Sunday, August 17, 2008

Working out again

For the past two weeks I have been able to exercise again for the first time since before Christmas. It has frankly been terrific. Of course this current exercise does not approach what I used to be able to do, but any exercise at this point is a big win and I am grateful.

I feel that any time I can get to the gym is a win. Who knows how long this will last, but I am grateful for every workout.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Definition

Sorry to post twice. But it is interesting how people with Congestive Heart Failure eventually start defining themselves by their Heart failure.

It is so awful living with this "thing" that we can't help ourselves. I apologize for telling a secret, because we all try to pretend it does not define us, but it does, in spite of ourselves.

My Heart

So I went to the doctor yesterday. Dr. Dan explained that he discussed my "issues" with Dr. John Dicola from last week.

He made a few more adjustments, and then told me I could live with the bad feelings coming from the PVC's (pre-ventricular contractions), or take some more drugs. We are going to try what we have for now.

Sometimes I think about my poor heart muscle as a separate thing and feel sorry for it. it may sound wierd, and probably is, but what an ordeal it has gone through.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Visit number 13 coming up

Visit number 12 yesterday went okay, except the doctor did not know how to optimize my pacemaker, even though it was not his fault.

Apparently my heart block is competing with my heart failure for control of my heart, and so my heart goes in and out of several behaviors on a semi regular basis. This of course makes it difficult to optimize for any one pattern.

The doctor did the best he could, and consulted with others, but he still wants to see how these changes work and have me come in next week.

He unilaterally offered that he was sure I was ready for this year's events to be over. But of course they are not.