Doctors

[Birky]

I have been truly amazed by the Cardiology group that I go to. When I started back in the early 80"s there was only 2 in the group. Now they have at least 20 and now have their own surgeons. My Doc upped my lasix 2 weeks ago and I got a call from his nurse this morning wondering how I was doing. I have been experiencing some shortness of breath is doing steps etc. and was a little concerned about this. Of course, I am always in a hurry and do walk fast. They are going to cut back on the lasix and I am pushing to get another echo done. He said previously that he wanted to wait until December when I see him. The last one I had was when I was in the hospital last year. I think I am turning into a "whiner' or something. I have read so many posts about you all getting echos done on a 6month basis or annually. I also understand that a mechanical could leak. This is what I am really scared of. I think I have too much time to think about this stuff. My sternum reminds me all the time that I had this done. It is amazing but I very seldom hear the valve any more. I totally agree with all that said this is a life alterinig experience. I truly feel that I will not be the person I was before. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest,

 

[Christina L]

A doctor's office that calls and asks how you are doing? Wow. You are lucky. I think my cardiologist is brilliant and I like him basically, but wish he were a bit more "concerned."

As for you being afraid of a reoperation or what the future holds, join the club!! I think most of us are pretty shook up following our heart surgeries and fearful of having to undergo the process again any time soon. That pretty much terrifies me at this point but in time, I hope to get on with life and to stop being so fearful.

I am sure every time I go in for an echo I will be shaking in my boots. I had a mammogram yesterday and that also terrifies me (my mother died of breast cancer). I will not have peace until I get the results of the mammo.

I feel I am to learn something from my heart surgery experience and that, I feel, is to live one day at a time which I have never really done before - always worrying about the future or regretting the past.

Hope you find some peace also. You will, especially when you are feeling 100% again.

Christina L.

 

[Birky]

doctors

doctors

I have to do the mammogram thing pretty soon too. Last time I went I had to have an ultrasound done because of a cyst they found. Hope it is gone now. Pretty scary stuff. Hope yours is okay. We are getting a new dog tomorrow so I think this was take care of my extra time. We had one before and they are a lot of company. You are right, you have to take a day at a time and go with the flow. I think I felt better mentally before the surgery when I smoked and had a few drinks. Still do drink a few but have really slowed down. Scared of messing up the coumadin I guess. I will not go back to smoking again but it is very tempting at times. I guess you never lose the craving for them. I guess I should be happy that I have something that could be fixed and get over my fixation on something going wrong with St. Jude. Thanks,

 

[Debrinha GT]

Fears

Fears

Hello girls, let me join the club too. I've had three MVRs and should be facing my fourth sometime in the future, as to when, well, no idea! My valve has started to go after eight years{tissue one}, but it's still working fine though. Now I'm reliving practically the same situation that I did in 1995. At the time, I had a ticket to go to Scotland for a holiday with my husband and when I went to the cardio for my echo in order to feel safer abroad, I was caught by surprise when he said that there was no way I could go for the valve I'd had for nearly 16 years was totally done in. Now, years later, a chance has come up for us to move back to Scotland which we'll probably take. The big question is: will I be able to go this time? All the bad meories from those days have suddenly come back and I'm absolutely terrified! I know the reoperation is inevitable but I intend to be living in Britain by then, and as well as that, I don't think I could face the same news once more!

 

[Harpoon]

Don't they all call to check on you????


Sorry for the sarcastic remark.


It's amazing that more cardologists and such don't. At the very least they could have a nurse or some other staffer call in once in a while.

My cardiologist and I talk fairly regularly. He's even said I could contact him at home if neccesary (he lives fairly close by) though that's never come up.

Cleveland Clinic has called in on me a few times as well.

They also check in with my cardiologist and my primary physician from time to time...


I'm on a the six month review with echo's. I can go in any time I feel I need to and they will squeeze me into the schedule if I feel I need to be seen. That's nice too.


Wish more docs did that for their patients. It's not even a "personal touch" type thing, it's recognizing that stuff can come up suddenly on anyone and a proactive approach to maintaining health is MUCH better than reacting after something unexpected happens.

 

[Abbanabba]

You mean your cardiologists actually give you numbers you can call them on..??!!!!!

I'm lucky if I can talk to the secretary - and heaven forbid I try to get in touch with any doctor. I wanted to send an email to my GP to brief her on the last cardio trip (..so we didn't have to sit and rehash the whole event when I saw her..) but that just doesn't seem to be the done thing!!

A : )