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| Winter Village |
On Wednesday, I finished setting up the winter village. One of the figurines (an ice skating couple) fell and broke and I decluttered it rather than trying to hot glue it together. I did hot glue some other bits and pieces such as a chimney that had broken off on one of the houses. My winter village started out with nine mini houses that I bought during an after Christmas sale, one year, back in the early 1990s, I believe. Over the years, I added individual pieces when I found them on sale. None of them are pre-lit, but they each has an opening for a light bulb, so I set them on top of a strand of lights; the extra length of the strand of light gets wrapped around the mantel.
M was here, today, to tend to the garden. He brought me a small set of onion starts, which he planted for me. He discovered that the raccoons had uprooted one of the newly planted mums, some of my paperwhites bulbs, and dug up something else at the back of the garden! I told him that the neighbor's chickens were also seen scratching around in the back, yesterday! At least we don't have the rabbits, this year! M helped me to clean the spots on the sliding glass door.
Aunt C called again to ask about my daughter and we chatted for quite a long time, again. Later in the evening, I called friend R to check on her.
My daughter said she felt the same as she had done, yesterday. She didn't have a fever, but, she had a slight headache and cough. She had the last of the mac and cheese and a serving of the miso soup she had made for lunch and cooked some pasta with pesto and turkey for her dinner.
Then, later in the evening, she experienced difficulty breathing and like a hard band across her chest. She took a puff of her asthma rescue inhaler and felt like her throat was closing on her. She got worried and called 911 and she said that while she was talking to the 911 operator, she started feeling a numbness, tingling, and cramping in her hands, feet, and face! She said she was finding it difficult to talk with the 911 operator. The 911 operator sent the paramedics and stayed on the phone with her until the paramedics arrived. When they arrived, my daughter couldn't get up from the sofa to open the door for them! She said she couldn't feel her feet under her. So, with her permission, they broke open the door lock! They checked her out and her pressure was fine, she had no fever, her lungs were clear, her oxygen level was 100%, and she was hyperventilating!
The paramedics talked to her, asked her several questions which she was able to answer, and got her to slow down her breathing. Eventually, she felt better and they asked her if she has ever felt an anxiety attack. She had said no, never, and they told her that she had just experienced an anxiety attack! They had told her that physically she was fine and there was no need to take her to the hospital, but, she should call her doctor in the morning. After they left, she notified the building management about the broken door lock and called me.
I had no idea that she was having a panic attack, but, I had just texted her to ask how she was doing! Maybe I felt that something was not quite right? She said she received my text just as the paramedics left!
We chatted online the rest of the evening. She did a Covid test shortly after midnight and she tested positive, but, the paramedics had told her that she is probably no longer contagious. She will test herself again in a couple of days.
Today, I am grateful for:
- My daughter is physically well; it was not a heart attack, worsening Covid symptoms, or stroke, etc.
- 911 emergency services, an operator who stayed on the line with her, and paramedics who responded to her call
- Being able to video chat with her
- Phone chats with family and friends
- M tending to the garden for me
Today's joyful activity experience is knowing that my daughter is physically well. I am hopeful that she will be able to consult with her doctor and find out ways to handle any future anxiety attacks.
I have no firm plans for tomorrow. Some housekeeping and card making, I think.
How was your Wednesday? What are your plans for Thursday?
How scary for your daughter! What a relief that she wasn't having severe Covid symptoms, but it must be very stressful to her. Long Covid is a real fear as well. I hope she recovers fully and no more anxiety attacks! Racoons are cute but can be very destructive. I hope the neighbors chicken's are kept safe from them at night. Your winter village is lovely!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was rather scary and a bit unnerving for her. However, we are both very thankful that it wasn't something worse. She said she was having a headache today, but, the paramedics had told her to expect one. I told her she needs to come home so I can fuss over her and spoil her!
DeleteThe raccoons have already started tearing up my garden! I am trying to feed Mama Cat before it gets dark, but, I found the raccoons hanging around the back door in the late afternoon, too! I hope the neighbors are keeping their chickens safe - they were in my backyard, a couple of days ago!
I have never had a severe anxiety attack like your daughter, but I know they are very scary. So glad that all of her systems are okay. The doctor should be able to help her find ways to cope when she feels one coming on again.
ReplyDeleteYes, anxiety attacks are scary, especially the first one and you don't know what you are experiencing. She will message the doctor, today, and hopefully, she can have another phone consultation and find out what she should do if she feels another one coming on. I once had an anxiety attack, many years ago, and the doctor prescribed a sedative, which I promptly disposed of! Might not have been the best thing to do, but, I've not had another anxiety attack since then. I hope my daughter's doctor doesn't automatically prescribe medications for her.
DeleteI am so sorry to hear about the panic attack, but glad that was all it was. I know she was scared while it was happening (and probably is still upset about it).
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne; yes, she was quite unnerved by it, but, we are both thankful that it wasn't anything more severe.
DeleteGlad your daughter is holding her own. I had a busy day yesterday and we got about 5" of heavy snow last night. Inside day for me here and will probably work on a few craft projects. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana. Wow, that's a lot of snow! Hope you have a lovely day. :)
DeleteOh my your poor daughter & poor you being so far away at a time of illness. As someone who has experienced anxiety & panic attacks over the years, I can attest to how scary it is in the moment. It does feel like you cannot breathe. Excellent response from your 911 system. Hopefully your daughter's doctor will give her some referrals to treat panic attacks. There are some excellent methods for dealing with anxiety, many teach you to recognize the triggers of your own individual anxieties. Your winter village looks inviting to visit :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary-Lou. It's difficult being alone when one is ill and being away when a loved one is ill and alone. Yes, I know anxiety/panic attacks are scary, especially the first one when you don't know what is happening! I once had an anxiety attack, many years ago, and the paramedics took me to the ER, where the doctor assured me that it was a panic attack and not a heart attack! I saw my doctor the next day as recommended by the ER doctor and she prescribed sedatives! I came home and disposed of the sedatives! Might not have been the best way to deal with it, but, I haven't had an anxiety attack since then. I hope my daughter's doctor will give her alternative ways to deal with future anxiety attacks and not pills!
