My 5 days post surgery

The 22nd as planned I arrived at the hospital at 6:30 for my surgery at 7:00.  Brittney, Bill and Layla were there with me and my brother was on his way from his hotel to reach me before I went "under".

Honestly, I don't recall that day or the 23rd and 24th.  Parts of those days are sketchy.  Bill, Britt and Greg left by Friday the 24th.  I was under the impression that Bill or Brittney would stay with me at the hospital until my release... taking turns and coming back to Klamath Falls in-between.  The nursing staff told them I needed rest and they didn't want them in my room.  I kept telling them to just leave and go home and take care of things, that I had good nurses and I would just be laying around being drugged and the hospital staff could take care of whatever I needed.

The 22nd through the 24th I was in the Trauma ICU.  I was well cared for, fed, bathed or washed off, helped to the commode, had my I.V.'s flushed every day, was given all my medications, had water or ice chips without even asking.  They were good nurses who knew what I needed before I even asked for it.

Then around the evening of the 24th they told me as soon as a bed was ready on the recovery ward I would be moved.  Friday night/Saturday morning around midnight I was transferred.  

Being on such heavy drugs I had been hallucinating the entire time and getting moved late night in the dark surely fed into my paranoia.  So began the worse experience of my life.  Each day several times Bill, Brittney, Greg and Robbin (my brothers) would call and ask how I was doing.  Even in my darkest times I always told them "fine".  I didn't want anyone to think they had to drop what the were doing and run to take care of me.  

I can't honestly remember much of the next 3 days so I will only comment on what I know to be fact.

In this room my door stayed shut and the lights remained off, unless a doctor came in the check my tubes or remove them and my epidural, the rest of the time I remained in the dark.  Yes, there was a T.V. but I could figure out how to change the channels.  I slept most of the time.  I was supposed to be given a shot in the stomach once a day to help keeps clots from forming, out of 3 days there.. I got only one shot.  I would call the nurse to help me to the bathroom and she would say back on the speaker that it would be a while.  So, I always got up by myself to use the bathroom.  They had one of those buckets in it to measure stuff.  The entire time there no one checked it, and I was the only one to empty it.  I never was cleaned up or washed.  I through up one day all over my bedding and I called the nurse, she came in and removed the sheets and changed the sheets.  I asked her for new clothes and a washcloth.. nada.
I would occasionally leak urine on my bed and just sit in it until I had enough stamina to get up and get new underwear and a "leak pad".

Sunday night the doctor came in and took out the last chest tube.  I began to tell him how filthy I felt and that I had asked for help but no one ever showed up.  He was the one to tell me I needed to go home.  That I was at more risk being in the hospital for germs and bacteria and pneumonia.  So, Monday morning I called Britt and told her to come and get me.  

My conclusion and advice to anyone facing a major surgery is this.......
Family is there to help you.  I should have never thought I was a burden to them, and insisted that someone stay there with me.  When you are in the hospital alone you are at the mercy of the staff.  If you have someone there on  your behalf then they can demand a bath, or less drugs, or new clothes, or just better care.  That's my surgical story.

I am doing fine at home.  
Thank everyone for their prayers.  I needed every one of them.

Time for LVRS

I have been holding off writing this blog.  The less I think about it, the less real it seems.  Nice that I picked now to be a scaredy cat!  

I'll get to the essentials first:

On the 19th we will drive 5 hours up to Portland.  We will make one pleasant stop along the way to meet one of my friends from the "Ex" smoking site that I belong to.  I am really looking forward to that.
The 19th we will just drive and get to the hotel and rest.  
I am finding that for long periods of time the vibration of the car on the road bothers my lungs and makes me cough.  This is a new condition, or maybe not?  I really haven't had many long trips in a car until recently.

The 20th I have a meeting with the surgical staff to go over the surgery and what to expect, what can happen, and answer any questions.

