© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

A sunset from April, with my 90th 'Stranger Portrait' subject taking a sunset photograph for herself next to her kayak.

I am sorry for being absent for a few days here on Flickr.

I was rushed into hospital on Friday with a suspected heart attack. I didn't suspect one myself because the symptoms, although almost entirely the same as a heart attack, are something that I have experienced 3 times before.

I was discharged yesterday after a clear echo cardiogram with the diagnosis of Recurrent Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. This is my 4th attack with my first being at the age of just 35.

Takotsubo Syndrome (also known as Stress Cardiomyopathy or Broken Heart Syndrome) has about the same fatality rate as a heart attack because it does cause an injury to the heart, although the mechanism is quite different. It is little understood but is caused by profound grief, emotional stress or physical stress that releases a surge of stress hormones that cause the left ventricle of the heart to swell and change shape and lose it's ability to work effectively.

All of my attacks have been preceded by profound grief and loss. Those of you following my recent tales will know that I have just been ditched by my partner of 20 years and I am facing homelessness, the loss of everything and will have to start my life from scratch, both materially and financially, at an age where I should be looking forward to winding my life down.

I now have to deal with all of this while trying to allow my heart to heal from the physical damage, knowing that there will never be a full 100% recovery and that there is no current treatment plan that can prevent a future attack.

I hate being a fringe medical case.

I am sad to say that while terrified, I almost wanted this attack to take me away from this cruel and painful world.

I am emotionally spent. I am mentally spent. I am physically spent.

I share this because I wear my heart on my sleeve, I always have. Such a shame that it keeps getting broken. Actually broken.

Thank you all in advance for any kind and warm wishes. I will get around to thanking you properly and catching up with your beautiful photography in time. I have to take it a little easy for a while though. It can take up to 2 months for the heart to 'recover' from this. I know all too well how it can cause a great deal of fatigue for a while.

Take care my Flickr friends. Be nice to one another in this crazy world.

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© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

Street photography from Glasgow, Scotland.

Previously unpublished archive shot from 7 years ago, captured on 2nd December, 2016. Enjoy!

Tags:   Leanne Boulton people streetphoto Scotland reflection urban street candid portrait street photography candid street photography candid portrait street life social landscape candid photography window woman lady face sitting crouching hiding receipt shopping Christmas shopping smoke smoker smoking cigarette blonde style fashion alleyway passage negative space isolation space distance tone detail depth natural light outdoors city scene human life living humanity society culture lifestyle Canon Canon 5D Mk III 50mm prime lens EF 50mm f/1.4 USM black white black&white b&w mono black and white monochrome Glasgow UK monochromatic

© All Rights Reserved

© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

Street photography from Glasgow, Scotland.

Previously unpublished archive shot from November 2019. Enjoy!

Tags:   Leanne Boulton people streetphoto Scotland urban street candid portrait portraiture street photography candid street photography candid portrait street portrait street life modern life woman face expression mood feeling atmosphere exploring exploration delving bag baggage handbag purse lost found autumn glass reflection style fashion high street tone detail depth of field bokeh natural light outdoors city scene human life living humanity society culture lifestyle Canon Canon 5D Mk III 70mm EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM black white black&white b&w mono black and white monochrome Glasgow UK United Kingdom Buchanan Street bwphoto monochromatic

© All Rights Reserved

© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

Street photography from Glasgow, Scotland.

Previously unpublished shot from this day in October 2016.

A lot has happened in the 7 years since I captured this shot. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend of photography and discovery wherever you are. Stay safe and keep the shutters clicking. Enjoy!

Tags:   Leanne Boulton people streetphoto Scotland urban street candid portrait portraiture profile street photography candid street photography candid portrait street portrait street life candid photography social landscape man face expression mood atmosphere feeling attitude cap mobile phone smartphone technology window reflection coat scarf social media facial hair juxtaposition tone detail moment natural light depth of field bokeh outside city scene human life living humanity society culture lifestyle modern life Canon Canon 7D 50mm Sigma Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM black white black&white b&w mono black and white monochrome Glasgow UK monochromatic bwphoto autumn glass touchscreen

© All Rights Reserved

© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

Street photography from Glasgow, Scotland.

Previously unpublished archive shot from October 2016. Enjoy.

Tags:   Leanne Boulton people streetphoto Scotland smoking urban street candid portrait street photography candid street photography candid portrait street portrait street life social landscape man woman girl face eyes expression mood feeling atmosphere emotion blonde walking hoodie window reflections busker clarinet musician music smoke smoker cigarette tone detail depth of field natural light outdoors city scene human life living humanity society culture lifestyle Canon Canon 7D Sigma Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM black white black&white b&w mono black and white monochrome Glasgow UK United Kingdom monochromatic bwphoto

© All Rights Reserved