Its been a very, very long time since I last wrote, thought, blogged, lived. Leaving CT and returning to LA was one of the best things ever (2015 -2018). Lauren and I were both healthy, happy, busy working, being creative, loving life in our little Beverly Hills home. Content. Incredible location. Then the company I worked for closed its doors, and my landlady, while a lovely person, raised our rent yet again. Rentals in LA were skyrocketing, so we packed up and moved back East, home to CT. While we no longer had the Wilton house, we found a nice little rental in Fairfield. Really did not know much about Fairfield, so it was a new experience, as we had never lived so close to town! Living in Fairfield is simply delightful! Snow storms, ice storms, hurricanes, etc are no longer a major issue, as town center is about a 5 minute drive, or a 30 minute walk. After 35 years of living in “in the middle of nowhere”, it’s a whole new way of experiencing CT & we are thoroughly enjoying it.
Our first year back had some issues. We missed LA, our little house, our neighborhood, the ease of getting around, being able to walk to Trader Joes, The Grove, The Beverly Center, Gelsons, LACMA, Ralphs, the Beverly Hills library, the Saban (a theatre & concert venue) right across the street, not to mention La could take a bus out our front door to anywhere in the city, and last but not least, THE WEATHER!!!!! Yes, to say we missed all that would be a massive understatement.
I was lucky to get a gig freelancing for a caterer in Westport, it worked beautifully as long as I did the work at my house! Organization was not his middle name. Then Lauren slipped on ice in the driveway and broke her arm, in 2 places. Our landlord sold the house we were renting and gave us 30 days to move. Loved the house, but not his asking price. Literally rented the first apartment we looked at, first floor of a duplex. 2 beds – 1 bath. Rent was reasonable. Neighborhood is adorable. Small collection of brick 2 story row houses, originally built for the employees of the Winchester Gun Factory. “Grasmere Neighborhood”. Location is stellar. Lots of history here, I would love to research it more. (another blog maybe?) Our house was built in 1910 and believe me, it still looks like it inside. This was the landlords Grandmothers house, which was probably pretty perfect back in the 20’s & 30’s! Right now, its a prime example of a 1960’s time capsule.
Now my feet had been bothering me since we moved back to CT, but I just chalked that up to being a Chef, spending 12-14 hours a day standing, wearing poor shoes, working on unforgiving cement floors, old age, cooking is not exactly a desk job! When I finally saw a Podiatrist, he diagnosed me with Mortons Neuroma, a foot neuropathy, very painful and not much can be done for it except, soaking the feet, massage the legs, invest in very good footwear, basically be kind to your feet, they have the job of supporting and carrying your body, give them some much needed love!
Then I tripped, my slipper caught the rug and I went flying. Couldn’t move. Tried to get up, no go. Lauren called 911, and the Fairfield EMTS came, got me up, took my vitals. BP was high, they recommended I go to the hospital to make sure I hadn’t damaged or hurt anything. OK. No worries, lets go. Get an EKG, MRI, the usual suspects. ST. Vincent’s here we come. I will say this, it is a great hospital with a wonderful staff. Though after numerous visits & lengthly stays over the course of a year, they never did diagnose me or find out what exactly was wrong with me. I give that credit to Bridgeport Hospital and the most amazing ER Doctor ever. He took one look at me while I was waiting to be admitted and knew exactly what was wrong with me, and what to do about it. He started treatment while I was in the ER, came in and explained to myself and Lauren my diagnoses and best course of treatment and to start asap. To say I owe this man my life is an understatement. Incredible #Inconceivable (lol) #ImNotDying #ImGoingToLive #BumexSavedMe
#MassiveEdema #3HeartAttacksInARow #EndStageCHF
This was in March. Of this year. My before and after pictures are simply unbelievable. In only 3 months. Unrecognizable. Prior to that hospital stay, I could not walk, had not slept in my bed, used a portable commode, never left the house, unless by stretcher to the ER, and was basically 100% homebound. 2021 is a complete blur/ blank/ void. I remember nothing & am grateful for that. I do know I was an asshole to family & friends, refused treatments and more. I was supposed to die. I did not. I wouldn’t be here if it was not for Lauren, my daughter, my life, my love, my angel. I owe her everything. Also my sisters, Kathy & Sheri and my brother Chris and his amazing daughter, my niece Robyn. Without them, the love, support, help, nagging, smiles, laughter, ass kicking, it would have taken me much longer to get where I am today. My PT ..physical therapist, Dave, who had tried to work with me before, and I was not co-operative, took me on again, against his better judgement. With his help, encouragement, prodding, and “homework” I graduated on Friday. I can walk unaided, I do have a cane (it has palm trees on it!) and for long stretches I have a walker, but am using it less & less (only once today!). I can move with my own 2 feet, can go up & down stairs, go outside, use the “proper” bathroom, shower (with assistance, thank you La), get in and out of my bed, stand, walk, get in my car, work & cook in my kitchen to name a few. These are simple daily life tasks we take for granted, something I will never do again. Life is a gift, and I intend to use mine to its fullest. I will probably always need a cane, but damn skippy, I will have the coolest ones ever!! What I have learned, is to be willing and open to listening, working, working hard, never saying “I cant do that”, be positive, happy, grateful, realize things take time. Enjoy what you have, what you were given, love yourself, your family, and those in your orbit. Your road doesn’t have to be a lonely one, there are many who will walk along with you, hold your hand along the way, give encouragement and support, and let go when its time for you to walk alone. Though you are never alone, Life is a journey, and often best experienced with those you love. ❤️💕❤️