Bob continues to have episodes of atrial flutter. He had an MRI earlier this week. He has not been told the final results yet. Evidently these results will help his physicians to determine whether he will need a pacemaker or a defibrillator. These devices are implanted in patients in order to provide a way to restore a normal heart rhythm quickly when things like flutter are detected.

Mom is doing well. She survived a day at the funeral of my grandfather on the 12th. This was her first husband's father.

Bob is home! He will go to outpatient cardiac rehab tomorrow at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. He will be assessed as to whether he needs the more intense rehab at this cardiac rehab center or whether he is ready for a home program. If he needs to go to the cardiac rehab center he will travel there from home probably five times each week for the next several weeks.

Bob and Ann Marie found out today that Bob will be discharged from the rehab facility on Thursday, October 1st. They are excited. Mom is nervous. Bob will continue to get therapy through home health care. They appreciate every one's help and prayers.

During his visit to the cardiologist's office yesterday, Bob was found to be doing better than expected. He is off oxygen during the day, but still needs it at night. He will meet with his surgeon in a couple of weeks. The surgeon will determine when Bob will be able to leave rehab and go home.

Bob is doing well in rehab. He says they have to hold him back so he does not try to hard. Mom reports that he looks better. He does like his naps after therapy. The therapy sessions wear him out a little. He will see his regular cardiologist tomorrow. He is in a different room, so ask at the front desk when visiting him. He would also like people to call the cell number because he keeps the cell phone close to him.

Overnight Bob's heart rhythm returned to normal. He has been transferred to Stonehenge. His private number is 801-850-5421. Visitors are welcome anytime. He will be at this rehab center for up to 30 days. His duration of stay will depend on his improvement.

Bob is still at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. He saw his surgeon and two cardiologists today to review what to do about his ongoing atrial flutter. They tried to cardiovert him three times today but were not successful. During cardioversion paddles are used to send an impulse of electricity through his heart in order to hopefully reset the electrical activity so that the heart can resume its normal function. They feel that post-operative inflammation is either causing the flutter, preventing them from correcting the flutter or both. For now they will wait 4-6 weeks to see in the flutter goes away as his inflammation heals. If the flutter remains, they will likely try to cardiovert him again. If they are not successful, a pacemaker will be placed.

While Bob has flutter his atria or the small chambers of the heart do not empty as they should. This dramatically increases the risk that a blood clot will form in the atria. Such clots can dislodge and travel to other parts of the body. If a clot forms in his right atria and then dislodges, it will go to his lung and cause a pulmonary embolism which is a life threatening condition. If the clot forms in this left atrium and then dislodges, it can go to his brain and cause a stroke. In order to prevent these serious complications, Bob has been placed on a blood thinner called Coumadin. This is the same chemical that is found in some types of mouse and rat poison. Bob will have blood tests periodically to make sure his coumadin levels are therapeutic (at the right level).

Lastly, while Esther was visiting today, one of the cardiologists told them that Bob's risk of heart attack would be higher if he were to go home now and that his risk will be lower in the hospital or rehab center. This news helped mom and Bob feel better about their decision to have Bob go to a rehab center for a few weeks.