Heart Zap

This coming Tuesday morning, November 10th,

I will check into the hospital for an outpatient heart procedure

To get my heart back to beating as it should

Because of the atrial flutter

That is causing my heart to race

And causing difficult shortness of breath.

(Note: They do not know why or how the atrial flutter started)

Yay!

If you don't learn anything else from this blog,

You are at least getting a basic medical education

While I'm saving you the cost of medical school!

So here goes with a description of what they are going to do...

First, I will have a TEE echocardiogram

Which is described below:

A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) uses echocardiography to assess the structure and function of the heart. During the procedure, a transducer (like a microphone) sends out ultrasonic sound waves. When the transducer is placed at certain locations and angles, the ultrasonic sound waves move through the skin and other body tissues to the heart tissues, where the waves bounce or "echo" off of the heart structures. The transducer picks up the reflected waves and sends them to a computer. The computer displays the echoes as images of the heart walls and valves.

A transesophageal echocardiogram is done by inserting a probe with a transducer down the esophagus. This provides a clearer image of the heart because the sound waves do not have to pass through skin, muscle, or bone tissue. The TEE probe is much closer to the heart since the esophagus and heart are right next to each other.

To summarize why the TEE is happening:

They need to make sure that I do NOT have any blood clots in my heart

Before they zap it

Or it could be a negative result (i.e. death)

Rather than a positive result (i.e. heart back to beating normally)

Second, assuming that the TEE shows no blood clots...

I will have a cardioversion

As described below:

Cardioversion is a medical procedure by which cardiac arrhythmia is converted to a normal rhythm using electricity. Synchronized electrical cardioversion uses a therapeutic dose of electric current to the heart at a .specific moment in the cardiac cycle, restoring the activity of the electrical conduction system of the heart.

I'm glad that I will be sedated for the above!!

The question that arises is probably...

What does this have to do with your cancer journey?

Good question

And one to which the doctors have no answer.

Maybe it's been caused by the cancer 

Or sleep apnea

Or my heart fluttering wildly when Cindy kissed me!

Or a bad burrito

(Though I haven't had one in quite awhile!)

Or ??????

You get the idea:)

It seems that this is just part of the cancer journey adventure

That I am on...

Learning to expect the unexpected

Living one day at a time

Being thankful in everything

Knowing that God is good and I can trust Him even through this!

The good news?

With your prayer and support and encouragement...

I think I'm SLOWLY getting it!!

I've never been more at peace in this almost two year journey

Than I am right now!!

Yay!

Thank you:)