Trying to catch up.....

Where to start.....Sorry, with the whole dropped off the face of the Earth thing. I will try to get back in the swing of things.

So......besides Hockey, this is my crowning achievement for the month of November, Fash turned 4!

I bought this Spidey pinata ......thought he looked ridiculous, and he needed to be adjusted.....so, I ripped off his stickers, covered him in tissue paper.....and painted him to look a lot less ugly.

Ahhhh.....here he is.

Happy 4th Fash! We definately sported some super hero's this year, here are the results!

This is his best little buddy....they take their job seriously!

How cute are they....I mean really, wouldn't you like one of these fellas coming to your rescue.

They are about to take off from this crazy place, there is some super-heroing to take care of!

Stand tall my good man...stand tall!

Looks like they are about to take off in flight, doesn't it!

I also made a Superman cake....but don't know how to hide Fash's name off it.....so, you don't get to see it......Sorry!

May you each have a Superhero in your life!

Have you seen SoDak?

I think she is hiding......

I am going to go and find her, and bring her back here...you wait, she will show.

It's hockey season.....

It is hockey season at my house.........which pretty much means, we eat, breathe and dream hockey. I mean that almost as literally as I can.......

Eat....we eat lightning quick before hockey practice....then eat a quick snack of ez-mac after....if there are games we have the ohhhh so healthy diet of hot dogs, corn dogs, walking tacos, hot cocoa, and Pepsi......then bed.

Breathe....my house smells like a hockey rink, between Mister being on the ice for his team, three days a week, Sass skating for his team three days a week.....along with Mister coaching his team......Fash once a week skating practice, with Mister AND I coaching kids age 3-6 how to skate.......Open skate two nights a week, and games all weekend that we watch......we pretty much breath in the lovely odor of hockey.

Dream....My boys.....all three of them dream of the next moment they can get on the ice......I dream about it, as I am the Hockey Associations Treasurer and constantly reminded of the things I should be taking care of........so my friends, that is where I have been.....and will be.........at the Hockey rink.

Finally!! Last installment of one year ago this week!

Soooooo.......here we are nearing the end of my little story. Let's see now.....oh yes, I remember! The Mayo, as I lovingly refer to the place, had made contact a number of times over the next couple of weeks, sending me a ton of paperwork to fill out, and return. We were scheduled for a series of tests on Friday the 23rd, for the better part of the day. Then again on Monday the 26th, for most of the morning, at which time they planned to evaluate all of those tests, and determine whether or not I would be in Surgery at the Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital on Tuesday morning, the 27th of March.


The Mayo Clinic is 500 miles away. Fortunately for my family, my husband's parents live about 90 miles from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. We made arrangements to arrive at their place on Thursday the 22nd of March. They had agreed to watch Sass and Fash while we were out living it up in Rochester.


We left Thursday morning from our house at about noon. We arrived in MN, somewhere around 7:00 pm. It is funny how things happen, not as if there is a sense of dread or anything, just that it didn't seem like a joyous visit. Not a celebration, as it usually is when visiting family. We just sort of casually visited, without a lot of discussion with what the next few days would, or could bring.......just painfully casual.


We stayed up too late....way too late. Woo-hoo! Here comes about three hours, of super restful sleep....I'm sure. Mister and I needed to wake up around 4:00 in the morning in order to arrive in time for our tests on Friday morning. Now, I know I refer to a lot of this is "our" rather than "my".....it isn't a typo......and I don't do it intentionally. It is just, it seemed much more like "ours" than "mine." Certainly, more than "my" life was turned upside down.....therefore, it was......and is.....ours.


We checked in a little bit before 7:00 am. What an outstanding facility. First of all, it is absolutely enormous. Exceptionally clean, amazingly designed, and artistically decorated. I don't hope for any of you to need to see it. I hope you never do.......but if you have to, you will immediately see why it is as renowned as it is.


We easily navigated through the facility. Mister and I played a game of "worker-patient" wherever we walked. We would try to identify whether a person was at the clinic as a patient, or a worker. Some of course were easy to identify......for instance, if they had a name badge......worker.......if they were carrying the identifying paperwork, similar to mine....looking for signs.......patient. Others, were not so easy to decide. I don't know who won the game, (I am sure I probably did) or if we were even right........but by our scientific calculations.......it was "pert-near" an even worker, patient ratio.


