Hi There!
About a month and a half ago I woke up with serious chest pains that worsened when I breathed in the cold air. I was scheduled to speak the next day, so I was a little worried the pain wouldn’t go away before the event. To be on the safe side, I went to Rapid Med Urgent Care Center. After an EKG, chest x-ray, and blood work, they sent me home with some steroids, antibiotics, a recommendation to go see a cardiologist, and a much lighter wallet. Thankfully the next day the chest pains were gone, so I dismissed the ordeal as an infection.
Last week, my chest started hurting again to a much lesser degree than it did the first time, but enough to know something wasn’t right. I went to my general practitioner this time, and after another EKG they, too, recommended I go see a cardiologist. This week I saw the cardiologist, and after a third EKG he told me he didn’t think I had any cardiovascular issues, but recommended I do an echocardiogram to check for fluid around my heart, as well as a stress test, which I scheduled for this Friday.
I’m not going to lie, I’ve been fighting some serious anxiety lately because of all this. I’m constantly reminding myself God is in control and praying everything will be OK. My daughter, Ellie’s, and my reality of having lost my late husband, Andrew, to cancer when he was only 30 years old has taught me health issues can happen to anyone at any time. When it hits so close to home, you realize it could happen to you. Although I try my best not to dwell on those thoughts when health issues arise, it’s easy to go down that fearful train of thought.
For me, the fear revolves around not being there for my daughter. That’s what I worry about most. Being in all the different doctors’ offices lately brings back some pretty sad and scary memories for me of when Andrew was sick. It’s been especially difficult being in these doctors’ offices alone, which has inevitably lead to me tearing up each time I’m there. Not feeling well has reminded me I’ve lately taken my good health for granted, and how I must be grateful for every day I wake up, especially the days when I feel well. It’s amazing to me how, in an instant, our lives can change when it comes to our health, how when we aren’t in good health it not only impacts our lives, but the lives of those we love.
This has all been a wake-up call to remind me to stop and take inventory to make sure I’m taking care of myself and making my health a priority. It’s also made me consider some ways I could reduce some stress and anxiety in my life. I’d love to know: What do you do to make your health a priority and what are your best stress-busting techniques?
Thank you so much for your contribution and I’m looking forward to reading what you have to share! I so appreciate you spending your valuable time with me today! Grateful for you, my friend. Love and Blessings.
PS – If you’re in the area I’d love for you to come hear my TEDX talk titled Finding Courage in Unlikely Places next Friday, April 7th, at 6 PM at Marcus High School! Click here to purchase your ticket: https://tedxmarcushighschool.org/ticket-information/.
PPS – I’d love to come speak to your group and share my message inspired by the lessons from The Ellie Project and about transforming life’s challenges into a purposeful life. If you’re interested, please email me at [email protected]
Hi Bay!! Please take care of yourself. You are the only one who will. And you must think about Ellie first.To help stress walk,read,sit think good thoughts like the Creator God,what He made, Natural,moon,stars sun,planets,water. How is He made us. Read the Bible.Exerice. Spend time with Ellie, see life as She see it, it will make you open up to a whole different world, Her world. No stress cause She don’t have stress. Luv you!!! Tell Ellie hi.
Hi Brenda!! LOVE your comment and suggestions so much. You are so wise! Grateful to have you in our lives. We love you too!
Sweet Bailey, I’m praying for your good health. Now I too am a woman of much stress (lol) however I have been doing hot yoga and recently learned to meditate and this has truly helped me. Depak Chopra has a download you can put right on your phone. It’s 4 meditations. If I can figure out how to send it to you I will, lol. If not I will text you the info and where to download it. Love you sweet girl.
Hi Nikki! Thank you so much for your prayers. I’ve been doing Yin yoga and I LOVE it and I will for sure try a HOT yoga class. I’d love for you to text me the meditation. My A.D.D mind really struggles to stay still and focused during the meditation’s I’ve attempted, yet I’ve heard it can really be helpful in dealing with stress, so I’d like to keep attempting. I know you are one busy woman and I appreciate you taking time to share this with me. Love you so much!
I understand how much this has scared you. I have been taking Juice Plus+ for 15 years! It has been a life changer for me & many others. It is 30 different fruits & vegetables that have been juiced & put in capsules & chewables. Check out my website as you can get free chewables for your Ellie for 4 yrs if you order 1 adult order. Feel free to call me for more info! It has lots of studies behind it! Miss seeing you! Judy
Be proactive in your health care. Have regular checkups with your primary internist or family practitioner.
