Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Prognosis: Positive!

Yesterday I went for my first ever stress test, and overall, I would describe the experience as...pleasant. While I was extremely nervous prior to my departure, I gotta say I also received some very sage advice from my dear friend Vonnie Davis, and consquently spent the half hour drive to the facility "talking with God". It was a good discussion. And for any of you that may have to undergo something of this nature, I recommend doing the same. Laying my fears down at His feet allowed me to breathe a little easier, concentrate on traffic and get myself there in one piece. So for that, I must send a shout out. "Thank you, Vonnie!" XO

The stress test technician, Julie, was very nice, and while she took my blood pressure, dotted my body with electrodes and hooked me up to a machine which displayed my heartbeat on a television monitor--as well as chugged out a long succession of paper printing said heartbeat--we discussed everything from menopause to how to remove the sticky residue from between my boobs (see previous post re: Holter Monitor) to Kate Moss (I'd been reading Vogue prior to Julie's arrival).


The doctor appeared shortly thereafter and following several questions regarding my symptoms, I was asked to step on a treadmill which steadily increased in pace and incline to raise the level of my heartbeat.

A note here about the doctor:  I adored this man. I'm not sure if he is just a really good physician or if he took somewhat of a liking to me, but throughout the exam and subsequent consultation, I almost began to think of myself as his long-lost daughter. No lie. Estimating, I'd guess he is in his mid-seventies. He has eyes the shade of the softest powder blue baby blanket and spoke with a strong East German accent (Or could've been Polish. Regardless, he had to be from some European country.)

Dr. Bonus Point #1:  "It vould seem you may have some trouble with thees time of year. But thees is to be expected. Vith a Thanksgiving feast to prepare, house guests, Christmas and another feast... Ach, the stress is unduly hawd."

He really was quite fatherly--to me, at least-- and consequently took me under his wing. Said he was taking over the case, would dictate a letter to my regular GP, and then suggested several times that I call him directly should I have any questions or trouble. Sort of unheard of in this day in age for a busy cardiologist.

The diagnosis:  cardiac arrythmia. The good news is the condition is benign--based on the fact the palpitations disappeared during exercise.

Dr. Bonus Point #2:  "Vat thees means is you vill not suffer a hawtattack, stroke or hawtdisease from thees condition."

Okay, so now the only hurdle is to find the right meds. While cardiac arrythmia can be controlled with exercise, it takes a while for it to work (i.e. the longer I exercise over a period of months, the less I should experience the fluttering). So in the meantime I'm either left to suffer or can take meds which, unfortunately, come with a long list of side affects. And while the one pill I took last night did ease the fluttering quite a bit, today my brain has been officially zombiefied.

So that brings things up to speed. I want to pause here a moment, though, to extend my deepest most heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contacted me to show their support. I seriously don't think I'd have been able to make it through these past few weeks without all of you. Thank you so much for all the comments and well wishes. You have made me feel truly loved.

XO AJ XO

20 comments:

Joanne Stewart said...

Very glad to hear it wasn't overly serious. I bet that's quite a load off. Here's to you feeling better, AJ!

Jan Romes said...

Thank you for sharing this, AJ! So glad to hear that your condition can be taken care of with meds. Wish you all the best,

Jan

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Awesome news, AJ. I'm so relieved your prognosis was good. Often just knowing what a health problem is makes dealing with it so much easier. I know I can magnify a problem in my mind quite easily--it's part of the creative curse, I think. Hugs to you, darlin'.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous news, AJ! So glad it was a positive experience. Take care!

Maeve Greyson said...

See? You're idler just needed adjustment. I'm on meds to slow me down. I have hummingbird syndrome ;)

Glad to you're gonna be fine!

:)

Tiffany N. York said...

That's such good news, AJ. Glad it's not something much more serious. Now you're forced to exercise whether you want to or not!

Alison Henderson said...

It's so much better to have a diagnosis, especially one that is basically benign. Good luck finding the right treatment regimen for you. SO glad it's not serious!

Calisa Rhose said...

That is wonderful news, AJ! I agree about the power of prayer, too, use it quite often myself.

Call if you need anything or just to chat. ;)

Naima Simone said...

Whoo-hoo!! I've been praying, too! I'm so glad to hear you're okay. Except for the whole exercise thing...*shudder* My condolences...Hee-hee! I'm doing cartwheels over here!!

Jerrie Alexander said...

Awesome news!! Now you can really relax and enjoy the holidays!!

Susan Macatee said...

Great news, AJ! Get excercising and get off those meds as soon as you can. I'm afraid to take any precription drugs, because they all seem to have so many nasty side effects.

LisaRayns said...

That's great news.

Lynne Marshall said...

Hi AJ!
Other than being told you didn't have a single thing wrong with you, this is the second best news you could ask for. It's treatable and non-life-threatening.

Yay - and exercise is always good.

So glad to know the outcome.

Nancy Jardine Author said...

Glad to hear you will be able to organise yourself an action plan to deal with it, A.J. Keep an exercise bike next to your desk?

Lilly Gayle said...

Glad the condition isn't life threatening. And so glad you enjoyed your chat with God. He's a great listener. Isn't he?

Jessica Ferguson said...

A chat with God always works. So glad you're okay. And your doc sounds ... dreamy!

Rolynn Anderson said...

Makes me want to have a stress test so I get such a clean slate on heart issue. Makes sense a romance writer has a fluttering heart...but it also makes sense you want to control it. Good luck with the drug experimentation! Rolynn

Sarah said...

Wow, I had no idea you were going through this, AJ. Great news that it's treatable!

Sarah said...

Dang it, it signed me in wrong. It's me, Sarah Grimm. :-)

Beth Trissel said...

Very glad to hear the better news, AJ! Prayers for the right med, and I also believe in a heart to heart with God.