An, um, interesting day

[raym]

Wow today did not go as planned. I had a somewhat routine cardiac stress test this morning. At the very end when they cranked it up I was having trouble keeping up with breathing and felt I was going to pass out. They got me in a chair, then I noticed the cardiologist on the phone with someone as he looked at my EKG. I asked is anything wrong. (very calmly) He said yes, I'm calling 911 and you are going to the hospital. Apparently my EKG went bad, indicating a blockage. After sitting for a bit I felt better and then was taken by ambulance to the hospital. They were expecting me, sort of VIP treatment.

The cardiologist in the ER was looking at my EKG from the stress test and on one page he said WHOAH!!!!! Not what one wants to here..sort of a funny moment though. So they whisked me away to have a cardiac catheterization procedure to check for blockages. Before the procedure doctor said if they find something managable they will put in a stent right away. If worse then they will schedule by-pass surgery. So they got me on the procedure table, gave me some good twilight drugs and did the procedure. Good news is that they found no blockages anywhere, said things looked good. Bad news is that this is most likely caused by my chemo medication (vasospams) so not sure where things go are far as that.

Feeling a bit wiped out tonight, but otherwise well.

[JJ2212]

Wow, interesting day is an understatement! I'm sorry you had to go through that. The stress of a dr saying WHOAH! would have sent me over the edge...

Rest well tonight.

[Rob in PA]

That is truly bizarre! Rest up.

[Cj51]

Well, I'm glad that it wasn't a blockage, but sorry you had to go through all of that! Rest up and hope you feel better soon.

Cj

[dianne052506]

raym,
that's more than interesting. That's downright scary.
I have a question, though, and I apologize for not remembering where you are as far as treatment goes. The last line in your signature is about Zaltrap. Are you still on it? If so, how were they able to do any type of procedure right away? Isn't Zaltrap akin to Avastin with issues about internal bleeding, and healing problems?

So glad you survived a day of testing. At least the problems were not of your own doing. I found out last month that even CT scans are not without risk if you don't follow instructions and DRINK LOTS OF WATER AFTERWARDS!
Best wishes for a healthy heart,
Dianne

[raym]

Rob,
that's more than interesting. That's downright scary.
I have a question, though, and I apologize for not remembering where you are as far as treatment goes. The last line in your signature is about Zaltrap. Are you still on it? If so, how were they able to do any type of procedure right away? Isn't Zaltrap akin to Avastin with issues about internal bleeding, and healing problems?

I looked at my signature last.night and realized its out of date. I've not been on zaltrap since last august. It was subjected of contributing to a pelvic abcess last september.

[Lisahopes]

Ryan, that is crazy. Glad to hear the heart is in order though and wishing you a speedy recovery!

[BrownBagger]

I would have thought just about anybody but you, Ray. Glad it's working out reasonably well.

I do worry about the short- and long- (let's hope) term effects of the chemo on my body. The docs aren't all that forthcoming on this topic.

[michelle c]

An interesting day alright!

Glad you are ok, no wonder you feel a bit wiped out!

Have a good rest, Ray.

[NWgirl]

Well that's something we don't hear much about - as a chemo side effect that is. Scarey. Thinking it's a routine stress test - then possibly emergency surgery. And yeah, "whoa" is not what you want to hear from your cardiologist! Reminds me of a time I had a sore on the top of my mouth and I had my oncologist looked at it. "What the hell is that?!" he said. As it turned out I have some hardened lump on the roof of my mouth. I've always had it - there's a name for it. But when he mentioned it, I began to question whether it had always been there or not!

Anyway, glad to know you're okay and hope you don't have any further cardio issues. You have enough to deal with as it is!

[CRguy]

Glad you sidestepped the bypass and stents Ray, you've had enuff fun for while !!!!

I agree, hearing your specialist say "Whoa" is like hearing your surgeon say "ooops !"
However I did once hear my surgeon say "Whoa ... did I ever get low on this ..." when doing a rectal exam checking my low rectal anastamosis

aside :
a lot of docs now are putting the brakes on doing so many cardio stress tests .... folks can have really severe problems being pushed so hard. My father who'd had a quad bypass refused to do any more. When I had my first one, when I 'd finished I asked the Cardio how many more VPCs he was going to let me throw before he shut it down ? His shocked reply " OH you saw those ? "
I said "Yeah, I am a vet and run EKGs on a regular basis."

"Oh ...... well you did very well here."
"Thanks doc, glad I could amuse you with my exercise induced arrhythmias."

He is actually head of Medicine at the hosp now and still my Cardio ...... just mentioning his name gets you in to anything immediately, so I use him for my "cancer card" backup when I run into a bitchy booking nurse .... just don't do a lot of cardio stuff with him.

Stay ahead of the game Ray
Cheers
CRguy

[raym]

I will probably not get any more stress tests, but still need to get echos due to mitral valve insufficiency, just to keep an eye on to see if it's deteriorating.

Ray

[CRguy]

That's what I've gone to too Ray.... and EKGs when needed.

We also use colour flow Doppler echos in cats and dogs for real time assessments of cardiac function and do a pretty good job of managing things ......so the whole stress test thing is not on my radar.

I forget which Cardio honcho, wrote a book, and stated he would never do more, or have one himself, after seeing too many folks have problems resulting from them. The most useful information can be obtained by more civilized methods.

Cheers
CRguy

[mymom]

Sorry to hear this. I hope you are feeling better today.

[esk2poo]

See, that is why excessive is no good for you. You were fine until they jacked up the treadmill. And, you got some good drugs out of it.

Just kidding, excersize as we know is greet for you and I am glad there was no other surgery needed for you. You have been through a lot. Not kidding about the good drugs though.
Hope all turns out well and you're able to keep the buggers at bay with the treatment.
Good luck,
Allen