Saturday, December 08, 2012

Who is Teresa?


Teresa is my grown-up. Teresa has insurance and a driver's license and a college diploma and a bank account. Terry, on the other hand, has none of those things, but she has friends and a family and generally enjoys life to the fullest, because Teresa takes care of business for her.

Most of the time I am Terry, but yesterday I was Teresa, as evidenced by the name on my hospital bracelet. I spent the better part of the day having, and recovering from, an angiogram, which if you aren't familiar, is a kind of ghoulish and creepy medical procedure. All things considered, it actually wasn't that bad. The anticipation was far worse than the actual procedure. And, the good news is that it established that I am fine.

Things started getting weird about a week and a half ago, when, while sitting and drinking coffee and reading the Sunday paper one morning, I noticed that I could sort of feel/hear my heart beating and it was not a normal heart beating kind of rhythm. By the end of the day I was worried enough to go to the ER, where they reassured me it was probably benign pvcs, but I should see my doctor. My doctor echoed the "probably benign" message, but thought I should see a cardiologist. The cardiologist did a stress test, which I apparently flunked (crazy, wild spiky design on the monitor) and thought I should have an angiogram. So yesterday was the day. Teresa checked in and it was done. None of the bad things like blocked arteries or valve problems, etc. were found. Apparently my heart has just decided to go for a more syncopated, more dance-able rhythm. At least that's what Terry likes to think. Don't worry, I am fine, except for a bruised and tender spot on my thigh.

I didn't sleep too well last night and one of the things I thought about was how everyone at the hospital called me "Teresa" all day because, of course, that is my official name and it appears on all my official ID. Not once did I say, "oh, call me Terry" though that is what I am always called. As a child I was Terry at home and Teresa at school. Perhaps I slip into Teresa mode in situations, like yesterday, when it allows me to separate myself a bit from things that are too serious to contemplate. Teresa handles all that.

But I don't need to contemplate serious things. It's all good. My heart has settled on a catchy one-two-cha,cha,cha kind of cadence for the moment—actually medication is making it less dance-y day by day. Getting old is scary sometimes, but it could be a lot worse...

Love, Terry


24 comments:

  1. I only know you via FB, Terry, but I have a good understanding of what you went through yesterday. I have tachycardia. After years of episodes, I decided to have something done. I was awake for the ablation and on Valium--not as bad as I'd anticipated. What a wonderful difference this procedure has made in the quality of my life! Medical science has made such great strides in our lifetimes. I know you'll soon feel great. Take care and enjoy this wonderful season!

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  2. As I am want to say "OMG ." I am so glad you are OK. Yes, this getting older is some days very scarey. Take care of yourself.

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    1. Carla, I try to celebrate your birthday in a new way every year! I think next year I'll just toast you with a pint of Dogfish Head ale!

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    2. That sounds like a winner to me.

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  3. glad you are fine. but i am 71 and all kinds of things happen to you as you get older. scarey but better then not being here

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  4. So glad everything is ok. Scary.

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  5. Wow, how scary for you...but I so glad the hear that it all came out ok!

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  6. Hi Terry - I hope you find a new rhythm and it's a long time before Teresa gets another outing.

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  7. Hooray! I'm so glad there was nothing yucky for them to find and you only need meds. :D

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  8. I'm glad to hear both Terry and Teresa are doing fine. Phew!

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  9. Glad all is well. Every now and then my heart tap dances like that. Has for many years now. A little scary, but so far nothing has come of it.

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    1. Yikes, Rachel. Have you had it checked out?

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  10. It's got a good beat; you can dance to it. ;-)

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  11. OMG - this scared the crap out of me. Teresa!! Are they giving you a prescription to tame your dancing heart? Take care - Love you -

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    1. Taking a beta blocker which has helped.

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  12. This is scary. Glad to hear you're ok.

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  13. I love how you seperate yourself between Teresa and Terry. I am going to do that... Glad you are OK! ~Janice (the grownup) and Jan (the real one!)

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  14. Anonymous6:20 AM

    Whew!! That's a lot to go through. So happy that all is well.

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  15. Glad you are doing better! I know it's scary, but I bet you'd be surprised how many people are dancing to their own beats. I hope it settles down even more soon.

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  16. I'm so glad both Teresa and Terry are o.k. I had an CT angiogram about a month ago to check for a blood clot in my lungs. There wasn't. But I didn't have to check into the hospital. I didn't even know I was going to have it because I was just meeting with my doctor and she told me go over and have one done right then. My bruise was on my arm. Your procedure must have been more involved. Still not fun either way.

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    1. The kind I had is the kind where they thread a tiny catheter into ones femoral artery and snake it up into the heart. They can also clear blockages as they find them. (I didn't have any) I think the CT kind are not that invasive? But--how scary! I'm glad you did not have a blood clot.

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  17. I'm glad Teresa and Terry are both o.k. I had a CT angiogram about a month ago to make sure I didn't have a blood clot in my lungs. But I didn't have to check into the hospital and my bruise was on my arm. Your procedure must have been more involved.

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  18. I'm so glad the angiogram showed you were fine.

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  19. Oh Teresa/Terry, I am so glad that you are fine. Dancing hearts are scary and I am relieved that your was just hearing new music to dance to. (I am Jean Marie offically and when my parents are mad at me. Then when we got married I couldn't decide on the last name since I had mine for 34 years. I am one name here and another elsewhere. I need to get it all straightened out because I am forgetting who I am where. LOL!) Take care.

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