I had a pamphlet of paperwork, outlining where I needed to be, at what time, and what test would be performed. I know this will come as quite a shock to some of you, especially those who have waited countless hours with crying baby's in clinics, waiting to see the Doctor.......knowing your child has an ear infection......then waiting once your child's name has been called......to sit in the small room for another period of time, waiting to see the Doctor.....so that, yes.....they can say, "your child has an ear infection." We barely had time to take a seat after checking in at each desk, for each test....before they called my name. Mister would find an article to read, just start it, and I would come out........test complete. It was so crazy organized, and efficient. We just continued on to each appointment, Mister never completed a magazine article or newspaper. The final appointment was to get another Holter Monitor for the weekend, and have it turned in on early Monday morning. As luck would have it.......or wouldn't.....however one determines that......when the woman was attaching the device, before she was totally finished, or machine on.......I started to get light headed, and nearly passed out. She told me she saw it coming by my face, and my eyes had dilated......she pressed some "instant read button" and got the tail end of it.


We left the Mayo, and heading back to Mister's parents house for the weekend, to return for further tests on Monday the 26th. Still not certain we would be having surgery on Tuesday the 27th or not. It was sure nice to be able to see my babies again.......my boys are known to be quite spirited, and lively. Interesting how when something like this is involved in your life, no matter how you mask it, it brings everyone to a slower, more relaxed state. My children were more subdued, mellow.......then I have ever seen them. Sass was trying to read books to Fash, both snuggled up in the same blanket. Nobody talked about the next week......not that it was being avoided in conversation.......just more that it wasn't necessary to discuss it, we had given the burden over, and we were just waiting for our next task.


We, Mister and I got up early again on Monday morning......and headed on over to Rochester. We turned in the monitor, I had not had another light-headedness, or passing out feeling since the monitor had been put on, through the whole weekend.


More shuffling from one location to the next, following our outline of appointments. The second to last appointment was with one of the cardiac surgeons at the Mayo. After meeting him, he said we would indeed be having the ablation performed the following morning. He told us it was fortunate the small amount of information caught at the very beginning of the Holter Monitor, because that showed the arrhythmia was still present, and that it was in combination with Atrial tachycardia, and Ventricular tachycardia. Which is sort of like the top portion of my heart wanted to be the boss of the whole heart beating thing.......and the bottom portion also wanted to be the boss......and they were competing, and well........turns out......neither of them are really supposed to be in charge.......(and here all this time, I thought I was boss). The SA node is in charge of the electrical signal.......and everything was discombobulated.....is that even a word, hmmmm....must be....spell check accepted it? Our final appointment for the day was our "consultant" the RN who would walk us through the procedure, and answer all our questions. She showed us the camera, and scoping tools, which would be used throughout the procedure. She also told us I could bring CD's and listen to music the whole time..........nice! We also would be having the lead cardiac surgeon at the Mayo, in charge of the surgery, with his "team." It is nice to have the smart people on your team, don't you think? Surgery was scheduled at St. Mary's Hospital, a couple of blocks from the Mayo, the next morning at 6:00 am.


Mister called his family, I called mine........then we checked into a hotel. We walked around town a little bit.....sort of dazed.....then decided we just needed to rest. The hotel we stayed in.....had been an apartment building converted to a hotel.....and it was old......and it was.....ack. We didn't care a lot though.......we were so exhausted, and knew we wouldn't be able to sleep anyhow.....Mister's brother, and sister-in-law called him, the ones who swooped to our children's rescue both previous surgery's, and told him they were at his parent's house, and would be in Rochester in the morning, so he wouldn't be alone during surgery. He didn't say it, but I know he was overwhelmed, and welcomed the idea he would not be by himself. We tried to sleep....of course, didn't. We stopped for an enormous cup of coffee for Mister......who had a long day ahead of him, and set off for the Hospital.


When we arrived, it was more of the same organized.....get it done facility......except it looked more like a hospital, than an art gallery, like the Mayo had. We were both arm banded, and brought up to our floor, by a guide sort of.....who brought a whole collection of patients......we weren't playing the patient worker game anymore......but if we were......it would have been an easy game. We got checked into our room, and were told it would be the same room I would come back to for recovery, following surgery. Moomie and husband showed up shortly after we were checked in, and then off I went.........


