Friday, August 3, 2012

Back to the handbasket topic…

I was discussing yesterday.  I lived alone for 4 years after my husband died .  One fine day in March 2010 I woke up with the  thought on my mind to call the realtor.  Since I lived in a very small town there were not too many to choose from.  He came, took photos, started showing my house.  It was sold on the 5th day.

I had lots of work to do.  The closing date was 15 April.  I did all of the packing by myself.  I am talking 50 years + accumulation.  I had several garage sales, made dozens of phone calls changing address, etc.  I hired a moving van.

I moved into a 2 bedroom brick 4 plex.   I have good neighbors that I like very much.
And now back to that handbasket thing.  I was feeling good while I was doing all of that packing, downsizing, having garage sales, etc.

Things were fine when I first moved here.  I had a primary care doctor recommended to me by my doctor in Champaign.

Then the first week in October I woke up at midnight with my heart racing so fast and very nauseated.  I called my daughter and she took me to the local hospital.  When I got there my heart rate was 198 beats per minute.  After a 3 day stay, diagnosis AFib.
What is atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (AF or AFib) is the most common irregular heart rhythm that starts in the atria. Instead of the SA node (sinus node) directing the electrical rhythm, many different impulses rapidly fire at once, causing a very fast, chaotic rhythm in the atria. Because the electrical impulses are so fast and chaotic, the atria cannot contract and/or squeeze blood effectively into the
 ventricle.  An ECG recording of atrial fibrillation
 An ECG recording of atrial fibrillation Instead of the impulse traveling in an orderly fashion through the heart, many impulses begin at the same time and spread through the atria, competing for a chance to travel through the AV node. The AV node limits the number of impulses that travel to the ventricles, but many impulses get through in a fast and disorganized manner. The ventricles contract irregularly, leading to a rapid and irregular heartbeat. The rate of impulses in the atria can range from 300 to 600 beats per minute.


And that was just the beginning of my handbasket trip.   beth




6 comments:

  1. I just completed packing up and giving away the rest of the 60 years of stuff so I know what you mean a very lot of work and heartbreaking to see all that stuff. As for the A FIB my mother had that too. I don't ever recall her having a heart-rate that fast though.They were always checking it though. Take care..XXOO

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  2. We haven't made the move yet, as you know. But we're so close to it that I can taste it. I have already given several cherished things away. I know it's a very hard thing to do Beth, and you did it all by yourself. You can be very proud of yourself for having done that all alone. I hope you basically are happy with the decisions you have made as it's a huge step. Hugs

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  3. I appreciate the educational aspect of your post. Thank you.

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  4. Hi Beth

    Wow, not a pleasant experience for you. As you know I have already downsized and packed and moved in the last 4 years and now I am set to do it again. I will probably have to do much myself as George is still unwell with bladder problem. However after reading this and being diagnosed with okay B.P. this morning, but a slightly fast pulse, I think I will pace myself more. I am at the moment sorting through things of sentimental value and I don't like having to part with them.

    Hugs Nita

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  5. So what causes your heart to all the sudden start racing like that? It wasn't packing and moving....some medical reason? What causes afib?

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  6. You need to take care of You and do not think EVER you are over-reacting this has more serious effects then most people know. I know from running my care home we had residents that would just be racing while calm and resting pretty scary. Praying for you to get it cleared up "."

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