Welcome to the series of Posts from Your Archives and I will be sharing posts from the SECOND six months of 2023 from your archives.
If you wish to be included the information is at the the end of the following post which is from the previous series, and shows you what it will look like.
This is the second post by author and retired teacher Pete Springer and he shares the reasons he was not as active on his blog last year. Life has a way of intruding into best laid plans… and sometimes we are taken by surprise when our body lets us down despite our best efforts.
Where Have You Been, Springer?
Photo Credit to Nikhil Joseph on Pexels
You may or may not have noticed my absence from the blogging world lately. Today is the first time I’ve been interested in writing in the past couple of weeks. I’ve come to realize that expressing myself is my therapy. Some people see a therapist when they have problems, but I tend to share my feelings this way. Since we’re all wired differently, everyone has their own method of coping.
I was at a routine ENT (ear, nose, and throat) medical appointment in February when I discovered I had a low pulse. If you’re like me, I pay much closer attention to my blood pressure than my pulse. A rate of 40 seemed modest, but the immediate concern of the medical professionals grabbed my attention even more. My doctor directed me to go to the ER immediately. I spent a day in the hospital, but the tests indicated nothing was wrong with my heart. I learned that some people have a lower-than-normal pulse rate (especially athletes), so there was no genuine concern as long as I remained asymptomatic. I don’t consider myself an athlete, but I have been incredibly dedicated to exercise for several years since I retired and have lost significant weight through exercise and diet.
Photo Credit to Pixabay
Since then, I’ve monitored my pulse every day. It remained low, usually from 38–45, but I stayed asymptomatic. That all changed about two weeks ago when I had tingling in my extremities, low energy, and began feeling faint. I was dealing with a sinus infection then, so I questioned if that was part of the equation. I had better days mixed in but felt worn down. I wondered if I was fighting a bug or finally had COVID-19. The tests said no. I went to the ER once since my doctor couldn’t see me. Isn’t it unbelievable we dread going to a place that will provide us with helpful information but hesitate because we know it will take a minimum of six hours (usually far longer)? It was reassuring that the tests were negative, but I also knew I didn’t feel right.
Photo Credit to Kampus Productions on Pexels
Three days later, I felt faint in the shower and became more concerned. I was fine for several hours afterward but decided to drive to the ER again for precautionary reasons when some symptoms began to return. My wife offered to drive me, but I felt capable and didn’t want her to get stuck there all night for the second time. I was partway there when a loss of feeling began to go up my legs. I looked to pull over at a familiar place, realizing the seriousness of the situation, and called my wife. Soon after, I determined I couldn’t wait the fifteen minutes it would take for her to get to me and called 911. They arrived quickly; by then, I had just about passed out in the car.
I felt like I needed to lie flat and was happy when they got me on a gurney. When people are about to pass out, their blood pressure is typically low, but I soon discovered mine was doing the opposite as the EMT said my high blood pressure number was at 190. I didn’t realize it then, but I had a panic attack.
Photo Credit to Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
The ambulance took off, and we headed toward the hospital. The EMTs were busy monitoring my vitals when I heard my ringtone. Still thinking clearly, I had my phone close by. Sure enough, my wife found my car but not me and wondered where I was. Riding in the back of the ambulance was not the answer she expected to hear.
By the time we reached the hospital, the feeling in my legs had returned, and my blood pressure was becoming more regular. The EMTs transferred me to a wheelchair and wheeled me down the hallway. I mistakenly thought they were taking me to a room. Instead, I ended up in the ER waiting room with 25 other people. Immediately, the loss of feeling began to go back up my legs, and I started making a fuss, telling everyone I needed to lie flat. One of the staff repeatedly told me there were no beds available. I continued to call for help because I could feel myself passing out, but the nurse, not realizing the gravity of the situation, told me to “man up.” I know they were packed and probably doing their best under stressful conditions, but this was obviously not the right way for him to handle this.
Fortunately, my wife showed up right then and listened to my concerns. She grabbed a chair, elevated my legs, and comforted me, alleviating my fears. When I finally got into an ER room a couple of hours later, the doctor examined me and told me she planned to check me into the hospital. What a relief, or so I thought! I spent the next 14 hours (16 hours total) waiting to get into a room. Having been through this situation several times with my mom, this is the norm. There aren’t enough beds or personnel available in our local hospitals. I could not sleep because it was loud, the bed was uncomfortable, and the bells would start ringing each time I fell asleep as my pulse dropped below 40. It was an experience that worsened when I developed a migraine.
