Family Health Issues

My wife, Karen, is scheduled today, 11/19/23, for urological/gynecological surgery today at Legacy Hospital in Vancouver. We check in at 5:30 am this morning. Surgery around 9 am. She and all of us are very concerned and hope for the best outcome.  She will stay at the hospital overnight.

I had a cardio-conversion procedure done at Peace Health Hospital in Vancouver on 11/22/23. Thus far, my serious and scary symptoms of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter have abated; and, I feel fine and can walk and exercise again.

We are both over 75 years of age.  We try to face and adjust to our medical problems in a positive, constructive, and practical manner.  We don't complain at lot, and try to laugh off some of our nagging problems of old age.  On the whole, we are happy and grateful people.

Family Activities: Karen's Hip Surgery

 Karen had hip replacement surgery yesterday 3/8 at the Peace Health Hospital in Vancouver.  We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 am, and I left around 3 pm.

The surgery went well.  She is recovering nicely.  They had her stay at the hospital last night.  

I will pick Karen up today and bring her home.  We will have lessons from physical therapists and occupational therapists.  Once cleared by the doctor we will drive home.  

We are prepared for appropriate "by the book" recovery protocols.  They give you a large notebook with instructions, lots of verbal reinforcement, and tools and methods needed for effective recovery of a hip replacement.  

Cryo-Balloon Ablation of My Heart

 

At 9:30 am this morning, at the Peace Health Hospital in Vancouver, a team led by Dr. Reese will perform a cryo-balloon catheter ablation of my heart.  We hope this will correct some of my current electrical heart problems.  This is a non-invasive procedure, is "relatively safe," and does help 60-80% of people who undergo the procedure.  Dr. Reese told me he thought I was a good candidate for using this procedure.  

At age 77, I have been slowed down by shortness of breath, mild chest tightness, fatigue, and lightheadedness caused by paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.  My heart went into atrial fibrillation in May of 2022.

We shall see what happens in the next month to me as a result of this technical procedure.  

Friday, 7 am, 2/3/2023

The procedure went smoothly.  AFib controlled.  Dr. Reese said it would take three months to feel fully back to "normal."  Little discomfort, and no pain.  Sutures in thighs healing OK thus far.  Feeling very good.  Alert and thinking all night with little sound sleep.  Moving 10-15 minutes at the end of one hour of sitting.  Moving slowly, carefully, gently.  No chest tightness.  No lightheadedness or dizziness.  Clear vision.  

Cancelled February retreat to a yurt at Pacific Beach State Park in Washington.  My next retreat will come in April.  Waiting nearly 3 months to go on retreat.  Staying close to home until recovery comes.  Also, Karen has upcoming hip surgery on March 7th.  

Saturday, 4 am, 2/4/2023

Still feeling pretty good.  No problems.  Sutures healing OK.  No chest pain or discomfort.  Don't get out of breath.  A few cases of blurred/odd visual disturbances - wavy edges.  Trying to sit for 1 hour and then get up and gently exercise for 20 minutes today: walking, treadmill, qigong, taijiquan, yoga stretches.  

Before the ablation, I was in AFib frequently.  My heartbeat averaged 61 bpm when at rest.  Now my average heartbeats per minute is between 70-80 bpm at rest.  

Sunday, Noon, 2/5/2023

A little punked today.  Did not sleep well again last night: too much thinking.  My legs are a little sore from lots of Taijiquan practice yesterday.  Truly, a day of complete resting for me.  Sutures healed and looking good.  Very little chest discomfort.  Somewhat anxious.  No exercise.  Read, relax, sit, nap.  Ate  up to my recommended limit of calories 1500/carbohydrates 150.  

Monday, 2/6/2023,

Four days since the ablation procedure.  Slept 7 hours last night - excellent for me.  Feeling alert and ready to move.

Thursday, 2/9/2023

Met with James Mathey, Physician's Assistant, Peace Health Hospital today.  He ran an EKG and checked my pacemaker memory.  I am in normal heart rhythm with no AFib.  He checked my leg wounds.  In his assessment, overall, I am progressing well.  I return to be evaluated by him on March 6th.  I can ramp my walking up to 5,000 steps per day in the next 10 days.  No heavy workouts, sweating, or hard labor.  

Sunday, 2/12/2023

Injured my right leg.  Limping and in pain.  Start recovery process.

 

Heart Problems

 People in their late 70's are often dealing with some kind of heart or vascular problems.  I myself, at 77, have a pacemaker that does not let my heartbeat fall below 60 beats per minute to overcome Bradycardia.  I had the pacemaker inserted in 2017.  I have a stint in my LAD, inserted in 2018. At the start of 2023, I have disconcerting symptoms of Atrial Fibulation; weakness, shortness of breath, lightheadedness.  I have scheduled a cryo-ablation in 2023 to try correct AFib.  

I consult with a variety of good physicians in Vancouver, at Peace Health Hospital Cardiology-Electrophysiology. I have confidence in their diagnosis and treatment recommendations.  I research the subject by reading AFib books and quality Afib articles online.  I take Eliquis to reduce stroke chances.  

I try to follow all recommendations for good self-care.  Taking prescribed medicines, sleeping well, mild exercise, social relations, projects, careful eating, stress reduction, and not using recreational drugs.   

I will try my best to stay positive, stay busy, keep a cheerful demeanor, and reassure others.  I have so much to be grateful for in my life!

Back to blogging and webpage projects - stay busy!