O
Old Hippie
Sorry, been really, really depressed and the holidays didn't help.
Update for those that remember me:
Doc said I needed a mitrial valve replacement or repair. Referred me to the thorasic surgeon. Ran a bunch of the usual test, heart cath, nuclear stress test, xrays, echo, etc.
Went to check into the hospital at 2pm for surgery the next morning. They immediately called me into the back with the surgeon and he said he was reviewing my test and pictures for the following morning surgery and one of the test results, the injection fraction said 20%. He gave me a 50/50 chance of getting off the operating table and he said he wouldn't do it anyway. He didn't think the 20% was correct anyway.
But, to be safe, they canceled the surgery and about a week later I had another cath. done just to recheck the injection fraction. Came back at 32%. Surgeon bumped the mortality up to only 75/25 or 3 out of 4 change to get off the surgery table but he said he would do it. I said no, the odds were better but not that good.
He said "let's wait". He said that because I am non-symptomatic and ambulatory, no need to shoot the horse before he's laying down. I'm to start seeing him on a regular basis.
Non-symptomatic meaning I don't have any fluid building up in my lungs or feet. I don't have any chest pain (angina), etc. Ambulatory meaning I take care of myself, cook, even cut the grass (electric start riding mower).
I have no plans to get another opinion. I paid a company that does doctor background checks and his came back as stellar. rated 9 out of 10 (above average) in his field. Duke Medical education. Even was a professor at a medical collage before coming to the VA a couple years ago.
Also, he does not know if repair or replacement until he is "in there".
Update for those that remember me:
Doc said I needed a mitrial valve replacement or repair. Referred me to the thorasic surgeon. Ran a bunch of the usual test, heart cath, nuclear stress test, xrays, echo, etc.
Went to check into the hospital at 2pm for surgery the next morning. They immediately called me into the back with the surgeon and he said he was reviewing my test and pictures for the following morning surgery and one of the test results, the injection fraction said 20%. He gave me a 50/50 chance of getting off the operating table and he said he wouldn't do it anyway. He didn't think the 20% was correct anyway.
But, to be safe, they canceled the surgery and about a week later I had another cath. done just to recheck the injection fraction. Came back at 32%. Surgeon bumped the mortality up to only 75/25 or 3 out of 4 change to get off the surgery table but he said he would do it. I said no, the odds were better but not that good.
He said "let's wait". He said that because I am non-symptomatic and ambulatory, no need to shoot the horse before he's laying down. I'm to start seeing him on a regular basis.
Non-symptomatic meaning I don't have any fluid building up in my lungs or feet. I don't have any chest pain (angina), etc. Ambulatory meaning I take care of myself, cook, even cut the grass (electric start riding mower).
I have no plans to get another opinion. I paid a company that does doctor background checks and his came back as stellar. rated 9 out of 10 (above average) in his field. Duke Medical education. Even was a professor at a medical collage before coming to the VA a couple years ago.
Also, he does not know if repair or replacement until he is "in there".
