Taylor Leddin McMaster (Host): Thank you for tuning into the Well Within Reach podcast, brought to you by Riverside Healthcare. I'm your host Taylor Leddin McMaster, and today we are joined by Lynn Ahlden, who is sharing her story and also her beautiful home in Riverside's Westwood Estates. And she's going to tell us about an experience that she had through several of Riverside's departments.

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Host: So thank you so much for joining us.

Lynn Ahlden: You're welcome. Thank you.

Host: So I understand last October, in October, 2024, you were on vacation and started feeling some chest pains, some difficulty breathing. Can you tell us about that?

Lynn Ahlden: Yes, we were in Canada and I did have chest pains, but I think it's probably typical for women, perhaps. I thought, well, I did this, that caused that, and it went away. So I really didn't think a great deal about it. But then we got home and a few days later, I really felt like I had the proverbial elephant on my chest happen very quickly and I knew I needed to go to Riverside. Well, obviously I'm right across the street, which is very nice. So I did go there and was admitted. You say chest pains, you certainly get their attention.

Host: Yeah, so that was at the emergency department.

Lynn Ahlden: It was okay. And they were beyond wonderful. They really were. They took me back immediately, told me exactly what they were doing. And then they monitored you for it was to be for about two hours. And the doctor on call would come in periodically and he would say, well, they're looking at this, that, and the other thing. And we're particularly watching this. And finally he came in and he said, well, there's no easy way to say this, but you're having a heart attack and the operating team is right behind me to take you to surgery. And I looked at him and I said. Okay.

Host: I trust you.

Lynn Ahlden: Yeah. Well, I did and I also knew that he was right. I wasn't going to say I want a second opinion here. It wasn't like that at all, but, so that started it.

Host: So were you surprised when he told you that? Was it presenting the way you maybe expected it to, or it was surprising to you?

Lynn Ahlden: Surprising. Not at all. Women present very differently.

Host: Right.

Lynn Ahlden: And I knew that vaguely, but not that well. And you can have arm pain, neck pain, all kinds of different pains. And typically, again, I think we tend to think, well, we did this, it caused that.

Host: Right.

Lynn Ahlden: And you don't really relate it to a heart issue at all. But it definitely was.

Host: Yeah.

Lynn Ahlden: So there we were.

Taylor Leddin McMaster (Host): So from what you recall, I'm sure there was a lot going on in your mind at that point. What was the process of taking you back for surgery? How long was the surgery? Tell me all about that experience.

Lynn Ahlden: I'm not real clear on how long it lasted, but things happened very rapidly. But my best recollection of all of it is there were many, many people there. They were part of a, a larger team, obviously, but they all knew exactly what they were doing. And you could just tell how organized it was. And in spite of all of that, they would reassure me, we're doing this, we're doing that, et cetera, et cetera.

And I had never experienced anything quite like that. I, one of those people who I would like to see what's happening to me. And, and so far as I could, I was able to do that.

Host: Oh, wow. Okay.

Lynn Ahlden: But the explanation was really good. And all the time they're explaining things, they're still going about getting everything ready and they're probably eight to 10 people in the room.

Host: Wow. So, so

Lynn Ahlden: It's very efficient

Host: Doing what they need to do, but still communicating to you and keeping you comfortable and informed. That's really important.

Lynn Ahlden: It was very important.

Host: So what was the recovery process like from surgery?

Lynn Ahlden: Well, I got to go home the next day.

Taylor Leddin McMaster (Host): Oh, wow. Okay.

Lynn Ahlden: I know which and modern technology, that's kinda the way that is.

Host: Yeah.

Lynn Ahlden: And I think they knew I lived across the street too.

Taylor Leddin McMaster (Host): Just sent you on your way.

Lynn Ahlden: Right, exactly. But that was not unexpected. And certainly it changed my lifestyle somewhat, but all very doable. And it was very well explained even then.

Host: Yeah. Yeah. So what was the follow up from there? How often did you have to go back for checkups? What was the next step in terms of like rehab or home health, anything like that?

Lynn Ahlden: Well, home health didn't apply, but the rehab started about three weeks after all of that. And again, that's right across the street. And the rehab was three times a week and it was wonderful because you really are watched, you're monitored. Uh, you have all these little sticky tags all over you and, but you're monitored. So a couple of months after that, in rehab, I did have an issue. And it's called, an SVT I can't remember the exact what the initial stand for. But it's quite serious.

Your heart is beating like very fast. Like 200 beats a minute, something like that. So the nurse in charge of the rehab came over very calmly and said, Lynn, you need to quit exercising right now with me and come with me. And I thought, this can't be good.

Host: Yeah.

Lynn Ahlden: But I did. And again, they were all very calm. So we're going down the hall to another room and I see an EKG machine coming, and pretty soon my doctor who's right across the hall, he appeared. And the next thing I know we're doing all kinds of things, checking. And he had me try some things that might have slowed your heartbeat down that didn't work. But again, he explained everything.

Host: Yeah.

Lynn Ahlden: I knew what was happening. And then we went around the corner and there I was back in the ER.

Host: Oh, wow.

Lynn Ahlden: But they got everything rather calmed down. And then I did have to have another procedure later. The procedures, there were three of them and they were in October and January and February. Spaced out all somewhat different, two stents. And then the last one was what they call an ablation.

Host: Okay.

Lynn Ahlden: Again. Well explained.

Host: Mm-hmm.

Lynn Ahlden: The ablation I actually got to watch on tv.

Host: Wow.

Lynn Ahlden: Did I understand it? No, but I got to see it.

Host: Wow.

Lynn Ahlden: I didn't feel anything, but I could see what they were doing. And again, the team was the same way. Organized and yet just kept right on going and all along, keeping me informed.

