Last Friday was the three week anniversary of my surgery. I was and am very thankful for the good result from surgery, but didn't want to write a nostalgic reflection. As a French friend emphasized, I am lucky to have both good healthcare and insurance.
Technically, week three has ushered in significant improvement. I have begun exercising, walking at least thirty minutes a day. Yesterday, I climbed back onto a stationary bike for an easy fifty minute ride that felt great. The pain has decreased sufficiently that I am now sleeping five to seven hours a night.
The interesting physiological effect was a noticeable lack of confidence for the the first two and a half weeks. A deep sense of mortality and simple pain were the catalyst of this effect. Week three seems to be significantly different. Possibly the depletion of drugs from my body, plus the decrease of pain, plus a sense of overcoming has lead a feeling of tepid confidence. You know folks, death is near; either you face it or fear it. Fearing it inappropriately will not extend your life. I write this because of hearing too many stories about people who put off seeing a cardiologist, resulting in a fatal heart attack. A heart attack isn't the recommended metric for measuring your heart health.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Now
Its now two weeks and two days since my sternum was cut and three heart arteries were bypassed utilizing a vein from my right leg and a mammary artery. I walked with my good friend, Hugh Jones, for over 30 minutes today in the beauty of a cool autumn evening. Though I feel tinges of pain in my rib area and my right leg, I am recovering rapidly and, at moments today, felt better than before the surgery. Would you give two weeks of pain in exchange for twenty years or more of a healthy heart?
I have had several friends ask for a description of the symptoms that lead me to talking with Dr. Swords (my general physician) about having a stress test. On review, the key symptomatic correlation was that I felt the symptoms while exercising actively: at first, tingling in my right thumb, later some tingling in my right arm, and also the feeling or need to burp. But, these symptoms were not "strong".
Don't become paranoid, but if you clearly have symptoms that cause you some concern, talk to a physician, now. Don't wait. Talk with someone who has heart damage, and he or she will tell you, don't wait for a heart attack to learn that you need medicine, a stint, or a bypass.
In my pre-operation meeting with Dr. Gerhardt (surgeon), he indicated that if all goes reasonable well, I should be snow skiing, maybe even racing by early February. Right now, at my current pace of recovery, I am feeling more confident, each day, that this may become a reality. So, don't wait to face your reality, whatever it is, act now.
Feel free to write me if you have questions. My private email is belboro@mac.com
I have had several friends ask for a description of the symptoms that lead me to talking with Dr. Swords (my general physician) about having a stress test. On review, the key symptomatic correlation was that I felt the symptoms while exercising actively: at first, tingling in my right thumb, later some tingling in my right arm, and also the feeling or need to burp. But, these symptoms were not "strong".
Don't become paranoid, but if you clearly have symptoms that cause you some concern, talk to a physician, now. Don't wait. Talk with someone who has heart damage, and he or she will tell you, don't wait for a heart attack to learn that you need medicine, a stint, or a bypass.
In my pre-operation meeting with Dr. Gerhardt (surgeon), he indicated that if all goes reasonable well, I should be snow skiing, maybe even racing by early February. Right now, at my current pace of recovery, I am feeling more confident, each day, that this may become a reality. So, don't wait to face your reality, whatever it is, act now.
Feel free to write me if you have questions. My private email is belboro@mac.com
Friday, November 19, 2010
Sonogram this morning
I'm off to have heart sonogram. This is normal follow up to verify that no fluid is collecting around the heart. Surgery was two weeks ago today. I am feeling good. Will walk for 30 minutes to an hour today. Sleep is still a problem, but feeling less pain at night so as I exercise more, I am hoping my body will call for more sleep.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Letter to Sarah Palin
Dear Sarah,
I've heard that you've been read'n my blog. Wow, Alaska looks like a wonderful place. With my improved arteries, I should be able to get there someday. Anne and I hope to see you when we visit. As you probably know, Anne and I lived in the Washington DC area after we were graduated from university. You'd be happy to know that I worked for the Republican Congressional Committee.
I really don't recommend the place for a gal like you from Alaska. For one, you can't shoot in the backyard. This is really frustrating since there is an over population of raccoons and other rodents. Washington is full of democrats and you can't shoot them either. They are everywhere and vote for all kinds of silly things: roads, bridges, national parks, and so on. You wouldn't believe it. Oh, and Congress, they are constantly disagreeing with the president, but you would like the veto thing. Overall, I don't recommend it.
