I’m still here….I was just taking a minute..or two…or three, four, five…to get a few medical issues addressed. Plus, I’m starting new adventures but I’ll address that later. First, let me begin with my pacemaker fiasco at the KCVA….you would not believe! I can’t make this up!!!!
So, there I was with my low heart rate always being in the 40’s. I was used to it but it became a problem when I went into urgent care for one issue but the doctor wouldn’t address the issue I went in for due to my heart rate being so low. I just had a low heart rate, called bradycardia. And, before you even get any wild ideas, NO, I am not a marathon runner! I will only run if being chased by someone with a weapon or an animal that can maul me! Well, the cardiologist at the VA decided to place a loop recorder last year so my heart rate could be monitored. Fast forward to this past July.
I received a call from the cardiology department at the KCVA saying that I needed to be seen due to my recorder showing significant pauses. They said I needed to be seen ASAP but that they couldn’t get me in until September! Obviously, it wasn’t very “ASAP” if it could wait two months. Seriously?!?! What office calls you to tell you that you need to be seen ASAP but they can’t get you in for two months?! I know! The KCVA!!!!
Anyways – I was called about a week later and told there was a cancellation and they could get me in within days. So, I go in. I have a long conversation with the cardiologist and he tells me it’s time for a pacemaker as the pauses are considerable. I was scheduled for a leadless pacemaker but was called the day before my procedure to talk about getting a lead pacemaker due to my being tired and other symptoms that a leadless pacemaker would not help with. Less than 24 hours before my procedure they were switching it up on me…… it gets even better folks. This is only the beginning.
I arrive at my scheduled time the following morning. As I’m being prepped I make sure to tell the nurse I have Factor II blood 🩸. She says “ok”… and keeps going about prepping me. The anesthesiologist finds out I have Factor II blood and loses his mind. Let me be clear – this is not new information!!!! However, I have had to provide documentation on my blood information multiple times for it to be placed into my records with the VA. Here is the kicker. There is no specific button for Factor II to be placed into VA records. There IS a Factor V button, however. So, the anesthesiologist told me I had Factor V. I told him, “No, I do not have Factor Five. Please review my records! I know what blood factor I have!” I was so angry. The cardiologist came in and tried to tell me the same thing….i had Factor V. I almost lost my mind. Well – come to find out, when someone actually pressed the Factor V button in my records a message popped up that stated, “Veteran does NOT have Factor V. She has Factor II. There is currently no button to include paperwork for Factor II”! You can imagine the chaos in the preop room! Ridiculous! But, really VA?!?!? Get your systems updated!!!!!!! Once all of that was figured out and they had fresh frozen plasma ready for the procedure, I was ready to go.
Post procedure…I woke up and my bestie was there. My bestie flew in from Boston to ensure my girls and I were ok before, during and after the procedure. I was getting adjusted to everything but something felt off. I was short of breath and it felt like there was a boulder on my chest. I told my nurse and she listened to my chest. She had another nurse listen as well. The next thing I knew I was having an echocardiogram performed by the cardiologist and then a specialist. I was then transferred to the ICU for observation until I could be transferred to a different hospital. I had a perforation due to one of the leads and a cardiac tamponade, which is fluid build up around the heart. I was sent to a local hospital where I spent 2 1/2 days in cardiac ICU.
It’s been over 6 weeks since the procedure and I’m feeling much better. I’m definitely not 💯 but I’m getting there. I’m so glad my bestie was there to be with my girls and me! What was supposed to be a simple procedure was definitely NOT! My other bestie from high school was also at the hospital to visit me. She told them she was my sister as they told her only family was allowed back…this girl is 5 foot, nothing while I’m 5 foot 11 inches! She has black hair, mine is auburn. We look nothing alike. They let her back though! I have the bestest friends ever!
I can honestly say, I did not like my visit to Oz! The Wizard needs to be punched in the throat! I’m taking my dog and I’m going home…..🏠
Wait until I tell you about my brain scan at the VA…ugh!
Until next time….xoxo
Tracy
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