Call That Vacation?
Thursday, October 15, 2009 1:32:48 PM
So I went on vacation. How relaxing that must be? I thought about leaving my laptop behind, but made an excuse at the last minute that I needed my laptop to charge my phone, since I left my AC charger at work. And I couldn't leave my phone behind, could I? I brought books to read and paper to write my thoughts on. I went alone, though I was open to having someone come with me.
On the drive there, my chest started to hurt. This, combined with some weirdness with my heart rate at the gym led to a vicious cycle of anxiety... which maintained the chest pain. My chest hurt off an on for the entire vacation, and still hasn't fully recovered. When I went swimming, which admittedly isn't something I do much anyway, my chest was pounding from the exertion. But I still managed to relax after my swims, dozing off at the side of the pool!
With an emergency to deal with at home, some boredom and loneliness and a heap of anxiety about my heart, I left vacation the night before I would have had to check out and headed home. I got home, dealt with the emergency and had a restless night of sleep. But in the morning, I got an early doctor's appointment, and before long I was finding that my blood pressure, heart rate and EKG were all quite normal and healthy. In fact, my blood pressure hasn't been this low in a long time. I was given a prescription for nerve pills which I dropped off, but I haven't picked up yet. I don't want to lean on them too hard.
With my clean bill of health, my chest pain has gradually subsided, and I'm feeling much more at ease. I slept relatively well last night. I feel pretty good today. Work is slow (hey I'm blogging!) but I'm not too worried. I have a few more tests coming up to double check my health, and I think I'll find that I'm doing well and can relax about my health. Oh, and on my trip, I ate mostly fruits, plus some yogurt and carrots. That, along with my anxiety helped me shed a few more pounds. I'm very close to a healthy BMI and the range of healthy body fat I've been hoping to hit for many years now.
It's been a very difficult week, but even before this week started, I decided that the tough things happening in my life are challenges that I will gladly face and emerge from stronger and more confident. I am driven to succeed despite whatever external factors are thrown at my life. I will remain positive and I will overcome life's little roadblocks. In a way, one goal of my vacation, which was further self discovery, was accomplished! Now for some good relaxation time!