my journey with a hole in my heart
I’ve been feeling so much better lately. My energy is improving all the time. No significant chest pain, and I’m recovering from workouts so much better than before. I can do a full hour on my elliptical relatively easily and feel completely fine the next day, as long as I have enough rest days. I …
I placed a heart on the Wall of Gratitude at Royal Columbian Hospital! It warmed my heart being able to give back. It was also more emotional than I expected! On the drive there I was getting teary, thinking back over the last year. So many tests, appointments, uncertainty, fear, but I’m so grateful to …
Today is my six-month heart anniversary. Six months ago today my ASD was closed via cardiac catheterization. It’s amazing to think back to those first few weeks, how sick and scared I felt, and compare them to now. I have so much more energy than I’ve ever had! I’ve moved over the last two weeks (mostly …
This month marks one year since finding out I have an ASD! What better way to celebrate than by having a stress test 😛 I headed to ERH early this morning for my test with Dr. D. After putting on a gown and getting all the electrodes and belt attached to me, I was able …
It’s already been two months since my ASD closure and things are going pretty well. I no longer have to see the Interventional Cardiologist (Cardiologist #2) anymore, so I’m down to only one Cardiologist. I saw both of them for a check-up the last week of July, as well as my GP, and I was …
On Tuesday/Wednesday I did my first Holter Monitor test. I went to hospital (ERH) at 2pm and they hooked me up to the device and sent me on my way. I kept a diary of any events that occurred and noted the time they happened. I had chest pain and shortness of breath while walking, heart …
I found an excellent research study that sums up what’s going on with me: Conduction Abnormality and Arrhythmia After Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defect [pdf] Conclusion: Transcatheter closure of ASD is associated with a transient increase in supraventricular premature beats and a small risk of conduction abnormalities and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in early follow-up. Transcatheter closure …
I have now been acquainted with heart butterflies, aka, atrial flutter. Let me backtrack… I was still feeling short of breath whenever I’d exert energy, i.e. having a shower or trying on different outfits, and my chest still felt like I was wearing a lead vest, so I called Cardiologist #2, and was able to …
There actually isn’t an elephant in the room, either literally or metaphorically, but it certainly feels like there is one sitting on my chest! Chest elephants, unfortunately, lead to ER visits. I had been recovering quite nicely at home with the help of my mom and sister. However, I think I got a bit too …
Surgery Day finally arrived! My day started at 5am with pre-surgerical instructions to drink a cup of juice at this early (dreadful) hour. 😉 Then I went for a little walk, got ready, and headed to New Westminster with my mom. I got a phone call shortly afterward that they could take me in earlier than …