This is just a quick post as I’ve been away from blogging for several weeks. Nothing to report much in this post on the travel front, but in the next post I’m working on a write-up of our recent cruise on the Celebrity Beyond, which we took in late July/early August to the Caribbean.
We had a wonderful time, but that’s definitely the last Caribbean Cruise we are taking in the peak of the hot summer months! Back home here in Florida, the weather has been so hot, with temperatures hovering close to 100 F, and the actual heat index even hotter. I guess that’s to be expected living in Florida, but as I’ve lived here for 25 years, it feels hotter every year! It’s even too hot to go in the pool, so we’ve stayed inside mostly.
A week after we got back from the cruise, I was scheduled to have an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) installed, which is a combination heart defibrillator and pacemaker in one unit. This is a big deal since I had my major open heart surgery nearly two years ago after the ill-fated Alaska cruise where I ended up being airlifted to Seattle for a 12 hour plus surgery, later spending two months in Seattle between the hospital and later hotel for inpatient treatment and follow-up.
The new ICD device is fairly small, but much larger than the “Micra” pacemaker I have now (which is about the size of a multi-vitamin) and has no wires, unlike the newer ICD device I will be getting. I’m not sure the exact device model I will be getting, but they all look very similar to this one, and I know I will be getting the three wire ICD.
While I’ve mostly adjusted back from the surgery from 2 years ago, my heart’s pumping ability (ejection fraction is still only 25 and it should be more like 50); the pumping action is not nearly as efficient as it should be. I’ve been taking heaps of prescription meds for the last couple years, but it hasn’t had much effect on the ejection fraction, and my energy level is not what it should be, while my pulse rate is pulsing consistently around 40; quite low due to my current pacemaker settings.
I’m hoping this upcoming surgery will help with my energy level, plus it’s (hopefully) not needed, but a blessing if it is, provide a shock should I have a heart attack. I have a tiny “MICRA” pacemaker now, which was installed temporarily a couple years ago, but it has no wires attached to it, and will have to be removed during this upcoming surgery. I’ve been watching YouTube videos about ICDs, but there are very few current videos; i.e. within the last six months to a year,, and even fewer on the BV-ICD (Biventricular ICD) which is what I need. They all look very similar and depending on the unit may require 2 or 3 wires. I will require 3 wires for my BV-ICD which is common for people with Congestive Heart Failure such as me.
Steve (DOS) also has an ICD, but for different reasons, and is actually on his second unit now, as they need to be replaced approximately every seven years due to battery life. He is using a St. Jude ICD device, while my new ICD will be made by Medtronic, which is the same company that manufactures the tiny “MICRA” Pacemaker I have now.
A couple days before my ICD procedure was originally to be done, unfortunately, Steve (DOS) gave us both COVID tests at home, as we would have these at the hospital anyway prior to the surgery, and wanted to do a quick pre-check just in case. Surprisingly to both of us, we both tested Positive for COVID, even after having 4 shots over the last couple of years, and having had a minor case of COVID once over two years ago.
We tested a full week after our Celebrity Cruise, and while we felt fine on the cruise, and even the week we got home, I’m wondering if we caught COVID from the cruise? We didn’t see or hang around anyone who seemed sick, but I understand people can carry the virus undetected for weeks. Who knows? Anyway, I had to cancel and reschedule the surgery I was going to have on the following Monday, (and this was on a Saturday) but fortunately got the surgery rescheduled for 3 weeks later, which is now scheduled for this Friday, August 30th.
Over the time we tested Positive, I did not have any of the COVID symptoms such as high fever, coughing etc.. Steve (DOS) did end up having what seemed like a mild cold, but would never have thought it was COVID if he hadn’t tested for it. He had a high fever one day, and cold-like symptoms for 3 days, and by then, we both tested negative again for COVID. There’s supposedly a new COVID vaccine due out in September; I guess this is like a yearly thing now, similar to the Flu?
Anyway, that will do it for this quick update. I’m getting a bit anxious about the ICD implant in 3 days. I should only have to be in the hospital overnight, but the recovery at home will last a while; basically keeping the infection away, not lifting things, no raising hand over my head etc. I’m mainly worried about sleeping and moving around too much. We’re actually both doing well now; it’s just this hanging procedure that’s making me nervous. Prayers appreciated!
For my next post, I’m going to go out of chronological sequence: today is Tuesday August 27, and my next post will be on the Celebrity Beyond, which was the week of July 27 – August 4th.
Stay healthy and safe! Cheers!