My heart

Just a quick update for those of you who are aware that I've had some "issues" with my heart and who know that there have been some recent problems as a result. Basically I've had an occasional abnormal heart rhythm and exceptionally fast rate that is usually associated with exercise but occasionally it happens randomly.

I had what I thought was an exhaustive workup at the beginning of medical school, but this year I was denied disability insurance because there hasn't been a diagnosis attached to my symptoms. Now I know some people aren't supporters of insurance, but I am (especially given my tendency to injure myself and enjoyment for more high-risk activities) and will save that dialogue for another day. I have had some recent concerning symptoms and went to see a cardiac electrophysiologist here in Indy for what I thought would be simply the beginning of annual EKGs and routine follow-up.

He is a leader in the field, covered with my insurance plan and so I thought the man I picked was a great selection. During my first appointment he went crazy on the fact that I need a diagnosis and came up with these over-the-top tests we could do. He threw out words like pheochromocytoma, electrophysiology lab, implantable cardiac monitor... all of which seemed a little aggressive.

Needless to say I was taken aback and resistant to this. We reached a compromise and so far I have had another echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) and all sorts of external monitoring. I just got a new device yesterday that will monitor my heart at all times externally and I am off my heart medication to try and unmask the "events".

We'll see what happens, but I think we've decided that if this comes back ok we will be done and he will give me the diagnosis "benign inappropriate sinus tachycardia" and hopefully I can get disability insurance and rest assured once again that my heart is ok.

Shoulda woulda coulda

I'm trying to pick a new computer unless I am able to resuscitate mine in the next few days with the help of tech-savvy friends (hence the sparse blogs...plus my life is thoroughly out of control). Any suggestions? I'm leaning away from a mac since I will be doing research and using programs regularly that aren't mac-compatible. I've gone with Dell before, but am open to Sony or another brand.

Mexico

I don't have the time or energy to load any pictures (not that I took many) but here are a few highlights of Puerto Vallarta:

• sleep- I slept 11-12 hours every night for a week. It was ridiculous but oh so wonderful
• the sun- I hadn't seen the light of day in a long time and it was great to bask in it
• hanging out with my parents- it was great to spend a week with them catching up and laughing
• crazy tour guide man who thought I was 12 or something. he was talking to me in an incredibly condescending juvenile way. he asked if I saw santa claus when we celebrated Christmas in Mexico a few years ago. he pointed out pineapples under a tree like I didn't know what a pineapple was. My mom, continuing in the fun, pointed out bananas and other items to try and bring me to a 5th grade vocabulary.
• eating on the beach. it is one of my favorite things to do and we biked to a restaurant on the beach for lunch a couple of days.
• watching the bachelor with my parents. my dad actually sat through the whole finale and after the final rose drama. good times...
• reading for fun. it was so great to read a couple of novels for the pure pleasure of it.
• the spa- hot tub, steam room, sauna, rain shower... so much so that I went twice a day on a couple of occasions.
• the food. i ate enough chips and salsa to last a year.
• getting a tan. i know it is superficial but it feels good to have some color to my skin and blonder hair.

Thanks mom and dad for a great week!

Fire

I saw the largest fire today that I have ever seen. In fact it is the largest fire in downtown Indy in 20 years. I love a good spectacle, especially when no one gets hurt (maybe I should have worked to be a news reporter). Being able to witness this fire was one of the few benefits of driving to the hospital at 4:45 am. I saw the smoke from my house, and the flames from the interstate. It was insane! Because of my ridiculous work hours I wasn't stuck in the traffic jams that were apparently horrible as rush hour ensued.

It is a devastating blow for the builders and those with homes or businesses nearby. The miracle is that not a single person was injured.

If you want to see pictures go to wishtv.com.