The promise of 2017 in cardiology

The promise of a new year.  2017.  As the media, the public and the laymen happily rang out 2016 with the wearing of black as we said farewell to the biology of so many talented individuals, we started 2017 with hope.

Everyone being sure 2017 has got to be better than its predecessor. 

My family sighed with relief too as we rang in the new year (me in my nightwear in the middle of a dairy farm in Wales).  Last year was full of worry and tragedy.  Yet we made it through.  Stronger as  a family than ever.  My knowledge of the brain stem, strokes and death far more inscribed in my brain than before as we celebrated the life of my 74 year old father.

We miss him, of course.

With those words of "Mum will live to 100" coming back to haunt me, we rushed her into casualty with a pulse of 45,  stars in her eyes and feeling as though she would lose consciousness at any minute.  

"Heart block" the paramedic had explained.  

The second ECG at hospital showed progession from 1st degree to 2nd degree as they took Mums blood from her bruised vein.  Tropotin was through the roof.  This is an enzyme released by damaged heart cells.  This showed us mum had an MI.  A heart attack.

Her care was fantastic.  Right away, fragmin in her belly, aspirin down her throat and canulas a plenty.  Recussitation trolley all day long gave her a 'bum ache' as she laughed along with the nurses.  This was very serious.  Yet her spirit remained unscathed as I quoted her on Facebook so her friends could see her sense of humour was definitely not harmed.  

A week in intensive care,  a stent in the Right Coronary Artery which was 99% blocked, left one showing a few signs,

echocardiogram showing 'significant damage' to her heart muscle and constant monitoring showing me that she was missing beats.  They called them Blips to Mum.  That was all she needed to know.  I researched and researched and took photos of her trace to send to my contacts in the know.  Turns out their diagnosis via mobile phone was right, Mobitz 2.  

Making the most of Mum,  having her home with us, I was immediately thankful.  Until I realised the sounds of Phil and Holly presenting on This Morning right behind my desk was very distracting.  

Can I cope?  Can I continue my studies, work and look after mum, Scott and the twins?  Of course I can.  I can do anything I put my mind to!

Up against it, yes.  

Not beaten.

First day back at university

As a second year human nutrition student I'm feeling excited.

Waking at 5am has become no stranger to me just lately.  You may have seen from my Youtube channel I am tweaking my health right now.  Since that, I can wake early and feel refreshed.  Although I still get tired later on, I decided to embrace the day and get up.  Letting you guys into the secret of how I am feeling!

Yes I am definitely excited to be getting back into the lecture theatre.
Today we study cardiology which will help me fantastically in keeping an eye on Scott as he continues to recover from Myocarditis.

Our lecturer is amazing.  She's beautiful to watch as she presents,  funny and engaging.  I adore lessons with her and others who are like her.  Doesn't a teacher make all the difference! Crazy eh.

Of course, I won't be forgetting you guys and this blog, quite the opposite in fact.  I aim to use the library as a hideaway where I can work until I'm done then I go home.  Only then! I always overfill my to do list but I want to achieve all the things I want to achieve.  Telling you guys my stories and sharing any knowledge I feel you might like to know!

Recently, I have published a new blog which is ideally for those wanting to find out about studying nutrition and dietetics yet this is a year behind.  For example, a year today will see a post about starting year 2 (which is actually today!).  If you are interested in learning the science of what I get up to, head over there by clicking here.http://nutritionstudentdiary.blogspot.co.uk
If it's nutrition you want to hear about rather than the science of what I'm learning then there is a better blog for you here.

On top of all that, you can sign up to get posts in your inbox on the right hand side of this page and I will be sending a monthly newsletter now which you can sign up to here for FREE :) Yay we all love free stuff.

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I'd love to hear your comments.  What are you up to at this time of year?  Are you looking forward to Halloween?  Who dresses up?  What about the leaves changing colour this autumn?  Gorgeous!

Have an awesome day you awesome lot

Love always

Louise xoxo