One year ago today started out like any other morning with a Olivia and Madison running with Mom and me taking a walk with her. A mile into our walk things started getting weird and come to find out less than an hour later, she was having a massive heart attack. I was with her the entire time, not knowing what was wrong with her. She tells me all the time how happy she is that she was never alone because I was at her side. This photo is of us today, happy as clams to still be together.
We are so very thankful for great neighbors who picked up me and mom and then got the ambulance to take her to the hospital. It all happened fast which is a good thing because it helped reduce the damage to her heart. They then took care of us girls for the almost three days Mom was in the hospital too.
The first few months were tough because Mom had to limit exercise, go to therapy, lots of things changed. Finally after three months she started to run again and do things with us that we used to do.
Having the experience of almost dying changes a person. Mom decided it is important to work and make money but it is also important to do what you really want to do because tomorrow is not guaranteed. You may have noticed we traveled a lot, and far away too for sports. It has been really fun and we hope to travel more in the coming year.
Food for Mom has changed. She now is on a plant based diet, by her own choice. Eating isn’t as fun anymore, but she feels good about it and it should help her reduce some of the meds she has to be on. Mom doesn’t believe in medicines to solve problems but she knows some will be necessary for the rest of her life because of the heart attack. Keeping doses low and only taking what is needed is the plan.
Nelson joining our family is something that wasn’t really planned but when the opportunity presented itself, Mom said, why not? Who cares if people think she is nuts having four dogs. It makes her happy and that is what matters.
Our biggest piece of advice besides living a healthy lifestyle – always carry your phone with you! Mom left hers home all the time but on this day last year for some reason, she took it along on our walk. On the run right before our walk, the phone stayed home. Without the phone on our walk, she probably would have died. Yes it can be a pain to carry it along if you don’t have a pocket but it is an important tool you should have with you at all times. Our phone is now always charged and comes with us everywhere, all the time.
One year ago Mom didn’t know if she would even see her next birthday and thanks to our neighbor, she did. The goal is to have a healthy lifestyle, lots of fun, and a long life. We all give her lots of loving every day and it makes her very happy. Hopefully we will all have many more years together full of fun and adventure.
That was one VERY scary day and we are so happy that your mom is happy and healthy once again! You only live life once – go for whatever makes you happy!
Yes, we all learned that life can change in an instant and one needs to do what makes them happy when the occasions rise.
Thank you for sharing this with us. I am so happy to hear you are doing well and it has been a year. You have proved i was right when I bought 2 pairs of jogging leggings that have a pocket on the leg. 13 dollars at walmart. the phone rides on my leg and is there if I need it. your dogs are so wonderful and I am glad you are there to love and care for them…
Thank you. I still hate carrying my phone all the time, but it is so important and not worth dying because it isn’t convenient to carry.
We are all so glad you are doing so well. I don’t like to take a lot of meds either. I get so mad at drs that think everything can be fixed with meds and not find the true problem or another way to solve things. I refuse to take steroids, codeine, oxy, and many drs just ghosted me and refused to help. Thank goodness for your wonderful neighbors. I am not a person that is attached to my phone, t don’t take it with me when I am outside in my yard. I don’t think you are crazy getting a new kid, I think it is wonderful, the more the better.
I was on 5 meds, one is now gone and another is at 50% of what I was taking. Next year we will revisit and discuss reducing others. I will have to take some of them forever because of what happened and my stent, but I want to keep it to the minimum.
Good job keeping mom company and safe. Hooray for good strong recovery! Keep it up and keep loving life and adventures! Your friends Chester and Lilly
Thank you. We are family and we have to stick together. Happy Friday!
Such a really scary time and we’re so glad your neighbor was there to get your Mom the help she needed quickly. First responders are really a blessing. Give your Mom extra hugs from all of us.
Time is really important in that situation and Mom got the help she needed within about an hour which allowed her heart to recover better since it wasn’t stressed for too long.
So glad you recovered fully! Yes, modern technology can definitely save lives so we also take our phone with us when we go out for walks and traveling even though we think it is a bother. Bailie, you are a super guardian.
One thinks nothing will happen, but things happen you never in a million years would imagine. Carrying a phone is life saving.
I am so thankful you were strong and healthy enough to bounce back. We began taking our health seriously 4.5 years ago and are so very proud we did. Take care and have a great weekend
You biker people are awesome! It’s even better because it is something you are doing together.
Life can sure be scary! We remember those days and concerned that this blog went missing. We were very concerned. My mom did not have a heart attack, but when she got to the ER in 2007 she had a heart rate of 18! She is totally dependent on her pacemaker for her bradycardia. Life does throw curve balls! I’m thankfulbouth you and my mom survived. XOXO Sparkle
One minute you feel great and in shape and the next you are almost dead. Life is scary and Mom is scared a lot since her heart attack but she keeps pushing on. We are glad your mom is doing well too.
Gosh a year my word. The universe was all aligned that day to get you exactly what you needed.
