Couldn't Sleep a wink last night.

 Couldn't sleep a wink last night.

I'll bet you have nights like this, where, no matter how much you want to sleep you can't. You lay there trying to calm your mind, say a mantra, say a few prayers, do relaxation exercises, but nothing works, you toss you turn, you turn over your pillow, you drink water, go to the bathroom and do it all over again.

I have a friend, that I swear can fall asleep sitting up in a chair, or he can lay down on the floor with his legs and feet up on the couch and fall asleep while petting the dog.

I didn't used to have a problem going to sleep and I really can't figure out why I can't do so right now. Although about 2 years ago I could go to sleep alright, but I dream t I was awake all night. I would wake up so tired and cranky it wasn't funny. I finally had to ask my Doctor for something to help me sleep without the dreaming. He gave me a prescription that did indeed help. I took that medication for about 6 months when I was finally able to wean myself off of it.

Part of what was keeping me awake was the way my heart was beating. It actually is beating a lot harder and a lot faster then it was. Normally my heartbeat is only about 60 bpm. This at first glance appears to be a normal healthy heartbeat of a male at rest, but that would be incorrect. My heart beat is actually very erratic and actually appears to be beating in reverse. You see about 12 years ago I had a heart attack that reduced my heart function by about 30%. So my heart beat is only about 65 to 70% of normal. I can walk and do mild exercise that will raise my heart beat to about 70bpm, but if I push any harder I start having angina pain, in other words a heart attack.

If you are wondering, no I don't drink or smoke or even eat poorly. I have always been an active, busy person. The thing that brought me down with heart problems was extreme stress from my work environment. The last job I had was extremely stressful, and I could never really relax and allow myself get rid of the stress, so my heart said enough is enough.

Anyway, after having 6 bypasses and 20 stents, I am considered a walking miracle. In addition, to the heart trouble I also have rheumatoid arthritis, for which I am being treated with medication which does help to reduce the pain in my joints and allows me type this message. I have had to have a full hip replacement and a full knee replacement because those joints had deteriorated so badly I could no longer walk without aid and support.

Happily I can now walk and even run a bit with no pain. I can even go up and down stairs unassisted and without holding on if I have to.

I guess my point in writing this is to try and put it into perspective for myself, and also for anybody who might be interested, I'd be willing to answer any questions you might have.

Oh yes, while I'm thinking about it, for those of use that have to take a lot of medications and/or vitamin supplements, there is a free web site available, where you can generate your own lists of medications either in full page form or in wallet size form. I use it because I can never remember all the meds, their dosage and number of times a day taken. My doctors all love it because I bring the list in every time I go see them. It makes life simple. Here is a link   https://secure.medactionplan.com/mymedschedule/stb/

Try it you'll like it.
I reckon that's all from the gahillbilly.

God Bless us all.


"(C) Copyright by Victor Winebrenner"

Ensuring my wife had somebody with her while I went in the hospital.

Hello, to all caregivers that have to find somebody to stay with your loved one while you have to leave him or her to enter the hospital.

To say that it is stressful to have to leave your loved one while you go into the hospital is an understatement. How can you be sure she will be cared for, will the person you select be pleasent, kind, and helpful.

A case in point, I had orders from my Doctor that I needed a heart Cath. I had an induced stress test performed on my heart and the result was not good. A heart cath was then scheduled. I would be in the hospital as an outpatient assuming no stent or angioplasty was needed. Should either or both be required I would be in the hospital overnight and possibly two nights.

I checked with my daughter and her family and they were in no position to take time off from work to stay with Claudia. Today's economy being what it is, and the advantage that the bastards in charge are taking is criminal. Management can and will fire you for taking time off for family emergencies. So no help there.

Fortunately I have some wonderful friends that I was able to call on for help. One person was able to come and stay with Claudia from 8am until noon, at which time the caregiver from medicare would be able to come and stay for as long as it took, even if it meant staying overnight. We informed her that we would pay for the hours that medicaid would not cover. (Ostensibly, the company supplying the help will not allow a person to stay longer then 7.5 hours, and will not allow them to stay overnight).

I have another friend that willingly drove me to and from the hospital. Believe me when I say I will help him whenever and however I can.

Can you believe that, medicaid will pay for a caregiver to stay with a person but not overnight. You will find that if your loved one must have 24/7 care they will move her to a nursing home. That's so, only if the beaurocracy thinks they should allow it in the first place.

Do I sound bitter! you bet I am.
Really, really disgusted with Medicare and Medicaid on certain issues.

Yes I am certainly grateful for the help we are getting.

God Bless us all, Victor Winebrenner

All comments are welcome.
"(C) Copyright by Victor Winebrenner"