There’s much more to the story, but I’ll give you the condensed version. The following day, I got a pacemaker and now rock at 60 beats per minute. I’m forcing myself to be patient as I cannot raise my arm for six weeks. My energy level, quite naturally, has not returned yet, but I’m working toward it as I’ve been able to take short walks the past three days. My healing is both physical and mental. I’d never had a panic attack, and it was a scary situation. I had one more after returning home, but now I am more aware and educated.
Nice to be out in the bright sunshine again.
Thank goodness for the wonders of modern medicine. The pacemaker is now a part of me; the doctor replaces the battery every 5-15 years. I’ve never been a person who takes life for granted, and I’m feeling incredibly grateful to have a wonderful family, friends, and a sound support system. I’ll be around. This stubborn old dog has too many things he wants to accomplish in life. I’ll get myself right and continue to live life to the fullest, looking out for my family, friends, community, and myself.
My reason for living: my wife, son, and new daughter-in-law.
©Pete Springer 2023
My thanks to Pete for participating in the series and I know he would love to hear from you.
About Pete Springer
My name is Pete Springer. I taught elementary school for thirty-one years (grades 2-6) at Pine Hill School in Eureka, CA. Even though I retired over three years ago, my passion will always lie with supporting education, kids, and teachers.
When I came out of the teaching program many years ago, I realized how unprepared I was for what was in store for me in the classroom. My college education focused mostly on learning theory rather than the practical day-to-day challenges that all teachers face. Thankfully, I had some great mentors to lean on to help support me in the early part of my career.
I have made it my mission to pay it forward to the next generation of teachers. I was a master teacher to four student teachers, and I have several former students who are now teachers, including one who teaches at my former elementary school. That is pretty cool!
While I was teaching, I decided that one day I would write books for children. That ship is now in the harbor. I took some writing workshops, found a writing critique group, joined SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), and I recently finished writing my first middle-grade novel. I’ve always connected with kids, and this is my new way of teaching.
My debut MG novel, Second Chance Summer, just got professionally edited, and I will be querying in the coming weeks.
One of the reviews for the book that I can also recommend
They Call Me Mom is a delightful book detailing the teaching experiences of life-long teacher, Pete Springer, in a school in a government school in the USA. This memoir is an interesting, and sometimes poignant, peek into the teaching environment and provides some memorable insights into some of the practical and emotional difficulties a teacher experiences.
Pete depicts his initial decision not to go to college and study straight after finishing school, but rather to do some unskilled jobs. These jobs did not pan out well for Pete and after returning home and working as an assistant in a special needs school, he decided to go into teaching as a profession. This was the perfect choice for him and he evolved into a caring and dedicated teacher.
Pete was fortunate to have some wonderful role models to help him develop as a professional and, I am sure, he was also a fabulous role model to new teachers coming into the system. He inspired some of his students to consider teaching as a career and that is a great achievement.
The book is filled with endearing stories about Pete’s classroom experiences with the children and the reader quickly comes to realise that there is a lot more to being a good teacher than knowing the curriculum and preparing lessons. Their is also the social and emotional side where teachers must understand the issues and problems their students are experiencing and help guide them through these difficult times. Pete had exposure to a far greater range of family backgrounds than I ever have, either during my own school career or that of my two sons. He had students whose parents worked at night, some whose parents went to jail and others who were being raised by single parents or grandparents.
This book provides a lot of guidance to teachers about how to maximize the learning environment in the classroom and this information is useful to all carers of children including parents, grandparents and others.
A lovely book and one that focuses on the important role played by teachers in raising the next generation of parents, employees and business leaders.
Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – and:Amazon UK – Read more reviews:Goodreads – Website: Pete Springer WordPress – Twitter: @OfficerWoof
How to feature in the series?
- All I need you to do is give me permission to dive in to your archives and find two posts to share here on Smorgasbord either by leaving a note in the comments or by emailing me. (sally.cronin@moyhill.com)
- Rather than a set topic, I will select posts at random of general interest across a number of subjects from the last six months of 2023. (it is helpful if you have a link to your archives in your sidebar by month)
- As I will be promoting your books as part of the post along with all your information and links so I will not be sharing direct marketing or self- promotional posts in the series.
- If you are an author I am sure you will have a page on your blog with the details, and an ‘about page’ with your profile and social media links (always a good idea anyway). I will get everything that I need.
