The Home Stretch – Sam goes back to hospital
Firstly Happy New Year I really missed everyone and hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
It seems like aeons since our little family were counting in the New Year with friends in Melbourne. Just days into the new year and Sam my husband wasn’t well. He’d felt this way just before Christmas and called an Ambulance but not gone to hospital.
I must admit I thought he was being overly dramatic, I’m a ‘soldier on’ type and whilst he had a multitude of symptoms nothing seemed to make sense.
Extreme fatigue, aching shoulders and neck, slight tightness in the chest, and he kept clenching his hands, upset stomach and he thought it could be the result of his tablets so he stopped taking them.
No clutching the heart and dropping to the floor like they show in the movies.
Long story short (mainly because I’m wrecked and have a flu) he ended up in hospital and they at first told us he’d had a mild heart attack but after lots of tests turns out he has Myocarditis which is an inflammation of the middle layer of the heart wall. Not good, he needs lots of rest and his GP has given him some information and along with our friend ‘google’ we are getting up to speed on this newest development.
Today is now Friday and he just went off in the ambulance again. I don’t know to where and now wait for a call or message. It’s worrying, but we are determined to sort this out and get him better. We have fifty three days till we leave Australia.
So you will have to forgive me for my absence online, the home stretch seems to be getting longer the faster I run. I’d love to write something profound or thoughtful but right now I’m in overwhelm, shut-down, need a good cry or a glass of wine! Perhaps both.
I’ll endeavor to keep you up to date with our adventures, touch wood nothing else dramatic comes our way.
We are longing to ‘sink into the quiet where our hearts are free to wander’
>>the home stretch seems to be getting longer the faster I run. I’d love to write something profound or thoughtful but right now I’m in overwhelm, shut-down, need a good cry or a glass of wine! Perhaps both.<<
(tears). yep. some days I feel we can almost catch a glimpse of that distant shore, other days completely washed up right back on the beach where we started… and every day I feel the waves don't allow for much progress but I know this… WE ARE COMING! 🙂 Wait for us!
I have updated my flickr photo page address so you or anyone else can see it.
(if you are interested, of course 🙂
okay great thanks Caterina x
Oh Dear Lisa, you have really been through the ringer. I am so sorry to hear about Sam and I hope he is on the mend soon. Not to butt into your affairs, but I think you should not delay your trip to Italy. I have tons of experiences with the medical system in Italy and there is both good and bad, but I guarantee you, you can find excellent doctors and get excellent medical care in Italy. I have lots of contacts and would be happy to help you find the best doctors here if you need it. But for the moment, go get that glass of wine– don’t worry about doing blog posts, relax and give yourself a break. Big hugs, Trisha
Thanks so much Trisha, and we are working full steam towards getting on that plane, we don’t want to delay and at the moment it looks like we will be able to make it. He has to have a follow up MRI and ultrasounds in six months so that should work. It’s a wonderful relief knowing that you can help us out with doctors if needed. Working on a blog post today at last, things are slowly getting back to normal LOL xxx
sending love lisa x
Oh my goodness Lisa, I have only just caught on to the fact that we have been going through dramas with our husbands health at the same time. My thoughts are of course with you. xx
See Linda I knew we had lots in common, hope your husband is recovering and that you are also getting some care and rest. Our thoughts are with you both also, sending love xxx
We are here to hold your hand – but I hope there is someone whose hand you can hold in real life, who will be your sounding board, and get you through this worrying time. Thinking of you.
I’m so lucky to have wonderful friends both online and in my day to day life. My sister in law Julie, best friend Carolyn and soul sister Rosa are always just a call away. Although i must say that when it gets overwhelming I tend to blow a fuse then have a good cry and get it out of the system. Thanks for your love and concern, Sam is up and looking a bit better so that’s a good sign. He just asked for a cup of tea which he hasn’t touched all week, and has lost about 6 kilos xx
Sending you prayers and good vibes for a happy outcome. It’s often harder on the ones who feel the need to stay strong and then you find yourself not well. Have a sloppy blubbering cry, a bottle of wine and hang in there.
