Category: Health

Posted on

Cardioversion

While it’s been a while since there has been an update on my journey, things are still happening. The latest has been a cardioversion yesterday, July 15, 2025. I’ve asked a guest author to explain. 

Dearest gentle reader,

It has come to this author’s attention that a most intriguing procedure has been the subject of much whispered curiosity amongst the ton—one known as cardioversion. Allow me to illuminate the facts, as only Lady Whistledown can.

When the heart, that most steadfast of organs, loses its rhythm and begins to dance to an irregular beat—most dreadfully termed atrial fibrillation or its cousins—the esteemed physicians of our society may recommend what can only be described as a positively strawberry, vanilla strawberry French toast or anything like that in there as well instead an egg over easy, bacon, sausage, bacon shocking intervention[1][3][7].

On the appointed morning (no later than seven-thirty, for scandal despises tardiness), our patient arrives at the institution of modern medicinal achievement, having forbidden themselves food, drink, or even the slightest dab of lotion since midnight—lest it interfere with the orchestrations to come[1][3].

With due ceremony, intravenous lines are introduced, the patient draped in dignity and electrodes, and—most crucially—granted the mercy of a gentle slumber by skilled hands[7][5]. As somnolence claims the patient, the doctors deploy their external paddles (not entirely dissimilar to a fencing duel, but for the heart), sending a carefully measured current through the chest[1][3][7]. A single jolt, or sometimes more, is often sufficient to restore the heart’s beat to its proper tempo. The entire affair, readers, often concludes in mere minutes, leaving barely a hair out of place as the patient awakens, memory mercifully blank, and the prospects for renewed vitality much improved[1][3][7].

The aftermath? The patient is forbidden from driving carriages—or their modern equivalents—making critical decisions, or imbibing spirits for the rest of the day. Indeed, propriety dictates an escort be arranged in advance to whisk the convalescent safely home[1][3].

Thus, dear reader, the scandalous irregularities of the heart are remedied—not with tonics or ton gossip—but with science, precision, and a little electrical intrigue. How titillating.

Yours truly,
Lady Whistledown

FYI it was successfully!

Sources: [1][3][7]

Sources
[1] Cardioversion | University of Ottawa Heart Institute https://www.ottawaheart.ca/test-procedure/cardioversion
[2] What do you hope they do about the Lady Whistledown narration? https://www.reddit.com/r/BridgertonNetflix/comments/1ecv1fi/what_do_you_hope_they_do_about_the_lady/
[3] Cardioversion therapy – Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada https://www.heartandstroke.ca/heart-disease/treatments/surgery-and-other-procedures/cardioversion-therapy
[4] Metaphors and Their Meanings in Lady Whistledown’s Utterances in … https://kneopen.com/kne-social/article/view/10625/9746
[5] Cardioversion: Procedure, Treatment & Recovery – Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16952-electrical-cardioversion
[6] Bridgerton: Why The Show Reveals Lady Whistledown Earlier Than … https://screenrant.com/bridgerton-lady-whistledown-identity-reveal-early-books/
[7] Electrical Cardioversion | Johns Hopkins Medicine https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/electrical-cardioversion
[8] Let’s Discuss the Bridgerton Finale’s Whistledown Reveal – Vulture https://www.vulture.com/article/bridgerton-finale-lady-whistledown-reveal.html
[9] Cardioversion – Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cardioversion/about/pac-20385123
[10] Bridgerton: Why Julie Andrews Is The Voice Of Lady Whistledown … https://screenrant.com/bridgerton-julie-andrews-lady-whistledown-voice-explained/

Courtesy of Preplexity :

Write an explanation of the cardioversion procedure in the voice of Lady Whistledown from the Bridgerton series.

Posted on

Ketchup

The AI assistant thinks the tile of this post should be “My Ongoing Health Journey: Updates and Challenges”. Not bad but I like “Ketchup” better. 🤣

For some reason I’ve been procrastinating about keeping the Journey blog up to date so this post is to catch up. While the Journey blog has been quiet, my Journey has been quite busy, too busy.

Well, where did I leave off? By the Numbers was a bit boring with just a recount of blood work numbers. Cardio Chron was a simple list of dates around the heart surgery.

While the heart surgery went well it didn’t accomplish all the goals. There was a plan for bypassing three arteries but only two were possible. As they had expected the radiation from the cancer treatment had damaged the area needed for the third bypass. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a measurement of how much blood the left ventricle pumps out of the heart with each beat. My Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) prior to any treatment was 59-60, a decent normal range. After chemotherapy my LVEF dropped to about 55 and then with some bike work recovered up to 57. After the heart surgery my LVEF is estimated to be 35-45. There are various opinions if this function can recover. While waiting on the recovery, my heart is running at sub-capacity which limits my cardiac abilities.

Shortly after getting home I fell in the kitchen. I passed out briefly due to postural hypotension. This triggered a 911 call and next thing know I’m back in the hospital. Shortly after this I develop a chest infection in the area of the heart surgery incision. This requires a lot of antibiotics both in hospital and at home over 5 months to get under control.

