Spring(s) eternal

Today is Easter, and tomorrow is April Fools' Day. (Please note that I am allowing for more than one of the latter.) Both seem apropos. The last three months have proven to be a pivotal point in my life. Not only did my heart literally skip a beat or three --- the official diagnosis was atrial fibrillation --- I have also been diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. Atrial fibrillation is known colloquially as A-fib. It can be life-threatening due to blood pooling in the chambers of the heart and the potential for clots. In the E.R. I was given two transfusions that failed to convert my heart rhythms to normal. I was then anesthesized and given an electric shock, which did the trick. I had not had a regular doctor's exam in years, but knew from a couple of health fair blood tests and blood pressure readings that I had a 'pre-diabetic' condition as well as high blood pressure. I was the Queen of Denial, and the E.R. doctor let me have it with both barrels. Now I owe my life to Providence Hospital, both literally and figuratively. The monetary payment due for my self-neglect is mounting daily and currently exceeds $8,000. I am paying in other ways, from the pricks of blood sugar testing (at first I did five a day) to facing the reality that those low-fat and sugar-free dishes I have been making for Mom are also my permanent lot in life, with no slipping away for the occasional bacon cheeseburger. I have also quit drinking, which was no doubt contributing to lopsided cholesteral readings and nighttime blood sugar highs, which is when I had the A-fib episodes. (Yes, there were several; the first two I ignored). Chastened, I am taking little walks, which I hope can increase in length as the weather improves and my stamina builds. I am also trying to deal with the pressure of mounting medical bills while not having my heart rhythms respond accordingly. Life has become a round of blood sugar and blood pressure readings and episodes of intestinal discomfort due to the new medications, which include Warfarin, a blood-thinning 'rat poison' that requires constant monitoring. Nevertheless, this is a lovely Easter. Mom is going to services wearing that new aqua dress and jacket that has been in the back of the closet awaiting this spring day. While she is gone, I plan to put together a healthy Easter repast: 4% ham slices with fresh pineapple, a brown rice/quinoa pilaf, and roast asparagus and baby bok choy, followed by beautiful fresh strawberries for dessert. I am thinking of using the non-stick donut pan to make little sugar-free, low-fat cakes as bases for strawberry shortcake. It is expected to top 70 degrees today, and in my own way, I am celebrating rebirth.