So. Today I went in for a couple of procedures that I have known were coming for a few months now. For those not up to date, I have long had cardiac issues stemming from my even longer-term kidney issues. For those who are up to date, forgive me for repeating myself a bit. Luckily until this year I have not had any symptoms. This spring I started feeling bad. Shortness of breath, a strange scratchy sensation in my chest, coughing, and just running on an even lower level of energy than usual. In July I had a left heart catheter. At that time my cardiologist determined that my lower left ventricle was working extra hard to keep blood out of the upper ventricle and by turn out of my lungs. This is referred to as Mitral Regurgitation . The plan was for me to pull as much fluid as possible at dialysis to relieve some of the pressure in my heart. I did start feeling a bit better due to this action in the past couple of weeks, but we still needed to go back in and check that pressu...
Last night on our way home from letting some furniture delivery guys into my parents' house in San Marcos, we stopped at T.G.I.Friday's * for dinner. Neither of us had a specific craving for Friday's, it was just on the way and we were hungry. It's going to be a good long while before we return, at least until I forget how sucktastic it is. We didn't have any of the big chain restaurants in Lawton when I was growing up, so eating at a Chili's, Bennigan's, or the OG ** when we were in Dallas or Houston was something of a treat. I remember thinking back then the food was actually good, maybe just because we didn't eat out all that often. Nowadays, Lawton is littered with all the favorites, with Outback Steakhouse, Applebees, and Chili's in the same block. There is even, after 20 years of it's rumored arrival, an Olive Garden. I haven't been to the Olive Garden in like, forever! Ryan and I were discussing this as we left the restaurant, tha...
Hi. Hello. Long time no chat. So...apologies for the incredibly long hiatus, but I went through some stuff the past few years . This post is not going to go into great detail, and it's not even a continuation of my Diagnosis series. I'm not sure there will even be more Diagnosis. The truth is, it's much easier to talk about things that are in the past when you can separate yourself from the trauma. When you're in it and your future is uncertain, it becomes infinitely more difficult. So I will do a little synopsis about my health and then get on with it. When last we chatted, I left you in a bad place. My cardiologist was even seriously considering trying to get me a heart and kidney transplant. He passed me off to a heart failure specialist at the same office when he determined my situation beyond his capabilities. Ryan and I went to meet with Dr. HeartFailure, fully bracing ourselves to map out the transplant plan, but were shocked at the appointment when...
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