I was first wheeled to a room, where there was my own little t.v. mounted above my head.......I could change the channel......but didn't, I did try some "I dream of Jeannie" head nods to do it. They didn't work......so instead, I just stared at whatever was on....I don't remember. Each person who was going to be in the room during surgery, came over and introduced themselves.....I was a bit fuzzy from something they gave me, and wouldn't recognize them on the street......but I met a whole slew of people that morning.


I can't go into all the details.....and won't. However......the jest of what happened for the next 7 hours is this......they did not give me any pain killers, as it slowed my heart down, and prevented the arrhythmia's from happening.......If the arrhythmia's don't happen, they can't ablate (burn) them. I was awake the entire time, and heard all conversations that were not drowned out by some CD I listened to. They "pushed" through the wall between the upper two chambers of my heart to get to the arrhythmia's in the left atria. I prefer not to listen to the CD's I listened to during surgery. They were very happy with how the procedure went. They accomplished all they could, which was nearly everything......and isolated, they think the final arrhythmia, which was dangerously close to the SA node. There was not any damage done to the SA node, which meant no pace maker..........and......I was "all better."


They wheeled me back to my recovery room, where Mister, Moomie, and husband were.....and I was to lay perfectly flat again for 4 hours. Then I got some good ol' pain killers.....and I was out. They kept them coming for most of the night.....and my recollection of the rest of the evening was pretty vague. Moomie and husband went home. I didn't have any crackers and peanut butter......I don't think I ate at all.....I will have to check with Mister on that. They removed the "tool" they used for the surgery, some hours later......and I was on the road to recovery. I was checked out of the Hospital around 1:00 pm the following day. We got to see our babies that afternoon, and returned home to South Dakota on Thursday, the 29th.


I was taken off one medication the day I left the Mayo. I was taken off another medication in early May......I was off all medications by June! I had a June follow up appointment in Sioux Falls, Moomie came with me, and had an echo cardiogram done. They said I was "normal"! Finally someone thinks so!


I have had another Holter Monitor for 24 hours since then, which also came back with just an abnormal beat....which they expected......otherwise.......NORMAL!!


So now, One full year since it all began and there have been some serious changes. My hair has become so much thicker.........my skin is so much softer......the hair on my legs grows slower.....my energy level has doubled......you wouldn't believe it.......I have a tough time believing it.....and I am me.......


So......there you have it.............I am finally done with my story. Most of my story's aren't this long, but.......like I said before......you have to hear the whole thing to believe it, or you just wouldn't believe it.


Thanks for sticking with me. I hope you have a great New Year! I know I am looking forward to it.

Part 3-Follow up on one year ago this week!

I went back to the heart hospital on December 1st, for a check up, and to further discuss the procedure to happen on the 22nd.

I had my sister-in-law Moomie with me, and we had plans of getting all our Christmas shopping done in the midst of the appointment. (We did get it all done.....hooray.)

I had another Echocardiogram, and an EKG. They both showed my heart was getting stronger......but......Dr. decided he would like to give my heart more time to heal between surgery's and opted to schedule the next surgery about 6 weeks out.

I must confess, I was disappointed, which seems crazy....I wanted of course to have a strong heart for surgery, but I also just wanted to have it done....complete....finished....yet, there would have to be more waiting......and I guess it isn't all bad, not having to be in the hospital over Christmas, and all.

Sooooooo, sometime in early 2007.

I got a phone call in early January from the Dr.'s nurse, Janelle. Surgery would be scheduled for February 6th. With an appointment in January for a cat scan, and x-ray's.

Mister's parents were scheduled to come and watch the boys, and stay at our house while we went in for the February surgery. This way, they could sleep in their own beds, play with their own toys, still be in school.......well.....things don't always turn out the way we would like, now do they.

Mister's father had gotten the flu, the day before they were scheduled to come out to our house.....not the best condition for trying to keep up with my sweet monsters......

