myTaste.com
ll Cibo é L'essenza Della Vita....

"The rooms that you use on a daily basis are the rooms people will always want to sit in, because they have soul." --Bunny Williams

“VIVERE SENZA RIMPIANTI” LIVE WITHOUT REGRETS

"If you want to live forever and ever, drink wine and eat maccheroni." ~~~Sicilian Proverb

Saturday, May 21, 2011

It's been a while.....

Hi All! 

          It's been a while and I miss you all so very much. I actually can't believe how much blogging has come to mean in our lives.
              Well, since you all know me so very well, you know I’m not one to keep quiet when I think something needs to be said. So here goes. First of all, I want to say how blessed and thankful I am for all of you. I have been blessed with the most amazing family, wonderful friends, UNBELIEVABLE neighbors, clients, and now blog readers and friends. Life has taken some crazy twists but brought incredible people into my path along the way. .
Most of you know that I’ve been dealing with some health issues for some time.    
                      My wonderful clients and those who were taking my classes watched as I had to leave the job I loved so much. You all know I preached the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, a healthy diet, a love of life and family, and how important it was to integrate all those factors. I tried to carry that over when my wonderful daughter decided we should write a blog and we found it struck a chord- people seemed to like what we were saying. I’m hoping people will continue to listen in the future because I will have a lot to say.
Here’s what I never thought I would have to teach my clients- sometimes the medical community won’t listen to you. Sometimes you’ll be patronized. Sometimes you’ll be just plain treated badly. And sometimes you’ll find the absolute best people in the world- the heroes who SHOULD be recognized and never are. The ones who fight for their patients and don’t give up and represent what their hospital is SUPPOSED to stand for.
YOU know your body. YOU know how you feel. YOU are your own best advocate. YOU are your ONLY advocate.
2 years ago I had a cardiologist call me a “diva”. I was told to “stop exaggerating” and “self-diagnosing”. I was having “fainting spells” due to “lack of sleep”. 1 1/2 years ago I had a “cardiac episode” - my heart rate was 32. I was told it was because I’m an athlete (At his peak,Lance Armstrong had a resting heart rate of 34 beats per minute) 5 months ago it was discovered that my fainting spells were actually due to the fact that my heart was STOPPING for 13-14 seconds- in went the pacemaker.
          I was scheduled for a total hysterectomy next Thursday- necessary for many other reasons. Because I’ve been so sick, lost so much weight, had trouble breathing with exertion, etc..., the test I asked for so long ago was done this week.
               2 years ago at 6:30 on Monday mornings, the "Diva" would have been hitting the switch for the music, turning to face a class full of smiling people and lifting a set of barbells. The next hour would be devoted to a high intensity Body Pump class, lots of laughing and the start of a wonderful day. This Monday morning at 6:30 my class will be facing another teacher. I will be on a table being prepped for surgery.
Nobody wants to be validated this way, but it turns out I’m pretty good at self-diagnosing. I have Coronary Artery Disease. Known as The Silent Killer, it is the #1 killer of men and women in this country. The wonderful doctors at UNC are going to fix the blockage in my heart. If all goes well (it’s a real big if, I know), the other surgery will proceed on Thursday. If not within 2 months. The “cardiac incident” was, indeed, a heart attack. I will be back. I will be loud. I never asked to become the poster girl for both breast cancer and the American Heart Association, but if this is what God is asking of me then this is what I’ll do.
To all of you who have offered your help- thank you so much. I just ask that you keep an eye on my family. They’re kind of scared and I’m kind of focused on all this right now. Plus we’re SO trying to sell this house! I love you all. Stay happy, stay healthy. xoxo And I can't WAIT to get back to blogging!!! And maybe a cookbook???......

