I went to the doctor yesterday who handles the pacemaker. I found out that he is also a cardiologist. So I have been very tired and when reviewed my meds he felt I was taking too much blood pressure medicine. He checked the bp five times. Three in one arm and two in the other and it was extremely low. So he changed my meds and told us what was going on in plain and simple terms. My regular cardio guy was very cavalier about prescribing the meds and went off on vacation for two weeks. This guy gave me an eco-cardio gram off the books just to check out was going on.
We both liked his straight way of talking so I am going to change to him as my main doctor. Since he handles the device anyway I think this is better. We had our cousin who is pharmacist look him up and he got the highest marks so we think it is great move. When we left the doctors office we went for a walk down Atlantic Avenue in the sun. It was very nice and we even stopped for tea and a snack. They made me a spinach omelet with no oil or salt. It was very nice.
When we got home I was exhausted and went to sleep for about five hours. I have been pretty exhausted and trying to get through it. I think the new med regime will work but it will take some time.
27 comments:
Well there you go - a walk in the sun is always a good thing.
Finding a good doc is even a better thing. I had two or three heart docs before I found the one who surged on me.
Sometimes second best just won't cut it, so to speak.
We're just happy that's all it is, Troop.
Thanks guys.
Sometimes it feels like you are walking with a lead blanket on you.
This doctor says it is going to take a couple of months to get back to speed. I might need an ablasion to get fixed. So I have to take it easy.
Trooper, Most times, the ace docs are the ones who feel no need to impress and are down to earth. The same w/ attorneys. I think you had some ham n' eggers but now got an ace in the rotation. I'm sure you were also dizzy w/ those over prescribed bp meds.
Good news.
Trooper, I spoke to Lisa about ablasion. It's a fairly simple procedure and makes a great difference. We know a couple folks, including my witch mother-in-law, who had great success w/ that procedure.
We're just happy that's all it is.
This is another one of your good stories. Yes, to the whole thing!
I have this image of you as Popeye eating that spinach omlette!
Yeah the ablasion is the way to go. My motherinlaw and brotherinlaw both had it and it worked great on their afib.
So once I am strong enough we will go forward.
Glad you found a competent doc!
I concur on the ace doc comment - the guy who fixed my valve was about as low key as he could be, yet he is one of the best heart valve surgeons in the world.
Wears sneakers, dresses a bit better than I do, but since I am just one step up from wino-wear, that's not saying much. You would not take him for a prestigious surgeon if you saw him walking down the street, but he wouldn't be walking down the street - he's busy saving lives or training others to do that work. Heck of a guy.
Not to blow my horn or anything but who mentioned dosage? Me, that's who! Yup, medicine is part science part art and the best doctors know the technical stuff but they also know how to fine tune the instrument just so. The instrument? That's you.
Glad you found a better doctor. I was getting a little worried since you weren't posting.
I've known people with similar experiences. Its amazing how many Doctors are - not incompetent - but don't seem put much effort into helping their patients.
And luckily for you there's...
Obamacare.
The Munster's is on.
Marilyn's making a bust of Herman's head. Grandpa and Lily are watching.
I cannot tell you how perverted this all seems now. The bust looks way sexier than the real thing. Obviously Marilyn had it bad.
Thanks a lot, Troop.
Crap, there's little Eddie. I'm out.
Ditto on ablation. Mrs. Haz had it done and it made a world of difference. Just make sure the guy who does it is from India. Those guys are wicked smart.
I have several tools that would work - a Surform, a 4" right angle grinder, a farrier's rasp - if it's ablation you want, I am your guy.
Sorry blake.
How do you think I feel when I knew the subtext of the show.
It's like eating the poisonous fruit of the Tree of Knowledge.
You got me kicked out of the Eden of not-knowing the subtext, dude.
Walking is good. Do you wear a heart monitor? Polar makes some good and inexpensive one. It's a lightweight strap around your chest, under clothing, and a wristwatch that is also a timer and has a pulse readout. It provides a way or tracking how your heart is improving.
The first month after a heart surgery or other event is usually spent getting the meds right. What worked for you when you were in the hospital probably doesn't work now that you're home, eating differently, active and have lost weight. It's normal to adjust the meds.
Serious question. We were talking about food and booze on the other thread. Is that tough on you? We can put it on the back burner.
Are you kidding?
I love food and drink talk. All I can is talk about it and dream about it.
But this is serious and I have willpower. So that is fine with me.
I mean if I didn't have willpower living in NYC I would have killed some hipster long ago. Just sayn'
Well, that was a thread stopper.
Here's my take:
Distracting and validating with banter and inanities is a fun and pleasant way of connecting that says we're alive and present. Comments involving food, booze, travel, movies, women, the men of TY, sex, and ball club talk are all ways of offering personal opinion while staying friendly. This playful but real way of commenting and connecting has been the mainstay of this blog for as long as I've read here, in addition to the "things are not as they seem" vibe that runs under the surface and hints at other realities. When TY went private, the sharing of real life stories added another layer to the mix.
The ongoing expression of Althouse Angst has also been a connector. Based on real experiences of betrayal, lost trust, frustration, annoyance and disgust , comments in this category tend to involve emotional expression, with Titus, Inga and Crack providing additional opportunities.
Underneath all the fun and games, real life runs along bringing blessings and difficulties, sickness and health, productivity and inactivity, accomplishments and depressions, births and death. This rubber meets the road form of reality can't be adequately addressed, acknowledged or dismissed with banter alone. While frivolity is fun and helps with transitions, it's not the whole story. I value and enjoy communication here on a number of different levels, from light hearted to deep, humorous to serious, and fiction to reality.
That said, I don't know and can't begin to guess at what works for Trooper or what he likes and wants during this time of restoration. I do know that I enjoyed this story as much as his Rifleman series and more so than the Laura Bush Diaries, which are definitely a matter of taste depending on who's doing the sampling.
Oops. There's that timing thing again. It takes me a while to think and write, and while I do the thread moves on. The above comment was made in response to ND's question, but it still mostly fits so I'll leave it as is.
MamaM, Great comment. And timing can be everything. I'd rather have good timing than good luck.
Thanks, nd, for the good words. The timing as it was gave TY a chance to acknowledge his willpower, which will serve him well through this. Me, I bought the book you recommended, "The Willpower Instinct" and am working my way through it now. So double thanks are in order! Another case of timing!
Prego, MamaM, prego!
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