As you may be aware I am now the proud owner of a St. Jude Pacemaker. Picked it up from Amazon with Prime shipping. Gotta love on-line shopping.
Seriously, a special thank you to all our friends and family that followed my crazy journey the past 2 1/2 weeks. Your prayers and support are very much appreciated by both Carol and I. Modern medicine is such a wonderful thing and its truly amazing the quality care, professional knowledge, attention to detail and accurate diagnosis you can get from a hospital in a town of just 2,000 people. They even had a helipad which allowed for my rapid transit from Afton, WY to Idaho Falls, ID. It's a hard squeeze to get a pilot, two EMT's and an overweight 74 year old into a Bell helicopter. The EMT sitting behind me finally had to put his hand on my shoulder and ask me to lay back and stop rubber necking as we were flying over the Caribou National Forest of Idaho. That was about the same time my cardio version unit kicked in and gave me 25 straight shocks to get my heart in rhythm. That was not a fun part of my adventure. Everything is good now and I see my doctor near the end of July so they can interrogate the pacemaker. I'll start back at the walking park in the next few days and Carol and I can keep busy working around the house and taking day trips.
As John Wayne once said...."Courage is being scared to death--but saddling up anyway".
Love, Dad.....Big O
Friday, June 26, 2015
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Monday, June 15, 2015
Half way there !!
Got to Casper after a beautiful 6 hour drive in time to visit Lou Tauberts Ranch Supply store in old downtown serving homesteaders with goods since 1919. I'm sure a source of supplies for my Dad's (Smitty) parents as he spent most of his young life in this area. Then met up with Bub & Sue at the FireRock steakhouse for a delicious "comfort food" meal. On to the Black Hills to continue the adventure in the morning. Owen is doing very well and now has 3 nagging "wives" to remind him to keep his left arm below his waist. Looking forward to his first real shower in the morning.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Black Hills or Bust
FRIDAY:
"We had a restful day. Everyone tested their blood pressure at home and a-ok. Packed up food and clothes for our early departure to Casper for the night and on to the black hills for an adventure with other couples, that Sharon has been planning for a while. Will take lots of photos and notes along the way.
Dad's doing really well. The incision is a little sore and rest is a necessity but he has been incredibly involved, clever and funny."
SATURDAY:
"Left right on time for our road trip . Packed to the brim."
"We had a restful day. Everyone tested their blood pressure at home and a-ok. Packed up food and clothes for our early departure to Casper for the night and on to the black hills for an adventure with other couples, that Sharon has been planning for a while. Will take lots of photos and notes along the way.
Dad's doing really well. The incision is a little sore and rest is a necessity but he has been incredibly involved, clever and funny."
SATURDAY:
"Left right on time for our road trip . Packed to the brim."
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| On the road again.........just not in a helicopter this time :) |
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Thursday Afternoon
The doc just left ....gave us the ok and I can't believe he can do anything but raise his left arm. Two more follow ups to watch for infection etc. They use screws now to hold the wires in the heart so there is less danger of pulling them out. Now we are waiting for the discharge nurse and that could take an hour. We have the Cox's ribs waiting for us at home so "getter dun pleeze "
He said he would be a "10" if he had a shower and that could happen at home!
He said he would be a "10" if he had a shower and that could happen at home!
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| Big O with his 19yr old BYU-Idaho nursing student :) |
Thursday morning update
He's using 13% of the pacer and can't raise his arm for few weeks or more until it heals.
2am was a great hour for him. He marched around and avoided the bed pan if you know what I mean. We're getting all the things checked off here this morning and waiting for the doc. Dad just got his breakfast and I need to help.
2am was a great hour for him. He marched around and avoided the bed pan if you know what I mean. We're getting all the things checked off here this morning and waiting for the doc. Dad just got his breakfast and I need to help.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
5pm Update
They are still checking his vitals , his blood pressure is perfect but he can't get up until 2am because of possible bleeding from the groin where they inserted the temp catheter .
They are gradually unhooking him from all his lines. They will release him tomorrow. And now I know how to properly unfold my chair into a bed. The instructions were hanging on the side :)
They are gradually unhooking him from all his lines. They will release him tomorrow. And now I know how to properly unfold my chair into a bed. The instructions were hanging on the side :)
Havin' fun & cinnamon buns
Dads in his room, awake through the whole procedure, had lunch and
cinnamon bun, X-ray and doing great. Has to wear this for a while.
Mr. O's Wild Ride
Greetings family & friend,
I wanted to bring everyone up to speed on a recent medical setback for Owen. He is doing well and resting in Idaho Falls at EIRMC (Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center). I will do my best to explain the details, but without being there, I am sure I will leave out some worthwhile information.