                                                          Buon Cibo, Buon Amici

                                     Pattie and Allie


20 comments:

  1. Oh Pattie, so good to hear from you. I instantly stopped and said a prayer for successful surgeries and for the sale of your house. It is amazing what combined prayers can do. I know that you will be blessed. We have missed you so much and Joni and I have talked about you often. I was so glad to see you come up in my reader this morning. God bless you in this next while that all of your prayers may be answered.
    Much love and prayers,
    Jacqueline

    ReplyDelete
  2. God will be by your side and your family's as you get through this part of your life... Your strong faith and family's love will bolster each of you up after your SUCCESSFUL surgery. You will be back to sharing your blog in no time...You will be in my daily prayers,

    ReplyDelete
  3. Welcome back...my sweet little friend.....still praying and will continue to pray....keep us posted. Love always, Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh Pattie, I am so glad that you insisted on finding out the reason for your problem. Omgosh to think what could have happened if you had not!!! I will be thinking good thoughts and sending lots of prayers for you, your doctors and those that will be taking care of you. God be with you sweet Pattie, xo Kathysue

    ReplyDelete
  5. So happy to hear from you. My goodness, what a time you've had! Good luck next week! Please know that so many of us will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh Pattie - it's so nice to hear your firey spirit on your blog again. Prayers for a speedy recover go out to you! Please keep us posted as you feel up to it.

    Patricia

    PS - you are SO right about being your own advocate. Nobody better!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I will keep you in prayer for a speedy recovery. God Bless. Hugs, marty

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Pattie! I was so excited to see your blog post. I have missed you so much and have been thinking of you often. I am so sorry that you are going through all this and that your family is going through it as well. You and you family are in my prayers. I will also add a prayer that you sell your house soon. I know that is a major burden right now. If there is anything we can do, please don't hesitate to ask. God Bless!
    Hugs,
    Diann (and Troy and Lia)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Patti, you inspire me and I know you will be back and I want to be the first to order your cookbook! After a five year absence from the kitchen you convince me to get back in there and enjoy. Thank you. Looking forward to many more blog days ahead. Many blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dear Pattie and Family. Thank you for your message of being your best advocate. I will be praying for a quick recovery so that you can get back your life to doing the things that you love. You are a warrior. Joni

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh Pattie, I was just getting to know you and enjoying that acquaintance very much. I've wondered how things were going and am sorry to hear what you've been going through. How frustrating for you and those who love you. I wish you all the very best and will be praying for you, your loved ones and those who treat you. I'll also be waiting for you to be back to visiting very soon.

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have missed you here...I can't imagine facing all of that. You are an amazing lady..stay strong and get yourself well...love ya! :D

    ReplyDelete
  13. It's so good to hear from you. I have thought about you and worried about you over the last few months. My prayers are with you and your family through your surgery and recovery. We cannot wait to see you back here on a regular basis!! Be well, Pattie.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I had wondered if you were o.k. I wish you the best in both your surgeries and will say prayers for you and your family! (((HUGS!))) Hope you can get back to doing what you love really soon!

    ReplyDelete
  15. oh what a blessing on this beautif sunday to come to bloggerville and see that you have posted..I am so sorry you are going through all this and happy someone finally heard you and is taking the proper course of action to help you get well and heal..
    You will remain in my thoughts and prayers..
    (((Pattie)))
    xoxoxo
    Sonny

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am so sorry you are going through all this..You are so careful..you take care of yourself..sometimes it's a wonder..But we need to have courage..and patience and faith..
    It's so true how we just KNOW when somethings off..
    Take care..best to you and your family..

    And keep your face to the sunshine..I like that saying..

    All will be well is a good one too:)

    ReplyDelete
  17. We are thinking about you today, sending love and saying many prayers. Love, The Corton-Morel Family

    ReplyDelete
  18. Pattie and Allie, You have been missed SO much! So sorry you have had to go through this. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Blessings, Beth

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lean on God. He will give you the strength you need during this valley in your life. I will be praying for your recovery.
    God Bless,
    Angela

    ReplyDelete
  20. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

We LOVE comments and it's a great way to lead us to your home! Thanks for visiting!