Well, I'm back. I was just going over my calendar & my doctor visits for the year! WOW!
Of course, I am still managing my heart health! But, at age 65, there are some other issues!
Family Doctor
Heart Doctor (Cardiologist)
Heart Doctor (Electrical)
Liver Doctor (Gastroenterologist)
Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor (Slight hearing loss & Tennitus)
Skin Doctor (Dermatologist)
Eye Doctor
Eye Doctor (Cataracts)
Dentist
One of the reasons, for my blog originally, was to keep my focus after open-heart surgery! That worked! I had a great recovery & I learned a great deal! Plus, I learned to ask, "Good Questions" when meeting my doctors!
Family Doctor - our family is very fortunate. For the past 40 years we have had the same family doctor group. They know us, they helped us keep our children healthy & fix those bumps & bruises! They assisted my wife & I battle health issues! From the meds they suggested, to surgeies, pointing us to specialists & just listening! We have been VERY lucky!
Eye Doctor
My first cataract surgery! What a difference!!! My left eye was finished & a year or two away for the right eye!!!
And, Dentist!
Filings, bridges, and other work inside the old mouth!!!
More detail to come! One of the battles, keeping teack of calendar & insurance!!!!
Heart Doctor - I put these people next because, this was my most intensive surgery!!! A little over 8 years ago, my surgeon performed a quintuple by-pass surgery! This basically allowed me to see both of my sons get married, 4 grand children born, and 8 more years with my lovely wife!!
LUCKY GUY!
Heart Doctor (Electrical issues) - After surgery, PVC's! (Premature Ventricular Contractions)
My first heart rehab was VERY short. After about 10 minutes of exercise, stopped, my rehab nurses kicked me out & after 8 years still have PVC's! The electrical specialists would like to do an ablation, but I have decided to not. More to come on this!
Liver Doctor (Gastroenterologist)
A blood test was the catalyst to a visit to the Gastroenterologist! In the Blood Test my AST(or SGOT-aspartate aminotransferase) & ALT (SGPT - alanine aminotransferase) were high! End result -
Fatty Liver Disease!
Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor
Tennitues - ring of the ears brought me into this office! No cure for this one! A Pain! And, my first hearing test, slightly below normal! Could be looking at hearing aids in my future!
Skin Doctor (Dermatologist)
Already have had 2 - Basal Cells & 1 Squamous cell cut out! A check-up every year!!!
Saturday, February 16, 2019
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Heart Issues Still Persist With PVC's
I have not posted in some time, so here we go. I have been busy being a Grand Pa, family, my golf game, and of course, VISITING MY DOCTORS!! A Senior Citizen Tradition!!!
Here is my current schedule:
April 3 - Endoscopy
April 4 - pick up my 24 hour heart monitor
April 13 - Visit my Heart Specialist to go over my results from the 24 monitor - PVC's
May 17 - Eye Appointment - planning future Cataract surgery
May 23 - Dentist - 6 month check up
June 6 - Dermatologist Yearly Check up for Skin Cancer
You see I have been busy! I will still focus on my heart issues, but will also get into other
health concerns as we all age gracefully!!!!
Just to review:
Heart open heart surgery - December 13, 2010 - Quintuple By-pass
During rehab, discovered PVC's during first cardiac rehab
So, for the past 7 1/2 years have been experimenting with different medications. But, still do my exercise(mostly walking now, a little jogging mixed in). Light free weight lifting. Golf & other outdoor activities.
For the past few months, I still get many people viewing my blog - thank you! The largest interest seem to be running after open-heart surgery. Many great comments! My coaching advice, just be VERY careful and smart! Especially, talk to your doctors & be proactive!
My focus now will be my PVC's!
What are they?
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra heartbeats that begin in one of your heart's two lower pumping chambers (ventricles). These extra beats disrupt your regular heart rhythm, sometimes causing you to feel a fluttering or a skipped beat in your chest.
So, the battle continues!
Here is my current schedule:
April 3 - Endoscopy
April 4 - pick up my 24 hour heart monitor
April 13 - Visit my Heart Specialist to go over my results from the 24 monitor - PVC's
May 17 - Eye Appointment - planning future Cataract surgery
May 23 - Dentist - 6 month check up
June 6 - Dermatologist Yearly Check up for Skin Cancer
You see I have been busy! I will still focus on my heart issues, but will also get into other
health concerns as we all age gracefully!!!!
