My latest adventure....

So, for my 35th birthday I was privileged to get some 'body work' done!  No, not THAT kind of body work....arthroscopic knee surgery. I injured my left knee playing ultimate frisbee at the end of October.  After about 2 months of pain and 'lock knee', I finally decided to get an MRI (you'd think that by working in the health care field, one would work a little faster than waiting for 2 months.....). 

The MRI showed 2 tears in my meniscus and arthroscopic surgery was in my future.  I scheduled the surgery for my birthday, but only because that was the only opening that they had in the month....so, you take what you can get!

Surgery went well (I guess -- I was under anesthesia), however they found that I have a rare (10% of the population) meniscus....discoid meniscus .  Of course, I am the one with some rare anatomical difference -- doesn't really surprise me!

Well, in the recovery room I was experiencing PVC which the electrical circuit of your heart isn't totally in sync (there is a much more medical explanation if you click on the link!).  During recovery I was having trigeminy and at my follow up MD appointment I was having bigeminy -- which is basically an irregular heart beat either every 3rd beat or every other beat.  So, off I go for testing....

Initially, my doctor wasn't too concerned, because he thought this irregular heart rate could be from a combination of the anesthesia and pain medications I was on for the first 3 days after surgery and he said it may just even out on it's own.  I guess there are people that have these "PVC"s all the time and don't even notice them.  I, on the other hand, can feel my heart pounding out of my chest each time it happens.  It occurs for about 30 seconds 2-3 times an hour.  On a good day, I feel them about 3-5 times throughout the day - maybe 3-4 times total.  Today, on the other hand, I felt them about 3-5 times an hour every hour.

I had an echo cardiogram yesterday that demonstrated a normal heart structure, but a problem with the electrical circuitry in my heart.  I spoke with a cardiologist today who, at first, wasn't too concerned.....until the BIG *red flag* questions:
1) "you haven't been having any chest pain recently, right?"......um, well, actually I have been -- twice in the past month -- a heaviness in my chest with it radiating down my right arm (the typical 'heart attack is down the left arm)
2) "do you have a family history of heart disease?".....um, well, yes.  My dad had a heart attack at the age of 55 (the big number -- 55 or under is significant for family history)

SO, now I go to see the cardiologist on Monday and suspect more testing....

When I turn 35, I REALLY get my money's worth with a birthday!  Also, February is Women's Heart Disease Month.  So, please check out the link and wear red to support the "Go Red For Women" campaign sponsored by The American Heart Association.

More details to follow.....as I learn more.