Whats up with me and my health?;o)

Remember me?Yeah,its been a long time since I have posted to my blog,to just be truthful,I didn't want to.The past two months have been an  emotional and physical roller coaster for me.All I wanted to do was find out what was wrong with my heart.The Cardiologist I see is one of the best In St Louis,a Professor at Washington University.He is very intelligent and informed about POTS and Dysautonomia.I have been through a battery of tests,including a stress test and echo of my heart.After these two tests I got news that I may have a extremely rare genetic condition known as Short QT syndrome.Talking about rocking my world.It was very bad news.I really was scared and depressed after this,and the research that I did about this disorder,not to mention that I could have passed this on to K.J.I proceeded with a 30 day heart monitor and then a 24 heart monitor and waited to see the Cardiologist.I saw him on Monday and got much better news!Based on the 30 day and 24 hour monitor,they have ruled out the rare genetic condition...that was so good to hear!At this point,the heart problems are this:1.Extra ventricular beats.....this contributes to the palpitations.And 2."Inappropiate Sinus Tachycardia"This is also another cause of the palpitations and chest pain.We are trying to treat both of these conditions via medication.At this time we are experimenting to find the right meds for me.I have been on metoprolol for almost a week....Things seem the same at this point ,but he said it takes a while sometimes to get the medication built up in your system.I see him back in 3 months,unless my symptoms do not improve or get worse..then I am to call him immediately.So thats where I am at this point.I am enjoying time with the kids while they are home on Christmas break,and enjoying the return of our former exchange student from South Korea,Julia.She will be staying with us until the end of January,and will return to S Korea to hopefully get her dream job as a flight attendant for Korean Air.Its a very prestigious job for South Koreans to have.I have no doubt she will get hired.She is beautiful and articulate,and speaks wonderful english,so I can  see her getting this job.I dont know when we will see her again after this visit.Maybe if she gets the job we can meet up with her when she flies to a US city that is close to us,maybe Chicago?

Anyway,this is my much needed update to my blog.I will try to keep it updated better,it's just been such a scary time for me,but now that this is behind me,I am much more hopeful about getting this situation with my heart under control.Surgical intervention is a LAST option,and there are many medicines I can try if needed.Merry Christmas to everyone,all my Facebook friends and family,you know we will be talking soon after Christmas!~God Bless<3

Happiness

Well,it's been a little while since I have updated my blog.Busy fall days are here.I have now been on the propranolol for close to 2 months,and can't believe the difference it's made in my life.My pulse is still around 74,and blood pressure is around 110/74....I can't ask for more.I still tire easily,but I thank God that things have improved for me.I have learned what is enough,and when to let my body rest...that has been the hardest thing for me to learn...when to stop.I felt good enough one day last week I decided to go outside and work in my forlorn landscaping.I knew when I should stop,but I didnt do it,and I spent the rest of the week recovering from that little escapade!I have a plan in place for holiday decorating that should not tax me too much of my energy.I decided to work on one storage container a day,not try to deal with 12 or 13 in one day,like I used to in the old days.So I will be starting earlier than most people,so I can have the decorating done on time.Same with baking.I used to spend one whole day doing the baking,now I'm going to start about a week before Christmas and make one cookie each day,and freeze them for freshness...again,hopefully I will be able to save my energy.
My Dr approved me for a wheel chair.Its next to our bed in the bedroom,and its really for longer journeys.There are times I want to venture out further,such as the zoo with the kids,or the mall,and after a little bit my legs will tire out,but I still want to go!This is the perfect time for the wheelchair.This was very hard for me to accept,because I am so strong willed ,but I realized it's not fair to the people I am with,or my kids to have to cut a trip short because I don't feel like walking anymore.So I have a shiny new chair to take with us on our fall trip to the St Louis Zoo with the kids.They think its so fun to sit in it,and push themselves around in it.I am constantly reminding them that a wheelchair is NOT funny,some people have to rely on them 100% for transportation from room to room,and to be glad mom only needs it for when my legs are tired.I think they get it now.
So,busy fall days,and the holidays just looming around the corner,plus the wonderful propranolol that has helped me to feel so much better have made me so happy.I am looking forward to the next few months,and getting through them with a little more slowness.

A Bitter pill to swallow.

This time of year always makes me reflective.Reflective on what I have lost.In 1995,I lost my first baby,Cailtlin Elizabeth who was stillborn one day before her due date,I had a very very bad Dr while I was pregnant with her,and I was very young and did not know to question his judgement .Her Birth/death date was Sept 27th.She would have been 15 if she had lived!Then K.J. came alonghealthy and happy,and3 months later I was pregnant with our sick baby Emily Anne who had 4 heart surgeries in 4 months time.She was born June 9th,just 1 month after K.J. turned 1.She smiled all the time,even though she felt horrible.She would be 12 right now if she had lived.Life throws us lots of curve balls.The second curve ball,with Emily knocked the wind out of my sails.I remember the Mayo clinic had to call a shrink for me,I was doing so badly,and screaming at the top of my lungs.I remember Kevin pulling a picture out of his wallet of a sweet little 18 month old baby boy who was home waiting for his mama,and I knew then,I had 2 choices.I could curl up in a ball and stop living,or I could take this into me,and use it to make me a stronger person....I chose the later.I'm not saying I don't think of them and have weepy days,I do.Especially as I see K.J. growing up.I think of the two that never will.This is my point though.Life sometimes throws you one hell of a curve ball that will knock you flat down...what are your options?you have illness?Dysautonomia?POTS?MS,RA?Are you going to be one who lays down in a ball and refuses to go on with this wonderful roller coaster ride called life,or are you going to pick yourself back up,brush yourself off,and be ready for the next curve ball?