Just to review:
Heart open heart surgery - December 13, 2010 - Quintuple By-pass
During rehab, discovered PVC's during first cardiac rehab
So, for the past 7 1/2 years have been experimenting with different medications. But, still do my exercise(mostly walking now, a little jogging mixed in). Light free weight lifting. Golf & other outdoor activities.
For the past few months, I still get many people viewing my blog - thank you! The largest interest seem to be running after open-heart surgery. Many great comments! My coaching advice, just be VERY careful and smart! Especially, talk to your doctors & be proactive!
My focus now will be my PVC's!
What are they?
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra heartbeats that begin in one of your heart's two lower pumping chambers (ventricles). These extra beats disrupt your regular heart rhythm, sometimes causing you to feel a fluttering or a skipped beat in your chest.
So, the battle continues!
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Stress Echocardiography
Here we go. Six years and nine months after open heart surgery. During my last annual check up, I discussed my exercise routine and told my doctor that hills & stairs seem to be more of an issue. So,
Stress Echocardiography
A stress echocardiography, also called an echocardiography stress test or stress echo, is a procedure that determines how well your heart and blood vessels are working.
During a stress echocardiography, you’ll exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike while your doctor monitors your blood pressure and heart rhythm. When your heart rate reaches peak levels, your doctor will take ultrasound images of your heart to determine whether your heart muscles are getting enough blood and oxygen while you exercise.
Your doctor may order a stress echocardiography test if you have chest pain that they think is due to coronary artery disease or a myocardial infarction, which is a heart attack. This test also determines how much exercise you can safely tolerate if you’re in cardiac rehabilitation. The test can also tell your doctor how well treatments such as bypass grafting, angioplasty, and anti-anginal or antiarrhythmic medications are working.
What does this mean? Stay tuned!
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Yearly Cadio Appointment - 2017
OK, it has been a little over 6 1/2 years since my open-heart surgery! And, here is the latest:
1 - Overall, at age 64, I'm feeling pretty good. I seem to be able to do what a grand pa should do!
2 - My visit to the cardiologist was good, liked the blood work, blood pressure good, and in pretty good shape at 5'9" and 183 pounds (trying to get down to 175!)
3 - Told the doctor, the only concern I had was walking up hills or a lot of steps. So, the doctor suggested a Echo Stress Test, which is:
How does Stress Echo work? Patients with coronary artery blockages may have minimal or no symptoms during rest. However, symptoms and signs of heart disease may be unmasked by exposing the heart to the stress of exercise. During exercise, healthy coronary arteries dilate (develop a more open channel) than an artery with a blockage. This unequal dilation causes more blood to be delivered to heart muscle supplied by the normal artery. In contrast, narrowed arteries end up supplying reduced flow to it's area of distribution. This reduced flow causes the involved muscle to "starve" during exercise. The "starvation" may produce symptoms (like chest discomfort or inappropriate shortness of breath), EKG abnormalities and reduced movement of the heart muscle. The latter can be recognized by examining the movement of the walls of the left ventricle (the major pumping chamber of the heart) by Echocardiography.
This will be interesting. After 6 1/2 years, this should let me know how I am doing. So, as any test, the name itself, "Echo Stress Test" is STRESS! I still think that any test you take should NOT have the word STESS in it!
More to come!
1 - Overall, at age 64, I'm feeling pretty good. I seem to be able to do what a grand pa should do!
2 - My visit to the cardiologist was good, liked the blood work, blood pressure good, and in pretty good shape at 5'9" and 183 pounds (trying to get down to 175!)
3 - Told the doctor, the only concern I had was walking up hills or a lot of steps. So, the doctor suggested a Echo Stress Test, which is:
How does Stress Echo work? Patients with coronary artery blockages may have minimal or no symptoms during rest. However, symptoms and signs of heart disease may be unmasked by exposing the heart to the stress of exercise. During exercise, healthy coronary arteries dilate (develop a more open channel) than an artery with a blockage. This unequal dilation causes more blood to be delivered to heart muscle supplied by the normal artery. In contrast, narrowed arteries end up supplying reduced flow to it's area of distribution. This reduced flow causes the involved muscle to "starve" during exercise. The "starvation" may produce symptoms (like chest discomfort or inappropriate shortness of breath), EKG abnormalities and reduced movement of the heart muscle. The latter can be recognized by examining the movement of the walls of the left ventricle (the major pumping chamber of the heart) by Echocardiography.
