The Heart Knows: Experiences in the ER

Well, it was quite a week or two! I'm healing well from the dental surgery, and thanks for your support. I still can't eat popcorn or seedy things (I miss my granola and certain breadsticks with lots of seeds!) but it's healing well. 

 

Some of you know I had a 14-hour ER visit on Sunday night/Monday morning. I went into Afib -- considerably higher (and then way lower) than usual and was a little worried. We thought Sunday night wouldn't be bad. Think again! 

 

They immediately did an EKG (I guess that's probably pretty standard for people coming in with a heart-related issue), did blood work and then it was to the waiting room, where I swear no one moved out of their chair for at least five hours. And I mean not even to go into the main part of the ER (where the docs are). (This is a screenshot of my GOOD EKG, done the following day.)

Rick took me in at 7 and at 8, I sent him home. No point in his staying and I had a long book I'd just started (and a phone that I couldn't charge with only 25 percent battery left). At 11:30 I called and asked if he could bring the computer and another book, as I'd nearly finished the first. Books helped but time moved so slowly!

 

At 4 a.m., they put me in a room, did more blood, more tests, loaded me with fluids and potassium and five hours later, somewhat regulated, sent me home. Needless to say, I don't think I'd been awake that many hours in decades, and yet when I got home I couldn't sleep! But so glad to be home!

 

I spent most of that day dealing with my now-dead phone, trying to find out the mechanics of transferring data to a new phone. Thank goodness Rick still has a landline for work and loaned me his phone to make a cardio appointment for the next day (all had regulated and I was fine!). 

 

Also saw the cardio doc on Tuesday and got a pretty good report with some strategies if I go back into afib (which I have). Then I went looking for phones but couldn't find one -- they were all pay as you go or you had to get their plan. So, I ordered one that arrived on Thursday. Back in business.

I have to say I was so giddy about a good report on Tuesday from the doc that on my way home I stopped at Trader Joe's. The always-friendly staff was as friendly as usual. My checker asked how my day was and I said "Just great! I spent 14 hours in the ER over the weekend but today my doc gave me a good bill of health! I'm elated." I thought he would say "That's great, I'm so happy for you!" And he did. He also gave me these.

(And this is yet another reason I love Trader Joe's. It's not just the food; it's the people.)

But there were unexpected fun things this week, too. Rick asked me to come to his guitar lesson with our friend Onur, then visit another friend in assisted living. While I was waiting and reading during his lesson, the loveliest monarch came by and I couldn't resist photos!

 

Then, Onur made us lunch! It was fabulous -- skirt steak, kale salad, bread. Four star and a total surprise!

 

I'm headed to the lake this week, probably for the last time, on Tuesday (I hope). (Turns out on Sunday, our toilet and water trouble was back and the shower is having trouble draining, so hoping that another visit from Rocky the Plumber will get to it.) I have a feeling it may be something more extensive than just one clog. I don't even dare do the dishes in the full dishwasher. Rick's cooking tonight and tomorrow! Otherwise, it's paper plates for me. And, I also went into afib again -- no ER this time, though! But I still need to follow up with both the cardio guy and the dentist.

Once I get north, Rick will join me at the end of the week and we'll stay for about a week or a little more. Until Rick arrives, I'll be working around the cottage, hopefully walking and volunteering in the office of the Otsego County Democrats. When it's time to return, I'll be bringing back a load. This was my car when we came home last year. I expect something similar. 

 

I'm hoping to see some bright color. I hope it looks like this! It's my favorite road to walk!

 

Or this, which was taken last October. 

 

 I'll be there during peak color so fingers are crossed!