Cardioversion & upcoming trip...

[Guest]

Greets .

My Coumadin check revealed an INR of 2.4, which I'm told, is good enough to complete 4 straight weeks of good readings, despite the fact that the target INR was 3.0-4.0. Hmmm.... At any rate, my cardioversion will take place Monday, June 23. I will be out of work that day and Tuesday, June 24.

I've been rather frustrated at the specialist's "unwillingness" (not the right word, but you get the idea) to discuss my concerns over the phone. But, I'll get a chance to talk to them before the procedure on Monday.

My concerns aren't that "great", but, then again.... Hmmm...

Guess I'm a bit concerned that the Coumadin level is "OK", even tho it is not close to the levels targeted and that there is a slight possibility that I'll become life-dependant on the pacemaker after the procedure....

I'm told that the pacemaker and the a-fib/tachycardia are 2 separate issues...that the pacemaker did not cause the a-fib/tach and that, in actuality, the pacemaker is most-likely trying to compensate for those conditions that I developed in late April/early May. Hmmm...

I'm also told that I will most-likely need to stay on Coumadin for at least another month after the procedure is complete, but that they will know more after the procedure, before I go home....

Now, for some "trip" news...providing all goes well with my cardioversion early next week, I'll be leaving northern IL next Thursday night, bound for central IL & then onto Indianapolis IN.... Friday morning, I'll be headed to Columbus OH by about noon EST, leaving there about 1pm EST, bound for Elyria (near Cleveland) OH for the Monte Carlo Nationals....

Peace...Always,
Cort S, pig's valve & pacemaker-enhanced 29/swm
Instant Messengers...AOL="fc72mc"...Yahoo="knightfan2691"
member & newsletter editor, Faith COB: http://www.faithcob.org
MC's Future: http://www.projectmonte.com/petition/
My MC Family: http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
G1=1970-1972...72...2nd owner
G2=1973-1977...76...2nd owner
G3=1978-1980...79...3rd owner
G4=1981-1988...81...2nd owner
RIP: '76=Parents' [my] car ... '88=Silver Bullet ... '00 Green Hornet
Spotting MCs: http://www.chevyasylum.com/mcspotter/main.html

 

[Ross]

Your gettin closer. Not quite close enough, but closer. You should be within 60 miles of my place when your in Elyria.

Telephones and Doc's don't work. Guess you figured that one out huh? Good luck on the convert and let us know how it all went. Me thinks you'll do just fine. My buddy Terry has had to be converted twice now and he's still on Amioadarone (Sp?) Some day, I'll remember how to spell it.

Any rate, good luck and I'll be thinking about ya.

 

[epstns]

Cort, I also found that phones and docs don't go well together. Part of it has to do with new laws regarding patient privacy -- they are super afraid to talk about anything even vaguely personal or private over the phone, lest someone out in the waiting area hear it. The other thing that I ran into was a rather arrogant doc on top of all that. For me it was easy to "fire" him. Not sure I would fire one if I was as far into the process as you have been.

As for cardioversion, think of it like adjusting the timing on an engine -- once set, most stay that way for a long time. Hope you're in that group.

Keep us up to date and have a great trip to The Nationals.

 

[Bill Hall]

Cort - Good luck with the cardioversion. I had it done just after surgery, it worked for a few hours. My heart eventually went back to normal while I was on Amiodarone. They told me to stay on the coumadin for about a month after it went back to normal even though I have a homograft (no blood thinners needed) just as a safety precaution. They thought I might go back to afib and if so, I would need that thin blood. By the way, the procedure is simple and painless.

 

[hhardt]

More wishes for good luck with the cardioversion. Mine worked fine and the AF is still under control. Sounds like you were told the right stuff. 2 seperate issues and probably connected as stated. I have been off coumadin since just after the procedure and have had nothing but checkups since. Thus it works for some. Everything they fixed works fine, and it has been about 2 years since the cardioversion.

 

[shana23]

Well good luck with your cardioversion had it done about 2 weeks post operation mitralic valve and everything has been good since.The doctors have said they hope to take me off cordarone,enapren and coumadin in November.I have a pig's valve which at the moment is working great.All my best for your conversion I'll be thinking of you and I know you will feel sooooo much better afterwards.Take care,shana

 

[hhardt]

Caution/Warning

Caution/Warning

Just to be on the safe side, remind everyone associated with Monday that you have a pacemaker. Knowing that (after I reminded the tech) he got a small magnet. Rarely a short can go to the pacemaker and they use the magnet to return the settings to default. IT IS RARE and did not happen to me. But caution and being prepared is always the best way to ensure that. Do not worry. It is a simple procedure done all the time and they have plenty of experience. Mine worked after one shot. Sometimes the give you several if the first one doesn't control the AF. No big deal. Good luck. Hugo

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies and encouragement .

