Ralph had a follow up doctors appointment today, so we have a better idea of how things will proceed from here. His diagnosis is atrial fibrillation. He has been on medication to lower his heart rate to between 50 - 70. He is also on coumadin to lower the risk of clots. We now have his heart rate under control and they have changed that med to a slow release formula that he only has to take twice a day. With coumadin he has a blood check each week and we need to get that number to between 2 and 3. Today it was 1.6 so they increased his dosage. There is very little chance that his heart rate will return to normal on its own. So...........until the first of August (when he goes on medicare), he will be monitored weekly. Then he will start with a cardiologist and they will be doing more tests to make sure there are no other problems. He must have 3 to 4 weeks of blood tests that are between 2-3, before they will proceed with anything other than the medication to correct the A Fib, so waiting to see the cardiologist until August is no problem. That gives us time to get his coumadin at the right dosage to proceed with more agressive treatments.
He is now allowed to take walks, although he has to move very slowly or he gets "winded" very quickly. He is happy to get out and do something! He does not do well sitting all day reading and watching TV!
We have extended our stay here at the RV park in Anacortes WA until Sept. 1. After we get his heart taken care of, he has some other medical appointments that must be done before we leave for the winter. We will have a better idea how long we will be here once he sees the cardiologist, but it is looking more like Oct. 1 at this point.
Thanks to everyone for your messages and calls!!! Now if this rain would leave and we could get back to summer, we would feel even better!
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