[Rhodes22-list] I'm back from my heart catheterization procedure

[Stephen Staum]

Welcome back Roger.  I hope you get your issues sorted out quickly.  While
it is good when they don't find anything wrong, but when you still don't
feel well it is not great.  I have a stress test scheduled later in June
and am hoping to dodge the surgery bullet.  I hate to lose the sailing
season.  It sounds like you have lake, dam and dock issues in addition.
When it rains it pours...

Make a rum toast to Rummy of blessed memory and hope for better days.


*Thanks and Stay Well,*

*Stephen Staum*
*s/v Carol Lee 2*

*Needham, MA*



On Fri, Jun 11, 2021 at 8:57 AM Todd Tavares <tavares0947 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Roger,
>
> Most of that is good news! I hope they can figure out the remaining issues.
>
> I will say this; whether or not sleep apnea is causing any of your
> remaining heart problems, get the sleep study, and if prescribed, use the
> CPAP or other devices. If you have sleep apnea, an assistive device will
> make a big improvement in your energy and stamina levels and lessen the
> daytime fatigue.
>
> Todd T.
>
> On Fri, Jun 11, 2021, 8:33 AM ROGER PIHLAJA <roger_pihlaja at msn.com> wrote:
>
> > Hi All,
> >
> > I had my heart cath procedure yesterday.  They eliminated a number of
> > things:
> >
> >
> >   1.  The pressure mapping inside my heart chambers indicated I do not
> > have significant leakage due to a congenital defect like a hole between
> > chambers or valve leakage.
> >   2.  They could find no sign of infection or any sort of tumors inside
> my
> > heart.
> >   3.  There is no obstruction to blood flow in my pulmonary arteries, say
> > due to a sharp bend or kink.
> >   4.  My fraction ejected went from ~35% before Tikosyn to ~55% after.
> > 55% is within the normal range.  So, the Tikosyn appears to be working.
> >   5.  I do not have significant plaque build-up in my coronary or
> > pulmonary arteries.  So, I will not need a coronary bypass or a stint.
> >
> >
> > While this is all good news, the question remains, what the heck is wrong
> > with me?  Why do I have all the swelling, poor aerobic stamina, the
> A-Fib,
> > and tire so easily?  The short answer is, they don’t know for sure.  I
> have
> > an appointment at the Heart Failure Clinic, Midland Hospital next week,
> > Thursday.  They have been talking about scheduling me for a sleep study
> to
> > determine if I have sleep apnea; but, that hasn’t been scheduled yet.
> > Frankly, I’m a little skeptical that sleep apnea could be causing all
> this;
> > but, I can always be persuaded by data.
> >
> >
> > Other than that, I have a normal list of post surgical issues.  I have
> > stitches in my groin that prevent me from driving for 2 days, I can’t do
> > anything strenuous or even lift more than 10 lbs for 5 days, I can’t
> > immerse the stitches in water for 10 days, and I have to watch for
> > complications like infection or a hematoma at the incision site.  I had
> the
> > usual post surgical anesthesia “hangover” and I slept yesterday afternoon
> > and evening.  I feel somewhat better this morning, although my stitches
> > hurt when I walk or bend over.  Sitting on the toilet is somewhat
> painful.
> >
> >
> > Other than that, things is dull; but, life is good!  Thanks for all the
> > good wishes and prayers.
> >
> > Roger Pihlaja
> > S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
> >
> >
> >
>