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Heart Trauma Recovery

I was expecting a pissing contest between my cardi and and kidney guy. It might come yet :) I saw my cardiologist this afternoon. He understood being off of the four drugs the kidney guy said to quit taking but said it will only be temporary and he will have me back on the meds. I told him I felt way too good without them to consider taking them again. "We've got to consider the long term with your heart." was his response. I'm closer to 72 than 71 years old. What the hell long term is he talking? It took me 71 years to have a heart attack. I don't think long term at my age is possible no matter what the drug... sheesh.
 
I saw my kidney specialist today. It was all good news and back slapping today. Dr olbriar was right and being so sick and dehydrated screwed up all of my med numbers. Everything is back in the norm and he thinks I'm doing great. He can't believe how active I am. He wants to see me again in six months. Maybe the week of extreme diarrhea and dehydration was a blessing. I'm completely off three meds and another has been changed from a 25 mg daily to 10 mg. I would gladly be off all meds if possible.
I feel great but I'm also glad to learn that my blood work confirms I'm doing well.
 
It's been a couple of months since I last posted a health status update. I may not be improving, it's impossible to see any changes. I am feeling great and very rarely feel tired or exhausted. I certainly have no complaints for a man nearing seventy two. I see my cardiologist the second week of August. I'm not looking forward to the fight we will have. He promised me that he would have me back on the meds that were dropped when I had my kidney problems and I told him it wasn't happening. We will see who prevails.
My nephew that is close to fifty just had a stent installed. He was feeling tightness in his chest and tingling in his fingers when he worked out at the gym. He was wise enough to seek professional help and they discovered he had serious blockage. He was only in the hospital two days and was released. He's home and feeling great like nothing happened. That's the difference of having some warning signs and addressing the problem vs just having an extreme attack and allowing it to beat up the heart muscle to the point it took months to become somewhat normal again. I should have went to the hospital hours before I went and would no doubt be in better shape with a quicker recovery. I nearly killed myself.
 
I have an appointment with my cardiologist the end of the month. It is then that I will find out the results of the echocardiogram I had done today. It was a year ago when I last had an echo and it was positive enough that I was allowed to return my defib vest and was cleared to ride my bike and do light work. I'd like to think that my heart has continued to recover but that might be too much to expect. I'd love to get off some of the meds I take. One way or another, I'm anxious to hear how I stand.
 
olbriar said:
I have an appointment with my cardiologist the end of the month. It is then that I will find out the results of the echocardiogram I had done today. It was a year ago when I last had an echo and it was positive enough that I was allowed to return my defib vest and was cleared to ride my bike and do light work. I'd like to think that my heart has continued to recover but that might be too much to expect. I'd love to get off some of the meds I take. One way or another, I'm anxious to hear how I stand.
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All the best, my friend. Wishing you every good thing for the results and the year ahead!
 
The news from my cardiologist wasn't good. I finally left the hospital after my heart attack with an ejection rate in the high teens. I had to wear a defib vest until February of last year when my echo showed my ejection rate had improved to 35% 50% and up is normal. My current ejection rate has dropped to 25%. The doc sent me home with some literature and suggested i read up on a defib implant (ICD) that he recommends. He admitted my heart might improve with the opportunity to get outside and work. An ICD surgery will put me on my ass for 4 to 6 weeks eliminating my lawn business. I'm just not ready to become a slug. I'll do some more research but I'm opposed to the surgery at this time.
 
olbriar said:
The news from my cardiologist wasn't good. I finally left the hospital after my heart attack with an ejection rate in the high teens. I had to wear a defib vest until February of last year when my echo showed my ejection rate had improved to 35% 50% and up is normal. My current ejection rate has dropped to 25%. The doc sent me home with some literature and suggested i read up on a defib implant (ICD) that he recommends. He admitted my heart might improve with the opportunity to get outside and work. An ICD surgery will put me on my ass for 4 to 6 weeks eliminating my lawn business. I'm just not ready to become a slug. I'll do some more research but I'm opposed to the surgery at this time.
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Olbriar, I can’t presume to give you advice, but from all appearances you are a wise, fine, gracious man who is well-liked and respected. I for one hope that you may be graced with the wisdom to make the best decision not only for you, but also for those who care about you and want to have you around for a long time to come.
May I respectfully suggest that if you speak to your customers that you’ll find they will largely be in favor of you taking the time off to properly care for yourself and will be pleased to have you take up the reins and again care for their grounds when you are better. You can probably help them find decent substitutes for the few weeks you are recuperating (assuming of course that the procedure is the best option for your overall health and longevity) and while it’s possible you may lose a couple, I can’t imagine it would spell the end of your business; you’re too good a guy for that to happen.
And if I’ve overstepped my boundaries, please accept my profound apologies. I only and always wish you the very best life has to offer.
Take care.
 
Expressing your opinion is never overstepping. I appreciate your take on the situation. I'm onboard and then I'm opposed. My thought is I'll start taxing my body with some exercise now that it has warmed up some. If I am not up to the challenge or feel unduly fatigued or excessive shortage of breath the defib implant no doubt is great insurance. If I can't rebuild myself then it's time.
I set my defib vest off three times while I was required to wear it. Being externally worn, I could override the shock. The internal defib is a one way street. It concerns me. Unwarranted shocks from the ICD can happen.
 
^^^ That seems a meaningful concern; hopefully you can learn enough about all of the alternatives to make a well-informed decision and, as you note, perhaps some lighter exercises will help as well.
(As an aside, I’m still under the weather but was able to do my little trip into the City and ride the ebike a little. Worst part of the expedition was that the escalators were broken so I had to carry the bike up about 80 steps, maybe more; going back down wasn’t quite as bad.)
All the best to you, in all things.
 
I'm still hot and cold. I feel great. I already feel vastly improved from when I had the echocardiogram. I've been able to ride almost 300 miles since then and zero miles most of the month of Feb prior to the test.

I'm glad you got to ride but way sorry you had to carry your bike up multiple flights. My bike weighs around seventy five pounds fully loaded including battery. I'm afraid I'd not be carrying it up stairs.
 
olbriar said:
I set my defib vest off three times while I was required to wear it. Being externally worn, I could override the shock. The internal defib is a one way street. It concerns me. Unwarranted shocks from the ICD can happen.
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Just a thought and I'm sure you pondered it, but maybe get a second opinion from another specialist, just to put your thoughts and mind at ease, and if that is the best option, then the decision is yours, and no one will fault you for your decision. Just a thought if not considered.
 
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