Dosage of Medications

As I stated earlier this week, my cardiologist increased my lipitor from 10 mg to 40 mg. So far, I have been able to tolerate the additional dosage . There is much research out there pertaining to the amount of lipitor(and other cholesterol lowering) drugs. Here is one study I found with two groups, one taking 10 mg and another taking 80 mg.

High-Dose Lipitor fo Heart Attacks: How Effect, How Safe?

There are good & bad results. The people taking the extra dosage definitely lowered their LDL, but the people taking higher amounts of lipitor suffered from side effects such as liver irritation, changing liver enzyme levels. Like many things in medicine, the results are mixed.

The best advice from doctors should still be a combination of life style changes -
1 - take your meds
2 - control your weight
3 - s good diet - low fat & low cholesterol
4 - exercise
5 - less stress

How to you get people to do this! Changing your lifestyle is so important, BUT very difficult. In my case it was all the above. STRESS - doing too much, job, coaching, extra activities(church president, family responsibilities, getting ready to retire, watching too much news on TV, etc, etc,etc! DIET - Not eating right because we are so busy.(And a love of sweets!) EXERCISE - Not having time for exercise. So.... it is time for a change and focus more on my health.

So, again find the balance, not just taking more medicine.

Cardiac Rehab Starts Again

OK, yesterday I talked about waiting & being patient! Well, I have rescheduled my cardiac rehab for next week. My first day back will be Tuesday, February 1st - that is 21 days since my extra heart beat in rehab on January 11th!

I'm sure most people that have had medical issues have had a similar problem with today's medicine. It is the coordination between all the people involved with the person that has the health issue, in this case it was the hospital(LGH), the cariologists(The Heart Group) and the Cardiac Rehab at the Health Campus. And I think we, the people living in Lancaster County, and the coverage I have, through the school district is very good! But, I sense this could all be in trouble for the future? With the cost of health care, the economy, and government(Obamacare) dabbling in the medical world, it will be interesting to see what happens! As of now, I am lucky to have what I have! And I still have waited 21 days!

To solve the health care problems we need to solve the communication & costs between - HOSPITALS & INSURANCE COMPANIES & DOCTORS & GOVERNMENT! The next 5-10 years may be VERY interesting! I know one thing(and this will make my sister proud) you (or someone for you) must be an advocate for your own health concerns! Keep good notes, ask a lot of questions, and learn as much as you can about your on situation!

Still Waiting

One thing this entire process has taken is patience! My next challenge is to be cool and wait for the Cardiac Rehab to call back & let me know when I can start my rehab again. Remember, I was originally scheduled for 20-25 sessions & I finished 1 1/2 sessions. Here is a list of my waiting list:

Novemebr 19, 2010 - found out I needed open heart surgery - waited 13 days to see Dr. Burlingame

December 2, 2010 - after meeting Dr. Burlingame - waited 8 days till surgery

December 13, 2010 - after open heart surgery - waited 4 1/2 days to go home

December 17, 2011 - after arriving home - waited 19 days to start Cardiac Rehab

January 6, 2011 - after starting Cardiac Rehab - waited 11 days to see Dr. Worley

January 17, 2011 - after meeting Dr. Worley & more tests - still waiting 9 days plus.... still waiting to get back to rehab!!!!

"Patience is a virtue" who said that? Well, according to Answers.com:

The proverb has been traced back to 'Piers Plowman' (1377)

it was first written in latin... Maxima enim..patientia virtus

Back from Cardiologist Visit

Back from Cardiologist Visit and here is the latest:

Last week I went to 20 mg on lipitor - now I am going to 40 mg
Blood Pressure was 119/68.

He looked at the test results from last week- Eco Stress Test & Heart Cath and said to start rehab as soon as I can get it scheduled. He thought this may eventually take care of itself and that is the first plan of attack. So I am allowed to start rehab & they will monitor me closely and I promised Sue not to try to race any old men in the room!

As I mentioned above, he is taking my lipitor to 40 mg! I am scheduled for the following with the Heart Group:
March 3, 2011 - 7:30 AM - Blood Work Heart Group
March 8, 2011 - 8:45 AM - Dr. Worley - Heart Group - check electric issue
March 15, 2011 - 9:00 AM - Dr. Warwatha - check open heart surgery results

Here we go - we will see how cardiac rehab goes!

Visit with Cardiologist Today

Today is another big day! Visit with Dr. Worley

Seth J. Worley, M.D., F.H.R.S., F.A.C.C.

Dr. Worley specializes in electrical issues in the heart & if you have a chance read his bio from the link above. My appointment is at 2 PM today, so I will update the blog when I get home today.

