December 31, 2020
Woke up with a racing heart and the sense of doom that today – the last day of the year – would be my last day on earth. I had had far too much to drink the night before and knew that’s why my heart was going too fast. I took my blood pressure medicine and went downstairs to take my blood pressure. For the next hour and a half I took it, randomly, willing it to go down. At 8:04 my blood pressure was 146/101. That wasn’t the highest systolic I had seen that morning but the diastolic stayed consistently in the upper 90s and low 100s.
I called my doctor and talked to the triage nurse who talked me down from my panic and anxiety and went back to bed, praying I wouldn’t die in my sleep. My doctor called me back and counseled me and I vowed my New Year’s resolution would start a day early.
I did not have coffee. I ate vegetables for lunch. I stayed up and rang in the New Year with a blend of ginger ale and lemonade. I stayed alive.
January 1, 2021
I slept until nearly noon. I had received a Luxome weighted blanket from my daughter for Christmas. That sucker is heavy! I sleep like the dead when I have it on. It’s a fantastic gift.
We ate our black-eyed peas, collard greens and rice for our meal. Nice and vegetarian (I added butter to my rice because I like to live dangerously) and tasty and healthy to boot.
I only drank water all day. I could feel my heart had slowed down. I lived for another day and was feeling tons better, already.
January 2, 2021
I awakened after what I thought was 8 solid hours of sleep (approximately 8 a.m.) and asked my husband what time it was. He told me 11:26! I didn’t believe him and reached for my Fitbit (charging beside me) and found he spoke the truth. He only speaks truth but I was shocked. That blanket is awesome!
I had a non-racing heart. I took my pulse with the pulse/ox (another present my daughter had sent) and discovered it to be a cool, calm 70 bpm.
I looked in the mirror and noticed my face was slimmer. Probably an illusion. My hair is looking better. My skin is glowing. My teeth are even looking healthier. When I showered I stepped on the scale. I had lost a couple of pounds – an unintended side effect. Welcome but unnecessary. Still no caffeine. Still going for the healthier options. Had green tea in the evening with honey to sweeten it but no other. Dinner was not the best choice (Red Lobster biscuits made from a mix that we had in the pantry) but a little bit of bread and cheese isn’t as bad as gobs of red meat.
January 3, 2021
Today. I have no idea what this day will bring but I do know I’m feeling better than I have in a long time. I would love to make this pre-New Year’s resolution stick.
My husband had decided that he’s all for us gaining energy and health together. Next step for me is to get back on my treadmill. I use it half-heartedly throughout the year but it’s time to put myself on a schedule.
I loved the old me but this new me is really making me smile.
January 15, 2021
Update on my personal mission towards heart health – BP this morning (pre-meds) is 115/79 with a pulse of 73. My lingering cough is finally being managed by removing lisinopril and adding losartan. Pulse ox remains in the 95-99 range (I check it a couple of times a day.) I’m on my way to making this a good habit to stick with. 16 days down and 14 to go! Go me.