Host: So between those procedures, did you have to stop and restart rehab then from the beginning? Or what did that look like?

Lynn Ahlden: Not from the beginning, but there was a pause. And then I went back as as soon as I had clearance to do that. And then I graduated. You graduate from rehab, which is really, you get a really nice t-shirt.

Host: Nice.

Lynn Ahlden: But it's significant. Because you know you've achieved something.

Host: Yeah. It's a milestone.

Lynn Ahlden: And then you can continue on your own. It's not insurance covered, but it's really inexpensive, and you can go either two times a week or three times a week. So I've done the three times a week since.

And I still am, but again, it's across the street.

Host: Yeah. So convenient.

Lynn Ahlden: My doctor's office is right next door.

Host: Yeah.

Lynn Ahlden: And again, you're monitored.

Host: Mm-hmm.

Lynn Ahlden: That's pretty good. Again, you feel really safe when you're in, in a situation like that.

Host: Good. Yeah. And things have been okay since that February procedure?

Lynn Ahlden: So far so good. Uh, right. It seems that way. And so I'm a rule follower and I'm trying to obey and do all of that. It has not changed my lifestyle drastically, overall. It did at first, but from taking no meds, I was all of a sudden taking 10.

Host: Oh, wow. Yeah.

Lynn Ahlden: So that required a chart, et cetera. But it was all doable. And I knew I had the resources that a phone call or MyChart. That's another nice little tool. It really is.

Host: Yeah. Tell me a little bit about how you use that.

Lynn Ahlden: Well, what I really like about it is if you have a non-emergency type question, like can I take this over the counter thing? You don't need to know that within an hour you get an answer very quickly. Really from the doctor.

Host: Yeah. You just

Lynn Ahlden: Well, how good is that?

Host: Send off a little message and.

Lynn Ahlden: And you're not taking up his time with other patient, and I'm not having to sit and wait on telephone either.

Host: Mm-hmm. Yeah. That's fantastic.

Lynn Ahlden: It's, it's a good tool.

Host: That's really cool that you're using it and getting use out of it.

Lynn Ahlden: I hope a lot people do. I, I hope a lot of people use it.

Host: I use it as a patient and it's very convenient.

Lynn Ahlden: And all your results will be posted.

Host: Uhhuh, right. Yep. Yeah. So it's like a one-stop shop for

Lynn Ahlden: Yeah. It is.

Host: Everything about your health.

Lynn Ahlden: And it is everything about your health.

Host: Yeah. So where would you say you are now in the recovery process?

Lynn Ahlden: It's like there was a light at the end of the tunnel. And I always knew that was possible. I always felt that it was possible. And some effort on my part. But with a real safety net beneath me.

Host: Yeah. So it's definitely a collaborative effort of having people to care for you.

Lynn Ahlden: It takes a village.

Host: You and, yeah. Absolutely. Speaking of learning a lot, you have a family history of heart disease. And you did some deep diving on that. Can you tell us about that?

Lynn Ahlden: I did. I, I'd love to tell you about it. I was really curious and wanted to really put it to paper. So I researched four generations. That's as far back as I could really go and get good information. And I knew it came from my mother's side of the family. So I started with my maternal grandfather and it went through four generations. And I found out that of the four generations, 13 of us have serious issues. And we're not talking enormous numbers of people here, but it was astonishing. And then I looked, when I looked closer, I realized many parents, their children had the same exact thing. And then for me, I have three siblings. All four of us now have had serious issues. And because of my research, what I found out, my brother, who was having some issues ended up with open heart surgery about five weeks after I provided him with all of this.

 So it's been a lifesaver and I, I've given it to everybody. I said, give it to your primary care doctor and, you know, just so it's on the record. But several people have had to take some tests and so it's been a good thing. It really has been. I was surprised at that. I really was. I did not expect that. Interestingly, when you do the research, going back to my great-grandfather, his death certificate said heart attack. Which you would expect for the time, But when you went forward, very specific and of course many of us are still living. And I could find out real detail, which really helped my, my chart. It grew to two pages.

Host: Yeah. That's incredible that you took the initiative to do that and it sounds like it really helped your brother, helped family members.

Lynn Ahlden: It was worth the time. And it was very interesting to do.

Host: It sounds like it.

Lynn Ahlden: But I was really surprised because you think, well, you know, didn't Aunt So and So have, have this or have that, but you don't always know how spec the specifics. You just do things start clicking. Right. Yeah. And it did.

Host: Well, is there anything else you would like our listeners to know about your experience or about your time with Riverside, anything like that?

Lynn Ahlden: Well, I've been a Riverside devotee for a long, long time. I love everything about it, but I hadn't experienced anything quite like this. And I know that, in past years people have gone elsewhere for surgeries like this. They didn't have the facilities here, but they do. And they're incredible. Absolutely incredible. I personally cannot say enough about that. I, would recommend it to anyone and I love it. But I would say even if you think you're fine and maybe your neck hurts or your shoulder hurts, don't be foolish. Don't put that off and find out about it. Because it could be something more than you think.

Host: Yes. Prevention is everything. So yeah. Thank you for that message.

Lynn Ahlden: Well, hopefully that will help some people. It helped me I think in the end, so.

Host: Yeah. Well, so glad to hear you're doing well and thank you. Thank you for your time and your story and letting us into your home. This is fantastic and thank you just for sharing your story.

Lynn Ahlden: I appreciate the opportunity, Taylor. Thank you so much.

Host: Thank you listeners for tuning into the Well Within Reach podcast. Again, I'm your host Taylor Leddin McMaster, and we were joined today by Lynn Ahlden. For more information, go to riversidehealthcare.org.