Sunday 18 October 2009

It's great to be alive......

Oct 18th 2008 - a date I will always remember..... as I almost died.....now one year on, it is great to be alive.  Yes this time last year I suffered a major pulmonary embolism and went into respiratory distress.  Luckily it was a  Saturday and my husband was home to call the ambulance.  I had been unwell for a couple of weeks, with what my doctor thought was a virus, then a reflux problem as I had a terrible cough and was getting very breathless.... all the while it was some blood clots travelling from a Deep Vein Thrombosis in my right calf, to lodge in my lungs (both sides).  According to the doctors and specialists at the hospital, I must have had a guardian angel looking after me as I was one very ill lady.  I have untold admiration for the hospital staff who saved my life.  I was in the HDU ( High Dependency Unit) for nearly 3 days while I had a Thrombalisis done - a drug to dissolve the clots- and was monitored continually.  A few other health issues came to the fore - namely High Blood Pressure, high cholesterol and mild diabetes - all now under control.  So I have to say " It is great to be alive" and I thank the Lord daily for my being so.
I have learnt in the last year not to sweat the little stuff, to enjoy my life as it is, to take time to do ME things ( like my card making and papercrafting) and to enjoy my family.  You never know when it could all be taken from you.
Well thanks to all of you who read this and anyone who wants to make a comment.  I appreciate the opportunity I've been given to continue living a life I love.

11 comments:

Kelly Booth said...

I know how scary this is first hand Dawn...my husband got it after a surgery and we had no clue about PE...I was very fortunate I got him to the Hospital in time and he survived...it was so scary!!!
I'm glad your alive too...you make pretty cards.....

hugs....
Kelly

Pajalu said...

Hey Dawn I'm glad you are alive too :D. You are such a wonderfully taltented lady, so congratulations on your one year anniversary. Here's a fun quote for you:
Don't sweat the petty stuff & don't pet the sweaty stuff ;P.
Take care of you & big Hugs
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Tiffany Ervin said...

Oh Dawn, so glad you shared your story!! And I'm so glad you are alive as I would not have gotten to know you through our forum and the wonderful person/crafter that you are! We need to be sooo thankful of everything life has given us, don't we? Many hugs to you!

Vanessa said...

I am glad you are alive, Dawn!!! What a story, thanks for sharing this! It is so important to enjoy every single moment of our lives - thank you for reminding me, we take everything for granted too easily!
Have a happy day!

Hugs,
Vanessa

donna mikasa said...

Thank you for sharing your story, Dawn! Such a miraculous recovery and you are one special lady, having angels watching over you! Hugs and blessings to you...

Deirdre said...

Dawn,
Blessings to you and your family on this day. Thanks for sharing your story - you are an inspiration. Thank you for reminding us how precious life is. Wishing you continued good health. Deirdre - Irl

Unknown said...

Merciful heavens! I'm so glad you were spared. Too many people would miss you!

DustyPenny (Joy Ott) said...

Oh my, Dawn! I am so sorry you had to go through that and so happy you are ok!

Anita Rex said...

Oh my goodness that must have been scary! It is great that your still here! It's a hard anniversary to remember. I am glad that you take time for oyu! :>

Jacqueline said...

Thanks for sharing your testimony of the Lord's goodness to us - He is a wonderful God!

Anne said...

Hi, Dawn! Wow! What a story! I'm so glad that you found the positives in a scary situation. I've enjoyed getting to know you through the blogosphere and wish you many more happy wonderful years with your family! :-)