heart issues

As most of you know by now, I was in the hospital on Wednesday for some heart problems. It actually started Monday night, but I was unaware of symptoms and thought nothing of it.

The pain came on suddenly Wednesday evening shortly after we dropped off the kids to Kelli. My chest was in excruciating pain and no matter how hard I pushed on it, the pain would not stop. Then suddenly my left arm went numb and I got REALLY scared. Heart problems run in my family. Austin called an EMT friend that we had to ask for advise and I was rushed to her house to have my vitals checked. The only thing she could tell us for sure was I was not having a stroke or a panic attack but highly recommended that I go to the hospital. That was when Austin rushed me in. Apparently I passed out on the way and I am sure it was due to the pain.

At the ER they rushed me back super fast and started an EKG (this came back normal). I then was wheeled into a room and a battery of tests began along with the Morphine for pain. My doctor and nurse were great, checking on me and making sure my pain was tolerable (it never was relieved). After hours in the room, the doctor came to give the news. Good news was I did not have a heart attack. This made me feel better, my uncle had a heart attack at a young age and my mom had one in her thirties.

Turns out I have costochondritis. This is a condition where the cartilage around your ribs and shoulder and around your heart get inflamed. Usually this is due to a virus or chest trauma, which I had neither of. The cartilage then pushes on the heart and sternum causing SEVERE pain. So I am on an anti-inflammatory/pain pill and restricted on my movements and activities. I hurt all the time, especially in my shoulder area and sternum. The pills don't take much of the pain away unfortunately. The healing process is expected to last for weeks and hopefuloly I'll be able to better manage the pain as the week(s) go on.

I have great friends! Offers to help with the kids and bring dinners have been coming in and it's wonderful not to have to worry about these things for a couple of days. For once I am glad that Austin is not working, I don't think I could do this without him.