by Pa Rock
Geezer-Wheezer
So far my summer has been about equally divided between airports and clinics - and neither of those are much fun.
I began this summer with concerns about my heart as evidenced through what I considered to be difficulty in breathing, a situation that had been getting worse for months. I had open-heart surgery in March of 2013, and historically the positive effects of that major treatment begin to disappear after about ten years, so I knew that it was time for a serious session with my cardiologist.
I visited with that particular medical provider in his office on May 22nd, and he was concerned enough that without further testing he scheduled me for a heart cath (angiogram) on June 7th. During that procedure he discovered that I had significant blockages of arteries in two areas and he went ahead and placed two stents in one of those areas. The initial plan was to do a follow-up evaluation in four weeks and then place one additional stent in the other area.
I had two trips planned in the interim which I took with the doctor's agreement.
The four-week followup wasn't able to take place until week seven (July 25th), and during the interim I felt that I had not seen any improvement in my breathing issues - although I had experienced no heart pain or discomfort. The nurse practioner who did the reevaluation was concerned and managed to schedule me for the second angiogram the following day. During that procedure on July 26th the cardiologist inserted two more stents instead of the one that he had planned.
Today I am happy to report that even though the Joe Manchin heat outside is intolerable, I am feeling better and my breathing seems to be coming much easier.
Monday I am also scheduled to see a pulmonology specialist to take a pulmonary stress test to see if the breathing issues might have as much or more to do with my lungs as they do with my heart.
As Socrates famously said, "Getting old ain't for sissies!"
That's it. That's my medical update and I'm sticking to it!
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