Thursday, October 16, 2014

And the doctor says….


We saw the cardiologist today and learned more about cardiac myopathy.  Since reading the echocardiogram is a subjective thing and he has no other signs of heart problems, the doctor made some med changes and in six months when we are back in the home area we will have another echo cardiogram done.

Gracie in the window on another cold and rainy day

If the next echo-cardiogram shows continued problems, he will then have a cardiac MRI to check for any scar tissue or evidence of heart damage.

It appears this was a onetime vasovagal event (fainting) and may have been due to dehydration.  He does not expect this to happen again as long as Left Brain drinks enough water and cuts back to one brandy in the evening as an extra precautionary measure.

When stopping at Walmart to get the new meds, I picked up a battery operated carbon monoxide detector.  This was requested by my friend Becky as an extra precaution.  Hey…I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure we’re safe up there. This is now in place near the steering wheel.

In addition to Left Brain’s little glitch, our Honda has arrived at each campground with a dead battery.  We had the wiring altered to prevent this problem and it was working just fine until Medora ND.  I’m suspecting a loose wire from some awful roads, but in the meantime I picked up a small engine charger to carry with us.


I figured if Left Brain conks out again those jumpers could be used as nipple clamps and I could jump start him as well.  It also has an LED light and USB ports which may be handy when boon-docking in the desert.

We are both relieved and it feels a weight has been lifted from our shoulders.  


I will continue doing the majority of the driving for the immediate future as I need to have this experience and since we’ll be on interstate it’s much more relaxing to me.

Now I need to find a massage therapist somewhere and get the kinks and tension out of my neck and shoulders and all will be good.

Even though we got in to see the doctor right away, we paid for a week and we’ll just take our time to enjoy this area.  The Welcome Wagon lady (yes, seriously) visited us the first night and I have brochures for covered bridges and waterfalls that I want to photograph.

The younger people are probably wondering what the Welcome Wagon is, but I’m betting most of my readers are familiar with this quaint blast from the past.


Long Live the Queen

10 comments:

  1. how very cute to have a real live welcome wagon lady! :) so glad the cardio visit was good and nothing more alarming.

    i have one of those charged up battery and air compressor things that i have used a lot!

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  2. Bridges and waterfalls sound great glad to hear you have some plans for your stay!

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  3. Well, I am glad the worst is over and you can sit back and enjoy your stay in this promising place. I know you will be keeping your eye on things to make sure that this event doesn't repeat itself ... now that you have a handle on it. I still say, you were the heroine in all of this ... I can't imagine a better conclusion.

    I love covered bridges ... I am so jealous. You would think we would have some around here to look at, but I can only think of one rather unimpressive one in the Chicago area. Indiana, on the other hand is loaded, but I never get down that way. I will just have to settle for your pictures when I see them. Water falls are fun too ... in Switzerland there are waterfalls everywhere you look. The water coming down from the mountains in waterfalls, then little streams, then more waterfalls, then big streams, then more waterfalls, then rivers and lakes ... and then if I remember right it flows into France and then out into the ocean. Pretty cool, I have to say. Well it is dinner time here and I have to head down to the kitchen. Can't leave without noting how cozy and warm Gracie looks with her fur stole tossed around her neck ... such a pretty little lady :) Stay well, Queen of Heroic Response ...

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  4. Thank God all is well with L.B. Now you two can get back to fun and games.
    Hopefully you get get a massage, and LB can, too. Relax and then see some sights there. I always look forward to your photos and posts.
    You two have fun, and stay safe! Hug.

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  5. So glad to hear that you are being so proactive. Love the battery charger comment. Happy about the detector! Could you please add a little graphic each time -- a u.s. map with a pin in it so I can remember where you are each time ? :)

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  6. Great update. Thanks Right Brain. I'm happy to hear that LB is still busy holding down left brain shenanigans. I'm sure he's suffering some withdrawal though. Maybe get him a toy steering wheel to hold onto while in the right seat.

    And remember, to have the power off while attaching nipple clamps ... and then stand back while applying voltage.

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  7. Gosh, let's hope this doesn't happen again to Left Brain so that he doesn't have to be hooked up to the battery charger. Ooooo, it sounds so painful!!!

    I think the battery charger is a good thing that everyone should keep in their vehicles. I should probably get one too. One never knows when they will need one of these. I'm also glad to hear that you have the carbon monoxide detector set up on your dash. We have them in our house, so it stands to reason that you should have one in your RV too.

    It's been a long time since I've heard anyone mention the Welcome Wagon Lady. I think this is so nice. I'll be looking forward to your photos of the covered bridges and the waterfalls. You have a wonderful weekend, hugs, Edna B.

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  8. Carry on our adventuring friends! We're glad to hear your breathing a bit easier. We'll be watching your progress a little more carefully. I'm sure that will make all the difference.

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  9. Just north of you is Cottage Grove there are many covered bridges also Animal House was filmed there

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