Monday, November 3, 2008

On Hold Due To Some Health Issues

I just wanted to write a short entry to let everyone know why I haven't been posting or reading journals lately. After posting my last entry, I felt very weak and became out of breath easily. The next morning I drove myself to my doctor's office instead of going to work. He took one look at me and called an ambulance. It seems I suffered a very mild heart attack.

I spent three days and nights in the hospital while they did every test they could on me. The dye procedure showed that all my arteries are clean as a whistle and that there was no damage or loss to the muscles in either the upper or lower chamber of my heart. What I have is an atrial fibrillation, or an irregular heartbeat.

I'm currently on some heavy duty blood thinner medication to reduce the threat of blood clots. In a couple of weeks, the doctor will put me under and shock me back into a regular heart rhythm. If the procedure works, I should start feeling normal almost right away. Until then, I still get winded extremely easily and can feel pain in the chest area. The blood thinner makes me feel different… I don't know how to express it except to say things have a surreal quality to them and I don't do well at reading for long periods.

I'll start up here again once I have the procedure and feel my old self again. In the mean time, I hope you are all doing well.

Sam

62 comments:

Beth said...

How scary...I hope they are able to control your heartbeat and get everything back to normal.

Be well,
Beth

Coy said...

Wow ... that really is scary Sam. %Take care of you and post when you can.
*** Coy ***

Astaryth said...

OMG! How scary for you and your family!! I hope they get you all fixed up. It's good news that there wasn't any damage... still, be careful until your doctor says otherwise. Although it was not the best thing, better to find out early that there is something going on.

Keep us posted, please!

Anne said...

Take care of yourself and question everything twice. Treat yourself as you would your wife or grandson. You are in my prayers. Anne

natalie said...

Dear Sam, Gee...
I will post something in my blgo about this.
I hope that you will get better really soon...
I am very sorry to hear about it!
BTW
are blood thinners really the best medicine for this?
love,natalie

Sharlene said...

I'm sure that is very scary for you but Thank God it was caught before too much damage was done. God Bless You and keep you healthy!
Sam2

Chris said...

I've been taking those blood thinners since high school and I know exactly what you're talking about when you say surreal. You do get used to them but it may take a little while. It's more common than you think to have that condition and highly treatable, but just take it easy for awhile. Your body is speaking very loudly to you. Now you have to learn to listen. You're in my prayers.

Unknown said...

Ah, Sam, how good it is to finally reconnect with you, but how sad to hear that you're feeling so poorly. Please take care of yourself and know as always, you are in my thoughts, and prayers. Hugs, and love too.

barb said...

SAM, sorry to hear this. I didn't know i was contagious--this is exactly what happened to me before we left Texas.you will feel much better if the shocking works. take care and be sure you take all your meds as you are suppose to. barb

ADB said...

I'm very relieved you received medical attention soon, Sam. Take it very easy.

Guido

Kathy said...

Sam. Oh Sam. This is a very scary time for you and your family.

As Anne advised ... question everything twice & I will add, always have P or a friend with you to ask the questions you might not or hear the answers you don't.

You are in my thoughts and my prayers. I do so hope and pray you feel well again soon.

Ally Lifewithally said...

Sam I am so sorry to hear your News ~ I do hope everything will turn out well for you ~ just take care of yourself and keep us updated ~ keeping you in my thoughts and prayers ~ Ally x

Lisa said...

How frightening for you - I wish you the best. Take good care of yourself.

Sage Ravenwood said...

I'm so glad they caught it before it turned to something worse. Take care of you please. I hope the treatment works and things return to normal. I'm keeping you in my prayers on the smoke. (Hugs)Indigo

Frances said...

It was so wise of you to seek medical help quickly. When my husband had his heart attack, he didn't want me to call an ambulance, but I didn't listen to him and called anyway. The doctor said my fast action was probably what saved his life. Please take care of yourself.
Frances

Jan said...

Oh Sam how awful for you ,and you always so active I hope the procedure works well and you are soon back with us again ....love Jan xx

Anonymous said...

Sam. sorry to hear you are missing beats. i have had an erratic heart for years. It skips one now and then.
Hope you get a full recovery and have a healthy and long life, Bill

Helen said...