Ross:
...Ah...60 miles is nothin' .

...Guess my primary care physician spoils me with the telephone contact...he has no problem talking to me over the phone about stuff....

...and thank you...I think I'm more of the mindset of just getting it overwith than anything.... So much going on right now, it's hard to even think straight...then again, I've put a ban on thinking so I don't think of some things....LOL!


Steve:
...I hadn't even thought about those new laws...mebbe that is part of the issue here...hmmm... And, actually, I don't want to fire my cardiologist...I do like her. But, the specialist...just leaves a bad taste in my mouth...can't quite put my finger on it or explain it....

...LOL! I like your description of the cardioversion . Hmm...I, too, hope I stay fine-tuned for a while .

...And, thanks...the MC Nats should be great again this year .


Bill:
...Thanks...a few people have said that the nervousness/"pain" is mostly the waiting and that the actually procedure...well, since I'll be sedated, I won't even know it happened...LOL.


Hugo:
...I take it they didn't have you stay on Coumadin for a lengthy time period after the procedure? On Friday, the nurse that called to pre-register me indicated that the "normal" length of time is approximately one month after the procedure....

...He he he...thank you . I have the "reminder" thing covered.... I was actually thinking about that the other day....

Shana:
...Thanks! I'm told I will feel better after it is done...I hope that is the case, because I'm not sure how much more of this "barely any sleep" I can take...LOL Course, with my luck, I *will* feel better and will be so "accustomed" to the late nights...that I won't get much sleep anyway....Ah...Irony Rocks . LOL!

 

[Guest]

Woo hoo! The cardioversion worked! At least for now...he he he...I return in September for a follow-up check...I will stay on Coumadin at least until then...ah, well....

We arrived about 7:30am (we didn't want to fight rush hour traffic), about 1.5 hours ahead of time. They got me into a room and all "set" (i.e. gown...ugh) by about 9:30am or so. At 11:30am (when the event was scheduled to happen), one of the attending cardiologists came in to advise us that anesthia wasn't ready...and wouldn't be until about 1:30pm...arg. Long story short, seems a big "mixup" occurred, with different departments getting/telling different stories...so, we shall see...they told us (me, Dad and Mom) that they'd investigate and find out what happened. I was sedated at 1:40pm...woke up at 2pm...ate a turkey sandwich for lunch and was home by about 6pm

So...life continues....including my plans to be in Elyria (near Cleveland) OH for the Monte Carlo Nationals this coming weekend (June 26-29). My crew will leave Elgin sometime late Thursday afternoon/early Thursday evening, June 26. We may by-pass Central IL (not sure yet) & meet up with others in Greenfield IN, traveling IL 47 to IL 24 to I-65 S, bypassing Indy via I-465 due to construction on I-65/I-70.... We will then continue to Columbus OH Friday morning (June 27), arriving for the small gathering planned to meet at the Quaker Steak, leaving for Elyria OH about 1 PM EST. On Sunday, I *may* be looking for a ride to the Cincy OH area Sunday afternoon...to pick up an '87 MC LS....

Lookin' forward to having another great weekend....

 

[nadi]

Great news

Great news

That is great that the procedure worked!!
Enjoy your road trip!

 

[Ross]

Glad to hear it worked Cort. Stay healthy for a while now!

 

[Nancy]

Good for you, Cort. Things are looking up!

 

[epstns]

Way to Go, Cort!

Way to Go, Cort!

Whew, I'm glad that's behind you! Don't sweat the small stuff about the time schedules as long as the desired result is achieved, I'd say.

Glad you're back from the tune up bay, with timing all re-set!

Now if we could convince you to post an avatar. . .

 

[Guest]

Alrighty...headin' out of town, but figured I'd reply...I'll check back in early next week when I return....don't do anything I wouldn't do while I'm gone .

Nadi...thank ya, I will enjoy it .

Ross...LOL! Heh, nothing is guaranteed, but I'll do my best to stay healthy for quite a while .... he he he .

Nancy...things are definitely looking up! And, I admit, I feel a bit guilty because of it...since I know so many of us (and others) that are not having a wonderful time of it by any stretch of the imagination. And, yet, as many people have mentioned to me over the course of the last couple months, I'm doing much better than a few months ago...and I need to continue that path and not let things "get me down" as much. But, kinda tough to do when I know others are suffering...make sense? *scratches head* hmm...hope that doesn't sound too...bad, selfish, whatever...I think/hope you all know what I mean.....

Steve...amen. The time schedule was frustrating, yes, but the end result is what matters . And, I do like your car references...he he he. As for the avatar, I mentioned which pic I like....

 

[Ross]

Well you'll be a little far for me to hit you with a rock as you travel by, but I'll see what I can do. Have a safe trip and watch out for Ohio drivers.

