23 October, 2026
Just when I thought I was out of the proverbial woods with my cardiac related issues, I had another one of the miserable episodes a week ago, where my heart races along at very high BPM’s for in this case, about eight hours. Not so good. Once again, I toughed it out overnight, and since this was a Sunday night, was able to contact the UC Davis Cardiac Department early Monday morning. I had captured a couple of EKG’s with my Kardia device (glad I bought one of those), and sent them off to the electrophysiologist. Lo and behold, I received a response back very quickly. That’s the good news. The bad news is I have AFIB. And now I have to take a strong blood thinner, Eliquis, to avoid having blood coagulate in the heart, resulting potentially in strokes. The main concern with this drug is bleeding and bruising, especially if I bang my head. So now I have to be even more careful hiking, and wear a medical bracelet when I’m out on the trail…just in case, so an EMT would know. Plus, I now have another ablation process somewhere in the not too distant future, and may have a monitor device implanted.
My cup runeth over. I wish it was filled with vodka. Which I can no longer drink.
I’ll be replacing this rather simple bracelet with something a bit more stylish, with more information engraved on it. There’s one with a braided leather band, in different colors. Maybe I’ll get a couple to match my many REI hiking outfits. Got to look sharp when the EMT’s are hauling me away on a stretcher.
On a happier note, I’m a week away from my Patagonia trip, and finished up on travel arrangements for my first three trips in 2027. And the weather here has finally transitioned to Fall – some rain and cooler temperatures. Much more conducive to getting some miles in on the trails. Here’s something I have not seen along the American River trails before:
There be beavers out there!!! I’m not sure how it would have dragged this large a tree over to the channel. Must have been a really big one. Mutant beavers…scary thought.
Peace