Mister made yet another quick call to his brother and sister-in-law, to see if they could drop everything again, and pick up our children, and take them back to their house. They really are the best, without hesitation, they met us half-way, and we said good-bye to our babies, to begin this new trek to the heart hospital again.

We arrived in Sioux Falls later than we had anticipated, due to the meet, and hand off.

We quickly headed out to dinner, as there would be no food for me the next day, not that I don't enjoy some nice saltines, but really......needed some protein!

The moment we sat down to dinner......

Mister says, "mmmm.....my throat is pretty sore"

Me...."well, don't eat the chips."

Mister....."yeah, I suppose...seems like more than that though....."

Me...."strep?"

Mister...."hmmm.....I am not sure....maybe..."

Me...."do we need to find a clinic?"

Mister...."yes."

We quickly checked into our hotel, and asked the guy at the front desk where the nearest Urgent Care Facility was.......just a couple of miles away.

Arrive....Mister's throat is getting worse.....we sit and wait, and watch as three more patients arrive, and go to the front desk, complaining of sore throats.

Mister is finally seen........YEP, rip-roaring strep throat! AWESOME! We explained our unique situation to the Doctor, tell her I am having surgery tomorrow, far from home....etc......etc.......a tiny bit of sympathy she showed. However, she said under no circumstances should Mister step foot into the heart hospital, until he has been on the anti-biotic for at least 24 hours, preferably 48 hours.....NICE.....surgery is in 10 hours.....

We finally left the clinic around 8:00 pm.......

Mister placed another phone call to our ever reliable brother and sister-in-law.....tearfully explaining the situation. Moomie left within a half an hour, and made the 3 1/2 hour drive to Sioux Falls, so she could take me to the hospital the following morning.

We arrived at 6:00 am, and Mister waited outside the hospital, while I went in to plead my case. FORTUNATELY, they agreed to allow Mister in, as I had already been exposed, and Mister had agreed to wear a mask. Mister is somewhat of a germ-a-phob anyhow, and will put hand sanitizer on when he is in any sort of medical facility, like he owns stock in it, so I truly figured there was nothing to worry about.

Surgery......I spoke with Dr., shortly before I went in for the procedure. He had made contact with the man who invented the equipment that they were using for my procedure, and he was interested in being a part of the procedure, and had come over from Nebraska, to assist. They agreed I would be better sedated for the procedure than I was the previous time, as they knew what to expect from the previous procedure, and figured they would be able to whip this out in no time, like......4 hours.....

I came out of surgery 4 hours later, and it turns out......they could not find any arrhythmia's to fix!

Dr. said, "it doesn't happen often, but it does happen occasionally......I think with the procedure before, and the medication you have been on......you are cured."

Me..."what do you mean? Just like that, all better?"

Dr......"yes, just like that."

Me...."hmmm...."

Dr. "we would like to schedule a stress test tomorrow, and have you take a 30 day event monitor home, and we can go from there."

They checked me out of the hospital about 6 hours later.......

The following day, I had my stress test. Turns out, guess I am not too stressed. They said I did much better then what they would have expected from someone in my "condition" or something along those lines.

They also gave me an Event monitor, which was similar to the Holter monitor I had previously, except it had only two of those sticker things, and the recording device was much smaller. There was also a button on the recorder, which I was to push if I had any unusual episodes, and then I would "fax" the information over the phone to some company that reads the events, and makes contact with the Dr. if there is any concerns. I was to have this on for 30 days.

We left Sioux Falls, and picked up our boys. Wondering, what in the heck just happened?

As we updated everyone of the surgery results.....there was excitement for me having no further problems.

To tell you the truth.....I didn't believe it, I knew there was still something wrong. However, what do you do?

I just diligently pressed my little button when I felt "funny" or got light headed......I would fax the information in.....they would thank me.....that would be it. It was three days before I was to send the monitor back in, and be finished with my 30 days, when I passed out in the kitchen. Now, not too scary, when I pass out....it had happened often enough before, and it literally lasts about 1 second after I hit the ground.....never hit my head, I just sort of know it is coming, and start to lower myself down......and sit......usually hard, enough for a bruise......but it had never really been scary. (I know, seems insane....) I sent the event in over the phone, and well.....they thought it was scary.

Event monitor reader person, " you need to get to the hospital immediately, I will contact your Dr., and he will call you."

