Struggling With My Heart

Doctor... First, I want to say that the Cardiologist that I saw to replace my pacemaker BATTERY

...oh by the way it is called a Generator...

Is a HIGHLY recommended Dr, he is more than qualified to do this procedure.

BUT (don't you hate it when you hear or say "but")

I am having some real struggles with it being done....yes, I know it has to be done...

BUT:

I can choose who and where right?

The doctor that first implanted my pacemaker is in Utah, in the same hospital as my Heart Failure Doctors.

The guy who checks my pacemaker remotely..I LOVE...and he is in Idaho.

also the above qualified Dr. is in Idaho.

I hate the thought of loosing "Bill" as my pacer follower.

BUT:

I am not comfortable with the

Well, this is OUR PROCEDURE attitude..

My Primary care physican calls me a...

YEP a Zebra...

because nothing about my health is "normal"

and any book with "typical" patient can be thrown out the door.

So, when a doctor and his nurse say

THIS IS HOW WE DO THINGS...

especially when it comes to my weird blood that likes to be

VERY THICK

at all times with out the help of an anticoagulant

SCARES me.

My Heart Failure Doctors have always had to put me in the hospital

prior to a procedure to monitor my blood very carefully.

This Cardiologist want to take me off my anticoagulant 5 days before,

using Lovenox as a bridge prior to the "surgery".

I told him I am not comfortable being off my Cumidian that long...especially with it not being monitored.

AM I WRONG FOR FEELING THIS WAY????

Do I call the doctor who first put in my pacemaker and get his recommendation?

I have already talked to the Heart Failure Team and have their recomendation.

OR

Do I just relax and go with the doctor so I can keep "Bill" as my pacer guru??

HERE IS A FUNNY!!!!

A couple of years ago, I was cut open like a fish and had a pacemaker installed. This is due to my own heart only liking to beat about 40 BPM (yes that is beats per minute).

My pacemaker is set a 70 BPM, which is perfect for me.

Big Deal...where is the funny...right...

Some people can go as much as 5 to 8 years without having to have the battery replaced.

But,

My battery life will be between 2 and 3 years due to it always running..

OK OK...HERE IS WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR:

On Thursday, I get a phone call from "Bill" my pacemaker guru, he monitors my pacemaker

(via little machine that sets on my desk)

he asks : have I been hearing my pacemaker "beep"

...No, I do not think so...

hum...your remote monitor says it has been going off since last Sunday

No...the only thing I have heard beep is my computer. So, what does it mean if it beeps?

"Oh you are fine, it is just your battery life is low...

OH HOW LOW?

Well, lets just say we will see you Monday.

OK???!

I hung up and didn't give it anymore thought until later in the evening and I am hearing a muffled

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP for about 5 seconds...

yes, that is the beeping that has been coming from my computer...

BUT, I am setting on the couch!

OH MY GOSH IT IS ME!!!

I AM BEEPING LIKE A SMOKE ALARM

WITH A PILLOW OVER IT

(nice way to describe muscle, fat and skin)

At least nobody else can hear it...right

Today in church, during the time when the deacons are quietly passing the sacrament

and everyone is quietly setting...

yep...

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP

Kirk just looked at me and started to laugh...

guess I am not the only one who can hear it!

So, yea....I am going to go get my battery replaced...Soon!

PICTURE UPDATE:

I have gone back to the posts in August when I could not down load pictures and added some...

Enjoy:

http://onemomentatatime-niece.blogspot.com/2009/08/orange-blossoms.html

http://onemomentatatime-niece.blogspot.com/2009/08/things-that-extened-past-laungage.html

http://onemomentatatime-niece.blogspot.com/2009/08/zoo.html

http://onemomentatatime-niece.blogspot.com/2009/08/happy-birthday-sunshine.html

Reku and Itsey

Have you wondered what happen to Reku??

Reku was born in April 09at 8 weeks he went to his new home with Josh and Ali. and in 6 short months he is as big as his mom, Itsey!This puppy acts like it is hopped up on caffine & chocolate I have been watching him today for Josh and Ali...

I have never seen a lap dog that doesn't nap!

I bet he doesn't even remember when

he just liked to snuggle and go to sleep...

DISCLAIMER: Just as I finish this post he has clinbed on my lab and went to sleep! SILLY DOG!

HOW CUTE IS THIS

The only problem is that when Kirk brought it to Kira, he didn't look to see who had sent it.

Kira LOVES IT

but really would like to tell the giver

THANK YOU!

More Pictures

are you about sick of my vacation "slide show"?

Here are just a few more places I got to see...foothills of the Andes Mountains Jujuy (Pronounced Hoo-Hoo-E)

Providence of Salta

amazing river beds

I wish you could see this better...

the middle of the hill has ancient steps that were made to go to the top

"The Toad" is of sandstone..it is quickly melting away, due to the wind and rain

unbelievable hills (yes, in Argentina these are hills)

jungle greenery that I have never even imagined

colors to many to explain

to "Mother Earth" I may have to do a blog about "Pachamama"

looks like Arizona!

Who would have ever thought I would be standing here!

bottle brush flowers all over San Miguel

and art work of every kind

This picture is taken half way up the staircase

AMAZING, AMAZING!

AMAZING!

From the Governor's House in San Miguel, Tucumanto the Cathedrals in Tucuman, Salta & Jujuy

and old plantations

apartments

and stain glass

the architecture can only be described as

AMAZING

Any Mom Would Be Pleased

or Father for that matter.

I had the honor to hang out with the

Hermanas and Elders

of the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Argentina Salta Mission

These are all Kira's (Hermana Burgess') companions that are still in the mission field.

Kira loved them so much!

(Aponte, Reams, Kira & Rodriguez)
We met up with them at lunch before their Conference in Salta

We even went to the bus station so Kira could find Hermana Romero General Conference Sunday, I was able to set in the room, in Tucuman, with these amazing missionaries who watched conference in English. WOW what a Spirit each of them have.

I was able to watch the Elders in Bella Vista have some fun The young girl in the middle was recently baptised.

She was so excited to meet Kira because she had one of the Book of Mormons that

Kira had put her testimony in before leaving her mission.

Hna Price was more than happy to introduce them.

To meet these young ladies that have dedicated 18 months to serving their Father in heaven in the mission field was humbling in the least. I have never felt such love, happiness

and

true Christ like attitudes as I did from them.

We even stopped by the Mission Office to drop goodies from the states off to the Elders.

Elder Lugo is someone that Kira has always had the upmost respect for, he is from Mexico so a bottle of Mexican hot sauce was delivered to him

I left totally understanding why Kira had loved her mission as much as she did.

200 Days!

It is hard to believe but Elder Derek Burgess only has 200 more days left until he comes home from Indiana!!!!!!standing on the left side

last one on the right

I Never Said It Would Be Easy...

but I would never trade these memories...

I have been blessed beyond words for the opportunity to visit Argentina.

I know Kira is where she is supose to be and with whom she is to spend eternity with. I am humbled to be part of this miracle.

I love you Sunshine... I will see you soon!