Emotional support

The EP covering for the weekend came by early in the morning after I returned from getting ready. The fellow had told me he’d be coming in and covering while they were gone for the weekend. He was in the procedure yesterday and had first-hand knowledge of the case. He first mentioned that he remembered us, but we’d likely not remember him. I assume it was before the transplant; we had an EP consult, but we saw so many doctors then. He said he remembered us because we were so nice! 

Going over things in depth, he started showing us the EP study shots on his phone. He was showing exactly where they ablated and where the arrhythmia had moved to in relation to the sinus node, the heart’s natural pacemaker. When showing us the screenshot of the study, brightly colored in blue, green, and red, with yellowish spots of ablated areas, you could almost see a ridge area. I asked if that was the crista terminalis, and he popped his head up and looked astounded. He quickly asked if they had told me that. I said I asked specifically about the location, and they mentioned that. He was still floored; he said if they hadn’t told me that, he would have fallen out on the floor; either way, he was impressed! I told him I like to be informed about things. I added a picture for reference, but I’ll see if I can get the actual study pics from the EP.

He spoke of how they wanted to be conservative in their approach to the sinus node, especially given her history. Amanda asked how much of the old heart was left after he said it was in a normal rhythm. He said a large portion of the native heart was left behind on the back of the left side to prevent the need to sew individual veins up. It still amazes me that they left some of the native heart, but it was understandable once he explained it and that it had a different rate! 

Once Amanda got up for the first time, her rate didn’t budge; it stayed steady at around 110. It is lower than 140 but still considered tachycardia, a rapid heart rate. She had blood all over her, but not as bad as I had expected. I’d asked the nurse for a few things to get her cleaned up. He was confused and said, oh, you’ll do this we said yes. Later, I told him I had this and that I just needed him to change the bed linens. If you’re a fan of Dances with Wolves, this is where I’d insert the “Good trade” line!

I went to get coffee not long after; it was still an early morning, I was hoping not to miss the rounding cardiology team. When entering StarBs, I saw my buddy; he quickly hopped back and went to get the door. I asked hey, can I get you anything, without missing a beat, he said, “A lemonade and a donut”! When I came out and handed him the drinks and snack, we talked a bit and introduced ourselves. When I told him my name, he said that’s a good name. I joked with him that he’s of the age, about five to ten years older than me, where he’d get my usual reference to my name. I used to say like the basketball player, but with the younger generation, that doesn’t work as well anymore, I’m getting old, I guess!

Our friend brought a half dozen donuts yesterday from Round Rock Donuts. I was texting her this morning, and she mentioned maybe warming the donuts up so they would be good. I told her no need because I’d already emotionally eaten them all by late last night! A fat boy still lives in me, and in 2024, he’s emotionally eaten a lot with the year we’ve had. Amanda’s support food is french fries, so I knew where I’d be heading for lunch today. I made the trek to Children’s to get Chick-fil-A, but they were closed. I’m batting zero with them so far!

Amanda really wanted fries; when I called to tell her they were closed, she quickly said aren’t you going to Target later? Just go now and grab lunch. It was laundry day, so I was headed to buy new undies! I’m not about to try and find a wash and fold or laundry mat just for undies and tank tops! Amanda needed a few things, too. There wasn’t food on our list, but that didn’t stop me from getting a few things. Amanda wanted some socks; her heels hurt after yesterday’s procedure, and the rough hospital socks bothered her. I searched far and wide; it took me a minute to figure out I was in the girl’s section at first! Finally, I found the women’s socks and came away with a selection of heart socks and a pair of grippy socks, too. 

After Target, I was picking up a mobile order from Chick-fil-A en route. Someone needs to work out a sponsorship for us from there and Starbucks; we’d take payment in rewards and stars! On the way to get lunch, I noticed a traffic signal box with a heart on it. We’d seen it while living here after the transplant and wanted to take a picture at it. We finally did on our first heartiversary. I long for that feeling on that trip. It was a high. The “we made a year mark” is a significant accomplishment for transplant patients. A feeling of we made it, we’ve got this.