On a more personal note, lately it's been rumored that you might run'n for president in two years. Though me and a bunch of the boys down here in the south think you'd win, we really don't think its the right job for a refined woman like you. Heck, you know how to dress out a bear. That would be a darn waste of talent inside the beltway where there ain't no bears. No, you can see Russia from your area, so we really hope you'll keep our border protected way up there where the sun don't shine (or does it shine all the time?). I am also concerned for your appearance. We just love watching you on TV, but did you see what happened to Bill Clinton? Look at his pictures in 1992 and then in 2000, he looks, like, fifty years older. That would be a sad shame if you became president. Anyhow, I don't want to bust your balloon, but you and me, we've always been straight shooters, and frankly, I think the President of the United States should know a bit more. Don't get me wrong, you know a lot about a lot of important stuff, like hunt'n, fish'n, sex'n, all that, but what 'bout the EU (whatever that is) and places like Serbia, and Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan and a bunch of other places we can't spell. I'm sure you can balance your checking account, but do you have any idea how to balance a government budget with all those earmarks and social securities? And, CDSs; everybody says they caused the credit crisis, but do you know how to stop them in the future, whatever they are? Is QE2 a boat or what? I ain't say'n you ain't smart or anything, I'm just hoping that the Republicans can find a President who knows a lot about small business job stimulation, Chinese-Indian business and political affair developments, a deeper sense of the financial markets and long term fiscal policy implications, and so on.
I ain't prejudice or sexist but maybe a mother of five who resigned from her job as governor should keep on do'n what you're do'n in Alaska.
Yours truly,
Byron
CC: Harriette Knox, Democrat
I've heard that you've been read'n my blog. Wow, Alaska looks like a wonderful place. With my improved arteries, I should be able to get there someday. Anne and I hope to see you when we visit. As you probably know, Anne and I lived in the Washington DC area after we were graduated from university. You'd be happy to know that I worked for the Republican Congressional Committee.
I really don't recommend the place for a gal like you from Alaska. For one, you can't shoot in the backyard. This is really frustrating since there is an over population of raccoons and other rodents. Washington is full of democrats and you can't shoot them either. They are everywhere and vote for all kinds of silly things: roads, bridges, national parks, and so on. You wouldn't believe it. Oh, and Congress, they are constantly disagreeing with the president, but you would like the veto thing. Overall, I don't recommend it.
On a more personal note, lately it's been rumored that you might run'n for president in two years. Though me and a bunch of the boys down here in the south think you'd win, we really don't think its the right job for a refined woman like you. Heck, you know how to dress out a bear. That would be a darn waste of talent inside the beltway where there ain't no bears. No, you can see Russia from your area, so we really hope you'll keep our border protected way up there where the sun don't shine (or does it shine all the time?). I am also concerned for your appearance. We just love watching you on TV, but did you see what happened to Bill Clinton? Look at his pictures in 1992 and then in 2000, he looks, like, fifty years older. That would be a sad shame if you became president. Anyhow, I don't want to bust your balloon, but you and me, we've always been straight shooters, and frankly, I think the President of the United States should know a bit more. Don't get me wrong, you know a lot about a lot of important stuff, like hunt'n, fish'n, sex'n, all that, but what 'bout the EU (whatever that is) and places like Serbia, and Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan and a bunch of other places we can't spell. I'm sure you can balance your checking account, but do you have any idea how to balance a government budget with all those earmarks and social securities? And, CDSs; everybody says they caused the credit crisis, but do you know how to stop them in the future, whatever they are? Is QE2 a boat or what? I ain't say'n you ain't smart or anything, I'm just hoping that the Republicans can find a President who knows a lot about small business job stimulation, Chinese-Indian business and political affair developments, a deeper sense of the financial markets and long term fiscal policy implications, and so on.
I ain't prejudice or sexist but maybe a mother of five who resigned from her job as governor should keep on do'n what you're do'n in Alaska.
Yours truly,
Byron
CC: Harriette Knox, Democrat
A few lessons I've learned
The most important lesson I have learned is be proactive with health. Don't wait for a heart attack to warn you. If I had waited, I might have had a fatal heart attack. Listen / feel the signals your body is sending.
Several doctors, nurses, and friends have commented that too few of us are proactive about heart conditions and health. Over 1.2m people in the U.S. experience a heart attack each year. Of the 1.2m, approximately 425k die as a result. Also, approximately 625k bypass surgeries are performed annually.
Should you get checked? YES, particularly if: 1) if you experience chest pain, strange arm pain or numbness; 2) heart issues are in your family; 3) you possess other risk factors: overweight, smoke, high cholesterol.
What are the various forms of a heart check up?
From simplest (and least invasive) to most complex
1. EKG - Electrocardiography - electrical activity of heart over time captured non-invasively.
2. EKG plus a stress test (walking on a treadmill).
3. Nuclear stress test - one is injected with a lightly radioactive substance plus an xray is taken before and after stress (walking on treadmill).
4. Cardiac Catheterization (CC) - a catheter is inserted into an artery in groin (old) or wrist (new). Mine was performed through wrist.
I imagine that a new technology will soon emerge utilizing something like a sonogram or MRI, plus software that digitally reproduces the hearts activity, i.e. a virtual heart and surrounding vessels on screen.