The 21st I will go back to the hospital to have a pre-op visit and have most likely blood work, maybe some testing like MRI or Ex-Rays or whatever.  Then I am told to go back to the hotel and relax, eat a good meal and get a good nights rest!!!  LOL  I am sure I will sleep like a baby.

The 22nd I am to shower, wash and do my hair and this will be the only time in at least a week that I can shave my legs.  This has to be done around 4:00 a.m. so I can be at the hospital in the surgical unit by 5:30 a.m..
Surgery is to last 3 to 6 hours.  They will put 3 holes from my arm pit down on my side.  They will repeat this on both sides, then put one hole either in my chest or in my back.  These holes is how they will do the surgery.  They will be using camera's, suction, a cutter that has a stapler attached.  Then they will remove what they need to.  Try and make sure there are no air leaks, which is common.  

I will be in ICU at least one day, then taken to a private room where there is a bed for Bill or Brittney.  I think they are planning on taking turns staying with me.  They will have me up walking the first day out of ICU and keep it going a little longer everyday.  I will be sitting in a chair a lot.  Many people get pneumonia while recovering from these surgeries.  So I will be upwards as much as possible.

I don't really have many comments about this, except to say if something were to happen to me... Jesus look after my family and give them strength.

I don't want to talk to much about fear.  Because I have been prayed over and have healing in the lord.  I also truly believe that either way "I" will be fine.  Either I go to be with Jesus... or I come home to my family. It's my family I worry about.  So... I won't go on any further.  

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as well as my family and my doctor.  

A hopeful update

It's been a long time since I have blogged.  Shame on me!  There were times I wanted to come here and write, but I did not want to complain, other times I didn't feel well enough to spend time sitting here using my brain to come up with words lost to me.


So much has gone on since I was last here, so this may be a long blog.  Hang in there.... take a break and go for a walk if you get tired of reading!  ;)


I will start with my emphysema which is what started this blog in the first place.  I have had some rough times in the last months.  There is a terrible heavy pain that used to come and go.  Now it stays and I find myself taking pain medication and gritting my teeth through it daily.  (I dislike pain meds very much)  Because my lung function has declined so much now most of the new symptoms are showing up in my heart.  I am now told to use SALT.    For so long I had been dieting and had been told to stay off the salt, so it had been a few years that I wasn't using it.  Now I find out that it will help raise my low blood pressure (68/54) or a little higher most times.  
I was informed today by my Primary Care Dr. that when blood pressure gets that low it is trauma criteria.  Who knew???  When I get really dizzy or my head gets fuzzy I go lay down with pillows under my feet for an hour or so, and it slowly rises.  She told me I should be at the hospital then.  I know the procedure.... I go into the emergency room... they take my vitals, check for blood clots, ex-ray my chest, give me pain meds and after about 4 hours..... send me home.
I also was put on Digoxion and was told today that Monday morning not to take my meds and to go back to the Dr. to get a Digoxion level.  They think they may increase it to get my pulse rate down which still is running above 100 even resting.


My Pulmonologist sent me to Portland to see a CardioThorasic Surgeon about doing a Lung Volume Reduction Surgery.  It took a few weeks to get all the paperwork sent up and then the beginning of June Britt and I went up to the Oregon Health Sciences Medical Center.  The first day I saw the CardioThorasic surgeon and he went over my files and the testing I had done here by my Pulmonologist.  He told us that he hopes that one set of numbers is wrong, because if they aren't wrong then it means I have a lung defect which disqualifies me for LVRS and puts me right into a double lung transplant.
So he scheduled a full day of testing in July that I will go back up for.
Then the 2nd day I saw an OBGYN Dr. concerning my hysterectomy and fibroid tumor that I need removed.  She examined me and said that she would do the surgery, but first wanted me to see a URO-OBGYN, to see about putting a mesh sling in during the hysterectomy.  Having two surgeries at once would put less strain on my heart and lungs.  
I could not get an appointment with her then so I will see her in July when I come back for lung testing and hopefully scheduling this surgery.


