View RSS Feed

vifferman

Scary Stuff!

Rate this Entry
14 Comments
by
vifferman
, 18th April 2010 at 18:12 (2207 Views)
I've never done this blog thing before, but thought this might help with coming to terms with my recent health scare - it's no fun being rudely brought face-to-face with one's mortaility.
A couple of weeks ago, I visited my GP to get a script filled, and while I was there asked him to check out my heart, as I had some chest pains. He was somewhat alarmed when he discovered I had "a rather loud systolic murmur" and said, "How come I've never noticed this before?"
"Well.... you've never listened to my heart!"
He gave me the details for an echocardiogram and cardiology appointment at Waitemata Cardiology, so I made some appointments and buzzed off on the VFR.
The echocardiogram showed that my mitral valve wasn't closing properly, due to a prolapsed leaf (bulges upwards, so the tips of the valve leaves don't meet). This means that some blood is jetted backwards with each pulse, so the heart has to work harder, and with time, becomes enlarged and weakened.
This is a congenital defect, and the freaky thing is, the symptoms that I had (some chest pain, and arhythmia) have nothing to do with it! Furthermore, this was exactly the right time to catch it, as currently it's not affecting me, whereas in a year's time my heart may be too weakened for surgery.

Anyway, the upshot of all this is that I need to be cut open, and the workings of my heart laid bare so they can repair the valve or replace it with another (pig, or artificial) if it's inoperable. The operation is not trivial, and the recovery period is 3 to 4 months, during which time my licence is suspended.

Yay....

At the moment, I'm still coming to terms with it all, and I've done the usual reaction things (disbelief, some grief, and at the moment I'm REALLY pissed off.) It kinda trivialises everything else, like I'm finding it hard to see the point of our pending trip to Yurp in a few weeks' time. We're also considering going private for the operation,just to get it out of the way. Having it hanging over my head for up to 6 months is kinda wearying.... But at between $50k and $60k before insurance, it's not a minor consideration. We'll still have to find some tens of thousands of shekeldollars...

So. There it is. My world's been turned upside down by an innocent chest pain that had nothing to do with the malady.
I've decided to get as fit as possible beforehand, so it will (hopefully) shorten my recovery. I just wish the whole thing was a bad dream....

Submit "Scary Stuff!" to Digg Submit "Scary Stuff!" to del.icio.us Submit "Scary Stuff!" to StumbleUpon Submit "Scary Stuff!" to Google Submit "Scary Stuff!" to reddit Submit "Scary Stuff!" to Facebook

Categories
Uncategorized

Comments

  1. duckonin's Avatar
    Stay positive and best of luck...
  2. pritch's Avatar
    Sorry to read about that. You do seem to have the right attitude.

    If you want to read a motorcycling book about a guy who bounces back from serious illness check out "What A Good Do" by James Whitham. I was planning on writing a review but hadn't got round to it yet. It is only a week or so since I finished it though...

    All the best
  3. Swoop's Avatar
    On one hand... "bugger", and on the other "good news that it was found early and not later!".
    Positive thoughts your way.
  4. oldrider's Avatar
    Sometimes even good luck can be a challenge, best of luck for getting it all sorted! Cheers, John.
  5. raftn's Avatar
    All Ican say is Stay positive, and good thing they found it now and not later! All the best.
  6. vifferman's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by duckonin
    Stay positive and best of luck...
    Thanks a lot - I appreciate your support.
  7. vifferman's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by pritch
    All the best
    Thanks a lot, Pritch. I'm feeling a lot more positive today, after talking to a cardiologist. Also just came back from a great session with the psychologist/coach.
  8. vifferman's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Swoop
    On one hand... "bugger", and on the other "good news that it was found early and not later!".
    True, very true. Serendipity and all that...
    Quote Originally Posted by Swoop
    Positive thoughts your way.
    Thanks for that, Sir! Every little bit helps.
  9. vifferman's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by oldrider
    Sometimes even good luck can be a challenge, best of luck for getting it all sorted! Cheers, John.
    Thanks, John. I appreciate your support.
  10. vifferman's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by raftn
    All Ican say is Stay positive, and good thing they found it now and not later! All the best.
    Indeed, yes indeedy!
    Thanks very much for your kind words and your support.
  11. p.dath's Avatar
    Good luck Vifferman. Sounds like fate is now on your side considering the timing. Perhaps reflect on the "good" things this will bring to you. You could take up a hobby that you can practice from a bed or chair while your recovering. This is probably going to bring your family together. And just think, no house work or chores to do!

    Just keep focusing on the positive.
  12. vifferman's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by p.dath
    Good luck Vifferman. Sounds like fate is now on your side considering the timing. Perhaps reflect on the "good" things this will bring to you. You could take up a hobby that you can practice from a bed or chair while your recovering. This is probably going to bring your family together. And just think, no house work or chores to do!

    Just keep focusing on the positive.
    Thanks Mr Dath. Hobbies.... Hmmmmm.... tiddlywinks? Knob polishing for beginners? Crochet?
  13. <G>'s Avatar
    Hi again, just read this blog. I was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect at the ripe old age of 37. I went to the doctor about my ears and she happened to listen to my heart and said - you have a heart murmur! It is something you have to get your head around as it is an intimation of our mortality. I agree with the others - focus on the positives - better to find out now when they can stilldo something about it. Look at it as having a new lease on life!
  14. Spearfish's Avatar
    It seem obvious to say bugger you have it at all, but bugger it anyway.
    I know it seems a really big ordeal to get your head around especially if your used to being in control.
    Is not as big as it was 15 to 20 years ago, they are pulling tickers out and fettling them almost routinely for different reasons and from tiny infints to really old farts.
    Do a real cost benefit analyses before settling on going private, there is a good chance the same surgeon burns the candle in the private sector as well as public, it just the time thing and how you feel about it.
    A family member went through a similar thing and looked into going private but decided to go public (Auck Hosp has a brilliant ICU) and use some of the money he would have spent taking his wife away for a long trip around America...on a bike....one each..and they had to learn!!
    I guess it gave him something to look forward to after the op and recovery period and something bigger than the op, if you know what I mean.
    There is a good chance you will be hugging a pillow when you cough or sneeze for sometime afterwards, sounds strange, I wont elaborate lol