DeleteI am so sorry to hear about your daughter. My daughter is 31 and had C in September. In November, she was having difficulty breathing. Turns out she had blood clots in her leg and lung. The dr said they've been seeing this happen. Please tell your daughter to not ignore any difficulty breathing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angie; how scary that your daughter was having blood clots! I hope she is being treated for them and she is feeling better, now. I will pass on the information to my daughter. The paramedics did check her lungs and said they were clear. But, yes, she did the right thing calling the paramedics. Hopefully, her doctor will do a check up once daughter is out of quarantining.
DeleteWell it's good news that the paramedics were able to get to your daughter and that she didn't need to go to hospital. The panic attack must have scared her and I hope she doesn't ever experience another one. Is she okay now or is she still feeling stressed about it?
ReplyDeleteYour winter village is delightful. xx
Thank you, Eileen. Yes, it was good that the paramedics were able to get to her and reassure her that it was a panic attack and not something else like a stroke, worsening Covid, etc. She was scared by what was happening, especially since she didn't know what was wrong with her. She is still a bit unnerved by the experience. I am hoping that it was a one time thing, but, time will tell. I had a panic attack, many years ago and the paramedics did take me to the ER for a check up. The following day, I saw my doctor at the time, who prescribed sedatives, which I disposed of as soon as I came home! Might not have been the smartest thing to do, but, I haven't had an anxiety attack since then. Maybe I'm jinxing myself saying that?
DeleteAnxiety attacks are frightening things, especially if the person is alone, as your daughter was. My late cousin suffered with them. I hope your daughter is able to establish the "trigger” , that will really help. I am so glad it was not a heart attack. My thoughts and prayers are with you both (being a Mum, especially at a distance) can be very stressful ❤️🙏❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. We've all been under a lot of stress lately, haven't we? I'm sure my daughter's trigger was getting Covid and even though she was starting to feel better, worrying about whether she should come home for Christmas or would she be exposing me to the virus if she did so. Part of her wants to come home and part of her is worried about coming home! She had told me that she would never forgive herself if she transmitted the virus to me. It's not an easy choice for ehr to make. Thank you for keeping us both in your thoughts and prayers.
DeleteThat should be "her", not "ehr"!
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's panic attack. I've had friends who experienced them and it is so frightening. I hope she can come home for a visit, so that she can relax with you. I'm keeping her in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI love your village which must be a joy all lit up. I just managed to find some small candles with remote and timer function, to put in my creche and they were in the post office today. I don't have to move them to turn them on or off like the others I had, and they even recharge with a USB port.
Thank you, Bushlady. Your prayers are much appreciated.
DeleteThe winter village is threatening to turn into a town! It takes up the whole mantel and I've stopped buying new items for it! My daughter has fond recollections of spending hours playing with the houses and the figurines!
I'm glad you found the remote controlled, rechargeable candles! That will help with lighting up your creche. :)
That worries me. I hope she will get a second opinion, since she did test positive for Covid. Her symptoms sound very frightening and serious. Is she under a lot of stress? Reading the news is enough to cause many of us to panic. I hope she is feeling better now.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephenie. She sent a message to the doctor today and we'll see what the doctor has to say. I guess she's feeling stressed that she has Covid this close to when she was planning to come home. She was looking forward to coming home for the holidays and now she doesn't know if she should plan to come down or continue to stay up there because she doesn't want to risk bringing the virus home to me. Also, getting Covid is stressful in and of itself, isn't it?
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Oh my Bless, what your daughter went through must've been so frightening for her! I'm so glad to hear that physically she is ok but still that experience sounds so scary. I'm glad she is ok. You were probably so frightened as well.
ReplyDeleteDoes M have any idea about getting rid of the raccoons?
I guess it would be hard to block them out.
I feel sorry for Momma cat and hope she is ok.
Are raccoons aggressors?
Hi Debra; yes, she was quite unnerved by what happened. I only found out afterwards and I felt I had to stay calm for her. She messaged her doctor and she received a return message from the doctor, suggesting she made an appointment for a check up and included some available resources through the clinic.
DeleteM doesn't know what to do about the raccoons; I guess the only thing to do is not put food out for Mama Cat, but, that is not possible. She is ok, just very nervous when I put food for her - constantly looking around to see if there are any other animals around, when she is eating. Last night, I stood guard over her while she ate!
I think raccoons can be aggressive; I'm not sure! I've only been outside once when they've been around. I was watering the front yard when one came down neighbor T's tree; it saw me and ran off towards my backyard and I stopped watering and went inside!
Oh no! That must have been such a worrying experience for your daughter, especially coming out of the blue like that. Thank goodness she had the foresight to call for assistance and she had someone there to reassure her after the attack.
ReplyDeleteI hope her doctor can offer some preventative help moving forwards. Xx
Thank you, Jules. Yes, it was a scary experience for her. I was blissfully unaware of it until it was all over! Otherwise, I would have been worried, too!
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