Happy Aloha Friday to All of You!!

Happy Aloha Friday to you all!! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is a common term that we used to signify the end of the week and to basically remind you to be "laid back" and "relax"!

Well, I made two Aloha Friday cards for all of you and especially to those who commented with their well wishes in regards to my doctor's appointment today.

You're probably wondering "hmmm, Maria what's wrong with you"? I don't want to sound like a drama queen but last week, I had a sudden strange feeling of vibration in my chest (heart) and it really didn't bother me too much intially until it began to occur regularly and began to feel like a "hiccup" inside my chest.



I don't know if you all know but I am an RN so I had a stethoscope and listened to my heart and it sounded terrible with it thudding, skipping, and basically, I had an irregular heart rhythm.

I didn't feel any other symptoms that would prompt me to head to the emergency room but I was starting to FREAK OUT! I did start to notice a funny pattern . . .it would occur when I slouched and would completely disappear when I sat up straight or stood up, it occurs after eating a heavy meal, when I lay down, and typically starts during the afternoon and progress towards the evening. I don't feel it when I'm walking or standing. . .only when I sat down and more prominently when I slouched.

Unfortunately, when I sat in front of the computer, as well as when I craft I have a tendency to slouch. This made it very difficult to blog, answer my email and craft.

I mean I would feel like I was about to have a heart attack or something. Obviously, I avoided sitting down in front of my computer and crafting because my heart would skip, thud, and go weird on me.

After doing some research, I thought maybe I had "atrial fibrillation" which although not life threatening, it can lead to a stroke or heart attack. It's one of the main cause of a stroke in men and especially women. Heart disease in women although not as prevalent as men, the mortality rate is higher for women meaning if a woman has heart disease, the higher the risk of death.

Knowing this, I was beginning to feel a bit scared and really been thinking of the possibility that something bad may be happening to me.

Well, I went to the doctor today and had an ECG (EKG) and yes, there is definitely something going on with my heart. Whaaaaaaaaa!! The good news is that it may not be "atrial fibrillation" but the doctor was not sure. She only stated that there is definitely a "electrical conduction" problem that actually caused my heart to prolong a beat (skip a beat) as opposed to increasing my rate. The ECG technician didn't even run the machine for more than 15 seconds before he stopped and informed the doctor. I guess I had a bad reading from the get go. The doctor then came in and told me the results and that I need to be referred to a cardiologist.

What is difficult for me is that I am quite healthy in all respects. I rarely get sick . . .only this year I had more colds than I've had in the past but otherwise, I have no history of diabetes, I'm just slightly over weight, no respiratory problems, I don't drink, I don't do drugs, and I basically live a relatively healthy life. It's a bit disturbing and devastating that I do have a problem with my heart. I'm a little sad about it.

Right now I just want the doctor to fix my heart. . .my doctor said it could be caused by a "mitral valve prolapse" or some other cause. I hope it's nothing worse. .. you know, I just want to know what is wrong and fix it as soon as possible so I can get on with my life.

Anyway, that's my story. I'm optimistic that it's nothing really bad but I'll find out on Tuesday next week after I see the cardiologist.

Before I go. . .here are a few info on my cards above:

Stamps: SU Do The Hula

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi

Ink: Watercoloring with SU Markers, White Craft Ink, Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Fiskar scallop scissors, corner punch, Prima flowers, CTMH Bigger brads, Making Memories daisy brads, Prima Flowers, Inkadinkado Glossy Essentials, Grosgrain ribbon

Happy Friday, Everyone!! Until later. . .