As I have aged, I think I have become less concerned about what people think. You have to look out for yourself and what makes you HAPPY = a well balanced mental and physical YOU!!
Hugs Cecilia
Mom feels more like that as she gets older too. It is your life to live and you should live it how you would like to.
Very scary but thaaakful for such a postive outcome.
It ended well, but had Mom not had her phone which she normally didn’t it would have not ended so well.
I remember when that happened and am so happy you are on the run again!! Hugs to all of you!!
Thank you.
So, so thankful your mom is doing OK. That does put things in perspective and is a good reminder to live life and appreciate the moment. I loved the part about who cares if people think she’s crazy for having four dogs, it makes her happy!
We are all thankful everything worked out as well as it did. Part of her surviving and recovering so well is that she was in good shape. Health is something one should never take for granted at any age.
Sooo grateful that your Mom had her phone!!! One thing I always do if I go anywhere alone is bring my phone. I often don’t when I’m with Lenny but always have it when I’m alone. I remember being stunned by this news because you were one of the healthiest (and are one of the healthiest) people I know, slim, exercising……I was in shock. I am sooo happy you are doing well and am grateful for your neighbor too (and that you had your phone!!)
It is defeating to lead a healthy lifestyle and then have that happen, but on the other hand, because she is so healthy, she was able to survive and recover so well. Now the phone is always with her.
I’m so happy you’re on the other side of this issue and I know others that have gone through this. Some are following the doctors orders and others not so much. Bravo that you’re following what you should do.
Have a fabulous day and weekend. Scritches all around and a big hug to you. ♥
Mom has gone down her own path, but also listens to her doctors and she is fine with what Mom is doing regarding diet, etc. Hopefully it will never happen again.
I’m so thankful all that happened the way it did – you being with your Mom, her taking her phone that time, and the neighbors helping out. I am glad things are now a new and probably better normal in many ways, since Mom is living her life to the fullest! I think she is smart to take charge of her own health, and not to solely rely on medications which many people do. Keep taking good care of your Mom! ♥ Oh, and thanks for saying that about taking a phone. I normally take mine on walks but occasionally forget. Sometimes I’ll go back and get it, so it sounds like that is the wise thing to do!
You really never know what can happen any time, any where, and having a phone can be lifesaving. Even if it is a pain, bring it because you may be glad you did.
Concatulations to your Mom! We have followed your Mom’s return to health and we are so happy that she is now fit and happy. Things like that are such life affirming and hopeful incidences. Happiness fills our hearts knowing that your Mom’s resilience, your love and strength have made her healthy. We send you Purrs! Marv and Mom
Thank you so much. She wants to keep getting better and improving on herself to be the healthiest she can be.
we send y abig hug to your mom and we are glad that your neighbor came at the right time…..
It all worked out so well, and we are so very thankful that someone was looking out for Mom on that morning.
“for some reason” = guardian angel working overtime. Mom’s angels work overtime all the time ( she has three of them). I can’t believe it has been a whole year, but She was SOO worried and now we both are SOO glad.
Someone was definitely there for mom and we are all so grateful.
So pleased to learn that your Mom recovered well from her heart attack, and is now doing all the right things to give her the best chance of enjoying to the max all of her present and future dogs!
She is not a quitter and is determined to not let this heart thing slow her down or shorten her life.
It’s wonderful that your Mom is still here, and if she needs something to carry her phone, a clip-on case works really well. Mine is from AgoZ and i like it a lot (and of course, i don’t get paid to say that).
That is a good idea. We checked it out online. She often has pockets or her purse but for walking and running early mornings that is not so easy. Thank you for the tip!
That was a scary time. I think living life to the fullest each day, like our dogs do, is something we should all strive for. I have enjoyed seeing all the travels and was sooooo happy to see Nelson joining the pack.
We are all pretty happy about Nelson, Bailie not so much, but that is Bailie. Life can be over in an instant, so it is important to live it to the fullest!
So glad this year is so much better for you all !
So far it has been much better.
So glad your momma are still here wif us all!
We all are too, and so is Mom. She says she still has a lot to do, and no time to be dead.
We are so glad there was someone there to help your mom! <3
Well, she had to call the neighbor to come and get us, but it all worked out for the best.
Bless that wonderful neighbor for being there for your mom. We’re glad she’s still around and enjoying a healthy life and being happy.
We are so grateful for a happy ending. The surgeon at the hospital said she is extremely lucky everything happened as it did because it could easily ended with her dying.
I am so glad that you have recovered so well and learned such important life lessons. Hugs to all of you.
A major event like that coming out of the blue does change a person, in this case we think, for the better.
We remember when you posted about this. It was very scary to read! We are so thankful for your neighbor, your medical team, the fact that your mom was in good shape when it happened, and most of all that you’re all here, one year later, able to reflect on all that transpired. XO
It is an amazing miracle that everything happened as it did and we are all grateful to still be here together.