Me....."why, what did it say?"

EMRP, "I cannot give that information to you."

Me....."why not, it is my body?"

EMRP, "are you going to go to the hospital, immediately?"

Me...."I can't go right this second, I need to call my husband.....I have to do something with my children....so no....not right this second."

EMRP, "if you do not agree to go to the hospital immediately, I will be calling an ambulance to come and get you."

Me....."then yes, I am going immediately."

I called Mister......and I was, um a little shook up to say the least, and he was home in about 5 minutes. (Work is only 3 miles away, it's nice like that.)

All the while I don't even know what is really going on, or what they "saw." I try to call my Dr. over and over, as I don't even know what I am supposed to tell the folks at the hospital....."hi, some lady on the phone told me to come here, right away......I am not sure why exactly, but she said I better come, so I am here......"

That all seemed really ridiculous to me, as well as Mister......so we continued to call my Dr., while taking Sass to school, and finding someone to watch Fash. We had just arrived at Sass's school when the Dr. finally contacted us back.....I know, I make it sound like it was a super long time, but seriously.....Sass's school was about 3 1/2 miles away.......

The Dr. said I didn't need to go to the hospital.....it was more of the Ventricular Tachycardia....and it looks like I wasn't healed like they had thought.

Through some discussion, my Dr., who is the top cardiac surgeon in South Dakota, 3rd Cardiac Hospital in the U.S. said he could not fix me, but wanted me to go to the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester Minnesota. The number one heart hospital in the World. He asked if I would be willing to do that.....seriously, what else would I say.......of course.

The Mayo Clinic made contact with me, and they pushed me through to have surgery, scheduled for March 27th, three weeks from now.

They also wanted me to be a part of their research findings....interesting. I don't know that I really want to be "special" but I guess if I am going to be "special" the Mayo Clinic is where I would like to be.

Follow up on.....one year ago this week...

Bleary eyed, Mister, Sass, Fash and I walked out of the heart clinic......with two pamphlets in hand.

One pamphlet was on the Elecrophysiology study, (EP study)......the other on Catheter ablation. Oh yeah, and they told us I would likely be in the hospital for at least three days following surgery, to see how I respond to medications, and observation etc.

It is intriguing to me the sort of things that run through a person's mind during times like this.....I am embarrassed about the things I was concerned about.....seem so silly now.....but, they are the things that go through your mind.

Me-"This is just perfect.....what are we going to do about Fash's birthday.....this totally screws up your hunting plans with your family this week......we are NEVER going to be able to afford this!"

Mister, always the reasonable, sensible, loving man he is......slams on the brakes of Vinnie....and says, "SoDak! I don't really care if we go bankrupt, and live in a tent! We only work with you in our lives, with you healthy, I don't care about anything else after that!"

Me-"oh.....um, yeah....there is that."

Me-"I haven't even called my mom"

Mister-"You can call her tonight"

Me-"kay"

We drove around for a bit......not really knowing what we were doing. We hadn't eaten since morning, and we were sneaking up on 6 pm. I called a good friend of mine from my town, who is a cardiac rehab nurse, and gave her my diagnosis.....to sort of get a feel for what I was in for. I honestly heard her gasp on the phone.....silence.....then she evidently composed herself, and told me over and over...."this is going to be fine.....it is all just going to be just fine. What are your plans for the boys?"

"Crap"

We ended up at a Tac0 Bell, Mister the boys and I went in and ordered, and Mister went back out to Vinnie......not sure what he was doing, but we finished nearly all our food before he came back inside.

Mister-"I called Moomie (sister in love), and she and husband are coming tomorrow morning at about 7 am, they are going to take the boys indefinitely back to their house. I also called Bruce (co-worker) and we will be staying the night with him, he is close to the hospital. I have also called my Dad, and they are going to make phone calls to the rest of my family, I have the dog taken care of, the neighbors will let her out, and I am on vacation.....indefinitely."

Me-"kay"

Mister-"After we finish here, we will go pick some more clothes up for the boys, and pack them up a bag to go to Auntie's house, we can call your family when we get to Bruce's house tonight."

