Out of hospital and THANKS **Updates Post #63, #109, #136, #158**

[Desnik]

Thanks for the update Dan! Glad to hear you are going home. Take car of yourself!!

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

good to hear! update us later!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Well, I got home about 2 hours ago. Sat down to rest a bit (you would think I had enough rest the past three days ), open three days of mail and had a bite to eat.

As I said in my OP on this thread, I really, really appreciate all the good thoughts, wishes, prayers and comments expressed on my earlier thread from Tuesday, this thread, emails and PM's (have not opened those yet, will leave for tomorrow I think, my eyes are glazing over and I am tired again, I suppose from pace of since early Tuesday AM ) You guys really know how to help assist in making an old guy well again, and I do appreciate it, a lot.

As for my heart, they determined it was atrial flutter, as opposed to atrial fibrillation, similar, but different in some respects (funny, what an education one can get in a several day visit to ER/hospital, and you are the reason for the visit). It is basically an irregular heartbeat, stressing the heart, but more of of concern, leading to possible clots and subsequent stroke.

While the medicine drip they gave me for about 24 hours did bring my pulse to a more normal 65-70, the arrhythmia was still there. So the next item up the scale to correction was a cardioversion, shocking the heart out of its irregular pattern and into a good one.

Vince was there most of yesterday morning and afternoon (he had to get a sub to fill in for him at the station), Marie and also one of our very good friends. I will tell you, it sure was nice having Katlyn, and ER RN, there most of the day and evening on Tuesday, and Vince, firefighter/paramed, there yesterday, being able to ask them what was going on, what does that mean, what do you think (not second guessing for sure, just their thoughts).

When they tell you, 'don't worry, we will have the cardio doctor, a couple regular cardio nurses, a respiratory specialist all on hand, and a 'crash cart' in the hall outside the door', it can't help but get your attention, create apprehension. They were all wonderful though. They gave me the extremely quickly acting anesthesia, (out, though still awake I guess, in about 30 seconds, out for about 10 seconds and then awake again, with no recollection of the procedure ), gave me the powerful shock, and it was over. As I opened my eyes (actually, I guess I never really closed them, I just thought I did) and the drug rapidly dissipated, the cardiologist was there, thumbs up, saying 'we are sinus', med talk for a correct heartbeat. When the doctor left the room to tell Marie, Vince and our friend they could come back in, he gave them the thumbs up also. They came back in, and we were all smiles again.

Vince had to leave after the procedure, getting back to his shift, as the FF who subbed for him had been scheduled to take his own wife to her doctor late in the day, but as I said, was nice to have him there. Our friend left late afternoon.

Natalie came, along with Ken, and a nice surprise, Jeremy. Now there are some real smiles. But Jeremy did not want too much a part of his Papa (me) last night, LOL. I think he was thinking, 'That is not my Papa'. Four days without shaving, messed up hiar (what's left), one of those designer hospital issue gowns, and a myriad of hoses, wires and assorted other stuff all over me and around the area. But having him there, along with Nat and Ken, really made my day complete.

Everybody left by about 10 PM. I was exhausted, having slept the previous night less then 30 minutes, if any. I brushed my teeth, was asleep by about 11. Slept through till about 5, other then several wakeups by the night nurses to get blood pressure, temp, etc.

I had a good breakfast, and then a parade of doctors (most importantly the cardio guy) and staff and it looked like I would be leaving. Marie got there mid morning and we sat around, again, seeing doctors, nurses and staff. The cardio doc gave me a very low dose beta blocker I had to fill when we left for home, that he said I will probably be on going forward. Low dose as my blood pressure is fine and a bb lowers that some too. So it is kind of a balance to keep the heart in rhythm and not lower bp too much.

We were finally able to start heading home about 4 PM I guess. It is great to back home. Though tired, I wanted to stop by for this update. I apologize for not an earlier update (I saw there were many requests for one on the other thread, but I was either too busy or too tired to do so yesterday). And again, I so much appreciate your concern, thoughts, prayers and whatever else you all did for me, now, and in the past too.

I will do the PM's and emails tomorrow, I think I will be heading to bed, a non adjusting, no rails, no buttons, plain old king size bed, in short order here. I just took my pulse/BP with my wrist pulse/BP monitor link, (BTW, it was this little 'gadget', that I have had and used for a number of years now, that indicated conclusively back on Tuesday, giving me a 140 pulse rate on 6 readings over a 45 minute period of time) and it is currently 92/54 and pulse of 60. I guess the DIS is not pushing me over the edge tonight, LOL.

Once more, thanks.


Dan

 

[*Fantasia*]

I'm so glad to hear that you're going to be okay. I hope you'll be good as new real soon! Take good care of yourself.

Telly

 

[WDWAurora]

I just saw this....I hope you're doing well, and get a lot of good rest at home. We are all thinking about you and praying for you around here. You're a great friend around here, and we look forward to you feeling back to 100%!!!

 

[MinnieMe87]

So glad to hear you are home! Take care of yourself and get rested!

 

[diznygirl]

 

[sam517]

Glad your home safe and sound!

 

[Buckalew11]

Such a relief to read your post!!!!! You scared me!

Hope you can rest and get to feeling better quickly.

Hugs, love and prayers again, Dan.

 

[Jillpie]

Dan, I am so happy to hear you are home. Thanks for all those details. Before I became a SAHM 17 years ago, I worked in a CCU (I'm an RN), and witnessed a few cardioversions, so I know exactly what you went thru. What a trooper you've been, and I'm so glad you had such a supportive family to see you through all this. You did fantastic, just great. I hope you get a great uninterrupted nights sleep, with no beeping. Welcome home!

 

[minniecarousel]

Thanks for the explanation, Dan. You were on our minds!

Now, relax and get a good night's sleep!

 

[Mamu]

Dan so glad to hear your going home and doing well.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Enjoy sleeping in your own bed tonight Sounds like you are getting all the care you'll need!!!

 

[disykat]

I'm glad you're home. Rest well!

 

[hellokitty86]

Get some rest! So glad to hear you are out of the hospital, and also that your little grandson got to visit with you!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Thanks so very much for the update! Hospitals are definitely busy places. No wonder you didn't have time to update then. Moderate Sedation is wonderful and weird at the same time.

I'm glad you're back home with your family now! Be good and keep your doctors' appointments to be sure you keep the right amount of medicine going. And stay away from any bp/pulse raising threads on the DIS!

 

[HERSEY]

I'm glad you are feeling better and resting at home. I'm sure Marie is glad also Take care my friend so you can attend many more "meets".

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Glad you're at home and resting.

 

[ToTLaugher]

Dan,

So glad you are home and doing better. I somehow missed all this news! Guess I am not spending enough time on the Dis!

Take care of yourself. I bet your grandson will be glad to see you now!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Dan, I'm so glad you are feeling better! I don't usually come here to the CB anymore, but someone allerted me to your medical issue, and I had to come and give my support and prayers for your quick recovery.

Hope you are feeling better, and can stay that way!