Note: This is another blog based on my weekly emails to my family on the mainland.]
8/3/24
Aloha Guys --
It was a pretty quiet week here. I feel mostly ok but I don't have much energy and I take frequent (and long) naps. Some of this is likely due to my body's reaction to the new drugs I'm taking for my AFib and I
hope it's only temporary. I've been monitoring my bp, heart rate and heart rhythm to check on their effects (my geezerware collection now includes several new gadgets to assist with this physical preoccupation) . After my birthday surprise adventure in Canada my pressure was way up and so was my heart rate. The bp has dropped considerably and my heart rate is coming down slowly. My heart's rhythm is still is still a random walk through cardio-land. This is not uncommon and many people live just fine with it. It may be possible to get my heart back to a normal pattern, but in most cases drugs are required to keep it from misbehaving again. I've decided to consult with a cardiologist rather than rely on my internist for my treatment plan. For one thing, I think he missed the possible complication I might have from taking blood thinners and having retina bleeding issues at the same time. I contacted a highly recommended cardiologist in town but he requires a referral from your primary physician before seeing you. I had an appointment yesterday with my internist to get this, and hopefully I'll get scheduled with the cardiologist soon.
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| Geezer Popcorn |
hope it's only temporary. I've been monitoring my bp, heart rate and heart rhythm to check on their effects (my geezerware collection now includes several new gadgets to assist with this physical preoccupation) . After my birthday surprise adventure in Canada my pressure was way up and so was my heart rate. The bp has dropped considerably and my heart rate is coming down slowly. My heart's rhythm is still is still a random walk through cardio-land. This is not uncommon and many people live just fine with it. It may be possible to get my heart back to a normal pattern, but in most cases drugs are required to keep it from misbehaving again. I've decided to consult with a cardiologist rather than rely on my internist for my treatment plan. For one thing, I think he missed the possible complication I might have from taking blood thinners and having retina bleeding issues at the same time. I contacted a highly recommended cardiologist in town but he requires a referral from your primary physician before seeing you. I had an appointment yesterday with my internist to get this, and hopefully I'll get scheduled with the cardiologist soon.
Speaking of doctors, today I will see somebody at the retina clinic to check on my current state and to consult about the blood thinner issue. Then on Tuesday I have a routine dermatologist exam, and on Wednesday I have a follow up exam with my optometrist to assess my current prescription. If I get in to see a cardiologist that will make a record of five physicians in one week. Happy Birthday, Dick!!!!!
There is, fortunately, some good news this week, too. First, the ac in my new Subaru seems to be working just fine after getting charged up with refrigerant right before we left for Canada. On Monday I'll have the dealer check the current level to see if it has lost any. If it hasn't then the problem seems to be solved. If it has, then they should be able to tell where it is leaking from the dye they put into the refrigerant. Also in good news, our pool solar heating system has been working well despite cloudy afternoons, and the temperature has been pleasant without having to cover it at night. Finally, it looks like Pele has taken a snooze rather than belching lava, as seemed like she might a couple of weeks ago. The magma has stopped surging underneath the summit -- for the time being. There is no doubt there will be another eruption, but it doesn't look like it is imminent.
Ok, that's my entry in the Geezer Competitive Complaining Olympics. Off to market and the beach. Carpe diem.
3 comments:
I identify with the unending medical appointments. But now that I am retired I at least have more time and don’t feel like it’s work, bowling, and medical appointments, day in and day out. I knew aging would be like this after having observed aging parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc. So I have been prepared. Still don’t like any of it. Good book I am about to finish, “Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do Is Healthy and Rewarding.” Some of it is a bit of a slog. It really picks up with the chapter entitled To Move or Not to Move.
Coleen, I like the idea of a chapter called "To Move or Not to Move!" It's maybe a coronary: To be or not to be!
Dick: I'm still taking Afib meds, been since about 2004, blood thinner, blood pressure, etc. Beats the alternative I'm told! My cardiologist moved and I followed him to the new town as my last one landed me in the hospital (stroke) with bad advice. Oh, look at that, maybe competitive complaining! Hey, hope they do you write and you get great care and soon!
i also like the chapter title "To Move or Not to Move." The research is plentiful and very clear -- it doesn't take much exercise to have a considerable impact on well-being, no matter the age. Any illness or infirmity that restricts movement is definitely a curse.
I tell my doctor(s) that my goal is not to be alive, but to live. Unfortunately medical training is mainly focused on the former, i.e., keeping people alive rather than helping them get the most out of life.
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