Trip to minnesota and my electrophysiologist visit

I am gradually catching up and getting back in the saddle today. Man, I don't know how I would ever do this if I still had a real job...

TRIP TO MINNESOTA

We visited the boy and his family in St. Paul this past weekend. We drove up last Thursday and arrived back home Monday evening. It's funny how it takes around 9 1/2 hours to get there, but it only took 8 hours and 40 minutes to get home. Weird. Although, leaving from their at 7:30am-ish put us through Chicago just after lunch time, and that's a really good time to do it.

On the way there we took Rt. 30 to I-65 to I-80/90 to I-294 to I-90/94. On the way home we took I-94 almost the entire way, then I-90 right through Chicago. From the Barrington Travel Oasis (north of Chicago) to the Skyway (south of Chicago) took right about an hour. Not bad at all. Of course, once we got to Fort Wayne it seemed to take forever to get through town...

While we were there we mostly just hung around the house, went for walks, and played with the youngest grandchild. I believe we went out to eat Friday evening, and Sunday for brunch.

HEART DOCTOR VISIT

Of course, my electrophysiologist's office called while I was on the way to Minnesota and said they could get me in to see the nurse practitioner the day after we got back (yesterday) - for my annual consultation. I took it, because the next available for him was September, and the next available with the actual doctor was now sometime in January. Whatever.

It went fine. My blood pressure was 180/90, but I think most of that is because they do it right away and I'm leaning weird on the table with my legs dangling down. It's also because I just freak out in a doctors office. No one was worried about it. My EKG was apparently fine. I told him I'd had an "episode" of some kind twice since last year - a couple days around Christmas, and again in February. However, they didn't last, and I wasn't sure if it was actual afib or something else. He said to just keep doing what I was doing.

I asked about the Watchman implant - because there was a poster in the office. He said that's always a possibility, but he said as long as the blood thinners weren't a problem, he didn't really see a need for it. Even if I someday had another ablation, the implant would be a separate procedure anyway.

I also asked about getting a sleep test done - just to see. He ordered an at-home test for me, saying that he had just ordered one for himself too. I will be curious to see what that turns up.

Otherwise... it was an okay visit. I like both the doctor and the NP. They're very laid-back and friendly.

 

So, that's about all there is to say about that...

Dr. visit: annual physical

I had my routine annual physical last Thursday... with a new doctor. My blood test numbers were the best overall since I started keeping track in 2015 (with the exception of one). Yet... the visit wasn't without some of the normal issues.

I switched my primary care physician because we've found a much cheaper route (through our insurance) and I was just tired of my old doctor's office and how difficult it is to even get in for a visit. I like the new doctor and staff (Dr. G.E).

As for my visit: 

Weight: 161 (compared to 159 a year ago)

BP: 162/100 (compared to 148/98 a year ago)

Pulse: 63

Oxygen: 98

Of course the doctor and nurse were concerned about my blood pressure. However, I showed them my recent history (116/73 the day before, at home), along with my history of anxiety-driven readings from every other doctor/cardiologist visit... and since it was back down towards the end of the visit (the nurse just said it was in the "acceptable" range), all was well. I hate how anxious I get when getting my BP taken...

Otherwise... this is the first time I can remember when all my numbers except one were in the normal range. My glucose was 118, which is not good. It is normally just over or under 100 (should be 70-99), and was 106 last year. However, my A1C was 5.6 (which is in the normal range, although right at the very top). So, I need to work on keeping that in check. 

The lipid panel usually gets me, but not this time (I guess taking a statin for the past year has made a difference - unfortunately). Cholesterol was 168, Triglycerides 109, HDL 58, VLDL 20, LDL 90.

They ordered me a Cologuard at-home test since I haven't done one for three years. I suppose I can comply with that.

Other than that, the doctor listened to my heart, lungs, looked inside my mouth and ears, pressed on my stomach and back, and had me do a squat and toe-touches and the like... and I guess he declared me physically fit enough to live another year. So, we'll see. 

*Here is my post about last year's visit

**And my post about where I keep my annual blood test history

EP doctor visit

I had my scheduled 6-month exam with the Electrophysiologist today. It began with a weight measurement (162), 12-lead EKG, and BP reading.

The BP was 180/90, which is what it was when I checked it before leaving the house. I "think" I'd just freaked myself out due to nervousness about this visit (and I have no idea why I was so anxious). Of course, the more I tried to calm down, the worse it got. Anyway, the doctor checked it after we talked awhile and it was down to 160/82, so he was satisfied. I also showed him my regular checks from home, which are usually in the 120-ish/70-ish range.

All told, he was happy with things. I'm still having erratic heart rate "episodes" of some kind every 1-2 months, but with the Kardia mobile device I am able to text those readings to him and he is good to follow-up. Most episodes only last a few hours, with occasional longer ones. None have yet gone past 24 hours.

He said these are not damaging or endangering my life in any way, but merely present a "quality of life" issue. He suggested maintaining the current course of treatment (diltiazem, apibaxin, lisinopril, and rosuvastatin), and if I would ever start to experience pain or the episodes got to be every 1-2 weeks or 1-2 days, he would suggest a second ablation (rather than additional medications). He said said he would do a pulsed field ablation if we need to do another, and he is currently the only one doing them in Fort Wayne. They are apparently much less invasive and are showing good signs.

Also, he said I have GRADUATED to annual visits instead of 6 months! I am to watch my hydration levels, electrolyte balance, medication therapy, and keep him updated with any odd Kardia readings. If at any time I'd like to do the second oblation I can just text him or call the office.

I guess that's good!

Doctor visit/new doctor

This also happened last week...

I may have a new family-practice doctor. Jane has switched over. I still have all my records and regular prescriptions through the one I've been using the past few years... but this is the second time I've visited Jane's doctor (Dr. Eigner), and I like him and the place.

