Derailed
I was derailed two weeks ago. The wheels came of the little red gym wagon.
I was feeling a little jaw pain when exercising, just sort of a naw-naw-na that would back off when I slowed my heart beats when walking/running on the treadmill or spinning.
I mentioned it in my annual visit to the doctor last month and she recommended a stress test, which I did at the end of May with no results. So when she recommended an angiogram, I pushed it off for another month, thinking the mild naw-naw-na was from change up on some meds and I would work through it and have a second opinion at the end of June as a follow-up. Then Saturday afternoon, on June 6th, as I was leaving an early movie and driving home, the naw-naw-na transformed into a louder NAW-NAW-NA in my chest and jaw. Did I mention that even though I am a hardheaded woman, I do listen to my body?
Side story #1: I turned my car to the nearest hospital and called 911 to let them know I was in route and ten blocks away. The dispatcher, upon hearing I was headed for Fairview near the Southdale Shopping mall, transferred me to Jeremy, a mall cop. Imagine my surprise to hear this kid say “Jeremy, Southdale Security”. I made him repeat it, because it seemed so incredulous and I could not figure out why I was transferred to him and explained that nothing personal, but Jeremy, I am having mild heart attack symptoms, and am on my way to the ER and thanks, but I don’t think he can help me at the moment, and hung up. My cell rang and it was the dispatch again with the Edina police and they mea culpa about the call transfer and stayed on the line with me until I walked into ER.
(All of you who will write to shame me about driving myself and not stopping 10 blocks away from the hospital, and waiting for rescuers, may I remind you that I was not feeling that bad, I was already in the car when it happened, I was not faint, and I was in eye sight of the hospital, I was in control, and I had help on the line. I am a fool, but not a complete one. If you are ever in the same situation, you do it your way, and I will respect your choice. Yes, I agree, it would very bad if I had ran over little children,or elderly people or even drove on the grass. No, I do not take this stuff lightly and am very careful. Thank you.)
Side story #2: I have never been in ER or a hospital before. I have for family members and friends but not for me, by myself. I calmly stated that I was having mild heart attack symptoms, putting on an jaded and brave face. I had images of ER staff leaping up and rushing around me, slapping me on a gurney, wiring me for EKGs, IV lines plugged into me, Dr. George Clooney hovering lovingly at my side. The ER admissions person looked at me and said, “Ya, sure, okay, you go sit over there then, al'righty.” As I sat on the chair of the quiet ER waiting room, and only two other people were hanging out there as well, I thought that maybe I should have not have been so calm, and hoped the security cameras would pick if I keeled over. I waved at the cameras in a little "Heeyyy, I might be dying here, but I am going in my polite nice way."
Side story #3: As a grad from the school of downplaying things I did call my “oldest and dearest” friend Linda to share that the pain in my chest and jaw was real and not just bad movie popcorn. I always start off these kind of conversations with chipper, “Gosh hey, ya know, I was at a movie and returning your call and oh, by the way, that pain in my jaw is back and I just cruised to the ER. No biggie. Let you know how it goes.” Then I returned another call to a former guy-friend who is now just a friend and did the same, but a crack came in my voice, and I asked if he would mind coming by the ER to see how I was doing. No biggie. He said “Ya, sure.” Thank God for friends.
So, during the four days in the hospital, I had my angiogram and discovered that I have a sound and clear heart, no heart attack, and that I have micro vascular disease and very unlikely to have a heart attack. The weight loss, exercise and fish oil regiment over the last two years probably saved my bacon (?!) and with continued exercise and lifestyle changes, I will develop new micro vessels, overcoming and managing this disease. I am grateful for friends who bring clean underwear, newspapers, and hair brushes, feed the pets, and watch over me. Dr. George Clooney never showed up, but I met some amazing and crazy nurses.
I was back at the gym as of last Friday and day by day feeling great. I am working on the house, back at work, and trying to take it slow and living by the motto, "I can only fail if I give up." Last week was a science experiment of meds and I blew up with edema, looking like the Michelin-man midweek but all is better now and I feel great.
I am a little scared of working out hard, but ramping up with walks around the lakes and neighborhood with my gym heart monitor on. It is a little like getting your car rear-ended, and becoming over-vigilant, looking rearview mirror whenever you slow down. It is good to know what is going on and going forward from here. I am a little bummed that my last few weeks of the gym weight-loss group was derailed, but I have all of summer to walk, bike and enjoy.
I have no advice or brilliant summary, other than listen to your body and take care of yourself - eh, yah-sure, you’betcha.
