Topic: Remember me...

[theANdROId]

So, this isn't as terrible as my subject line may make it seem (though what I have to say is bad)...I just never know what to do with the subject line.

I'd like to ask everyone to keep me in their thoughts/prayers/etc.  I'll try to keep a long story short -- I've had some health issues lately, which turned out to be because the left side of my heart is enlarged.  I had cold symptoms for about a month starting in mid-February, and the doctor thinks that somehow attacked my heart.  Due to their findings, I'm under strict orders to avoid any strenuous and stressful activity and take everything super slow and easy.  I'll see a cardiologist on Wednesday for more information.  In the meantime, I'm almost always out of breath, and my heart's resting bpm is about 110 (trying to compensate for the backflow created by the enlargement).

As some of you probably remember, I recently shared that my wife and I are expecting our first later this year, so this is bad timing.  I'm not even 30 yet...so I'll probably (hopefully!) be fine.  In the meantime, it's really rough and scary.  There may be a genetic, underlying cause.  Something similar happened to my dad a few years back, but he went months before they caught it.  He's got a pacemaker/defib now, out of work, and on a special diet.

So...your thoughts/prayers/etc. for strength, health, this whole thing to go away quickly and completely, things to get back to normal soon (very soon)...I would greatly appreciate them!

[Abnormal Freak]

Man, you're in my prayers. Tough stuff.

Hopefully it was noticed early enough to have it properly treated, medicated, exercised, whatever needs to be done.

[Dracula9]

Christ, man, that's rough. I'll definitely keep this in my thoughts and hopes, heaven knows I probably couldn't handle this.

In the meantime, just play it cool and don't let the worry get to you, lest that make it worse. Stick to things that keep you at peace or relaxed, anything to keep your mind off that stress and fear (getting a few dozen puppies and lying down with all of them at once ought to help) and inch you closer to the road to recovery. Hopefully it was nipped in the bud early enough for an easy and speedy solution. Given your age and whatnot, I'm sure that's the case, but I'm going to wish it so regardless.

Try to endure without stressing as much as you can, man. You've got plenty of support both on and off the Dungeon - don't hesitate to look for help or even just an ear to listen. You've got this.

[Shiroi Koumori]

Oh my. I hate it when the heart gets in trouble. I just had a crazy heart palpitation event last year and it was scary.
Heart problems don't care about the age. I already had events such as those way back in grade school.
I'll keep you in my thoughts and I hope that you will get well.

Do not stress yourself. And do not do any sudden movements.
Your family needs you to stay strong.

[GuyStarwind]

Oh course I keep you in my prayers 

[Ratty]

Wow jeeze that sucks man. Hope you get better soon!

[X]

Now isn't that a fine time for Mr. Disease to pay you a visit; right before your first born. Seriously man take good care of yourself and do not let anything get to you. And while you're going through this the rest of us will keep things together here for you. It's no good and no fun getting sick or the like, so I'll wish you, the Mrs. and your unborn child good luck. Don't give up. 

[Gunlord]

*hugs* You'll have my best, man. Stay strong!

[Intersection]

You have my best of wishes. Stay strong, take care of yourself, and keep your spirits up -- if anything, you owe that to your child. Good luck!

[Flame]

Stay strong, man.

[Mooning Freddy]

Genetics are a bitch, mate. Overcome it, overcome it!

[lesomaface]

We're all here for you dude. Keep up the good work and don't do anything stupid.

[Morning star]

Hard news indeed. I myself have had very serious health issues over the last several years, and i am also only 32. I have some interesting information about why people are getting so sick so young. If your interested about the causes and a few things you can do to help it (tested and proven holistic solutions) just hit me with a pm. I will gladly share my knowledge with you. I doubt it will help with your current condition, but it may stop future problems from rising up on you. Our bodies can begin to fail because of genetic weakness all on their own. But it happens much faster with help from a toxic environment. Knowing what to add and everything you should avoid can be the key to changing your life.

[zangetsu468]

Hopefully it's nothing.
It is bad timing you're right, but try to take it easy because the truth is that looking after yourself = looking after your family
I will keep you in my thoughts and wish you the most favourable outcome, my friend.

[theANdROId]

So, the cardio appointment didn’t really provide any “new” information, but it went well I guess. He basically agreed with what my regular doc had said, something viral got to my heart and damaged it a little, but with rest and meds he thinks I’ll be back to normal in up to 6 months.

Last weekend was utter misery, which it turns out was the nature of the particular heart med my regular doc started me on.  Thankfully, there are other options I can take that will work as well with lesser side effects.  For now I'm starting those, with a few monthly check-up appointments to see how everything is progressing.  Based on how things go, we'll decide what (if anything) else I need to do.

And as long as I'm super careful and alert to how I'm feeling, I'm free to try working again.  I may have to take things a little more slowly, or just alter in general how I do things at work, but it's nice to know I can at least try to get back to a feeling of "normal".

Thanks for the support, thoughts, prayers, etc.  I love the puppy idea X-D, that's just awesome!!  As it crosses your mind, I'd still appreciate them until this thing is completely cleared away!