Humana Home Health Care

Well, as it turned out, our little trip to Jackson Hole caused us to lose the home nursing care and the home physical therapy, as well as the Tele-Health machine that I really liked.  They called when we got back and said that the home health care is only available to people who are housebound and if a person can take a 6-day trip, they are not housebound.

When the administrator told me that, I got pretty upset.  I have come to count on these things.  She agreed to send out a social worker next week to talk to us about it, but she said not to expect them to change this decision.  It's a Medicare thing.  So phooey!

In the past two days I've only had two very mild A-fib attacks.  I've been eating as many magnesium-rich foods as I can, as well as taking CoQ10.  The cardiologist said that would probably help.  So far, so good.

My friend Sue sent me an article that was in the Chicago Tribune entitled, "Weight Loss Linked to Healthier Heartbeat."  There have been studies in Australia confirming that if you are overweight and you lose 10 percent of your body weight (and keep it off), you are six times more likely to be free of atrial fibrillation symptoms.  The findings were to be presented in San Diego at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology. They also are published simultaneously in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.  I love articles like that!!

Marshall felt better today but not good enough.  We see the oncologist on Monday and we will at least get an idea of whether or not the chemo pills are working.

PS:  I have no idea why all of a sudden some of the text in this post is highlighted...

Cardiologist

We made it home okay yesterday after two days on the road.  It was a pretty good trip home, but Marshall had pain Monday night and had a rough evening.  It was good to get home and see "the boys" again.

Today was my appointment with the cardiologist.  My friend Glenda drove me there because I was feeling a little lightheaded (thank you, Glenda!!).  Marshall wanted to go to be with me but I felt like if he was there I would be too worried about him and wouldn't be able to pay attention to the doctor, so he agreed he would stay home and I would give him updates by phone.

I really liked the doctor.  The first thing they did was an EKG which did not indicate any sign of atrial fibrillation (wouldn't you know it...).  However, she said the only time an EKG shows the A-fib is if you are having an episode at the time of the EKG.  We talked for quite a while.  She said atrial fibrillation was not curable but that you could definitely do things that would insure fewer and shorter episodes.

Some of those things:  exercise, healthy eating, yoga, meditation, mindful breathing, etc.  She said none of these things are magic bullets, but they all can help.  I asked her about taking supplements and she said that the heart needs magnesium (and that the majority of people in the U.S. are deficient in magnesium); however, she stressed that the magnesium should come from food sources and not a supplement.  She said that one supplement she definitely approves is CoQ10.

In order to be sure I have A-fib (and SVT), they want to run a bunch of tests.  I go back next Wednesday for an Echocardiogram (ultrsound).  If, during the ultrasound, they see any blockages I may have to have an angiogram and/or angioplasty.

I had lab work today to check for thyroid problems (I got the results already and my thyroid is fine).

The next step after the Echocardiogram is to wear a Holter monitor for a month to keep track of what my heart is doing.

Then the next week I go back for a 4-hour nuclear stress test.

Then in June I go back to see the cardiologist to talk about all of the test results and what we will do going forward.  She said she is going to strongly suggest that I go on a blood thinner and the one she will recommend is Xarelto.  So I need to research that a bit.  For now, though, she said baby aspirin is fine.  She commented that I was extremely healthy and had almost no risk factors for stroke, but because of the way A-fib works, blood pools and clots can still form.

Gina was here with Marshall today.  When I got home he looked awful and he didn't feel good.  I wish he could just have a couple of good weeks.

The weekend is almost over...

Today was a quiet day of rest.  Happy Easter to everyone!

We had a nice breakfast in the hotel and visited with family.

Then we drove around the outskirts of Jackson Hole trying to find wildlife (I wanted to see a moose), but no luck.  So we came back to the room and I napped all afternoon.

We went to dinner and then started getting packed up to leave tomorrow morning.

Marshall did well all weekend.  He got tired easily and had some restlessness in his legs but that's about it.  I hope the trip home is uneventful.

