Hopeful…

This morning, for the first time in almost two months, I walked to the end of the corridor and back without getting out of breath. My legs, from lack of mobility and residual effects from the toxic drug I was taking for almost a year, are unsteady and fragile. Since today is the day I have been cleared to start walking after last Friday’s angiogram, as soon as we returned to our room after breakfast, I got up from the wheelchair and embarked on the walk.

After months of limited mobility, my legs felt weak, but this time, it was not painful, as had been the case on that drug that caused me life-threatening side effects. Little did I know, regardless of how much research I did. It was the insight of the highly trained and experienced doctors at the Cleveland Clinic that determined the reason for my breathing issues and inability to walk was caused by the drug, more so than the condition of my cardiovascular disease.

After last Friday’s angiogram, which indicated I have ongoing cardiovascular disease with one artery that is 100% blocked and not fixable. However, surgery is not indicated at this time. As for the Afib and the PVCs, it’s entirely under control with the new drug, a drug that costs over $800 a month. (As soon as I get the OK from the doctor to continue the drug, I will order it from the Canadian pharmacy for a considerably lower price).

What are PVCs? See below as described by the Cleveland Clinic at this site:

“Overview
Ventricular arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that originate in the bottom chambers of the heart, called the ventricles. They can occur as a result of damage to the heart muscle from a heart attack or cardiomyopathy or in patients with hearts that seem structurally normal.

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are premature beats originating in the lower chambers that may be bothersome to patients, causing symptoms such as palpitations or shortness of breath. Over time, frequent PVCs can, in some patients, cause changes in heart function.

Ventricular Tachycardia – a sustained pattern of premature ventricular contractions, which can be life-threatening.
Ventricular Fibrillation – a fast, disorganized beating of the ventricles, which quickly leads to sudden death.”

If this drug continues to control my heart rhythm, even considering its high risks, I prefer to take those risks rather than live a life limited by feeling unwell from abnormal heart rhythms.

If the doctor gives me a “good to go” confirmation on my upcoming appointment on September 27, we will excitedly and quickly plan to continue our travels. We have some ideas on what we’d like to do between October and March or April before we return to South Africa. We will share those ideas once we know more.

No, my heart health journey isn’t over. I am going to have to live with the realities of heart disease. But, many people go on to live rich and fulfilling lives with conditions such as mine. At this point, at 76 years of age, I strive for” quality of life” for whatever time I have left to explore this world with the man who’s lovingly been at my side all along.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, September 13, 2014: