Sunday, November 6, 2011

On a more serious note

I'm not sure how much I want to say about this.  I'm having some health problems.  To most people I look pretty healthy.  I go to Curves three times a week.  I square dance a couple times a week.  I keep track of my flowers and my birds, my watercolors, and my reading.  I visit with friends.  All pretty normal stuff for someone my age who's in good shape.

The problem is, I'm not in as good of shape as I thought I was.  I'm doing great with my diabetes, it's my heart that's complaining.

A month or so ago, my cardiologist told me I needed a defibrillator for my heart.  It's actually known as an ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator).  He made an appointment to have it done within a week of his talk with me.  I left his office in a daze.

The problem was, I had no idea this was coming.  None.  Nada.  (That's Spanish for none.)  I just shut down in shock.  At home I started searching the web to find out what it was and why he wanted to do it.  My daughters searched the web for things that could cause ventricular fibrillation.  The girls came up with a common antihistamine (most contain large amounts of caffeine) and I came up with coffee.  I'm a real fan of Starbucks - the strong stuff.  I love it.

I was feeling a bit railroaded into this and I called the Dr.'s office to say I wanted a month to think about it.  I took that month.  I was very in tune now with my heart and it was doing funny jumpy things.  I came to the conclusion that in spite of  quitting that antihistamine and changing to decaf at Starbucks, I really did need the device.  But still, I kept that month to think.

When I finally saw the doctor a month later he was furious with me.  I understand that.  I'd be furious with me too, but what about taking the time with me to lead up to this instead of just flat out hitting me over the head with it.  It might have taken 10 or 15 minutes to tell me what was happening.  If he had, I might be telling you how much better I feel with my new bionic device.

As it stands now, I go in to the hospital to have an angiogram next Wednesday and return to the hospital a week later so they can implant the ICD.  I think I took too much time thinking, but maybe not.  I'm going to allow the doctor to monkey around with my heart.  I think I should have the time to prepare myself for such things.

When it's all done, I'll have a device implanted that will be able to shock my heart when it misbehaves.  It should take care of my little flutteries and it should give the initial shock to my heart in the advent of heart attack.

I will set off alarms at the airport.

So, I'm a bit frightened of it all.  The doctor promises (almost) that I'll feel better and have more energy once it's done.  But I'll never be the same again.  That gives me pause for thought.

If you're the praying sort, please pray for me.

Marilynne

Lin, who blogs at Duck and Wheel with String, has sent me such an encouraging note I thought I would share it with you.  I have her permission to share.

Marilynne--My girlfriend's mom has one and has had it for years. In fact, she had to have it replaced because she had it so long. I think it is very scary when you are given these medical issues and the doctors are most times immune to the reaction of the patients. It isn't their fault--they become desensitized to this stuff as they see it every day.

Go. Go now and get it done. Your life isn't worth waiting another day. You will be fine. You will feel great and you will live a long life afterward.

I'm thinking of you and sending love and prayers my friend. Please keep in touch with me and let me know when you are going in so I can say some extra prayers for a quick recovery.

I promise you, you will feel GREAT! 

6 comments:

  1. Marilynne--My girlfriend's mom has one and has had it for years. In fact, she had to have it replaced because she had it so long. I think it is very scary when you are given these medical issues and the doctors are most times immune to the reaction of the patients. It isn't their fault--they become desensitized to this stuff as they see it every day.

    Go. Go now and get it done. Your life isn't worth waiting another day. You will be fine. You will feel great and you will live a long life afterward.

    I'm thinking of you and sending love and prayers my friend. Please keep in touch with me and let me know when you are going in so I can say some extra prayers for a quick recovery.

    I promise you, you will feel GREAT!

    ((hugs)) my friend. :)

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  2. I'll for sure keep you in my prayers. Any kind of surgery is scary, but especially when they're playing with a major organ! But I know quite a few people who've gotten these and it's made a huge difference in their lives. Keep us posted, and again, I'll be praying!

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  3. Thanks Lin and Barbara. I know no one who has had this done. Most people I talk to have never heard of it. Your encouragement means a lot.

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  4. It's gonna be fine, pally! You'll see. :)

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  5. Thanks Lin. I appreciate your encouragement.

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  6. Here from Lin's blog wishing you good luck and great health!

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I'd love to hear from you.