Page 1 ~Just A Routine Physical ~

It all started with my routine physical in mid November 2009 with my wonderful and ever so attentive internist David Wright. I have good physicals and have been blessed with good health for most of my life, other than a bout with squamous cell from too much sun but a great tan. We had been 'watching' or rather, listening I suppose, to a mild heart murmur for a little while. However this time when he started with the stethoscope he said "Whoops! I don't like the sound of that!" Now, if this were your mechanic or plumber you might be a bit annoyed and start seeing dollar signs and inconvenience. But when your long time doctor makes such an exclamation while listening to your heart; let's just say that it certainly gets your attention!

"We are going to make an appointment for you for some tests. I went for an echo cardiogram and sonogram and he called that evening telling me that he was making me an appointment with a Heart Surgeon because they found an aneurysm in my upper aorta..." By the way.. Stop Smoking.

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY ?'

"Ok, breathe in and out slowly ", now "cough", "Hmmm". Exactly what is this little heart murmur we have been following gotten itself up to Bill and I are wondering.  "It seems that you have an aortic aneurysm just beneath your heart but there is something that troubles me more.." More? You mean more than an aortic aneurysm?  How can this be? It is just a little murmur and yes I have had a few palpitations, and as a matter of fact I do find that I tire more easily. But, I am 74- I am allowed. Then he said the words that changed the scope of everything. Cardiomyopathy. But how? I have changed my diet. We gave up chips and Cokes and fried foods. Eating healthy and trying to exercise-except it made me tired. I know ... cigarettes.

"I Need More Tests...?"

"We will need to run a battery of tests and I want you to see a Cardiologist and have a cardiac catheterization (among other things).  This was all happening so fast and I really didn't feel sick. Just a bit tired. We called immediate family members to let them know what was going on and hurried to get ready for appointments. After all, Christmas was coming. There was shopping and cooking to be done, trees to be decorated, mistletoe.. well, you know. 

"I HAVE ??.. exactly HOW DO YOU spell that?

Naturally, as soon as we got the diagnosis of HCM (Hypertrophic CardioMyopathy) we all got on the computer and started researching what this was, what to expect. We are an effective computer family so you can imagine how we were burning up the keyboards during those days. I come from a lineage of family that lived well into their late 80's and 90's. To my knowledge no one had heart disease. That was a plus. HCM is an genetically transmitted disease. But still, this was all so unexpected. 

"THE Test"

Let's call this 'THE" test because it is the one that changed everything. On December 12, I had a routine echo cardiogram followed by a routine cardiac catherization. These were performed by the kindest cardiologist Dr. Stacy Smith. After the catherization she came into my recovery room and wanted to make sure the family was there too. Hmmm. She said that she had some expected and unexpected findings. First the good news, the aneurysm is still considered small, "only 4.5 cm". Remember when Virginia Slims came out with the slogan 'Just a silly millimeter longer?' Well they certainly thought it was a big deal! This is 450 mm after all. Ok, more good news. The HCM is operable. Great! (So, fix it now please.) "...and your aortic valve is still intact." But... don't you just loathe it when a professional has to say that?... "but, you have an 80% blockage of your right ventricle and a 75% blockage in your aortic tree bundle, a bit of ligature below the aortic valve and your heart internal pressure is 250. By the way, you must stop smoking! 250?? How is that possible. My blood pressure on my arm is only 114. Thank you God for a strong aortic valve. But, wait. What about that aortic aneurysm that I came in about? Oh, we will get to that later? Not as big of a deal as the other problems? You know, it is honestly a wonder that I didn't have a heart attack right at that moment. But my family and I were determined to be strong and after Christmas get this all taken care of.

"We Have to Go Where?"

At this point we all realize that indeed this is sort of a big deal. I am still feeling fine but everyone is walking around like I am going to break or something. I'm ok really, just a bit tired. The next step took an unusual turn. It seems that I am pretty special. That is to say, that my heart is special. In Memphis there just aren't many of these procedures done so I was urged to see a specialist at The Cleveland Clinic. So, is that like downtown or something? Cleveland, OHIO??  But hey, good news. The Cleveland Clinic is also in Palm Springs (nice and sunny) and Dubai and exotic places like that. Where is the cardiac clinic- Cleveland, Ohio. Not to worry, as soon as Christmas is over- 

"I HAVE TO GO NOW?"

I was scheduled for an appointment on December 21, by the way pack to stay for surgery. My sweet daughter-in-law and son (Rick and Diane) cooked an early Christmas dinner, not knowing if I would have surgery during my visit to Cleveland. The grandchildren surprised us with early gifts and we had a wonderful visit. On December 20 Bill and I and our daughter Cheryl and son-in-law Jim traveled to Cleveland via Cincinnati. It was a long day made longer by misconnections due to the blizzard that shut down northeastern airports. We spent two very, very long days at Cleveland Clinic where I was tested with every new piece of equipment available. If it hadn't been so stressful we maybe could have appreciated the technology! At the end of all the tests, at 7:30pm on December 23rd the cardiologist said that indeed I needed surgery, confirmed the previous test results and added a few other 'items' of concern and wrote out prescriptions. Of course, "You have to stop smoking NOW". But the good new is you are not considered an emergency- this can wait a month or two. But I would like just one more test, "We will do it in Memphis Bill stated" With that, we were released to return home. Really? Talk about hurry up and wait. But this is good. 

"THE DECISION"

Once back home we had a family meeting with Dr Wright my internist. We had some decisions to make. We could have surgery in Memphis where there are some wonderful heart surgeons but my combinaation of conditions isn't seen that often (for after care) or go back to Cleveland Clinic in March (first available surgery date) where they perform approximately 300 of these a year. The brain decides one thing but your heart (not literally) tells you to stay closer to friends and family. After much prayerful consideration and talking with family and friends we decided that another trip to Cleveland Clinic would be scheduled. So, here I am. It is almost time to leave for Cleveland. I really am feeling pretty good. I even got a new hairstyle just for the trip. My daughter Cheryl will be posting updates and I will blog when I can ... and for the record; after almost 50 years of smoking I have quit. It was hard. Really hard. But I make up my mind to be as healthy as I could be going into surgery. So don't think that you can't do it too! I have told my grandchildren and their friends that starting was the worst decision I ever made. I am now 8 weeks free from that nicotine addiction and counting!

Love to you all,

Shirley