My heart went a little nuts this morning.
I was at my desk, sipping tea and writing. The office around me was unusally quiet: everyone's busy, everyone's tired.
Suddenly, my pulse shot way up and my chest tightened. That's not unusual, but it almost always lasts only a couple of beats. Two or three rapid heartbeats, and it's over. This time, it kept going. I responded with my usual completely random maneuver: a deep breath, held, and total stillness. (I have absolutely no idea why I do this, but it's instinctive.)
It still only lasted for seven or eight seconds, but it was long enough for the thought of saying something to my coworkers to enter my mind.
What would I have said? I have a feeling "Guys, something's going on with my heart," would just freak people out, but that's about all I'd have been capable of if this had gone on any longer.
How embarrassing would that have been?
Illness is embarrassing. It does require us to set aside our pride and answer questions we'd rather not, submit to poking and prodding by relative strangers, fail spectacularly at seemingly minor tasks.
I'm glad things settled down before I'd had the chance to whip the office into a frenzy, but all the same, perhaps I should put some thought into what I would do if I experienced any kind of cardiac "event" at the office. The possibility is, I suppose, not entirely remote, and if it ever does happen, I'd like to handle it as rationally and as effectively as possible. No scaring people, no panicking.
I'm especially close with my cube-mate, and she knows I've got "a heart condition." I could say, "Jo, I'll probably be fine, but my heart feels kind of funny right now." Or, "My heart is racing. Could you make sure you stay here until it's better?"
Still probably kind of scary, but better than "something's wrong with my heart!"
(Meanwhile, I am all better now. Whatever it was has come and gone, and I am now going to step outside and enjoy some sun.)
5 comments:
Hey Helen,
Glad you're feeling better! That must have been scary.
Not sure what Jo would be like, but if I was your cube-mate, I think I'd like to know that this sort of thing happens and what you'd like me to do when it does. That way I'd be prepared and wouldn't as you say, "freak out." I'd like to think I'd also make you feel better when something like this did happen by being prepared and being there for you, too...
Anyway, my two cents worth...
Hope the sunshine made you feel good!
:) L
Oh goodness- I'm glad things are ok! I agree with Laurie- especially if you're close with your cubemate. Or maybe you could come up with a "code word" that would mean stay around for a minute until I'm sure I'm ok? Me and a coworker did that once (sent an email with a ## in it) although it was a sign meaning someone we didn't like was heading our way.
I hope you continue to feel better!!!
I think you're both right.
I should talk about this with Jo. When I was living on my own before my ICD, my doctor told me if I ever felt anything really scary with my heart I should go right to the ER. At the time, a good friend lived across the street and she became my "hospital buddy" - I could call her any time, day or night. It was so reassuring.
Amanda, I really like the code word idea!
Thanks both of you. :)
Helen
I think you're both right.
I should talk about this with Jo. When I was living on my own before my ICD, my doctor told me if I ever felt anything really scary with my heart I should go right to the ER. At the time, a good friend lived across the street and she became my "hospital buddy" - I could call her any time, day or night. It was so reassuring.
Amanda, I really like the code word idea!
Thanks both of you. :)
Helen
I had a weird heart event this week too. My pacemaker turns on if my heart rate goes bellow 50, but I was like anxious and my heart rate was 48, and this probably meant my pacer was on but it was weird because I couldn't feel my pulse very well.
So I told my supervisor at work, and called my doc. My doc said go to the ER if it happens again (great did I mention that I work with the people in the ER sometimes?), and my sup. was reassured that I generally know when to go to the ER and when not to.
I was advised by one of my doctors to say something like the above...I get these funny heart symptoms, but my doctors have told me when I need to go for more care. And by the way I am under the care of two cardiologists who work with me on this....something like that.
I'm still trying to get the hang of it.
Melissa
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