Shocking Developments

But a genuine boost nonetheless

If I've learnt anything recently it's this. The more I hang around doctors, the more tests they do, and the more unwanted discoveries they make. Perhaps ignorance is bliss after all.

Several months of continuous testing of my heart, initiated because of potential immunotherapy contraindications, discovered various underlying electrophysiological problems. A low resting heart rate that I thought was a sign of cardiovascular fitness is problematic sinus bradycardia¹. Sporadic absence of P wave indicates junctional rhythm². A bipolar QRS complex³ reveals a Right Bundle Branch Block⁴. Once in a while my already irregular heartbeat pauses for a bit too long⁵. None of these are related to my treatment for cancer.

Throughout this monitoring period my cardiologist has weighed these objective factors against my lack of subjective symptoms. If I report feeling tired, breathless or increasingly unfit, which just might have something to do with the cytotoxic drugs I am often receiving, there is more evidence to support intervention. This week was sufficiently conclusive enough for a decision to be finally made.

In the near future I will be a recipient of a pacemaker⁶, which technically makes me a cyborg⁷.

Today's song, a cover version delivered with shockingly distinctive ‘style’, is dedicated to my cardiologist.

1. https://ecgwaves.com/topic/sinus-bradycardia-ecg-causes-treatment/

2. https://ecgwaves.com/topic/junctional-rhythm-junctional-tachycardia

3. https://ecgwaves.com/topic/ecg-normal-p-wave-qrs-complex-st-segment-t-wave-j-point

4. https://ecgwaves.com/topic/right-bundle-branch-block-rbbb-ecg-criteria-treatment/

5. https://ecgwaves.com/topic/sinoatrial-block-sa-criteria-ecg-causes-management/

6. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/pacemakers

7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyborg