Life's a Stitch

And more recently life’s a creative adventure with some travel thrown in.

Live and learn, or maybe more appropriately, learn and live. I’ve benefited from many teachable moments throughout this ordeal. Some of them are life saving, some are insights into relationships and some have to do with knitting. Leave it to a knit blogger to tie a heart attack to knitting! Here is what I’ve learned:

1. Learn what triglycerides are. Unlike the dietary fat you learn about in regard to cholesterol level, triglycerides are a kind of fat that is made by your body. And cutting out fatty foods won’t control them. Whenever you eat more calories than your body can handle, even if it’s good food like lean meat or veggies, your body turns the excess into triglycerides, a fatty substance, in your blood. Although his cholesterol was under control, C’s triglyceride level was seven times the normal rate, presumably due to the entire bag of candy he consumed prior to his "event."

2. You can be having a heart attack with very few symptoms. He only had chest pain in the centre of his chest, none of this radiating to his arms or jaw. Any symptoms need checking out.

3. I physically shake after being given bad news.

4. He is sick of telling his story and listening to others; I need to tell it and hear others’ experiences.

5. There is such a thing as too much knitting. You, probably like me, knit to deal with stress. When your wrist swells, turns red, and is excruciatingly painful, it is time to take a break, get out the ice packs and put on a wrist brace.

How about a Marina picture, getting to the very top of the body.

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7 responses to “Live and learn”

  1. Rosie Avatar
    Rosie

    Hey Li, I am sure that things can only get better for you.
    How about putting down the knitting and taking Gracie and Chuck for a nice long walk to keep everyone heart healthy.
    Love, Rosie
    PS I am on the exercise bike and lifting weights.

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  2. sherry Avatar

    Li, marina is coming along beautifully. It;s good to learn. keeping you both continuosly in my prayers.

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  3. Dorothy Avatar

    Marina is benefiting from Chuck’s heart attack – who knew? I deal with stress by knitting and I can see how that would NOT be good for your wrists! I echo Rosie’s comments about everyone getting out for a walk – presuming Chuck’s doctor approves. The weather seems to be getting a little better this week.

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  4. Karen Avatar

    I still haven’t gotten over my hubby’s heart attack and it’s been about 2 1/2 years. It scared me so much. He was scared too for the first year, then he slowly started reverting back to his old eating habits and is now right back to where he was. It’s a struggle for me not to clobber him frequently and I just don’t get it.
    I hope your wrists get better soon and all my best to Chuck.

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  5. Lorette Avatar

    I’m just catching up with blogs and read about what’s going on. It sounds like you’re dealing with it relatively well. I’d be just a basket case. I don’t think that you EVER think these things will happen to you or to one that you love. My thoughts are with you and your family.

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  6. Rebekah Avatar

    Marina looks great. I can’t even imagine what it must be like to go through something. My family has been rather fortunate on the medical end of life, which we take for granted. It just goes to show you though, you can never be too cautious, especially when you might think it’s minor. It’s always good to be checked out.

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  7. Lynne Avatar

    Well, Li…I’m so sorry to hear about your husband’s situation, but it is better news than worse, you know? It is good to hear he’s on the road to heart health. If you could teach him to knit, then that may relieve some of his stress, if that’s a contributor, and it would relieve some of your wrist pain, because Chcuck could knit on Marina. Well, it sounded like a good plan….

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