This will be interesting. After 6 1/2 years, this should let me know how I am doing. So, as any test, the name itself, "Echo Stress Test" is STRESS! I still think that any test you take should NOT have the word STESS in it!
More to come!
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
It's Been Awhile!
It's Been Awhile!
Amazing how you get started on something, get side tracked, and,... you know.
It has been 6 1/2 years since my open heart surgery! And, in that time:
Both of my sons were married!
My wife & I have 3 grandchildren & another due in September!
I had my 40th & 45th high school reunion.
My wife & I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary!
I had a "hole-in-one"!
And, my Green Bay Packers won a Super Bowl!
Yes, I would have missed this!! ALL THIS!!
So, FIRST! If you do not feel well, in anyway, SEE YOUR DOCTOR!
Warning signs of heart issues?
1. Chest Discomfort. It’s the most common sign of heart danger. If you have a blocked artery or are having a heart attack, you may feel pain, tightness, or pressure in your chest. “Everyone has a different word for that feeling,” Chambers says. “Some people say it’s like an elephant is sitting on them. Other people say it’s like a pinching or burning.”
2. Nausea, Indigestion, Heartburn, or Stomach Pain. Some people have these symptoms during a heart attack. They may even vomit, Chambers says. Women are more likely to report this type of symptom than men are. Of course, you can have an upset stomach for many reasons that have nothing to do with your heart. It could just be something you ate, after all. But you need to be aware that it can also happen during a heart attack.
3. Pain that Spreads to the Arm. Another classic heart attack symptom is pain that radiates down the left side of the body. “It almost always starts from the chest and moves outward,” Chambers says. “But I have had some patients who have mainly arm pain that turned out to be heart attacks.”
4. You Feel Dizzy or Lightheaded. A lot of things can make you lose your balance or feel faint for a moment. Maybe you didn’t have enough to eat or drink, or you stood up too fast. But if you suddenly feel unsteady and you also have chest discomfort or shortness of breath, call a doctor right away.
5. Throat or Jaw Pain. By itself, throat or jaw pain probably isn’t heart related. More likely, it’s caused by a muscular issue, a cold, or a sinus problem.
So, take control of your health! And, see your doctors regularly, especially after age 50!
Amazing how you get started on something, get side tracked, and,... you know.
It has been 6 1/2 years since my open heart surgery! And, in that time:
Both of my sons were married!
My wife & I have 3 grandchildren & another due in September!
I had my 40th & 45th high school reunion.
My wife & I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary!
I had a "hole-in-one"!
And, my Green Bay Packers won a Super Bowl!
Yes, I would have missed this!! ALL THIS!!
So, FIRST! If you do not feel well, in anyway, SEE YOUR DOCTOR!
Warning signs of heart issues?
1. Chest Discomfort. It’s the most common sign of heart danger. If you have a blocked artery or are having a heart attack, you may feel pain, tightness, or pressure in your chest. “Everyone has a different word for that feeling,” Chambers says. “Some people say it’s like an elephant is sitting on them. Other people say it’s like a pinching or burning.”
2. Nausea, Indigestion, Heartburn, or Stomach Pain. Some people have these symptoms during a heart attack. They may even vomit, Chambers says. Women are more likely to report this type of symptom than men are. Of course, you can have an upset stomach for many reasons that have nothing to do with your heart. It could just be something you ate, after all. But you need to be aware that it can also happen during a heart attack.
3. Pain that Spreads to the Arm. Another classic heart attack symptom is pain that radiates down the left side of the body. “It almost always starts from the chest and moves outward,” Chambers says. “But I have had some patients who have mainly arm pain that turned out to be heart attacks.”
4. You Feel Dizzy or Lightheaded. A lot of things can make you lose your balance or feel faint for a moment. Maybe you didn’t have enough to eat or drink, or you stood up too fast. But if you suddenly feel unsteady and you also have chest discomfort or shortness of breath, call a doctor right away.
5. Throat or Jaw Pain. By itself, throat or jaw pain probably isn’t heart related. More likely, it’s caused by a muscular issue, a cold, or a sinus problem.
So, take control of your health! And, see your doctors regularly, especially after age 50!
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Five Years Ago, My Heart Voyage Begins
Everybody has a story! As as review, here is mine!
This week, five years ago, I decided to see a doctor! Why?
