Well, I never thought I'd be writing anything like this. Sorry if its a little long.
Ive been dealing with some health issues over the past few years. Plowing through most of them and still trying to get crap done. Last Fall they found trace blood in my urine. Had a bunch of tests done and in the end it turned out to be a bunch of kidney stones. Ive got 4 small ones in my left kidney and 4 in the right. The problem is 2 of the 4 in the right are big. Ones is a 1/2" and the other is almost a full inch in diameter. That cant be broken up with a lithotripsy. They have to go in and get it.
I went to a surgeon that specializes in doing this. Last year he did 300 of these procedures. I felt comfortable with the guy. The surgery was scheduled for April 19th. I was ready. So I thought.
My pre op testing was supposed to be next Tuesday. While I was getting all the stuff ready my wife told me I should get a letter from my cardiologist. Ive always had an abnolmal EKG. Something with a Q wave. The cardiologist said it was just the way my normal EKG looks but Im sure it would set off bells at my pre op testing and it might hold up the surgery. I called the cardiologists office and tried to make an appointment. I should add that I see this guy every 6 months.
I was supposed to have my carotid arteries checked and an EKO done at the end of April. Routine tests. The girl said they had an opening this past Monday and both of them could be done at the same time. Then I could see the doc on Wednesday. No big deal.
The test results were read the same day and put on the patient portal. The carotids looks perfect. The EKO, not too good. It said I have severe aortic stenosis. I met with the doc Wednesday AM. Turns out my aortic valve needs to be replaced.
I go into the hospital next Wednesday at 6:30AM. First a CT of my abdomen, then a cardiac CT. Right after those are done I get catherized. The doctor doing the cath has a great rep. A surgeon is there to assist. Hes going in to measure for a new valve. Its called a TAVR. Less invasive procedure than a standard valve replacement. It goes in through the groin like theyre doing a stent. My cardiologist says they work well. Im sure when I meet the guy doing it I'll be able to ask him more about it. Hes also going to check to see if theres any blocked arteries.
My big fear is if they find blockages. Ive done well on stress tests. My bad knees stop the test not being winded but its still the main thing that concerns me. When I was born I was adopted. I found my biological mother back in '82. I found out that my half brother had a stent at 43. My mother had her first heart attack at 54 that required a stent. A second in her early 60s required by pass surgery. She passed away in '03 due to other health issues. I also had a half sister that died on the table during surgery at a heart hospital in Boston. She was in her 50s. Not looking too good.
Ive been trying to get the 81 finished before I go in next week. Working like a maniac trying to get the bulk of the important things done. The other day I sprayed the inner fender that had to be redone and it came out perfect. Yesterday I switched over the plow to the mower deck on my JD with my son and showed him how to do it. Today is another day out n the garage. I have to finish running the wires for the 6AL and figure out where I can mount it.
This whole thing has been quite a shock guys. Ive NEVER had an issue. No pains. I get winded a little when I walk up the hill in my back yard but I assumed it was because Ive gained over 30 lbs since I stopped working back in '08 and Im really out of shape. I guess I'll know everything by the end of Wednesday. Hopefully they wont have to cut me open like a chicken for by pass surgery.
Im going to give my wife my password and login info just in case so she can give an update. Never a dull moment. SMH
Ive been dealing with some health issues over the past few years. Plowing through most of them and still trying to get crap done. Last Fall they found trace blood in my urine. Had a bunch of tests done and in the end it turned out to be a bunch of kidney stones. Ive got 4 small ones in my left kidney and 4 in the right. The problem is 2 of the 4 in the right are big. Ones is a 1/2" and the other is almost a full inch in diameter. That cant be broken up with a lithotripsy. They have to go in and get it.
I went to a surgeon that specializes in doing this. Last year he did 300 of these procedures. I felt comfortable with the guy. The surgery was scheduled for April 19th. I was ready. So I thought.
My pre op testing was supposed to be next Tuesday. While I was getting all the stuff ready my wife told me I should get a letter from my cardiologist. Ive always had an abnolmal EKG. Something with a Q wave. The cardiologist said it was just the way my normal EKG looks but Im sure it would set off bells at my pre op testing and it might hold up the surgery. I called the cardiologists office and tried to make an appointment. I should add that I see this guy every 6 months.
I was supposed to have my carotid arteries checked and an EKO done at the end of April. Routine tests. The girl said they had an opening this past Monday and both of them could be done at the same time. Then I could see the doc on Wednesday. No big deal.
The test results were read the same day and put on the patient portal. The carotids looks perfect. The EKO, not too good. It said I have severe aortic stenosis. I met with the doc Wednesday AM. Turns out my aortic valve needs to be replaced.
I go into the hospital next Wednesday at 6:30AM. First a CT of my abdomen, then a cardiac CT. Right after those are done I get catherized. The doctor doing the cath has a great rep. A surgeon is there to assist. Hes going in to measure for a new valve. Its called a TAVR. Less invasive procedure than a standard valve replacement. It goes in through the groin like theyre doing a stent. My cardiologist says they work well. Im sure when I meet the guy doing it I'll be able to ask him more about it. Hes also going to check to see if theres any blocked arteries.
My big fear is if they find blockages. Ive done well on stress tests. My bad knees stop the test not being winded but its still the main thing that concerns me. When I was born I was adopted. I found my biological mother back in '82. I found out that my half brother had a stent at 43. My mother had her first heart attack at 54 that required a stent. A second in her early 60s required by pass surgery. She passed away in '03 due to other health issues. I also had a half sister that died on the table during surgery at a heart hospital in Boston. She was in her 50s. Not looking too good.
Ive been trying to get the 81 finished before I go in next week. Working like a maniac trying to get the bulk of the important things done. The other day I sprayed the inner fender that had to be redone and it came out perfect. Yesterday I switched over the plow to the mower deck on my JD with my son and showed him how to do it. Today is another day out n the garage. I have to finish running the wires for the 6AL and figure out where I can mount it.
This whole thing has been quite a shock guys. Ive NEVER had an issue. No pains. I get winded a little when I walk up the hill in my back yard but I assumed it was because Ive gained over 30 lbs since I stopped working back in '08 and Im really out of shape. I guess I'll know everything by the end of Wednesday. Hopefully they wont have to cut me open like a chicken for by pass surgery.
Im going to give my wife my password and login info just in case so she can give an update. Never a dull moment. SMH