I'm still not sure I fully understand how Premise Health works, but I think it's a healthcare provider specifically for people with certain kinds of insurance (in our case, PHP). Each visit is only $35, which usually includes any tests and/or prescriptions. Plus they offer a whole host of other services (Jane is currently seeing their nutritionist - completely free!). And maybe the best part: so far we've been able to make same-day appointments, and there is never any waiting!! A 30-minute appointment at 3pm means you arrive at 3, go in and see the nurse/doctor, and by 3:30 you are on your way. This is unheard of stuff around these parts!

For instance, last Friday when I was feeling miserable I got online at like 9am. I made an appointment to see the doctor for 12:30. I arrived right at 12:30 and it was just me and the receptionist in the waiting room. She greeted me and mad small-talk, I paid my $35, and then the nurse walked out and took me down the hall. Next in came the doctor. Since I'd already taken a covid test (negative), he also wanted me to have a strep test done. The nurse came back in and did that, and 5 minutes later they told me that was negative too. So the doctor grabbed me a Methylprednisolone pack of steroids, put it in a bag, and walked me to the door! That was it! 30 minutes! Everyone was nice and friendly and it's like the most unbelievably chill place I've ever been for a doctor visit.

My only concerns with this place are: 1) Is this sustainable? I mean, I love that it's never busy and there's no waiting, but I can't believe the powers-that-be will allow that for too long. It goes against the 'merican way; and 2) I'm curious what happens if Jane's company changes their insurance provider, or when she stops working there. It will be difficult to go back to what we have been dealing with (never being able to get in to see the doctor, waiting up to an hour for a scheduled visit, etc). 

Anyway, I guess we enjoy it while we can. 

Marathon #9

It was the worst of times; it was the best of times...

Yes, I have that backwards (sorry Dickens), but juxtaposing was on fire around here last week!

So, this story is going to take a minute before we even get to the running part. A long story leading up to a long run, so to speak. I'll try to mark the route so you don't get lost...

>>NON-RUNNING PART OF THE STORY>>

It all started one week ago today. We took a quick trip to see the Minnesota kids - arriving there Saturday morning and flying back home Monday evening. Before returning, and while the daughter-in-law was at work, the two of us and our boy and his boy decided to visit the Como Conservatory. I didn't think much of it at first, and even when the smells started overwhelming me, it still didn't register...

Whew, baby. We made it home fine, slept good, but when I woke up Tuesday morning I was sicker than a dog! It was then I remembered the last time I felt like this: our trip to Jamaica two years ago. Apparently my olfactories cannot tolerate tropical foliage and such. I was coughing, sneezing, dripping and draining, and my body felt like I'd been run over by a truck and left to die! I was miserable beyond mere pollen season plug-up. Ugh. It was not good.

Wednesday I settled on the fact I was not going to be running any marathon anytime soon and felt miserable both physically and mentally. Thursday I didn't even care about missing the marathon - as long as God would somehow help me feel better!!! Friday there was a little clearing, and I thought, "I wonder if there's anything the doctor could give me?" (sort of on par with 'praying as a last resort'). Well, lo and behold, it worked! And by "it" I mean the prayer, the doctor... and I am now a believer in PEDS (performance enhancing drugs)!

The doctor agreed my symptoms appeared related to seasonal allergies exacerbated by visiting the floral conservatory. He suggested going back on the nasal spray and zyrtec I had taken for years... and he actually gave me a steroid pack too ("maybe you'll at least feel better IF you can run"). I had to assure him I would stop running and call it quits at the first sign of any breathing issues or chest discomfort. Yeah, yeah... sure. ;)

Let me tell you, my friend, I now know why steroids are banned in sports! I mean, Wed/Thurs I was SURE there was no way I'd be able to run Sunday. I tried jogging Thursday afternoon and within a half mile I could hardly breathe and my chest burned like those first few track practices back in high school. Friday I allowed the slightest glimmer of maybe being able to at least start the race. Saturday I was like a new person... but as the day wore on, I wore down. Even Sunday morning... I felt SO GOOD when I woke up at 4:50am, but by the time we left for the start of the marathon at 7:20 I had begun to temper expectations a little. I think in the back of my mind I was planning to slog through the first half and at least make it back to the car. I figured I would know if I could run at all before I made it out of the parking lot, but I was bracing myself for the fact that these last 18 months of training were not going to be enough to get me the full 26.2 miles. We were playing it by ear, and I was trying to be realistic.

>>>MARATHON STARTING POINT>>>

Well, I suppose you already know I ran the marathon. I believe it was the slowest one I've done (of 9). However, it was also one of my best! 

First, though, remember when I did this marathon last year and said I'd never do it again? I'd had an ablation to fix my afib/flutter seven weeks prior and was running this to prove I wasn't dead yet, and it was such a miserably humid day, with rain at the start, the course was poorly marked, I got lost temporarily, which was the only way I was able to cover the whole 26 miles because it was marked short, and there were only like 30 people doing the full marathon, and I barely saw any other runners after the half, and I was miserable by the end. Maybe it's starting to come back to you... Well.. you know how people will say things... Right? :)

This year was different. It was a beautiful blue-sky sunshine day, about 44°F at the start, apparently the Carmel Marathon had been cancelled last week so there was an influx of extra runners (107 just for the marathon!), and while the course was still a tad short, it was altered slightly and is actually a pretty route, partly on city streets but mostly some of the best greenway trail in these parts. Someone even put the medal around my neck at the finish line (instead of me having to find the table where they'd all been left in a pile like last year). An added bonus this year was that Jane wasn't running the half, and since it's still a small race, she was able to ride her bike along with me the last 8 miles or so!

>>>>OK, LET'S START THIS RACE>>>>

We lined up to start thE third annual Fort Wayne Marathon & Half Marathon (Rubletiming.com) at 8AM. The first .7 miles or so are around the parking lot of the Coliseum before spilling us onto the greenway at Johhny Appleseed Park. From there we took Parnell Ave south to Main Street and headed west. I was excited to see Drew Carrie standing along Main, and they offered to take my jacket (around the 3-mile mark). At first I hoped I wouldn't regret it, but I felt so good running, and my breathing/chest was fine, so I was at least gaining confidence I could keep jogging and wouldn't need to walk back to the car with my tail between my legs.

