Oh My Heart

Apparently I'm a little loopy here.
This is after the procedure to place the stent.

There is my artery, almost entirely closed off.

Here is the stent in place.  Blood flowing freely.

The Story:  Last week, I wasn't feeling too good.  I thought I was just coming down with the flu or something.  I ached, and had a headache.  It took me a few days to put it all together.  At first I thought I had just used my muscles, and they were sore, after helping Roger shovel the heavy snow.  A few days later, I realized that it was only when I was exerting myself, that my upper back, upper arms, and chest were hurting so bad. Just 2 weeks prior, I had been able to do 2.5 miles on my treadmill as usual, with no problems what so ever, and now I could only do about a mile, and my upper back and arms were just killing me.  Strange.   I began to think it might be heart related. I also noticed it when I would walk to the bank and post office (from my work).  Monday morning I didn't think I was going to be able to make it back to the courthouse, and after I got back it took me about 5 or so minutes, to recover.   Monday afternoon I went to the doctor in Morgan, and my BP was 178/118.  Along with all of my other symptoms that I had related, she said I should head to the ER.  While down there they did EKG's, drew blood, and and I was laying there (not exerting), I had another "attack".  Soon after, I was headed upstairs to be admitted.  Rachel Roskelley was my nurse !  Happy thing in the midst of the unfortunate turn of events.  Dr. Tariq Harb was my doctor, and performed an angiogram (which turned into an angioplasty) where they thread a small catheter up through my femoral artery, to my heart, and  there is dye involved, and xrays, and they found the blockage, and placed a small stent.  I was happy to hear later from Mindy, who used to work for him, that she considers him the best.  

An angiogram is a test that uses x-rays to look for narrowing or blockages in coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. An angioplasty is a procedure that widens the blocked artery.

This video shows what goes on in the Cath Lab.  It is almost exactly what I experienced. Gaylene Kimbal works in the lab at McKay Dee everyday.  She wasn't on call the night I went it. My Angioplasty was performed about midnight on 1/30/17.  They had to call in the Cath Lab techs.  There were 4 of them, along with Dr. Harb. Clint Petty, from Morgan was one of the techs.

Here is picture of a balloon inside the stent (inside the plaque filled artery) .  It is blown up, the stent widens (how does it stay widened?  I don't know for sure), then the balloon is deflated and withdrawn, and the stent stays in place, holding the artery opened for good blood flow.  

I need to go back in a couple of weeks, and have a stress test performed. Apparently there are a couple of other arteries that show some narrowing. I may need to have stents put in these arteries also. I have high cholesterol, and this is hereditary. I'll be on Lipator, for this, and other heart medications for the rest of my life now........isn't that just great? I am grateful that there are medical procedures in place to help me.  Thankfully there has been no heart damage from this, as sometimes happens when you have a "heart attack", and blood supply is completely cut off, and the heart if damaged.  I'm lucky in that respect.  Also, as another note, my dad had his first (only) stent inserted when he was about 60.  I guess I have him beat by 4 years.......  I think my brother and sister better get checked out as a precaution.  I've been eating great and exercising for the past 2 1/2 years, and this happens?  I guess when it's heriditary you need to be pro-active with the Lipitor (or other type of high cholesterol meds).

Love and miss this little one

"They are idols of hearts and households;

They are angels of God in disguise;

The sunlight still sleeps in their tresses,

His glory still gleams in their eyes,

These truants from home and from Heaven,

They have made me more manly and mild;

And I know now how Jesus could liken

The Kingdom of God to a child." - Charles Dickens

A little bit of this.........a little bit of that

In no particular order........because I'm lazy like that :)

Kacey and Landon work every Saturday morning for Junior Jazz.
They are stationed in the Big gym at the Middle School, and I'm glad, because that's where most of Treyson's basketball games are played, and we get to see them in action.   Landon ref's the games, and Kacey keeps score and runs the clock.

Treyson and Grandma Shirlee after his game.

Payson does Preschool on the computer (along with regular preschool)
It's quite the commitment, and Kacey and Landon work hard to meet the required "times" that it needs to be done per week.  He is learning alot, and can actually read a few words !

Fun Times

They love it when I make pancakes.
They usually have a "request"
This morning it was teddy bears :)

Kisses for Daddy

Hangin' out with the cousins
Thatcher, Tagg, Brightyn, Braelynn, Dayton? Payson

Tagg's teeth - they are healing......

My Pizza Maker Helper

New haircuts for ALL !!
Even Grandpa
Thatcher refused to get his cut, unless Grandpa did.
I'm really happy he helps put the pressure on.  

Tagg won the storytelling contest for his class with this book !!  I was so proud of him.  We've been telling this story for a long time in our family.  I'm glad they like it so much. 

This boy is such a pleasant person to be around.
We love to support him in anything he does. 

Dave Giles is his coach.
They have a good little team.  

