Telling the Truth

connecting the dots of my life

Tag: Pacemakers

April 20, 2016

I stepped from Plank to Plank

Night Sky and Pacific

For several weeks I’ve wondered about this poem by Emily Dickinson. What’s it all about? Do I get it yet? I’m not sure. I do, however, think it gets me right now.

I stepped from Plank to Plank
A slow and cautious way
The Stars about my Head I felt
About my Feet the Sea.

I knew not but the next
Would be my final inch –
This gave me that precarious Gait
Some call Experience.

c. 1864

Emily Dickinson Poems, Edited by Brenda Hillman
Shambhala Pocket Classics, Shambhala 1995

As usual, there’s precious little Read the rest of this entry »

4 Comments
April 15, 2016

Visions | #7

Hosp-ThouPreparestTableIII_lg

Thou preparest a table before me…. Psalm 23:5, Quilted artwork by Lee Porter

#7
Visions
Glow in bright light
Dancing into my heart’s eye

It’s time to take me into the operating room. I smile at D and get his gorgeous smile back. Ready.

A tall burly man Read the rest of this entry »

7 Comments
April 15, 2016

Fasting | #6

Hospital patient gets TLC.

My greatest anxiety the morning of my procedure wasn’t whether I’d make it through the procedure. It was whether I’d make it to the operating room….

#6
Fasting
plus no liquids
equals no picnic today!

I’m still in the prep room. I’ve survived a failed attempt Read the rest of this entry »

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April 14, 2016

My Old Heart | #4

Sleeping Sofia_435_291

Learning about bradycardia answered questions I’ve had about people dying in their sleep. Especially, but not only older people. The image of dying in my sleep got into my imagination….

#4
My heart was old
Before its time—
It almost died in its sleep

For over 15 years my heart gasped for air, Read the rest of this entry »

6 Comments
April 13, 2016

Music | #3

Van Cliburn performing in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory during the First Tchaikovsky International Competition in 1958

Van Cliburn performing in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory during the First Tchaikovsky International Competition in 1958

I’m out with D, my temporary chauffeur, for a quick trip to *Raider Joe’s, aka Trader Joe’s. On our way home, heavenly music begins pouring out of the car radio. When I get into the house I turn on the radio to listen to the entire piece….

#3
Music from heaven
Washes over my soul and body
Soothing beauty from angelic fingers

It’s Van Cliburn playing Tchaikowsky’s Piano Concerto #1. Read the rest of this entry »

6 Comments
April 13, 2016

Curtains | #2

Curtains closing, 1280px-Radio_City_Music_Hall_Stage_Curtain_1

It’s Wednesday morning, about 7:15am. I’ve just walked into the prep room where I’m shown to my bed. I see several other beds in this busy room, each with so-called privacy curtains.

#2
Curtains close around Act One
I’m alone with my heart and one large plastic bag
The beginning of Act Two

Read the rest of this entry »

4 Comments
April 12, 2016

Stripped | #1

music-notes-heart-beat-heartbeat-and-music-notes2

This morning small verses began popping into my mind. In fact, they haven’t stopped coming. So here’s #1 with brief comments about my hospital visit six days ago to get a pacemaker.

#1
Stripped to my
Lowest common denominators
I lie naked

My worst nightmare, especially at this age: Read the rest of this entry »

6 Comments
April 8, 2016

I Love Lucy!

I_Love_Lucy_Red_Heart_3D
Very short post today, dear  friends, with one purpose: to introduce you to Lucy, my new pacemaker! I’ve given this very deep thought in the last several days, and concluded that a pacemaker isn’t just another gadget. Read the rest of this entry »

21 Comments
April 4, 2016

Taking Heart, and a P.S. for My Readers

Tuning the Heart of the Longwood Organ

Tuning the heart of the Longwood Organ. Note grand piano ‘pipe’ in the back!

Counting down–
Tired body and mind
on alert

Waiting—for
what I do not know
to happen Read the rest of this entry »

12 Comments
March 2, 2016

A tough old hen

tough old hens

The sun is shining! I’m alive and getting clear about what to do and what not to do to help my one and only heart. Here’s a quick update just for you!

First, the good news. Read the rest of this entry »

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