I met with my cardiologist today to go over all of the heart tests I had last week.
I’ve got to check into the hospital on Monday so a cardiac surgeon can do a catheterization and explore one of the walls around my heart and see whether or not I need to do some work on one of the blood vessels down there.
My heart, says my doctor, is fine.
The tests showed some weakness around one important artery.
Thursday, I had to and get a Covoid-19 test, and give some blood, and Monday, I’ll get knocked out and have this procedure.
It might lead to nothing, or it might lead to what they call a stent.
A stent is a tiny wire mesh tube, which props open an artery and is left there permanently.
A stent is inserted into the clogged artery, if that’s what they find, with a balloon catheter. The balloon is inflated and the stent expands and locks in place. This holds the artery open and allows blood to flow more freely.
Sometimes a coronary artery (an artery feeding the heart muscle) is narrowed by a buildup of fatty deposits called plaque, which can reduce blood flow and result in chest pain or the formation of a clot, which can be serious.
The stent stays in the artery for good and usually lasts up ten years, which should take care of me for the duration. I’m not expecting to live longer than that.
This is an outpatient procedure, and I should be home by Monday afternoon, but Dr. Daraban suggests bringing an overnight bag just in case the procedure starts late.
She said I am free to ride my new bike as much as I wish now and after the catheterization, and that the surgeon might find there is no need for a stent or any other work.
The good news is that my heart is sound and strong, and that is by far the most important thing to me, and my doctor.
As is obvious, if it were more serious a problem, she wouldn’t want me anywhere near a bike. I will share the experience, as promised, and quite happily.
I’ll be given drugs to knock me out, and I can drive myself to the hospital. Maria will come with me, take my car home (no visitors allowed in hospitals now) and come get me when a nurse calls her and says the procedure is over.
A respectful reminder: I no longer get angry when people give me unwanted advice (most of the time). I’ve done some work on that.
I accept this as a part of life that is now a permanent part of life, if you know what I mean.
Still, I haven’t changed my basic ideas about unwanted medical advice.) I trust my doctors very much. I take my guidance from them.
I’m getting plenty of advice about riding my e-bike, some of it has been helpful. I am aware that I can bike to open spaces for practice, and that there are quiet roads all around me.
My problem with advice is an old one, people used to call me stupid because of my Dyslexia (these same people now tell me there are typos in my blog posts). If I don’t know there are quiet roads around my farm then I shouldn’t have a bike at all.
I do not agree that because I’m afraid of something, I should stop doing it immediately.
I am not anxious about this procedure, I have heart disease and I very much appreciate good and timely medical treatment, so I can live my life, ride my bike, take my walks, love my life and my wife and blog night and day.
I am lucky to be living where I am living and when I am living.
Thirty years ago and anytime before that, I’d be long gone. I have no complaints. I appreciate the maintenance.
I am not eager to focus much on my own heath, an occupational hazard for the elderly.
I believe aging is one part physical, one part psychological. I don’t really know what I look like these days, but I feel like I’m in my 40’s just beginning to be old.
Stories about your friends and family members who died or suffered a stroke or took a miracle drug recommended by their Aunt Fanny are usually not much use to me, we are all different.
Men can be foolish about acknowledging their pain and getting help, that is not a problem for me.
I started this because I felt some new pain in my chest, and I thought it ought to be checked out. I was right. I fear not getting help much more than getting some.
As far as heart disease goes, this is not a very big deal.
Discussing the details of my health with strangers online is not something I feel is helpful to me. And I am seriously allergic to drama. I trust people who read this will not need to worry about me, as that is my job.
I do appreciate people’s concerns about me, and I am grateful for them, I am learning to accept that people care about me, and am humbled by that. It also makes me uneasy sometimes, so let’s just deal thoughtfully with one another. See?
I’m curious to find out what the Covoid-19 test process is like, I’ll share that on Thursday. I expect to be riding my new bike every other day.
The Covid test is not painful, just weird. No one has ever touched you there and your body has a serious “What did you just do?” moment as you drive away….
Thank you for telling us about your dyslexia and your heart issue. I am glad you listened to your intuition and got it checked out. If you will give us an EST start I will be sure to say a prayer for you and for the hands of the surgeon and for Maria’s piece of mind.
I took your advice Jon and research online and then contacted a local bike ? store. The store is getting a new shipment and we are going down for a visit after they arrive and ask lots of questions.