Anyway, I can't remember all the course, but we went West to Sweeney Park, then wound around on greenway most of the rest of the way back to the Coliseum. The half and full start together and follow the same route, then the full heads North up past The Plex, Concordia Seminary, through Shoaff Park, and back to the Coliseum again.

The first half went great. I wanted to stay at or just above a 10-min/mile pace because I didn't want to push it at all. I met Jane in the Johhny Appleseed parking lot (half way) about the 2:16 point and changed my hat and shirt and swapped out water bottles. The first half I used my 12oz bottle (filling it twice) and took 3 GU gels, and the second half I used my 21oz bottle (filling 1 1/2 times) and 4 gels. I was still feeling pretty good, but I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep up that pace, or if I even wanted to. At this point I was happy that it looked like a finish was possible, and I didn't care how long it took.

There were a lot of younger runners in this race (or, not a lot of older ones like me). So even though there were more people, the second half still gets pretty lonely. There were maybe a dozen people behind me at this point. It was around mile 17 3/4 I first noticed myself spacing out (which is pretty good). I was jogging through a marshy area and all of a sudden was like, "Wait, where am I? Oh yeah, I'm running a marathon." Not long after, as I was leaving the seminary area and planning to use the portapotty there, Jane showed up on her bike. I had to wait on some random guy who took forever in the jon, finally went myself, and then she rode with me through Shoaff and back.

For the first half I took a drink every 2 miles and gel every 4. I walked 1/10th mile or less while doing the gel. The second half I took a gel every 3 miles and mostly just drank with that. Once Jane joined me she was able to take my water bottle and that helped immensely. However I also walked a little more and had slowed down some. I was probably talking more than I should have, but it was nice to have her along, plus I was just really, really happy (I was SO happy) that I knew now I was going to be able to finish. So I didn't care how long it took. This section also had several turn-arounds, so you could see the people ahead of and behind you, and everyone was being pretty friendly and offering encouragement to one another. Pretty soon, though, I realized I had maybe lollygagged a little too much and was nearing a 5-hour finish, so I focused on coming in before that.

Some random stats:

• I got 92nd out of 107 total marathon runners (2nd in my age group - out of 2); btw, there were 102 half marathoners (results page)
  
• 4 hours 57 minutes finish time - though I swear 5 minutes was waiting on that guy in the portapotty!
• 11:19/mi total pace... 11:03/mi moving pace... 8:03/mi best pace
• My fastest mile was 9:21; slowest 16:42 (portapotty). 13 miles were 10-something pace, 7 were 11-something, 4 at 12-something.
  
• My Garmin watch distance measured 26.24 miles, so I just made it over the 26.22, and only because I knew the course was short from the start (.05 short on the very first mile) so I was taking curves as wide as I could and running a little past each turnaround point to make up some miles.
• Oddly enough my watch said my max heart rate was 148 bpm, and average was 129. Afterward it went right back to normal at home too. Normally it may take a day or two to do that. Must be another Prednisone miracle! 

So I guess if I had to sum up with a TL;DR it would go something like:

The worst:

• Being sick almost the entire week before the marathon, and not really running for 8 days prior
• My slowest time
• The uncertainty of whether I could even start, let alone finish

 The best:

• Running a marathon at home (I really, really want Fort Wayne to have a marathon!)
• Jane being there for support, encouragement, and riding along the last few miles
• Finding a doctor who listens to me, and who offered the Prednisone (I felt great not only for the race, but recovery has been so sweet too! This was the best I've ever felt post-race.
  
• Finishing another marathon and living to tell about it!

 

I do apologize for this being so long. It's been an emotional week. I was prepared to not run, and it would have been fine. I was just so looking forward to having this out of the way so I didn't have to worry about a fall marathon, or even trying to find another one in a couple weeks. Now it's done and I don't have to think about another one until next year!! :)

Thanks for sticking around, and have a nice day!

Five things friday

Yeah yeah... I know. Anyway...

1. After a rough 16-mile run last Friday, a week of feeling like crap again, visit to a new doctor, and getting some antibiotics for a bacterial infection... My 19 miles today wasn't half bad! Oh, sure, I'm plenty worn down and a little sore right now, but considering I could barely walk this past Wednesday, I was pretty happy with it. I managed to stretch it to 3 1/2 hours, plus another 3/4-mile walk afterward. That's still a little faster than I wanted to go. I was averaging just under 10:30 miles for the most part, and started walking a piece of every few miles towards the end. Again, it's not how fast I do these long runs, but how much time I spend on my feet. I'd have liked it to be closer to 4 hours today, but it never is. Whatever.
2. Speaking of the new doctor... Jane had to find a new doctor and she discovered this place called Premise Health. Apparently it's specifically for people who have PHP insurance (which we do). She really likes the doctor, and visits are only $35 - which usually includes your prescription and any lab work! Plus, it appears you can generally get a same-day appointment! So I tried it out. I made my appointment in the morning, and walked right in when I got there. The doctor is super mellow, I was in and out and had my antibiotic in 30 minutes! Btw, apparently it was an infection in my groin area (which I've dealt with most of my life every5-10 years or so). Personally, I think it was from pushing too hard the week after having the flu. I probably shouldn't have done that 16-miler last week. The infection attacked my weak areas (groin issue and my right knee) - at least that's my non-medical-degree hypothesis. Regardless of all that, it's feeling much better.
3. This morning I listened to Song of Songs (Song of Solomon) on the Youversion App. I recommend reading/listening to it in its entirety. There are just eight short chapters, and having the New International Version (Anglicised), Audio Edition guy read it to you is another plus! 
4. Lots of things going on, and I really do feel heel-ish for not blogging more than I do, but it's just how it is right now. And it's MARCH MADNESS! As much as money and greed is ruining everything, for some reason I'm still a sucker for men's college basketball. And, yes, I know women's sports are popular too... give me a break. You can watch it if you want; why can't I watch what I want to?? Anyway, I wish we had a better TV plan, and that I maybe cared just a little more, because I really like watching college basketball. I don't do it as much as I used to, nor get as into it as I used to, but it's a fun time of year. At least until I start to think about how it's all going to hell because of money and greed and whatnot...
5. "Learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at the rest." -Hermann Hesse

 Well, I'm a little impressed with myself that I did this much today. I did not expect I'd get this far. Yay. How 'bout we all find something to laugh at today? Or at least smile. You can thank me later. ;)

EP doctor visit

Is it a good thing or bad thing that your heart doctor writes down his cell number and gives it to you?

