I'm a slacker, but I've been preoccupied...

A little update on the whole heart thing.

In August I hit the six month mark from my diagnosis of CHF, and they performed an echocardiogram.
The purpose of the echo is, among other things, to determine a patient's Ejection Fraction.
EF is expressed as a percentage of the amount of blood your heart pumps.
A healthy EF is between 55-75%.
In February, mine was 15-20%.
In August, it was 30-35%.
Which was very encouraging!
Because no one wants a number as low as 15%.
Unless you're talking about body fat or APR.
In which case, 'how low can you go?'

However, I still fall in the "at-risk" range for sudden cardiac death, or SCD.
And that's one acronym I'd like to avoid.
Basically, were I to have a cardiac episode, I would not likely survive it.
My heart is not strong enough.
Often, people who fall under the "at-risk" heading have arrhythmia.
I currently do not, which is a positive for me.

My doctors believe I would benefit from receiving an ICD or Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator.
Depending on who's describing it, an ICD is a cross between an airbag and an insurance policy.
It's there if you need it, and here's hoping you never do. Should my heart start freaking out, it will shock it into submission.

Here's a couple of links:
Cleveland Clinic's take on ICDs
Google Image search for ICD

I go into the hospital tomorrow for my ICD implant procedure.
I'm decidedly not enthusiastic about the whole thing.
It's awesome that the technology exists. It's wonderful that insurance covers it.
But the whole thing kinda skeeves me out.
Not even Bionic Woman jokes are working.

I'll stay overnight, and if there are no complications, I should be home sometime Saturday.

And don't even get me started on the restrictions.
Can't lift anything. Have to shampoo one-handed. Have to sleep with an arm brace on. Can't drive for six weeks. SIX WEEKS! Some people are restricted for up to six months if they've had episodes.

So, if you would send happy thoughts our way this weekend, it would be much appreciated.
I'll let you know how it goes!