Me-"kay"

We did a serious shopping spree for clothes, grunders, socks, jammies, toys, (as Auntie's kids are grown) coloring books....etc. Clothes for Mister, and chocolates for me, and all the people stepping in to assist us.

I called my family that evening at Bruce's house.....and got to bed about midnight.

6 am- check in, more x-ray's, blood work etc. Auntie and husband got to the hospital about 15 minutes before I went in for surgery, I was groggy, but so glad I got hugs before I went in, now Mister won't be waiting with the children alone.

Right before surgery began, I was told I would be awake during the procedure. They strapped me down flat, with my head completely turned to the side, and I was to remain in this position for the duration of the expected four hour surgery.

After 4 hours.....they called in the other heart surgeon for consult. The two surgeons continued to work for an additional 3 hours, after the 5th hour, they did give me enough medication....I did sleep.

They kept Mister informed of the goings ons every hour. The reason the surgery was as long as it was, seems they expected to find one arrhythmia......but found at least 7. They chose to stop the procedure, after 4 ablations, and schedule an additional surgery. They anticipated an additional 3 to 4 hours longer, to complete the ablation.

I was required to lay completely horizontal for an additional 4 hours, to prevent blood clots, and or the openings to re-open.

I was still groggy, and goofy through the remainder of the night, said goodbye to my babies, who each brought me a balloon......and off they went.

For dinner I had saltines spread with peanut butter, which Mister lovingly prepared.

Would you believe the next morning, though still hospitalized, I felt better then I think I had ever felt as far back as I could recall. I had energy oozing from me!

We were in the hospital for an additional 4 days. During that time I got flowers, balloons, phone calls.....seems everyone was well informed. Reason was, while I was out, Mister kept everyone we knew very well informed via email messages.

We met Auntie and husband, and picked up our boys, what a thrill it was to see them both.

The next day Sass ended up having strep throat, and life began rolling again right away.

A friend of mine contacted practically everyone she knew, and set up enough meals, frozen and fresh for the rest of November, and most of December.......I am indebted to her still. What an outstanding gift that was.

When we left the hospital, we understood, the next surgery to complete the ablations would be scheduled for December 22nd.



Stay tuned for the rest of the story.....coming soon.

One year ago this week......

One year ago this week, I was recovering from what would be my first of three unexpected heart surgeries.

I know totally outrageous......

I have been asked for the low down on this story......some of you have heard it.....some of you don't want to hear it, and if that is the case.....just leave me a comment you are glad I am all better, and leave it at that.......otherwise......get comfy....it is quite a story.

This is how it went down. I had been asking Mister if he was ready to have more babies for awhile, he wasn't. We had gotten into a great deal of discussions on the matter, and his reasoning nearly always came down to......"I can't explain it, but I am worried about your health, and that something would happen to you, and I would have three babies, and no you." I bucked this explanation EVERY time he used it......."That is ridiculous!" Before you think I am too harsh....I will tell you this......I have been very fortunate to have unbelievably easy pregnancy's, and relatively easy births. I have never even experienced morning sickness. I don't have any special sickness, had never been hospitalized, never broken a bone, had stitches once when I was 8.....seriously, except a few extra pounds, pretty darn healthy......I just didn't get it.

We had finally agreed, I would have my IUD removed, and get on an oral contraceptive, so when, and IF the time came to try to have another child, we wouldn't need to make the appointment. This was in May of 2006. There was a new Gynecologist in town, and I could get in to see him the following day, so I jumped at the appointment. The oral contraceptive he wanted me to be on, was one I had never used, and I am not super duper good with change.....but I decided I would roll with it. I read all the packet instructions that came with them, and was on them for June, July and August. I was having some of the symptoms which are labeled as "side effects" and figured, well.....I have only been taking it for 3 months, I should give it another couple of months.......they didn't get any better.

I called and spoke with the OBGYN's nurse, and told her the symptoms I was having, and asked to get a prescripti0n to the pill I had been on before babies.......she wasn't that easy to convince, said she would talk to the Dr. and call me back........

**(irritating, thorough new Dr.'s)**

Well, she called me back and said the Dr. said it made him "uncomfortable" to give me another prescription with these "symptoms," and asked me to see in internal medicine Dr. if he said I was fine, then he would call in a new prescripti0n.....

