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Heart Palpatations

Its been a hectic few weeks as I plan for the Big Adventure. The highlight thus far has been the over enthusiastic beating of my heart. 


I can tick off flight to Berlin, letter of resignation, new camera lense, vacuum pack bags for storage, Desmonds 1st Birthday (so fun - include lapping up Desmo cuddle time before I go. Desmo time is on uncompleted list!), LED Festival in Victoria, dinner with my Sapphire girls, dinner with Pete and Ali Stack visiting from home and my Gore girls (including too much wine!), Flights booked from Queenstown to Auckland after Xmas, working 9-5, farewelling a colleague, trying on 4 bridesmaids dresses, seeing 3 more 5+ earthquakes hit Christchurch. All in the same time as two 'episodes', a trip to A&E, 3 mins with a GP and getting referred to the Cardiologist.


Who said changing your world would be easy and hassle free!


I have over the last 10 years had regular irregular heart beats. Mostly occurring whilst I am sitting watching telly or at my office desk. In truth I think this is terribly boring but in the event it is a catalyst in my disappearing from the world I thought it best to make a note of it somewhere. I describe it as a rapid rate that comes on suddenly and then drops dramatically as fast as it started.  I always take a deep breathe and it eases. It feels a little like going down a steep hill in the car and up the other side (think the road to Alexandra from Roxbourgh folks where the speed camera man always sits).


On Thursday 2nd of June whilst on the phone, my heart started rattling away (I was sitting on the couch). The thumping persisted long after the phone call and Liz helped me by getting my running heart rate monitor. It showed my range as 43-98. Maybe this is normal but it sure as hell didn't feel it! 


I didn't really think anything of it until the following Wednesday morning when as I saw my bus pull away from the house (early!) I decided I may as well walk to work (something I do regularly). Then it started again - possibly the first time this has happened whilst doing any form of exercise. I phoned work and suggested I would be dawdling into the office. I had 5 year olds walking faster than me which I hated but alas I wanted to get to the office rather than collapse enroute. The beating continued erratically throughout the day. 


Thursday morning I chose to go to A&E at The Royal London on Whitechapel High St after my local GP had told me they couldn't help. The lovely nursing staff were really helpful and I was seen within 5 minutes of entering the building (note to Eastenders its not busy at A&E before 10am usually they said). I had an ECG and blood test which came back all normal - unsurprisingly now I was as feeling "normal". The delightful Australian doctor drew a very basic picture of my heart and they all were disappointed I was travelling through 3rd world countries in the coming year as they wanted me to be part of a medical study. This may be included in a post in year you never know! 


With this in mind I was sent off to the GP to refer me to the Cardiologist. Which took all of 3 minutes. Silly Billy me forgot my Dr had put me down for a 10am Monday morning appointment so I could have a sleep in! So I walked to and from work in 90 minutes! 


I'm awaiting the call from Cardiology but have noticed the heart patterns generally occur when I get near to spending large sums of money (for the trip) or referring to my to-do list! 


So I am embracing the deep breathing and trying to work through the To-Do List super fast so I can relax and enjoy my remaining weeks in London. 


And Breathe...





Comments

  1. and... dont spend any money! i didnt realise it had been so scary. You could have told me!!!

    ReplyDelete

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