Following Owen & Carol’s arrival to Star Valley WY on Sunday night, Owen had 2 occassions on Monday where he passed out for a short period of time (one at the Post Office and one at home). They decided to go to the hospital in Afton and quickly follow up on their concern. He continued to have short periods where his heart rate would drop, and at times briefly stop, and he also had some spikes in his blood pressure.
Here are some texts I was receiving from my Mom Monday night/Tuesday morning:
-No news on ct scan but should be soon. They are giving him an IV of potassium as it showed he was low. And a shot of ativan to relax the vessels. He feels fine, they are waiting for a room assignment. I will keep you up when I know anything.
-We don't know yet it may be a secondary problem. His heart rate dramatically dropped as he was passing out again. Dr was in in an instant. They got it back and his pressure down and by him observing it realized problem solved. Not stroke, heart attack, or seizure, it was the blood pressure he was put on after his ablation . They are going to get him in a room and do more research and tests tomorrow
-(The doctor) even gave me a hug when we found out it wasn't a clot and just now when he brought me the waveform. He's on top of it. The other med deletes potassium so he needs to take that. He's on his third bottle now. There's a chance he may stay 2 nights. Bob and Sharon are going to leave mammoth at 4am tomorrow to miss some weather so they will be here but don't know yet about dad because they went to bed early. Ps dads bp is finally normal thanks to all the meds they have given him.
-Dad slept well after coming to his room. Had breakfast and had another 5 second drop in heart beat. He can feel it coming on so I rang for the nurse and they found it on their Wave form. They hooked him up just now to a wave machine that will work like a pace maker and catch & correct these drops in the heart beat. Pacemaker may be in his future. Will wait and see.
-The machine just "jolted him off the bed" with an electrical shock like the paddles would but not as strong. I think they have it set a little high at first to test it? They are in the room before I get my finger off the button.
Then came the big news from Carol yesterday morning:
-He gets a helicopter ride to Idaho falls for a pacemaker in a few minutes . I'll keep you informed. I'm driving.
-He's so strong. The zaps were coming often but no pain. He just took off, I will pick some things up at the house and then to EIRMC. I will keep in touch
After Owen’s fancy helicopter flight, he arrived at EIRMC and they implanted a temporary cathadar in him with a wire that went to his heart. This would help to stabilize the irregular heart rhythms until they could do the pacemaker.
-Dad had already had a temporary cath put in to make sure it is necessary to put the permanent one in, probably tomorrow depending on how this one reacts. I talked to the dr that did it and they need to make sure none of his eye drops or meds interfere with the pacemaker.
Sharon & Bob arrived yesterday afternoon, and what a blessing that was. I know their presence was a great relief for Owen & Carol, not to mention the mexican food that everyone but Owen enjoyed for dinner :)
Here’s a couple of notes from Carol this morning:
-It's a beautiful day, just read some incredible scriptures on the strength God gives us as we need it and not to give into discouragement or distractions. It's going to be a great day. Dad seems chipper and looking forward to his breakfast but taking that last shuteye before it gets crazy. As for my bed, they need to give lessons on how to unfold this puzzle. I got it 2/3s open but not in the correct order but I managed to sleep fine. How's your family doing? Dad did some texting with luke after the game, that was good.
-Looks like he gets his pacer today after 12:00 so I get his breakfast! He wanted the pacer with WiFi and they looked at him like he was crazy, but it will have wireless I'm sure. I gave him a sponge bath and we brushed his teeth so he's feeling good.
The doctors have diagnosed this as Sick Sinus Syndrome. Here is what the Mayo Clinic website says:
Sick sinus syndrome — also known as sinus node disease or sinus node dysfunction — is the name for a group of heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) in which the sinus node — the heart's natural pacemaker — doesn't work properly.
The sinus node is an area of specialized cells in the upper right chamber of the heart that controls the rhythm of your heart. Normally, the sinus node produces a steady pace of regular electrical impulses. In sick sinus syndrome, these signals are abnormally paced.
A person with sick sinus syndrome may have heart rhythms that are too fast, too slow, punctuated by long pauses — or an alternating combination of all of these rhythm problems. Sick sinus syndrome is relatively uncommon, but the risk of developing sick sinus syndrome increases with age.
Many people with sick sinus syndrome eventually need a pacemaker to keep the heart in a regular rhythm.
Please keep Owen & Carol in your continued prayers, and we will update the blog with more info as available.
With love,
The Browns
I wanted to bring everyone up to speed on a recent medical setback for Owen. He is doing well and resting in Idaho Falls at EIRMC (Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center). I will do my best to explain the details, but without being there, I am sure I will leave out some worthwhile information.