The Cardio Dr. told me he was already made aware of this issue and suggested I have that surgery first so I would have time to heal and make sure there are no infections and everything is healed or healing nicely before he would mess with my lungs.


So actually I know nothing new... but I am now at the right hospital and talking to the right surgeons.  I am hoping my next appointments with them will help me get some answers and maybe even take steps toward fixing some of this.

So, I believe I mentioned in my last blog that I had started to go to church again.  I can't remember where I heard it but someone said they had also been a crisis Christian.  Boy I hope I am more than that!
I am a child of God.  I feel his spirit and have been healed.  I still struggle with this however.  God's goodness and forgiveness is sometimes hard to imagine in a world so much in chaos.  Our Associate Pastor ordered a small pocket book written by Dodie Osteen.  It's titled "Healed of Cancer".  
She writes about being diagnosed with metastatic cancer of the liver, and with or without chemo or surgery she would only have a few weeks to live.


She went home and told her husband and they began to pray.  She told her family she didn't want to hear the words cancer or death or sickness in their house.  She asked god for healing and god always gives you what your heart desires.  She read scriptures everyday, even as she felt the symptoms she would keep going... doing house chores, cooking, laundry and taking care of her family.  Continuing to pray and thank the lord for healing and speaking of his healing words which she knew were acting in her body, even on those days she lay in bed unable to get up.  She would push forward the next day.  
Having total faith, never wavering and when she doubted she would first tell the devil to stand away that god had her in his care.


She was sent home to die, but God had a different idea for her.
She was healed 100%.  Her doctors believe it was supernatural healing.    




So I read her book every day and pray the same scriptures that she listed for healing and even though I pray to Jesus for healing and thank him, every once in a while fear and doubt sneak in. 
I wonder why I am worthy?  I am because I turned myself over to God.  
I can say that I feel now so much more at peace and lighter.


My worries are just not there like they used to be.  It caught me off guard at the Dr. this morning to hear words like terminal and 3 to 5 years survival.  I had been all this time knowing that things were getting worse but just not paying attention.  
Now instead of fearing what is ahead, I need to believe the doctors have healing power.  That God promised it to me.  When I have those moments (which are getting fewer and fewer) I rebuke Satin and restore my love and trust to the Lord.
I am doing my best to live the life he wants me to.  After years away it is wonderful to be back and in a church that feels like home.  So, I don't consider myself a crisis Christian.  Just a child of God.


We went over Father's Day back to Bend to meet up with my brother and our cousin.  Every year we meet to have a little memorial and to catch up with each other.
We had a beautiful suite right on the Deschutes River, extra comfy bed and a fireplace. We'll go back there next year.  Everyone was so nice.

These are pictures of the spot where Mom, Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Donna's ashes were spread.  I love this cannon.  It is so peaceful up there!  I am not sure how many more years I will be able to make the climb, but I will go every year as long as possible.

So, after such a long silence...... I will be back to update after my Portland trip.  Sorry to all of those who follow my blog for the long absence.  

A hospital stay

It's been another week or so since I have written.  Let me see, where should I start?


A few day after my last appointment with my Primary Care Dr. I was playing with Priscilla on the floor... on my hands and knees bouncing back and forth on my hands and she would chase them.  I twisted wrong and felt a RIP and then immediately it started to burn.  It was pretty late in the afternoon so I just took some extra pain meds and went to bed.  When I woke up from a terrible nights sleep the next morning it was still burning like fire and I could not stand up straight, so I called her for an appointment.


I got into see her at 3:30 she saw the pain I was in... gave me 2 shots in each "cheek" and sent me to the hospital for a contrast CT scan.  Shortly after I was admitted.  This was Thursday.  For the next 3 days they gave me Dilotid (sp?) and (Demerol) and both made me terribly sick.  I had a terrible headache and was throwing up everywhere.  Finally Saturday afternoon I asked the nurse to get a hold of my Dr. and see if I could be taken off those pain meds and just put back on my normal pain medication (Vicodin).  Finally I began to feel better, I even ate dinner Saturday night, and came home Sunday evening.