All the best.
b
thanks Barbra, nothing better than good vibes and we have felt coming our way over the last 10 days. I can’t afford to fall in a heap now with so much to get done. Sam has been sleeping most days and taking everything very slowly which is not like him at all x
Oh dear! So sorry to hear about Sam. I hope you are near to your family right now, I mean other than your dear children. It’s all about their support now. I am going to read up on that condition.
I am sending you good vibes right now.
Caterina B
Even though my family are not close I talk with them most days and so many people have rung or messaged to find out how we are going which is lovely. Sams parents were able to visit briefly yesterday and it always feels better when your Mum comes xx
HANG IN THERE!Docters are amazing these days!You need to be STRONG!DRink your vino and eat your pasta…………………..he will be fine.Remember medicine in ITALY isNOT what it is here in the States cant speak for AUSTRALIA.Perhaps, look into the possibility of changing the tickets……………….just explain the situation.You people are so nice I’m certain they would change the date if need be.He looks like a lovely person………………I will keep you in my thoughts.
I’m sure we will make the flight, it’s just all getting very close. Funnily enough his Doctor said that if you ever needed a heart transplant the best place to be is Italy as they have compulsory organ donation. In Australia you have to be registered to donate organs and it still has to go through the family first. That’s the Doctor, giving Sam another heart attack by talking about transplants LOL x
Hi Lisa
Sorry to hear Sam is back in hospital. Stay strong and have that wine. I am sure he is in good hands. Positive thoughts to you and Sam. xx
I love these positive thoughts Millie and thank you so much for sending them x
Didn’t have the wine but did have the meltdown which helped, so moving forward just a little slower than planned.
sending love lisa x
Hi Lisa, I’m one of those silent followers that can’t wait to see each of your new post but never comment. This time I thought about how stressful it can be when a loved one is having health problems. I just want to let you know that what you and your husband do is such an inspiration. I one day would love to renovate an old Italian home and give it life again. Just know that even though we have never met, a great admirer here in California has you and your family in her prayers.
Andreana I showed Sam your note and he thought it was wonderful. It’s so nice to know you aren’t a silent follower anymore. When I read your comment I must admit I teared up and am ever amazed at how incredible it is that we can all reach out to each other over such vast distances. Sending love and thanks for your kind thoughts and now we have a little bit of California here with us in Australia xxx
Take good care of Sam, Lisa, and may your darling guy make a quick and full recovery. I send you a big virtual hug and many many many warm wishes. xxxxxxx
It’s so odd Jann seeing my ‘Rock’ so vulnerable and sick, now it’s my turn to keep everything going while he gets better. The last few weeks before we go will be hectic that’s for sure. Thank you for all the lovely virtual hugs xxx
lisa
I hope Sam is much better soon, it all sounds a bit scary.
It has been scary Deb, he’s getting better very slowly and it has given him a big shock and a reboot to his lifestyle. x
Have that cry. Pour that wine and close the shutters for a bit. We’ll all be here if you need a bit of online lovin’. Just take care of yourselves. You’ve got a great story ahead of you. And it can wait for now xxx
Well had the cry but skipped on the wine, I’ve been loving your posts Margaret. I’m trying to rethink the blog and how we will approach it for 2013, once we are on the move I’m sure it will evolve in all kinds of ways I can’t even imagine yet. both scared and wildly excited….LOL
sending love
lisa xxx
Oh my friend, I’m so deeply sorry to hear this. XOXO My Bear has been terribly sick the last few days as well, and they finally diagnosed it as a staph infection. Now he’s slowly but surely getting better. Sam’s condition does sound scary and I’d hug you tight and bring you wine and let you cry your heart out if I could. XOXO Hoping so much for good and helpful news for you, dear one. May you all get rest soon. XO
My Sam is very literal and he had no idea who Bear is LOL x
Hope he is feeling better. I’m sure Sam will improve once we hit the road, so many new adventures waiting for all of us x
sending love lisa xxx