No Big Deal

Ever feel like you’re off your game? Got sideline for a bit?

Me too.

I had a mini stroke (TIA – Trans Ischemic Attack) in January 2026 and thankfully I’m fine. I’ve added a neurologist to the many specialists I already see. My ever-growing list of doctors' appointments feels daunting, but I’m grateful to be monitored so closely. My doctor continues to search for the cause of the TIA. A 30-day external heart monitor showed no problematic rhythms, so she recommended the next step.

On August 31, I had a loop monitor inserted beneath the skin of my chest. It will stay in place for up to two years as it monitors for Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib), which can lead to strokes. A-Fib can occur intermittently, so this monitor will catch it if I have it.

I drove myself to the appointment because it was “no big deal.” The local anesthetic wasn’t effective (yes, I told them -- twice!). I experienced pain during the procedure which surprised me, since I felt no pain during the following procedures: c-section, hysterectomy, wisdom teeth removal and excision of squamous cell carcinoma that left me with 10 stitches! I was shaking when I walked out of the room after the procedure. By the time I got to my car, I was calmer and drove home.

For the next few days, moving my upper body and laying down was painful. I could only sleep flat on my back. I took it easy all week and rested a lot. Every day I felt improvement. I write this 12 days later and I’m still left with mottled yellow and eggplant colored bruising that looks like jagged brush strokes Van Gogh painted near the end of his life. The site still itches and I have minor discomfort laying on my side. The incision was only 1/4-inch; the heart monitor appears to be about 1-1/2 inches long and is a hard lump on my chest.

I felt so much better at the start of this week, but I had to get ready for our next camping trip, and deal with another minor medical issue requiring more appointments. I’ve gone almost two weeks without writing a word until now.

It feels good to be back.

Have you been sidelined lately? Do you push through or let yourself rest and recover? Let me know in the comments.