Sending up prayers for you Sam. Helen

Christy said...

I'm definately praying for you, so glad that your dr didn't mess around, and that they found out what is going on.

God Bless

Lippy said...

Hi Sam,
Just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. Hope all is well. I'm very glad you're still with us, my friend. Come back soon.

Jimmy

Tracie said...

I am so sorry to hear this. Take care and I hope you are feeling better soon!

Tracie

Lori @ Purple Snapdragons said...

I'm so happy to hear you're OK!!! Please take care & know I'm sending all my best wishes your way. Hugs, ~ L

Linda :) said...

Take care of you and get well soon...
Special thoughts....

Dawnie said...

OMGosh, Sam! Just tonight I realized I didn't have some of my friends new blogs so popped on blogger to try to track a few down since AOL wasted no time (truly) taking everything offline. Was going to send you an email when I decided to do a blogsearch instead. What a shock to read your post! I am so sorry for all this but am so glad you had the rationale to get to the doctor when you did. Scary stuff! Glad you're doing better... TAKE CARE!

Robin said...

My goodness Sam...you just take care of yourself and don't worry about us or blogs!

Will have you in my thoughts and prayers...hang in there buddy.

Jeannette said...

Oh Sam, I'm so sorry to hear this, I do hope they can get your heartbeat back to normal again. I've got the same thing, mine came on back in April so I know how you feel. Take care, take it easy and don't overdo it too soon. I know Paulette will take very good care of you. Andy sends his best wishes for your speedy recovery. Jeannette xx

Cathy said...

Oh Sam I'm truly with you, will be looking for your return to your pals in Blogtown. http://cathy-daretothink.blogspot.com/

Nancy said...

Hi Sam,
Something told me to check your blog..no idea why. Now I'm so very glad that I did.
I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Perhaps it could be a wake up call to live your life differently....if nothing else, with more gratitude. (not that you don't...but you know what I mean). Take it slow and be in touch as you can.

Your bud,
Nancy

michele said...

sorry i am late, again! so sorry to hear of your heart attack, i hope you are well again now. take care of yourself, mrs t xx

Ken Riches said...

Sam, came over via my wife Beth at Nutwood Junction. Hope you get back to normal, you have people who care and need you. Ken.

Jon said...

Sam, I certainly hope you're feeling better by now! Please take it easy and keep in touch.....

cw2smom said...

Hello Sam! I was so excited to see you as a follower as I remember you from my old AOL days! Get yourself well my friend! You'll be in my thoughts and prayers! Looking forward to catching up thru your new blog here on Blogger! Lisa/Cw2smom

natalie said...

gee I hope you are feeling better Sam!
let us know what's up, ok?
love,natalie

Becky said...

Yikes Sam! Hope you are feeling better soon.

salemslot9 said...

Fig Man!...hope you feel better soon...going to say a prayer and light a white candle for you, my friend

Heli gunner Tom said...

I am sorry for your discomfort and scare. Heart disease and stroke run in my family so I am a candidate for death. But if I should die--it's a good feeling to know that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior and there is a place waiting for BELIEVERS in heaven who follow Christ. That is the prime feature of my own on-line Journal: heli-gunner tom

Your challenge has been another warning for me.

Tom Schuckman
tschuckman@aol.com
Disabled Vietnam Vet: 68-70.

Mrs. L said...

Sorry to hear the news. Get better soon !!!!

Linda's World said...

Sam, I'd heard a rumor that you'd had some sort of attack. Praying for a complete and speedy recovery so that you'll be bakc to 100% soon. Linda in Washington state

Rose said...

You are in my prayers and I plan to come back and follower your Journal.

Hugs, Rose

Kelly said...

Sam I am so glad you went on to the doctor. Thanks for posting and letting us know what is going on with you. It is wonderful news to know that you don't have clogged arteries, but still scary about what happened. Take care of yourself and you just relax and get well. XOXO

Hollie said...

Sam,
I hope you are doing well. Thanks for visiting my blog.....

Donna. W said...