I don't know, but it happened today at my scheduled 6-month check-up with my electrophysiologist (a cardiologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating heart rhythm issues). 

Normally I've seen an intern on these visits. This was my first with the actual guy who did my cardioversion and ablation. Dr. Rodriguez is a super nice guy, who seems quite normal and jokes around and everything. The first thing he asked when he came in the room was, "So how was the marathon?" Ha! He must take good notes.

Anyway, I reported that, according to my "Afib Journal," I've had another 'episode' about every 1-2 months since the ablation. The most recent was actually this past weekend - which lasted for 17 hours. Previous episodes had only lasted from one hour to overnight. I've come out of all of them on my own (Including this last one, which happened during a contemplation/meditation exercise at church on Sunday - it was kind of cool!). 

So, after chatting a bit, he recommended I either wear a monitor or get a Kardia Mobile device, and let him see actual heart readings when I think I'm having an Afib episode. He said it may or may not be actual Afib, and he won't know until he's seen what's happening himself. So I ordered the basic Kardia Mobile for $69, and he said I could just text him my readings with my name and DOB the next time my heart rate gets weird.

Otherwise he said when I'm having one of these, as long as I'm not short of breath or having some other issue, I can usually just wait it out. He said as long as I've shown I can convert on my own eventually there's really no reason for a cardioversion or ER visit.

Unless he notices something in any scans I send him (assuming I have anymore episodes), he scheduled me for another 6-month follow-up.

It's nice to feel better leaving a doctors office than when I arrive. :)

(My weight was 160; BP 142/88 -though I've been running 120/mid-70s at home lately)

Dr. visit - annual physical

 I had my routine annual physical exam this morning. Ugh.

For starters, when I arrived, I discovered they have changed the layout of the clinic. There are several different doctors offices and various other things, and it used to be you checked in at your particular place. Now everyone checks in at the same place right when you walk in the door at the main desk (which makes some sense). Of course, even though I had supposedly checked in online, I still had to fill out three more papers when I arrived. 

I finally got called back for my 8am appointment around 8:15. My vitals were not the best:

Weight: 159 (not terrible, but I've put on about 5 pounds in the last month)

BP: 148/96 (what??)

HR: 60 (this was the only good thing)

The doctor was of course concerned about my blood pressure. I showed him my at home results. Until this morning it had been normal - minus an occasional hiccup here and there - except it had actually been 153/86 at home this morning before I went to the doctor. I don't know why I get such anxiety before going to this doctor. I've been dreading it for weeks now.

I also tried to tell him that I haven't been feeling very good for a few weeks. Sinus pressure, can't seem to clear my throat, ear ache, cough, etc.. He suggested I start using Flonase for allergies. He never even looked in my ears or at my throat! I'm also supposed to take my BP every day for two weeks and email him the results.

Otherwise, he ordered me to get a lab done for cholesterol, get the flu/covid/rsv vaccines, and next year I need to do another Cologuard.

He listened to my heart and lung and rechecked my BP, and that was it. I was out the door in 30 minutes.

This visit wasn't as bad as some of them have been. I still don't have a lot of confidence in him though. He constantly shakes his one leg when talking to me (which makes me nervous), and at first he asked me why I'd never completed the Cologuard test he ordered. I assured him I had, and he finally found the results apparently somewhere they shouldn't have been. He was also surprised that my heart rhythm sounded 'normal' because he said the EP doctor still had me listed with persistent afib. I dunno... maybe it's not him, but the whole Lutheran Health Network just doesn't have a very good reputation. Maybe it's their whole system. Or, maybe that's just the way the entire healthcare field is now. I wish I had a doctor who would talk to ME, and listen to ME, and not just look at their computer and see what tests I was due for. Whatever.

All in all, I was glad to be done with this. Hopefully my BP will fall back to a normal range, my labs will be okay, and life can move on...

Ablation followup doctor visit - 3 months

This past Monday I had my three-month follow-up visit with the Electrophysiology doctor following ablation #1 on March 5, 2024. We met again NP Matt C. (Dr. Rodriguez is who actually did the ablation).

My blood pressure was a bit high (148/90), as was my weight (158), but my EKG was normal/fine. I'm thinking the bp was up not only because I was nervous, but I also have another case of poison ivy and that makes me plenty tense. The doctor wasn't concerned, plus I check it several times a week at home and keep pretty good tabs on it.

I informed him my last random/wacky heart rate situation was on June 15 - for about 3 hours - and prior to that I'd had one on May 21 for about an hour. Both resolved on their own, and I was otherwise feeling fine. I don't seem to be near as tired as I was there for awhile either.

He said it's hard to tell if those episodes were actually AFib or not, and not to be too concerned about it. He suggested maybe staying on the Eliquis and Diltiozin for another 6 months and then coming in to see Dr. Rodriguez. If things are going well at that point I can maybe go off the blood thinner (Eliquis). That's the goal right now.

The entire visit lasted about 30 minutes.

So, it was pretty uneventful. I was honestly okay with staying on the blood thinner a little longer. If I hadn't had the episode on 6/15 it may have been different, but it hasn't really caused me any problems and I'd just as soon be safe than sorry. 

