It's probably too early to be certain, but my pacemaker is providing me with energy I hadn't had in years. It was installed yesterday. My left shoulder is in pain. Otherwise, I feel very well. I'm anxious to go for a walk tomorrow to see how it feels. To me, it's like trying out a new heart.
Last night I didn't sleep real well, thanks to being in a hospital and to having my left arm in a sling harness to prevent extending the arm. Nevertheless, I did not have to struggle to breathe. I am hopeful that my heart rate increase from about 40-48 bpm to 60 bpm will negate my need for a breathing machine at night. Time will tell.
Even though I awoke at 3:30 this morning I have not been overtired today. I hope this continues!
Meanwhile, Sandy and I have our doctor appointments and are doing well. We're looking forward to Julie's wedding shower on the 24th and a dinner with family the night before. This summer promises to be far better than that of last year!
This will be just for Sandy and me for the time being, it having been so long since the last entry. It has been a good run, all in all. On March 17th we saw Sandy's oncologist, Dr. Yamada. We learned that Sandy's CA-125 score is 9.3 (normal is anything under 35). That was good news!
In February, I went into the hospital because I'd had chest pains and shortness of breath while walking at my favorite trail, Perry Farm. We found nothing conclusive, but I did make an appointment with a cardiologist who'd given me an angiogram eleven years ago.
He gave me another one on March 25th, which concluded that I had an irregular heartbeat and no more than 20% blockage anywhere. I was told that blockage of 70% or greater would have required further action. The cardiologist recommended a treadmill stress test, which I took today. He determined from the test that the reason I have shortness of breath is because I have an extra heartbeat that disables the heart from filling with blood as it should. This denies blood supply from oxygenating body parts such as the lungs from providing needed oxygen when my heart rate increases during exercise (I apologize to any medically-trained readers for my ignorance regarding medical terms).
He will implant a pacemaker in me on April 14th. I expect that this will help my feeling less lethargic than I have been feeling and that I'll be able to push myself farther while riding my bike. I'd like to ride the Elroy-Sparta bike trail this summer with my good friend Ted.
The best news here has to be that my daughter Julie is getting married on October 16th in St. Paul, MN. Just to make it even better, she's marrying a really great guy whose name is Todd Bagby. I am very happy for and with both of them for having made such good choices.
Even if Julie were not my daughter, I'd say she's a great catch for any young bachelor. She's not only educated beyond all reason, but she has both work and life experiences that make her exceptional.
Todd is no less qualified for the working world, but he's also great with kids and gets along well with everyone else! What more could one ask for? He's a lawyer, as is Julie.
'Nuff said. As a long-distance parent, I could not be happier for them. And, frankly, for myself!
Scot, Heidi and the girls are in Wisconsin with Heidi's folks for Easter weekend. Julie and Todd are about to move to Richfield (Minneapolis suburb).
Happy Easter!
