I've been reading up on atrial fibrillation and am a little more freaked out about the recent hospital stay. I realize now more than ever that I am quite the lucky girl. It is time for me to lower blood pressure, lose weight, get in shape, and improve my eating. Nothing like fear as a motivator! I’ve turned over a new leaf this week – hopefully my momentum will continue!
I am also desperately trying to reduce stress. At least now I have something to back me when I ask my loud family to calm it the heck down. When in the hospital we played a game while watching my heart monitor -- when we discussed happy things my heart rate lowered to the low 70s. Discuss something that stresses me and it went to about 100 beats per minute (yes, that is at rest with no physical activity).
Needless to say, I need to chill out! I do think it was pretty funny though – Wonder Boy got a kick out of manipulating my heart rate with conversation. Super Girl just cracked up. I was relieved to see they liked me better in my happy place. We also played with respiration -- under 7 breaths a minute sets off cool and entertaining alarms! My sleep apnea set of alarms too. Apparently I'm an alarming type of girl. The nurses knew what we were up to by our laughter… but you should have seen them come running when my sleep apnea set off alarms. Not only was I startled by the alarms, it is a little shocking to have a nurse bust in the room to check your breathing.
They knew I was okay… but had to check just in case. I apologized repeatedly for freaking them out. Because the fear was another clot in the heart my room was right next to the intensive care unit… my unit was monitored beds and I was the most active patient there (it reminded me of when I was the liveliest one on the stroke floor a few years ago). I was a favorite patient since I had a sense of humor and could care for myself. If it were not for the blood draws every 6 hours and constant neuro and vital sign checks I would have enjoyed the stay more.
The blood draws got old by the fourth day. My arms are a festival of bruises and you’d think I was a battered woman. I’ve been forced to use tanning lotion since coming home to hide the lighter ones. There is nothing that can be done about the monster bruises from veins that blew out…. You can’t wear long sleeves in 90 degree weather either! A small price to pay in my opinion, but always a conversation starter!
2 comments:
I just got caught up with your past few posts. I am so sorry to hear that you had to go through all of that. It must have been so scary. I am relieved that the T.E.E. test went well and you were allowed to go home.
You raised such a good point about sleep apnea. I need to have my 16 year old checked, I've put it off for too long.
Take care of yourself. Rest!!
I appreciate being reminded about stress. No heart problems - but I've had several anxiety attacks that at first were thought to be.
Slow down, breathe, think happy thoughts. Please.
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