August 20, 2007 | Filed under: Stuff
Whew. The past week has been the longest week of my life. It started when Middle, my athlete, failed her sports test due to an irregular heartbeat. Um, huh? This is an extreme athlete in the making. She can run a mile in four minutes flat without trying. she can do back layouts with a full twist on the trampoline until the cows come home. She can hit a three pointer from just about anywhere on the basketball court. With her eyes closed.
So you can imagine me staring at the doctor who wouldn’t sign off on her form like he was an alien, because the words “can’t pass her” seemed that odd to me.
Even my daughter was like “are you SURE?”.
Yeah, he was sure. We ended up in the ER having an EKG, and then unhappily diagnosed with something called a Bigeminy. After that we were sent to Children’s Heart Center for a pediatric cardiologist and more tests. Oh, and for anyone who’s never seen an echocardiogram test, man that’s impressive. You get a lot of bang for your million dollars (okay not quite but it might as well have been). We got to see the liver, the blood flow in and out of the heart, the mechanics of the heart itself including the four chambers. Pretty amazing. Luckily, the mechanics of Middle’s heart seem in order. In fact, she’s in such good shape, with such a low blood pressure and pulse, it’s entirely possible her heart just sends out that extra electrical pulse every other heartbeat simply because it can. For now she’s wearing a heart monitor just to make sure, complete with wires and a portable little computer pack to keep track of her every move. In many cases, a bigeminy will eventually repair itself, especially in children. In some, medicine and surgery are required. I’m hoping for the first, obviously.
So. Here I am, putting my faith in the power of positive thinking. I figure if you all join me, we’ll be in good shape! Give us a good thought, will ya? I’ll let you know how it works out.
Oh, and in the meantime, send good thoughts my way too, since Middle is VERY unhappy with the things stuck all over her chest and having to carry about this little pack like a purse, which apparently, is the worst thing ON THE PLANET, just ask her, she’ll be happy to tell you, as it interferes with all her favorite activities like whining.
Send cookies. I’m not kidding …
Update:
Okay well Middle passed her heart monitor test. The doctors have decided that when she’s in the bigeminy rhythm, it’s benign, so for now, all is good! THANK YOU for all your sweet thoughts, it all helped, I know it.
Posted by Jill @ 1:00 am | Make a Comment
Judy F says:
Ah Jill sorry to hear this. Will send her and your family lots of healing prayers. Hope it all works out for the best.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 2:43 amLishy says:
Oh crap! That about sums it up for my insomnia-wracked brain…
Sending good thoughts for you and yours, keep us posted please…
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 4:16 amKaren K says:
Good thoughts and prayers her way !
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 4:22 ammary beth says:
HUGS Jill and dd. Good thoughts sent your way.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 4:59 amElizabeth K says:
Jill, I can hear gray hairs popping all the way from Ohio. How about I send you…mmm…a chocolate fountain surrounded by piles of Oreos, grahams, Nutter Butters, and sugar cookies of all shapes and sizes and anything else you’d care to dunk, even–gack!–FRUIT!
Keeping fingers crossed for you & yours.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 5:01 amRhonda says:
Oh, Jill, sending prayers your way! I’ve heard many things about this Middle daughter and know this has to be terrible for both of you.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 5:07 amLaurie says:
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers, Jill. I have an irregular (of the occasional variety) heartbeat myself, and it was very frightening when first diagnosed. Especially disconcerting when it’s your child.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 5:29 amSue says:
I’m so sorry and I’m wishing her will
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 5:31 amJulie Leto says:
Jill, please tell your daughter that I’ve worn a heart monitor myself and it IS the worst thing…but this to shall pass and she’ll be happy about it once the doctors can do what they need to. I hope it corrects itself…but damn, I’m glad the doc caught it before any real problems manifested. Lots of hugs for her and cookies for you. If I had any Samoas left, I’d certainly mail them to you!
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 5:32 amAmy M says:
Jill,
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 5:36 amMy thoughts and prayers are with you. I know that the stress of this past week, especially because it is your child, is unmesurable. There is nothing like a mother’s love. My prayers are with your middle daughter and your family. I hope that it is because she is in such dynamite shape that her heart is “behaving” in this manner. Keep us posted and know that prayers are being sent for her.
Honey says:
Poor kid!! And poor Jill! I’m sending positive thoughs that this’ll correct itself.
Mr. Honey had to wear one of those heart monitor things, too. Twice, actually, because the second doctor didn’t trust that the first doctor had done it correctly, but it was just an ego thing.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 5:52 amMargaret McDonagh says:
Jill, sending all thoughts and best wishes to your middle daughter, yourself and all the family. I sincerely hope this is sorted out very soon and turns out to be nothing but a minor blip and that no medication or surgery will be needed. Big [[[hugs]]].
