Not Again!

Here I am in the ER at the lake, EKG is done, waiting on bloodwork for my troponin level. Something hasn’t felt right for the past few weeks. Haven't been able to figure it out so I had a drs appointment scheduled for 1:30 today.

I’ve been struggling again with focusing, but I needed to pick up the zero sodium chips for the salad series. I love coming up with or adjusting common dishes for heart healthy. This dang focusing has me off though, I have all of these ideas. No school today, so I had Bay ride to the lake with me. I have not been keen being by myself, just a feeling I had. We were just going to run to Dierburgs, it’s the only place to find these chips. Everything in moderation so the tortilla chips would be perfect for this salad. If anyone is familiar with this grocery chain at the lake they have an area upstairs to sit and eat. Bay decided he needed a smoked chicken breast and Mac and cheese. I went with smoked salmon. Deciding against the large elevator that overlooks the store we did the stairs. It hit me like a tidal wave, sweating, followed by heart racing and then the feeling of loss.

I sat and drank a full glass of ice water, took half a Xanax, again. Why have I been needing the Xanax more frequently. This happened before my HA, is this happening AGAIN? Few bites of my salmon, Bay is devouring his first portion of mac and cheese, then the odd feeling is coming back. Time to get to go boxes. We walk slowly back down the steps and grab our cart of avocados, it’s all I had managed to pick up before the walk up the stairs. I’m determined to stay calm and breathe, the half of Xanax should be kicking in by now. Went down the aisle for the zero sodium tortilla chips and head to the cashier. I drove 30 miles for these chips, I was determined to still get them. starting to calm down, but my walking has definitely slowed down. Bay now is asking what to do if ”it” happens again. Call 911, grab the brown bottle, one pill under tongue. The boys are very good with this, they stay calm and just tend to watch me out of the corner of their eye.

Calm enough, started the engine and have pulled out of my spot to head out, BAM!!! Heart is going nuts, pull over in entrance to get a grip, air conditioner blowing, windows down, Jeff is now on speaker talking to me. We are sitting to the side of the entrance, I’m not sure how long, but have decided to call my drs office. Two location, one happens to be at the lake. I’m not really sure why I thought she would suggest running in to see her real quick, but of course she said to get to the ER. I need to stop and say here, I’m on the lowest dose of Xanax, I don’t want to take it, I do everything I can to not take it. I was fine to drive, I‘m so focused on safety and not putting my child in a situation. When a onset of a panic attack, which I am praying thats what it is, the meds bring my panic down to a functioning level, NOT drowsy or lack of mobility. With that said, everyone is different so please do not pop pills and drive.

I parked in the circle drive at the ER, thank goodness security was able to park my car for us. Bay is still being an awesome kiddo, staying by my side. We get into a room and heart rate skyrocketed, so did blood pressure. I am given a nitro and 3 baby aspirin for prevention because of HA history. Start hooking me up to get my EKG, moved to a new room with IV and monitors. I’m telling you now, that nurse knew how to find a vein, she went right in with no pain. By now I’m feeling every beat in my heart, I’m definitely feeling PVC’s, annoying heart rhythm, a lot of people in general can not feel or know what it is unless you have been checked for it. EKG has come back negative, thank goodness, first troponin bloodwork has been drawn. First troponin came back negative, thank goodness. Wait 3 more hours for another blood draw for troponin.

Now that the first troponin is negative along with EKG, my mind is starting to relax, to a point. What is going on with me? The dr is discussing different possibilities now. Caffeine, no, I have my caffeine down to almost a zero most days. Sleep, hmmm, definitely possible, my sleep is crazy lately and not sure why. Stress, ding ding ding. I have been struggling with handling things lately. I struggle to focus, I’m wanting to get back out there. I’m wanting to write my blog, everything seems like I can’t get anything finished or started at times. My 2nd troponin came back negative, again thank goodness. Troponin can detect injury to the heart. They normally do two blood draws at minimum of 3 hours apart. Not all levels will show up at first. IF you truly believe it’s a HA and drs are blowing you off for indigestion ask for a troponin test, even if they did a EKG and it was normal, especially for women or heart disease in your family or your health is not on trac. Better safe than sorry, right?

I’m home and the PVC’s are about completely gone now, I’m completely zapped and will fall asleep easily tonight. Cardiologist and GP will be contacted in the morning to get appointments made. The first year after a HA is a time for your heart to heal, I have 5 more months to go. I will make it, with a stronger heart, but I have to be vigilant about taking care of myself, not just physically, mentally too.

I want you to know, a lot of things effects our body, not just food, but stress and sleep can and it WILL effect you. With my heart still not up to normal functioning range, things that we normally put off effect me differently, more intense. Please, whatever you do, if heart disease is in your family or you’re not taking care of yourself health wise, start doing it today! You don’t need to wait until Monday or the start of the next month, make the decision now.

Relaxing at home, thinking about the Mexican salad with the zero sodium tortilla chips I had to drive to the lake to get.

Special thank you to Bay, stayed calm and by my side until his daddy got there and his grandpa could drive him home. Thank you Candice for always watching out for the boys.