The Lewis County Herald - 10/29/24

It’s been a little more than two years since my colon cancer diagnosis and total colectomy which inspired this series of articles to share my journey with readers.

So far, all of the articles have been follow-ups to that diagnosis, the treatments, and the results of ensuing medical visits and testing.

I was recently taken to the hospital, by ambulance, for something apparently unrelated to the cancer.

While entering data into a computer about local damage associated with the remnants of Hurricane Helene, my heart rate increased dramatically.

According to my watch, which apprises me of many things in addition to the time, my heart rate suddenly shot up to 181 beats per minute (BPM). My normal resting heart rate is in the 64 BPM range.

The episode lasted only a couple of minutes and started to drop back to a non-concerning rate.

A couple of hours later, while still working on the same task, I could feel my heart again thumping at an accelerated rate. My watch-pulse-GPS-text-weather-communicator gadget indicated a heart rate of 194 BPM. Ten minutes later it was still in the 190 range.

I called my local doctor’s office, only a couple of miles away, and was instructed to get to the office as quickly as possible to get checked out.

I was immediately taken back where an handful of sticky electrodes were placed and a recording of my heart activity was made.

My heart rate had slowed somewhat by the time the recording was made, but was still elevated.

“You are going to the hospital and you are going in an ambulance,” said the doctor.

Since I have Lewis County EMS on speed-dial in my phone-camera-recorder-computer-flashlight-paperweight, I called and asked for a lift to the hospital.

“I believe that’s the first time I’ve seen a patient call for an ambulance on their own,” the doctor said.

(I’m proud of Lewis County EMS and thankful we have a locally operated medical transport service staffed with some of the best, most professional, and caring ambulance personnel around.)

Within a few minutes the squad arrived, had me loaded, connected to monitors, and on the way to the hospital.

During those few minutes I chatted with the doctor about the incident and called Tammy at work to inform her I would be taking an unplanned trip. (She made it to the hospital ahead of the ambulance.)

My heart rate remained in the 100 BPM range during the ambulance ride and in the ER where they applied another handful of even stickier electrodes, drew several vials of blood, and questioned me about the usual things you’re asked about at such places.

One recurring question was if the event had occurred before. It hadn’t.

The medical team didn’t immediately determine a cause but it was decided I would at least spend the night “for observation.”

Observation, it seems, is to come in the room every 30 minutes to either siphon blood or connect a machine to the sticky electrodes, check my pulse, and get a blood pressure reading.

I was also fitted with a portable monitor connected directly to a control room at the hospital where someone made sure all of the sticky electrodes stayed stuck.

Another question asked was whether or not I had been experiencing any stress. Before I could complete my answer that I didn’t believe I had been, Tammy volunteered that it’s likely I experience it frequently.

The doctors had lined up a series of tests to be conducted the following day and immediately notified everyone in the facility I was to have nothing to eat until the tests were completed. And no coffee.

Tammy left sometime in the night to go home, get a bit of sleep, and let Winston out to patrol the back yard. She was back bright and early to keep me company and monitor the test results as they were reported. (I think she also wanted to make sure I accurately answered all the queries.)

They were still testing at 4:00 p.m. I’m sure most of the sounds medical personnel heard through their stethoscopes by that time were emanating from my belly.

The nurse assigned to my room finally obtained permission to order up some coffee and a sandwich.

By 7:00 p.m. Tammy was questioning anyone she could locate as to whether I would be spending another night.

The doctor assigned to my case had determined that although some of the blood tests indicated elevated levels of some enzyme overnight, those levels had began to return to an acceptable range.

They could find no heart damage and no good reason for the episode.

I was free to leave as soon as I was fitted with a large sticky electrode to which a device the size of a USB flash drive was attached. They handed me a cell phone and explained the device would communicate with the phone and the phone would communicate with a facility where they would monitor my heart activity.

I get to wear it for at least a month and follow up with a cardiologist, unless something significant happens during the interim.

The doctor indicated that since no anomalies were found, it may have been an isolated event and may or may not recur.

So, for the time being, I have another phone to keep track of. (It’s supposed to be within a few feet of me at all times, and adequately charged. It reminds me to keep it and the associated devices charged and lets me know if I get too far away.)

The next chapter, hopefully, will be about the two year follow-up with my oncologist.

I know many prayers were said on my behalf and I’m sure they were heard. Tammy and I are thankful and blessed.

If you missed any previous installments, and would like to catch up, you can find them all at www.denniskbrown.com.

-30-