Love,
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 5:57 amMags xx
Shirley says:
Sending cyber hugs and cookies your way. (I know cyber cookies are worse than useless but, hey, they’re less fattening.)
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 6:30 amI do hope everything works out. Wishing you all well.
julie says:
Sending lots of positive thoughts your way.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 6:47 amspyscribbler says:
Wow, what a shock! For someone so athletic, it must be torture to have to sit out of sports. Not to mention the worry you and your husband must feel.
I’m thinking tons of positive thoughts for you all. *hugs*
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 7:01 amKaren B says:
Love, hugs and cookies to all of you.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 7:10 amSuzy says:
Aw. From one middle to another, I feel your pain. Why is it always us? See, THAT’S why we have the syndrome.
And Jill, you can tell your daughter my embarrassing med story. My last job made my blood pressure skyrocket. I went from below avg/normal to WHOA! Are you drinking salt? blood pressure. My docs were freaked out by it so they made me wear a portable blood pressure monitor.
I had to wear the monitor like Flava Flav’s clock strapped around my neck. Attached to my arm was a self-inflating cuff. Every 15 minutes the monitor would let out a loud BEEEEEEEEEP. Then the cuff would inflate. Every 15 minutes.
I worked for a fashion publisher with LOTS of catty women. They thought it was hilarious my sleeve would beep and inflate itself every 15 minutes. But that wasn’t the worst part of it. I’m in NYC. It’s all about public transportation. Post 9/11, having anything STRAPPED to you that beeps, on the subway system? Yeah. And that’s how I met the NYPD.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 7:12 amKate Hardy says:
Sending you and your middle a big hug, Jill - lots of positive thoughts coming your way.
Kate xx
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 7:34 amAlice Audrey says:
I’m rooting for her. Will send Girl Scout cookies.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 8:11 amLynn says:
Big hugs, positive thoughts and cookies. I hope everything turns out fine.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 8:38 amAllie says:
Sending positive thoughts towards Middle. Wires and stuff! Yuck!
This isn’t a murmur or a kidney problem, but I do know lots of murmurs in youngsters go away on their own, as do some kinds of minor kidney problems. I found an article where the doctor answering a question says “Such “extra” or “premature” beats cause more problems for doctors than patients.” 
I imagine they are doing all the checking and monitors just to be sure they aren’t actually causing her a problem. Hopefully she will be permitted back into sports very soon.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 8:55 amEllen says:
Aww…poor kid. But it sounds like her heart’s in very good shape overall.
Sending postive thoughts her way and cyber-cookies your way.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 9:21 amkim h says:
wishing her well.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 9:22 amSusan says:
I’m sending good vibes and prayers your way!
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 9:29 amBailey Stewart says:
Aw hell Jill, what a mess. Of course my thoughts are with you and the family. Sending more cyber-cookies.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 9:32 amAngie T says:
Jill, My older spawn was the same way. His pulse and blood pressure were very low as well. His dr was not the least bit concerned, he said that was the sign of an athlete. He had the symptom one time and the next time he didn’t. That was 3 years ago and he hasn’t had another incident. And he played soccer the whole time. Sometimes it is just caused by meds or other external stimulants.
You are all in my prayers.
Middle will be fine, the extra beat will go away and she will be back in the ER for her normal ailments..like broken toes!
How do I know this?
Because we are all claiming it right now!!
Everyone here agrees that this is nothing…that it will resolve itself within a short period of time and all will be back to normal and soon to be forgotten.
Can I get an AMEN???
Can I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Dr. Wayne Dyer?
“There is nothing to worry about, ever. Either you have control or you don’t. If you do, then take control. If you don’t, then dismiss it. Don’t waste your energy on worry.”
Easier said than done when it is our children, I know. But I am confident that everything will be just fine.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 9:52 amCarol says:
Cookies and good vibes coming your way!
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 10:45 amDonna M says:
(((Hugs))) for you and Middle daughter Jill. How scary this must be for you & DH, it sounds like everything will be okay. Keep positive thoughts about her condition & I will keep her in my prayers.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 10:53 amSomeday she will be able to laugh about having to wear the heart monitor.
Take care,
Donna M
kristen says:
Toes crossed it all works out in the great health column.
No cookies here but I can send little chocolate donuts?
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 11:11 amHeather Harper says:
I had to wear one of those pesky monitors when I was diagnosed with my heart thingie. (That’s the medical term, btw.)
