Okay, so I've missed a couple of weeks

So, when last we spoke, my INR was at 2.2. Last week it went to 2.5 and I guessed I was staying at the same medication. The pharmacist had the week off because of it being spring break for the schools. She had her children at home and they took a small vacation.

So I kept the meds the same and went for the test on Monday morning. Tuesday the results were 2.5. I figured that since its within the range I should keep the meds where they are again.

Which brings us to this week. Meds were the same and the INR this week is 2.0. So I am guessing that I will get another blood test on Monday and see how its going.

Maybe I've stabilized now. That would be nice. it helps that my dentist knows about this stuff. I broke a tooth right off last Friday. It didn't hurt because its been root canal-ed, but when it broke it left behind some pretty sharp edges. Both my tongue and cheek were getting ruined.

I had an appointment for tomorrow to get it done and something possessed me to call them today. Sure enough they had a cancellation and were able to get me in. He figured that seeing as the tooth was going to come out anyway, he might as well pull the tooth right then.

So a little freezing and he gets his official tooth puller outer tool. He has to push it in first and then they twist and tug one way, then the other.

It only had one root but at the very end the root spread out into two little roots. It still came out without a problem. Now I have a mouth full of gauze and instructions of what to do. After the swelling leaves we wait until it settles down and then look at the options.

* * * * *

Today was my first x-ray and pulmonary function test. I have to get that every six months because of the amiodarone that I am on for the heart rhythm.

Then I also have to get liver and thyroid function tests because of the same drug from my own doctor. Those are done once a year.

I don't like breathing tests. I used to do lots of them for the Clinic's testing of ways to diagnose asthma.
Funny, the tests aren't THAT hard but I really don't like going there and doing them any more. Its not that they are hard, its just that I've had enough of them. The odd thing is I don't mind having needles, or blood drawn etc. But I just don't like the breathing tests.

Blood results

This weeks INR is 2.2. The pharmacist wasn't there today so I had to ask. Sort of wondering why no one called me, but I guess as its in the 'normal' range that the results didn't raise any red flags.

That's good. So this week nothing changed ! ! ! ! !

Just keep doing what I'm doing and I am guessing I will get checked on Monday again.

Sort of anticlimactic isn't it.

Cardiologist and Blood results

I went to the doctor this morning. He is very pleased with how I'm doing. He says this medication could hold off and further degeneration in the signals for ten years. Operative word being 'could'. As it stands now I don't have to go back for a year unless I have a set back or I notice something going on. I do, however, have to get a chest x-ray and breathing tests every six months and thyroid and liver function tests once a year through the family doctor. If there are any changes with the chest x-ray or breathing tests the cardiologist is told right away.

I'm just waiting to hear what my INR is. I got the blood done yesterday so they should have the results. But, we'll see. Its just after 6:00 pm so I'll wait another half hour then take my warfarin.

I'm expecting it to stay in the same range as last week.

That's it for today. Oh, other than that lots of my older customers have commented on how much healthier I look.  They are amazing with how concerned they are. Gotta love 'em! ! ! ! !

Still pretty steady

Last Wednesday I got my results and I was at 2.1. At least now its going up but on a much shallower incline. Before, if you plotted it out, it looked like an EKG.

So this will be the second week of staying at the same dosage. I see the cardiologist on Wednesday and we'll see if the other drug gets reduced. I suspect he will.

* * * * *

We have some major sewer construction going on in the intersection near us. Man the most annoying thing is the traffic. Lanes have been reduced so there is only one and it is an either/or lane. You can go west or you can go east, but you wait your turn. Its a four minute wait going eastbound and three minutes the other way.

Its annoying, in that the place I get stuck at is only 10 houses away from home. You don't realize how long four minutes is until you're sitting there waiting. What I really get a kick out of though, is the fact that there are enough signs around warning of the delay and the signs were up a full two weeks before they even started this. So why do people get out of their cars and look to where they want to be and shake their heads? The signs where you stop says "4 minute wait". The other huge signs tell you to expect MAJOR DELAYS.


Oh, and don't  let anyone in off the side street. In fact, block the intersection so they can't even get through. Yeah, that's the ticket. You don't want them getting home any sooner than you're going to.

But, we still get bozos trying to get around the intersection by cutting the corner. They then come down our street, the wrong way, and haven't got the brains to figure it out. There's a one way sign right opposite where they come out the side street and turn the wrong way. I will admit its not as bad now with only one car or truck coming around at a time. But it sure is amazing to see these people come the wrong way down the road and suddenly all three lanes are filled with cars that have turned with the light!

We actually had that happen with a person one night. He was going north on a south bound street and suddenly all these cars were in front of him. He pulled over as far as he could and then turned off his headlights???????

I wonder if he thought it put him in invisible mode???

* * * * *

My little brother turns out to have heart issues as well. He needs a valve replaced. BUT he has the doctor who is head of cardiovascular surgery at a major hospital.My brother isn't quite ready to commit to the surgery yet. They have other things going on in their lives right now. SO he is looking at about July to see the surgeon again and then it should be about 6 months after that for the surgery, so about a year from now.

They (brother and SIL) are thinking of moving somewhere out past London. That's better than where they were first looking. They were  thinking of going to Elliott Lake. Do you know how far away that is. I mean you're darn near living with Santa ! ! ! !

Thankfully they want to stay near the bigger hospitals and that means southern Ontario. Fine by me.

Thanks Baby Brother ! ! ! ! ! ! !