2018 - My year in review

[Kaz747]

Being New Year’s Eve I thought I’d look back on the highlights and lowlights of my year.

- Started a new job (at which I worked for a total of 12 weeks)

- Our 17 year old dog passed away

- Our youngest daughter moved out of home and into her own house

- I was a admitted to hospital 7 times (in 6 months)

- Had an ambulance ride

- Diagnosed with Atrial Flutter

- Had an electric cardioversion

- Diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation

- Diagnosed with Shingles

- Diagnosed with Postherpetic Neuralgia

- Had an abandoned ablation

- A blood clot was found in my left atrial appendage (hence the above abandonment)

- Had an ablation for AFib and AFlutter (fixed the flutter but not the AFib)

- Had 3 general anesthetics (1 for cardioversion and 2 for ablation procedures)

- Diagnosed with Plebitis (inflammation in vein)

- Diagnosed with Pericarditis and Esophagitis

- Lots of medical tests

- Heaps of drugs

- Discovered my coronary calcium score is zero so I know my arteries are in good shape

- Attended 3 weddings and a funeral (1 wedding short of a movie 😀)

- Attended an event at my old university hosted by HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York

- My football team won the Australian Football League Grand Final (whilst I was hooked up to a heart monitor in hospital)

- Read a number of books, listened to many podcasts and watched lots of movies

- Walked every day that I was well enough to

- Swam and cycled when I could

- Ate plenty of healthy, tasty food

- Gave up alcohol

- Lost 11 kilograms (24 pounds)

- Hosted 15 people for Christmas lunch and 9 for Christmas dinner

- Hosted 25 people for a family reunion this week (a fraction of the family which is scattered world wide)

- Still have daily AF episodes, despite procedures, lifestyle changes and oodles of medication

- Found this amazingly supportive online community and new friends from around the world

So 2018 was an interesting year and despite all the negatives I’m still smiling 😀😉.

Hopefully in 2019 I’ll finally get this crazy heart of mine under control, I’ll get back to work (if my employer continues to hold my job open for me) and I’ll get my life back on track.

Thank you all for support in what has been my most challenging year so far (and I thought 2016 was bad - that year I had ankle reconstruction surgery, 3 months in a wheelchair, 4 1/2 months off work and was diagnosed with SVT - the start of my arrhythmia problems). Onwards and upwards!

Happy New Year! 🎉🥳🎉🥂🎉

Karen

[Aus19]

Crikey, you deserve 2019 to be a great year, Kaz747. Good luck to you!

[Kaz747 in reply to Aus19]

Thanks- it can only get better 🙏🏻🤞🏻 😁😁

[wilsond]

Onwards and upwards! 😀 what a year! Here's hoping for much less drama and more peace and fun! Best wishes xxx

[Hidden]

Certainly a rollercoaster year but you have ended it with a smile and you’re still breathing and also a great contributor to this forum. All the best Karen, and here’s hoping the “ups” outweigh the “downs” by a massive margin during 2019.........

[Hilly22]

You'll be seeing in the new year quite a few hours before us lot in the uk ... bet it can't come soon enough for you! Wishing you a happy and much healthier new year - keep smiling 😊 x

[BobD Volunteer]

Karen thank you so much for your post which I hope will be an inspiration to many. You have always maintained a wonderfully optimistic attitude to your problems and shared your wonderful photos from time to time. If anybody deserves a better 2019 it is you!

[mswillow]

Wowzzers!!! Isnt it amazing when we look back see it in black and white written like that... how do we get through.... well because just like yourself we do some how and keep pushing through it all... may your year ahead be blessed... happy new year strong lady 💪 😊

[Hidden]

What a year it's been...Happy and healthy New Year to you, Karen! 🎉

[irene75359]

Inspirational post from a very positive member - Happy New Year!