Heart Journey Update

It’s been a bit since I have given a heart update, and so I thought I’d finally do so!

Well, as the saying goes, no news, good news right? I have felt incredible the past few months. Like as in – haven’t felt better in years – type incredible. We could not be more thankful for God’s grace and gift in that! I was able to enjoy summer to the FULLEST with swimming, walks, hikes, etc. When you’ve had bad days, you recognize good days all the more, and this summer, was one full good day.

Over the past few weeks though, I knew some things had come up. Yesterday I had a regular heart check up in Ann Arbor, and I’m thankful it was in person. Extra beats and low blood pressures had been occuring, so it was time to try and get to the bottom of it all. Mind you, this time last year, I couldn’t even walk to the end of our street without getting out of breath, so when I reported I could walk 1-2 miles a day, it was a feat for me! So I knew I was doing better than last year, but I also had to be real with myself that heart failure never goes away. It’s just all about managing the symptoms.

While at my appointment yesterday, I had an EKG, which showed extra beats, every 5 beats. Ugh. A big ole UGH. For reference sake, anything over 10% or 1 in 10 extra beats, is something that needs to be addressed. So with it being 1 in 5, all I have to say is oye. I was a bit discouraged to hear this, but also thankful that I wasn’t in the hospital, like I was last  year because of them. So, hence a holter monitor was ordered to determine how many extra beats I am actually having and also what kind. We will see what the end result is, but if it is indeed 20%, I’m guessing I will probably have another procedure in the near future. As much as I dread the thought of going under again, as each one just takes a toll on the body, Dan reminded me yesterday that at least I’m not on the verge of a transplant, like I was last year. At least we hope that continues to be the case!

As for a my low blood pressures, we are working on changing a medication, in hopes of bringing my BP back up. Of course yesterday didn’t go as I had hoped, and like Dan said, it seems like every year at this time, something flares up. But I’m going to try and remain optimistic and hope that when the results come in, that it’s an “easy” fix with the ole ticker and I can be on my way :).

On a side note, it was very interesting to talk to my doctor about the virus. As a heart failure patient, it reminds me that so much can go wrong with the body and yes, when the virus first came here, it was chaotic because no one knew what to do. But now knowing what we do now, when you have other health issues outside of the worry of the virus, it keeps things in perspective. It’s always recommended/required that I get a flu shot because influenza and heart failure isn’t a good combo. Again, helping me keep perspective. And I think that is the case with everything in life, isn’t it? We can choose to live in fear every day, worrying that we “might” get the virus. We can choose to live in fear, worrying that we might get sick. I can choose to live in fear that my heart issues will flare up and I would have to be hospitalized yet again. But let me tell you, that is NO way to live. I lived that way after my surgeries 3 years ago – fearing I would be hospitalized after almost 3 weeks in. It was a case of PTSD, but it was terrible. The tears just flowed constantly and that fear debilitated me. Now being on the other side of it all, even with the virus looming over all of our heads, we can choose to live in fear or faith. It’s a cliche statement, but it can completely change our perspective on life when we choose to live in peace and faith, not fear and angst.

How are you choosing to live today? Tomorrow is not a guarantee. Live each day like it’s your last, my friend and you will find a true joy in Christ that you will never want to let go of.