I was feeling a little jaw pain when exercising, just sort of a naw-naw-na that would back off when I slowed my heart beats when walking/running on the treadmill or spinning.
I mentioned it in my annual visit to the doctor last month and she recommended a stress test, which I did at the end of May with no results. So when she recommended an angiogram, I pushed it off for another month, thinking the mild naw-naw-na was from change up on some meds and I would work through it and have a second opinion at the end of June as a follow-up. Then Saturday afternoon, on June 6th, as I was leaving an early movie and driving home, the naw-naw-na transformed into a louder NAW-NAW-NA in my chest and jaw. Did I mention that even though I am a hardheaded woman, I do listen to my body?
Side story #1: I turned my car to the nearest hospital and called 911 to let them know I was in route and ten blocks away. The dispatcher, upon hearing I was headed for Fairview near the Southdale Shopping mall, transferred me to Jeremy, a mall cop. Imagine my surprise to hear this kid say “Jeremy, Southdale Security”. I made him repeat it, because it seemed so incredulous and I could not figure out why I was transferred to him and explained that nothing personal, but Jeremy, I am having mild heart attack symptoms, and am on my way to the ER and thanks, but I don’t think he can help me at the moment, and hung up. My cell rang and it was the dispatch again with the Edina police and they mea culpa about the call transfer and stayed on the line with me until I walked into ER.
(All of you who will write to shame me about driving myself and not stopping 10 blocks away from the hospital, and waiting for rescuers, may I remind you that I was not feeling that bad, I was already in the car when it happened, I was not faint, and I was in eye sight of the hospital, I was in control, and I had help on the line. I am a fool, but not a complete one. If you are ever in the same situation, you do it your way, and I will respect your choice. Yes, I agree, it would very bad if I had ran over little children,or elderly people or even drove on the grass. No, I do not take this stuff lightly and am very careful. Thank you.)
Side story #2: I have never been in ER or a hospital before. I have for family members and friends but not for me, by myself. I calmly stated that I was having mild heart attack symptoms, putting on an jaded and brave face. I had images of ER staff leaping up and rushing around me, slapping me on a gurney, wiring me for EKGs, IV lines plugged into me, Dr. George Clooney hovering lovingly at my side. The ER admissions person looked at me and said, “Ya, sure, okay, you go sit over there then, al'righty.” As I sat on the chair of the quiet ER waiting room, and only two other people were hanging out there as well, I thought that maybe I should have not have been so calm, and hoped the security cameras would pick if I keeled over. I waved at the cameras in a little "Heeyyy, I might be dying here, but I am going in my polite nice way."
Side story #3: As a grad from the school of downplaying things I did call my “oldest and dearest” friend Linda to share that the pain in my chest and jaw was real and not just bad movie popcorn. I always start off these kind of conversations with chipper, “Gosh hey, ya know, I was at a movie and returning your call and oh, by the way, that pain in my jaw is back and I just cruised to the ER. No biggie. Let you know how it goes.” Then I returned another call to a former guy-friend who is now just a friend and did the same, but a crack came in my voice, and I asked if he would mind coming by the ER to see how I was doing. No biggie. He said “Ya, sure.” Thank God for friends.
So, during the four days in the hospital, I had my angiogram and discovered that I have a sound and clear heart, no heart attack, and that I have micro vascular disease and very unlikely to have a heart attack. The weight loss, exercise and fish oil regiment over the last two years probably saved my bacon (?!) and with continued exercise and lifestyle changes, I will develop new micro vessels, overcoming and managing this disease. I am grateful for friends who bring clean underwear, newspapers, and hair brushes, feed the pets, and watch over me. Dr. George Clooney never showed up, but I met some amazing and crazy nurses.
I was back at the gym as of last Friday and day by day feeling great. I am working on the house, back at work, and trying to take it slow and living by the motto, "I can only fail if I give up." Last week was a science experiment of meds and I blew up with edema, looking like the Michelin-man midweek but all is better now and I feel great.
I am a little scared of working out hard, but ramping up with walks around the lakes and neighborhood with my gym heart monitor on. It is a little like getting your car rear-ended, and becoming over-vigilant, looking rearview mirror whenever you slow down. It is good to know what is going on and going forward from here. I am a little bummed that my last few weeks of the gym weight-loss group was derailed, but I have all of summer to walk, bike and enjoy.
I have no advice or brilliant summary, other than listen to your body and take care of yourself - eh, yah-sure, you’betcha.
posted
by PlatinumKimm
