Here I am at the almost end of my first week of classes. I am always excited at the beginning of the school year, but this year especially seems promising…I’m teaching a creativity class in addition to my fashion classes….and so far, so good. I have 5 new majors–I did have six, but one withdrew because she already has a line debuting this spring…whatev. Anyway, I’ve felt really good, had a really good if exhausting week and then……
BOOM!
Atrial fib right before starting class at 8am this morning. No warning, it just started. So, I’m presenting a Powerpoint on the history of children’s wear, no biggie, and I do it while I’m a-fibbing.
Now if you have never had the pleasure of experiencing a-fib, let me say, it is not really what I would call pleasant. Although I am assured by my cardiologist, his nurse and every other health care professional I have come in contact with that my ability to know the exact onset of my a-fib is unusual, I can’t see how ANYONE could not know if it feels like it feels to me. First, I feel like I have a giant lump in my throat, like I can’t catch my breath. And sometimes that passes, because I feel this on average at least once a day, and I dodge the bullet. But other times, like this morning, when the atrial fib decides to take a seat and stay awhile, it feels like my whole body is trembling. I feel jumpy and shaky all over–like I am vibrating. And apparently, in fact, that is what the atrium of my heart is doing when this happens…quivering instead of beating properly.
So I called the doctor’s office and they ask: have you been taking your meds? Yes. Is your heart racing? No. Well, if it starts racing take another half of one of your pills and call us if it’s not right by tomorrow. OK. And if you have any chest pains or shortness of breath, go to the ER. OK.
So I teach the rest of my class, run home for the meds (which I don’t carry with me, but I guess I will now…) go to my therapy appointment and then back to school to eat my lunch and attend a department meeting.—-and then to my other class in the afternoon.
Sometime during that class, I converted. I began to feel less shaky and more normal. I am tired…the afib does that since it is like you’ve been running a race. But glad that I won’t have to be shocked back to rhythm. Not my idea of a fun Labor Day weekend.
In other developments, I’ve lost some weight. Pretty happy about that and people notice so that is nice. I finished my lovely Alabama Chanin style skirt and should post pics. My daughters had a good day at school and are looking forward to their first marching band show of the season tomorrow night.
And my husband adores me. He told me tonight, in exactly those words–”I adore you” That, my friends, makes everything OK.