- As a blogger I would assume that you have an ‘about page’ a profile photo and your links to social media.
- Copyright is yours and I will ©Your name on every post… and you will be named as the author in the URL and subject line.
- Previous participants are very welcome to take part again.
- Each post is reformatted for my blog and I don’t cut and paste, this means it might look different from your own post especially if you are using the block editor
N.B – To get the maximum benefit from your archive posts, the only thing I ask is that you respond to comments individually and share on your own social media.. thank you.
I hope Pete keeps feeling and getting better. What a scare! Thanks for sharing the news, Sally, and all the best to Pete. ♥
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He seems to be firing on all cylinders again Olgan ♥
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Oh, what a story! Nice to hear that everything went well, Pete!It seems that you have the same overloaded health system as here in Germany. A few weeks ago I had to take my mother to the hospital, and after she was released she passed out. She had to wait seven hours without any fluid intake. Unbelievable. Best wishes, Michael
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So sorry to hear that Michael… your poor mother and you must have been very worried. How could they forget something so fundamental for someone elderly.. hugsx
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The state of medical care in our area has reached crisis level. Many doctors move to more metropolitan areas and services are lacking. It often takes several months to see a specialist. My mom (since passed) was unable to travel and had to wait six months to see a cardiologist. The cost of medical treatment, even with insurance, is a glaring problem.
Sorry to hear about your mom’s problems, Michael. Patients shouldn’t have to worry about being properly cared for in the hospital.
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This was a gripping post. Thanks for sharing, Sally!
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Thanks very much Jennie.. ♥
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You’re welcome, Sally. 💕
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Things went south in a hurry. I can only remember being truly scared a couple of times in my life. This was one of them, but I’ve been back to the same old Pete for many months now.
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I can only imagine how frightening that was. Thank goodness for modern medicine. So glad the ole Pete has been back for a while. 🙂
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This was a lovely post from Pete – I’m so glad he’s progressing well now
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I agree Toni… so pleased he is over that scary episode.. ♥
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Thank you, Toni. Lots of normal aches and pains of aging. I’m a lucky dog.
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Thanks so much for digging up this post, Sally. You know I usually prefer writing inspirational posts about other people, so this one was much different than my norm. I certainly gave my wife and son a good scare. (not to mention myself) As someone already commented, moments like this remind us not to put off the things we want out of life.
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I thought it would remind people of just that Pete and your open and honest account will also help those who are going through health issues at the moment.. hugsxx
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I remember this post well from Pete. And I had missed him around blogland. I’m so happy after all that scary stuff that Pete is alive and well and back in blogland. ❤
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Back and better than ever. At least that’s what I tell my body when it’s not giving me grief. 😊 In all seriousness, I know I’m doing much better because I can now joke about what was a very scary experience.
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That’s fantastic Pete. And when you can look back in hindsight and joke after such an ordeal, that’s what counts. 🙂
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I agree Debby… his posts are always inspiring and positive even when dealing with more difficult issues.. ♥♥
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True dat. ❤
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I remember this post. I’m very glad Pete has regained his health.
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Thanks, Liz. Much different from my usual post because I’d rather blog about others instead of myself unless it’s something comical.
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You’re welcome, Pete.
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We all are Liz.. he is a much valued member of our writing community.. xxx
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Yes!
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Thank you Sally. A terrific post by Pete.
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Thanks John.. it was certainly uplifting.. hugs
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😊
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Thanks, John. Lots of people live very normal lives with a pacemaker. I intend to do the same.
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So true.
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So glad this story had a happy ending for Pete! Thanks for sharing, Sally.
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Happy ending, indeed, following a scary episode. Of course, I’m aware of my pacemaker, but it doesn’t inhibit me in any manner.
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Me too thanks Jan ♥
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Hi Sally, I remember this post. You never know what’s around the corner in life.
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You don’t Robbie and sometimes that is a good thing… ♥
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Yes, indeed.
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We get these reminders from time to time not to take life for granted. It does reinforce the idea of not putting off things until tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year.
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Yes, absolutely.
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OH, Pete! What a terrifying experience! I’m so happy this is all under control. My sister-in-law has gone through a similar experience. She also has a pacemaker. I’m sending you many well-wishes as you continue to heal.
