Cardiac Cath Tomorrow

[RobesonsRme.com]

I've had three episodes of moderately severe retrosternal chest pain that radiated to my jaw and rearmost teeth, which is not atypical for angina pectoris.

The first occurred not long after going to bed about three weeks ago. I lay there while the pain increased in severity and when my jaw and teeth started hurting, I got up. I really thought it was related to esophageal reflux and spasm, which can really be painful, as I work out strenuously three days a week for about three hours, lifting weights, rowing, walking a treadmill or elevated indoor track and I have not had one twinge of chest discomfort.

I chewed three or four Tums and drank half a glass of water with almost immediate resolution, further suggesting reflux and spasm as the cause.

The second episode occurred while shopping at Walgreen's and I was very close to dialing 911. I went over to the refrigerators on the wall, took out, opened and drank one of those "Chugg" bottles of whole milk. Again, instant relief. And yes, I paid for the empty milk bottle at checkout.

Third episode occurred in the middle of the night last week and it was the worst. I went to the kitchen, drank some skim milk and the pain went away.

So, I talked to the cardiac surgeon I was working with since 2008. He's a workout guru, a great surgeon (my go to guy if I needed surgery) and extremely smart.

He thinks it's esophageal, as well, but suggests for "peace-of-mind" and just in case the pain occurred while I was traveling, that I should have a heart cath so I have firm knowledge of my coronary anatomy. I had a cath fifteen years ago when I was experiencing unexplained shortness of breath, but that was clean and I turned out needing thyroid replacement medication.

That second cath is going to take place tomorrow morning.

I have to take an overnight bag just in case I need a stent or something, but I'm thinking and praying that isn't going to be necessary.

I'll let you all know how it turns out.

Charlie Noyes

[jerryd6818]

It sounds like, in step with your old boss, y'all have the situation under control. I hope the heart cath comes up clear BUT in case it doesn't and you require a stent, please file a claim with the VA for ischemic heart disease. These days it's presumptive and all you need is a tour in Viet Nam coupled with ischemic heart disease and the claim is automatically authorized. No need to prove anything.

Edit: Same for Type II Diabetes and some cancers.

Good luck and I hope it's not heart related.

[glennbad]

Good luck Charlie, we'll be thinking about ya

[edge213]

Good luck Charlie.

[RobesonsRme.com]

Thanks, everyone.

Having been involved in rescue/salvage operations, running to the OR from the cath lab with a patient on a Gurney, doing CPR the whole way, ripping the chest open, crashing on bypass, etc, because of a complication like a coronary artery dissection or a ventricular perforation that occurred during a routine cath for over forty years does not allow me the innocence and naivete of ignorance re' these type procedures.

I'm a bit trepidatious.

Just way too much knowledge.

Charlie

[philco]

Charlie I'll be praying for you that all goes well and that you get a good report.

[treefarmer]

Charlie,
You know more about it than most, but if there is a heart problem, now is the time to find it. Praying for good results either way. It's so amazing the knowledge the Lord has blessed the medical folks to understand and utilize to keep these old bodies going!
Treefarmer

[royal0014]

Charlie, don't psych yourself with the preexisting medical knowledge.
I'm sure you know it doesn't help a thing .. .. ..

I have 4 stints myself. Jumping straight to a cath procedure seems a bit hasty .. .. ..

[Colonel26]

Prayers for you Charlie!

[RobesonsRme.com]

Thanks everyone. Time to shower, get ready for bed and try to get some sleep, which I did not get last night for some reason.

I'll let you know something tomorrow if my cell phone has internet access in the hospital.

BTW; I have willed the Robeson Collection to AAPK.

Charlie

[RobesonsRme.com]

Not really...............................

[wlf]

With all that experience,you know this is safe in most all cases Charlie.I've had 4 or 5. Besides I need your keen eye still looking for that elusive farmers jack.

I'm praying anyways.We need ya around here.

[gmusic]

Charlie..........best to you. May the comfort of the lord God be yours no mater what.

[whitebuffalo58]

Now see there?! That's what ya get with all that healthy eatin' and exercise ya been doin' lately!! After all these years of use and abuse, you're plumb freakin' your ol' body out!! You just need ya a good dose of bacon and ice cream to get that ticker o' yor'n back on line again. (and maybe a shot or two of granny's rheumatis medicine) Besides, it's a whole lot cheaper then that store bought city doctor'n your fixin' t'get.



Take care and be well Charlie, me and mine will keep you in our prayers, too.

WB

[RobesonsRme.com]

All done. Perfectly normal coronary arteries.

Now I just have lie here for the next few hours.

Thank you each and every one for your earnest prayers and good wishes.

Ya'll are the best.

Cannot exercise for a week, but I'll get back in my routine beginning Tuesday week.

Charlie

[orvet]

Awesome news Charlie!
God is still watching over His people.

[jerryd6818]

Well now, that right there is some dynamite news. Apparently, whatever you're doing, keep doing it.

[Colonel26]

Awesome news!

[LongBlade]

Awesome news Charlie ... Glad to hear it...

Cheers
Lee

[RobesonsRme.com]

Dr. Richardson, the cardiac surgeon, said my arteries couldn't look any better if I'd been born yesterday.

My Dad died from a "sudden death" episode at the age of sixty-two, so my family history is not good.

Apparently, I didn't inherit that particular gene, then again, I don't weigh near 300lbs, I have never smoked, I'm not an alcoholic and I don't gorge on food as he did.

Thanks, everyone. It is, indeed, great news.

If one does not have ischemic heart disease by the time they are my age, they are highly unlikely to develop it.

Now, to take care of all those other life threats out there.

Charlie

[wlf]

How much boot would you have to trade.

[RobesonsRme.com]

Pardon?