Maybe the weirdest thing is that six months from now will be Christmas! Geezaroo. Apparently time flies even when you're not having fun. At any rate, I'm thankful to be feeling as good as I do.

Afib, ep doctor visit, ablation

We interrupt this series on running-as-therapy for some 'other' health news...

I have now had two AFib recurrences since being hospitalized in November and having a cardioversion done to shock my heart back into rhythm. The first was just before New Years and the second was this past Sunday night through yesterday morning. The former lasted from mid-afternoon until the next morning after showering. The one yesterday lasted an additional day and... I'm not really sure what caused my heart to reset. I'd tried all the "tricks" (coughing, bearing down, holding my nose while trying to breathe, cold water on the face, shower) and nothing worked. But as I was carrying my bowl of oatmeal to the table and sat down at the computer, I noticed I suddenly felt a lot better (I'd been feeling really tired and just 'not right' and actually skipped my workout yesterday). I checked my heart rate and it was steady again and back to normal. Weird. It's been fine ever since (so instead of a run I almost immediately got on the Assault bike and worked up a 30-minute sweat).

I guess I haven't had this condition long enough to understand that one or two days in AFib is apparently not that big of a deal (as long as I'm on a blood thinner and feeling relatively okay). Apparently some people have an erratic and high heart rate for months, years, or even all the time. It still freaks me out quite a bit, but I suppose I will get used to it eventually.

Ironically, I had my first scheduled post-hospitalization follow-up with the electrophysiologist doctors yesterday. I asked Jane to accompany me in case they asked any difficult questions or there was anything I needed to remember. I'm glad I did.

We met with a super nice NP and he spent almost an hour talking with us about AFib, its causes, treatments, and whatnot. He said my case is fairly minor at this point and my age plus the fact I am in excellent physical health means I am only at a "1" on the stroke chart (or something like that). This all means I am a "good candidate" for an ablation and that is their recommendation (instead of continued treatment with medication). So... I am being scheduled for a catheter ablation where they stick a tube up a blood vessel in my leg and burn parts of my heart! It will likely be in a couple months or so.  

Actually, it was a really good doctor visit. The NP was super down-to-earth and we both really liked him. He listened to us, talked to us like normal people, and I swear he would have went out for supper with us if we'd asked him (Jane also liked his Australian accent). He was very reassuring and helped ease our concerns about how to live with this for the time being. I think we were both hoping for an ablation too, so I can maybe get off some of the meds eventually and hopefully not be as tired as I have been lately.

For now, I guess I just keep doing what I've been doing: No drinking, drugs, or smoking (I stopped drinking entirely mid-November and the others long before that), eat a heart-healthy diet, and continue exercising. I'm not sure whether to stick with the marathon training because the ablation will likely happen sometime between now and then and I'll need to take some time off. We'll see. Otherwise I feel a lot better about things. So, I'm just waiting to hear from the doctors office (who are likely waiting to hear from the insurance company). Not much else for me to do...

Maybe the hardest thing has been getting used to the fact I have so little control over this. I can't fix it or make it go away on my own. In some ways, though, learning to accept that is kind of freeing. Life goes on (or not) and there's really no point worrying about it. And there ya go. :)

Dr. visit

Last Monday I had my annual doctor checkup. I wasn't expecting anything but to have to wait forever to get in and to get my blood pressure medicine prescription renewed. Uh, no such luck. It was not a good day.

Of course I did have to wait quite awhile to get in. Even though there is never anyone in the waiting area. I don't know what's up with that.

Once the nurse finally got me, she had me get on the scale and I was 160.8 pounds. That was less than my last time there, but I am not happy about how much weight I've put on since I quit working. Oh well. It got worse...

Then she checked my blood pressure. And she checked it again. Then she got another nurse to come in and check it! It was like 185/100. Ugh.

The doctor finally came in and he immediately starts in with questions about why my blood pressure is so high. I mean, I felt fine other than I'd drank too much the night before. At least I thought I felt fine. After listening to him give me the third degree and talk to himself, I began to feel much worse. To be blunt: he has a terrible "bed-side manner." I need to find a new doctor because I always feel worse when I leave than when I got there, and I have no confidence he knows what he's doing. Plus, I don't know if he's a drug addict, or just can't help himself, but he's always tapping his foot, or bouncing his leg, he never looks at me, never listens to me, and goes off on asking me things or explaining things that have absolutely nothing to do with me! It's a bit frustrating.

Anyway, long story short, in addition to the max Lisinopril (40mg) I've been on for years, he also put me on the max amLODIPine Besylate (10mg). He said if it made my bp too low I could cut them in half. And I have to come back in a month with a chart of several daily bp readings for each day.

In addition, he wants me to get: 1) flu shot 2) Covid vaccine 3) tetanus shot 4) shingles vaccine, and have a complete lab draw. This is also when he went into this big long tirade about some lung test which, when I finally asked what it was all about he says, "Oh, it's not something you need, but someday you might." Oof.

Anyway, I'm not a big fan of this new med. I was hoping to someday get off the old one. So far it does seem to be helping though. My bp seems to be about what it usually was first thing in the morning (120-140-ish over 70-80 range), and in the afternoons it gets lower. The lowest is like 113/63. I think most people's is lower in the morning, but as usual, I am the opposite of most people.

I actually think perhaps my biggest problem with blood pressure is anxiety. And I mean chronic anxiety. I seem to be nervous all the time anymore since quitting work in July - and have had a few panic attacks this past week. I haven't had those in awhile, but that day my bp was so high really freaked me out. I was downright scared the first couple days. So, I need to try to figure out a way to explain this to him so that 1) he will even acknowledge I said something, and 2) that maybe he will understand what I'm talking about.

Yep, it's been a real joy being me this last week. Funny thing... the only time I seem to relax is when reading, or running. Maybe I should just do that all the time.

Vacation warmed over

It's not like anyone died, really. I only wished I had...

So goes the story of this most recent vacation. It also partly explains why I haven't blogged for over a week. I ain't been well. Hopefully I can expound a bit later, but here's a start.

