an inch from murder - weblog

« At Long Last - I have Returned....Part II | Main | Chandra Levy: Police may be close to arrest »

January 23, 2009

TO JACK...........You are a Godsend - and I thank you

Jack posted this on MedHelp: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/738406

by Jack54

To: Nealus

The most important thing that I have to say is that you need to get to the Cleveland Clinic ASAP. This hospital is #1 in the world for the treatment of anything to do with heart disease. These doctors can perform miracles.

Now, your history of heart disease is confusing. You mention that back in 2005 that you found out that you had CAD, and it was thought that you could not survive CABG due to your very low EF.

You state that you have had CHF, which can be chronic heart failure or congestive heart failure. It appears that you have both, due to your bouts with PE.

Do you know what caused your CHF (chronic heart failure)? All of your data points to CAD as being the cause. CAD is the #1 cause of CHF (chronic heart failure, which can lead to congestive HF).

What is strange is that you do not mention any attempts at stenting any coronary artery blockages, even if you have ulcerated lesions.

You also do not mention which coronary arteries are involved. This is very important information that you left out, if you want any advice or help.

The reason being is that there is what is know as "minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery", called MIDCAB. It has been an option for a couple of years. This surgery is LIMITED to coronary arteries that are ONLY located on the FRONT of the heart. The most important CA is the "left anterior descending artery" or LCD. We are so lucky in that it is located on the FRONT of the heart.

I have read that sometimes the left circumflex artery, or LCX can be bypassed also with MIDCAB, depending on the "target spot" and the CA anatomy of the heart.

This surgery is done many times without stopping the heart. Special "clamps" and drugs to slow down the heartbeat, beta blockers are used to minimize cardiac movement during this surgery. The heart can also be stopped while doing this surgery, by using the traditional heart/lung bypass machines.

These doctors are also able to insert stents when and where other doctors will not try it.

You mention 100% blockages. Obviously there is enough blood passing through these blockages to prevent you from having a heart attack. You may also have been born with, or developed "collateral" coronary arteries, that have prevented a heart attack.

If you could get just one blockage stented or bypassed, your EF would more than likely increase. You could spend some time recovering and work on getting your lungs to function better, by doing deep breathing exercises and using the device that you blow through to exercise the lungs.

You could use this recovery time to try your best to get into better physical shape for all out CABG (traditional surgery) if needed. You also need a new cardiologist to review your current medicines.

EF's do not always show how one feels overall. I have seen people with low EF's that feel good and work out regularly, and I have seen folks with almost normal EF's that cannot exercise.

You also failed to mention your average resting blood pressure and pulse rate, which is very important information to know, especially due to all of the drugs that you are on.

There is always hope for even the very worst cases of heart disease among us, but you must go to the CC where they are not afraid to treat you and save your life. I have been there two times, and I am from Alabama.

Attitude really affects your heart. The ativan may be suppressing your ability to achieve a mindset of healing. You must never give up.

**********************************************************************************************************************************
To: JACK

Mea Culpa - Mea Culpa

Jack54.......You are a God Send. Thank You so very much for your long post. You realy are - an Angel in disguise.

Jack - see my recent post at this afibbers.org board - where I say: " I'll thumb to Cleveland Clinic "
Re: http://www.afibbers.net/forum/read.php?f=7&i=19046&t=18897#reply_19046

Seriously - I respect your input and feel CC is excellent. But I have a few hurdles to cross.

Maybe - I could try a fund raiser [don't know how to do one] from my site.... aninchfrommurder.com/blog/

JACK.................

Re: "The most important thing that I have to say is that you need to get to the Cleveland Clinic ASAP. This hospital is #1 in the world for the treatment of anything to do with heart disease. These doctors can perform miracles."

***** I'm on SS Disability. Don't know - who will pay for or get me to Cleveland

Now, your history of heart disease is confusing. You mention that back in 2005 that you found out that you had CAD, and it was thought that you could not survive CABG due to your very low EF.

You state that you have had CHF, which can be chronic heart failure or congestive heart failure. It appears that you have both, due to your bouts with PE.

JACK................

***** Yes - I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure - in '05 - and yes - my recent bouts of Pulmonary Edema - indicate chronic heart failure.

You are entirely correct. I have both.

RE: "Do you know what caused your CHF (chronic heart failure)?"

JACK.............

************* Last year I was smoking. I no longer smoke cigs since June 16, 2008.............when I was airlifted and on life support - for the heart failure/Pulmonary problems.

Cigarettes and drinking has caused my chronic heart failure.

Cigarettes are now out of the equation - but the most recent flare ups of PE - occured because of drinking. So..........don't DRINK stupid !!!!

RE: "What is strange is that you do not mention any attempts at stenting any coronary artery blockages, even if you have ulcerated lesions."

JACK.............

************ What is more strange is the incompetence of Northeast Cardiology - Bangor Maine - who have been treating me - since '05 - and I will add - mis-treating me.

Can you imagine - that I met a Dr. Alice Passer in 2005 - who is no longer with Northeast Cardiology - Bangor Maine. She happened to have performed the Catheterization on November 2005. Instructed me - that I had CAD and 4 blocked arteries and showed me a diagram - and advised me to see a surgeon.............a Dr. Klemperer. I consulted with him Xmas of '05 and he proclaimed - that I was inoperable. That because of my 15% Ejection Fraction - he didn't think that he could revive me after being on a heart/lung machine. He gives Doctor Passer his report. Nothing else further happens. I have not had a personal visit with " a " Cardiologist - from Northeast Cardiology - Bangor Maine - since - I had an ICD implant in November 2006. I have had no replacement Cardiologist assigned to me - since Dr. Alice Passer left Northeast Cardiology.

Here I am - in 2009 - with no Cardiologist.

My Primary Care Physician [PCP] a Dr. Nadeem Ali - who I hold in very high regard - told me - after the diagnosis of CAD in '05.....It is not the end of the world.

But - I am having complicatinos now - because of the ulceration.

NO ONE told me to get a second opinion.

RE: "You also do not mention which coronary arteries are involved. This is very important information that you left out, if you want any advice or help."

JACK.............

**************** The diagram and the film and all the good stuff are being faxed and send to my PCP and I will get to see them shortly.

***** You make so many valid points and you seem to be - such a highly educated person. God Bless you for responding.

JACK - You ask...................

"You also failed to mention your average resting blood pressure and pulse rate, which is very important information to know, especially due to all of the drugs that you are on."

I check my BP and Heartrate a couple of times a day - using what I bought at Rite-Aid - a Omron cuff system etc and I am very unsatified with it. It never matches - when I bring it in to my Doctors office. Only the HR is the same.

Today - I began at 124/76/83............................. 83 is my HR

JACK............... from what you say below - I want you to know - I have been given two choices. Do the consult here in Maine and if they feel that they can't treat me - I can go out-of-state....................and - in as much as I grew up in Boston - and love the hospitals there.....I really should campaign - to get to CC.

Posted by Nealus at January 23, 2009 01:10 PM

Comments

Post a comment