Sunday, October 6, 2013

A Post From Mom Brenda


Kitties – This is Mom Brenda here.  Callie and Sassy agreed to let me borrow their blog today.  I wanted to post today about something important that has happened to me lately in the hope that by posting this, other people can learn from my mistake. 

Recently, I have not blogged much because I have not been feeling well.  It was not anything specific, just minor things here and there over the last 3-4 months.  I was tired all of the time, but then again, I was not exercising much so that explained that.  Then I started having heart palpitations, but my thyroid medicine had just been changed so that made sense.  I was sweating   A LOT, but then again I live in Texas so what? 

A few weeks ago, I started having problems breathing.  I have had pneumonia a few times before in my life, so I figured, “great – this again?”  I got worse two weeks ago and went to the doctors.  They took xrays and sure enough, I had pneumonia.  I took the medicine for four days, but it just did not seem to be working……

I went back to the clinic to see if they thought the antibiotic should be changed.  They listened to my chest, and told me I needed to go to the hospital.  I reluctantly said that I guess I would drive over there later.  They informed me that no, I was going by ambulance. 

Turns out that my “pneumonia” was a minor heart attack.  I was in the hospital for almost a week. When I look at all of my symptoms put together, I had all of the classic ones.  But because I am only 51, and never had that moment you see on TV where the person grabs on to their chest and flops on the floor, heart problems just never occurred to me.  Please learn from my mistakes, it is not about age or what your current symptom is or what you saw on TV - it is about listening to your body and not making excuses!  Some of the symptoms for heart attack are heart palpitations, feeling tired all of the time, shoulder or/and arm aches (especially in women), trouble breathing which can lead to sweating and chest pain.  This is by no means a complete list, but see here is the thing,  I had every single one of these symptoms, but because I never put them together, a heart attack was the last thing I expected.   I will repeat once again because it is worth repeating:

Listen to what your body is telling you!!

20 comments:

Seville at Nerissa's Life said...

I sure am glad you saw the doctor in time and that you're on the mend now.

Purrs,
Nissy

Fuzzy Tales said...

OMC! We, too, are glad you got to your doctor in time. Our human is 49, would not have connected those symptoms as a heart attack either. Really scary.

Thank you for posting.

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

That is really scary because those symptoms could mean so many different things, and it is easy to shrug off heart trouble, especially if you haven't had any issues like that in the past. I'm glad you are on the mend and thanks for the message of your post!

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

That is scary! I am glad they quickly discovered what was wrong and you are now on the mend.

Random Felines said...

mom says she doesn't think she would have put that all together either. glad they caught it and you are feeling better....thanks for the info!!

CATachresis said...

Hi Brenda, just saw the post (and commented) on Tabby Cat Club! I am very glad you are ok and thanks for the heads up. Sometimes things are just not that straightforward!! Caro xx

The Island Cats said...

Wow. I don't think I would have put all those symptoms together as a heart attack either...given it was over several weeks. I'm really glad you're okay, Brenda. And thanks for posting this.

Island Cats' mom Sue

Gemini and Ichiro said...

We are glad you are going to be okay! And that it was caught! Our person's mom died of a heart attack at 57 because her doctor missed it and told her her pain was her arthritis.

Angel Prancer Pie said...

Great post! Our Mommy would never had guess that.

We hope you are feeling much better now.

The Furries of Whisppy said...

I'm so glad you are okay now. I have read before that heart attacks in women present very different symptoms than those in men. Your post is a good reminder that I should probably read them again.

Andrea and the Celestial Kitties said...

Oh my goodness, I'm so glad you got treatment in time! Hugs and purrs, feel better soon!

da tabbies o trout towne said...

brenda....thanx for the post message; I think we all assume; old age = heart attack

while I'm not happy you had to be hospitalized, I am glad it was caught in time before a major heart attack came upon you in the wee hours of the morning or at work; that sort of thing

I hope you are on some type of regiment that helps so you won't have to experience this again

will include you in my prayers

laura

Quinn and Angel brandi said...

Mommy didn't think she was having a heart attack either. She was more worried about her glucose levels being way too high. Even in the ambulance she was wondering why they were giving her nitro. Oh, and she met them after walking out THE FRONT DOOR. We live on the 16th floor. She took the elevator, but still had to walk through the whole first floor! We are very glad your mommy is okay. Women sometimes just don't have the same symptoms as men. And that is scary!!

Kjelle Bus aka Charlie Rascal said...

A friend to my mom and dad made the same mistake , he thought it was this and that and then he finally wen´t to the doctor the saw that he had a minor heartattack.
And he was not anywhere near 50 , just a bit over 40 !

Like you say it´s important to listen to your body !
Glad it was "just" a minor heartattack !
XOXO

Anonymous said...

You are so very very right about listening to your body; especially for women and their hearts. Heart attack is the NUMBER ONE killer of women, not breast cancer. Women do not know how to tell they are having a heart attack. And the fatigue, shortness of breath is critical to not put off...pop that aspirin and get yourself to a doctor. I had a friend who had the same experience you did. On the way to the hospital with her husband, she popped a couple of aspirin, they said it saved her life. I carry aspirin in my car! Take care, and we look for to seeing the Sexy Mancat posts back when you feel better. paw hugs, Savannah and Mom Linda

Unknown said...

Here we are! Late at posting - as usual! Our Mommy has been sick all week and has not been reading much of anything (in her case it is just a bad cold)
We all are purraying that your Mommy feels better fast!
Kisses from eveerybody!
Me-Nellie, Kozmo (with extra smoochies for Callie) and Jo-Jo and the hairy slobbery sisters, Bob and Cinnamon

Unknown said...

Kozmo here,
Dearest Sweet Pea, I have got an award (Me!! Not Nellie!!!) And YOU are the one I am giving it too!
Please stop by and pick it up.
Love Kozmo

Swami Zoe said...

We all hope you are doing much better! Sending healing light and love! Me-Ommmmmm

Timmy Tomcat said...

This is such important information! Thanks for sharing this
Pete
AKA Timmys Dad

Mariodacat said...

OMC - it's a good thing you got treatment. I'd hate to think what would have happened if you had ignored. Thank you so much for the warning and sharing your experience. It's a great reminder for all of us. Hope you get better soon and are back to leading a full life again.