Feeling Invincible

My Mom is 93 and quite honestly, for her age, is in amazingly good health. I just recently came to the realization that by watching her I developed a false sense of being invincible, expecting to live a long life, assuming that I have some type of miraculous genes that will take me well into my 90s.

Now, having had my second wake up call, I am struggling to understand that listening to my body and perhaps slowing down my sometimes hectic pace may be essential to seeing me to a ripe old age.

First I suffered a TIA (also known as a mini stroke) about two years ago. I woke up in the hospital with absolutely no recollection of what happened or why and basically lost five hours. I can tell you what happened, but not because I remember it. I can retell the stories of what those around me said happened. There of course is my good luck. I was around other people and was immediately taken to the emergency room and recovered.

This last and most recent incident involved blood clots in my legs and lungs. Why I got them, exactly when I got them or how I can’t tell you. However, for one week I had a lot of pain in my left calf. I thought I had pulled a muscle. By the time my leg swelled up I had made an appointment to have the muscle cramp looked at. When I presented my leg to Dr. Brady, chiropractor he sent me to my MD immediately. I ended up at the ER at Tehachapi Hospital, so that they could run tests and do an ultrasound on my leg.

I’ve learned several things. I have an amazing family. My husband, son, daughter and Mom were there immediately. My sister jumped in her car and drove from Vegas to take care of me because my husband had to go out of town for a job. My friends were concerned and showed a lot of care. My Rotary family jumped in to cover some of the events and issues that I was working on and I was offered several options for care had my family not been here to make sure I was alright.

I am not invincible, but I do seem to have a guardian angel, whom I have come to believe is my Dad watching over me. Instead of having a stroke or dying of a heart attack from a blood clot, I got a warning and am able to do what is needed to take care of myself.

Tehachapi and the friends and acquaintances I’ve made is the right place to be. I do not feel alone, I know I am cared for and a lot of people have my back. What more can one ask from life but to feel loved and cared for – so what if I’m not invincible.