THE FACTS

We were celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary, so we splurged and booked a week's vacation at Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay, Jamaica. If you click the link, yes it does resemble the pictures... but it's maybe not exactly what it looks like (plus there was a lot under construction).

We flew out of Fort Wayne, Tuesday, April 25 and returned on Tuesday, May 2. Both flights were through Atlanta (1 1/2 hours FW to ATL, 2 1/2 hours ATL to Jamaica). The resort is a mere 10 minute bus ride from the airport in Montego Bay. 

Our room was on the second floor overlooking a pool on the "quieter" side of the resort (actual pic from our balcony). There was a daytime bar around the corner, and a girl who brought us drinks usually 10am-5pm-ish. There were rarely more than a dozen of us old farts around this pool, and occasionally we were the only ones there. It didn't suck.

There were like seven different restaurants, and we only ate at four of them. We did the buffet for breakfast every day, mostly skipped lunch, and ate at the Italian outdoor place for four suppers. All the food we had was good, but we are purposely not adventurous when it comes to eating in faraway places. Better safe than sorry.

There was entertainment every evening and we enjoyed most of it. Sometimes it wasn't so well-attended, and a couple nights we just weren't into it. I do recall having fun at the headphone dance party late one night.

We tried snorkeling on the Monday before we came home. I was a complete nervous wreck - and that was before I knew they took us in a boat out to deep water!! I lasted about 30 seconds. Jane for a bit longer.

It was HOT. Daytime temps were in the 90s and it only cooled to upper 70s (if that) at night. 

SICKO

I only drank too much one night (maybe two), and only had a couple mild panic episodes (which I'm not sure Jane was even aware of). I was plenty stressed before we even left on the trip though, and never settled much. However, towards the end of the week I started getting an earache and sore throat. At first I thought it was all the vegetation. I have allergy problems anyway, and the smells were pretty overpowering. Plus, the air conditioner blowing nonstop didn't help. So...

Sunday I was just kind of all-around feeling like crap. Stress, I hadn't been sleeping much, my stomach was messed up, it was sooooo hot, I was having a hard time swallowing, and I was honestly just counting down the hours until we could leave. 

I always hate when I get like this, but I just did not feel well. Fortunately I was able to hang on until Tuesday when we flew home.

Getting out of Jamaica was a bit tedious in itself; as well as the connecting flight in Atlanta (which they actually scheduled us for a hotel and a different flight the next day because they didn't think we'd make it). We finally arrived home Tuesday night around 10pm. I was beat, and had no idea that night would be even worse!

I'd gotten to the point where I couldn't swallow at all. I was spitting into a waste basket all night. At some point, since I couldn't sleep anyway, I made an online doctors appointment for the next day. I was supposed to work Thursday, and I was stressing about that too - not to mention needing to fly out again Friday for Atlanta!

The doctors visit just pissed me off! He's a quack and I don't know if I will continue there. At least they finally did a strep test and that was negative. So he says, "Just do what you normally do for a sore throat." Really?!?! Fucking moron. And this was after I waited 2 hours for my "scheduled" appointment!

Turns out I apparently had a "7-9 day" virus. Yeah, I'm still recovering, but feeling better.

ANYWAY...

Honestly, my head is still swimming. It's not that we didn't have a good time at all... I've just been really thrown off course by not only being out of my routine, but this sickness has done a number on me. I didn't feel like blogging or journaling the entire vacation, I haven't run for two weeks, and it seems like everything has changed.

I wish I could say things were getting back to normal, but I'm not sure what that even is anymore. I suppose I will survive. It's just taking awhile to get there.

One of these days I may post some pics and more details, and also about the boy's Phd graduation. Maybe. Hopefully. 

[Yeah, I know. I hate being that guy who goes to a caribbean island with a beautiful woman for a week and all I can do is complain. Argh.]

The new doctor

I am having a hard time keeping doctors.

Right before covid my old doctor I've had almost since we've lived in Indiana decided to retire. I found a new one the next time I needed my annual prescription for blood pressure renewed. This past year he decided to relocate.

So... on Friday, September 23rd I had my first visit with my next doctor.

I'd had this appointment from last year for my annual physical. Fortunately Doctor "W", as I will refer to him, is in the same building as my last one. So I just kept the appointment.

He's fairly young, and seems pretty easy going. I have to say, though, I didn't leave his office feeling better than when I arrived.

For starters, he was concerned about my blood pressure. Granted, it was high (178/88), but I told him I'd drank a bunch of coffee, plus it's always high at the doctor's office. I showed him my monthly readings compared to the last several visits to the doctors office. ALL of my office visit readings were in the same range. Just this morning it was 126/70 at work though.

Then he wanted me to get a colonoscopy. I talked him into letting me do one of those at-home tests. I don't wanna be messing around there if I don't have to (plus I think it's a racket!).

Then it was a tetanus shot, shingles vaccine, and he said due to my smoking history I'd have to start getting lung screenings in a few years. What the heck!?

It's like he was looking at the service manual for an automobile and simply going down the list (at 60,000 miles do this; 100,000 miles do this, etc.). I didn't feel like he was at all treating ME!

He said he wouldn't make me come back for a year, provided some stipulations. 

1. I have to check my bp daily for a week or two and send him the results.
2. I have to send him the results of my wellness screening I have scheduled through work.
   
3. I have to do the cologuard screening.
4. I have to get a tetanus shot and shingles vaccine.

I don't know. I mean, I get it, he probably needs to cover his butt... but I much preferred my old, old doc who was always like, "So, do you feel okay? As long as you feel okay I'm good with that. What do you need?" 

Meh. Anyway, I weighed in at 163, and my heart rate was 55. I was glad to get out of there.

I know he's just doing his job and trying to keep me healthy (I guess), but if I didn't need a bp prescription I don't know that I'd even have a doctor.

***

Lipid retake

I had to redo my lipid profile/cholesterol check because the one from June had some funky numbers. I just returned from the doctors office and... he said "I'll see ya in a year!"

