Taking a New Year to Heart

It's a new year and I'm ready to PAH-tay! Well, ready to face the new year with a fresh outlook. Things have been a bit..um... shall we say 'pensive' the last 2 1/2 weeks. A routine visit to the doctor turned into a bit of a health crisis regarding my heart. Needless to say, I've been a controlled wreck since that little visit - worried beyond belief for so many reasons and questioning every little thing that happens. It was a bit difficult ringing in the new year with optimism when I had such a heavy matter - literally -weighing on my heart.

However, miracles do happen. Things sometimes surprise even us A-type personalities who think we know it all! A visit with the cardiologist yesterday was completely the opposite of what I expected to have happened. In a nutshell, a heart anomally that I have had for the last 16 years is no longer. Not there. I'm fine.

The shock of this took the rest of the day (and night) and this morning to sink in. Sixteen years is a long time to think that you have something wrong with such an important piece of equipment, only to be told - and shown - that you don't! I called my friend, N....from the car...to tell her. And then I shared a bit of something that I had told noone about. That upon waking one morning, a 'voice' told me that I was going to be fine. That my heart was just fine. That it was even 'healed' of it's trouble. A calming accompanied this message.

Of course, being who I am, I had to explain this logically. Let me just spare the time and say, that in the end, there really isn't a defined explanation. And I am okay with that. Lesson #1 - I don't know everything nor control everything. Someone else takes a turn driving, and I need to be okay with that.

The wonderful news did not, however, minimize the kick-in-the-butt I received - about my health. Health. Oh yeah. That topic. A topic I have woefully neglected. In all of my responsibilities over the last two years, I have not, repeat...NOT, put my health on the list. Oh sure, I take my one thyroid supplement every morning - after losing my hair when I quit taking it earlier this year. But that's it. No vitamins. None. No calcium. No nothing. There was even a whole page in the medical packet yesterday asking what supplements I take. Vitamin A? No. Vitamin C? No. Iron? Nope. Multi-vitamin? That would be a 'no'. I literally didn't check a one, and wrote off in the margin 'Uh... maybe I SHOULD be taking something??!?" The nurse chuckled.

Somehow, sitting buck naked on that papered examine table for 30 minutes with a worn gown that must be a size 2 pulled around your butt and boobs gives one pause for how well they have, or have not, taken care of themselves. I have not taken care of myself. Shame on me.

So, today, starts my new year. A year of change. A year of putting my health as a priority on my list of things to do each and every day. Less cholesterol. More exercise. And I am now the proud owner of bottles of vitamins, fish oil, calcium and B12 complex. Ross and I are also going to continue our walk that we've been doing daily for the last 2 1/2 weeks.

Miss N showed up later in the day bearing a beautiful boquet! Crafty woman that she is, tucked inside were several quotes of optimism. This one is her favorite, and mine. A wonderful way to begin the year!

I have hopes and wishes for you, too! I wish you peace in your home each night. I wish you health - for you, your family and your friends. I wish you joy in what you do.

Here is to a great 2008!