Joy

I’ve been crossing my fingers for April 17th. There’s only one doctor who does the implants and explants devices in my local healthcare system. After three weeks of canceling it’s finally confirmed. I have an appointment to implant a new Loop recorder for SVT. SVT (Supraventricular tachycardia) is a common arrhythmia causing a sudden, rapid heartbeat, stemming from issues above the heart’s ventricles. The loop recorder monitors my condition and makes sure I get the care I need. I have had a loop recorder since 2022. It died at the beginning of this year. It’s been a hard four months waiting to figure out when they’re going to remove it. I’ve had constant chest pain, and you just have to sit there and suffer. When I’ve gone into the hospital, I’ve waited long hours and been let out late at 2 or 3 am when I don’t have a ride to get home!

It’s really upsetting and stressful when they keep rescheduling my appointment. The doctor didn’t give me an excuse about why. I had stuff already planned out for that day and now you’re going to tell me at the last minute that you have to cancel my appointment: my ride, what I was going to do that weekend, plans for someone else to take my husband food shopping when our food stamps come in. I have a lot of other health issues and I have to keep that day free from appointments. I have to put in all this time to make everything work for the appointment, and then the health system doesn’t do the same thing for me!

We need a better healthcare system with more doctors and nurses who are qualified to meet our needs! We need more public transportation in our communities at night time!

As an update: the health system kept Joy’s appointment for 17th, the procedure went well and she’s now recovering.