As I write this, we are driving east on I-40, returning to Indianapolis.John's cardiologist ordered a thirty day heart monitor. The second day, we received a call and were asked when we were planning to return to Indiana.
Our answer was that were were returning for all of John's check-ups in September after spending our summer in the mountains of Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado.
On the other end of the phone there was a slight hesitation and then "you need to get back here as soon as possible. John must have a pacemaker."
Instead of four to six weeks with our daughter Jojo, we spent two days before we left this afternoon for the long journey to Indy.
This has been a total shock to both of us. We, expecially me, are having a hard time wrapping our head around the thought of a pacemaker.
If it were a respiratory problem, we would not have been so taken off guard, but now, his heart? Good grief, what is next?
Well, whatever it is, we can handle it because of our faith in God / Jesus Christ.
So, here we are, traveling east through the Mohave desert. We have traveled to an elevation of over four thousand feet, crossed the Colorado River, and are back in Arizona with the scenery changing every mile or so. Our plan is / was to drive three hundred miles a day for eight days. I am not sure that is going to work. Now that we are on the road, we are both wanting to get this ride over, get home and to the cardiologist.
Today, we did not even qualify for Paul Dahl's PDD bronze medal. We drove only two hundred eighty one miles.
We have not driven Interstate 40 since we came out four years ago. We are loving the change of scenery from Interstate 10. The semi traffic is much lighter on this route.
Hopefully, tomorrow I will have a progress report.
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Until next time, God Bless.
Wow talk about an attention grabber! I certainly understand your concern though. My sister has had a pace maker for the past nine years, the technology is amazing. Hope ya'll have a safe trip and get back on the road when things settle back down.
ReplyDeleteThank you, we appreciate your encouragement.
DeleteGood Luck and Safe Travels!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cindy
DeleteSafe travels, and our prayers will go with you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rod and Sylvia, It is really windy right now.
DeleteOh no! So sorry you're going to have to do this. Don't forget to keep checking those weather reports. You don't want to get in any of the storms. Our hearts and prayers are with you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lady, We are under a severe wind advisory right now. Some of the reports from friends say the storms in the midwest have moved east. Your prayers are valuable.
DeleteI am praying for safe travels for you both as you hurry to Indianapolis.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol. Your prayers are so appreciated.
DeleteOh my word girl!!!! You are certainly in our prayers.... again. This is serious sounding stuff. But you are right your strength comes from the Lord!
ReplyDeleteBetty, We have met with another faith builder. Ya know, when we say "OK God, I can't take any more." Sometimes he says "oh yes you can if you lean on me and in the end, you will be stronger than ever!"
DeleteOh, Nan, so sorry for the abrupt change in your plans. Getting a pacemaker is a good thing for John...it will keep his heart safe. My understanding is that it's not a difficult "install". I'm hoping his doctor wants to make sure that he keeps John from an arrhythmia, discovered in the monitoring, and feels it's better to be safe than sorry. What a worry for you, though. Please know that my thoughts are with you on your journey, and that I'm anxious to read that all is well and that you can continue pursuing your dreams. You have, aside from real life family and friends, a world of people who care about you and John and are wishing you the best.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment. From my research, I have found that it is a two hour procedure and most of the time, they re adjusting the settings for pacing the heart's rhythm. He should be in the hospital overnight then followed up with checkups for some period of time.
DeleteDreams can be put on hold, John's health cannot.
We're praying that your travels and meeting with the cardiologist will go well. You will feel better to get this all behind you. Glad you're able to share the driving chores, too so John can take it a little easier.
ReplyDeleteThe prayers of the faithful are music to God's ears. Thank you. I had a bit of wind westerday, but today, it is going to be more of a challenge. He has discovered that the loves my reclining co-pilots seat.
DeleteWishing both you & John all the best on your emergency travels back East. Looking on the positive side it is truly amazing the Doctor was able to determine a problem with John's heart from so far away. The wonders of modern technology. Safe travels to Indy & with John's pacemaker successfully installed you will soon be making your relaxing way back to the land you both love so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks Al, Your perspective is one that we had not yet thought of. We needed that. You are right, a diagnosis from 2400 miles is something to be thankful for. Now, we get to plan a new summer adventure hen this ends.
DeleteOh my, what a shock. I remember so clearly when that happened to us. It's. mind numbing. Out of nowhere it seems. My B-I-L had also had one for years so hopefully this will be just a blip in the road.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement, Sherry. You are right about mind numbing. It has taken us a bit to wrap our minds around this situation, but thanks to all you and other bloggers, we have a different attitude today. Let's call it the ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.
DeleteTravel safe and all will go well.
ReplyDeleteNice that you are able to keep moving right along, taking turns driving.
Good luck with with turn of events.
Thanks George. I have always loved to drive.....anything....especially my Miata. The motorhome is a dream to handle. I just need to be aware that I have 56 feet behind me that I am responsible for. The semi drivers are so courtiious....they are the Kings of the road, for sure.
DeleteDrive carefully! And good luck with the medical issues.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristine! We appreciate your encouragement.
DeleteThe heart monitor was obviously a good idea - one that caught a problem with plenty of time to get it fixed - a true blessing to be thankful for. So sorry you had to cut the time short with your daughter, and that you have so many miles to travel over the next week :-(. Prayers for safe travels and an easy procedure when you arrive. Remember to breathe.
ReplyDeleteFrom the reports I am reading, Jodie, this pacemaker is going to be a wonderful tool to make John feel better.
DeleteCutting our time with daughter, Jojo was terrible, but we plan to be back with her for Thanksgiving in Borrego Springs and Christmas at a cool county park in a San Diego County Park.
drive safely as you head towards home..things will be better once the pacemaker stuff is all done!!
ReplyDeleteWe will be driving very safely today. High wind warnings are out and we may have to stop earlier than we would wish due to fatigue. We have to use our noggins.
DeleteSo glad the doctor ordered the heart monitor with plenty of time to fix the issue. A blessing to be thankful for. Sorry you had to cut your time short with your daughter and have so many miles to cover this week. Prayers for safe travels and an easy procedure when you arrive. Remember to breathe.
ReplyDeleteWe rely on this cardiologist because he is rated one of the very best in the U.S. Strings had to be puilled for him to to accept John as a patient. We are so thankful for him and his staff.
DeleteOh yes, breathe! Will need to use some of the breathing techniques that Jojo taught us. (She is a shrink).....
It's windy today so please be really safe. And remember - lots of people have pacemakers. I'd say about 30% of our park have them. And my Aunt Happy has had one forever. Doesn't help with the anxiety and worry but it shows that things will be okay when you get it taken care of. I want to hear from you every night. Love you guys and saying lots of prayers.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels to you as you make this journey. You are in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThe 2400 mile diagnosis. Mind boggling. So much of this is a result of the research done by space travel. I am in awe of progress and prayer.
ReplyDeleteOh Sandy, it surely is windy! We will be very careful. From all the encouragements I have read this morning, I am feeling much encouraged.....so is John.
ReplyDeleteBetween you and Jojo, we have lots of reports to send out. But, we appreciate your concern. Hugs.
Have a safe trip and wishing you all the best!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. So far today, we are doing just fine even though the wind is blowing!
DeleteI'm praying for John, and for you, that your drive will be quick and easy and you'll get there safely. Once you're back in Indianapolis, you can relax and let the doctors take over. Soon you'll be there - many people are praying for you and sending positive wishes.
ReplyDeleteAs you drive, shake out your hands often - I had 5 months of a thumb splint because I clutched the steering wheel so much during a windy mountain drive I ended up with tendonitis in both hands. I hope to never drive in those kinds of winds again, but you have no choice, so exercise those fingers often. :)
Good idea Barbara, I just finished my part of the drive and my hands did get tired. I am ready for the doc to do what needs to be done. From what I read on line, we are going to be in Indy for a while for follow up visits. I am so looking forward to John feeling better.
DeleteWant you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you both. Drive safe and you'll be there soon. Then before you know it you both will be ready to head toward the West again. Maybe even getting to Oregon on your way to the Sunny S.CA Desert.
ReplyDeleteWe have been talking about how we will return to the west and your suggestion is one of our thoughts. It is all going to be determined by the amount of time we need to stay in Indy. Thanks so much for your prayers. They are precious to us.
DeleteThank goodness for modern technology and the fact that the doctor was able to catch a problem quickly from so far away. Glad you are heading straight back. Drive carefully. Thinking of you and sending prayers your way for a safe return and quick, positive results:)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about the technology. We are so thankful that we are living now and not 20 years ago. Your prayers are so appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWishing you safe travels and a good resolution.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about this troubling news. Please drive safely and know you both are in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the medical troubles ... may they soon be behind you.
ReplyDeleteMy DH is on his third ICD (pacemaker/defibrillator). We have been fulltiming for 9 years. He is well regulated and normally just sees his cardiologist twice a year in Indianapolis. He's been going there since his problems started. He sees the doctors from the old Krannert Institute of Cardiology, now at Methodist. Who is John's cardiologist? I think the docs in Indy are the best. They have kept my husband alive for 16 years after his problems started when they gave him 72 hours to live. We have a "Carelink" which allows us to send a tape to the doctor via the internet if anything happens or seems "strange" to him. They can read his ICD then and know exactly what is going on. We are in Goshen for Escapade and will later be at Elkhart campground. If you want to talk, get in touch. Good luck with the device implantation. I think Terry stayed over night the first time, but since then, it's an in/out procedures. Terry's latest device has changed his life dramatically for the good. Dale
ReplyDelete