Staying the Course -- 07/01/2019

[Superbob]

Well, here we are, first day of the second half of this year. First of July. For our USA folks, best wishes for a safe and enjoyable observation of Independence Day this Thursday, the Fourth of July. And salutations to all our good friends, brother and sister heart buddies, around the world.

What's up here? Well, the final step for pre-op testing here in South Carolina for my surgery in North Carolina in September. I'll do the spirometry portion of the Pulmonary Function Test tomorrow morning. They've eliminated the other portion -- with a long name but involving a tiny enclosure. I loved that my UNC cardiac nurse utimately instructed that patients cannot be compelled to take any particular test. Patients' rights, good thing. Anyway, I am not afraid of the basic PFT.

Otherwise, the weather is about what you should expect in the subtropics. "Hot as a firecracker on the Fourth of July" is for real -- feels-like into the 100s (F), ridiculous humidity levels. When I walked the dawg just after sunset last night, there was not even a hint of a breeze stirring. It was hard to breathe. Don't think it was a symptom, just a universal condition. Anyway, I am going to check for a sea breeze before we head out next time.

Been an awful lot about me here in recent weeks. Would love to hear what you all have going on -- from challenges pending to ones overcome, recreation, getaways, exercise (love the info Gordo has passed along here recently), celebrations, divertissements (did I spell that one correctly?)...in other words, just what's happening.....

Cheers,
Superbob

 

[skeptic49]

Superbob, seems like you're progressing well toward your surgery in September. I just had my third cataract surgery in the last six months. Both eyes had complications and the lens in my left eye became dislocated so I had to have it re-positioned. Each time I had general anesthesia because of congenital nystagmus, uncontrollable eye movement that is stopped by the anesthesia. I suspect that the problems with cataract implants are caused by my underlying connective tissue disorder, i.e., the same disorder that causes BAV Disease. So now I'm recovering out at the beach house and enjoying my garden model railroad. Here's a video of it.

 

[Duffey]

Jim, it’s terrific! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Duffey]

I’m in Wisconsin, in a condo overlooking one of the state’s many lakes. We’re sharing it for a few days with two of our five kids and their children. I just finished a piece of Norske Nook’s chocolate pecan pie which should explain how my diet is progressing . . . not great! In my defense I can say that I’m headed to the pool to swim laps as soon as I finish this post. We head back to Missouri this weekend. Bob, aka DH, works Monday then undergoes cardiac ablation on Tuesday, followed by another week off work to recuperate. I have to admit that I’m a little nervous about his ablation. It’s odd being the patient’s significant other rather than being the patient. I hope everyone has a great week. Happy belated Canada Day and Happy Fourth of July to all in the grand old USA.

 

[Gordo60]

I just had my third cataract surgery in the last six months. Both eyes had complications and the lens in my left eye became dislocated so I had to have it re-positioned.

Sorry to hear that.

Although feeling a bit nervous now. I saw the eye specialist on Monday who advised my recent eyesight deterioration is due to cataracts. So left eye getting operated on this Tuesday and the right eye a week later. Being highly myopic and perhaps having a possibility of connective tissue abnormality? given the aneurysm and a little loose jointed I’m concerned about complications especially the possibility of a detached retina. Not helped also by the fact I went to have laser surgery (LASIK) to correct myopia many years ago but they botched it where I ended up losing the upper corneal flap and I was left with permanent scarring on the remainder of the cornea and defective vision. So only having one undamaged eye and that horrible experience years ago adds to the anxiety somewhat.

Oh well just need to toughen up and stop being a wimp.

Otherwise exercising as usual but will have to restrict my activities for a couple of weeks when recovering from surgery.

 

[Duffey]

Sorry to hear that.

Although feeling a bit nervous now. I saw the eye specialist on Monday who advised my recent eyesight deterioration is due to cataracts. So left eye getting operated on this Tuesday and the right eye a week later. Being highly myopic and perhaps having a possibility of connective tissue abnormality? given the aneurysm and a little loose jointed I’m concerned about complications especially the possibility of a detached retina. Not helped also by the fact I went to have laser surgery (LASIK) to correct myopia many years ago but they botched it where I ended up losing the upper corneal flap and I was left with permanent scarring on the remainder of the cornea and defective vision. So only having one undamaged eye and that horrible experience years ago adds to the anxiety somewhat.

Oh well just need to toughen up and stop being a wimp.

Otherwise exercising as usual but will have to restrict my activities for a couple of weeks when recovering from surgery.

Good luck!

 

[skeptic49]

Mary, thanks, glad you like the video. Gordo, good luck with your upcoming eye surgeries. You might want to alert your surgeon as I did. The good news is that my vision is really excellent now and I don't need to wear glasses except for reading for the first time in my life.

 

[Superbob]

Gordo, hope your cataract surgeries go well, and Jim, hope all is well now after a third surgery. I had the cataract surgeries (each eye) a couple of years ago. Surgeon gave me the choice of having perfect distance vision while still needing reading glasses -- or the other way around. (For some reason -- vanity probably -- I went with distance. Out of habit I still wear my glasses most of the time anyway.)