And with regard to me, I went for most of the weekend with just minimal episodes.

Kevin and Angie's wedding

Today was a good day all the way around. The wedding was pretty cool. It was outdoors at the Snake River Overlook in Moose, Wyoming. There was snow on the ground and it was REALLY cold, probably 30 degrees, and very windy. All of the guests were bundled up nicely, but the bride was wearing a strapless gown. She had to be freezing.

Angie's mom and dad, Angie, Kevin, Angie's brothers (you can see the Snake River in the background)

Angie's dad Joe, Angie & Kevin, Angie's mom Jane

Angie and Kevin and Angie's brothers

Kevin's brother JJ, Kevin's mom Mary Ellen, Angie & Kevin, Kevin's grandmother (and Marshall's sister) Audrey, Kevin's brother Gilbert, Kevin's sisters Samantha and Tianna

Marshall and his sister Audrey

Kevin and Angie as Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Mellott!

Snow King Resort

We made it to Jackson today around noon and got checked in at the Snow King Resort. Rested a little bit and then went to the rehearsal dinner.

Marshall had a little pain at dinner, so we left early and came back to our room. Time to get rested up for the wedding tomorrow. So far, it's been a good trip. Should have some photos to share tomorrow.

We are in Wyoming

We drove about 9 hours today and made it to Rocky Springs, Wyoming. There was a bit of rain and snow along the way but it wasn't too bad. We should be in Jackson Hole by noon tomorrow.

Marshall did really good today. He was walking well (with his walker) and the leg isn't hurting as much.

When I got up this morning I was having an A-fib episode and my heart rate was at 126. So the last thing I wanted to do was get in the car for 9 hours. But once we got on the road, everything calmed down and I'm still doing okay.

We are looking forward to the rest of the weekend.

Yet another A-fib episode

Today I had an appointment with my dermatologist to check out a few suspicious spots. Good thing I went -- I had three precancerous lesions which she burned off. Then I ran a few errands in Pueblo, had lunch and came home to finish packing for our trip to Wyoming.

When I got home, my heart went into A-fib again and the heart rate got up to 186. And stayed there for several hours. Such a miserable feeling, heart pounding, hard to breathe, lightheaded. I think I may have brought this episode on myself, too, by taking some supplements today that I probably shouldn't have taken. From here on out, I don't take anything but my Metropolol (supposed to slow the heart down) until I see the cardiologist.

So here I am, the caretaker for Marshall and three animals and I couldn't do much of anything this evening. It was all I could do to get Marshall's pills and other medications together, both for this evening and for the trip. And I had to feed the animals at 5:00. This A-fib stuff throws the equilibrium off so I was literally stumbling around trying to take care of all of this -- and still finish packing. Marshall is feeling very ignored and there's nothing I can do about it. I guess I need a caregiver for me!!! (ha)

Then around 8:30, one of my constant worries actually played out. Marshall has a lift chair and when he puts it up and down one of the cats (Jerry) always wants to get under there and he could literally get killed if he was caught in the mechanics of the chair. But tonight it wasn't Jerry, it was Coco. Marshall was able to reverse the direction of the chair and Coco came out unscathed. But my poor heart....

The physical therapist was here today and she said that until Marshall can be comfortable on his feet again, she is discharging him from her care. That is very disappointing news. We are supposed to call her when he feels more stable. Hopefully that will happen when we get back from Wyoming. We still think the chemo pill that he is taking every day is causing some side effects.

I did manage to finish packing except for all of Marshall's medical stuff that can't be packed until the very last minute.
Marshall went to bed early, not feeling too hot, and Coco and I just got into bed to write this blog post and to read a little. My heart rate has gone down to about 85, which is HUGELY better, but still not comfortable. Our wonderful dogsitter/housesitter/CNA Gina said she will come early tomorrow and pack the car for us. God love her!

I think I need to change the name of this blog to "Our Walk with Atrial Fibrillation, Tachycardia, Depression, Anxiety, Sick Dogs and -- oh yeah -- Prostate Cancer."