Tuesday, December 01, 2009

So... What's Up?

You may have noticed two things about this blog lately. First, it has taken a bit of a pessimistic turn. Almost cranky about all things. Secondly, the lack of daily posts. There is a reason for both.

I'm starting on my fourth week now of being really, well, not well. I think it was manifesting itself in my writings and observations for awhile before I quite realized what was going on. At least I hope that is the reason that I was taking such a cranky view of everything around me. Sure, I can be snarky at times, but I never want to be perceived as just plain mean.

Things finally came to a head the night Hurricane IDA was supposed to hit us, but never did. I just say that because it is a way of me marking time since I had my first attack.

It started out as a coughing spell that lasted three hours and left me weak and my heart racing. I have since learned three things: I have a slightly enlarged heart, chronic bronchitis and high blood pressure.

I am working with my doctor and we are trying to get this all under control, but it is not unusual at all for my pulse to beat at 125 beats per minute. It feels sometimes like my heart is going to just beat right out of my chest. Especially lying in bed at night. That is the scariest time. Feeling my heart racing in my chest and wondering if I will cross the finish line before I wake up or not.

Tomorrow I venture over to Cancun to see a cardiologist. Hopefully he will have some good news. Or at least something different to try to lower this heart rate and bring my blood pressure back down to normal.

Meantime, I am tired, worried and exhausted. Thus the lack of posts. I just don't have the energy or resources to come up with a witty blog every day. And I am certainly not out and about taking pictures right now.

So please bear with me. I will return to regular programming as soon as I can.

36 comments:

Ann said...

Hopefully you'll get some help & encouraging news when you go to Cancun. Thinking good thoughts!

Theresa in Mèrida said...

Wayne,
that is awful! Of course, feeling poorly will affect your outlook. If you can meditate it will help the BP and heart beat some.
Husband used to have high BP, but his is under control now, but that has more to do with a change of lifestyle than anything else. You are already attractively svelte so losing weight isn't an option.
If you need to come to Merida for health care, give me an email.
regards,
Theresa

One Small Voz said...

Wishing you the best in Cancun, hope you feel better.

Anonymous said...

Every day I log on and don't see a new blog entry it will remind me to send good wishes for your return to good health. Island Nana

Anonymous said...

You don't have to be "up" every day. Who on earth is? I can certainly relate to what you're going thru. I've been thru that same thing this past year. Finally they've gotten my meds right and I'm feeling much better now. Love reading your posts from my favorite place on earth. Hope you get some help.

Gloria, Roanoke, Virginia

john said...

Wayne--I'm glad you're getting professional attention and working on your health issues. I hope you get through all this soon. You are in my prayers.

Leo said...

Wayne - wishing you the best, and I hope you get good news when you go to Cancun.

RiverGirl said...

Wayne - Take care of yourself. My father had the same set of problems and was dead by 44. He couldn't stop smoking, or worrying, and it killed him.

We all care about you and want you to be healthy and enjoy life.

Calypso said...

Take care of yourself amigo - we need you around!

Anonymous said...

Hope you find the cause and get feeling better...I don't know if your thyroid has been checked? but a very high heart rate...maybe losing weight? and the irritability and lack of ability to sleep can be associated with thyroid disease...I would ask them to check it...it may be cardiac but sometimes it is something else that gets ignored because cardiac is the first thought. Good Luck

Life's a Beach! said...

Wayne, so sorry! I was feeling horrible about a year and a half ago and went to the doctor. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure -- really high! It took about a month to adjust to the new medication, and the sofa was my best friend for awhile! Hope the cardiologist takes care of that racing heart pronto!

I miss reading your posts every morning, but take it easy and get well first! We can try to entertain you for awhile! : )

IslaZina said...

I am glad you are dealing with it. Cardiologist here are great! But you looked so well when I saw you in Costco. You just take it easy. We miss your blog, but that's just computer stuff. We don't want to be missing you!

Anonymous said...

Take care of yourself amigo...I quite enjoy reading your blog.

Saludos

Anonymous said...