I still have pain, she said a torn muscle will take some time to heal.  Of course with every sneeze or cough or sudden movement I want to crawl out of my skin!!  But, I am home and getting back to normal.


I went for my cardiologist appointment and he told me that I am showing signs of A-Fib.... which means suddenly I begin to sweat, feel dizzy and light headed and my blood pressure drops around 75/53.  All I do is for about 45 minutes to an hour I lay down with my feet above my heart and breath.  Eventually my blood pressure comes back up and I feel fine.  He thinks it is my lungs that is causing this.  He says so far my heart is healthy.  It is just reacting to things going on in my heart.


Then I went to my Pulmonologist appointment later that day and he said my sleep lab hadn't changed from 2 years ago, so all is good there.  His Respiratory Therapist told me she had talked to Stanford and they have sent my file to my insurance company for approval and once they have approval they will call me to come down for a evaluation.  


So, I am practicing patience.  I am not dwelling on being sick or having  pain.  I am doing my best to be kind to me every day.  I am still losing weight, however the stay in the hospital with all the fluid they gave me had me gaining 7 pounds.  5 of which I have already lost and I am back on the protein shakes and one meal of 4 ounces of protein with plenty of veggies.


Once again... with any new news I will let you know.

More concerns

Today was my Thyroid Ultra Sound.  Bill was to go with me, but remember a call he needed to make so he couldn't make it.  This seems to be a pattern where my doctors visits are concerned.  I want him to be involved, to hear the steps I need to take, to hear the shape I am in, to know what to avoid and what is expected of me.

Any way... the Ultra Sound.  During the ultra sound the tech found a small nodule on the upper right side of my throat/thyroid.  She also found calcification in the middle of the band in the center of my throat.  She also found my lymph nodes enlarged.  What does this mean?????  That IS the question of the day!  She couldn't tell me.  She said my doctor would have the results this afternoon.

Of course me being a curious one...(not such a good trait at times) I got online and Googled "Thyroid Ultra Sounds/nodule/enlarged lymph nodes.  NEVER DO THAT!!!  Of course every article I found scared me.  And, Bill is sick and has been in bed since the afternoon... so I sit here concerned and trying so hard not to be.

It just seems like ONE MORE THING.  How many times do I need to say  ONE MORE THING?  It seems like for the last 3 years I have had to deal with just one more thing.  I am tired of things.  I am tired of worrying, not sleeping, being preoccupied and missing out on chances for happiness because I am so preoccupied with sickness.

I will wait patiently for my doctor to notify me of my Thyroid results and the outcome from talking to my Gynecologist.  I am going to practice patience.  I haven't had them so far, so we'll see how that goes.


I had a friend who I met on BecomeAnEx.org (the best quit smoking site there is) introduce me (through Face Book) with a man that has had a Lung Volume Reduction Surgery at University of Washington.  It has been about a year and a half he said.  He was not on oxygen prior to surgery and his oxygen saturation level was better than mine.  But he said he is doing fine.  That the doctors told him the surgery is not life saving but prolonging.  And, there could still be transplant in his future when the time comes.


This all makes me just want to get to Stanford and talk to the doctors, go through their testing and be reassured that my fears are viable and can be set to rest somewhat.  By knowing about small things like housing, traveling expenses, family accommodations.  All these things are things I worry about on top of the medical aspect.

I just feel odd tonight.  Like there is nothing I can do to settle myself.  I tried playing Face Book games, playing with Priscilla, talking to friends.  Nothing.  I came here to blog which usually lets me get out my feelings, frustrations and fears ... tonight not so much.

Another E.R. Visit

This will be quick.  I am feeling bad.

Yesterday Bill and I went grocery shopping and about half way through I told Bill my chest was feeling tight.  By the time we got home I couldn't take the pain anymore.  As it was Britt was on her way to the house so she took me up to the hospital and I spent 5 hours in the Emergency room to have them tell me I was having an anxiety attack.