We went to the temple with Grandma Rich and family
Those that were able to go were, Joni and Kerry, Gwen, Grandma Ben, Landon and Kacey, Chans and Tausha, and Hunter and Eric.  Kaley and Keysto tried to come, but got stuck in traffic near Taggart's, and missed the session :(

I love teaching my grandkids things.
This morning on the agenda was cutting with a fork and knife.
Notice the SNAKES.....He was cutting the heads off :)

This is either the 3rd or 4th cast !
What a saga.
The latest, was he got the top of a pencile eraser(metal thing) caught down inside, while itching........which he isn't supposed to be doing.  He was trying to hide the fact, because LAST time, he was using the other end of the pencil, and when they took the cast off, there were pencil marks all up and down his arm......WHOOPS - he got caught !!!

Another trip to the oral surgeon to get the metal "thing" out that was on his bottom teeth.

And the dentist has built back up his two front teeth, and he will soon be seeing the orthodontist, to get them straightened.  We still don't know whether or not they will stay in his head, or if he will have to have implants at some future date.  We are keeping our fingers crossed.  

The pin is still in his wrist, but hopefully this week, he will get it out. 

Beautiful Cam in AZ
Wish she was closer.
We miss her.  She is doing exceptionally well on the bass guitar at her lessons, has moved up a group, and her "band" will be playing in small venues.  This makes me so happy !    She practices every day without her mother having to nag her.  She loves it !!

Note from Mr. Bunn, Treyson's teacher. So So true - he is a one of a kind !

I had fun making this video/slideshow -  Watch for #27 - That's Treyson :)

Speaking of Basketball........
Landon was able to go to a Houston Rockets basketball game this past week, when he traveled to Texas for his work.  He texted us, and we turned on the TV.  Sure enough - there he was :)  He said it was a great game, and so fun to be so close to the action. 

Wonderful people are still thinking of Zac and CJ and family, and leaving little treats and remembrances on their doorstop.  Here is a mini snowman - so cute !

This is also a a Jazz game, when the Junior Jazz and parents were able to go and have a fun night. 

Payson and Anna (I think) - what a neat SNOW CHAIR she helped him make !

And a BIG snowman too ! 

Happy Birthday Cameron Claussen

This kid is 14 years old today
What ?!?

When we first met him (October 2008)
He was only 5.....

And he grew........

and grew........

Happy Birthday Cameron
We Love You !!

Fun Video - from my YW years

When I was a YW leader, we worked together in classes (Ours was the Mia Maid Class), to put together videos celebrating our Pioneer heritage.  This is the one we did, and it's been buried in my files for the past 12 1/2 years.  I was excited to put it together again and share.


Now all of these girls are mamas !  Deborah is expecting her first next month.  Where have the years gone?

Happy Birthday Kacey !

This guy loves her, and so do we :)
Happy 28th birthday Kacey
Did I get that right?
1989......2017.....yup, I think so :)
Hope you have a great day.
See you sometime today.
I can hardly wait to give you your gift.
Love ya

I am having so much fun !!

Who knew you could create some cute short videos on You Tube !?!?!
Loving the Memories !!  Remember you can click on Family Videos at the top of the blog to go directly to our You Tube channel, check back often.  I'm trying to get a bunch uploaded.

More Memories - Snowmobiling and Football

My first attempt at a You Tube Video, created by myself.

This was fun - put about 4-5 short videos together, then added them again in slo-mo, and inserted still in between, and also added some music.

Memories Uploaded

I'm trying to get all of my videos uploaded to Youtube, so everyone can see them.

Here's Landon's Senior Year Baseball Highlights.

Fun Memories

Birthday Girls

Waking up early Saturday the 7th
She got a bike !  Yahoo !!

This girl.............

....is THREE !!!

Saturday, January 7th
With Grandma and Grandpa "D" and Thatcher
We were watching Treyson's basketball game that morning. 

Sunday night we celebrated at
Grandpa Gary's and Grandma Carol's.
Kaley gave Brightyn some makeup (SHE LOVES IT) - and she promptly retired to the bathroom in solitude, so she could apply her wares.  She was pretty cute and excited.

Cute Cute idea for Birthday # 3 !!

This girlie loves to be up on the cabinet, where all of the action is :)

YUM !!!

Monday - January 9th was my birthday, and we decided to take a selfie.

Roger D presented me with TWO DOZEN ROSES !!
Can't remember the last time THAT happened.
They are beautiful, and smell divine.
LOVE THAT MAN

Mom made me a cake !
(see the two pieces without frosting?  Guess whose they are?)

Landon and Kacey bought and cooked a wonderful (fall apart in your mouth) delicious roast, CJ and Zac brought some ice cream, Grandma Ben made her wonderful green salad which we all snarf up.   It was a great meal, and I appreciated it so much, that the family would take the time, on a school night, on a snowy/rainy night, to gather together.  The day definitely ended so well.   I am so loved, and I love my family. 

Bright got a little doggie and a new outfit from CJ and Zac
(they hadn't been able to come to her party on Sunday night)

Everyone ate, and talked, and played UNO, and just enjoyed being together. 

I was sung to, and got to blow out my candles.

Such a great night.
Thanks to all of you.
I love you all very very much.