It will be over before she knows it. The entire ordeal can be scary, but if anyone can be positive and ambitious enough to take care of themselves and beat the odds, it’s a child.
Hugs.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 11:16 amjeanne says:
Sometimes I think we get too much information. I too think she is probably in better shape than most. Sure hope it doesn’t curtail her activities this year. I just had something like that happen to me - got the heart monitor too and a 4 day hospital stay and all the wonderful tests etc. - They really didn’t find much which of course I’m greatful for but I really wish I hadn’t done anything (my husband made me lol).
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 11:19 amh
Cryna says:
Sending positive healing prayers and thoughts to your middle daughter, you and the family. How scary for all of you.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 11:41 amEricka Scott says:
Sending lots of positive thoughts your way!
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 11:59 amDiana says:
Jill, I’m thinking good thoughts and sending them your way.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 1:15 pmLis says:
Sending loads of good thoughts and hugs your way. I had an ekg a couple years ago and those wires were miserable so I can just imagine what middle’s going through. Hopefully it’s something that can be cleared up on its own!
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 2:25 pmJordan says:
Jill, I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter. I have no doubt that she will make a complete recovery. Sending good vibes your way. (((Hugs & Cookies)))
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 3:32 pmDru says:
I’m so sorry to hear this news. Sending you, middle daughter and your family hugs and plenty of chocolate cookies. I will say a special prayer tonight.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 4:09 pmPat L. says:
Sending hugs and good wishes your way. Please keep us posted.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 4:15 pmAmy L says:
Sending good thoughts to your daughter and you. These things have a way of working themselves out.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 5:52 pmThink positive!
Brandy says:
Sending smiles, thoughts of cookies and best wishes that things work out. Also saying a prayer for Middle!
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 6:30 pmRuby55 says:
That must be tough to hear something like that. I’m just thinking back to what my mother told me about the rheumatic fever she had as a child. I think she had some kind of abnormal heartbeat as well. However, she never had any real problems with it and died in her 84th year. The doctors expected her to die on Sunday but she held on until late Thursday because, as they said, “she had a strong heart.”
I believe strongly in prayer. Therefore I’ll say prayers for your daughter and the rest of your family. It’s great that they can monitor these situations so easily now. Hope she’ll soon be A-Ok as will her mother despite this shock.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 6:35 pmShelly says:
I see Middle in perfect health…..and standing on the podium receiving her Gold Medal….or what ever her big, health heart desires.
I see Jill happily knee deep in mounds and mounds of cookies…..all of which cause her to loose weight so rapidly that she is forced to dunk everything she eats in chocolate just to keep her favorite jeans from falling off.
OK….so the latter is a bit of a stretch but the former is already a done deal. Wishing you all the very best.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 8:33 pmraine says:
Just {{{hugs}}} to you both.
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 11:04 pmKids are amazingly resilient.
You’ll see.
alicia says:
wow Jill, sending lots of positive thoughts and hugs both your way and your daughter’s… also, lots of cyber cookies to you both
Posted on August 20th, 2007 at 11:26 pmStacy ~ says:
You’re in my thoughts. Lots of hugs and cookies being transmitted to you.
Posted on August 21st, 2007 at 3:15 amAnnette says:
I’m sending positive thoughts to your daughter plus your whole family. Hugs to you all!
Posted on August 21st, 2007 at 5:24 amCarolyn A. says:
Hugs and best wishes to your middle daughter and to you too!!
Posted on August 21st, 2007 at 6:12 amPlatypus says:
Oh Jill, I’m sorry, you must have been sick with fear. Sending loads of love and hugs your way.
Posted on August 21st, 2007 at 11:38 amMechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen says:
Sending warm thoughts your and the Middle’s way. I hope they get it settled out soon and I’m sure she’ll check out just fine.
Posted on August 21st, 2007 at 1:58 pmMarty says:
Send me your address, I’ll send cookies. And good thoughts. I don’t guess I need the address for that
And I’m not kidding.
Posted on August 21st, 2007 at 3:25 pmmira says:
Hugs and good thoughts coming your way. Send your address I’ll send cookies.
Posted on August 23rd, 2007 at 7:10 pmMechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen says:
I’m so glad to hear the update. Yay!
Posted on August 23rd, 2007 at 7:41 pmSarah says:
Coming late with the well wishes, but so glad to hear that she’s going to be okay!!
One of my twins was born with a tiny hole in her heart. Fortunately, it grew closed within a couple of months… but they said even major athletes can have these holes in their hearts and be fine… wild.
Posted on August 23rd, 2007 at 9:46 pm