Friday
Dear Elsie
Today was a beautiful day in Cape Town. I worked, I did a bit of shopping for David’s supplements and I walked.
As I walked, I thought I must document the awful palpitations I had in Saint Helena. They left me rattled and feeling somewhat vulnerable because I was so far from home and the medical facilities on the island are so limited. I had been in a very deep sleep, when I woke up to go to the bathroom. I stumbled out of bed and when I started back from the loo, my heart started going crazy. I literally went into what felt like atrial fibrillation. My heart was racing in a complete irregular fashion. Not only did I feel my heart beating manically in my chest but I also felt the arrhythmia pounding down my abdominal aorta. It was so unnerving. There I was at 2.30am, on my own, wondering if death was imminent. Should I go and wake up Julian? That would mean going outside and banging on his door. I got up and walked around taking deep breaths. I opened the door and went outside, gulping in the fresh night air. Nothing changed the erratic motion of my heart and arteries. The minutes ticked by with no change. I lay down on my right side. I then remembered I had my sport watch on and could see how fast my heart was beating. It was 130 beats per minute & I was lying in bed! What could be going on? Eventually, I got up again, went to the kitchen and boiled the kettle. I had bought ginger Rooibos with me, so I made myself a cup of tea and returned to bed. I sat in bed and did a codeword game. The distraction seemed to help and about half way thought the puzzle, I felt my heart return to a normal rhythm. It was still relatively quick considering I was resting, but it was under 100 and the beat was regular. It had last 30 disturbing minutes, but it was over. It was Tuesday 18th April. I went back to sleep again with a strange sensation over my heart but at least the beat was normal.
By morning, I was fine.
I told Julian but I didn’t dare tell Mike. I didn’t want him to worry. It left me a little nervous about overdoing it so when Thursday came and we climbed Jacob’s Ladder’s 699 very high steps in the heat of the day, I made sure to take it super easy. Julian beat me up by some minutes. I kept an eye on my heart rate. That night I hoped I hadn’t overdone it but my heart behaved and I’ve not had a repeat of that awful night. At least now I’m home, I’m close to my husband and close to private health care.
It’s good I keep a note, albeit an extended one!
The walk today was marvellous.
Back home round the back.
And now it’s weekend. The guests who were due in have been delayed. The guy who booked had a fall and now needs surgery in George to reset an elbow injury. They hope to come tomorrow. We’ll wait to see.
Tonight Mike and David are watching the snooker.
Grateful for a beautiful day.
Psalm 98:1
Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him.
It’s not about now – we are only passing through.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Gran xx 🙂