The week is over! Wow. This was one of my worst weeks in many. Monday morning this past week started with a bang. Well, there wasn’t much noise but blueberries cascaded about the kitchen like a 4th of July fire cracker. I stepped into the kitchen to get some blueberries out of the fridge, to clean some and sugar them for our morning cereal. John was outside explaining a subtle point of etiquette to a horse. I had 2 pounds of blueberries in my right hand and was moving … when I tripped over my imagination or the rug, do not know, and slammed into the edge of the counter-top Formica around the sink. It was full speed ahead. The bag of blueberries got two holes in it and berries exited from both, but my left arm hit the sharp counter edge, halfway between my elbow and shoulder. Immediately, I was in pain, and had a huge lump forming. This is not good to have internal bleeding in a patient on the blood thinner Coumadin. I first tried to pick the blueberries off the counter, still in the bag with — I thought — one hole, to put in another bag with no holes, but suddenly they started falling again out the back side hole. So, I sat down for a few minutes to rest. It was still swelling so I went and called to John to please come help. [Someone had to save the blueberries! JFH]
He had enough sense to tell me to call my family physician’s nurse, who said get ice on it to reduce the swelling, do that every 20 minutes on and off, she would contact the doctor, and I was to report back in an hour. Meanwhile, she called back to say to hold pressure on the ice. So I did. I started with a flaxseed bag that doesn’t get all that cold, but it worked. She suggested a package of frozen green peas, which later when we had to go to town, John got for me to use for the afternoon ice sessions.
The swelling went down (probably started at the size of a golf ball) after a couple of applications of the ice pack, and so then they sent me to the hospital for a blood draw to check my INR for the blood clotting factor… before the doctor wanted to decide on the change to my Coumadin dosage for the night and succeeding days.
I missed my exercise class because of all the excitement and being at the hospital for a blood draw. But, the swelling went down (although I still applied frozen green peas, once home from town).
Tuesday was spent totally on my back trying to rest and recover. That’s not good for keeping the muscles working. I did walk up the driveway and back that evening with a little bit of exertion and trouble. It started my atrial fibrillation which really hasn’t been bothering me in weeks.
Next day, was exercise class again and I forced myself to go. It was a most unpleasant experience. I sat out a lot of class without energy or stamina to join in. All my cohorts and my teacher are very concerned and responsive to me. It’s nice being with such a great group of supportive people.
Thursday, was not much better. I geared up to go to my music venue with the Fiddlers and Friends, at 2:00 to 3:00 at a local nursing home. I played the fiddle but did not sing along because it was just too taxing. I was not feeling well, and had no stamina.
During this week, however, I contacted both my doctors: the cardiologist in Yakima and the family physician. They are both concerned and we have upcoming appointments (this week and next). The cardiologist will have me for a week on a heart event monitor which will show them what my heart is doing all the time. I can also press a button to request a read-out report be stored on things when I feel stress.
I’m not looking forward totally to this coming week, the first in August, because it is my week in the Washington Old Time Fiddlers’ workshop classes. I am concerned at my low level of stamina how I will make it through the classes M-F from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There are afternoon and evening events as well – some educational, some just fun — which I know I will miss this year.
The nice thing, however, is that the people in charge know my condition, and plan to provide a room in the air-conditioned facility where we have classes, which will have a recliner and provide a place to escape to rest if (WHEN) I need.
Okay. That’s a long negative report, but I will try to do better, eat better, and all the other things.
Part of this is my mental attitude and depression about being worse off 2 months after the defibrillator implant than I was going in for it on June 1st. John thinks, perhaps, the many medications need tweaking.
Puppies – three still here – are still growing but remain cute, funny, and playful and we are looking for homes.
August is set to be a busy month. We wish for all of you the best, and will report back next week with better news.