Tommy and I installed bead board in Ryder's nursery last weekend. It was a lot of fun and will really look nice when the painting is done.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Bead board weekend
Tommy and I installed bead board in Ryder's nursery last weekend. It was a lot of fun and will really look nice when the painting is done.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Another matter of the heart...
This Tuesday I received a drug- eluting stent in my Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery. (LAD) When there is a blockage of this artery it is referred to as the "Widow Maker"...not a good thing to hear from your doctor. "This term is used because if the artery gets abruptly and completely occluded it will cause a massive heart attack that will likely lead to death". According to my cardiologist my blockage was 90%.
Two years ago I had to have a physical exam before a knee surgery. At that time I had an abnormal EKG. I then took a nuclear stress test which was normal. I had the knee surgery, but because of a family history of heart problems, and the abnormal EKG, the cardiologist asked me to return in one year for another stress test. Three weeks ago I returned for the second stress test. I delayed going for the second test and even cancelled it once because of a number of issues, scheduling, work, personal problems...my marriage ending and all that involves. The nuclear stress test was normal, but my EKG during the test was again abnormal. My cardiologist then informed me that a normal stress test, that is one that showed no blockages anywhere, does not mean that we can be 100% sure that there are no issues. He further explained that the stress test results were approximately 85%...that is there was still a 15% possibility of a blockage that may not be discovered by the nuclear stress test. I have never had a symptom...no shortness of breath...no chest pain. I told the cardiologist that I still play basketball weekly... I admit it is an over fifty league...but we do get a workout. He then told me that some people never have a symptom until they have a heart attack, and that if he were in my position... 57 years old, a family history, and an abnormal EKG, he would have an angiogram.
I reluctantly agreed to have the angiogram the next week. I was awake during the angiogram and heard the cardiologist state that he found it. It was very obvious on the picture he printed for me... a 90% blockage, as he told me later, in my LAD, (the Widow Maker). I hate that term, but it does let you know how serious the problem can be. I was scheduled for a stent procedure six days later and was given medication to take for a week until the procedure. I was told I could not work, or do anything strenuous until I returned to have the stent procedure. I did not tell anyone the extent of the blockage, as I did not want family to worry. I feel fine, just as before, but am relieved to have the LAD open, thanks to an informed doctor and modern technology.
Why put this on my blog? This particular problem can happen to anyone, at any age, however it usually effects men in their fifties. As it was in my case, there may be no symptoms, and the stress test my be normal. I was fortunate. The angiogram showed that there are no other blockages. The problem was discovered before there was a heart attack. My hope is that someone reading this may be helped by being motivated to get checked out. If there is a family history, get to a cardiologist for testing. If you have an abnormal EKG, by all means have an angiogram. Do not rely on normal stress test results. I have had two normal stress tests in a three year period! Be proactive! I have not been feeling well for some time. I attributed it to my personal issues, getting older, and the stress my job involves. I did not even consider that I could have a blockage. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I think a there are many men who put off testing... even some who have symptoms.
It may be too early to tell, but I feel much better now. I am sure that the blockage has been in the making for years. It is curious to me that there can be a 90% blockage in one artery and no other blockages. I have been told this in not uncommon with this particular artery.
My doctor tells me I will be back to normal by next Wednesday. ( one week) If I had not gone for testing... or put it off longer... it could have been a completely different story.
Sara and Justin...sorry for the worry...but I am fine now and feeling better every day! I am looking forward to Spring!!!
Sara, thank you for being there with me for the stent procedure. I know you hate hospitals but love your Dad. Roger, thanks for the ride to and from the hospital for the angiogram...during a snowstorm at 6:30 a.m.
Janet, thanks for the wonderful food and for your concern. Thanks to my friends and family who called me and wished me well, and my friends from work who sent flowers. Everyone's friendship is very much appreciated.
Two years ago I had to have a physical exam before a knee surgery. At that time I had an abnormal EKG. I then took a nuclear stress test which was normal. I had the knee surgery, but because of a family history of heart problems, and the abnormal EKG, the cardiologist asked me to return in one year for another stress test. Three weeks ago I returned for the second stress test. I delayed going for the second test and even cancelled it once because of a number of issues, scheduling, work, personal problems...my marriage ending and all that involves. The nuclear stress test was normal, but my EKG during the test was again abnormal. My cardiologist then informed me that a normal stress test, that is one that showed no blockages anywhere, does not mean that we can be 100% sure that there are no issues. He further explained that the stress test results were approximately 85%...that is there was still a 15% possibility of a blockage that may not be discovered by the nuclear stress test. I have never had a symptom...no shortness of breath...no chest pain. I told the cardiologist that I still play basketball weekly... I admit it is an over fifty league...but we do get a workout. He then told me that some people never have a symptom until they have a heart attack, and that if he were in my position... 57 years old, a family history, and an abnormal EKG, he would have an angiogram.
I reluctantly agreed to have the angiogram the next week. I was awake during the angiogram and heard the cardiologist state that he found it. It was very obvious on the picture he printed for me... a 90% blockage, as he told me later, in my LAD, (the Widow Maker). I hate that term, but it does let you know how serious the problem can be. I was scheduled for a stent procedure six days later and was given medication to take for a week until the procedure. I was told I could not work, or do anything strenuous until I returned to have the stent procedure. I did not tell anyone the extent of the blockage, as I did not want family to worry. I feel fine, just as before, but am relieved to have the LAD open, thanks to an informed doctor and modern technology.
Why put this on my blog? This particular problem can happen to anyone, at any age, however it usually effects men in their fifties. As it was in my case, there may be no symptoms, and the stress test my be normal. I was fortunate. The angiogram showed that there are no other blockages. The problem was discovered before there was a heart attack. My hope is that someone reading this may be helped by being motivated to get checked out. If there is a family history, get to a cardiologist for testing. If you have an abnormal EKG, by all means have an angiogram. Do not rely on normal stress test results. I have had two normal stress tests in a three year period! Be proactive! I have not been feeling well for some time. I attributed it to my personal issues, getting older, and the stress my job involves. I did not even consider that I could have a blockage. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I think a there are many men who put off testing... even some who have symptoms.
It may be too early to tell, but I feel much better now. I am sure that the blockage has been in the making for years. It is curious to me that there can be a 90% blockage in one artery and no other blockages. I have been told this in not uncommon with this particular artery.
My doctor tells me I will be back to normal by next Wednesday. ( one week) If I had not gone for testing... or put it off longer... it could have been a completely different story.
Sara and Justin...sorry for the worry...but I am fine now and feeling better every day! I am looking forward to Spring!!!
Sara, thank you for being there with me for the stent procedure. I know you hate hospitals but love your Dad. Roger, thanks for the ride to and from the hospital for the angiogram...during a snowstorm at 6:30 a.m.
Janet, thanks for the wonderful food and for your concern. Thanks to my friends and family who called me and wished me well, and my friends from work who sent flowers. Everyone's friendship is very much appreciated.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
