Since I started this blog I have not gone more than a few days without blogging so I apologize regular readers, for not blogging sooner. It couldn't be helped.
This is an email I sent out to my close friends and family members yesterday, after getting out of the hospital:
Well, the past few days have been tumultuous. I got so weak Wed. I had to go to Northside Hospital. I literally couldn’t walk without thinking I was going to faint. When I got to the hospital they said my heart rate was down to 30 beats a minute. Normal is 60 or more. The issue was the electrical system in my heart was screwed up.
I had been feeling really weak and awful for several days but I had no idea what was going on. I have also felt woozy, off and on, for months, but attributed it to blood sugar issues and/or menopause issues. Turns out it was my heart all along. I had a bunch of tests done on my heart a few months ago but they didn't reveal this issue.
Although a pacemaker IS heart surgery I want to reassure you all of two things: 1) the cardiologist said after looking at the pre-op ultrasound “Your heart is STRONG, Dee.” 2) There are no blockages in my heart.
So the issues ALL stem from a faulty electrical issue. I don't know the right medical terminology.
They implanted a pacemaker yesterday.
Felt not bad yesterday afternoon, after it was all over, other than weak, right after surgery. I was starving. That’s the worst part of pre-op – not being able to eat or drink for hours. I slept pretty well last night but I let them give me some pain meds. They had my left arm in a sling to remind me not to use it. That made it very uncomfortable.
The wound is above my left breast. It feels like a bad muscle pull and aches, is really all. I cannot get it wet for two weeks. I cannot raise my left arm above my shoulder for a month, or lift anything over 10 lbs. with that hand, for 2-4 weeks.
Michael, age 18, was a champ. He stayed with me at the hospital the entire time except when I made him go home and sleep. He fixed Mother’s breakfast and lunch for her, walked Lola – he was so mature and just wonderful.
In the hospital, he was very helpful and sweet to me.
My friend Bronwyn came over and stayed with Mom Wednesday night and last night. She was wonderful. Neighbors have been terrific as well. We are so blessed to live here.
As you might have guessed, I am home. Still feeling weak, and incision site aches, but overall I don’t feel too bad. I have followup appointments with the cardiologist and the pacemaker clinic in the next couple of weeks.
I posted on Facebook about my hospital stay and everyone has been supportive. Prayers always help. I am blessed with a lot of terrific friends, cousins, and neighbors.
I missed work yesterday and today but I expect I will be able to work next Tuesday. I am working from home, two part time jobs. I score essay tests for the Educational Testing Company and I help a small local publisher with various tasks. So glad to have these opportunities since my commute involves walking over to the computer, and I can work for hours wearing pajamas.
I think this heart issue was inherited, and from Mom’s side. She had to have a pacemaker a few years ago, but her issue was ventricular tachycardia, which is more complicated than my issue. At least we are very familiar with pacemakers now.
Prayers would be appreciated. I'm happy to be alive. Guess it wasn't my time yet to take the big dirt nap.
Hope y'all are all doing well.
Dee
