For the last year, Grasshopper No.1's heart has been "all a flutter". It could be love. It could be occasional excitement. The truth is they are not sure what trips the "flutter"
The fact is that the top part of her heart races to over 120 beats per minute at random times. That is twice the norm (60-80 beats per minute is standard). For awhile it was well in excess of 120 beats per minute.
No. 1 has had two heart procedures stopping the heart and then shocking it back into rhythm. That is kind of scary when you think about it but it is "an out-patient" procedure. It seemed to work when coupled with some strong medication. Some how the heart keeps returning to the "thump, thump, THUMPITY THUMP, thump thump pattern". The "thumpity thumps" last for significant amounts of time.
The Wausau doctor treating No. 1 has recommended that she have a heart procedure where they go inside the heart and actually interrupt the electrical signals by producing scar tissue in the circuitry. I'm told the operation is called "ablation". It is a 5-7 hour operation where they actually go into the heart through the arteries in both legs and produce scar tissue in each of the four major entrances and exits to the heart. The procedure has been around for over 25 years and the doctor performing the surgery learned the technique from the original inventor. No. 1's doctor is located at St. Lukes in Milwaukee and for this particular operation is considered "God". I guess if you are going to have someone screw with your heart, God is preferable.
So now we wait. The procedure should be performed in the next several weeks. Actually the doctor called last Friday and wanted to operate on Monday. Whoaaa! I don't think so. Don't you need to schedule replacements at work? Who's time is more important here? The Doctor's? Or the patient? The answer of course is the doctor. So very soon, there will be a call, there will be a trip to Milwaukee, a 5-7 hour operation will take place and hopefully everything will return to normal.
I'm sure Grasshopper No. 1 will be happy when the whole thing is over with. Uncertainty places a cloud over your whole life. Anytime you work with the heart, it is very serious. So here is a sincere "heartfelt" wish for a fast and successful operation.
Stay tuned!
Love,
Dad