Neighbors, please seek medical care when symptoms of heart trouble appear.
This long-planned column is prompted into reality by Brent Meador’s recent emergency “heart shock” on the day he and Peggy, who live on Pin Oak, were scheduled to leave on a Washington DC vacation.
Peggy reported that, for 4 – 6 weeks, Brent ignored signs. The doctors hope his heart will be strong enough for an ablation in 2 – 3 months. They appreciate prayers.
The procedure last week lowered Brent’s heart rate from 150 to 68. He lost 10 pounds of water weight. And, he’s feeling and breathing much better.
This subject is near and dear to my heart, since I had my heart shocked and went through a heart ablation in early 2018. For me, I genuinely did not know I was short of breath or easily tired. I thought tiring from walking Maple from Live Oak to Juniper was normal for me. And, I did not feel my heart beating 150 beats per minute. At a routine neurologist visit, the doctor noticed the high heart rate (praise God) and sent me to receive immediate care.
A few months earlier, I came close to fainting while greeting outside at church and attributed it to the heat.
After the heart procedures, RonTom and I got serious about attending classes at the YMCA. With some Medicare plans, including ours, there’s a program called “Silver Sneakers” that provides a free membership at The Y and some other participating gyms. Now, that’s great value.
Brent’s wife, Peggy, teaches some of the Arthritis Aqua Exercise classes we attend. It’s great fun, movement in the water to music.
It was in one of these classes that Holly Cass told me a few weeks ago that Val had suffered a stroke. It’s fortunate that she was home and summoned 911 to their house on Live Oak Court. For several days Val was hospitalized.
911 arrived quickly. It will be even quicker if /when we get an ambulance stationed at “our” fire station.
The recent sufficient quantity of petition signatures requesting an Emergency Services District #9 vote in the November election is a start in that direction. If we do not become participants in ESD #9, we will not get an ambulance when the time comes to add an ambulance.