Get well, feel better. We depend on you.

Michael S

KfromMichigan said...

I wish you all the best amigo! Worry is not good for the heart. I agree that meditation does help. Sit on your porch and think good thoughts. I've have been on blood pressure pills for several years. Good luck with the cardiologist. Try to keep us all updated .. cause we love you and your blog.

Sam and Bob said...

I do enjoy your blog. You are very witty and clever. I hope you get some good news from the doctor and are feeling better soon.

Jackie said...

Sorry to hear this Wayne. I don't expect you to be upbeat and post every day. In fact I like some of your more cranky posts better than anything. I have been a bit depressed myself trying to deal with my mother's suddenly diagnosed stage 4 cancer.

Anonymous said...

I'll be down in two weeks. Should I bring my nurse Ratchet Uniform?

Nancy said...

I just assumed you had already seen a cardiologist! Wow.

I'm sure he will get to the bottom of this. Paul used to have a lot of cardiac issues but slowly but surely they were resolved one by one.

Sending you good luck, sweetie.

Andrea Healey said...

Wayne - feel better - As Island Nana says every day we log on we will send good thoughts. Blog when you can, or when you feel well enough.

Isla Deb said...

Sorry to hear about it, Wayne. Take care of yourself and hope you're feeling MUCH better soon.

Anonymous said...

Lad, I've been through things akin to your current travails ..... get the right folks to guide you through this .... it feels rotten, but there are solutions that'll make you as (almost) as good as new....

Chin up .... gettin' older isn't for pussies....

O Robert

Anonymous said...

Wayne, Hoping you are feeling better soon. You absolutely need some meds tweaking. No wonder you are feeling tired with a heart rate that fast !! Nothing to play around with. Hoping to hear good news soon.

lisa said...

You just get to feeling better and we will be here when you are better! Every one has a cranky day and I tell you what, sometimes it is more than a day or two! Take care.

ronnie said...

Sorry to hear about your problems,Wayne...we wish you all the luck and all of our prayers. We really enjoy your blog and your witty and keen observations about Isla Mujeres which we also call home. Always thinking about you.

Anonymous said...

Wayne ...ditto on getting that thyroid and parasthyroid checked. As long as you will more than likely get some labs drawn might as well include a TSH and PTH done.Calcium level BUN in other words the works !!!

Get feeling better soon curmudgeons
just keep going and going!

Bob from MN said...

Wayne,

Get well soon. I love reading your blog, it's like taking a mini vacation south of the border. You do so many nice things for others.

Thanks,

Bob

Caribbean Colors Belize said...

I am just catching up on reading my favorite blogs. I am sorry that you are not feeling well. I too was having some mystery symptoms and finally went to the doctor and found out that my blood pressure was dangerously high too. I hope you feel better!
--Lee in Belize

Steve Cotton said...

You have my prayers. How can we bounce things off of one another if there is no bouncer and bouncee?

Mic said...

You can add me to the list of those enjoying your blog. Looking forward to many more when you are feeling well again. Take care of you.

Megan said...

Take care of yourself....Sending out love your way...

CancunCanuck said...

Been thinking about you, hope things went well today. All my love sweetie, take care!

Anonymous said...

You take care of you. Sending good thoughts are prayers your way.

Unknown said...

sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well. I agree, you don't always have to "be on". hope you find out something at the doctor's.
sending your calm and peaceful thoughts from Iowa.

BlueSky said...

I hope you get well soon. I have had a racing heart my whole life, it started in my twenties. I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation. It's very scary when it happens so I know how you feel. I know that whatever you have is treatable and you will get well soon. You are much too loved and appreciated and have too much possitive energy flowing around you that will keep you going for many, many, many more years.... :)

Kathy said...

Oh Wayne - I thought you were just dealing with the flu. That is so scary but I'm glad you have a doctor there. Jonna found an excellent cardiologist in Merida also in the event you want to head over there.

Take care of yourself and don't worry about the witty reparte. Can we bring you the laptop? We need to head to CUN to look for an A/C anyway...Can meet you at the ferry dock?