When Does It End?

I have been away for too long again, I know. It just feels like every time I get ahead, I end up two steps behind.

I was scheduled for shoulder surgery on 5/28. Unfortunately it did not go as planned. I went in to the OR, had the 1st dose of drugs to just sedate me so that I would be less nervous I guess. After that, I know nothing. I woke up to find 1. my surgery was not done and 2. I know have a heart condition!

While getting ready in the OR, they hooked me up to the monitors and my heart was beating at 150 bpm (beats per minute). The normal heart beat is around 70 bpm so you can see why they were concerned! I went into Atrial Fibrillation or "A-Fib". Never a dull moment when I'm around I guess!

So the cardiologist explains what is going on and tells me what the deal is. He was going to admit me to spend the night at lovely St. Clare's Dover Campus when my heart, on it's own, returned to normal rhythm.

The next day I went into the Cardiologist office and had an Echo. The Echo showed that I have a spasm in my inner heart wall - fun for me! He seemed concerned, but not overly freaked. He showed me the spasm which, of course, caused me to freak out!

Long story short, I rescheduled my surgery for 2 weeks later and everything went fine. The doctors had to keep administering Cardizem during my procedure to keep my heart rate down. I am now on this medication daily....along with a baby aspirin.

I have seen the cardiologist since and have also done a halter heart monitor. We are waiting for the results of that before we move forward. It seems that my heart beats at around 100-120 bpms on a regular. My question is why doesn't that help me lose weight??!!??

On to other things....I go back to see Dr. Young at the Jefferson Headache Center on Monday. I really don't know of too many people who look forward to having their head jabbed with needles and numbed out, but for those with Migraine who have experienced the joys of a Nerve Block, you know what I mean! My mother is coming with me for company. This will be the first time she gets to see up close and personal what I go through with my Migraine Disease. How come now at 33 is this the first time she will see this? Well, because I was diagnosed at 24 and have not lived with her since being diagnoses. Yes, she has seen me in pain, taking triptans and staying in bed for days on end, but I don't know if it ever fully hit her how bad I really am. I guess part of me wants her to fully see what goes on at my appointments and hear me talk to a medical professional about my illnesses. I think this may give her the jolt she needs to realize how serious this really is! Throw in the Fibromyalgia and heart condition and you have one sick daughter!

Due to the shoulder surgery, I have been on disability since May - and - still waiting for my checks to come in! I have to say that my head has been much better since not working in the psycho drama that I was working in. I have had no Tension-Type Headaches since leaving my job. I am worried that going back will be detrimental to my health and I'm really scared to do so. I really feel that my current job contributed to not only my heart condition (being under constant stress) but also my daily TTH and Migraines.

Although the Migraines and Tension Headaches are not as bad, the Fibromyalgia is cranking at full speed. I have constant pain in my neck, shoulders, wrists, hands, ankles, hips, and legs. Yeah, that pretty much covers it! I find that especially with the current 90 plus temps, that the Fibro and heart issues are almost unbearable. I really don't know how I can go back to work feeling this all over pain - not to mention hardly even being able to walk 50 feet without being exhausted from my heart. I guess time will tell.

I really do hope to get to blog more often. I think I got so used to not being able to use the computer at work, that I have forgotten all the things I used to do. Hopefully that will change and I will come back here with an update after Philly.

Until then - stay cool and pain free!