I know these are real, but it makes me feel like I am one of those nervous types of women who can't handle stress or problems and get the vapors.  I am a strong person and I can handle pain.

This pain was mind blowing.  Like someone had a hold of my chest ripping and twisting.  They finally gave me knock out medicine and sent me home to sleep it off.

That worked fine until around 3:00 this morning and I have been up every since.  Today is better, but my chest is on the verge of incredible pain.  Does that make sense?  It seems like one big cough, one twist or pull and the pain will return.  Any way, I spent the day reading and napping.

Emergency rooms and dogs under the covers

By 1:30 in the afternoon yesterday I was in the emergency room.  I had first called my primary care doctor and they were out to lunch, next I called my pulmonologist and the phone for his nurse went straight to voice mail.  Then I called Bill and no answer.  I tried to call Britt and no answer.  My next call was to the neighbor, then 911.  Bill called me back and I told him I needed him to take me to the hospital that I was in terrible pain and it was getting increasingly hard to breath.

They of course put 2 I.V.'s in ... one on the back of my hand for meds and one on the other arm further up so a bigger needle could be used to run dye through for the CT scan that was for sure to come.

I am not knocking the Dr.'s or nursing staff there.  I understand their job and need to rule things out.  I told them this was not a cardiac event.  That the pain was in my lower left lung and it felt like a stabbing, burning pain every time I inhaled.  I also told them that I was getting lightheaded when I would stand up.

After 6+ hours they released me home with the diagnoses of Pleurisy and two new prescriptions.

 Ketorolac is used to relieve moderately severe pain, usually after surgery. Ketorolac is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation. Ketorolac comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 4 to 6 hours ...

 Oxycodone is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Oxycodone is in a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics. It works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain.

I came home took my meds and slept, waking only briefly a few times to adjust my position.  Today it seems my chest is tight and the pain is still there.  So, I didn't do much.  I had Bill move my mattress to the living room so I could be a veggie and watch our Big T.V. and not feel like I was locked away.  To me that's the worse part of being in bed is the feeling that the world is passing me by.
So... of course I had to convince the dogs that this was my resting place and not theirs.  Megan (our biggest baby dog .. part Sharpei and part Malamute) thought her place was under the covers.  LoL




Britt's dog Foster is the miniature Australian Shepard and Megan is under my comforter




Dori our Pit being the best girl and not on my bed




Megan the princess again. 

I promised to take the weekend slowly and lay around.  But, I asked the doctor before I left the emergency room if I could exercise soon and he told me as soon as I felt well enough... sure.  Of course taking it slow and stopping if the pain reoccurs.  I made it a point to ask in front of Bill because he is always so eager to point to my working out.
I am hoping Monday I can get back to Curves.  We'll see.

Weigh In and a picture of my heart

First things first.  Tuesday I went to weigh in.... I lost 1.8 pounds finally bringing my total weight loss to 30.8 pounds.  I have been waiting for the moment I broke the 30 pound mark.  So, that was good news and put me in a good mood. 

I had a list of stuff to get done Tuesday.  So, after Weight Watchers I came home and picked up my comforter and took it to the dry cleaners, came home and picked Bill up and took him to Britt's so he could help Fernando paint, stopped by the Heart Center to turn in my event monitor for them to download the 3 episodes I recorded and to change the battery. 

A woman came out holding the event monitor and said there was nothing there... nothing recorded... no pulse, no heart rhythm????  So they replaced it with a different one.

I left there and came home to get my list of questions for Dr. Jennings and left for my doctors appointment.  To make a really long story short... I left the clinic, came home and grabbed a pair of Jammie's, some slippers, bathroom stuff and headed for the hospital to be admitted for chest pain.

She (Dr. Jennings) had tried to get me an appointment with a Cardiologist and the soonest appointment was June 1st.  She said that was unacceptable, so to be a little sneaky she would have me admitted to the hospital (if a bed was available) and a cardiologist would see me the following day.

