Pizza
Member
Just posted this on facebook. Yes, I was in the Hospital Monday. Had a funny pressure in my chest and my left arm went numb. So, I went to the ER.
So. I've been reflecting on my visit to the ER Monday. See, there is something I did not tell you all - the Cardiologist's PA was the one to come to me to tell me of the test results. Not only did she tell me to go home, she told me that if my chest tightness or arm numbness come back, I am not to call 911 or go to the ER - I am to call their 24 hour number.
THAT is how certain they are, after all this testing, that my heart is just fine. GOT THAT? My heart is fine, 99% fine - aside from a heart valve that may have to be changed in 10-25 years - but it is not a concern now. And sure, they are checking me every year for my aorta, it is susceptible to bursting due to the valve - but they are watching that and they say it's nothing to address now.
So, here is what it is: Ever since 2014 when I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation (which can kill you left untreated, especially as severe as my pneumonia made it, I'd had it for months but the illness set it off like a bomb.) Ok, as I was saying, ever since then, I get lectured that I'm a "cardiac patient now".
Well, I am SICK of this. It is clear and undeniable that my heart is just fine. Sure, my A-Fib may come back, if so, we will deal with it AND I now know how to detect it myself - I just watch my pulse, if it is elevated and stays that way, it's time to call the cardiologist. I've known that for three years.
But I am SICK of being told I am sick. I am SICK of believing that I'm two heartbeats from an anyerism or stroke or heart attack. I am sick of being told that my cholesterol is too high. (It was running around 200-220 without meds). If my cholesterol is so damn high, why is it that, at age 57, my heart's arteries are "99%" open? WELL?
A cardiologist told me to call him if I felt like I was in trouble, not the ER, not 911, call HIM first. Do you think a cardiologist would put himself at risk like that if he did not know FOR SURE, 100% truth, that I'm fine?
I'm done with worry about every short spell of dizziness (my a-fib pills are known to cause that, I'll keep taking THEM, dont get the wrong idea). I am sick of wondering if I should quit saving money for retirement - thinking I won't live to see 70 anyway.
To hell with worry. If my bad heart valve (which I do have) leads to a brain anyerism, fine, I'll be dead. In the meantime, worry is stealing my present AND my peace of mind.
I am "cardiologically fine".
So. I've been reflecting on my visit to the ER Monday. See, there is something I did not tell you all - the Cardiologist's PA was the one to come to me to tell me of the test results. Not only did she tell me to go home, she told me that if my chest tightness or arm numbness come back, I am not to call 911 or go to the ER - I am to call their 24 hour number.
THAT is how certain they are, after all this testing, that my heart is just fine. GOT THAT? My heart is fine, 99% fine - aside from a heart valve that may have to be changed in 10-25 years - but it is not a concern now. And sure, they are checking me every year for my aorta, it is susceptible to bursting due to the valve - but they are watching that and they say it's nothing to address now.
So, here is what it is: Ever since 2014 when I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation (which can kill you left untreated, especially as severe as my pneumonia made it, I'd had it for months but the illness set it off like a bomb.) Ok, as I was saying, ever since then, I get lectured that I'm a "cardiac patient now".
Well, I am SICK of this. It is clear and undeniable that my heart is just fine. Sure, my A-Fib may come back, if so, we will deal with it AND I now know how to detect it myself - I just watch my pulse, if it is elevated and stays that way, it's time to call the cardiologist. I've known that for three years.
But I am SICK of being told I am sick. I am SICK of believing that I'm two heartbeats from an anyerism or stroke or heart attack. I am sick of being told that my cholesterol is too high. (It was running around 200-220 without meds). If my cholesterol is so damn high, why is it that, at age 57, my heart's arteries are "99%" open? WELL?
A cardiologist told me to call him if I felt like I was in trouble, not the ER, not 911, call HIM first. Do you think a cardiologist would put himself at risk like that if he did not know FOR SURE, 100% truth, that I'm fine?
I'm done with worry about every short spell of dizziness (my a-fib pills are known to cause that, I'll keep taking THEM, dont get the wrong idea). I am sick of wondering if I should quit saving money for retirement - thinking I won't live to see 70 anyway.
To hell with worry. If my bad heart valve (which I do have) leads to a brain anyerism, fine, I'll be dead. In the meantime, worry is stealing my present AND my peace of mind.
I am "cardiologically fine".