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Thanks for your support Colleen.. xxx
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It’s a great pleasure. I get so busy, I can’t keep up, but I try to visit on Sunday for the roundup. I got lucky today. LOL! xxx
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Great thank you xxx
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It was very upsetting at the time, but I feel like I’ve been my normal self for the last several months. I’m so grateful not only for me but for all of the thousands of other people who have benefitted from this invention.
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We’re so lucky to live during all these medical advancements. Sending you many happy thoughts, Pete.
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Wow!
What a time you have had, that must certainly have been not only scary but making you re-evaluate your life.
Glad to hear it is sorted out now and that they at least know what your situation is.
Thanks for the blog post and update, may you continue to stay on track.
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Thanks for your thoughts Sue ♥
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A scary time Sally, but it sounds like Pete not only has it sorted but also on the mend.
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Firing on all cylinders Sue judging by his later posts ♥
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In retrospect, I should have left my wife drive me, but I was trying not to let her get stuck in the ER for another ten hours. I’m on track and planning to enjoy the birth of our first grandchild in one month. Thank you, Sue.
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Aww. I’m sure you are ready to meet your little grandchild.
they are certainly fun.
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What an experience! And glad all seems okay now.. Thanks, Sally& Pete.x
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Thanks Judith ♥
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Doing well, Judith. One of life’s speedbumps that reminds us that nothing is promised. It’s the first time I’ve ever had to use 911. The EMTs responded within a few minutes.
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You’re so right, Pete, we should take nothing for granted, but glad all is well, now.
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Good grief, Pete. You should write thrillers! I am so glad you are feeling better and a pacemaker solved it. My husband had a similar near-death experience that rocked our world. All good now–so I know exactly what you are going through.
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Thanks Jacqui glad your husband is good now. xx
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Lots of first time experiences. I certainly had heard of panic attacks before, but I didn’t realize I was having one at the time. After I got home, following the insertion of my pacemaker, I had another one and got another ambulance ride. The good news is it hasn’t happened since, and I’m feeling 100%.
I’m very sorry that you and your husband had to go through something similar. I know I freaked out my wife in the process.
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I’m surprised they come on so suddenly–but they do! My sis had one out of the blue, too. I’m so glad you’re recovering, Pete.
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I am so glad you are on the mend Pete! We’ve missed your posts.
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Thanks Dorothy ♥
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Thanks, Dorothy. This was from a while back, and I’m back to the same old Pete now. I’ve been blessed with relatively good health most of my life, but eventually the parts wear out. Hopefully, they gave me the extended warranty. 😊
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Of course they did!
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Pete’s posts are the greatest – a testament to his gift as a teacher. I’m so glad he got through this.
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Me too Noelle.. he is a star ♥
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Thanks for the kind comment, Noelle. As one fellow educator to another, I appreciate what you’ve done for young adults in guiding them along their chosen paths.
I also appreciate your well-rounded writing ability, showing it’s possible to write equally well in more than one genre. That’s what I aim to do.
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I was deeply moved by your story, Pete, and am happy that you are much better and surrounded by those you love and who love you. Can’t find a better reason for living than that. Cheers!
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Reblogged on Improvisation – “The Art of Living”
https://williampriceking.tumblr.com/
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Thanks very much William hugsx
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Thanks so much for the reblog, William. My best to you and your family.
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Thanks William hugsx
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I’ve dreamed of being a grandparent ever since our son was born 31 years ago. It was the thing I thought most about in the hospital. That’s about to happen next month. I feel very blessed to be able to share those moments with my son, daughter-in-law, and future grandson, Jack.
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Pete’s book is on its way. I had no idea he’d been through such a scary episode, but I’m so thankful God created him to teach kids!
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Thanks very much Joy and Pete will be delighted to hear…♥
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Thanks so much for the well wishes and kind words, Joy. I look forward to getting to know Leora and Dexter better through your books. I really appreciate books that add to the impact wars have on the entire family.
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Three of Leora’s brothers served during WWI. That’s why my mother was born on her uncles’ popcorn farm in 1918. They’d already planted a crop, then were drafted. (Leora’s Early Years) All three brothers survived the war.
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Pete is a national treasure and lucky to have a wonderful family supporting him
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I agree Beth ♥
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Nothing like a little hyperbole to boost a guy’s spirits, Beth. I’m just grateful to be able to be blessed with a terrific family and great friends.
A thank you in advance as retirement approaches for all of the children’s lives you’re touched during your career. It’s inspiring.
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❤
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