I called Britt and Bill and told them that at least for the day there was nothing to worry about.  The nurses got me hooked up to the heart monitor and blood pressure cuff and oxygen finger clippy thing. 
Bill came up and brought me a few things I forgot.  While he was there my doctor stopped in to see me.  She said that she had spoke with the cardiologist and they both agreed a heart catheter would be the next course of action.  She said that I would really like Dr. Kubac and she would be there to check on me the next day.
A nurse came in and told me that Dr. Kubac was going to be coming back to the hospital and would come in and talk with me. 

At around 8:00 I sent Bill home and told him I would call and let him know when the procedure would be.

At around 9:30 the doctor came in.  Dr. Jennings was right, I really liked him.  He explained what would happen, talked to me about my history and my family history.  Questioned why my Copd was so bad with my young age?  I told him I was a smoker and very good at it. 

He said he would see me the next morning.  That he moved me to the front of his schedule so my heart cath would be at 8:30.

Around 11:00 a nurse came in and said there were a couple students who were there and since I needed 2 I.V.'s started for the next morning, would I mind if they did it?  Not at all... after all Brittney was soon going to be in the nursing program and I would hope some nice person would help her.  This poor girl tried 8 times in my left arm to start the I.V. and couldn't get it inside the vein... she hit all around it every time, but never could puncture it.  After the 6th time the head nurse said... That's enough, she has had enough.  I said... "No, keep going ... I don't mind."  She attempted 2 more times then the head nurse finished putting both I.V.'s in. 

At midnight the nurse came in and told me that Dr. Kubac called and had moved my procedure up to 7:30... so I called Bill and woke him up to tell him, then I sent Britt a text telling her to just go on to school and her dad would keep her informed.

I went down for my procedure... loved all the people who worked in the cath lab.  One girl told me this is what they do every day, all day so they have it down pat... and I believe her.  I remember a guy telling me he was giving me a drug that would make it so I was still awake and able to talk to the doctor, but I would not feel anything and most likely not remember even being there.  He was right! 

Back at the room I had to lay flat and not move my legs at all for a couple hours, then I was ready to go home.  I was home by 3:00 and in bed sleeping for the night.  I remember getting up at 9:00 and getting on the computer for a few minutes.

Today I feel pretty good.  I couldn't wait to get in the shower.

The doctor brought me this picture... he said my heart is in great shape.  He said my arteries were great.  He also went into my lungs and with dye measured the pressure there.  That report will go to Dr. Jennings and my Pulmonologist. 

He said the pain I am having is most likely in my lungs.  He gave me some percoset and told me if or when I have another episode to take the pain meds and increase my O2 to 5 lpm and recline in a chair doing my best to practice relaxed breathing.

All and all a pretty eventful couple days.  It's not something I would suggest for fun... but not all that bad.  And, I have pictures!  LoL

Back to the Hospital

Thursday the 14th started out normal.  I got up, drank a couple cups of coffee and sat down at my computer.  I remember 2 or 3 times telling Bill, "My chest hurts today".  Not bad... just a twang.  I got in the shower and thought letting the hot water run on my chest would make it feel better... all it did was make me shorter of breath which made my chest hurt more.  After about an hour I called my primary care doctor.  I told her the chest pains were back and should I come see her since the time prior to this after a full day of tests the emergency room said most likely Chostrocondritis.  She said back to the emergency room.  So, off we went again.  After about 7 hours being tested and pain meds given they were sure enough that this is not a heart problem.  I was told to get a hold of my doctor Friday and get in to see her.  She was overly busy, so I have an appointment with her for Tuesday. 

I asked the E.R. doctor "So, knowing that this is not a heart issue... if it comes back again what should I do?"  He says... call your doctor.  I say "She told me if I have a heart problem or pain to go directly to the E.R. that they don't have the requirements there for heart issues."..

My primary doctor tells me she is re-submitting her request for a Cardiologist to my insurance, but needs approval before I can be seen.  Then, it's waiting for them to have an opening. 