Next is yet another side-effect of the bypass surgery, fluid collection in a pocket at the bottom of my left lung. They call it pleural effusion. I get referred to a lung specialists and have several litres of fluid drained off in his office over a couple of visits. This fluid is compressing my left lung and shows no sign of stopping so I get referred to a thoracic surgeon.

The thoracic surgeon proposes a pleurodesis surgery. The surgery goes well and appears to work. At his point I’m hopeful this is the last “thing” and I’ll recover and stop seeing doctors and hospitals. However, another “complication” arises and I’m frustrated that my heath issues just never seem to end. This is certainly testing my faith and it’s getting harder to trust in God’s goodness and healing powering my life.

I get a cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing when laying flat. I consult with the thoracic surgeon and he’s not concerned. The impression is that this is typical and will resolve on its own. As it persists I consult with the lung specialist who basically says he can’t do anything and I should stick with the thoracic surgeon’s advice/help.

Things continue to get worse with cough, shortness of breath, and I’m easily exhausted by even minor activities. I’m getting worried and at one point I call everyone I can think of to try and get some help. Feels like I’m pushing the panic button. Finally I consult my GP. He is pretty sure it’s pneumonia and starts me on antibiotics and requests a chest X-ray. The X-ray shows it’s a pretty bad case of double pneumonia and congestive heart failure (CHF).

The antibiotics start helping within a couple of days and my coughing is subsiding and I can breath a bit easier. Still quite tired and breathless on exertion. I’m left wondering when and if this will correct itself. Feeling a bit helpless with not being able to do very much physical activity.

The rower is idle, no energy or breath to workout.
I’m just supposed to rest and recover.

I get a referral to my cardiologist regarding the CHF. He will likely request an echocardiogram of the heart and then prescribe some form of treatment. A May 6th appointment is lined up.

Stay tuned for more excitement on The Journey.

Posted on

By the Numbers

I didn’t forget about you and the numbers are good! There were some dips as a result of the surgery which were expected and are recovering nicely.

Hemoglobin and Platlets
Neutrophils
WBC and ANC
Posted on

Cardiac Chronology

Time has flown by and also dragged by all at the same time. A conundrum eh? Some dates to bring a little more order to what has been happening.

DateEventDays
2024-01-15Cardiac pre-op meeting in person-15
2024-01-22Dr. Fagan phone consult with OR date (Jan 25th)-8
2024-01-25Dr. Fagan call to cancel surgery (#1) but still check in-5
2024-01-27Fords visit at the Asper Center-3
2024-01-28Des & Eric visit at Asper Center-2
2024-01-29Dr. J Hong  cancel surgery (#2)-1
2024-01-30Dr. Michael Raabe surgery0
2024-01-30Fords Visit0
2024-01-31ICU – Des visits1
2024-02-01Moved to Cardiac Ward from Cardiac ICU2
2024-02-01Eric visits, Mandy & Boys Facetime2
2024-02-01Blood Products – ICU2
2024-02-02Blood Products – Ward3
2024-02-02David, Merrill, Scott & Boys visit3
2024-02-04Discharged home at about 5pm5
2024-03-20Cardiac Clinic w/ Dr. Raabe50
Posted on

Going Home

Me, my new pillow and my chauffeur are going home.

It’s Feb 4, 2024 and I’m returning home with all my “stuff”. Two nurses helped out getting it all down to the car.

Posted on

Day One

It’s January 31, 2024, the first full day after the cardiac surgery. I’m still in the Cardiac ICU.

Hooked up to a couple of things

Today’s goal is to be monitoring me and disconnecting most of the leads and tubes. Once I have a met a minimum mobility goal of walking to the elevator, about 30-40 feet, a majority of wires and tubes will be removed.

I’ll qualify for the move down from the 5th floor to the 4th floor, the dedicated cardiac recovery unit where I’ll stay until discharge.

As I’m doing this blog entry on the evening of Friday February 12nd I’ll likely have forgotten some of the details. It’s been quite a journey this time. More painful and challenging in many ways than everything that has come my way so far.

Thanks to all our family friends, and church friends for their ongoing support and prayers. We feel the love and God is still good, still on the throne.

Pages: 1 2 3
Posted on

Day Zero

It’s on! I’m up at 6am for one last shower with the special cardiac soap to lighten the germ load then a “special” shave and under a nice warm blanket for a zip down to the 2nd floor surgical suites.

We’re into the pre-op holding area where I meet several members of my surgical team. Lots of questions and discussion confirming why we’re all here. Before I know it, I’m being wheeled into the OR!

This is where time and events start to blur. It’s a long 5-6 hour surgery during much of it I’m unconscious.

Once I’m in the OR I get introduced to the team, about 12 people. They are all wonderful and very reassuring. The head nurse seems to be running the overall show until the surgeon Dr Raabe arrived and takes over. His first job, among many things, is to run the checklist, BTW the Manifesto book is a good read and the manifesto is a Doctor invention that has saved a lot of lives in the OR.

