When I was still in the hospital the doctor told me that I could start walking on the treadmill when I felt up to it, and 3 weeks after the procedure I unfroze my gym membership and headed there to try it out. I was able to do the elliptical for 30 minutes which felt good. My pacemaker was set to go at 80, so the whole time I was on the elliptical machine my heart rate stayed at 80. I did not have that much oxygen in my bloodstream so I would have to take a break every 5 minutes. Seriously the very old lady next to me was totally showing me up.
Last week I got to meet with my amazing doctor for a check up. He was so impressed with my condition! Technology is amazing! He was able to put a little computer mouse looking thing over my heart and it transmits all the information about my heart, and it can tell him how it has been beating for any time since it was put in. The good news is that my heart rate never went crazy fast like it use to, and it never stopped! He was really surprised that it never raced, but he was so happy with it that he started to decrease one of my medications! My other doctor kept coming into the room and asking me if I really felt good, he must not have believed me the 1st, 2nd or 3rd time when I told him I was doing well.
The plan is that in another month I will go back and he will check my pacemaker again. If I still don't have any rapid heart rates where my heart is taking over for the pacemaker then I might be able to get off one of the medications. He said that he would then order an echo of my heart. He is worried that because of the extensive damage in my atrium (the top part of my heart) from all the ablations that the muscle isn't pumping blood through well. He is worried that if it isn't pumping well that blood will pool in the atrium and create a risk for blood clots. But if it is pumping well then I get to go off my blood thinner. If it is not pumping well, then I have to stay on the blood thinner for life. Blood thinners and pregnancy don't mix, so we are really hoping my heart muscle is strong and pumps. That was crappy news to hear. So please keep praying for my heart, we really really really want to have my atrium pumping like it should!
He was able to change the settings on my pacemaker so that I can exercise more. He said my pacemaker is so smart that it can be set to work like your smart heart. It will detect my increase in breathing, and stuff and increase my heart rate so more oxygenated blood can get to my body. Medicine is amazing! He said that when I felt up to it I could try jogging, but no running, and that I can only do short distances. I'm scared and I have not yet tried. Because of my current activity I seem to be running my battery out, and so far it is projected to last 7.5 years. My scar looks awesome, he did a great job stitching me up, but you will have to just take my word on that.
11 comments:
Sounds like a pretty good update from the doc. We will pray that your atrium is strong.
I thought you were going to share some awesome scar photo with us! Haha just kidding, but that is all great news. You must feel amazing. We'll keep that atrium of yours in our prayers so you can safely have some little Preston's. :)
so glad you are doing better! and so good to see you last week, lets do it again soon!
Such great news! Praying your heart will stay strong so you can get off those meds.
im so glad for this update! im ecstatic that the dr. had such good things to say. you are amazing sarah!! definitely praying for that atrium! xo
Sounds like some pretty awesome news!! Technology is awesome!! I will keep praying and fasting for that heart of yours to be pumping like it should so you can do some baby making in the future!!! I am soo excited that you are feeling better, that makes my day!!!
We're glad to get an update, we've been thinking about you. We're praying super hard that you'll be able to stop taking the blood thinners. And yes...modern medicine is sooooo amazing! :)
Prayers coming your way for your iHeart!
So glad for a good report. Keep up the good work. Will keep praying!
So glad things are going well and that you feel better! I hope you hear all good things at your next appointment. We'll be praying for your atrium to pump like it should.
Keep us posted next month! Are you able to come in March when we come out to bless George? We are going to go to Provo one day and would love to see you then too, I think the week before the blessing. Sending you lots of heart beats!
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