All of this... and No One is sure if what is happening is even a heart issue. The only thing they do know is that I have tachycardia (rapid heart beat) and heart medication to this point has not helped it to lower.  And, from time to time I have severe chest pain that is not a heart attack.

I expected things to be the same as they were the last time this happened...

This time I noticed that Friday I was exhausted!  Basically the only reason I stayed awake and out of bed was in case my doctor called, which her assistant finally did @ 6:00.  I was in bed soon after. 

Today I am still feeling it.  Bill went over to Britt's today to help her.  Being by myself I took advantage and turned my music up and did housework and laundry.  Going up and down the stairs even.  I even jumped on the trampoline for 15 minutes. 
My chest let me know I had gone too far.  It has been about 2 hours since all that and it still hurts.  Not as bad as Thursday, but enough to let me know I'd better quit doing stuff for a while. 

This is a few hours later and it's still there reminding me.

If it weren't for bad luck... you know the rest

I went to weigh in on Tuesday, I was a little discouraged because I gained .8 pounds but ready to take control and get back to it.  I had that lung infection/fluid.. or whatever they called it that visit .. and was trying to regain strength from being sick and on steroids which make sleep impossible. 
Tuesday evening I got my trampoline out and jumped for maybe 5 minutes.  I could tell that the lung infection took a lot out of me and it would take some time to build back up again. 
Tuesday night/Wednesday morning I woke up around 3:00ish with terrible pain in my chest.  Like someone had a hold of my heart and was just SQUEEZING.  I tried to go back to sleep, I adjusted my position and finally around 5:00 I just gave up and came out and got in the recliner.  I was not wanting to wake up Bill so I waited for him to get up. 
He got in the shower and I called my doctor.  She wasn't in so I asked what time the walk in clinic opened.  !0:00  So, at 10:00 I called Britt and told her that I was just going to get checked, not to worry... go about her business and I'd check in with her, or she could call her dad.  We went to the walk in clinic and of course they took me right back to a room.  The nurses assistant took blood pressure and pulse and oxygen levels.  Then the door opens and Britt comes in.  She decided to just stop in. 
Soon the doctor came in and asked a few questions then told me she was calling for an ambulance and they would be here shortly.  In the meantime in rolls a portable EKG machine.  About the time they get me hooked up the paramedics come in and one starts an I.V. the other one begins to ask Britt which belongings are mine and if she can tell him what I was experiencing.  Britt was overwhelmed!  LoL  It all happened very quickly.  I wasn't in the doctors office 20 minutes before I was being wheeled out on a gurney and into the ambulance. 

To make a really long story short.... 3 aspirin's, 3 nitro tablets under my tongue, a nitro patch, several blood tests, a contrast CT scan, ultra sounds of my legs to make sure no blood clots were present, and a blown out vein in my arm... I was told this was not a cardiac event ... or he is 95% sure it wasn't. 

He thinks I have what is called Costochondritis.  I will post information on it. 

I am through with my trampoline for a while, I am through heavy lifting for a while.  I am discouraged.  I was on the upside of weight gain prior to this.  Zero pounds lost one week, and .8 pounds gained the last week... So, I needed a boost to get back losing weight.  I know I have no control over these things... BUT CRAP!

This diagnoses does not tell me why I still have a rapid heart beat.  I can tell you... The symptoms for this mimic almost EXACTLY a heart attack.  The pain is just as bad, with pain running down one arm and the whole bit.  I am relieved it was not my heart. 

I am very impressed with the nursing staff (minus a few blown veins) and the doctor and the care I received.  They were very thorough and kept Bill and Brittney informed throughout every thing. 

So... today I am asking Britt to bring over her stationary bike for me.  It will be my exercise of choice now that I cannot bounce or lift anything.  Did I tell you I am to wear a very tight fitting sports bra 24 hours a day.  LoL  It's fine, it just makes me look like I have a uni-breast instead of 2 separate things!  But I am packed in tightly and I guess that's the point.
Now, to post the information on my newest adventure.