CARDIOLOGIST--OR THE HEART OF THE MATTER!
THIS POST IS REALLY FOR ME...AND FOR PRAYER. THIS IS WHAT "MY" BLOG IS FOR!
There was no post Wednesday as I went to my new Cardiologist. He is new TO ME, as my old one moved back to his home town, and is not working! Since July, 2010!!!. I am having the same symptoms that caused me to have a Cardiac Cath with Stents in 2007 & 2009, and I could not ignore them any longer!!
These symptoms caused me to have a stent in July of 2007, after a Triple By-pass at age 51 in 2005!! It didn't last two years--- Right Coronary Artery! 80% Blocked!
REFUND!!! NOT!!
I had another Cath in July of 2009, as the same symptoms had returned. You guessed it! They re-stented the exact same stent from 2007, as it had blocked down to 80% occlusion again.!
Another Cardiologist did my stent in 2007 as my Cardiologist was out of town. OK--That happens- (the Out of Town Part!!) But his stent only lasted two years!!! (I went back to work at Urgent Scare working 12-15 hour shifts: 10am to-12:00 or , 1:00 am!
REFUND!!! NOT!!!
In July of 2009-- (July Sucks people!) with the exact same symptoms- I had another Cath. MY 3RD....He told me everything was perfect !
I returned to work IN 2009, WITH SOME RESTRICTIONS! and was sent home after one
hour! Yep--I was now a LIABILITY!!! But they told me it was for my own
good! (And you know what?--it turns out they were right--GOD IS GOOD!!)
I was forced into Disability from work! Thank the Lord I
decided to take out that policy when I hired on in 2004! So, I went back
to work after a Triple bypass in 2005, a Stent in 2007 & a Re-stent in
2009!
Then I was "Let GO"! It's hard when you are used to doing and after being in medicine for 30 plus years!
It was all I knew!
After I saw him for a regular visit this year YEP- JULY 2010!!!!
After continuing symptoms--- an Abnormal Echo, &
Stress Test, he told me not to worry about it! I was OK, I
was told everything looked great!...Then why couldn't I walk to the mailbox and back without stopping, Chest Pains & Shortness of Breath???? All this time, I am trying to get back into Fishing, and my regular Outdoor Lifestyle! I didn't want to be a wus or Cardiac Cripple. I even had to give up my Medical Missions work that I LOVED!!!!!
Today the New Cardiologist told me I had 100% blockage of an artery. I told him that was impossible as I had been told that the last Cath, not 6 months ago was perfect, and that I had had a full work-up and nothing needed to be done.
He showed me my chart and I really got confused, thinking it was the RCA again. It said, RCA clear!
I am now scheduled for an entire repeat of the Tests, including Vascular Studies of my legs and Carotids that were also done two tears ago!
WTH????
I'm now totally confused and feel like an Idiot.
So, as confused as I was, while all the tests were being scheduled, I asked the Nurse to explain to me how I had a blockage- when I had just read it was clear????, and how this new Dr knew that!! Did he have X-ray vision, or was just that Damn good ?
It is so convoluted, he wanted to do everything again, as the Documentation in my chart was poor- (JULY 2010!), to say the least. So that got my antennae up even more. Something just wasn't jiving, and I know to go with my Gut SPIRIT MAN!
The Nurse then informed me that indeed the Stent (2007), re-stent (2009) was perfect as of my last Cath.
But--and it's a BIG BUT, I had a 100% BLOCKAGE of a different ARTERY! The New Dr. assumed I saw that as he let me read my chart!
The RCA- Right Coronary Artery was the stent, re-stent--and the Circumflex was the 100% Blocked artery and had been since the cath of yep:
JULY 2009!
I WAS NEVER TOLD THIS!!!!!! My Old Cardiologist NEVER told me the Circumflex was blocked. The day of the Cath, He told me, while I was on on the table, and lucid!,and my Wife, in the waiting room, that everything was NORMAL and LOOKED GREAT! Both of us are not going to miss that news!
REFUND, NEGLIGENCE, LAWSUIT? NO!
But it Borders on almost Criminal, as I lived for a LON TINE thinking I was a Crock, & Hypochondriac!
