Saturday, August 1, 2009

The scare of a lifetime...

Russell woke me up around 11:45 p.m. last night saying he needed my help. I figured someone in the ward called and we needed to go visit. That's happened before.

Nope.

This was for him. We had gone swimming today for cub scouts and Russell came with our other boys. He said when he was done his heart was fluttery and not keeping a steady rhythm. He said he was worried about it since he had felt dizzy and starting getting really sweaty. Off to the ER we went.

They hooked up wires all over him to monitor his heart beats. My were they high. As high as 209. They would flucuate up and down 20-30 numbers at a time.

They gave him a dose of Cardizem to see if it would help bring his heart rate down. Normal for him would be in the 70's or 80's. It wasn't working.

The dr. came in and said he has a condition known as Atrial Fibrillation and said a shock would help restore a normal rhythm again.

So the nurse proceeded to put shock pads on Russell. He had one right over his heart and another placed on his back.

Propofol (also known as milk of amnesia) was given with 2 doctors and another person standing by watching his vitals. As soon as the medication was administered Russell was out almost instantaneously. The doctor called his name just to make sure.

They then shocked him and immediately his heart rate came down to the mid 70's and stayed there. Which is good.

The whole procedure took maybe 2 minutes. Not long at all.

The dr. had Russell lay there for a long time afterwards making sure the heart rhythm stayed in the "normal" range. It did. Russell even had some orange juice to drink to see if it stayed down.

We got to come home around 2:30 this morning. Monday morning Russell needs to call St. Vincent's Cardiology department for an appointment.

Russell was very relieved when we went in and found something was wrong. He said this might explain a lot of things like the night sweats he would get and sometimes feeling lightheaded over the past couple years.

8 comments:

Pamela said...

Oh my I am so sorry for the scare but so thankful that all is alright and that he'll get the medical attention that he needs. Have a restful weekend, and you guys will be in our prayers.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that is a scare of a lifetime. I hope everything is fine. I'm glad he's better than he was though. How scary!

Porters said...

Wow! I would have to say that is a scary situation! Good thing to know, and to have the technology to fix it!

Glad Russell is doing better! God is good!

Becky said...

So glad to hear that Russ is okay and that you found out what was wrong quickly!
We'll keep you in our prayers.

Sheri said...

Maybe that is part of his sleeping problem?

Rita said...

Maybe this was a good thing this happened; now the problem will be looked into. Take care of each other.
Rita

Rita said...

Wishing you both all the best.
Love your blog.
Rita

Sharona said...

Thank goodness you could figure out that something was wrong and get it corrected.

I just love this picture! The beach...it's the place to be!

I just love this picture!  The beach...it's the place to be!
I think this was in 2004. It was Nephi's first trip to the beach. The boys were all so little! My have they grown.

Meet the Parents...Russell and Candace

Meet the Parents...Russell and Candace
It all started for us when Russell left for Cape Town South Africa on a mission. Candace felt inspired to write him - so she did! We wrote for 3 1/2 years. Candace came home from her mission to the Texas Houston East Mission and we dated for 5 months. We married in July 1994 and have been happy ever after!

Son 1...Donovan

Son 1...Donovan
Our 14 year old boy scouter, 50 miler bike rider, cartoon drawer, computer gamer, book reader, clarinet player, babysitter, 8th grader boy!

Son 2...Christopher

Son 2...Christopher
Our 13 year old, boy scouter, harry potter computer gamer, lego creator, imaginator, book reader, 6th grader boy!

Son 3...Michael

Son 3...Michael
Our 9 1/2 year old drama king, perfectionist (I wonder if he gets that from mom? lol), drawer of many things, 3rd grader boy!

Son 4...Nephi

Son 4...Nephi
Our8 year old keeper of surprises, leg breaker, book listener, lego creator, music enjoyer, 1st grader boy!