FOLLOW YOUR HEART

Do you remember this post?

Well, my friends...I am going to say just One thing...ok maybe Three things...

FOLLOW YOUR HEART

If you are having doubts about anything...

Go in prayer...

and listen...

I am so glad I did.

I knew I was not comfortable with the instructions I was being given, so I got a 2nd opinion and I am soooo grateful I did.

I will have the Generator (pacemaker battery) replaced on November 18th. Yes, I will spend sometime in the hospital before and after the procedure...but I am so much more comfortable with EVERYTHING.

Thanks for your prayers and concern.

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!