Heart Disease
After surviving a rare coronary artery dissection and massive heart attack while nine months pregnant, Nefertari has devoted her life to uplifting other heart patients and promoting heart health awareness.
See all posts »A Daily Checklist
We all have our daily routines, and over time, these tasks become like a second nature. However, I have to admit that even after four years, taking my daily heart medication alludes me at times.
I do well most of the month. Every Sunday, I sit down and organize my medicine dispenser, divvying up to 13 pill per day (depending on symptoms). On average, though, I take 9 pills per day. I then place the pill container up high and out of sight of my children -- with five kids in the house, this last step is an important one.
I try to combine taking my medication with other daily tasks so that I don't forget. I have myself trained to TRY to remember "brush your teeth, take your pill." This doesn't always work out because on occasion I need to eat a cracker or two before I am able to take my pills.
In order to get a cracker I must go away from my medicine cabinet in my bathroom and walk to the kitchen. IIf everything goes well I would have grabbed a cracker and returned to the pills, popped them into my mouth, and went on with my day.
But since I am a mother of five, anything can happen on that short journey to the kitchen, and it has. Sometimes, I have gotten so distracted that I forgot to go back and take my pills.
Most heart medicines are given to help prevent symptoms. Within about an hour, these symptoms will remind me that I have forgotten something.
I view the symptoms as good and bad. Bad, of course, because they are a constant reminder of what I've gone through and that I have a weakened heart; good because they help me to remember to take it slow, not over work myself, and to take my medicine.
I have gotten better through the years and I rarely forget. I have sticky notes around and an aggressive 12 year old that never forgets anything...ever. So, as a daily reminder (and to avoid a minor tongue lashing), I run through a checklist in my head every morning: Let the dogs out, check. Open the blinds, check. Take your medicine,check!
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