It turns out you cannot stent the Circumflex Artery (I did not know that!), and they won't do a One vessel Open Heart Sugery! That makes sense as you don't want to waste a Vein that may be needed later. So I have been living with this crap and no quality of life since the Cath of
JULY 2009!
WHY DIDN'T HE TELL ME??? I could maybe have pursued other options or at least known I wasn't crazy. He even stopped a medicine the Other Cardiologist started me on to Increase Oxygen flow!
Guess what? The New Doc, started me back on it today--wondering why I was ever told to stop taking it!!!!
Bottom line--this new Doc is Awesome, and I will tell him that I didn't know he was talking about the Circumflex Artery- I just read about the Right Coronary! I saw my chart with him, and then the Nurse -- but wouldn't you know it--This was the one time I forgot my reading glasses! LOL.
So--next Wednesday, I'm having ALL these tests, and then I am going to have another Heart Cath! Merry Christmas!
So why all the tests before the Cath, which is the Gold Standard? Good question my brilliant readers. He truly wants to see if any more damage has been done, as the EKG was non-specific, and just showed the Original Heart Attack from 2005. He said that when he does the Cath...he will know exactly where to look!
HOW ABOUT THE WHOLE DAMN THING!!
BUT I DO KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT, AS YOU CAN HAVE SPASMS, AND MISS IT ON A CATH, BUT THEY ARE EQUALLY AS DANGEROUS AND CAN BE STENTED IF YOU SEE THEM. BUT YOU REALLY NEED TO BE LUCKY, GOOD, OR KNOW WHERE TO LOOK TO SEE THEM AS THEY HAPPEN SO FAST.
Actually, this is the same spasm that happens every-time you inhale nicotine. It can reduce any vessel by 50%, and if it is only 50% Blocked- and you usually don't have symptoms at 50%-guess what????Every inhale = 100% blockage! Just a little edumication- and no preaching, as I smoked 2 ppd for 35 years, and if it weren't for this, I would start again!
I am not complaining, as I'm blessed to have the Premier Heart Center right here in Columbia, with the best Vascular Surgeons around, if I ever need another by-pass.
WHAT I NEEDED TO DO WAS WRITE THIS OUT!
I ALSO WOULD LIKE FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT PRAY--TO PLEASE DO SO FOR US! IF YOU DON'T MIND, IF YOU KNOW PRAYER WARRIORS, JUST ASK THEM TO LIFT UP OLD JOHN!
I AM EXPECTING A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE & NO--IT DOESN'T HAVE TO DO WITH SANTA CLAUS! HE PULLS FOR AUBURN, NOT SOUTH CAROLINA!!!--
I MEAN FROM JESUS!!!!
THANKS IN ADVANCE,
JMc
Sending as many prayers as you need!!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds to me like you need a plumber more than a doctor. Bring the guy in with a rotor rooter and have him clean your drains out. The only problem I can see is where does he start at? and then there is that other problem of...plumbers crack.
ReplyDeleteGod knows what you're on about brother so fear nothing and all will be well.
sending loads of prayers your way.
ReplyDeleteWM already did what he does good-hopefully made you laugh. So laugh - it will do you a world of good.
Santa Claus is an Auburn fan ?
ReplyDeleteDude, I'd stick with this NEW Doc if I were you. Sounds like you're lucky to be alive at this point !
WOW, that's a real bummer. I hope this new doc works out and gets you fixed up. Prayers said.
ReplyDeleteYou guys and Gals are GREAT for the heart ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhkADHFl/ihgl/zshgo;iaashoha beeeeeeeeeeeeep!
ReplyDeleteI'll never forget Richard Pryor doing a bit on that!!!!!
OK- that won't happen! Not with the Prayers and well wishes of my Blogers buddy!
Mark- it was seeing a Plumbers Crack that caused this in the First Place!
Kay-- You are awesome!!! Thanks! Great to hear from you--I'll be back by! I thought you were taking a break/trip, so I'll be back!!!
budh.aaah- I laugh most of the time & yes, TWM always makes me smile. Laughter IS the Best Medicine--Hey- I may send that in to readers digest! Thanks my new friend!
Heff- How in the H, did Auburn get Cam in the First place if it weren't for Divine Intervention. He had 180K at Miss St and went to another school! LOL!
