Anger Can Raise Heart Attack Risks

 When my brother died, people asked how he died. My answer was always--He died from cigarettes, beer, and anger. He had been angry for thirty years, and I don't blame for his anger. I suppose according to the article below, I was correct. 

After I read this article, I explained it to Tommy and told him--no more anger in this house. He is always raring up and berating me. I told him that stopped today. He gulped and said, "Okay!" So far, so good.

Science shows how a surge of anger could raise heart attack risk (yahoo.com)

I know it is not so simple as eliminating anger, but that and good medical care and obeying doctors surely will go a long way to living longer and in better health. 

Proper sleep is necessary, too. And, I am not getting proper sleep. Last night, I did not sleep at all, not until 5 pm and then only four hours   

We went out to grocery shop as we collected the ads. It took us three hours, then I slept from  about 5:39 until 10 pm. Tommy had leftovers--chicken, greens, and pork and beans. I ate junk, something I do when I am exhausted.  Tomorrow, I will rectify that. Tommy is eating often and right foods. I have not had to encourage him even once to eat the type food he should. 

I do believe he is hangry and does not know how to self-control, has not learned his symptoms of diabetes. Even the pharmacist said she gets irritable when her blood sugar drops. Tommy does not believe me and won't look at himself. Maybe he will now. 

The 24" fluorescent light over the sink quit. We bought a new tube, but that did not help. So, we may end up with new fixture rather than spending money on ballast. There is no light in the kitchen other than a 40-watt light over the stove! It is like it was when I came here light-wise. 

I barely could get on a little short stool, and reaching to measure was horrendous. Tommy cannot step up far enough to get on any stool, step, or curb. I told him to ask young guy down the street we needed help. He asked him and brought home a guy over 6 feet tall to replace the bulb. It either needs a starter or ballast. Ballast will be the price of a new, non-fluorescent fixture. 

There is another light fixture in the kitchen but has been broken for about 25 years. So, it is a dungeon. I also have a new light fixture for the dining room, too. So, maybe Tommy will agree to let electrician install three fixtures. 

Progress! 

Do you have a situation or person who causes you to become angry or becomes angry and lets loose on you? 

Catching Up and Maybe a Heart Attack or Reflux

 Thursday

When Tommy did the brushing for me, I had to turn onto my stomach. The bed is so saggy and lumpy that lying on my stomach is very uncomfortable. I was thrashing around trying to turn back onto my back. The mattress still moves off the bed. I told Tommy to hold my hand and help me. Well, my feet never could stick to the carpet, so I was sliding as though on ice. He kept pulling after I told him to stop. I was getting hysterical because I would not be able to get up when I sat on the floor.

All the rolling around on the bed and struggling not to fall upset my stomach so that I had awful reflux, I finally got to the living room and my chair. I thought I was going to throw up and was salivating. Then, my chest started hurting. I truly thought I was having a heart attack. But, reflecting on the reflux occurring, I held on and moaned and groaned while wanting to throw up. After sitting up half the night, I finally felt i could go to bed without more reflux. 

Friday

Tommy found the Christmas tree box. He brought that and the artificial poinsettia into the living room.

I tried on the three pair of house shoes we brought home from Belk's. None fit. So, back they go.

Dinner was chicken sandwich with BBQ sauce and slaw. 

Tommy has really changed his mind about fast food. We no longer go to Hardee's for the sausage and biscuit. He won't carry food to eat in the car....until today.

I bought some red Rubbermaid  (I think) plastic boxes about the size for a sandwich. He was not happy I bought them because we have so many storage boxes. But, they are not just the right size for a sandwich. I have carried the square glass snaplock ones. But, they are so heavy and breakable. These were bogo, too.  Today, I was making a sandwich to eat in the car while we had a wait. He came in with a box with a sandwich for himself. He always asks me if we should take drinks. Well, I would have to go to the bathroom, so said, "No." He decided not to carry a Diet Pepsi, either. 

If we are out and I say I am hungry, he gets me whatever I want. So, he is not being stingy with me or himself.  It takes him a while to take up my good habits. But, he picks up my bad habits immediately.

Friday night, we were up when it turned to Dec 9, his birthday, so I sang Happy Birthday to him. I have gotten him nothing because we never got to Tiger Rag. It is so far. I told him I would buy dinner for him wherever, but won't go in. He was fine with that. 

On Saturday, we are going to go to the parade. I cannot sleep and my left leg is swelling and itching so I just came in here to the laptop. We won't be shopping for him because the weather will be bad tomorrow. Well, that was the forecast. 

Earthquakes, Stress, and Heart Attacks, Etc.

It seems dealing with earthquakes causes enough stress to cause a rise in the incidence of  heart attacks.  The article also reports the results of the stress of dealing with insurance companies after disasters. I wonder how many people are dying of heart attacks in Texas, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

Earthquakes terrify me. I would just die of fright. Tornadoes are not so terrifying, at all.

I thought it was interesting that the insurance companies caused stress. I can relate to that.

Today was a hard day. I did not get enough sleep and exbf was here. He drove me to several places around town I needed to go. However, the weather was perfect--not too warm, no rain, and blue skies. Sitting in the vehicle on an asphalt parking lot it was so hot he sought the shade of a small tree. Don't you love to find a tree with the shade where you can park? He rolled down all the windows and enjoyed the rather stiff winds whipping the trees about.

I put chicken breasts in the crockpot on Tuesday, and then left it on warm for a day. I just did not get the vegetables added to the stock. This morning before he came, I added potatoes and carrots. I awoke tired, so I just put in enough for one meal. Later, I added more potatoes and carrots, plus onion, celery, and bell pepper for flavor. I had forgotten it earlier.

Usually, I find bags of carrots and buy those for the crockpot, no more baby carrots since they don't have much flavor. At WM, I found they had bags and loose carrots. The bags were $0.98/ lb. while the loose carrots were $0.67/lb.  I don't understand why loose carrots are cheaper. Do you know?  Buying just what a person wants is a good way to save money if you only have a limited budget for meals. Maybe I bought eight carrots, just because.

The crockpot is still on, so tomorrow I will buy lots of loose carrots, cook them in the delicious broth and freeze them in meal portions.

It is laborious washing all these dishes from the dishwasher, heating water, soaking them, and washing, rinsing and drying by hand. ugh

My total electric bill came to $725. I don't know why it was higher than I was told. The $300 I was told I could get from an agency to help with the bill, money from an emergency fund, was rescinded.  However, the total bill for the utilities was lowered from $725 to $351 that I must pay. The water company gave me a big break on the sewage since none of this went to sewers. I got a not so large break on water. Good deal! Plus, I found someone to install the water heater when and if I can afford one. Lowe's will sell me a water heater and install it for $239!

All this is stressful. However, we have had our 9th day without rain, and it looks hopeful it will remain relatively dry for the next 7 days.  Plus, the weather which had been near 90 will be closer to 80 this next week. YAY!

Sunshine makes me happy!