I got so busted this week -- twice! A little background first, though. Every once in a while I have an electrical malfunction in my heart, also known as heart palpitations. I've had weird little flutters since my son Robert was a baby (so for 25 years). I asked my doctor at the time about it, and after asking me a few questions he said there was nothing to worry about.Only three times have I had any concern about it. The first time was perhaps 10-12 years ago when I was exercising (in fact, that's the only time it's ever happened while I was exercising) it didn't stop for perhaps half an hour. I went to the doctor afterward and he did an EKG and referred me to a cardiologist. Everything was fine. They would have liked me to wear a 24-hour heart monitor, but the frequency of the flutters was so irregular--I could literally go months with nothing--that they decided it wouldn't help.
A couple of years ago, it happened again and lasted long enough that hubby and I decided a visit to the ER (it was in the middle of the night of course) might be in order. Unfortunately it had stopped by the time we got there, and since everything else was fine, they sent me home.
Early Tuesday morning of this week I had another episode. This was a little different from the previous two because it was much more vigorous, but also because this was the first time I experienced dizziness, light headedness, and shortness of breath (symptoms of a heart attack).
At first I thought to describe the sensation of this episode as various parts of my heart dancing different dances all at the same time (one doing Hip Hop, one doing the Twist, while the others were doing the Waltz). But I realized last night that the best description for one section was like holding one of those big bouncing balloon-type balls with a large rubber band and bouncing it off your hand as hard a you can. The ball goes every direction and you move your fist so you can impact with it and send it back out flying again. That really portrays what it felt like in the bottom left part of my chest--someone was doing that to a section of my heart.
Hubby and I went to the ER, and for the first time someone was able to hear it (the triage nurse). Unfortunately it had stopped by the time they got me hooked up to the machine to record it. Because of my other symptoms they drew blood (looking for an enzyme that's produced during a heart attack), did an EKG, and even X-rayed my heart (this visit is going to be expensive). The blood work came back negative for a heart attack (good news), but they do need to figure out what's going on. They gave me a page and a half list of the different kinds of Cardiac Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat). Who knew there were so many types?
Because my heart was being defiant and wouldn't act up for an audience, they put me into a 24-hour, take-home heart monitor and sent me on my way. I'm too old to do well with short nights, and I have a hard time sleeping during the day, so I felt pretty crappy--I would have felt that way just from the short night. Fortunately, I did experience a few very mild little flutters for the benefit of the monitor while I was wearing it. I've got an appointment with my regular Doc to examine the results and decide what to do now.
Eventually on Tuesday I emailed my daughter Erin to let her know what had happened, and talked to her later on Skype, when I saw that she was online later in the day.
Busted #1.
She was furious with me for not waking her up when we decided to go to the ER. I made lame excuses, but she chastised me thoroughly and guilted me out. Nothing like having your children play the parent with you. =D
Um, did I mention she's the only one I told about it?
While I was having dinner with my daughter-in-law, Kelsey (and her mom and sister) on Wednesday night before we went to see Thriller, I suddenly remembered it and realized I hadn't told my son Paul (her hubby). Of course Kelsey told Paul.
Busted #2.
I got a call from him yesterday afternoon, and he commenced to read me the riot act. He told me I was like a mother to him (I am his mother, by the way), and I absolutely must let him know if something like this happens. My hubby has so many health issues that Paul expects him to drop dead at any moment (hubby will probably outlive me, much to his--hubby's--personal disappointment). Paul was trying to be funny, but I could hear the real concern in his voice. His wife's older brother (26 years old) dropped dead earlier this year, and Paul was there at the time and tried to do rescue breathing on him. It's an issue that hits very close to home for him. Plus my boss dying of a heart attack two weeks ago made that possibility very much front and center of all our thoughts. So, of course I felt like crap (as I was meant to).
Anyway, as I write this I realize I never let David know. So, I guess I'm doing it now since they read this blog.
I imagine I'll get getting Busted #3 soon.
Sorry guys. If it happens again, I'll be sure to let you know ASAP.
Love you!
