Health Scares

 Happy Easter!

I am back after a long Lenten break from blogging as I was trying only to use my phone for work related things— mostly successful, weaned some screen addiction. 

I paused the blog here so that I wouldn’t check back for comments. I *really* needed some separation from my phone. I’m considering giving up social media altogether, but I haven’t managed to figure out an easy way to cut the cord with so many friends in so many places. 

But it’s good to be back, especially because I EPICALLY FAILED to do anything to get in shape. I tried to eat better, I really did. I did manage to do some light exercise. It was just so busy and when I’m overwhelmed I find an excuse to “treat” myself.  

But I can’t afford a nice spa day, so I’ll take the pint of ice cream. And while I could only eat a little bit of the pint, I’d have to get more dishes dirty. And then the sink will be full of dishes that I will have to clean.

It’s a vicious cycle. 

And I know what you’re thinking! Don’t you guys have a million kids and didn’t you make bank on stimulus?! Yes, and yes. Our bank account has NEVER been that high!!!!! But. It’s gone already. It all went to get us out from underwater EXCEPT 

For the BowFlex.

We invested in a BowFlex.  I needed something to do indoors that my husband would also do and that we could be competitive with, because peer pressure can be good. We have been using it regularly and it’s been great. I could only do 7 minutes at first and it made me want to cry. I used to be in much better shape. 

It was a rude awakening to how much work I have to do. 

Speaking of.... it was the perfect storm this past week of unfortunate events that led me to think I was dying of heart attack, had developed cardiovascular disease, or was on the edge of a stroke.

Basically I’m not super sure what I’ve done, but I woke up with the worst nerve pain in between my shoulder blades. I felt searing sharp pain that brought me to tears with tingling and deep bone pain in my left arm, and occasional numbness and tingling in my fingers on my left hand. I had just so happened to order a blood test to check my inflammation too so that was obviously elevated. I was also having deep pain in my jaw and neck (TMJ, yay!) and during the x-ray, my dentist said there was some plaque in my carotid artery and I needed to make sure blood flow was good. 

David just so happened to be researching life insurance recently, too. Hmm. Perfect storm.

Turns out, it wasn’t a heart attack, but some ribs and vertebrae are a mess. Muscle spasms galore. Last night I was in pain even in my dreams and woke up unable to move my left arm without excruciating pain.

Driving myself to the doctor, worried about my heart, I was kicking myself...

Was that junk you ate really worth it? 

Or do you want to change your lifestyle so you can be around a little longer?

Those were some of the things going through my head.

I think I needed a good scare. (Shout out to my doctor for bringing me back down to earth and assuring me I wasn’t actively dying!) 

Even so, my muscles took a big hit this year with pregnancy and lack of exercise, so I need to take better care of those too.

There’s basically zero change from the last time I blogged (maybe I even put back on a few pounds, I’m not sure) but I hope to show some progress in another couple weeks. 

Please send your encouraging thoughts. It’s good to be back among friends helping climb these uphill battles!