Yes ... its true

As many of you already know, I was in the hospital for a few days. I had two conditions, but I'm only talking about one of them tonight because its the only one I've had a chance to research.

Atrial Fibrillation. There's a bunch of mumbo jumbo on that link and I'll try to spell it out as best I can.

Most people are in "sinus rhythm", which means their heart is pumping correctly. In Atrial Fibrillation (Afib), your atrium chamber of your heart flutters, which results in an irregular heart rhythm. Blood can pool in your atrium and create clots which can travel throughout your body and create strokes, thrombosis and aneurysms.

What I experienced:

I have been feeling Afib for about a month but had no clue what it was. Last Sunday at 4am, I got up to use the bathroom. As I came out of the bathroom, the biggest "attack" of Afib that I'd had so far, hit me. My breathing became labored and I felt very weak. I sat down for just a minute. Then I stood up and walked a short distance and walked back to the chair that I was sitting in. I could barely breathe and I felt like my heart was going to explode out of my chest. Maria had already gotten up by this time, and I looked at her and I told her to take me to the hospital.

Once I was there, they were pumping me through of fluids (for the second condition that they didn't even tell me about until HOURS later). I was hooked up to a heart monitor, had an EKG, and chest x-rays, blood drawn and a UA. After 5 liters of fluids and all these tests, the results came back and the doctor decided it was time to grace me with his presence.

I was thinking this whole time, that once the doctor got there, he would tell me what was going on, prescribe me some medicine and send me on my way. He then told me about the Afib and the second condition and that I was "far from being out of the woods". My heart was still racing, but not as bad as it had been earlier. He said between the two conditions, I would've been at the ER sometime that day. He said that he wanted me to stay the night at the hospital so they could lower my heart rate ... which was bouncing between 160 and 200. Later I learned that that was just my ventricle that was pumping so fast, my atrium (which wasn't being measured) was probably going about 250-300 beats per minute.

The second day I was there was when they really put an effort into lowering my heart rate. I had shots in my stomach that hurt like hell and gave me DARK bruises and kept putting another medication in liquid form in my IV. In about 5 hours, I had so much medication in me and I felt really beside myself. My heart rate was being stubborn and wouldn't lower much more than a 130-150 bracket.

I turned to the machine at one point, and my heart rate was in the 80's. I turned away thinking that wasn't going to last. About 5 minutes later I looked and it was still in the 80's. I had "converted" from Afib to sinus rhythm.

I thought, cool ... NOW I can go home. No go ... they wanted to monitor me for another night, so I was finally released on Tuesday.

L was with me from morning to evening. She was my rock ... just awesome. I couldn't have been sane during the whole thing without her. Thanks L ... you're my favorite daughter.

What caused this:

There are a variety of reasons to go into Afib, but they call consist of heart disease, which I don't have. One of the biggest causes is emotional and/or physical stress. I had been having huge emotional stress lately, and I know that had everything to do with it. However, I rid myself of that stress and hopefully I won't have anymore recurrances.

What this means for me:

I don't know yet. I have to take beta blockers to keep me in sinus rhythm, and a blood thinner so I don't clot. I have to have blood drawn every Monday and Thursday to check both my magnesium levels and my protime (something that has to do with the thinner).

I now know what Afib feels like and I won't wait for so long before I go to the ER. If the medicine works as it should, I should stay in sinus rhythm.

Soooooooooooo ... in keeping with the 70's music ... here's HEART with Crazy on You. It has a long introduction, but its worth the wait to see this clip.

My Newest ...

I've been listening to this song for a while now ... I really like it. I don't understand my draw to it, I just am.

here it is:

My Next 70's post

I lost someone very dear to me today. She will always be in my heart.





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The 70's

The 70's is the decade that I became aware of my surroundings and realized there was a lot more out there than my little world. I went to summer camp and California alternating summers. I spent a lot of time outdoors during the summer, taking in the sights and sounds. I could hear stereos blaring from peoples homes or cars that they were working on. Or I would stay up late nights with my small AM radio and tune in far away radio stations. So many songs of the 70's stick out in my mind, and I can remember when I heard it, where I was and what I was doing with most of the songs. If I can't remember when, where and what ... I can remember the feelings I had from the feelings the song creates in me. I know I'm sounding weird now, but this is what music is/was/always has been for me.

I am going to post a few 70's songs that stick out in my mind and create strong memories for me over the next week or so. I will try to relay the memories as best I can.

It was the summer of 77. The place: Camp Orkila (the best camp in the world). It was set in a woodsy area on hundreds of acres of land. There were so many things to do there. Archery, Riflery, Pottery, Wood Shop, boating, canoeing, swimming ... you name it, it was done there. Camp Orkila was based on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands, Puget Sound, Washington. We would excursion to different satellite islands and stay a few days under the stars. If it rained, we tied a tarp to trees and slept under those. Back at the camp, there was a huge mess hall, a place where campfires were held everynight, a general store where you would by things with the money they held for you.

It was a lonely day for me, I didn't have many friends that year. I walked around the camp looking for someone to hang with and finally decided, I liked just walking around, looking at all the sights, smelling all the woodsy smells, ect. Today I was focusing on the smells. My walk ended up at the general store where I would buy red licorice and beef jerky. I opened the door and walked in, and all I could smell was the red licorice and beef jerky. Everytime I walked in there, thats all I ever smelled. The guy that was running the store was nice, and we talked for a long time. The radio was playing in the background and he started singing to it. I thought it was a really cool song. I remember that day fondly.

I didn't learn until I was much older that this song was making a statement. I just thought it was cool.

Turn the Page

I have listened to this song almost everytime I'm in a meloncholy mood. Its a lot like the song by Jackson Browne, Running on Empty.

There are a few songs that make me want a cigarette. Yes, you heard me right. I am a smoker. Well, I'm trying to be an ex-smoker. I haven't had one in 7+ months now. I don't think I will ever start up again, however, the need and desire still remain strong.

This song has a lot of mixed memories for me. Do you have really happy memories that hurt when you think of them? Thats what this song does for me. I have very happy memories associated with this song, however, it still stings ... after 20 something years, it still stings.

BUT ... I love this song, and I will never stop listening to it.