"Blessings..."

It was another beautiful "balmy" Palm Beach County, South Florida, night, and I just returned from Jupiter Beach, while having a wonderful phone conversation with my sister describing her son's 21st birthday "special" gourmet dinner celebration...

In reverse order...

I floated in the warm pool water of our beachfront timeshare resort, as the crescent moon appeared thru the unusual cloud formations in the distance.  My floating was assisted with Styrofoam "noodles" to keep my feet elevated (per doctor's orders...), as I stared thru the coconut palm tree at the large American flag billowed over the resort in the tropical breeze...

I listened to the conversation of a couple visiting from western Pennsylvania (I chimed in that I was lived after birth and after grad school graduation with my grandparents in eastern Pennsylvania!), with a few of their children and grandchildren ...they had four by birth and had adopted seven foster children, and still managed to retire early!

Before the swim, I had taken a walk along the beach...the resistance of the sand felt great on my legs, while the cardio filled my lungs with salt-infused oxygen, while the waves lapped onto the beach...A couple called out..."look to the northeast...an Atlas 5 rocket (partially manufactured locally, and the first destined to take samples from an asteroid) launch is occurring in one minute". I looked up an watched it thru the clouds, and walked over to hear the broadcast on her I-Phone and thank her.  "It's a nice evening for a walk.  I'm glad that after seeing the doctor this afternoon, that he gave me a go-ahead for walking for exercise.  Eight days ago I had been hospitalized with DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) in the left leg, and Pulmonary Embolisms in each lung (with 4 in the right and 3 in the lower left).  It had been a real surprise,because earlier the same day I had weight-lifted heavily, did a 1.5 mile swim, and did 45 minutes on a cardio elliptical machine, with no shortness of breath.  I had taken my Mother to see our doctor and had him check my swollen sore leg.  He said I had Phlebitis and should immediately go the hospital for an Ultrasound of the leg, and while at it, a CAT scan of the lungs.  After the tests, I was met with a wheelchair, and taken to the Emergency wing to be checked-in!   Had I not gone to the doctor, my condition could have been fatal!"

The woman listened, and mentioned that he older sister had died of lung cancer this morning...she continued that the beach is very therapeutic, and that they come to it  nearly every day at sunrise and sunset, 6 months in Jupiter, and 6 months near Hickum Air Base in Honolulu ( mentioned I had toured the islands with a grad school roommate who is the Hawaii  Air-Force bases architect)!  

While walking, I had a phone conversation with my 84 year old Mother for whom I had a new bed delivered the day before, and finally had a comfortable sleep after many sleepless years...and who was reciting the "current events" of the day...

When the doctor had entered for this afternoon's follow-up checkup, I told him that I was confused...I really had been surprised by my recent diagnosis, didn't know what caused it, or what my prognosis is, or what I should be doing, not doing, and for how long!  My 6 hours of Internet research on DVT, P.E., and my prescribed blood thinner drug, Xeralto, the night before had presented 180 degrees different opinions on everything, and with some , the prognosis was as bad as probable death in 12 months!  My doctor sat patiently, as I went thru each question, and when I paused, he said..."I haven't lost a P.E.diagnosed patient ever!"  He examined me, and said the lungs already sound better...the left leg veins are permanently damaged...and explained what had occurred, what I need to do for the next 4 to 6 months, and beyond, and that the treatment and its results will be taken step by step...

During the time at the beach, and as I write this, I've reflected on God's blessings...