Good to hear Marsha, I think you’ll love it…
Hello Jon. I write this not to give advice or interfere in any way but to share my experience over the last 6 months. I had a stent placed in an artery in my heart following a heart attack on April 26. I have since covered 1400 miles on my bicycle. I had a cardiac stress test last week and the cardiologist said i “passed with flying colors” because of all the cycling. The only downside of the stent is the blood thinner I have to take for one year to prevent any possibility of clotting associated with the stent. When I get a cut or nick on my skin it takes quite a bit longer to stop any bleeding. Be well Jon and thank you for your writings.
Good for you, Lee, that sounds great. I appreciate the message..
Jon…
Glad you’re on top of this and have good docs. Last year my wife had heart surgery. While she was recovering, I read The Heart Healers. This well-written book covers the history of cardiology, which is only 75 years to present. Advances are proceeding at an incredible pace. Author James Forrester is, himself, a pioneering cardiologist, personally familiar with historical contemporaries. Recommended if medicine is among your interests.
Hi Jon,
This comment is given in the hopes that you may perceive that it is only meant to be thoughtful verbiage. You certainly may take it or leave it, as it is none of my business what you do or don’t do, with the information.
In any case the following MD, well-respected in some areas of the medical establishment, wrote a book about hearts, and in it is one chapter for diabetics. Of interest is a comment that he makes, which is that a particular vitamin regime can provide optimal protection for artery walls of diabetics.
This is that specific chapter. It is one of the chapters in the entire book, which if you click around, you’ll get to the page with all the chapters listed and linked.
https://www.dr-rath-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/why-animals_en_chapter07-diabetes.pdf
I appreciate the thought Nancy, and thanks. I have good doctors and trust them completely. I’m sorry, but I don’t look for medical advice online. Kind of you to think of it.
Jon, you do what we all should do–Listen to your body. Thanks for the reminder.
I won’t give you advice Jon. Will just tell you the Covid test is not as bad as people lead you to believe. Had one as a precaution when there was an outbreak in my community. Best of luck with your procedure.
Thanks, I’m not worried about it..
Good for you. Unfortunately many people nowadays are so afraid of covid-19 that they won’t go to the doctor if they have any new health problems. The death rate from things other than covid-19 has apparently gone up during the pandemic, which is very sad because many of the deaths could have been prevented if the person had sought medical care.
Be well, Jon. ?
Jon,
Just to let you know that I had 2 stents placed in my aorta, after a heart attack back in 2008. No side effects at all except for taking blood thinners. I began with Coumadin which was a nuisance as keeping it balanced was difficult so I was quickly switched to another which is no problem at all. I do take blood thinners which make me bruise easily which is a bit embarrassing as sometimes I look as if my husband is beating me! (Wrists and hands and sometimes my legs)
I wanted to write to you because back when this happened you, Jon, were incredibly supportive to me and I appreciated this so much. Like you I had been happy, healthy and ignored all scientific medicinal treatment–as one can do until older age creeps up on one!
So take care of yourself and be thankful, like me, for a loving partner to walk this path with you. I am 83 now and feeling healthier now than back then.
thankyou so much for your wisdom. i am still painting and do suffer with advanced heart failure now at age 83. i am the woodstock artist who did your farm animals.now i just paint my own dog and cat. time flies and life changes and we must change too. love, ellie
Eleanor so good to hear from you, you are so talented, Your portrait of Lenore still graces our fireplace and is much treasured. Thank you so much for writing to me, please stay in touch.
Jon, does this mean there will be a delay in “One Man’s Truth”….I think I’m addicted to them now….
So speedy recovery and good for you for listening to your body. A lot of people, including me, think, oh, it will go away. You didn’t. I’ll look forward to your reportage on politics when you feel up to it again. Please ask the doctors not to remove your passion, please.
Sandy Proudfoot, in Canada, where are politics are not half as interesting but just as frustrating, believe me…at times.
Thanks Sandy, no delay, it’s just a few hours in the hospital (hopefully)..I should be home and working Monday night or tuesday morning at the latest, and thanks for asking..
God bless and keep you safe on Monday and for many days afterwards too. We need more folks like you who makes us think 2x and realize sometimes it’s better to act, rather than react.
Dear Jon, my thoughts and prayers are with you for a speedy recovery. Hope all goes well and you will be “back in business” soon. We will miss your blogs (temporarily).
Wishing you all the best from Canada and from an American Citizen.
Here is a Canadian’s view of the US:
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/covid-19-end-of-american-era-wade-davis-1038206/