A Forward/Update:

I hadn't heard from Indy Echo in a while...
that's not out of the ordinary. I know she and Shifty have been busy stayin' on top of her business and dealing with the other factors goin' on in their lives right now. So I was more than a little shocked when I got this email from her yesterday:
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Hello Stranger !!!
Bet you thought I had forgotten you or something. NOT !!!!!!
I have been REALLY ill and in the hospital and haven't had a chance to get on VK or answer the numerous e-mails from some of the gang. Things had been hectic as usual around here. My business had taken off to a fantastic start for the new year. Landed a couple of BIG Japanese company accounts. Things were lookin' good.
Then the unexpected happened. On Sunday June 3, (Shifty) and I had worked outside most of the day and then went to neighbors for dinner. Felt fine all day, nothing out of the ordinary. Went for dinner and not too long after we got there I started to feel an odd pain in my right hip. Didn't think too much of it at first as had been working in yard etc., but the pain kept getting worse and spread down my entire leg to my foot. The pain just wouldn't let up and I noticed some numbness starting. Within an hour I told (Shifty) I needed to get home that I thought I might be in some big time trouble. By the time we drove across to our house my foot had gone completely numb all the way up above my ankle and I had to really bad painful spots in the calf of my leg. I told (Shifty) he had better get with my vascular surgeon and then get me to a hospital. Well, when I said that, he knew it was serious and got through to the doctor. Doctor said to get me to hospital immediately as he felt for sure there was blood clots and no time to waste. He said he would have the hospital waiting for me to get me on blood thinners and tests.
Well, it was blood clot(s). One completely blocking the plastic artery from previous surgery and a couple more in the calf area of leg. They of course admitted me and started me on blood thinners, antibiotics, IV drips, heart monitors etc. I had tubes running from one end to the other. Got my blood thinned and running to my leg and foot. But had some muscle damage in the mean time.
Took me to surgery on Wed morning. Didn't know what to expect as the doctor wouldn't know until he got in there if a new bypass was needed or if the blockages could be cleared. Well, God was on my side and he was able to clear the clots. But after the surgery my blood pressure bottomed out and they couldn't get it to stabilize so that prolonged my stay in ICU. Finally got everything stabilized and they wanted to keep me for a few more days but I talked them into letting me come home early. One exception, I had to give myself injections in the stomach to control my blood clotting. Never thought I could do that, but I did and got pretty good at it if I do say so myself.
I am still full of stitches - get them out next week. Feeling lots better but going crazy having to stay down. (Shifty) has been great!!!! I think he may appreciate me a little bit more after this. HAHA !!
He has had to do the cooking, cleaning (what little has been done) the laundry, grocery shopping, and even pooper scoop the dog kennels. He has really done good and now that he has proven he can do all this -
W E L L - I'M THINKIN ------ HAHA
Anyway that's the scoop around here. Drop me a line and fill me in on anything - something - truth's - lies - I just need something to fill in these l - o - n - g boring days.
(Indy Echo)
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So this story is unfolding as I bring you up to date, but folks- this is serious stuff...
Echo may find she was experiencing DVT... Deep Vein Thrombosis... and that is a critical, frequently fatal condition. She may not feel fortunate right now, but when she reflects on how this happened she'll realize how lucky she is.

Anyway, when you have time, drop her a note and irritate her, please!