So, I’ve been on the 30 day cardiac monitor, now for nearly a month. On the way home from my brother-in-law’s funeral service in Oregan last Sunday, they called me a couple of times from the Monitor center in Texas and made me sit down. So, Monday I decided I should call the doctor’s office who had told me 3 weeks ago that the doctor was going to call and tell me the plan. They had originally said that I was beating over 160 per minute multiple times a day. Well, when I called to tell them that once again no one had called after they told me to be expecting a call, they told me he was in MONGOLIA!!! .**just HAVE to add a chuckle here**… Anyway, the nurse reviewed my monitor readings and told me that I was topping off between 180 and 200 and it was happening often. She was worried I might pass out with it and in thinking back, I had had fleeting thoughts of the same on escalators in two different airports where I thought I might take out the people below me. *sigh*
I guess I’m happy to know that there’s a reason for the way I feel and hopefully THIS is the cause of my shortness of breath and all the rest, NOT the original pulmonary hypertension diagnosis. They referred me to a specialist, Dr. Maria Anderson who does ablation. I have an appointment with her on Monday and could possibly have the ablation as early as Tuesday. A quick description of ablation is…they go into your heart with a lead through veins and zap the sinus node that is firing and causing the problem. There CAN be some complications. But, mostly…at least relative to other heart procedures, it’s pretty safe and effective.
Like a little sheep, I initially just began changing patient appointments in my office and preparing the power of attorney for my husband. I don’t expect the worst by any means. But, I plan for it just in case. But, after a few days of thought, unless Dr. Anderson gives me some good reason to hurry into this, I’ll wait until Craig and Stefi return from Iowa where they are harvesting. It would be horrible for Niki if something WERE to happen to me and she was here all alone.
I’ve been frantically trying to find ANY good reason, thyroid–testosterone–DHEA–ANYTHING that I could be doing that could cause this, so I could simply STOP those things and continue on without having to have this procedure done. So far, the newest blood results show my thyroid to be OK. The DHEA and testosterone ARE high….I just don’t know if they are high enough to cause a problem like this and hopefully, Dr. Anderson will be of a similar mind and able to confirm this for me.
I’m so much healthier than I was two months ago. I’m accepting some limitations and trying to gain strength as I go, exercising longer periods of time and eating much more healthy. I’ve even unexpectedly lost about 5 pounds. Unfortunately, I think the exercise and weight loss has set me up for a little instability in my back and so I’ve had to deal with some rude reminders of how my patients feel. :o) I keep saying that I can have empathy without having to actually EXPERIENCE everyones pain, though!! It will just make me a better doctor, I’m sure. *chuckle*
I absolutely believe that I’m headed down a positive path and that your prayers have helped me at every step. Thank you so much for caring and for sharing. I’ll let you know how the visit on Monday goes. Remember to love every step of every day.
Hugs from Me…