you tried the technique of holding your breath for 30 seconds each night before going to sleep. If I have trouble getting to sleep, I hold my breath for 30 seconds and then recover. Then I redo that about 4 times until I am tired enough to fall asleep. My breathing is better during the night. The vessels in your body open up a little more in response to holding your breath. However, make sure the doctor gives the okay to try this technique, as I do not want to be loaded with blame by anyone claiming I made your condition worse through this advice.

UnSubRocky wrote on Jun 3^rd, 2021 at 2:01pm:

I could probably empathise with you. But, I would only be guessing how similar your symptom are to mine. I had numbing in my arm, the needles and pins sensation in my tongue, slightly slurred speech, and some real memory lapses. I do not recall much else. But it was concerning enough for me to go see a doctor and seek new medication for diabetes. Certainly keep using that circulation booster. I think you made a wise choice. I do not want to give advice without you seeking the professional opinion of a doctor. But, have you tried the technique of holding your breath for 30 seconds each night before going to sleep. If I have trouble getting to sleep, I hold my breath for 30 seconds and then recover. Then I redo that about 4 times until I am tired enough to fall asleep. My breathing is better during the night. The vessels in your body open up a little more in response to holding your breath. However, make sure the doctor gives the okay to try this technique, as I do not want to be loaded with blame by anyone claiming I made your condition worse through this advice.

Given that you're younger than me, I'm a bit aghast actually.

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Jun 3^rd, 2021 at 2:03pm:

UnSubRocky wrote on Jun 3rd, 2021 at 2:01pm: I could probably empathise with you. But, I would only be guessing how similar your symptom are to mine. I had numbing in my arm, the needles and pins sensation in my tongue, slightly slurred speech, and some real memory lapses. I do not recall much else. But it was concerning enough for me to go see a doctor and seek new medication for diabetes. Certainly keep using that circulation booster. I think you made a wise choice. I do not want to give advice without you seeking the professional opinion of a doctor. But, have you tried the technique of holding your breath for 30 seconds each night before going to sleep. If I have trouble getting to sleep, I hold my breath for 30 seconds and then recover. Then I redo that about 4 times until I am tired enough to fall asleep. My breathing is better during the night. The vessels in your body open up a little more in response to holding your breath. However, make sure the doctor gives the okay to try this technique, as I do not want to be loaded with blame by anyone claiming I made your condition worse through this advice. Given that you're younger than me, I'm a bit aghast actually.

Given the fact that I must have been 30kg+ heavier than you at the time I had my own health scare, would you have been surprised?

UnSubRocky wrote on Jun 3^rd, 2021 at 2:07pm:

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Jun 3rd, 2021 at 2:03pm: UnSubRocky wrote on Jun 3rd, 2021 at 2:01pm: I could probably empathise with you. But, I would only be guessing how similar your symptom are to mine. I had numbing in my arm, the needles and pins sensation in my tongue, slightly slurred speech, and some real memory lapses. I do not recall much else. But it was concerning enough for me to go see a doctor and seek new medication for diabetes. Certainly keep using that circulation booster. I think you made a wise choice. I do not want to give advice without you seeking the professional opinion of a doctor. But, have you tried the technique of holding your breath for 30 seconds each night before going to sleep. If I have trouble getting to sleep, I hold my breath for 30 seconds and then recover. Then I redo that about 4 times until I am tired enough to fall asleep. My breathing is better during the night. The vessels in your body open up a little more in response to holding your breath. However, make sure the doctor gives the okay to try this technique, as I do not want to be loaded with blame by anyone claiming I made your condition worse through this advice. Given that you're younger than me, I'm a bit aghast actually. Given the fact that I must have been 30kg+ heavier than you at the time I had my own health scare, would you have been surprised?

Not really, more just a sign of society

Hang on, how old are you PM?

over 40

Good answer. I am over 40, too. In fact, I am over 42.

UnSubRocky wrote on Jun 3^rd, 2021 at 2:31pm:

Good answer. I am over 40, too. In fact, I am over 42.

And I'm older

.

UPDATE: I have had my first covid shot (yes - it was AZ) and suffered no
significant side effects apart from some tiredness later that day and the
following one, and a low-grade itching at the injection site which lasted
for around 5 - 6 days.

Also, I have finally been able to come off the anti-coagulents after the
six-week course of daily self-injections was completed.

A follow-up ultrasound shows no sign of clotting - either existing or
incipient.

I have also regained most of the weight I lost while I was ill.

My exercise regimen is going well, and I have been steadily increasing
both the amount and difficulty of the exercises.

Doc is happy with my progress and I'm feeling great. Everyone I know
keeps commenting on how much better I'm looking (for an old codger
of course).

So, contrary to what some of the armchair experts here seem to think
I should be around for some time to come yet.

Kat wrote on Jul 6^th, 2021 at 6:26pm:

UPDATE: I have had my first covid shot (yes - it was AZ) and suffered no significant side effects apart from some tiredness later that day and the following one, and a low-grade itching at the injection site which lasted for around 5 - 6 days. Also, I have finally been able to come off the anti-coagulents after the six-week course of daily self-injections was completed. A follow-up ultrasound shows no sign of clotting - either existing or incipient. I have also regained most of the weight I lost while I was ill. My exercise regimen is going well, and I have been steadily increasing both the amount and difficulty of the exercises. Doc is happy with my progress and I'm feeling great. Everyone I know keeps commenting on how much better I'm looking (for an old codger of course). So, contrary to what some of the armchair experts here seem to think I should be around for some time to come yet.

Well done Kat - good to hear   [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Does the tracking chip they implanted in your arm with the COVID vax cause any discomfort?

And when your DNA changed as a result of the vax, did it give you a headache?

I'm asking for a friend.

Kat wrote on Jul 6^th, 2021 at 6:26pm:

UPDATE: I have had my first covid shot (yes - it was AZ) and suffered no significant side effects apart from some tiredness later that day and the following one, and a low-grade itching at the injection site which lasted for around 5 - 6 days. Also, I have finally been able to come off the anti-coagulents after the six-week course of daily self-injections was completed. A follow-up ultrasound shows no sign of clotting - either existing or incipient. I have also regained most of the weight I lost while I was ill. My exercise regimen is going well, and I have been steadily increasing both the amount and difficulty of the exercises. Doc is happy with my progress and I'm feeling great. Everyone I know keeps commenting on how much better I'm looking (for an old codger of course). So, contrary to what some of the armchair experts here seem to think I should be around for some time to come yet.

Glad to hear, old codger, keep it up, stay on the sunny side.

Do keep these updates going, I think it's very, very good to keep track of the unfolding. Do it in longhand, privately, for your family if you do not want to disclose too much here, in the bingo hall. Either way, do record your 'pilgrim's progress', it is a good thing for you and your readers.

I will bollock you about socialism, of course, but that's not of any significance for your recording of the unfolding (well, keeps both our cheeks rosie, no?)

All the best, loking forward to the updates.

Another update:

Had a quick visit with my doc last week.

We chatted about the ultrasound I had on my leg, how it showed the all-clear
and how no symptoms had re-appeared. We talked about the covid shots and
whether I had any issues after my second shot (I hadn't).

He did a few basic checks on me, which all showed OK.

We discussed my medications, and I got a few scripts renewed.

He's very happy with my progress, and has booked me in for my pneumo-
coccal vax in a couple of weeks.

Basically, I'm to keep doing what I've been doing, stay away from the salt
and get plenty of sunshine and exercise.

so all is good in my little world at present - apart from these bloody lockdowns.

Good to hear, Kat   [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Onya Kat ;)

Excellent news Kat!