Sunday, January 20, 2013

For the Health of it…

 

As a blogger I must share the good, the bad, and the sometimes “ugly”. You all know I prefer the posts that detail decorating, creating, eating, shopping, drinking, etc.

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Today, I’d like to share with you an update on my health since January 4.

As you know, I initially visited my doctor for flu-like symptoms. Once there, I did test positive for Type A flu, but he noticed that my heartbeat was beating fast and irregular. The doc ordered an EKG, and his findings were spot on. I was immediately wheeled to the ER, spent three days in ICU, where I experienced an EEG and a cardioversion {where my heart was shocked back into a regular rhythm}. It was determined that my heart was in atrial fibrillation {A-Fib}.

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On Thursday of this past week, I visited my cardiologist for a scheduled appointment. I was given another EKG, and my heart was back in A-Fib again. Oh boy! But this time at least my heart rate was normal, 72 bpm. A portable monitor was attached to me, and I wore it for 24 hours before returning it yesterday afternoon. My cardiologist will review the findings and report back next week.

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From an earlier ultrasound, it was discovered that the heart muscle in the left ventricle was weakened from what my be the flu or a virus. It is pumping 50% of what it should be pumping normally.

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I presently am getting a referral from my doctor for a new cardiologist (I simply do not click with my current one. He does not communicate the best and seems quite arrogant. I am not happy with his “bedside manner”.) I hope to be referred to a cardiologist at the main Ochsner campus asap. I will keep you posted as I continue work on my heart.

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Keep on praying! I appreciate the prayers, thoughts, and kind words.

2013… More tests. More doctor’s appointments. More tests. It has to get better!

Thanks to Tracy, Craig, and Aunt Wanda (Jeff’s side) for the beautiful flowers pictured in this post. They are from my favorite floral designers--- Monique and Leslie at Mitch’s Flowers on Magazine Street.

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Praying for a Healthy Heart, y’all!

40 comments:

  1. Hoping you'll have a great experience with a new doctor and get back to 100% very soon! I know how much you must be missing your Mardi Gras cocktails!

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  2. Praying for you, Ron, that you find a cardiologist that you feel comfortable with and fixes your heart. Thanks for the update. <3

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  3. Best of luck finding a different doctor. I think it is very important to feel comfortable with someone you are trusting with your health! I am praying for you!
    -Shelley

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  4. Hi Ron,

    Same thing happened to me in May. Hang in there, try to stay calm, breathe deeply. You can and wil be better.

    Norma

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  5. Prayers and hugs ((( Ron )))) for a quick fix and recovery. And it's so important to connect with your doctor. Hope it works out asap. xo

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  6. Sending well wishes your way my friend!! I know what you mean when you don't click with a doctor! My doctor was out of the country for a few weeks and last week I went to her on call doc. It was like pulling teeth, there was no communication at all! If I didn't ask questions I would have left knowing just as much as when I walked in! He didn't have the best bed side manner either:(
    Take care Ron and keep us posted:)

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  7. Good Afternoon Ron, You are in my prayers. I do hope you find a new cardiologist that has a kinder bed-side manner. All my best wishes to you, Daphne

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  8. Ron, Ochsner is where Becky goes and where she had her heart transplant. She (and the rest of us) were so pleased with the cardiologists there and with the whole staff and hospital experience. I commend you for taking steps to find somebody you can work with. It is a very important key to your return to good health. Take care! Beth and Sammy

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  9. Ron: Ochsner is where Becky goes and where she had her heart transplant. She (and all of the rest of us) was very pleased with all of her doctors there and the whole hospital experience. I commend you for taking the steps to find someone you can work with. It is a very important key to your return to good health. Take care. Beth and Sammy

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  10. Ron and Jeff,

    Let me apologize. In. Addition to supporting you Ron, we are concerned for Jeff also. How is he? I know this is difficult for him, and your families. Let us include him and them in our prayers, you all need strength and good thoughts. Illness is a family thing.

    Hugs,
    Norma

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  11. What a scary experience. My prayers are with you my friend, and hoping for a speedy recovery. Diane

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  12. Praying for you! My cousin went to the Dr for a cough right before Christmas and has AFib and spent 4 weeks in the hospital. She is home now wearing what they call a 'life vest' and they are trying to determine if she needs a pacemaker. So take care of yourself! She is a lot older then you but this is a scary condition! Big Hugs, Linda

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  13. Sending healing thoughts and prayers from Mobile, Alabama.

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  14. Ron, I will continue praying for you, Jeff, your families...and the Medical Staff. I'll also pray that you are able to find another cardiologist very quickly - someone who is on the same wavelength as you!

