I told you I took a month off from blogging to "square some things away." What I didn't tell you is that during that time I spent a night in a sleep lab, took a trip to the ER, visited my my doctor two times, wore a Holter monitor for 24 hours, and was given a stress test.
As it turns out, I have a heart condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. I won't go into all of the specifics. Basically my heart short circuits with every beat. It sounds scary and it can cause some issues (like fainting or sudden death), but the good news is -- there is a cure. At some point I will need to have an ablation. In the past this meant undergoing open heart surgery; now it's an arthroscopic thing.
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| Sorry if these pictures seem redundant. It was hard to stop myself from taking pictures of this peony. It's been equally hard to decide which ones to share with you, so I'm giving you all my favorites. :) |
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| I overheard my daughter mutter to herself, "My mom is in love with a flower." |
In the mean time, I don't have many restrictions. Of course I should try to avoid things that might make my heart beat 300x a minute (like extreme sports or intense emotional stress). If I feel like I'm going to faint, I should call 911. I can still exercise moderately.
That's about it. I sit down to write about Oliver Twist and all I can think of is, " Oliver Twist is a good book. I like it." It's hard to write about fiction when real life feels so very real.
I've been tossing around whether or not I should say something about this on the blog. This morning I finally decided that I should. This syndrome has been a major factor in my life story. It's always been there, behind the scenes, affecting some of the choices I have made. I don't really feel like this is bad news. It's just news -- really good information for me to have. I'm suddenly aware of how absolutely essential it is to have a prayerful life -- to cast all of my cares on God, to rest and trust in Him constantly.
Thank you for hanging in there with me, dear blog friends. Your encouragement is truly medicine for my heart.
Much love to all.
Adriana
Adriana, I am so glad you shared this with us. Prayers for you!
ReplyDeleteI like your review of Oliver Twist too. reminds me of the book report on Peter Rabbit scene in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
By the way, if you're looking for a new exercise regimen, try Prancercise: http://timfall.wordpress.com/2013/05/30/prancercise/ I'm sure you'll be glad you did. Or I'm sure your kids will be entertained. One of the two.
Blessings,
Tim
Thank you, Tim.
DeleteI've been doing Prancercise for years.
“Cut the Noose and Let It Loose”
Woo-Hoo!!!
Kidding. My neighbor owns 100 acres and he has cameras everywhere. No prancing for me. :(
DeleteOr I might end up on YouTube.
DeleteI am glad you shared the news. You never know how your story can be an encouragement for someone else who reads it. Keep us posted so I can pray for you according to your needs.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Ruth
Thank you so much, Ruth. I deeply appreciate the prayers and encouragement. I will let you know as things happen. At this point I still don't know to what extent I have it or if there is any other underlying problem. (I don't think there is. But then again I was in denial about the potential of any heart condition at first! I actually tried to convince my doctor that I didn't need to see a cardiologist!) Pray that I will be a good patient. :)
DeleteThanks so much for sharing this, Adriana. It helps us know, love, and support you better. Praying.
ReplyDeleteI liked your comment "I don't really feel like this is bad news. It's just news -- really good information for me to have." That reminded me of one of my life quotations: "The truth is always your friend." The truth is especially our friend when we allow it to draw us into trust in God -- as you have.
"The truth is always your friend." That is so good, Jeannie -- simple and . . . well, TRUE! :)
DeleteYour online presence has been a Godsend. Thank you for your friendship!
P.S. Just wondering -- Should I have put a semicolon after "bad news" instead of the period? A dash? hmmm . . .
If that is a serious question and not totally mocking my grammar geekiness (as if you have a mocking bone in your body!), then I will reply to it thusly: you COULD have used the semicolon instead, but the period is equally correct. The semicolon would link the sentences, while the period would, of course, separate them. If you wanted to emphasize the first sentence more by making it stand alone, then the period you used is perfect. Pretty much anywhere you use a period you COULD technically substitute a semicolon, but the effect would be different: linking vs. separating.