**(irritating, over the top-thorough NEW Dr.'s!)**

The nurse gave me an appointment with the internal medicine Dr. who was new to town also, and had an opening the next day. They did a complete blood count, and an EKG, wanted an ultra sound of my liver, and an Echo cardiogram of my heart, took x-ray's of my chest, and to put me on a Holter Monitor!

**What on Earth is going on with these crazy new Dr.'s?**

I agreed to the Holter Monitor, the x-ray's, and the liver ultra sound because my liver enzymes were "high." I declined the ultra sound of my heart, as I saw that ALL of it was unnecessary. All I wanted was a different pill for goodness sakes! By the end of the week, Halloween, I had finished with the other tests, and was "wearing" the 24 hour Holter monitor. This is a monitor, that for 24 hours records the beats of your heart. It is put on with those sticky circle things you see in movies, with the wires all over the place, and a little pocket i-pod like device which is the recorder. I figured it made for a good costume, what the heck!

I turned the monitor in the next day around noon........I got a call on my cell phone at 3:00 pm. from the internal Dr.'s nurse.

"Hi SoDak, this is Jenny......Dr. has looked over the results you turned in today."

"yeah?"

"He would like to go over those results with you, um.....what are you doing right now?"

"Shopping the Halloween clearance, at Wa!!mart...."

"Okay, then we will see you in 15 minutes."

click......

**what the....what?**

That just doesn't sound all that good you know.....so I dropped off my boys at Mister's office, and went to the clinic.

Dr. explained things to me, but what I remember was, "this is no good." He called a Cardiologist friend of his in Sioux Falls, explained the results to him, and he wanted to see me within a week. Then he faxed the Holter monitor results to the Cardiologist, who called back in minutes, and said I needed to be in Sioux Falls for an appointment the next day, at noon. I still didn't quite get it I guess....

Sioux Falls is three hours away, and we decided to take the boys in case we wanted to stay the night after the appointment, and do some shopping. We packed an over-night bag for the family, and took off early November 2nd.

When we got to the appointment, at the heart hospital, it was explained to us that I had what is called Ventricular Tachycardia.....which causes my heart to speed up at random times, and go from say 80 beats a minute, to 180 in the blink of an eye. Also, occasionally my heart stops beating for 2-3 seconds. I had nooooo idea. They told us they almost NEVER see this sort of thing in someone my age. They see it in young children, and it can be corrected with medication if caught soon enough......usually at a well child visit. Or very old people, and it is corrected with a pace maker. WOW......

(The thing is.....I never really had any well child visits....my mom worked at a Dr.'s office, and we would get all our immunizations for free....and just not have a "check-up." Also, I had-had a lifetime of shortness of breath, but just thought that was me, I had asked several times in my adult life about light-headedness.....and was told I was dehydrated. I had told my OB's when I was pregnant that on occasion I would get a really rapid heart beat, and I was exhausted.....they said I was growing baby, and that was normal........)

My options were, I could go on medication, for the rest of my life, or I could have surgery in about 6-8 weeks, when they could get me on the schedule.

That is a lot to consider.....like immediately....definitely did not want to be medicated all my life, so we agreed we would get on the surgery schedule. The nurse got us some pamphlets on the procedure, so we could look it over. They scheduled an echo cardiogram of my heart before I left......(psst...you know the one I declined from the first Dr........yeah, that one). Then they would schedule my surgery.

I had the Echo cardiogram, which lasted a half an hour, and was recorded on VCR tape. The technician was really vague when I would ask questions, and would say the Dr. will talk with you. Just kept measuring......repeating.....I could tell she was concerned. She asked me to wait in the lobby, while the Dr. looked over the results. I told her he said I could go following the Echo cardiogram, and she asked me to wait in the lobby, that he would like to look it over.

That didn't seem good......

The nurse came out, a half hour later, and asked us to come back into the room.......Dr. came in.....

"We have you scheduled for surgery at 6 am tomorrow morning."

"What.....what.....what happened to 6-8 weeks?"

"Your heart shows it is functioning at 35%.......and that is where a heart functions, right before a heart attack, we have rearranged the schedule, and you will be the first surgery tomorrow morning......it should last 4 hours."

Oh my..........

Tune in for more soon.........really.......soon.