Time out on the way

[kinzel]

As happens, I'm going to be taking time out from regularly scheduled events, RSN. I'll go to Bangor for a few days next week, where after a day of tests, I expect to have a defibrillator implanted. I can think of more fun things to do, but perhaps not more useful.

So far we have the cat-sitter organized and extra good cat treats in, and recent forecasts make the weather of getting there (an hour plus up the road from here) a non-issue. FWIW, there's WIFI, so between events I'll at least be able to peek in to teh internets. I may be able to post between events, but perhaps not. Oh, no live incision photos from the Droid, I promise!

The short term recovery will mean I'm not to drive for a couple days, power arm wrestling will be right out for a week or four, and I'll have to continue for awhile with the light-duty approach I've been under since the cardiomyopathy was discovered (during my recent hospitalization after AlbaCon). I may also have to oversee some volunteers on the packing and shipping for Skyblaze, which is still in the works. There may be a slight delay -- honestly, of the "factor in stuff happening" part of the book planning, the word "defibrillator" was not considered.

In the longer run, I'll be limbering up my knees and using the treadmill to get in shape for ReNovation, and we'll be working on fine-tuning some of the meds. That's on the recovery side. On the other side of thing, there's more. We have couple of nibbles on con guest spots after Renovation, a possible mini-book tour to-and-from Renovation including a trip on Empire Builder... not to mention the book-writing always on the schedule.

That's what's on the scope here -- tell me what fun and creative stuff you'll be up to between now and the end of WorldCon.

Comments

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

Let us know when and where we can be useful.

[saruby.livejournal.com]

First, take care of yourself. Listen to the medical professionals and don't push it. You are much more important than all that other stuff.

Having said that ReNovation sounds like a plan. Can transport be arranged or one of those nifty scooter things for the duration of the Con. Altitude really can take it out on your heart. I think the book tour idea sounds great. Please keep us posted on those plans.

Last, please take care of yourself. If I lived anywhere near you, I'd volunteer in a minute to pack and ship, but 2000+ miles makes that unworkable.

[missingvolume.livejournal.com]

Take care of yourself and heal quick!

[queenmaggie.livejournal.com]

Defibrillators are wonderful things. Good thoughts winging your way for an uneventful implant and recovery.

[brownkitty.livejournal.com]

I hope your procedure and recovery are quick and routine, that you heal well, and that Hex forgives you for malingering ;)

Seriously though, please take care.

Defib

[(Anonymous)]

Steve -
I had a "hockey puck" implanted late in February. In and out in a day, no problems except for the no lifting for a month. In late June it went off twice (not much of a shock, I've had worse from nylon carpets in winter)and when I went in to find out why, they read the "snitch report", did a heart cath, and found 2.5 blocked arteries. (Triple bipass a week later) According to the surgeon the defib saved my life several times. Good luck.
Marty Gear

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

read the warranty, its good for a laugh. I read the one my Grandma D had installed and it came with a "lifetime" clause...

[mardott.livejournal.com]

I wish you an event-free procedure and a quick recovery. Keep your eye on the Other Side. My husband had to have an unexpected triple bypass a couple years ago, and I can assure you life can return to normal post-procedure. You may feel a little wonky at first, but hang in there.

[(Anonymous)]

Best wishes for a smooth procedure and speedy recovery. Listen to your doctors and don't over-do!

If you're serious about a trip on the Empire Builder, PLEASE schedule a stop in the Twin Cities! On the other hand, the route that serves Reno is the California Zephyr and it doesn't seem to come up this way. :( Anyway, I'll be watching for any info about a book tour or other cons for later this year.

Take care of yourself -
Mary

Take all the time you need

[(Anonymous)]

We'd rather have you healthy.

I'm dealing with several authors whose book releases (and therefore launch parties) are getting delayed. Publishers' schedules are pushing us into the land where launch-rescheduled-to-due-to-snow exists. Not much the author can do about it, poor souls.

Life otherwise is chugging along happily.
Lauretta@ConstellationBooks

I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV

[bookmobiler.livejournal.com]

There has been some recent news about defibrillators that suggest that you might want to ask a few questions of your doctor and surgeon about the procedure.
See here: http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/company-news-story.aspx?storyid=201101041645dowjonesdjonline000232&title=update-many-defibrillator-patients-outside-guidelines--study

The significant points seem to be 1: There are guidelines 2: a significant number of people who don't fit the guidelines are given defibrillators 3: patients out side of the guidelines may not be helped by them and may be worse off 4: there may be a good reason for using one anyway 5: most disturbing, some surgeons seem to be unaware of the guidelines.
It would seem the wise person should at least ask some questions.
Please note I'm not saying getting one is a bad idea, just that you may need more information.

Re: I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV

[kinzel.livejournal.com]

FWIW --

my diagnosis falls well within the approved guidelines, thanks.
Steve

Best wishes

[psw456.livejournal.com]

May you have an uneventful few days in Bangor.... and best wishes for a speedy recovery. Keep with the "less activity" recommendations. I, too, wish I was closer and could help with the lifting, packing, etc. From snowy (just a light coating) central Maryland.

[enleve.livejournal.com]

Are you getting an implantable cardioverter defibrillator with cardiac resynchronization therapy? (A ICD-CRT?) If the left and right sides of the heart are not synchronized, a CRT can make a difference, and some people make improvements after having it installed. Something you might want to ask your doctor, if you haven't already.

Also, there are theories that cardiomyopathy may in some cases be caused by pathogens, such as Borrelia (Lyme disease) and Babesia. Treatment of such cases is experimental, and there isn't a standard course of action. Some people treat it with long term antibiotics or antimicrobial herbs such as artemsia, houttuynia and garlic (Those are some of the ones Dr. Zhang suggests in his book about treating chronic Lyme disease with modern Chinese medicine (http://www.amazon.com/Lyme-Disease-Modern-Chinese-Medicine/dp/0967721318). Artemisia is recognized by the World Health Organization as being the standard treatment for malaria, which has similarities to Babesia.) Identifying such cases is hard, because testing for Lyme disease is very tricky and there are a lot of false negatives. The state of the art seems to be the Western Blot test done by Igenex Laboratories (http://igenex.com/Website/) (other laboratories aren't as good.)

I know someone who has cardiomyopathy, and I was quite scared when he went in for surgery, but he came out ok, and is doing well. It took him about 2 or 3 months to regain his strength, and since then he's a little better than before. He has a ICD-CRT. He's also been on the herbs. So he's not sure whether to attribute the improvement to the CRT, the herbs, or the combination of them.

In any case, I wish you the best with your health. I hope you get really healthy and remain alive to write many more wonderful books. Or just to enjoy life, or whatever.