The Latest News 12/23/2009

I had my meeting yesterday with Doctor Novak. I had actually met him before just prior to my surgery when I stayed the weekend at RJH. He is a very nice, no nonsense straight talking specialist, and most importantly you can understand him.

Within the next 4 to 6 weeks I will a CRT implanted in my chest and connected to my heart. This will monitor what my heart muscle is doing and correct a problem I have which is causing the low EF.

Right now the two lower chambers are not pumping at the same time. Because of my Bundle Branch Blocking the signal to the left ventricle is routed through the right side of my heart. This give the heart a right,left pumping action. This causes shortness of breath and fatigue.

Two of the three wires implanted will correct this. The third wire is the safety brake, if my heart stops it will shock it back into action. I will be in surgery for 3 to 5 hours and will spend up to 5 days in hospital. I will not be able to drive for a month. I will have to stay away from things with big magnetic fields and I will set off metal detectors at every airport in the world.

For more information c click on the link below.
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/109/3/296?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=cardio+resynchronization&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT

That's it for now, have A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Tomorrow and Hair

Tomorrow at 9:15 I have an appointment with the new doctor. I am not sure how to spell his name so for now I'll call him Dr. N.


We will be discussing the implantation of the ICD into my chest. At least that's what I think he going to talk to me about. It could be he just wants tell me about his trip to France last summer and how he ate too much rich food. I guess we'll find out.

That is a picture of my brother Jim and I in the bathtub somewhere in 1956. I've decided that I like my hair cut and will try reproduce it. You've got do something while you wait for those pesky doctor appointment, and I'm not that energetic so letting my hair grow is a nice low impact task.

New Meds

Here is one of my main helpers and a slice of Merete. This picture was taken the day our new iMac arrived.



I was going to put up a more pertinent image but the new medication I'm taking makes me kinda dreamy and a bit more goofy.

It was interesting driving into town yesterday, felt like I was in a driving simulator. I am sure the effects will change after I have been on the medication for a while. I won't be driving alone or by myself anymore.

It is a new Beta Blocker. Here's the irony, my heart isn't beating as strongly as it should so they changed my meds. A symptom of poor EF is that you are short of breath. Guess what one of the side effects of this drug is......shortness of breath. So far no major effects, just this dreamy state and an inability to focus on things.

I think I've done pretty well with this post considering my concentration is hooped. Yes, to answer the imaginary question they will be putting in an ICD as far as I know. It is in the hands of Gods and Novack apparently. To describe it (an ICD) briefly, it's like an emergency brake for my heart. If my heart goes to fast it slows it down and if my heart tries to stop, this will kick shock my heart back to work and save my life.

Monday's News

I'd post a picture but I don't have one! I'll correct this soon. Got a call this afternoon from my Cardio Man's office. First I was told I would get a call from my GP's Office and I did later. Dr. P & Dr. M have come with a medication change which I will find out this Thursday.

I will also have a another Echo Cardiogram in January and a follow up appointment with Dr. M and the ICD people in January.

Heavy sigh of relief, as long I don't do anything stupid(which I like to do) I think I am safe until January. In the meantime I will just behave and will post after I see Dr. Pocock on Thursday.

Waiting and Waiting and Still Waiting!

Just a quick note to everyone. I am doing fine, but still a little frustrated and bored. We just Skyped Brie in Egypt so I gave her update on the Doctor scene. Now it's your turn.

I called my GP to get my INR results because on Monday it was 5.2 which means my blood was too thin. Thursday I had it tested again, usually I get called with the results the same day but not this time. I called at about 1:35pm and the INR was 1.8 which is too thick. This means I can go back on Warfarin of 4.5mg a day.

I then called the Cardiologist, he was in the cath lab and there were no notes about his discussion with my GP and no advice. I did found out though that I was referred to the ICD Techs on October 28 and probably won't hear from them until after Christmas. I have also been put on Mildenburgers to do list for Monday morning. What this means is that his girl will call me about his discussion with Pocock after she talks to him.

Reminds me of when you get line of people and whisper in one ear, 'Joe is eating an apple'. By the time it gets to the end of the line 'Joan is leaving town with Ernie'.

Good News/Bad news, Unless I get a call saying we need you to come into the ICD LAb on next Tuesday, I can take deep breath. I must be stable enough that this isn't a panic.

What's Bad News, I still have to wait here something/anything.

Thinking of Our Girls

I know this has been torture for me but it has been torture for the 3 women in my life and my siblings as well. I would say it has been torture for the dogs but they have the combined IQ of a fence post.


Ooops, didn't I say my cardio guy has the personality of a fence post.

Don't you love it when somebody telegraphs a joke. For those of you younger than me(and believe me there's a lot of you). It's a joke set up technique, you the viewer or listener knows a joke is coming well ahead of time. The best thing to do is make it a fast telegram, believe me it's better.

I had my meeting with my GP yesterday. I did not get the news I wanted. My EF has fallen further and it has been confirmed by the 'Gold Standard' of tests(19). I am no longer able to work, I would be pushing my luck.

What does this mean? I don't really know, sounds like I have to stop enjoying the life I know and love. No more wine, no smokes, no rich foods but I've heard all that before. It is because of the love for my family that I will consider these changes.

My favourite GP is going to contact Cardioman to find out the plan. If there is a plan. I say that because we're in week 7 and I haven't heard from Cardioman. Then I am not the only heart on the block so to speak.

So I wait. At least I have my best man on it. Wait for my next post called something like Now Bitter and Really Pissed Off. Sorry part of the grieving process, this the angry phase.

PS: Regarding the first paragraph, the great support of my friends and in-laws has not and never will be forgotten.