Cabin Fever. . .

Anyone ever felt this?

Cabin fever

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the psychological condition. For other uses, see Cabin fever (disambiguation).

Cabin fever is a slang term for a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated and/or shut in, for an extended period. Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, forgetfulness, and excessive sleeping.^[1]

The origin of the term is unknown, but was first recorded in 1918.^[2] The term may originate from the United States during the time when settlers would be snowed into their log cabins in winter and would have to wait for the spring thaw in order to travel to town.^[3] The phrase may also be associated with ocean-crossing sailing ships in which passengers had to endure weeks and months of slow travel while living in cabins below deck.

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I have cabin fever... like a person stuck on an island...I am able to move around the house but it's hard going anywhere. I spend my day listening to music, sleeping, listening to my daughter play (which is my favorite part of the day), watching The Price is Right and 24 hour news, reading the Book of Mormon, and watching the clock...

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Getting Out!

I was finally able to get out and do something other than travel to a hospital which felt really good. I went and voted early and then hit the drive through of "Crown Burger" with a friend. In addition, I went with my wife and daughter to my sister's home so Eden could trick or treat with her cousins. For a little girl who is always wearing princess dress ups she wanted to go as a spider. It was cute.

I saw my cardiologist Angela Yetman today and things looked stable. I'm giving myself lovanox shots twice a day to help me absorb protein.

I'm wearing oxygen 24/7 at 3 liters and I carry around the milrinone medication pumping into my arm through my picc line (there are 2 pictures to the right of the picc).

It is difficult to shower. But, I am grateful that these things are giving me more time while we wait for my heart.

Incidentally, I was moved up on the list to a status 1B. What does that mean? You're either a status 7, status 2, status 1B, or status 1A (I guess because they can't count from 1 to 4). To my understanding, and I might be wrong, a 7 is a person who has a hard time qualifying for a heart because of other disease, infection, weight, and more. A 2 is a person who needs a heart but they're at home and able to go to work or they are somewhat stable at home. A 1-B is in and out of the hospital, receiving medication through a picc full time, and other difficult issues. The 1-A's are in the hospital and don't have vey long. So, it certainly is an unusual situation because there are plenty of people who need a transplant of some kind. There is a great web-site with data about the list and those waiting or donating. CLICK HERE

Heart Cath & Stent Done

I'm home after Monday's heart cath where they also put a stent in the right pulmonary artery. I feel much better. They were not however able to upgrade the use of my pacemaker. Oh Well. I'm home!!! I'm still a little tired and in bed most of the day but I am with Eden & Lynnette.

Home for the Weekend| Back to the Hospital on Monday

After a difficult week of being in the hospital to help me with my exhaustion my cardiologist pulled some strings to get me home for the weekend. My daughter has been sleeping at my parents home and also at my sister n' laws home. My wife has been working. So, I am happy to be with them for this short weekend. Tomorrow, after church and a nap my wife will work a night shift. I'll be with my daughter at my parents overnight before I go back to the hospital on Monday for several more days of procedures and minor surgery. I will have another Heart Cath and they will put a stent in. They may also change my pacemaker. Then I'll recover for a few days.

While in the hospital they inserted a pick line (mid line) so I could be on a new medication. I am also taking lovenex shots twice a day. In addition, and the most difficult thing is that I am wearing a defibrillator life vest 24 hours a day in the event I have a horrible arrhythmia or heart attack. It is like sleeping on 4 rocks and a think hard cover book. Because of these and other issues I was moved up on the list.

I am sick. It's sometimes difficult and frustrating having no mobile freedom. I am not allowed to drive with the vest. And I rely heavily on my wife and family for support. But, I know God has blessed me. Though there is suffering, I know that He cares for all those hurting. We feel His love and strength through the service of others. It's so important to strengthen our family relationships. There will come a time when you will need them. I am grateful for mine. I wish everyone had the support I do. But, sadly many do not and it breaks my heart. We need to reach out to those in need.

On a spiritual note; there were a couple things this week that helped me greatly. One, prayer. There were nights in the hospital where I felt like I wouldn't be able to make it through the night. But, it was the prayer with my wife, and on another night, my mother, and on another night my father. I felt peace and comfort from that simple principle of opening up your heart to God and thanking Him for all that is good in our lives. The other thing that helped me is a beautiful message on "HOPE" by a man I greatly admire Dieter F. Uchtdorf. Read his discourse.

Back In The Hospital. . .

I've been in the hospital all week and this is the first time I've had a chance to write. I became so weak that they admitted me. Much of my care has been transferred to a children's hospital because most of the experts that have worked with me once a week through a clinic in another hospital could manage my care more closely because they're always here.

I am anxious to get home. On Monday I'm scheduled for a couple of minor procedures; a heart cath, possibly a stint to help get more blood to my lungs, and maybe a new pace-maker. Lucky me!

I'll try to write later and keep you posted! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

The Deseret News Story

Feature editor and my friend Carma Wadley wrote a beautiful article that was in last Sunday's Deseret News Life section. I hope you enjoy her story.

Life-giving expressions: Pianist Paul Cardall celebrates life as he awaits heart transplant

Read the article

(Picture by Stuart Johnson, Deseret News)

"I've never done a whole CD that is so personal," pianist Paul Cardall says of his new autobiographical album, "Living for Eden."

My Glorious Medications!

I take all of this candy throughout the day. A few of them I take twice. We're trying to be weaned off a few of them.