Heart

My next blog was going to describe the frustrations caused by the arthritis in my hands.  After the last five days, my hands are the least of my worries.

A sore on my lower back became much worse on Sunday.  Aloma pushed for a visit to Urgent Care and I, amazingly, agreed.  The doctor said my pulse was 42 and the EKG he ordered was not good.  I had to go to the hospital immediately - and in an ambulance.  I objected but was overruled.  From the ambulance, I could see Aloma following us at 80 mph.

My sore was lanced and drained and I was immediately put on antibiotics.  But their main concern was my heart.  I was put on a heart monitor, had numerous EKGs, X-Rays, and blood tests.  The doctor said I am extremely healthy, even my heart is strong.  But the electrical connections in the heart are not working - and since the heart won’t pump without electrical signals, I had a serious situation.

The antibiotics didn’t do the job on the sore (now called either a tick or spider bite) and my pulse was down to 36.  I was scheduled for a pacemaker the next day.

Surgery went perfectly and I was released from the hospital the day after with a beautiful EKG.  Pain has been minimal but I can’t extend my left arm or lift weights for six weeks - and I can’t drive for a week.

This experience once again reminded me how fortunate I am to have a wonderful life partner.  Aloma was supportive, caring and spent her days at the hospital.  She is a gift.

Did the little bugger that bit me save my life by getting me to Urgent Care or is he the one who disrupted my electrical signals to the heart?  My doctors don’t know but I suspect he caused my problem.

In any case, this is another event in my life as I move through my late seventies.  It’s okay if there aren’t any more events like this for awhile.

Seasoned Man

stevelem117@gmail.com