First time using Healthgrades

Well, today I used HealthGrades for the first time. Yes, I paid the $12.95 to check out dad's cardiologist. It was worth every penny. Dr. Stidam is (as of right now) performing his pacemaker implant surgery. I found this great info below about it...

The heart has a natural pacemaker called a sinus node, which is made up of special cells that produce electrical impulses. The electrical impulses given off by the sinus node travel down electrical pathways located in the walls of the heart muscle and cause the heart to contract and pump blood. When the electrical impulses flow down the walls of the heart at regular intervals, the heart pumps at a rhythmic pace. When something interferes with the way the electrical impulses are made or the way they move down the pathways in the heart muscle, the body's natural pacemaker does not work properly.

If a patient has a heartbeat that is too fast, too slow, or frequently irregular, blood is not pumped efficiently around the body and the body's cells do not get enough oxygen and nourishment. In this situation, a physician may recommend that an artificial pacemaker be implanted in the body to ensure that the heart beats more regularly.

A pacemaker is a small, battery-operated device implanted just under the skin near the collarbone to help the heart beat regularly at an appropriate rate. Pacemakers are about the size of a matchbox and are used to treat heart arrhythmias — irregularities in your heart's natural heart rhythm. Almost everyone's heart skips a beat sometimes, and that is generally considered harmless. Some people, however, will need medication and/or a pacemaker.

A pacemaker usually has two parts: a pulse generator (which includes the battery and several electronic circuits); and a lead(s), (which is attached to the heart wall).
Pacemaker surgery is performed under local anesthesia. It is implanted just near the collarbone. If the pacemaker has only one lead, the lead is placed inside the lower right chamber. If two leads are needed, the second lead is placed in the upper right chamber. The procedure takes about one to two hours. An overnight stay is usually recommended.

New update on dad's heart

Dad went to a doctor's office in Louisville. Had some tests and then when they asked about seening the doctor the nurse said the primary care physician (PCP) had not given a referral to see the doctor just tests.

So, the cardiology office called the PCP. She refused to give him a referral and was upset that he wouldn't go to Jasper for care. Needless to say he is getting a new PCP and then will have to get a referral to a cardiologist. The glorious world of Medicare! I am so glad that I have a PPO and I can go anywhere without a referral.

So, he did find out that he will more than likely need a pacemaker. The doctor didn't see him but the nursed hinted at it. He will probably have to wear a monitor for a few weeks and then go from there.

Jayden is really sick

Jayden starting getting sick right after starting daycare, which is typical. I have been taking him to the doctor and took him to urgent care for major eye drainage last week. I notice he had slowly been getting and sicker and finally to the point maybe the doctor will give him some antibiotics and my gut was right. He has a double ear infection and bronchiolitis/RSV. He is on antibiotics and breathing treatments and is already feeling much better. Poor baby!

I hate that babies have to get so sick before they can give them something. It just makes me feel so bad because I know he has to feel horrible. We are on the road to recovery now.

Jayden's Well Visit

Jayden is a very healthy little boy. His 2 month checkup was today and he is 9 weeks today. He is almost 15 lbs. and is 24 1/4 inches long. This puts him at the 95th percentile for both height and weight. So needless to say he is in 3-6 month clothes and probably will be out growing them soon too.

Pregnancy Issues

Well, last week was quite a scare. We ended up going to the hospital on Tuesday, but everything is now fine. They seem to think that I had an erupted varicose vein in my uterus. Good news is that has nothing to do with my pregnancy or the health of the baby. I am now about 20 weeks and after being off last week and Monday I am doing much better. I think this more emotionally upsetting than anything. Not to mention the horrible experience from my doctor's office and the hospital. YUCK!

Can believe we are half way there!

Skin Tags

So, I feel so horrible, but I am glad to report that Zoe does not have hemorrhoids. A few weeks ago I notice a small "bump" on her anus. Then another one formed. There weren't getting any bigger and weren't really red so I didn't know what it was. I took her to the doctor today and I found out they are skin tags from lesions from he pushing #2 out. These lesions were causing skin tags.

Good news is that she is just going to continue with her current laxative, but up the dose and I just need to put on neosporin on for awhile. Hopefully they will resolve after time.

I feel so bad that her poop was causing such a bad time. These are the days I wish she could tell me what was going on with her.