What should I do?

Today I drove my car for the first time in 2 weeks, and it did not go well. Let me first tell you how much I love my car...

I always loved my Dad's 1998 Audi A4. When I was in Jr High he would bribe me by saying that if I washed his car he would drive me and pick me up during the weekends. I loved this idea and I washed that car by hand weekly until I could drive myself.

This was one of the smartest things I could have done, because I eventually bought this car from my Dad and because I had taken such great care of it when I was a teen I was getting a beauty of a car.

The day I bought my car from my Dad he had it fully detailed for me!
This picture is when he handed over the keys to me maybe about 5 years ago.

Today started out with me trying to start my car and it not starting. Dead battery. I got it replaced and drove on, but the car was switching gears like I was driving a stick for the first time (it is an automatic, so I knew something was wrong). I drove it to the Audi dealership to get it looked at. Hours later the Audi grim reaper called me with the worst news I have heard, he told me my transmission was bad and that it would cost $6000 for a new transmission. After more research and calling around I have more options.

1. New transmission-this will never happen, We are broke.

2. Sell it for parts- I can't believe he even suggested this option to me

3. Used transmission- ($2800, 6 month parts and labor guarantee)

4. Trade it in (we are broke)

5. Drive it until it gives up the ghost

6. Become a one car family, or let Joe buy that motorcycle he always talks about (this will never happen, as a nurse I call them "donorcycles")

Did I mention my car has 171,000 miles on it and normally every time I take it in for a check up the mechanic is always shocked by how awesome my car is. And my car has heated seats, tinted windows and all wheel drive. I seriously love this car.

Football

So the wife of the year award came out and I won!!! Yep, what sealed the deal is when I let Joe go away last month for the BYU vs Texas game for the weekend, and then I blogged about it. I really wish I could have been at the game even though BYU ended up losing. Joe was able to go and spend time with his close "Burley friends" as I call them, aka John and Elliot.

Stumbling block

I have to say that the first week following my surgery was great. I had more energy than I ever had following any other procedure. I felt good enough to go to the football game (I'm grateful I have a temporary handicap pass, and BYU traded our seats so I could sit the whole game!)

But early this morning I woke up to my heart racing. At some point in the night my heart decided it would misbehave. Before bed time I felt great! I had a heart rate of 55. I even told Joe that before when I had a freaky fast and irregular heart rate it would keep me awake, but now my perfect sounding heart kept me awake because I loved listening to it and feeling it.

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and it is our conference weekend where for 2 days we get to hear from the leaders of our church. In the early morning hours I was reminded of an old talk from 2004 entitled "But If Not" from 2004 that really touched my life at the time. I'm sure I was facing a difficult challenge (what person on this earth isn't) and this message stuck with me. I searched for the talk and found it and it brought comfort to be again 7 years later.

Hours passed and my heart was still racing. I called my doctor and told him what was up. He put me back on heart medication for the time being and I will go to the office tomorrow for an EKG. My heart is still racing.

I know I ask you all the time to pray for my heart, but will you all please continue to pray. I am very touched that I have people who read my blog and care about me and Joe.

I'm hoping that this increased heart rate is just a fluke and is from the irritation from what they did to it, and that it will calm down... but if not I will be strong and I will get through this.

Jimmer's all-stars

Last Thursday before I went in for surgery it was Jimmer time! I was so excited to go to Jimmer's All-star game. I was excited to see Jimmer and actually for once cheer for people that I hated last season (#! Kawhi Leonard). Jimmer was not a ball hog at all and there were some pretty sweet dunks and plays. It also helped that we had sweet seats (thanks JB and Mary!)

The most horrible part of the night was when TJ Fredette did his half time rap. (ride Jimmer's coat tail as long as possible man) It was good for quite a few laughs.

I realize a lot of you girls don't like sports, and I'm sorry but I do, as long as it has anything to do with any BYU team or former BYU player.

Happy Birthday to me!

Okay, not really. My birthday isn't until January. But my clever nurse at the hospital got me these balloons. I remember waking up and being very groggy still and reading the balloons and it made me giggle. I hope that every year on September 23rd I will celebrate the birthday of my new heart. I know it's not really new (it's 27 years old). We are trying to be very positive that my 5th procedure actually fixed my heart.

I am feeling really well. I do feel like I was stabbed in the chest , but I kinda was (with a really really small knife), but the pain gets lighter and lighter. My heart is behaving, except that my SA node is still lazy, so my heart rate is low, but I can handle that for now. I am just waiting for my SA node to wake up. My doctor says I will be feeling great when that happens.

Thanks for your prayers!

Day #1 Post op

First off I want to say thanks to all my friends and family and people I don't even know who have found our blog and having been praying for us. I had my 5th ablation yesterday and it seems like things couldn't have gone smoother, well except that my SA node is still lazy, but it seems to be waking up. I am increadibly happy with the results.

My heart rate has been great, 50-70's beats per minute I have not been in normal sinus rhythm but something called a junctional rhythm with is fine with me. I seriously don't remember the last time I felt this good.

There has been some pain with breathing, but the medications have made it smoother for me as long as I take shallow breaths.

Both my doctors have been in to see me and it appears that I will actually be out of the best hospital in the world this afternoon!

Oh and the best part is that I am not going home on heart medication. Hopefully from here on out it will just be up to my heart to stay in rhythm!

I love you all and I appreciate your prayers and thoughts!

Procedure #5 coming up!

I am excited to say that my next heart procedure is only 9 days away!!! I am scheduled for September 23rd! My doctors will be doing something a little different that has never been attempted on my stubborn heart. They will still plan on making the small incisions in my groin area for my veins and arteries to gain access to the inside of my heart (aka endocardial ablation). What they are differently is including what is called an epicardial ablation, which is very new. (very very small incision below by breastbone). I find the process of what they will be doing fascinating and I am completely amazed that such things are even possible,(seriously I can talk for hours about it) but I won't bore you with the details.

Please pray for my doctors that they will be able to know how to fix my heart, and please pray for Joe and I.