Duffey, all best to your DH on the ablation. I've never read up much on that, so I'll google and do that. Hope all goes perfectly and he (and you) can enjoy that week off.

Chocolate pecan pie!? Tsk, tsk, tsk!

Jim, I guess I have the connective tissue congenital malady too, since I am BAV but no doctor has ever discussed that with me in any detail. I think that is part of what makes a growing aneurysm of particular concern to someone like me. I read somewhere that if it hits 6 cm, you have a 14% chance per year of it rupturing -- and I suppose going higher with continued dilation year to year. I don't think I'm quite there yet but I might be taking some degree of risk by scheduling the surgery for mid-September instead of July or August. (The surgeon didn't raise any warning flags about it though.) It's just that July and August are horrid in general around here, and a lot of people vacation then, including medical people. I want the surgeon's and nursing staff's first team on my side when the time comes. Also, both my grown children have heavy work responsibilities in the summer, and I'd like to have them rested and ready to lend support to me in the fall.

I finally took the dreaded (by me) Pulmonary Function Test this week, but only the spirometry part in which you inhale as deeply as you can via mouth and then exhale for 6 seconds, and repeat several times. My tech was super cautious given my aneurysm, though, and said she didn't want me to do the thing as strenuously as others. Will see what my scores are and what they might mean (if anything)...

Well, again Happy Fourth to those celebrating it, and (as Duffey's post reminds me) a belated happy Canada's Day too. How could I forget those wild and crazy Canadians?

 

[Paleowoman]

Happy Fourth of July from over this side of the pond ! And happy Canada's Day !

Glad that you've got the spirometry test over with SB.

I'm sure I have a connective tissue disorder too because in addition to BAV I have pectus excavatum (depressed sternum) and seem to get lots of tendon problems. No specific diagnosis of connective tissue disorder but my cardiologist says there are many different kinds.

I love the railway Jim - I remember you once posted a lovely video of an indoor railway you have one Christmas. I have to confess that I have always loved model railways, I always wanted one as a child, but what parent buys one for a girl ? When I was 50 we were near a model railway shop with huge layouts of different sorts, beautiful, so for that big birthday, my dh gave me an 'N' guage railway set (for those who don't know, that's one of the smallest guages so you can make a nice layout in a smallish area) - I had such an enjoyable time making some model buildings and scenery for it. We don't have it permanently set up as we don't have room in our house.

 

[Duffey]

Happy Fourth of July from over this side of the pond ! And happy Canada's Day !

Glad that you've got the spirometry test over with SB.

I'm sure I have a connective tissue disorder too because in addition to BAV I have pectus excavatum (depressed sternum) and seem to get lots of tendon problems. No specific diagnosis of connective tissue disorder but my cardiologist says there are many different kinds.

I love the railway Jim - I remember you once posted a lovely video of an indoor railway you have one Christmas. I have to confess that I have always loved model railways, I always wanted one as a child, but what parent buys one for a girl ? When I was 50 we were near a model railway shop with huge layouts of different sorts, beautiful, so for that big birthday, my dh gave me an 'N' guage railway set (for those who don't know, that's one of the smallest guages so you can make a nice layout in a smallish area) - I had such an enjoyable time making some model buildings and scenery for it. We don't have it permanently set up as we don't have room in our house.

What a terrific gift! I’d love to have one myself.

 

[carolinemc]

I’m in Wisconsin, in a condo overlooking one of the state’s many lakes. We’re sharing it for a few days with two of our five kids and their children. I just finished a piece of Norske Nook’s chocolate pecan pie which should explain how my diet is progressing . . . not great! In my defense I can say that I’m headed to the pool to swim laps as soon as I finish this post. We head back to Missouri this weekend. Bob, aka DH, works Monday then undergoes cardiac ablation on Tuesday, followed by another week off work to recuperate. I have to admit that I’m a little nervous about his ablation. It’s odd being the patient’s significant other rather than being the patient. I hope everyone has a great week. Happy belated Canada Day and Happy Fourth of July to all in the grand old USA.

Hey, stranger, I am from Missouri also, KCMO. So glad you are enjoying the holiday with family. Have fun. Hugs for you and your family.

 

[Paleowoman]

What a terrific gift! I’d love to have one myself.

Well I can’t resist posting some of photos of my train:

I made the background scene by printing a landscape photo of some hills in France that I love on some sheets of A4 paper and attaching them to the wall. I bought the trees and made the tunnel with card and papier maché, paint and stones, and I made the model level crossing and building from kits. The photo of the engine on my hand gives an idea of the scale and how small it is ! Also the goods engine on my finger.

 

[Duffey]

I am super impressed! Gr

Well I can’t resist posting some of photos of my train:
View attachment 887159

View attachment 887160

View attachment 887161

I made the background scene by printing a landscape photo of some hills in France that I love on some sheets of A4 paper and attaching them to the wall. I bought the trees and made the tunnel with card and papier maché, paint and stones, and I made the model level crossing and building from kits. The photo of the engine on my hand gives an idea of the scale and how small it is ! Also the goods engine on my finger.

View attachment 887162

What a great idea for the background scenery! It all looks terrific. I am tempted to encourage DH to treat me to a similar birthday present.

 

[skeptic49]

Love the British outline models!