My numbers were much more normal this time than three months ago. He thought I hadn't fasted, but I finally fessed up that I'd gotten drunk the night before the last time, and even though I hadn't had anything to eat or drink within 8 hours of the blood work, I likely still had quite a bit of alcohol in my system. He didn't say anything. Just typed on his laptop; asked how active I was (40 miles/week running)... then he checked my lungs with his stethoscope (why do they do that? that is literally all he ever seems to do. the last doctor too). 

He said as far as he was concerned he would just like to see me for an annual physical once a year. I was like, "alright!!"

My stats this visit:

• Weight - 159.5 (Woohoo!!!! I've been trying to lose weight, and it seems the only time I can get below 160 is after I run. I was 153 after one of my longs runs. This was after having breakfast and fully clothed!).
• BP - 138/84 (This is way better than it usually is in his office. I've been getting like 120/70-something at home; even 60-something sometimes).

My cholesterol numbers from June to September are as follows (June in parenthesis, September not):

• Cholesterol -- (273) 226
• Triglycerides -- (112) 106
• HDL -- (60) 61
• non-HDL -- (213) 165
• LDL -- (191) 144
• Chol./HDL Ratio -- (5) 4

A couple of these are just over where they're supposed to be, but they are actually some of the lowest numbers I've had in the last 5 years. Ironically, I used to always have trouble getting my HDL that high.

I would attribute the better numbers to: Losing 10 lbs., I eat a pretty healthy diet, and I'm actually drinking less (pretty much just a small glass of vodka a night, if anything). 

So, I was happy about my weight being down, and my numbers being back to where they traditionally have been. With the exception of the HDL, these are my best numbers since 2015! Yay me!!! I'm celebrating with a beer at noon. :)

***

Hosea 6:1

“Come, let us return to the Lord.
For He has torn us, but He will heal us;
He has wounded us, but He will bandage us."

Annual physical exam and health screen

I had my yearly physical at the doctor last Friday. He gave me the once over and actually said I am above average for physical fitness (for my age). We also went over my lab results from the week before. Ugh, I have to have them redone in 3 months because my cholesterol was a bit higher than usual. He hopes there was just a glitch, but it looks like I'll need to start on cholesterol meds. I really don't want to but it runs in the family, so...

My blood pressure was again super high (172/92), which doesn't seem to bother the doctor or his nurse anymore since I bring in my regular readings from between visits (several recently below 120/80). I don't know why I get so nervous in the doctors office. My weight was 167 fully clothed and with my phone and stuff in my pocket. I weighed myself at home after my run and I was 160 with none of those things.

I have a side-by-side comparison chart from 2015 to present (minus 2016 and 2020) of my lab results  (https://12ddm.blogspot.com/2019/12/health-screening-blood-test-results.html). I'm hoping everything crossed over and the chart will still line up. There were some different categories from this lab that I didn't understand, and apparently a couple things they didn't do that I'd had done previously. Anyway, it's nice to have.

Name Standard Range	4/15/15	4/15/15	4/19/17	9/14/18	12/17/19	6/18/21
A/G Ratio 1.0 - 2.5 g/dL			2.1	2.0	1.9	1.3
Albumin 3.4 - 5.0 g/dL	4.6		4.8	4.9	5.2	4.6
Alkaline phos 50 - 136 U/L	79		72	72	78	79
Alt (SGPT) 10 - 40 U/L			27	16	25	40
Ast (SGOT) 15 - 37 U/L	17		26	25	19	31
Bilirubin total 0.0 - 1.0 mg/dL	0.6		0.8	0.9	0.7	.66
Bun 9 - 21 mg/dL			9	15	16	13
Calcium 8.5 - 10.3 mg/dL	9.3		9.6	9.7	10.2	9.2
Chloride 98 - 107 mmol/L			95	98	93	101
Cholesterol 0 - 200 mg/dL	240		233	248	229	*273
Chol/HDL ratio ratio	4.80		4.48	4.13	4.49	5
Co2 21 - 29 mmol/L			28	28	29	27
Creatinine 0.80 - 1.40 mg/dL	0.9		0.87	0.87	1.03	1.03
Estimated Avg Glucose mg/dl			105	111	108
Globulin 1.9 - 3.7 g/dL			2.3	2.5	2.7	3.5
Glucose 70 - 99 mg/dL	102		92	104	93	100
HDL 40 - 60 mg/dL	50		52	60	51	60
Hematocrit 40.0 - 54.0 %			40.7	42.2	43.9	42.6
Hemoglobin 13.5 - 17.2 g/dL			14.1	14.3	15.3	14.3
Hemoglobin A1C 4.1 - 5.7 %			5.3	5.5	5.4
LDL 63 - 130 mg/dL	143		157	165	144	*191
MCH 27.0 - 33.0 pg			31.1	32.0	32.6	31.2
MCHC 32.0 - 36.0 g/dL			34.6	33.9	34.9	33.6
MCV 82.0 - 98.0 fl			89.8	94.4	93.4	93.0
MPV 8.6 - 12.6 fl					11.6	11.6
Non-HDL chol mg/dL	190		181	188	178	213
Platelets 150 - 450 th/uL			180	185	251	175
Potassium 3.6 - 5.1 mmol/L	4.5		4.8	5.3	4.0	4.7
Protein total 6.3 - 8.2 g/dL			7.1	7.4	7.9	8.1
PSA 0.0 - 4.0 ng/mL		0.4	0.4	0.6	0.4	0.59
RBC 4.30 - 5.70 mi/uL			4.53	4.47	4.70	4.58
RDW 11.5 - 14.5 %			12.7	12.9	12.4	13.2
RDW-SD 36.4 - 54.5 fl			41.3	44.5	42.1	43.8
Sodium 134 - 146 mmol/L	139		136	139	137	141
Triglyceride 0 - 150 mg/dL	233		119	115	171	112
TSH 0.25 - 4.50 uIU/mL			1.08	1.12	2.64	?
WBC 3.4 - 10.5 th/uL			4.8	3.6	6.7            3.9

 

So I guess as long as I don't croak anytime soon I'm doing okay.

***

"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." - 3 John 1:2

(Embarrasing) doctor visit

I finally broke down and went to the doctor today. Last week I mentioned the groin pain... Well, it hadn't gone away, and my back hurt, and I had the tension I usually feel when there's an infection of some kind. Sure enough, I have a UTI (urinary tract infection). I'm waiting on a prescription of Cipro. 

Unfortunately, that was about the best part of the whole doctor visit...

For starters, my blood pressure was 164/92. I told the nurse it would be high. It always is in the doctors office. I don't know why I get so stressed. Plus I'd just had 3 cups of coffee and come from work. I checked it in the morning and it was 140/78 - which was still high on the top number, but I attribute some of that to the tenseness. Things went downhill...

The nurse told me I needed a urine sample. I had literally JUST peed before I went there (5 minutes from my house)! I took my cup and went to the restroom, and tried, and tried, and tried, and tried. She finally knocked on the door and asked if I was okay. I told her I just couldn't do it. She said that was okay and led me back to my room to wait on the doctor.

Well, the doctor FINALLY comes in... with an intern. He asked me all the same questions as the nurse, and I gave all the same answers, then after he tells me to get up on the table he points at my calves and starts talking to the intern about them. My calves!! He's going on and on about 'muscle definition' and "you won't normally see this in most patients"... "You can tell this person is very fit" and so on. It was a little embarrassing in and of itself, because he never really even talked to me! It was like I was a cadaver or something! Then he checked my lungs with his stethoscope. (Did I mention where the pain was???)

So I'm waiting for him to tell me to drop my drawers, have me cough, or something along those lines... and he says, "Well, we're just waiting on a urine sample, so you can hang out here until you can produce one." Gulp. He had the intern get me a bottle of water, which I guzzled down right away. And I sat there, and sat there... and finally went into the bathroom, and stood there, and stood there... I felt like I was the only one there other than the 4 or 5 staff, and they were ALL WAITING ON ME TO PEE!!! Talk about pressure! It was the worst case of stage fright I've ever had. Normally I'm trying NOT to pee, and now when I needed to, I couldn't! I actually pleaded with God to help me do this simple little thing. Fortunately He finally helped.

I was there for a freaking hour before I could dribble a little urine in a cup. I was so humiliated. I came out of the bathroom and it was like everyone was trying not to look at me, and trying even harder not to laugh. Ugh.

Anyway, I waited another 5 minutes for them to test it. I'm at least glad it showed something. 

So, there ya go. And there I didn't. Well, for what seemed like an eternity at least.

***

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” -2 Chronicles 7:14

 

Doctor visit

 I had a regularly scheduled followup visit with my new doctor today. My first visit was in July. I guess this one was to make sure I was legit. Anyway, it went okay. Even though I arrived 15 minutes early, and I had to wait 30 minutes before going back to a room, and another 15 minutes before the doctor arrived. He seems nice enough though. Blue jeans and sweatshirt. I'm okay with that.

My weight was 169 (which is heavier than I'd like, but a couple pounds lower than the last time). My BP was (I think) 160/82. He said it was pretty high, so I'm wondering if it was 160/92 and I misheard. Anyway, I always go high when at the doctor. I had a handful of readings I've taken at work and home from the beginning of December and they were all in the ~130/78 range. That's about as good as it gets for me. I just don't seem to get below 120 on the top number. Ever (rarely). 

The BIG QUESTION was: how have I never had a colonoscopy??? "Well..." I said. So, fortunately, because of covid and all, he sent me home with a poop-sample kit that I apparently do myself and send it in. If it comes back positive I have to have a colonoscopy, but if not, I have managed to elude one for another year.

He listened to my lungs and heart and said he would be okay with seeing me twice a year. So my next visit is in June 2021 for a physical. Yay.

***

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” -Isaiah 7:14

 

First visit to the new doctor

I finally made my first visit to a new general practitioner. I'd been with my old family doctor for around 20 years and was not looking forward to seeing someone else. He didn't ask me before announcing his retirement in February though, so here we go.

The new doctor is much younger. He wore jeans and a button shirt. His office is in the Brooklyn Medical Center about a mile from our house. It appears to have a lab and x-rays and everything right there, so that's nice. Dr. "B" was nice enough too, though not as 'down-home' as Dr. A (those are their initials, not any kind of ranking). The receptionist and nurse were nice as well. I think it will work out.

I was only there because my prescription expired for my blood pressure medicine. And, wouldn't you know it, my blood pressure was super high while at the office (160/102). I admit, the top number has been higher than it should be for a while, but not the bottom number. I have a bp machine both at work and home, and I keep a pretty good eye on it. It's usually around ~130/78 or so, which I don't think is bad at all. I checked it at home right before I left and it was 160/88. I was already nervous about it being high before I even left. In fact, I've been nervous about it all week since I made the appointment. Of course, I checked it as soon as I got home and it was 146/79.

I don't know why I get so nervous about having my blood pressure checked. I feel so stupid. The doctor told me not to worry about it - since I had a list of my last two months' readings, and I'd like to think he felt I am fairly on top of it. He also read through my previous doctor's notes. He said he would like to get it under 120/80, and get my heart rate up in the 60s or 70s. My heart rate is normally in the upper 40s or 50s. I realize 120/80 is "ideal", but I think it's a little unrealistic to expect a guy my age to be that low, even more so to get my heart rate that high. Dr. A always said my heart rate was low because of my running. So I was a little disappointed in that.

My weight was at 167.9 pounds (fully clothed and holding my phone). I gained a bit during the quarantine but it's slowing coming back down. 

All in all, though, I was happy enough with the new doctor. He wrote me a new prescription for what I've been taking and wants to see me again in four months to see how I'm doing. My nerves have settled down too. If only I could keep from being nervous when I go...

"A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22)