TEE results

[John Cochran]

Swill,
The "waiting room" is truly no fun, and I thought it would drive me nuts, but we all managed to get through it; I'll try to tell you some things that helped me. First, fatigue is certainly a sign of severe aortic insufficiency, and the anxiety and anticipation of surgery doesn't help a person rest well, so more fatigue!

The good news is that, once you've gotten through your surgery, your energy level will soar! In addition, the waiting will be in the past, and you'll get your life back minus the anticipation of surgery! You'll feel and function better in every way (and I mean in every way). You may have seen others here write about how life on "the other side of the mountain" is truly grand, and it's really true.

In addition to having your health restored, you'll have a new perspective on life. Once you've gone through open heart surgery, most every thing else seems pretty easy. You'll be back to being able to enjoy the little things again, and able to plan some big things too, with the knowledge that you'll have the health and stamina to do what ever you want!

In the mean time, I second Nancy's advice to hold off on the caffeine and cold medications until your cardiologist gives you the OK. However, your body will adjust shortly to the lack of caffeine, and your anxiety level will be lower if you can stay off the caffeine.

Jennie, whose surgery preceded mine by a bit, gave me some really good advice that worked for getting through this: Take each day (and each event associated with this surgery) one at a time. Just be focused on that one day or that one thing you need to get through, and before you know it, it's all done!

We're all here to help you get through this, and you will!

Best,
--John

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi swill!
i think everyone here covered all bases.
joey and i have switched from regular coffee to decaf and he hardly knows the difference, since i brew it good and strong (there IS some caffeine in decaf, but i think it's minimal).
i see you have a cath scheduled for march 7th.
please let us know how that goes and when you are meeting with the surgeon.
in the meantime, please keep coming back. we're here for you anytime.
stay well, sylvia

 

[Swill]

What a great group!

What a great group!

Thanks again for your support. John, I'm looking forward to getting my energy back. It comes and goes now. I found last weekend that when I was up in the Sierras with the Boy Scouts I got very lightheaded if I had to talk for very long, and had to sit down. The next day, however, I was able to go with the boys on a snow-shoe trek around the lake. I promised the scout leader that I would turn back if I started feeling bad, but as long as I didn't push it and kept up a steady pace I was OK. I went to bed real early that night, even though the boys decided to watch Flubber right by my bed.

I figured I'm going to make it through this OK. I quit smoking almost 20 years ago, I've been through surgeries to aleviate my sleep apnea, and most recently I've lost almost 40 pounds, on my way to 55. I can take the waiting, but I keep getting reminders, such as when my heart starts pounding or I suddenly get light headed. That's when I get frustrated.

I've heard that they can now do the angiograms through the radial artery as opposed to the femoral artery. The recovery time is supposed to be much shorter, so I'm going to see if I can have them use the radial instead of the femoral artery.

I'll let you all know what happens. It seems like things are finally coming together...

Will

 

[John Cochran]

Will,
I had my angiogram done through the wrist, and it was a piece of cake. Afterwards, they put a pressure bandage on it for a couple hours or so, which is a tad uncomfortable, but after that you're just fine. If they can do it, that sure seems to be the way to go!

Sounds like you're going to do just great with this, Will

--John

 

[Swill]

And on we trudge...

And on we trudge...

Thanks again, John.

Still trying to get copies of the results of the tests I have been going through, and Member Services tells me that I should normally get them 3-4 weeks after the test. I told them that I have never yet received a copy of any of the tests for the last 5 years. The closest I have gotten is at one point several years ago I was told my Ejection Fraction was 65, but with no explanation as to what that meant. I have since figured that out.

I've been given instructions on how to get those results by the cardiologist; I'll let you all know what I hear.

Found out today that the Cardiologist found a mild case of Mitral Prolapse, but she doesn't sound worried about that.

She did say that I could request the radial artery when I got to the hospital, but that if she requested it now it would probably delay the test. Oh, well...

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi will!
my dad had a radial cath done several times and his recovery was so much faster.
good luck and please keep us posted.
be well, sylvia

 

[ccrawford]

Who's paying for it ?

Who's paying for it ?

Hey Swill - You have touched on a topic that tends to set me off big time. In many cases the medical profession fails miserably at the customer service aspect of its business-either because they don't think they are in the customer service business or they don't take the time to realize what that means. My point in this case is simply that you have a right to a copy of the reports generated by all the diagnostics done on your behalf, either directly or through your family physician. Many of the docs will protest that you needn't worry your pretty little mind with this, but stand firm, and request away, generally by letter or by phone, until you have the report. If, for some reason, you decide to change cardios, or family doctors, then you have the reports in your file and can make the transition easier, and with less risk, than if you did not have the information. On more than one occasion, I have been in a specialist's office, have asked the specialist "did you get a copy of the report from Dr _____?", got a no for an answer, and pulled the report out of my briefcase. Don't get snowed with all the medical expertise, many times these Docs turn out to be lousy communicators. Good Luck , Chris

 

[epstns]

I must be blessed in more ways than I know -- when I last met with my cardio to discuss echo results I asked for a copy of the report. He handed me a xerox before even I left the office. I make it a point of asking each of my other doc's for copies and the only one who ever resists is the family general practitioner -- and she's on thin ice with me.

 

[John Cochran]

Chris hit the nail on the head: A lot of doctors are rotten communicators. Being stubborn, when I ask for written results and don't get them in a reasonable amount of time, I call every day until I get them. Once, when I didn't, I had my friendly attorney call on my behalf to request them. Poor communications skills and bad admistrative follow-through are not excuses in my book. It's our lives, our bodies, and our information.