For the previous three to four months, I was feeling tired. This was going to be my last year of my career in education! Year #35! Maybe I was doing too much! At age 57, I was still the first one at school. Starting my day at 5:30 AM, and getting to school around 6:10 AM every morning! Drinking my coffee, eating a Tastycake for breakfast(I know, stupid!) My first symptom, I felt tired!!!
Then, for the past 3 months, I had trouble exercising! Usually I would walk, maybe a little jog. Now, I was only able to walk. And, the the past month, EVEN THAT was difficult! Uh-Oh! In fact, the last week in October of 2010, I had trouble taking my early morning lap around the school! Stairs were difficult! And, at that moment, I new what it was! I have heart issues!!!!
But, I could finish the year! It was my last year! I do not have time for heart issues! And, we have a teacher training the first week of November! I need to get through that first, I have teacher trying to do!! My job, as technology specialist is to assist teachers with new computers and software! Help the teachers integrate technology in the classroom! OK, I made it through the week! Now what?
So, the final test! I will to a lap around my neighborhood! One of my normal workouts! Guess what? I could not make it up the hill to my house! I stopped, caught my breath and made it home!
Time to tell my wife! Time to call a doctor! And the rest is history!!!
So, if you are feeling tired! If you cannot walk up stairs - get checked! More about my journey coming!!
This week, five years ago, I decided to see a doctor! Why?
For the previous three to four months, I was feeling tired. This was going to be my last year of my career in education! Year #35! Maybe I was doing too much! At age 57, I was still the first one at school. Starting my day at 5:30 AM, and getting to school around 6:10 AM every morning! Drinking my coffee, eating a Tastycake for breakfast(I know, stupid!) My first symptom, I felt tired!!!
Then, for the past 3 months, I had trouble exercising! Usually I would walk, maybe a little jog. Now, I was only able to walk. And, the the past month, EVEN THAT was difficult! Uh-Oh! In fact, the last week in October of 2010, I had trouble taking my early morning lap around the school! Stairs were difficult! And, at that moment, I new what it was! I have heart issues!!!!
But, I could finish the year! It was my last year! I do not have time for heart issues! And, we have a teacher training the first week of November! I need to get through that first, I have teacher trying to do!! My job, as technology specialist is to assist teachers with new computers and software! Help the teachers integrate technology in the classroom! OK, I made it through the week! Now what?
So, the final test! I will to a lap around my neighborhood! One of my normal workouts! Guess what? I could not make it up the hill to my house! I stopped, caught my breath and made it home!
Time to tell my wife! Time to call a doctor! And the rest is history!!!
So, if you are feeling tired! If you cannot walk up stairs - get checked! More about my journey coming!!
Monday, July 6, 2015
Latest Health Report
Have been working on my other Blogs & need to get back to health!!! (Sorry, Green Bay Packer Blog is more fun!)
Heart Report:
It has been 4 years & 7 months since my surgery! And, I am able to do things in retirement that I dreamed about!
Travel - been to Korea, Scotland, (Green Bay games - 21 of them!), and next trip is Hawaii!)
Physical - playing golf twice a week, played over 60 softball & playing with grand kids! Still
tempted to try more running!
Mental - As I said when I was going through my heart issues, THIS IS IMPORTANT!!! And,
as you age, I'm 62 now, it is REALLY important! Stay positive, stay busy, & enjoy EVERY
day!!!
Faith - VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT. Again, going through surgery, and dealing with adversity
I do not know how people do it without faith. If you read this blog, and have no commitment to faith,
give it a chance!!!
So, I will begin to enter more of my health concerns & thoughts. Every day I learn more about
my health!
Heart Report:
It has been 4 years & 7 months since my surgery! And, I am able to do things in retirement that I dreamed about!
Travel - been to Korea, Scotland, (Green Bay games - 21 of them!), and next trip is Hawaii!)
Physical - playing golf twice a week, played over 60 softball & playing with grand kids! Still
tempted to try more running!
Mental - As I said when I was going through my heart issues, THIS IS IMPORTANT!!! And,
as you age, I'm 62 now, it is REALLY important! Stay positive, stay busy, & enjoy EVERY
day!!!
Faith - VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT. Again, going through surgery, and dealing with adversity
I do not know how people do it without faith. If you read this blog, and have no commitment to faith,
give it a chance!!!
So, I will begin to enter more of my health concerns & thoughts. Every day I learn more about
my health!
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