Should I skip straight to the CC? CC has its own risks. Seek the advise of good doctors, and trust their advice. But, we are in an era of significant technical advancement in healthcare. I strongly encourage a diverse and well rounded health education, particularly respective to one's genetic ancestry. My family has no prostate cancer history, but does have heart (artery) issues.
Several doctors, nurses, and friends have commented that too few of us are proactive about heart conditions and health. Over 1.2m people in the U.S. experience a heart attack each year. Of the 1.2m, approximately 425k die as a result. Also, approximately 625k bypass surgeries are performed annually.
Should you get checked? YES, particularly if: 1) if you experience chest pain, strange arm pain or numbness; 2) heart issues are in your family; 3) you possess other risk factors: overweight, smoke, high cholesterol.
What are the various forms of a heart check up?
From simplest (and least invasive) to most complex
1. EKG - Electrocardiography - electrical activity of heart over time captured non-invasively.
2. EKG plus a stress test (walking on a treadmill).
3. Nuclear stress test - one is injected with a lightly radioactive substance plus an xray is taken before and after stress (walking on treadmill).
4. Cardiac Catheterization (CC) - a catheter is inserted into an artery in groin (old) or wrist (new). Mine was performed through wrist.
I imagine that a new technology will soon emerge utilizing something like a sonogram or MRI, plus software that digitally reproduces the hearts activity, i.e. a virtual heart and surrounding vessels on screen.
Should I skip straight to the CC? CC has its own risks. Seek the advise of good doctors, and trust their advice. But, we are in an era of significant technical advancement in healthcare. I strongly encourage a diverse and well rounded health education, particularly respective to one's genetic ancestry. My family has no prostate cancer history, but does have heart (artery) issues.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Scar II as of 11-15-10
More than 25% of the visits (total visits in last 14 days have been 1,886) to this blog have been visitors viewing the scar. Humans like the Macabre, so here's Scar II
Sleep
During recovery, a nights sleep has been the most difficult conflict. I write conflict because as the night approaches, I am almost apprehensive about facing insomnia resulting from the inability to achieve a comfortable sleeping position. Like many of the simple, routine activities of daily life, sleep is desired, yet night is dreaded. Sleep was often one of those activities I take for granted. Others, like shaving (painful to lift arms and I can't lean on the sink edge), walking (I must pay closer attention so as to not slip or become too winded), phone conversation (enjoyable, but many times, I am tired and it contributes to a stiff neck), work (I love to work, particularly right now, with great people who are driven by vision and purpose), I appreciate much more.
I guess my point is that sleep contributes overall to health and its something many of us take for granted. I returned to see my cardiologist, Dr. Nishan today. My recovery is going well. Next, I will have a sonogram of my heart this Friday to verify no fluid collection around my heart.
This sleep difficulty reminds me that I want to acknowledge the small blessings of life as well as the specific blessings that have saved my life: Dr. Nishan moving aggressively and working with his partner Dr. Cooper to identify my condition and get me scheduled for surgery; my friend and neighbor Dr. Gerhardt who really seems to have surgically fixed me in, at least to me, an amazing way; Nurse Portia Payne, who I will forever envision as an angel carrying me from the hell of pain, fear, and misery while in ICU.
So, I am writing this both for that person who is or has or will encountered this and for myself. After two weeks of near insomnia, this too will pass. Someday soon, I will, once again, be back in a comfy bed for a full 7 or 8 hours of sleep.
Because I love U2's Unforgettable Fire disk, I'll leave you with a great lyric:
I guess my point is that sleep contributes overall to health and its something many of us take for granted. I returned to see my cardiologist, Dr. Nishan today. My recovery is going well. Next, I will have a sonogram of my heart this Friday to verify no fluid collection around my heart.
This sleep difficulty reminds me that I want to acknowledge the small blessings of life as well as the specific blessings that have saved my life: Dr. Nishan moving aggressively and working with his partner Dr. Cooper to identify my condition and get me scheduled for surgery; my friend and neighbor Dr. Gerhardt who really seems to have surgically fixed me in, at least to me, an amazing way; Nurse Portia Payne, who I will forever envision as an angel carrying me from the hell of pain, fear, and misery while in ICU.
So, I am writing this both for that person who is or has or will encountered this and for myself. After two weeks of near insomnia, this too will pass. Someday soon, I will, once again, be back in a comfy bed for a full 7 or 8 hours of sleep.
Because I love U2's Unforgettable Fire disk, I'll leave you with a great lyric:
MLK
Sleep, sleep tonight
And may your dreams be realised
If the thundercloud passes rain
So let it rain - rain down on him
So let it be - so let it be
And may your dreams be realised
If the thundercloud passes rain
So let it rain - rain down on him
So let it be - so let it be
Sleep, sleep tonight
And may your dreams be realised
If the thundercloud passes rain
So let it rain
Let it rain - rain on him
And may your dreams be realised
If the thundercloud passes rain
So let it rain
Let it rain - rain on him
--Bono and U2
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