I had my check up with Dr Burger today. I have been feeling great and went to the appointment thinking I was going to get a great report. Well it wasn't horrible but it wasn't what I wanted either. First I did my six minute walk. I didn't get short of breath at all and walked the farthest I have to date. Then I had my echo and blood work. My pressures were about the same as last time - the systolic was 59 and the mean was 44. The bad part is my heart size and function are worse. The right ventricle is moderately enlarged and the function is mildly hypokinetic (doesn't pump as well). Dr Burger is changing my medication from Revatio to Adcirca. They are in the same class but he feels the FDA approved dose of Adcirca is higher and more effective. He was very confident that this medication will work to improve my heart. He said this disease is like a roller coaster and sometimes there are going to be dips but we just need to do what we can to get back up the incline. I know that I'm not always going to get a great report, it's just the nature of this horrible disease but it's hard to take because I feel so good! I blame myself because I have been lifting Ashleigh alot - even though Eric always tells me not to and the doctor did tell me not to lift more than 10 lbs. I figured I felt ok so what harm was I doing - now I know :( The good thing is it can be reversed and I am going to continue to think positive and do all that I can to get better (even if that means I can't pick Ashleigh up so much - or any more than absolutely necessary). I think if she was able to choose she would want her mom to be around for many years instead of being held all the time at two years old!
The other positive thing was when I asked about working. He told me I can't go back to the bedside which is what I expected but he is ok with me working in an office or doing some kind of desk job. This is an improvement because before he really didn't want me to do anything. Now I just have to actually find a job!!
I will start the new meds probably next week - I have to wait for the approval from the insurance company and the pharmacy to get the meds. I am a little nervous and hope that I don't have side effects. That's one good thing about Revatio - I tolerated it very well. But the awesome thing about Adcirca is that I only have to take it once a day instead of three times a day! That will be so much easier!
Then if all this wasn't enough, after picking up Ashleigh from Chris and Charlie's I hit a deer in their neighborhood! Luckily I wasn't going very fast and no one was hurt (I don't think the deer was either because it ran off). My car does have some damage - the front grill is cracked and the bumper is loose. Hopefully that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to fix!
I am not going to let all this get me down though because Christmas is only a few days away :) And then my baby girl turns 2!! I have no idea where the time has gone!
One last thing - I go back to see Dr Burger and get all the same tests again in three months. Please keep the prayers coming :)
