Saturday, September 22, 2007

9/22 Yesterday's EP meeting

Hi Everybody - I really, really, really appreciate having so many of you wishing me well, posting, PRAYING. It does help and I want to thank you.
Yesterday I met with the first electrophysiologist (Dr. Melby) who said it does indeed point to a heart-attacking virus, although he was perplexed that I didn't first catch a whole-body virus that left me vomiting and feverish, but I didn't. He took me off of the two meds that the regular cardiologist had me on because even though they had been doubled twice, they were not putting a dent in my symptoms. (Grinding, rumbling heart, tightness, backache, lightheadedness if I stand up too long, the sensation of whole-body oxygen-debt if I walk up the stairs, etc.)

So now I am taking Indomethacin and Cartia XT. Hopefully the latter will ease the tightness. Dr. Melby said that I have paracarditis, which is affecting the lining of the heart, not the muscle, which is GOOD, and that's why I feel the tightness in my chest and upper back. I will likely be in this for another two months, but when it's over, he expects I won't have any lingering symtoms.
But that still makes Twin Cities marathon a definite "no", and Ironman Florida a "probably no". Even if I have whipped the virus, byNovember, I will not have trained a single day for 9 weeks. So an Ironman would be my first day back? I would have to guess not... even for someone like me who thinks training is overrated!

Anyway, I apparently am having a blast in Colorado.

I got to meet some ponies:


... and Kevin Bacon....


... and I even got to direct traffic! "Slow down 'fore Mama gits yew!!!"


The relay team (Puke-and-Rally) is having some hardships out there. Mark S. tripped and fell tumbling on his 2nd leg, which left him with a nasty gash on his knee and cuts and scrapes on his back. Being dark, I guess there was nothing to do until daylight, but he may need stictches. Brooke got sick and has been just sleeping in the back of her van while her 4 van-mates are running her legs for her. Jeff S completed his 2nd leg only to get to the exchange point, wet and freezing and find that his van went to the wrong exchange point. After 20 minutes he just took off running agian towards the next exchange hoping to meet them, but they were doubling back to meet HIM, so there was some confusion and they lost a lot of time. Last year they were the only team of 5, so obviously they won their category. But this year there are 5 teams of only 5 (called an Ultra team), and they want to hold onto their title.

My van? No hardships, other than aches from incessant bellylaughs. My van has Joe and Jeff and really, I have never known funnier people and to have them BOTH in the same van must really be something. I can't wait to hear wahat Stronger thinkks! So they are having fun, and will have perfectly toned abs by the finish later today.
... now I see I've befriended a bear...
... was taken for a lovely afternoon stroll...
... and have become art in somebody's yard... Joe-Bobby git yer haind offa mah breast!!!

17 comments:

Spokane Al said...

I am so very glad to hear that your doctors seem to be getting a handle on things and have determined the cause of the problem.

Bob Dylan suffered from a very similar problem a few years ago and is back on the road, and I hope you will be too!

Take care, take your meds and get well soon!

jbmmommy said...

Glad to hear you're getting answers and they sound like good answers since, as you mentioned, nothing's attacking your heart.

Continued prayers that your treatments and recovery are quick and successful. Good call on IMFla, there will be more Ironman events, you've only got one body so rest it and take care.

Laurie said...

I'm glad the doctor switched your medications being as the others weren't making a different. Hopefully they will work their magic quickly and the scary irregular heartbeat goes away soon.

I've been thinking about you a lot and I will continue to do so. Take care.

Fe-lady said...

Great to hear that the diagnoses has been made and long-term prognosis is GOOD! I know it will be hard for you NOT to race this fall-but continue to look at the big picture. You WILL race again, and more importantly, you will recover and be around for those who love and need you! xo

greyhound said...

Sounds like good news to me.

So . . . Ironman Canada '09? Lake Placid? New Zealand? Throw me a bone . . .

brendaj said...

Thanks for the updates. I guess you'll be joining me in my non-training state for a while. I'm still trying to find other things to do to occupy myself! Please take care...we're still praying for you.

Unknown said...

Sounds like things are looking more positive. YAY.

And you're having fun in Colorado. LOL.

As for Ironman Florida. I'd have to say that is not a probabl no, but a definate no based on the time off you need to take. Please stay safe and take care of yourself. :)

You're in my prayers.

21stCenturyMom said...

That last pic is hysterical!

I'm glad your other self is having so much fun. The self that didn't get to go to Colorado will be out on the fun trail again soon.

Duane said...

Heal up! And great photos of your trip :-)

Brent Buckner said...

Good news on the prognosis.
Funny photos!

Thanks. Best healing wishes.

Unknown said...

wow, girlie. i just had to catch-up on all your goings on for the past month. can i just say: HOLY CRAP!?????????

i will henceforth speak no more of revolting ovaries. or, bad moods. i hope that you get this thing figured out ASAP. my dad had heart problems where the valves were fighting each other and kind of spasming. they had to go in and fix it through surgery. while they were in there, they noticed a birth defect in his heart and got that fixed at the same time. it was pretty painless and he was up and out of the hospital in a couple of days.

anyway, hope that yours doesn't come to that, but if it does, just know that you're paying these doctors like a GAZILLION dollars. they HAVE to be good. ;)

take care!

Di said...

I am sorry to hear you'll be on the non training, non racing side for a bit. Thankfully, it's only for a short amount of time and then you'll be back up to your Iron ways!
Thanks too for the updates on the trip!!
BTW- are you still going to IMFL even if you don't race?

RunBubbaRun said...

Wow, seems like you are hitting all the tourist sites out there :)

Glad to hear that this might not have any lingering effects after the doc fixes you up.

I know it will be hard to stay inactive for that long.. But I know you can bounce back in no time..

the Dread Pirate Rackham said...

Oh Jenny. I missed you.

And I watched him take the picture of you next to Kevin Bacon at Exchange 7 or 8, I think...I thought, that looks like Jenny - I should go talk to him! And then I got diverted...

I'll PM you

Glad there is a light at the end of your tunnel, still thinking of you!

Tammy said...

Hi IronJenny, so sorry to hear about your virus, but it sounds like the prognosis is good! I've heard such great things about you, and just dropped in because I have an athlete doing IMFL for his first, and heard you would be there... Guess the powers that be want you to take a little break ;) Happy travels in Colorado. ha!

TJ said...

bummer you won't be at IMFL. but it sounds like you've made the right call. hang in there and get yourself well.

DV said...

Stay strong Jen, and you'll be back in the grind before you know it...