Oh, my mom lived with atrial fibrillation for the last 30 years of her life. Sometimes, in spite of her being on Tnormin (however it's spelled), she'd have a spell and lie down on the couch until it quit. You could see her heartbeat acting up in the vein or artery in her neck. Scary stuff.

Lori said...

I'm sorry to hear you haven't been well, and I hope you are back up and about soon. Take care of yourself, and get the rest you need.

Sandisan said...

Oh Sam, hope you are healing well. That had to be just too scary for you. I have a mild case of COPD so I know how hard it can be when you can't get a breath in. Be well, stay well, we care about you..love, Sandi

marti said...

hey hon
I found you through Natalie (lurkynat) I don't wanna lose you again!
its a scary thing but I just have a feeling you will be all well soon
Love
Marti

natalie said...

dear Sam, lots of healing get well wishes and hugs for you and your family!:)
we are all thinking of you and waiting for your return
hugs,natalie

Joann said...

Sam, I hope you are doing well. Just now read about your heart attack... prayers going up for your speedy recovery!!

Sandra said...

I`m so sorry to hear that you were so ill Sam, I hope you are feeling much better now. I hope the meds do their job and that you will soon be back to normal again.

Love Sandra xxx

Kathy said...

I am so sorry top hear about all this. So sorry I haven't been around sooner.

Get Well wishes

Lori @ Purple Snapdragons said...

Hi Sam, just checking in on you. Hope you're doing well. Take care. ~ L

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I'm glad that you got to the doctor when you did. Heart problems are nothing to fool around with. I lost my husband in '92 due to a sudden fatal heart attack. He'd always been healthy and had just been for a physical the week before. I wanted to thank you for commenting in one of my journals. I've seen your comments in others too. Please stop back at mine anytime. There are two others besides the one you left a comment in. 'On Ya'-ma

Robin said...

Hey, Sam, sure hope you're feeling better soon. Surreal quality isn't a good long-term thing. Obviously. Nor are the pains.

Tammy said...

Ah Sam. I have been so wrapped up in myself that I have not been around for my friends. You are strong and have a powerful urge to live. You will do fine. You are always in my prayers.

Betty Pauwels said...

Same we are certainly pulling for your speedy recovery!!!!!

Bethe said...

Hi Sam-I'm a little late to the party (as usual). WoW, scary times, huh? Having a cardio-version? I've actually had a pacemaker for 11 yrs now. Befoer they put it in I was so short o breathe all the time and felt so weak. I hope the conversion works and you are feeling your like your old self (mabe even better.
Maybe ask the Doc if you can try Aspirin. Of course that will depend on your PT/PTT levels, but once your body settles in you may bea ble to get off they blood thinners.

((Hugs))

Hollie said...

Haven't heard from you in awhile. I hope you are doing fine!!

natalie said...

Happy thanksgiving Sam
I hope that you are getting better and that your family will be with you.
I will bethinking about you
hugs,natalie

Lainey Laine said...

Sam Im just dropping in to see how you are! I hope you are ok. Laine x
http://lainey-lainesworld.blogspot.com/

Liz in Virginia said...

I will be praying for you Sam. My mother inlaw had that and also the shock treatment, and it fixed everything. You will be ok, my friend.
Take care and Have a wonderful turkey day.

MariesImages said...

I had no idea, SAM!!! So glad to see you posting & joining in our challenge. This blog system is not as good as AOL with alerts.
I'll be back tomorrow to read up on your life down south...Ü
Marie

JOHN said...

Hey Sam.
Good to see you back on the blog.You say you feel kind of weird sometimes.Did they change you blood pressure meds ?Are did they put you on a new one?They had me taking one that made me dizzy and I didnt feel comfortable in my own skin at times.I have been praying for you every since I read about your heart attack.Ilost my dad june 20th of this year.Its a hard thing to deal with,Keep on keeping on.Stop by my blog when you feel up to it.tAKE CARE
JOHN

Unknown said...

Dear Sam,
How my heart goes out to you. You have touched the heart of so many people, including mine. I hope you are feeling better by the time you read this. Know you are in my prayers always. God bless you.
Barb (Pinion)
my journal:
http://barb-letschat.blogspot.com