Next up is the anesthesiologist, there are two of them. The Senior Dude is guiding the apprentice to put a central line on my right wrist. Just a little freezing, and ouch! It’s in and he’s fastening it down. Then the head guy puts the gas mask on me. “It’s just oxygen” and then it’s not and I’m in la-la-land for the duration. Next he puts in another line in my neck and again it is sutured into place to keep it from moving.

Speaking of the OR, one of the first thing that goes on to me is two thin pieces of very cold plastic about the size of my palm, one in the small of my back and the other is on the side of my rib cage. These are defibrillator paddles, just in case. Shocking!

Serious stuff happens here and I‘m unconscious for about 5 hours. 100-120 minutes of that time my heart is stopped and I’m on the bypass machine.

I find out later that they only did a two bypass rather than the three they had planned on due to the fact that there was too much scar tissue from previous radiation treatments for the lymphoma.

I wake up in the ICU recovery room and I open my eyes to see Shirley 😍

There are a few tears of relief and thankfulness for both of us and I try to say something but can’t as I still have the breathing tube in.

Reader warning! My editor has not reviewed the next couple of blog posts as I work to catchup on my journey. There are likely to be typos, spelling mistakes etc. which will get fixed but if you’re reading this for the first time in an email, reader beware 🙂.

Posted on

Another Date

Well, at around 1pm today my surgery was cancelled. The new date is January 30th with a 6:30am start and the actual surgery at about 8am.

This is the first slot of the day and while cancellation is still possible it’s a bit less likely.

A new date means a new anesthesiologist and a new surgeon. I met the anesthesiologist this afternoon and he informed me that the new surgeon is Dr. Michael Raabe.

The delay was initially a little disappointing after getting prepped to go ahead today but being first of the day when everyone is fresh feels better. Both Shirley and I are taking this as a positive change.

A good friend brought this to our attention “delays are often God’s way of working everything out for our good” or “delays are often divine detours”. God is good.

Posted on

The Date

Current surgery date is January 29, 2024 and I’m the “second case” which means starting the process at 11:30am and actual surgery likely to start at about 1pm.

We’ve been advised all along that any scheduled date is subject to change based on priorities of the moment. This morning when learned I was second case the nurse mentioned that if the first case goes long then it’s likely the second case would get bumped to another date. Praying that things go ahead as currently planned.

Posted on

Cardiac Catch Up

Cardiac Unit in here
View from my Room 4-56

This morning, Thursday January 25, 2023 I’m in the Cardiac Unit of St. Boniface Hospital in the Asper Building. There have been several emails and texts as Shirley has been keeping people informed on this part of the Journey and this post is to gather that all together to catch everyone up on what’s been happening.

On January 12th we had the pre-op meeting which went well and then we were waiting for the phone call with a surgery date. We got that call on Friday January 19 and the date was set for 6:15am today, January 25. On Monday January 22nd we got another call from the scheduling folks and the time was changed to 11:30am. No problem, and this was actually a better time as we could have a normal start to the day and not get up at 4am!

This morning we get another 8am phone call with another change of plans. It’s the surgeon, Dr. Fagan, and he talks to us about a couple of concerns that arose yesterday during the full team meeting about my bypass surgery. He expressed two major concerns, the first being my low platelet count thanks to cancer treatments and my bout with febrile neutropenia in June/July. Low platelets increase the risk of bleeding as they are a key component in blood clotting. The second concern is the possibility of tissue scarring in the area where they are going to be operating. The tissue scarring is caused by cancer radiation treatments. They know there is scarring but it’s unclear how much and what impact it will have. They won’t know until they open me up and have a look.

So while I look pretty healthy, and various health professionals say I’m a good candidate for the surgery, on paper the numbers have a different story to tell. And, in medical jargon I have some interesting “co-morbidities” ,cancer (in remission) and Crohns, (perhaps) which the surgical team are taking into account.

Another reason for the delay was that the surgeon didn’t want to do it late in the day but preferred a first thing in the morning surgery. I think this is to be cautious with having a full day and possibly more resources available if there are difficulties.

As a result of all this there will be no surgery today (25th) and the Hematology group is being called in on a consult to get their thoughts on the issues. To make this consult happen faster I’m admitted to the hospital so I’m readily available. Plus, I’m now wired into the cardiac system and my heart activity is monitored and recorded via a wireless telemetry system. I certainly feel that I’m in a safe place given my current condition.

Through all of this Shirley and I have had amazing support from our family, friends, and church friends both near and far. We’ve received so many encouraging emails, texts and phone calls. You all have helped lift us up.

This delay is certainly challenging for me emotionally. Waiting and getting psyched up for the surgery and then having things change brings its own anxiety. A friend summed it up bluntly this morning.

Well that sucks!

Both Shirley & I had a great laugh when we read that, which was a welcome relief.

So, what to do about the anxiety? God’s Word to the rescue in today’s Verse of the Day.

Certainly, anxiety is not good and very unpleasant. My challenge now is to take these thoughts captive and pray about everything.

Thanks for reading