Interesting Cardiologist Appointment

[perkicar]

Just got home from an appointment with my local cardiologist. He told me about going to see Dr Lytle's presentation on asymptomatic aortic stenosis at the American College of Cardiology meeting in March. He was very impressed with him and apparently, he spent quite a bit of the talk discussing the indications for surgery for someone with radiation damage vs other sources of stenosis (ie bicuspid valve or senile aortic stenosis). He told me he thinks I'm in the BEST HANDS POSSIBLE! and he agrees that he looks like Albert Einstein!
2 weeks from now I'll be on the other side of the mountain! Yippee!!

 

[PJmomrunner]

That's just what you want to hear two weeks out, isn't it?!

That's just what you want to hear two weeks out, isn't it?!

How fantastic that your cardio sought out your surgeon and you get to trust 'em both even more!

Cheers!

P. J.

 

[PJmomrunner]

Hey! Did you plan your surgery around Derby Day?

 

[perkicar]

Hey! Did you plan your surgery around Derby Day?

Uh, yes........But I'm actually not in town for Derby, just all the hype leading up to it. I have a race meet that weekend with my dogs, which we kind of do around a Derby theme. I'm also meeting the folks who are taking care of my dogs (I have 5) while I'm in the hospital, so it was dual timing to get to do the race meet AND get the dogs to their temporary homes.
Whew!
And yes, I was VERY impressed that Dr Chandra took the time to seek out my surgeon and check him out. I had to laugh because he said he felt like Dr Lytle was talking about me!!

 

[PJmomrunner]

One of my best friends and running buddies is originally from Louisville. She recently lamented that she had mistakenly made a commitment on Derby day...as if it were just not possible to do anything but watch the Derby on that day. I couldn't relate....

Anyway, your two docs talking like that must make your impending surgery feel all the more "right." He probably was talking about you. Your history would indicate you've had rather a long strange trip--one that is perhaps of special interest to two fine minds. That's so wonderful.

 

[geebee]

Carolyn,

I remember when you first talked about your scheduled surgery and you thought it was so far away. Now it's almost here! The time did go fast - did it seem that way to you?

It sounds like you are in the best hands possible and your surgeon seems to be thinking about your surgery well in advance. How comforting that must be for you.

 

[BionicRedneck]

I am sure that everything will go perfect. Kudos to your Cardio for going the step and seeking and advising you of his top choice of surgeons.

My AVR and Aneurysm Surgery was unexpected and quick. 1 week after the bomb was dropped. I had no Idea about any surgeons in Houston. with just 1 week to get myself wrapped around everything, it never really was a pressing question on my mind until the day before surgery as I was waiting to be taken to be back for my heart cath. The janitor or the bell boy at the Marriot could have done it and I wouldnt have had any clue who they were or how good they were. My Cardiologist talked to my mom and dad, I was starting to not be mentally capable of making a coherent sentence much less chose my surgeon. He said that at any Hospital in the Medical Center he could refer me to a good surgeon, But he strongly supports my surgery taking place at The Methodist so that Dr. Reardon could do it. He said that was his #1 pic for Cardiac Surgeons in Houston and that they have done alot of work together and research. He said they had already looked at my situation and came up with a good solution about what to do. My cardio also said that Dr. Reardon wanted, with our ok, to come and attend my heartcath so that if we did choose to use him, he would be up to snuff on everything. I must say that Dr. Reardon is the best Dr. that i have had the chance to meet, talk to, and cut on me. His past performances are outstanding, plus his Dr. patient manor was great. He does surgeries everyday except Thursdays after 2. For a man who deals more with ppl under his scalpel than awake, he talked and explained things very basic and easy to understand without making you feel like a idiot or retard. He was willing to talk about anything anytime, gave me his and his righthand womans pagers and cell phone numbers. He even had a good sense of humor. Some of the Drs that I have came incontact with that deal with very few awake patients are kind of weird and make the worst jokes and want you to laugh.

My Cardio could have steered me in another direction, which may have turned out fine also, to one of his golfing buddies or AA buddies (a joke) just because they are buddies. I mean if you cant trust your Cardiologist to make the best decisions and help you make the best decisions for you, find another Dr. Knowing that your 2 Drs have a good healthy professional/maybe non professional relationship helps ease the mind. Plus knowing that they didnt meet in the OR for the first time and that they have discussed your situation prior to surgery does too.