 

[epstns]

Cort - When you get back in town, PM me. I think we need to talk, young man, because I think you're being all too hard on yourself. Guilt is only real if you accept it, and I think you are feeling guilt for your own good fortune -- which you do not need to do. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt and now wax the car with the shirt!

Let's talk. In the meantime, be well and thoroughly enjoy the trip. May the Gods of the road and tracks watch over you.

 

[Guest]

he he he...Ross, I didn't feel any rocks come my way .

Steve....I think I just wrote when I was flustered....I'm fine now...I think... . I do appreciate your concern...perhaps more than you know .

As for the MC Nats....my sis and her bf helped me drive 3 of my 4 cars to Ohio.... My cars faired well....

Browny (72): Chrome strip across the top of the windshield flew off en route home, scratching up part of the trunk lid...and putting me in the market for new chrome.... Also discovered a slow tranny leak....hmmm.... Gas mileage on the 350 V8 ranged from a low of 13.89 mpg to a high of 17.58 mpg, averaging approx 15 mpg.

Elvira (76): The driver's side front tire dropped to 15 psi at the show on Saturday (recommended is 35 psi)....tire was filled Sunday before the trip home & seems to be fine as of last nite, but will need to get it checked out sometime.... Gas mileage on the 305 V8 ranged from a low of 14.77 mpg to a high of 21.76 mpg, with most readings about 18 or 19 mpg.

Sweet Pea (79): Definite trooper, putting on extra miles to Cincy OH to look at an '87 MC LS.... En route home Sunday night, I noticed somewhat of an electrical problem. At times, when I would attempt to roll up the driver's side window, it would "short out" & cause a momentary drop of voltage (lights dimmed, radio went out briefly). The window would then be "stuck", but then a minute or so later, would be fully operational again with no problems. This doesn't happen all the time & it hasn't happened consistently.... *shrugs* Thus, not sure if this is "major" or not...LOL. Gas mileage on the 350 V8 (installed in Nashville in 1996) ranged from a low of 18.07 mgp to a high of 28.29 mpg, with most readings around the 20 mpg level.

Sweet Tea (81): Stayed home to keep the garage warm.... Took it to work today and will do so again tomorrow. Running like a champ still .

Potential Blue Bandit (87 LS): Made a bit of a detour to Cincy (with the help of a few friends) to check this car out. In a few words...sweet...clean...perfect. I am hoping to work out the logistics of paying the current owner (original owner...has babied the car since new...I'm no longer the pickiest person about clean cars) and getting the car to me .

Again, it was a great, all-too-quick weekend !

Cort S, pig's valve & pacemaker-enhanced 29/swm
Instant Messengers...AOL="fc72mc"...Yahoo="knightfan2691"
member & newsletter editor, Faith COB: http://www.faithcob.org
MC's Future: http://www.projectmonte.com/petition/
My MC Family: http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
G1=1970-1972...72...2nd owner
G2=1973-1977...76...2nd owner
G3=1978-1980...79...3rd owner
G4=1981-1988...81...2nd owner
RIP: '76=Parents' [my] car ... '88=Silver Bullet ... '00 Green Hornet
Spotting MCs: http://www.chevyasylum.com/mcspotter/main.html

 

[epstns]

Welcome back, Cort!

Sounds like a really good trip. Yes, a few probs, but most not serious. Tranny leak may be an issue, but as long as it works well, just keep it full and it will probably run for a long time. Electrical, on the other hand, won't heal and eventually will show its stripes. I would bet that the window regulator is in need of lubrication and causing the glass to bind. That would stop the motor. It could be the motor, but can't tell from here. . .

As for my scolding, we should still talk, but it sounds like you've got it under control for now. If you feel slippage coming, PM me.

I haven't been as active here as usual, because of a case of "Kentucky Fried Monitor" on sunday evening. I'm borrowing my wife's 'puter (they're on the same network for web use) and can't always get on. I've ordered a new flat panel monitor, but it will take some time.

Stay well, but keep on keepin' on!

 

[Guest]

Steve,

Sorry about your computer "issues"...hopefully you'll get it all worked out soon .

Yep...got it under control for now.... Perhaps, tho, we can talk sometime next week...mebbe even have you come out to take a look at my baby girls, since you didn't have that opportunity when we all got together.....

Minor issues, for sure...and thank goodness .

And, btw, that '87 MC LS...is gonna be mine . Wire transfer should happen tomorrow, then I'll pick it up the following weekend, or a friend will trailer it back for me....

For now, off to CA in the morning via plane to attend a cousin's wedding this weekend...a bit nervous about flying, but should be fun...I hope...LOL.

 

[shana23]

Hey great news glad to hear all went well!!!!What kind of coversion did you have???I had shock and for now it's worked really well.Hope you had a happy 4th weekend,Shana