Following Owen & Carol’s arrival to Star Valley WY on Sunday night, Owen had 2 occassions on Monday where he passed out for a short period of time (one at the Post Office and one at home). They decided to go to the hospital in Afton and quickly follow up on their concern. He continued to have short periods where his heart rate would drop, and at times briefly stop, and he also had some spikes in his blood pressure.
Here are some texts I was receiving from my Mom Monday night/Tuesday morning:
-No news on ct scan but should be soon. They are giving him an IV of potassium as it showed he was low. And a shot of ativan to relax the vessels. He feels fine, they are waiting for a room assignment. I will keep you up when I know anything.
-We don't know yet it may be a secondary problem. His heart rate dramatically dropped as he was passing out again. Dr was in in an instant. They got it back and his pressure down and by him observing it realized problem solved. Not stroke, heart attack, or seizure, it was the blood pressure he was put on after his ablation . They are going to get him in a room and do more research and tests tomorrow
-(The doctor) even gave me a hug when we found out it wasn't a clot and just now when he brought me the waveform. He's on top of it. The other med deletes potassium so he needs to take that. He's on his third bottle now. There's a chance he may stay 2 nights. Bob and Sharon are going to leave mammoth at 4am tomorrow to miss some weather so they will be here but don't know yet about dad because they went to bed early. Ps dads bp is finally normal thanks to all the meds they have given him.
-Dad slept well after coming to his room. Had breakfast and had another 5 second drop in heart beat. He can feel it coming on so I rang for the nurse and they found it on their Wave form. They hooked him up just now to a wave machine that will work like a pace maker and catch & correct these drops in the heart beat. Pacemaker may be in his future. Will wait and see.
-The machine just "jolted him off the bed" with an electrical shock like the paddles would but not as strong. I think they have it set a little high at first to test it? They are in the room before I get my finger off the button.
Then came the big news from Carol yesterday morning:
-He gets a helicopter ride to Idaho falls for a pacemaker in a few minutes . I'll keep you informed. I'm driving.
-He's so strong. The zaps were coming often but no pain. He just took off, I will pick some things up at the house and then to EIRMC. I will keep in touch
After Owen’s fancy helicopter flight, he arrived at EIRMC and they implanted a temporary cathadar in him with a wire that went to his heart. This would help to stabilize the irregular heart rhythms until they could do the pacemaker.
-Dad had already had a temporary cath put in to make sure it is necessary to put the permanent one in, probably tomorrow depending on how this one reacts. I talked to the dr that did it and they need to make sure none of his eye drops or meds interfere with the pacemaker.
Sharon & Bob arrived yesterday afternoon, and what a blessing that was. I know their presence was a great relief for Owen & Carol, not to mention the mexican food that everyone but Owen enjoyed for dinner :)
Here’s a couple of notes from Carol this morning:
-It's a beautiful day, just read some incredible scriptures on the strength God gives us as we need it and not to give into discouragement or distractions. It's going to be a great day. Dad seems chipper and looking forward to his breakfast but taking that last shuteye before it gets crazy. As for my bed, they need to give lessons on how to unfold this puzzle. I got it 2/3s open but not in the correct order but I managed to sleep fine. How's your family doing? Dad did some texting with luke after the game, that was good.
-Looks like he gets his pacer today after 12:00 so I get his breakfast! He wanted the pacer with WiFi and they looked at him like he was crazy, but it will have wireless I'm sure. I gave him a sponge bath and we brushed his teeth so he's feeling good.
The doctors have diagnosed this as Sick Sinus Syndrome. Here is what the Mayo Clinic website says:
Sick sinus syndrome — also known as sinus node disease or sinus node dysfunction — is the name for a group of heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) in which the sinus node — the heart's natural pacemaker — doesn't work properly.
The sinus node is an area of specialized cells in the upper right chamber of the heart that controls the rhythm of your heart. Normally, the sinus node produces a steady pace of regular electrical impulses. In sick sinus syndrome, these signals are abnormally paced.
A person with sick sinus syndrome may have heart rhythms that are too fast, too slow, punctuated by long pauses — or an alternating combination of all of these rhythm problems. Sick sinus syndrome is relatively uncommon, but the risk of developing sick sinus syndrome increases with age.
Many people with sick sinus syndrome eventually need a pacemaker to keep the heart in a regular rhythm.
Please keep Owen & Carol in your continued prayers, and we will update the blog with more info as available.
With love,
The Browns
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| Carol's bed in Afton hosptial |
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| Owen getting ready for the ride of his life |
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| Carol's smile is saying "why does he get to ride in the helicopter and I don't?" |
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| The Brown's & the Cox's.....what a blessing! |
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| Owen doesn't look right when he's not wearing his matching navy blue t-shirt |
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| What's wrong with this picture? Bringing donuts to the cardiac wing of the hospital:) |
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