DeleteThe dash is a looser thing, usually used for more dramatic breaks: "If the Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup -- and that's a pretty big 'if' -- there will be much rejoicing." "I think I'll read Fifty Shades of Grey next -- hey, don't laugh."
Excuse the lengthy reply; I don't get asked such questions every day so I have to make the most of them when I do.
Not mocking at all! And I love your thorough response. I use semicolons from time to time, but I usually don't think of them until after I click "publish." Now and then I look at a sentence and think that a semicolon might have made it better; I'm always a little bit unsure. (How was that?)
DeleteI've notice that you are a semicolon proficient. I don't think it's one bit geeky! Or maybe I just like geeks.
Anyway, Sometimes I wonder if the problem is that I don't THINK in semicolons. Maybe I think in periods. I don't know. I'm just musing. :) My husband says I'm a ponderer. Perhaps I just need to come to a full stop after every thought.
I am obsessed with semicolons and dashes!
DeleteBest wishes in your heart trials.
Jane Austen would smile upon the dashes, I am sure. Glad to know you appreciate semicolons; they're not common in the blogosphere. :)
DeleteAnd thank you very much for wishing me well.
You'll be in my prayers, Adriana.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Lit-Lass! :)
DeleteI am praying for you. You are in thoughts. "My mother is in love with a flower."
ReplyDeleteYour humor brings such light and joy to your writing. Thank you for sharing your heart. (The pun was not originally intended, but I left it anyway.)
Thank you, Christine. I like the puns. My title today is a pun. It means: 1. It matters to have HEART. 2. It matters to have A heart. 3. Matters of the PHYSICAL heart. (Wherein I share my diagnoses.) 4. Matters of the HEART. (Wherein I share my feelings.) That's all I can think of. :)
DeleteSo many meanings to one simple phrase!
DeleteI'm checking in to tell you that I'm thinking of you today and praying for you often. Enjoy this beautiful week!
Thank you again, friend! :)
DeleteAdding my prayers as well... Sometimes it's hard to share personal details but I'm sure that by sharing yours it will touch someone else who needs to be uplifted.
ReplyDeleteThat means so much, Tonia. I sure hope I can help uplift someone. Thank you! :)
DeleteHi Adriana,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your health news with us. I can tell that your readers -- including me! -- really love you and care about you. I will join in praying for you, too. :)
By the way, this may be a very simplistic question, but do you drink a lot of caffeine? I had some tests and wore a heart monitor maybe 7 years ago because of a slight heart murmur and palpitations. I wasn't diagnosed with anything, but I was advised to stop drinking regular coffee and switch to only drinking decaf. That made a big difference. I still sometimes drink regular caffeinated tea, but that doesn't seem to affect me like coffee.
Have a wonderful day! : ) Hopefully we'll both get some Oliver Twist reading in!
Thank you so much, Sandy. I deeply appreciate the love and prayers! And thank you too for sharing some of your health history.
DeleteI have cut WAY back on caffeine; however, last week, when I wore the heart monitor for 24 hrs, I DID drink regular coffee. I was curious what the reading would look like if I drank a couple of cups in the morning. But your story certainly affirms that the decaf path is best.
I'm hoping to get in about an hour of Oliver this afternoon! Blessings, friend!
I have read and reread your post several times in the last week, hoping for inspiration in writing some comforting words. But where my human words fail, our loving God never fails. He holds you (and your family) in the palm of His hand. I'll pray for your health and for God to give wisdom to your doctors.
ReplyDeleteChristine, this comment means a lot to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and prayers. I'll be honest -- the day I got home from the cardiologist (before my kids got home), I curled up on the coach and had one good cry! But the next morning, I began to experience the peace of God in a way I never have before.