You can't KILL White Dog Dukie--It's impervious!
Thanks to you all!!!
With all my Hear.....well- YES!
With ALL my Heart!
John
Thanks Buddy
sage-- Travel well and thanks for the Prayers my friend!!!
ReplyDeleteJohn
You are in my prayers John.
ReplyDeleteI am boggled at your news. My husband just had his first stress test in years. He is about 100 lbs over weight and eats atrociously. He had an angioplasty at 32. Quadruple bypass at 52ish. His stress test was perfect.
Makes no sense at all.
However, if you have a cholesterol problem, try taking a dose of metamucil (or generic) every day. Gary did do this for a while and it drastically lowered it even when meds did not.
Hope things go better with your new doc.
Jeannie-- THanks for the DVICE! i CAN'T TAKE THE sTATINS SO THAT MAY REALLY HELP!
ReplyDeletei DO FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS!
bIG hUGS AND THANKS FOR THE pRAYERS. i HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT TIME AWAY AND i MISSED YOU! gOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK!
jOHN
Damn Caps lock--maybe that's Cardiac Related--LOL!!!
Oh Jeannie, I'm sooo Glad Gary's Stress test was normal! That is awesome. I too eat way too much Southern Fried--I mean Baked foods!
ReplyDeleteBaby Backed Ribs are a Food Group! So I will take my Metamucil to the Restaurant!
You know--come to think of it: I've never Met a Mucil I didn't like!! :-)
J
J
Praying for you John.
ReplyDeleteJoe-- I new ya would Bra!!!
ReplyDeleteJ
Juanny, say isn't so! I can't believe the negligence...but then I can. Sh*t happens as you say, but I'm sorry it had to happen to you and that you felt you were losing your mind when all along something wasn't right with you.
ReplyDeletePraying and praying for you and your family, amiguito!
Hugs and besos...Ily ♥
Illy-- Thanks so much my friend. But Forgiveness is the key as that resentment will only hurt me. I know God has plans for me--if nothing else, to make you groan at bad puns!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the book Club. We could start with Cloudia's, (IT's AWESOME!) and then possibly do "The Shack", which most people have already read-but would be a good re-read---and the comments would be fantastic!!!!
I also have both of Marks books coming-- as I love his poetry!~
Please keep inspiring me with your awesome self and posts!
Hugs y beso's back... mi Amiga
Juanny D
The only problem I can see is where does he start at labatterie
ReplyDeleteand then there is that other problem of...plumbers crack.
You're on about brother so fear labatterie nothing and all will be well.
ReplyDeleteI see you're getting bother by that labatterie thing too, Man it's driving me nuts. 157 posts to my blogs in one night.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I pray for you. I hope they can get you back in the running, It really sucks to be held down with a health problem that can be fixed.
Dealing with the issues I have I totally can relate to all of this. 7years to diagnose an autoimmune disorder like Fybro. it's baffling.
Be well my friend. prayers for sure.
Sweeti- You are my rock! I miss you so much! My wife had Fibro and it steals sooo much of her life. I KNOW you handle it with Grace and Rarely if ever let it get you down.
ReplyDelete(Or let anyone see you--(Yes--I know the type!) And it is frustrated to know it coulda, shoulda, woulda, have been done right!
But I KNOW-- I mean I KNOW! beyond a shadow of a doubt that I with God's help, I can and will overcome! I Will Survive! Dang I got that song stuck in my HAIR, as my niece used to say? LOL.
Be well sis! Blessings and love to You and yours.
(Did the B-Battery guy go away????
All the Best of the True meaning of the Season-- Christ and Christ Crucified for our Sins!!
John
Sweeti--where am I missing your Blogs????????
ReplyDeleteI miss you so much, and when I check--the only one I have is the Older Post!!!
Are they something I would not be interested in or just private. I DO understand if they are!
E-mail for privacy at john.mcelveen@gmail.cm / labatterie- LOL!!
I know you have it--and I truly miss your Spirit and Gentleness!
J
As you know I was out with my own issues and missed this post. I'm catching up here. Wow! I didn't know you'd been through all this stuff. Scary, for sure! Every positive thought I have is coming your way buddy! Maybe one of the later posts I'm going to read in minute will have some good news for you! Hang in there...
ReplyDelete