Six Weeks Our From Surgery!

Today I will be 6 weeks out from open heart surgery. Here are some observations:

New Meds: - after surgery
Metoprolol
(me toe' proe lole) Still taking one a day - 25 mg
Amlodipine
(am loe' di peen) Still taking one a day - 5 mg
Clopidogrel - Plavix
(kloh pid' oh grel) Still taking one a day - 75 mg
The meds before surgery have been changed slightly:
Old Meds - before heart surgery
Singulair - 10 mg a day (same)
Aciphex - 20 mg a day (same)
Lipitor - 10 mg a day (my cardiologist told me to double dosage - 20 mg a day)
Zeitia - 10 mg a day (my cardiologist told me to stop)
Low Dosage Aspirin - 81 mg

Incisions:
I am healing well! All the surgical holes are looking great! The "zipper" (which I just measured at 10"), is really looking great! Here is a detailed comment on all:
The artery from my leg(from my groin to an inch below my knee) has healed completely. I still have some numbness on the lower left shin.
The artery from my left arm (from my left wrist to my elbow) has also healed, and the is a little pain at times when I stretch my left wrist.
All the surgical holes in my belly & neck are looking good, and the ones in the neck are hard to even see.
The major incision(10" zipper) is still sore and is is tender at least 2 inches on either side of the incision. It also has a numbness on either side of the incision.

Sleeping:
I am still taking 2 tablets (500 mg each) tylenol PM, around 10 PM to sleep through the night. Last night I slept in the bed for the first time, but did not sleep well - so I will probably head back to the recliner tonight. Ever since I have taken the tylenol PM, sleeping through the night has been possible. I should have done this a least two weeks earlier!

Eating:
The main focus on eating is on my new diet - low cholesterol & low fat. So far so good. Sue and I are reading labels & eating "heart" healthy. Since the surgery I have lost about 15 pounds. Going out to eat is more difficult & some restaurants are more user friendly. Super Bowl Parties take more thinking & I hope to post our "heart" healthy menu later!

Mental Approach:
This one takes constant focus. Like I said yesterday was my first trip to church. The main issue I have is dealing with so many people and just trying to blend in. I know all the people mean well, but sometimes you just want to try to not have to talk a lot about things. But, many people have helped in in recovery in both actions & prayers and they need to talk also. I'm trying to gradually melt into my normal life again! The next big step will be going back to school & coaching. On a day-today basis, now that I'm feeling better, trying to do simple jobs - right now it is painting the woodwork in the house & the normal house chores.

Tuesday 2PM is my next doctors appointment & will see if we can make some progress with my electrical issues & go back to rehab.

Back at Church

Good to get back to church and see my many friends that had me in their thoughts and prayers! Over the past 2 months many cards, meals, & prayers were sent my way(and Sue) & believe me it was much appreciated. As I said in an earlier entry, faith is such a simple, yet complicated part of many people's life.

I received one of those many emails you get forwarded to you today, but it hit home! I thought it was simple & to the point - plus the guys name was JIM! So when you get those emails, hopefully they do not have a virus attached, so ..... - have a read:

"JUST CHECKING IN"

A minister passing through his church
In the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar
And see who had come to pray.

Just then the back door opened,
A man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw
The man hadn't shaved in a while.
His shirt was kinda shabby
And his coat was worn and frayed,
The man knelt, he bowed his head,
Then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed,
Each noon time came this chap,
Each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap.

Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
With robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
'What are you doing here?'

The old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
For finding strength and power.

'I stay only moments, see,
Because the factory is so far away;
As I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is kinda what I say:

'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY.'

The minister feeling foolish,
Told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome
To come and pray just anytime

Time to go, Jim smiled, said 'Thanks.'
He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,
He'd never done it before.

His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
And met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart,
He repeated old Jim's prayer:

'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.'

Past noon one day, the minister noticed
That old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim,
He began to worry some.

At the factory, he asked about him,
Learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.

The week that Jim was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, were his reward.

The head nurse couldn't understand
Why Jim was so glad,
When no flowers, calls or cards came,
Not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Jim spoke
Up and with a winsome smile;
'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
That he's in here all the while

Everyday at noon He's here,
A dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:

'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.'

When you go through a big medical experience like open heart surgery it is life changing. It really was the first time that in 57 years that I looked at death in the eye! I have lost my parents, good friends, and people in my family. And, even though it is still a bit overwhelming, it is great to know there is a someone like Jesus to share all your thoughts & dreams!

And again - Sue & I THANK YOU FOR ALL THE THOUGHTS & PRAYERS SENT OUR WAY!
and this is just Jim Checking in!