June 3rd 2019
On June 3rd my insurance company sent a nurse (Priscilla) to our house for quick evaluation as part of my policy. During the exam she asked about being "out of breath". I replied sometimes when climbing the stairs several times or the hill on the 7th hole. She then noticed a little fluid gain in the legs. She also picked up on a slight heart murmur I have had for many years. She called the doctors office and told my doctors assistant about all of her findings and strongly recommends a stress test at the next physical in August.
That afternoon my doctor called for an appointment the next day. She did check out all the items the nurse mentioned and said she wasn't going to wait until August for action and ordered a stress test and chest x-ray.
On June 20th I had a chest x-ray, an echocardiogram, and a tread mill stress test. During the stress test I couldn't complete it. The technician viewed the results of both tests and determined I was in bad shape. He called for an ambulance and sent me to Catholic Medical Center (the best heart center in New Hampshire).
At CMC they reran the chest x-ray and drew tubes of blood. A cardiologist said the tests indicated a possibility of many clogged arteries. They kept me over night and on the 21st ran a Cardiac catheterization. The results indicated there were many clogged arteries. I am scheduled for a consultation meeting on Monday June 24th to decide when the by-pass surgery will be held.
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June 24th
Went for consultation. They said that they need a vein mapping of my legs. This is where they will get the vein for the bypass. He also indicated they would check out the arterial valve that is causing the murmur to see if it requires replacing. The vein mapping is scheduled for Thursday afternoon. Once they have this data they will schedule the surgery.
June 27th
Had an ultrasonic test of my carotid arteries to see what is going on with the murmur. They also mapped the veins in my legs for when the bypass surgery is done. The doctor said that the murmur is minor and we don't need to replace the valve. He said he would have his office call me tomorrow with a date for the surgery. It will be after the fourth of July.
June 28th
The hospital indicated they were having scheduling problems. They said the surgery is tentatively set for Monday the 18th of July. She will contact me next week when it is definite.
July 1st
Tried to call about the schedule for surgery Monday and Today. Left voice mails explaining I have many requests for dates. If I don't hear from them tomorrow I will drive down and get answers.
July 3rd
Still no messages or phone calls. I went to the pulmonary center in Bedford for answers. A very nice receptionist offered to help even though the problem was in the main hospital in Manchester.
I have a new date for surgery. It is 5 am July 23rd with a preoperation date of either July 15th or 16th. They said the scheduling problem was due to the holiday and vacations.
July 9th
Received a call from CMC today. The preop is scheduled for July 15th at 9am. They will go over everything that is going to happen at the surgery
The surgery is scheduled for July 23rd. I will be contacted on the 22nd with a time to be there.
July 11th
Received a call from CMC today. I was given information about the preop meeting on Monday the 15th. They said they will need to do more blood work because of the time changes. Also I am not to take Fish oil or saw palmetto because they are blood thinners. I explained I wasn't told of this and I had taken them this morning. They said the surgeon required a minimum of 14 days without them. Therefore she moved the surgery date to July 31st.
July 15th
Went to the preop meetings. They took 5 tubes of blood, urine sample, chest x-ray, and a physical. Met with the anesthesiologist and the surgeon. Surgery is set for 5AM Wednesday, July 31st. I was given special soap and mouth wash. I was told to shower the night before surgery as well as the morning of the surgery.
August 6th
July 31st - I had a triple bypass surgery.
August 1st - I had some tubes removed and was up walking from bed
to chair and receiving lots of rest. Pain so far has been
very Minor.
August 2nd - Moved to second level ICU. Had more tubes removed and
walking the halls of the hospital.
August 3rd - Removed the urine catheter. Still lots of rest and walking.
August 4th - removed all tubes, IV ports, and pacemaker wires. Was
able to walk around room unassisted. Had classes from PT
nurse and customer care nurse. I Was discharged about 1
PM.
August 5th - Nice to be home, meet with family and sit outside on
deck. I'm only allowed to go up and go down the stairs
once a day. So I need to plan accordingly.
