Judy's Inspiration Alley #3

[NurseNancy]

no, i won't. you're right.
maybe if i get there sooner they could catch the culprit in action.

[NurseNancy]

had more episodes, this time over 3 1/2 hrs on wed nite.
i saw the cardiologist on fri and he said my heart muscle is a little thick and he thinks i'm in slight heart failure.

he increased my diuretic and i'm picking up a heart event monitor next wk to wear for 1 to 2 wks so we can catch the exact irregularity. once he sees exactly what it is he may change the antiarrythmic i'm on to better control it.

i had a f/u appt with the oncologist and she's stopping the tamoxifen 9 mos early. i'm stable and the tamoxifen gives you an increased risk of stroke. since the arrythmia can do the same it's just as well. one less med to take. she said the risk of recurrence for me is under 1%. i said that's great since there are about 4 other things waiting in the wings to do me in. ha ha.

i feel bad for all the folks dealing with the bad weather. it's sunny and beautiful here in St. Augustine.

[bizi]

hope your heart settles down.
bizi

[NurseNancy]

update...medical

i decided on the cardiac ablation (charring of the tissue) for my afib. decided against the medication as it's very toxic and i'm on enuf meds as it is.

the new wrinkle is that while they were doing a follow up carotid artery US (no change from 2010) they found nodules on my thyroid. 2 on the left (1 big) and 3 on the right. so tues i see a neck dr and will be referred to the hospital for a needle biopsy/aspiration.

what the heck can go wrong next????? i'm 5 yrs out from my breast Ca. i hope this isn't the same. i'm kind of tired. i'm not doing the ablation until this thyroid thing is resolved. and, i have to do my taxes. i'm so tired i don't feel like doing anything.

cathy and my BD's are the 18th and 21st and a whole bunch of our friends are going out for dinner tomorrow. this is the 1st yr we'll be able to celebrate together. i hope it will be the 1st of many yrs to come.

[ginnie]

I hope the nodes turn out to be nothing. Most are. I have 8 of them, and there was no problem with the biopsy. If they should grow, or become noticeable, I guess then you go in to get re-tested. I do wish you all the best. You have been through alot. ginnie

[NurseNancy]

thanks ginnie. i guess it can also be older age and i've got that for sure.
i did have some thyroid labwork done a few months ago and it was normal.

[ginnie]

My thyroid came back ok too. I know you have seen alot being a nurse. Don't fret the biopsy. I was more scared than anything. It didn't hurt at all. I have a touch of that old age too. Be good to yourself. I will be thinking of you. ginnie

[NurseNancy]

i have an update and a request for prayers please,

my thyroid biopsy is scheduled for monday, the 25th.
the ENT dr indicated that surgery would be indicated for the largest nodule no matter the results. (opposite of what the cardiologist said; i see a 2nd opinion in my future)

but, 1 thing at a time. i would go to a dr in Jacksonville (an hr away) at Mayo.

and, she said that dr would want me to have the cardiac ablation 1st so my heart is stable before any surgery. did i say 1 thing at a time?

thanks in advance for the prayers.
Judy

[ginnie]

Won't forget you on the 25th. It will be OK. My son had some of the thyroid out, and it went very easy. Nodes I though depended on size and outcome of the biopsy. Heart business is first, I will be thinking of you. ginnie

[NurseNancy]

good news on the thyroid biopsy....negative. you all were right. thanks.

bad news. got a bad virus, sick, triggered an AFIB episode that landed me in the ER thurs nite. 2 hits of IV med to stop it. thankfully no cardioversion needed.

admitted to ICU room 0400. no sleep at all. spent 3 days in hosp and came home sunday. i'm wiped but it feels so good to be home and sleep in my own bed (11 hours). shower was divine. fever gone. all labs WNL.

will keep you posted. need to sleep.