DeleteP.S. My young children stared at the electrodes which were stuck all over me. I told them I was a robot (in my best robot voice)and I made stiff movements with my arms until they were squealing with laughter. So they are fine. :)
Hi Adriana, I stopped by your blog today in a few spare moments, and was surprised to read your news. Thank you for sharing it with us! First I was sad, then I looked up Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome on Wikipedia (which was more confusing than helpful), then I came back and read all the comments and was encouraged. I especially liked this comment. A good cry is often the pathway to the peace of God for me. I've been told that it's good to process all of our emotions before God - the good and the bad - so that nothing "gums up" the works and the peace of God can flow to us. I just read Phil. 4:6-7 and prayed it for you! Maureen
DeleteP.S. Just subscribed to your blog so I don't have to remember to stop by. Much love, Maureen
DeleteMaureen! Thank you so much! I'm truly touched by your kindness and affirmation -- and of course the prayer! :)
DeleteIt's lovely how a little blog community grows. When I first started blogging I felt pretty much like I was all alone in a big city. Now I have many friendly neighbors. I just LOVE it when you come by for a visit!
P.S. I hope to post an update here soon. It's been a crazy week -- 3 kids with fevers!!!
Dearest Adriana - it is so brave of you to share this. XO It is scary to be so vulnerable about something that is so very close and real to you. I'm so glad you have some answers. SO glad you understand what is happening to you and know how to deal with it. I'm hugging you tight from Australia, understanding the fear, anxiety, and pain you are facing, wishing I could take it all away, yet utterly confident that you are more than strong enough to walk through this. XOXO
ReplyDeleteI'm hugging you back, precious Krista. Once again I'm stunned by the timing of our reunion! I'm in awe of YOUR strength in light of what you've been enduring. I had no idea until just recently . . . I'm blessed to have your example as I learn to shelter myself from the negativity which can erode the health of ANY person! Much love to you my dear friend!
Deleteoh, I'm trying to read all the posts i have missed because i am free all day and i see this. So that's what all the hibernation for one month all about. I am sorry to hear that but you know what my mom and dad have heart conditions as well. My mom has a heart bulb something and if she's tired or tries to walk or hike or do extreme activities(w/c for us are not) she may faint, there was this one time her heart stopped beating for 2 seconds. But from what ive noticed, ever since they knew about it my parents started to become more human.(every day was like hell for us before, my sister and i even run away from home for 1 day, but my parents did not notice or know that was our intention-haha)Yea, ever since they knew- I noticed my mom become softer and prone to laughing all day (i never knew my mom was a wonderful comedian). I guess it has taught them a wonderful, wonderful lesson in life to have: teach us to number our days. It sounds scary now that i'm writing it, but I guess it has put things into perspective for them somehow. My siblings and I, we all felt the change.
ReplyDeleteWow. It must have been scary when your mom's heart stopped beating! I can't imagine.
DeleteBut how comforting it must be to experience her laughter so often! "Laughter is the best medicine!" It's wonderful that you and your siblings felt such a positive change. Truly, NONE of us knows how much time we have! Life is precious.
And now here is a prayer for your parents:
Lord, Please bless each of Sheena's parents with a long, healthy life. Thank you for the perspective they have gained through their diagnoses. May we all remember that we are mortal and choose to take JOY every day! Thank you especially for the gift of laughter which you've given Sheena's mother. Bless Sheena's entire family with your peace and protection. Amen.
Wow, thank you so much :) That's what i often pray for my parents too. Long life and joy for them to experience God's presence. Life truly is precious. Thank you so much for your prayer. I felt truly blessed by it. :D
DeleteAnd this is for you:
Abba Father, I pray for Adriana for her heart to trust you. The God of tenderness, may she experience your tender love for always. Abba dear I do not know what to pray next... please meet her in all her needs. And heal her and entertain her with your humor. :) Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Oh, i forgot "Amen".
DeleteSheena dear, I am moved to tears. So sweet and wonderful to pray with you right here on my blog! I'm sending you a big hug! You are my precious sister in Christ. ♥
Delete