Today I decided I would go down stairs to the man cave and walk outside. I have a bench out front I can sit on to visit with neighbors.I will call today for an appointment with the surgeon to discuss next step in process, time elements, andhow he feels things are going.
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August 28th
Had my post surgery meeting today at Hospital. I had a list of about 9 things to discuss from when can I drive, to golf, to mowing the lawn. I was given the green light with the following exceptions:
Lawn mowing with tractor or self propelled mower only
Golf - walking the course and allowed to putt only.
Driving vehicles OK
lifting up to 20 #
Made an appointment with the cardiologist for September 12th
Made an appointment with rehab on September 3rd.
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September 28th
Talked to Cardiologist on the 3rd. He said I was doing great and to listen to my body. If it doesn't hurt or feel uncomfortable OK. I started rehab on the 3rd. I will have it for about 4 to six weeks. I also started to walk the golf coarse every day. I will do 18 holes and at each hole putt the ball from various spots on the green. About mid September the rehab nurse told me it was OK to chip from the red. Starting in October I can use any club but only with a half swing increasing only as my body doesn't complain.
I have an appointment with the doctor in November with a couple of tests to determine if I'm cured or not.
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November 13th
I started to feel lightheaded and out of balance. I contacted my primary doctors assistant as she wasn't available. He cut back my blood pressure medicine. It appeared to help.
On October 19th I was feeling very bad and shaking bad. I went to the emergency and was diagnosed with pneumonia and given antibiotics sent home.
I saw my cardiologist on the 30th. and he cut my fluid pill in half, Also he changed my blood pressure medicine to a different type. He also put me on a EKG monitor for two weeks. About November 8th I felt like I was in a fog and generally ill. I went to my primary and she ordered lab work and a MRI of the head. I saw her again on the 12th. She said the MRI came out good as did the lab results. She noticed from the labs though a possible slight blood loss. She gave me a stool test kit and said if it came out normal we would meet again in January.
I have been feeling a lot better and the light headiness has decreased considerably.
November 20th
I had an appointment with my cardiologist today. He went over all the test results and said all is well. He said I look very good (Of coarse I had to remind him that I have always looked good). He said he would see me in a year.
So unless I have a relapse I won't see any more doctors until my physical in February with my primary.
June 2020
Had an appointment with primary. She found an abnormal kidney function and low iron. She ordered a colonoscopy.
July 2020
Colonoscopy results indicated a nodule on the prostrate. My primary asked me to follow up with a recommended urologist. The earlist I could see him was on September 3rd.
September 2020
At the meeting with the urologist indicated I should have a biopsy of the nodule. The biopsy was scheduled for October 14.
October 2020
The results of the biopsy was the tumor contained aggressive cancer. I was given a lot of information on the cancer as well as the method of action (radiation vs. surgery). I decided to do surgery. The date was set for November 30th.
December 2020
I had robotic surgery and stayed one night in the hospital. The operation was successful and the prostrate with the cancer was removed. My next appointment is February 10th 2021.
February 10th 2021
After several flow-ups and labs I am declared cancer free. My next appointment will be in a year.
February 13th 2021
Had an appointment with new Dermatologist. He was concerned about a spot on my right tempo. He had a biopsy done. The results were evidence of squeamish cells. Surgery is scheduled for April 13th. I am on a cancellation list for a possible sooner date.
March 9, 2022
Had an echocardiogram done. Found the aorta valve was collapsing
March 11, 2022
A new procedure (only 5 years old) was used to replace the valve by going through the two groin veins into the heart. The procedure took one day with an overnight for observance. Before it was open heart surgery.
June 22, 2022
I had a fall getting out of my brothers SUV and I couldn't get up. I was helped to the house. After a brief rest I was OK. I was convinced to go to CMC hospital. They ran a battery of tests including a MRI of the head and an echocardiogram. Friday morning It was determined to be a minor TIA. I was sent home with a ZIO monitor.