    ~Blessings,
    Jan ♥

    ps...I have you on my Prayer List on my Blog (side-bar)

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  15. I hate to hear that you are having to deal with this now! It may be a lifelong battle. My father inlaw has A-Fib and takes medicine to deal with it. My husband has a heart that throws out pvc's so he takes medicine for it too. My husband and father inlaw both see a cardiologist regularly. However, my husband said that A-Fib can be fixed if you have an eblasion. You're probably young enough. His dad is too old so he has to live with his problem. My husband's pvc problem can't be fixed either. He had a cathater procedure to try to fix it but it was in a hard to get to area, so he has to live with his too. I've had heart racing problems before but my heart was determined healthy after screening it. Mine is brought on by anxiety. I wish you the best of luck in getting better care for your situation. Glad to hear that you're finding a better doctor. You need to like him since you may see him a lot.

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  16. So glad you're getting this taken care of! I hope you find a much better fit with the new cardiologist! See you on the neutral ground! You and Jeff are in our thoughts and prayers

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  17. Ron, wishing you the best in your recovery! Hopefully, you will click with your new doctor and get back to 100%!! My prayers are going up for you!

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  18. Yuck! I hope that you find a doctor that you mesh with. Bedside manner means EVERYTHING. A doctor can make you feel encouraged and hopeful and safe, or helpless and doomed and fearful. Prayers, still! :)

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  19. Sending prayers up for you to find the right doctor and recover back to health.

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  20. Praying for you to get better. xo Pam

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  21. RON!!!! We are praying for that heart of yours! Love you.

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  22. Praying for you Ron. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this but thank goodness they caught it when they did. Stay positive and take care! ((Hugs))

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  23. ron, you are so special to many of us and we're all praying for a full recovery for you and that you will "click" with your new doctor...i've had a few that i don't click with either! seems like we have to be our own health advocates because to many in the medical field we are just another insurance claim!

    i also wanted to let you know that i've tried leaving comments several times but never could...in fact it took me 2 tries to get this one posted! not sure what's going on, but if you don't hear from me please know you are on my mind and in my prayers.

    blessings my dear friend!

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  24. Got you and Jeff in my prayers, Ron. Get well soon!
    Sheila

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  25. Prayers your way, Ron.

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  26. Ron, hang in there! About three years ago, I discovered a health problem that I still have to watch. It can be such a scary time and you'll go through many emotions. The most important lesson to take away from a situation like this is a new appreciation of how precious our time and relationships are. Oodles of prayers coming your way and please keep your chin up! I adore your fun spirit!

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  27. Prayers to you from up north! And I hope you find a dr you click with! Thanks for the update. Very thoughtful of you to keep us posted! xo

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  28. Ron...still sending you prayers for a healthy(er) heart.....thinking of you.

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  29. Sending well wishes your way, and prayers that you find a wonderful new cardiologist! Thank you for the update, I have been thinking about you! :-)

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  30. I will be praying for a full and speedy recovery!!!
    Keep us posted!
    ~Des

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  31. Hope you are feeling better soon!
    Natalie

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  32. Sorry to hear, Ron! Prayers for a swift recovery and heart healthiness!

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  33. Hey Ron; I am still Praying for You, J. and all of your Family.
    I hope that you will be well very soon, as your Blog is one of my absolute Favorites. I Love to see what you have posted, daily.
    Please Take Care, and if you are not comfortable with a Dr. that has the so called bedside manners of a pile of Sushi, then Please trust how you feel and get another one. When my Dearest Daddy was sick and in the Hospital, I had a so called Dr's Assistant thrown out of his room, due to the way in which IT acted!!! Stick to your guns, and find a loving, kind Dr. whom is Interested in YOU and not $$$$$$. XOXO. Sunny C.

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  34. Oh Ron, so sorry to hear this! Will definitely keep you all in my prayers! It is so important to find a doctor that you feel comfortable with, hope the new one is perfect. Thinking of you and hope all is well soon!

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  35. Thanks for the update. We will certainly keep you and the docs in our prayers.

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  36. Thinking of you, Ron! wishing you the best!

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  37. Hey Ron, sorry to hear about your health issues. I work at Ochsner cardiology main campus. Let me know if you have any questions about any doctor you may be referred to. tlpmcn@yahoo.com

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  38. Hi Ron! Continued prayers for you and J during this scary time. When I gave birth to my son almost 16 years ago(!!!!) I had an ob/gyn that I didn't click with either. Looking back, I so wish that I had "fired" him and found a different doctor. Go with your gut and find a new cardio. YOU are the customer! Hugs, Meghan

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  39. Ron, I don't know how I missed this post. I am so sorry to hear what you have been going through. Please know that I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Take care. Hugs, Sherry

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