Six Week Follow Up Cleared for 'Everything'

[JetService]

I had my 6 week follow-up with the surgeon (which turned out to be a different surgeon) and he did a very comprehensive evaluation on me; he put his hand on my chest, told me to cough and asked me if it hurt. I said 'no' and he said "Do whatever you want as long as it doesn't hurt." (note-the 'comprehensive evaluation' part was sarcasm). I was glad to hear that and then specifically asked him about bowling. He said if it doesn't hurt go ahead. I am actually still worried that it will hurt, but at least he said I wouldn't damage anything if I try. I did have a CBC and Chem 6 done and everything came back good except MCHC which was 31.1 (range 32.0-36.0), BUN/CR was 11 (range 12-20) and LDH was 279 (range 100-190). Also, the chest X-ray came back with normal sized heart and clear lungs. Everything else was in range. I don't know what those are except for the LDH. I was totally shocked because every other cholesterol test came back low. It was always in the 70s or 80s even a test this year. So I'm guessing those low numbers weren't the LDH but some other chol. reading. I wonder why the LDH was never tested before?? Anyway, good news I guess except now I have to go back to work

My only complaint to him was the very occasional bounding heart beat. He said that's normal and not to be concerned with it. The pain really is getting a lot better fast. Only sneezing hurts, but its not excrutiating like before.

 

[bvdr]

Well that all sounds pretty good! I hope you bowl painfree very shortly.

LDH refers to lactic dehydrogenase which is an enzyme released from injured or inflamed tissues such as cardiac tissue. For perspective, I have seen levels in the 2,000 range.

 

[KimC]

Jet, I'll never forget when I told my husband to look at the light when he was trying to suppress a sneeze, (he had cracked a rib while playing football). He sneezed HARD and almost cried, laughing all along the way.

He thought I was telling him how to halt the sneeze ... hee, hee ... that was very naughty of me. Hope your wife is nicer.

Best,

 

[JetService]

Betty, ooops!!! I was thinking of HDL. Thank goodness, because I was bragging to me wife about my low cholesterol because she always busts my chops about eating fried foods! BTW, I got a good laugh during my last meal at the hospital. I had been ordering one of the three meals offered, but they told me I could always order anything since its prepared in the cafeteria. I was a little hesitant to get want I really wanted, but the last day I went for it. I wondered what the kitchen folks thought when they saw 'Bacon Cheeseburger, Fried Cheesesticks & Cheesecake' right next to 'Delivery to Cardiac Ward'. Anyway, thanks for correcting me! I went ahead and looked up the indications for that and it was quite an array of things. Not only that, it said narcotics and anesthetics can raise it so I wonder if its from that. I guess I'll dismiss like they did, especially if they can get in the 2,000 range.

Kim, that was pretty mean LOL!!! I look at the light all the time to get a sneeze going when I know one is looming. It works great. Your poor hubby! I also noticed that yawning rivals sneezing, especially when trying to hold it back. I would try that and end up taking this huge gasp of air and felt like my chest was about to come apart. Yawns are almost at hard to stiffle as a sneeze!