Subj : Health Update
To   : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Sat Aug 20 2022 11:52:00

  A quick health update, as I haven't been in here in awhile.

  Just over a year ago, I was diagnosed with atrial flutter, with
an erratic to high heart rate of 155. This was likely caused by
my drinking a half gallon of diet green tea citrus a day. I had
given up drinking carbonated beverages, as they likely were causing
kidney stones. As a side note, they term Arkansas and Tennessee as 
"the kidney stone belt", due to the proliferation of cases of kidney 
stones...which may be caused by limestone in the water.

  While tea is a diuretic, the caffeine was like the energy drinks,
accelerating the heart rate. So, I got put on heart rate medication,
and a blood thinner, to prevent blood clots that would cause a fatal
stroke or heart attack. Then, this past March, I was diagnosed with
congestive heart failure, and put on Lasix.

  Shortly after that, in a follow-up with my cardiologist, he said
I should go ahead and have ablation surgery done. They do the surgery
outpatient, stripping you nude, and putting you to sleep. Then, they
go up through the groin to the heart, and burn away certain areas
where the blood tends to pool and clot, because of the erratic 
heartbeat. The procedure stops both of these from occurring, and one
can get off the heart rate medication (either diltiazem, rhythmol,
or something else) immediately after the surgery...but one has to 
stay on the blood thinner (Eliquis) for at least another month.

  Just over 4 hours after the anesthesia took effect, they were
discharging me to go home. I just have to take it easy for a few
days, but otherwise, I feel great. The doctor who did the procedure,
came highly recommended...several noted that "she's one of the best
in the central Arkansas area".

  I have a home health care nurse from my HMO coming by on Tuesday,
for the yearly wellness check. Then, the following Tuesday, I go in
to my PCP for the yearly complete physical, full blood work, and
diabetes check. Last month, I got a good report from the urologist,
and don't have to see him or the nurse practitioner again until next 
July.

  I did have to give up driving (and sell my car) 2 months ago, due
to my corneas constantly drying out. It would cause blurred vision,
and eye pain, hitting without warning...and, you obviously can't have
that while driving. While I'm on Systane Eye drops, it was just better
I quit driving. The eye pressures were 12 and 13 (which is excellent;
as they don't worry about glaucoma until the pressures hit 20), but
they have classed me as having "suspect glaucoma". They noted there
was no sign of macular degeneration, or danger of going blind. I also
have seen no signs of a detached retina developing...which requires
emergency surgery to prevent blindness.

  But, by giving up the car, I no longer have to worry about things
like gasoline prices, car insurance, property taxes, license tags,
car repairs (which can be in the thousands of dollars), flat tires,
etc. It is kind of a drag not being able to have the independence
to go where and when you want...but medical issues forced me to give
up driving...and I felt it best to do such, before I hurt or killed
myself or someone else.

Daryl

.... Deliver a pizza? Whoever heard of a liver pizza?
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