A Flutter? - by Ane

Last night we got home from Maui.  It is so good to be home.  Oregon is beautiful with all the trees budding and flowers popping!  We LOVE it here!!

Before retiring Mark went into A-Fib again and it continued through the night.  By morning the heart beat was regular but fast.  We called Provident Medical and found a cardiologist who had time available today to see us.  After an ECG (same as EKG we learned – EKG is German – why didn’t I ever realize that electro-cardiogram would have initials ECG not EKG?!), reading existing reports, and hearing Mark’s current symptoms he knew the problem.  Mark has Pericarditis – and inflammation of the sac-like covering around the heart.  He also is in A-Flutter (fast regular heart beat) instead of A-Fib (irregular heart beat that can be slow or fast). The A-Flutter is likely caused by the Pericarditis which is caused by the tumor.  Actually, the doctor doesn’t think it is from the tumor in the heart, but a small tumor (which we didn’t know about) that is on the outside of the heart.  Our doctor in Maui thought the tumor protruded through the muscle of the heart extending to the other side, but Dr. Schroeder said that is not the case.   It is the Pericarditis that is causing the pain in his chest.  It is acute when he is lying down, lying on his left side or when he takes a deep breath.  Pericarditis can lead to Pericardial effusion – fluid around the heart.  That is what we need to be aware of now.  If enough fluid develops it can be removed using a needle to drain it.  At this point Mark doesn’t seem to have Pericardial effusion.  Dr. Schroeder gave Mark a prescription of Amiodarone to control the A-Flutter or A-Fibrillation. Ibuprofen or Motrin can be used to help alleviate the pain from the Pericarditis.  

 

Mark also went to his dermatologist today to have some of his skin growths removed that are a side effect of the Zelboraf.  He’s growing a garden of them!  Another side effect has become obvious now – hair loss!  Yes, his hair is noticeably thinner.  He finds it in his comb and on his pillow.  That made him a bit sad.  Well, I assured him that he is adorable with or without hair! :)

We are scheduled to fly out early Friday morning for a 16-day trip to Israel that has been planned for some time (long before we knew about the cancer).  Both our oncologist and the cardiologist tell us that we can go.  So…I guess we will.  Dr. Schroeder assured us that there are excellent medical facilities there.  Oh, I hope we don’t have to find out!  

FYI, we are going to Israel with a tour group that was organized by our family doctor.  So…we have our doctor with us which is very comforting. (We certainly hope we don’t spoil the trip for him!) Prayers that we will be able to go and enjoy this trip to Israel would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you so very much!!  Also, please forgive us if we have not responded to messages or e-mails. We really do appreciate the support!