Tuesday, September 06, 2011

I'm Baaaaack!


SO!  I went to Andrews AFB last Wednesday for a routine follow-up.  My doc put a stethoscope to my chest and BANG! I was in the emergency room.  From there, they transported me to Bethesda Navy Hospital, where I spent three days in ICU. Seems my heart had gone into atrial fibrillation.  Each chamber was pumping at a high rate and not coordinating with any other chamber.  They had a plan, but first they had to check things out.

On Friday, they ran a tube up through my artery looking for blockages.  None.  I'm in pretty good shape as far as that goes.  On Saturday, they shoved a tube down my throat behind my heart for an internal sonogram.  Since they found no clots in my heart, they used the same tube to shock my heart and reset it.  It worked, because I woke up.

Four days in the Cardio Care Unit and they released me today (Tuesday).

One week of hospitalization: $0

Cab ride back to my car at Andrews $75.

Experience:  Priceless.

And through all this, I didn't have a single symptom.



9 comments:

Tonto said...

Thank God. I am so relieved. Now I forbid you to do that ever again! :)

Lone Ranger said...

Just shows you how far I'll go to get you to post here.

By the way, you haven't even told the folks here about the newest member of your tribe.

Mark said...

Wow. Just....Wow.

I'm glad you're back. Looking forward to more thought provoking and humorous posts from you in the near future.

Cyndi L said...

So glad you are alright. It's amazing you had no symptoms...my husband has occasional atrial fibrillation, and believe me, he always knows when it's happening. Like Tonto said, don't do it again, ok?

Linda said...

Well, I'm glad your Dr was on top of it!

Vigilis said...

Congratulations to two of my favorite lawyers!

Jim O said...

Glad to hear it!

Jean said...

Pretty scary. I'm glad everything has worked out for you.

Joe said...

Been there, done that, but forewent the T-shirt.

Glad you made it through and love having you "back."

My first a-fib even was a left atrial colapse while in the heart Dr.'s waiting room.