Thank God for Heart Monitors

For without it we might never have found out that Bill needed a pacemaker. I know Terry told you that he had one implanted last Monday and I thank you all for the prayers you sent. He started having fainting episodes and even though I took him to the ER each time and he even spent time in the VA hospital nothing ever showed up on all the tests they took. The second time it happened and I took him to the ER the doctor there thought that his heart was slowing or missing beats I guess you could say and he’s the one who ordered the 30 day event monitor. After he got that he still spent a few days in the VA hospital but nothing showed. They sent him home and told him to keep wearing the monitor and thank God he did. A week ago Friday he had another spell and pushed the button on the monitor. The next day the doctor called and told him that he needs to get to the hospital asap and that he needed a pacemaker. He told the doctor that he had an appointment the next Friday in Madison at the VA but the doctor here told him he shouldn’t wait that long. She said to come up to the hospital here and get a copy of the results from the monitor and to take them with us but to go the next day to Madison and show them what’s going on. She showed them to me and explained that his heart was stopping for 3 1/2 seconds then beats and stops again for a few more seconds. When it stops for 5 or 6 seconds or more is when he passes out. Then when it starts beating again is when he comes to. Eventually she said that it was very possible that one of those times it might not have started beating again. He then decided not to wait and went ahead and had the surgery here in our local hospital instead of going to the VA.

Each episode he had was almost a month apart for each one and the last one he had happened just two days before we were suppose to send the monitor back in. All I can say is, as funny as it sounds, I’m so glad and grateful that he had another one while he was still wearing the monitor, otherwise we would have never known and I hate to think what might have happened. So anyway, he had the pacemaker implanted on Monday and he’s back home and recuperating nicely. He’s still a little weak and he can’t drive for a couple of weeks or lift anything over 10 pounds. He also can’t raise his arm over his head. I guess he could pull the leads out of his heart until they get imbedded securely and we sure don’t want that to happen do we? I tell ya, it’s scary how fast things can happen. You just never know do ya? That’s why it’s so important to let those you love know just how much they mean to you and that you love them each and every day.

On a happier note my grandson Josh turned 13 on the 10th. I don’t know if I’m ready to go through the teen years again. It was hard enough with my own kids. I  have a feeling it will be worse with my grandkids, I’ll worry just as much if not more, I just know it! Anyway, I took him birthday shopping today. He wanted a skate board so off we went to the store where he picked out a pretty red one. I guess they come in different sizes depending on how big you are. That makes sense when you think about it. So he’s one happy skater right now and I’m a happy grandma. I enjoy taking them shopping on their birthdays. It is our special time, just the two of us. I love it!

Isn’t it awful about the earthquake in Japan? I can’t imagine what that is like and the devastation and loss of life is beyond comprehension. I feel so bad for them. It will be several years before they recover from this if they ever do. I pray the nuclear plants doesn’t leak radiation and cause more grief then they are already going through. May God bless and be with them all!

That’s what’s been going on in my little world. What’s been going on in yours? Hoping all is well.

Don’t forget to…Live, Laugh, Love & Be Happy!