January BP

I have been posting my monthly Blood Pressure sheets on an alternate page but I can't access them from the blog. So I thought I would put them up here for a cross reference.

The Next Ablation

I got the word yesterday from Dr. Byazrova's office that I am scheduled for an Ablation on Wednesday, February 8th. The procedure will be taking place over in Coeur d'Alene at the Kootenai Hospital. Dr. B lives over there and really likes the Op Room over there.

I'm happy to go wherever she is comfortable.

Goat Report

It looks like I'm on my own here at work today. Both the ladies I work with called in sick. It appears the flu is going around Spokaloo and hitting it hard. I got my flu shot a while back so I am hoping I'll get past this.

I'm still recovering from gout knee. I have full range of motion again without too much discomfort. But there is still an ever so slight twinge of pain. I am drinking my Cherry Juice most every day and I hope that keeps the Goat at bay. 

The next thing to hit hard is mo' sno'! It looks like we will get some tomorrow and then it turns to rain on Wednesday. Depending on how that goes, it could make the snow we have on the ground awfully sloppy.

End of Gout

As one may recall, I was wearing a Holter Monitor last weekend. A Holtor Monitor is worn for 48 hours and records what is happening with the heart during that period with everything one may do during that period...except showering.

I returned the Monitor last Monday and got a message from Dr B's office on Thursday. I called in yesterday and talked to good ol' Steve. He informed me that Br. Byazrova wants to do another Ablation. The results from the monitor provided enough information for her to make that decision. 

Steve told me he would get it set up and let us know.

Dr B primarily works out of Coeur d'Alene and would prefer to do the Ablation in her lab there rather than in Spokane. I told Steve I will go wherever Dr. B is comfy.

I am still firmly in the grips of gout but it is much better today than a week ago. The trajectory of this ailment goes like this. 

I felt the first twinges of soreness in my knee two weeks ago, all the way back to last year on December 31st. I probably felt it even before that date but I can definitely say I felt it on the 31st.

The zenith of pain was last Saturday and today, a week later, I am almost pain free. There is just enough to remind me it's still visiting and will probably return.

Dentist Appointment

I had a Dentist appointment at 7AM this morning and everything went well. I was scheduled for a cleaning and that's what I got. I guess my gums and teeth are in okay shape and I was not told of any problems they saw. I have another appointment in three months and we shall see how things are at that time.

Body Talk

I don't do a very good job of listening to my body. My self-diagnosis of gout days after I felt the first twinge of pain in my knee is proof of that.

It finally occurred to me why I've had the Explosive Diarrhea all weekend. It's the cherry juice I've been drinking. I didn't have any yesterday until I got home from work. Then, later in the evening, my stomach was gurgling loud enough to record followed by the return of the E.D.

I had a glass this morning because I decided that the diarrhea was better than the gout. The pain in my knee is fading but not gone yet. 

I was hoping to start a daily regimen of a glass of cherry juice. I hope my body will adapt as I consume it more. It doesn't seem to like concentrated amounts of fruit. It doesn't get much fruit as it is. I need to get more fruit and veggies into my body. That's another thing I'm not very good at.

The Dance

Today I have to dance the delicate waltz of posting in this blog that is dedicated to my health issues and weigh it against some of the more unappealing health issues my body engages in.

I have had a fairly miserable weekend with the gout knee. I am now 90% sure that it is gout I am suffering from with this knee. I must learn to be more proactive. I felt the soreness as early as last weekend. I've been taking my gout medication and drinking a tankard of cherry juice. My knee is much better today than yesterday.

However, I have an additional ingredient to add to the health issues mix. I cannot trust my farts. If I feel a burst of gas coming on, it is best for me to head for the toilet and fart there. I will save myself a lot of soiled underwear as long as I continue to follow that policy.

So there it is...the dance. I feel pretty good about it even though I don't feel pretty good. How about you?

Return of Goat Knee

I have been feeling a soreness slowly building in my right knee over the past several days. Today it is full bloom. It hurts no matter what position I keep it in. It really hurts to drive as the position I need to keep it in to operate the peddles is one of great discomfort.

I took one of my gout pills this morning but so far, it has not helped. Frankly, I don't think this is gout. Gout usually effects the extremities. 

The last time I had an outbreak, it was in my toe back in early October.

In any event, I need to be tough and soldier on.

That's not usually how I roll.

Electro-Physiology Appointment

I met with Dr. Byazrova today. We went through the normal pre-appointment rigmarole, getting my blood pressure and temps and weight and such. Steve came in and downloaded the past few months information from the new Defib Machine. I had an arrhythmia on Dec. 10th but my heart worked itself out of it. That was the only one I had.

When Dr B came in, I talked about my low stamina and crappy breathing. She listened to my heart and thought she might have heard some pvc's. Those are extra beats...pre-beats.

Anyway, she thought the best way to proceed was to put me on a Holter Monitor and see what my heart does over the next 48 hours.