Fast forward!

It's April 15th, tax day1 I just wanted you to know that we owe Uncle Sam a bundle this year!
I also wanted you all to know that I saw my cardiologist today and he says I am on the mend and have "turned the corner". I go back in three months to check my progress. Hopefully I will get stronger in the days ahead. I've lost 15 pounds which is really helping my joints and I am sure my ticker is thanking me! Thanks to all for your prayers, concern, and support!
Part 2 is a distinct possibility next winter!!

And now the truth!

I first noticed something was wrong after we arrived at New Smyrna Beach. We had touched bottom really hard on the way there that day and it shook me up. Just a grounding, but it seemed to affect me. In the days that followed I felt drained and just couldn't seem to get my groove back. I wasn't having any fun as each day was becoming a struggle. I felt tired and worn out which was a large part of why we parked the boat at Indiantown. A few weeks off the boat would be just the tonic I thought.

Then I got a real surprise while we were visiting relatives in Ft. Myers. I was suddenly short of breath and getting palpitations. It was time for the doc. Fast forward a few anxious days and my test results from a Florida cardiologist indicated a potential serious heart problem.
We discussed our options and decided it was time to head for home. Not knowing specifically how bad things were I elected to keep it quiet and not post to the blog. We packed up and closed down the boat and headed north.

I spent the day today at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse where I underwent a cardiac catheterization. The results were good and my arteries are clean. The doc suspects that I may have had a viral infection attack my heart as it is not as strong as it should be. But I am doing better with new meds and hoping for continued progress. My heart muscle is stronger than it was 2 weeks ago. We have treatment options which will help a lot so I should be feeling much better in the days ahead. New meds, lose some weight (more salad steve?),exercise, and before you know it I'll be good as new.

And so a wake up call for me. Perhaps one for you too. If I have learned anything on this journey it is that life is beautiful but fragile. Each day is precious and should be lived like it's our last.
As a person of faith I have felt the Lord's steady hand guiding me through all of this, even when I wasn't aware of it.

And so I end this blog for now. Will there be a part 2? I hope so but Que sera!

Getting Caught Up

I need to post a few pictures that were stuck in my camera

The car is the "tin can" we rented for the month, a Mazda 3.  I would have to agree.  On a scale of 1-10, it was about a 3.
The other pics are from our day with Harv in Delray and a trip to Tramonti's on St. Patty's Day. The only bump in the road came when we couldn't find the car after a wonderful lunch! Thanks to Harv for picking us up in Jupiter and taking us to the airport to rent our second car to head home in.

Three

Crawford is 3 today. Here are pictures from his party and haircut.

Crawford

Joisey

We are at last in New Jersey for an important event. You will guess from the picture that it is Crawford's 3rd birthday tomorrow! We are so happy to be here to share it. We had a pleasant trip north from New Bern by way of the Bay Bridge and the Cape May Ferry. We will spend the weekend here and then home to Pulaski!
Stay tuned in the days ahead for some more postings from this Creaky Cruiser! Lots going on and you will want to be in the know!!!

I left my winter coat on the boat...

And we are headed for home. Pat sent me this picture to warm my heart for the trip up.  I love seeing PICTURES of snow.