CHF Update

I wanted to take a little time this week to update y’all on my health and my battle with CHF (congestive heart failure). It is an ongoing battle and one that I am pleased to say, at the moment, I am winning. 

I am still on a handful of medications that I take daily. My nighttime meds are that bad but I still struggle with remembering to take them. The other night, the alarm I set for them went off. I stopped and then didn’t get up right then to take them. Hours later Ma asked if I had taken them and laughed and said “I thought they were optional tonight.” I did get up and take the right then.  After all, it’s the one that keeps my heart pumping.

Diet

I would love to say my diet has gotten so much better. It hasn’t at all. In fact, it most likely has gotten worse. I am still struggling with it so much. I can’t seem to find a way to improve it. One day at a time I guess. One day I am going to do an update on her and be able to say I found a diet I could stick with and have a better relationship with food. This is n’t that day yet but I am ever hopeful.

Exercise

This is also an ongoing struggle. However it is one that is much better than food. This struggle hits me when I am so busy that I am not sure how to find the time to do it. The weather also hurts me on this as I enjoy walking outside and not as much on the treadmill. I will only do half the walk on a treadmill. Outside I lose myself and will walk farther than planned. 

Tests and Appointments

I will say that I am glad I don’t have any tests (so far) scheduled for the next few months. I do have appointments coming up in December and then the new year will start the yearly testing again. Those tests are long and have to be done every year to see how the chf is progressing. If it is better or worse. So, unless something happens I don’t need them right now. I do have a sleep study coming up soon but I am lucky enough to be able to do it from home. They will send the stuff for me to hook myself up to and then I will send it back the next day. 

Pain and Dizziness

I still occasionally have chest pain but it is not as bad as it was. Also there are still heart palpitations but the doctor is monitoring those. If they get more frequent or worse I have to call and go into his office. I have found that they are stronger when I am stressed. It is something I am working on getting under control. 

Luckily I have only had two episodes of dizziness recently. Once when I was outside bringing in groceries and another time in the kitchen. I did fall over in the kitchen but I wasn’t hurt or anything. The exercises and therapy have helped with the dizziness which is positional vertigo. 

All in all I am doing pretty good at the moment. I know that can change in the blink of an eye. So I am more than grateful for my health.