Choose a proactive doctor and be proactive yourself. If ANYTHING changes, ask about it. If the answer does not feel right, ask for a referral or go see another doctor.
I have had 4 cancers, all found early and “fixable” following the above and praying a lot.
Easing up and relaxing more will also help.
Love you and Ellie
Aunt Carolyn
Hi Aunt Carolyn!! Thank you so much for your comment. I found it VERY helpful. I’ve taken your advice and been proactive with the doctors and I feel like we’re finally getting somewhere. I’m so grateful that your cancers were detected early and fixable. Truly appreciate you reading my blog posts and sharing them with Granny! Ellie and I love you dearly!
We are a Juice Plus+ family too!! It is such an incredible way to take care of your health – easy, convenient, and affordable. The gummies are delicious! Ellie will love them, so you can stay healthy together. Young Living essential oils are also a daily part of our family’s health routine. Many of the oil blends help calm emotional issues like worry and stress (and of course many physical issues as well). I also want to add one other resource I recently came across. It is the Labyrinth album by David Baloche. I am currently doing the daily devotional on the YouVersion Bible app. Hopefully you can check it out and it will be a blessing to you as it has been to me. “The promises of God help transform our thinking and calm our souls,” adds Paul Baloche. “In an anxious and busy world, Labyrinth is a powerful way to experience God’s Word while filling our hearts and minds with His peace through verbatim scripture set to ambient music… allowing us to soak in God’s Word.”
Blessings of health and peace to you, Bailey!
Such great resources Angela!! Thank you so much for sharing all of this with me. I found it so helpful and I will most certainly check these out. Thank you so much Angela! Blessings and Love to you!
Hi Judy!
Thank you so much for sharing this with me. Ellie and I took Juice Plus for a few years and I have to agree that it is wonderful. Thank you so much for reminding me about it! So good to hear from you sweet Judy! Miss you too my friend. Blessings.
Bailey, I have been a dentist in Cuero for 31 years, and yes I knew and treated Andrew while he was a high school and college student.
To relieve stress, anxiety, and worry from the unknown, simply look around you! Take deep breaths, DO NOT GOOGLE SYMPTOMS, but rather rely on the heads and hands God has trained to get your answers.
Often I have read your subject matter, I hear Andrew in your words, and you have inspired millions by your words and actions.
The suggestions to walk, listen, look, and marvel at all the good around you is sound and wise advice.
Also, your father-in-law is a wise and wonderful physician, counselor and friend. He has helped me many times simply by giving me an ear to bend, a shoulder for support, and an open and honest opinion.
Hi Robert! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with me. It always blesses me to hear stories of Andrew’s childhood from those he knew and loved. I appreciate your feedback and your sound advice. The Heard’s are wonderful people and I’m so grateful to call them family. I’m grateful they’ve touched your life just like they’ve touched mine. Thank you again so much for blessing me with your comment. Blessings to you Robert.
Hey, I read this blog, so sorry. 2 things for you, ask the Holy Spirit to help you look straight at Jesus, and be encouraged by the scripture like Jer. 29:11, and Psalms. I will pray for you. 🙂 I have had to go to the doctor lately an I do not like it. haha!
Hi Luke! Thank you so much for sharing this with me. So powerful and important. I appreciate your prayers my friend. Blessings Luke.
Thank you for sharing! I always love following your posts and stories. I know this may be different for everyone but one priority I have with managing stress is exercise. Exercise is of course good for you physically but honestly for the past couple of month my main motivation to actually do the work out has been the emotional benefit. It’s emotionally beneficial due to the release of hormones that make you feel good and help combat stress but I’ve also been asking myself, “What can I do today that will make me proud of myself?” It always seems to be getting up early, having my quiet time, and exercising.
Love you!
Hi Tiffany!!
Your share was so helpful! I’ve dropped the ball on exercise over the past couple of months and I can for sure tell a difference mentally and emotionally. I’ve struggled to motivate myself to exercise in the morning before El wakes up, even though I know it will make me feel better. Your comment inspired me! I love the question you ask yourself! I’m going to have to borrow it because it’s powerful and motivating! Thank you so much for sharing sweet Tiffany! Love you too! Blessings.