Only two photos tonight as this is more of an informative blog post about the side bar. If you scroll on the side past the photos you will see a list of some old time favorite blogs that use to be there plus some blogs or websites you might find interesting. Check them out and see what you think.
For almost 30 years no matter how far I have to drive to get there, I ALWAYS finished my Costco shopping with their famous $1.50 hotdog that comes with a soda. Instead of a soda I like the Coke Raspberry Tea.
Now some of you might think or know, that what a terrible thing to eat. It probably is for health reasons but it's not like I eat them weekly or even monthly. Buying Costco products that are noted for large quantities, purchases last longer than a month for someone that lives single, not counting the hounds and dogs. When I do eat them, they are great and still $1.50 with a drink.
But the icing on the cake of that picture ... 30 minutes earlier I had just left my VA Cardiologist appointment. The words hot dog and cardiologist don't seem to sound right when mentioned together. Most likely it isn't.
It was my 6 month follow up for the heart work done in June. I had also had a recent echocardiogram just for this appointment, on November 20th. When I filled my spreadsheet in with the updated echocardiogram, and then compared the data from it to the one I did in July after the surgeries ... the two were almost identical in data. That is a key point of the appointment and my story.
What more could she say? Same data, same blood pressure, temperature, blood oxygen, same weight and height ... what would this be about?
If I could have placed a bet I would have bet every last dollar I had that she would prescribe new and different medications. No doubt in my mind. I planned on remaining calm but I never planned on taking them.
The theme was ... "you are in great shape, great echo numbers, the valve has seated well and everything inside your heart is working great" ... but you have heart failure. Those same words I had in June when we spoke. Even with all the new hardware that was installed, with an artery opened 100% and an aortic valve open over an inch wide ... the blood is flowing stronger with great circulation.
It's just that heart is not pumping efficiently based on the percentage listed.
We talked medications, all the new ones she wanted to prescribe. She had not even got the word "statins" out of her mouth when I interrupted her to say "Like I told the cardiologist back in 2019 in Arizona, I'll die first before taking them".
If the data is the same as the echocardiogram I took in July, why didn't she mention them then when we talked in August?
So she moved to, "I need to lower your LDL to 55" ... so there will be a couple of meds that I am going to prescribe for you to take".
She was right on schedule with my prediction to myself before I showed up.
"I am not taking any meds for my cholesterol because everything is in range" ... she says ... "well those are good ranges for normal people but you have heart failure".
Me --- well just a few minutes ago you said I was in great shape and everything was working great ... so which am I ... in great shape or near death due to heart failure?"
If the data is the same as the echocardiogram I took in July, why didn't she mention them then when we talked in August?
Yes I am repeating myself ... seems like two valid questions.
So great shape or needing meds for heart failure and normal cholesterol? In her report she said "he became agitated when we talked about required medication". I was kinda proud of that ... that will probably move me to the top of her list of noncompliant patients.
I ended up by asking her if I could ask three questions?
1. How cold can it be outside before I cannot walk for 30 minutes?
--- "oh you can do anything, your heart has the new valve, stent pacemaker ... you can do anything you want in any temperature" Even at 5°???? .... "Yes".
2. Am I allowed to shovel snow off my driveway when we have our next snow storm?
--- She actually gasps ... "you can't do that, you have heart failure !!!"
Me --- so I can walk me or my dogs for 30 minutes in any temperature, even below zero but I can't shovel snow in 30° with the sun out?
As you can see I am probably her most favorite patient. LOL
3. How long do I have to take these blood thinners? ... that was a loaded question and I already knew the answer from the surgeon that did the surgery, Harvard Medical Journal and The Mayo Clinic.
--- "Well you will have to take those the rest of your life"
Wrong answer ....
As we left we were laughing, smiling and talking about making pizza dough out of shredded chicken, eggs and cottage cheese. My friend had passed that recipe to me last month and the doctor said she actually made that and it tasted great.
I am to see her in July 2026 ... should be a lot of fun.
PNW weather today ... cold and rainy ... temperatures have dropped and we will have cold weather for one day just to get me readying for the first round of the College Football Playoffs, this weekend that starts on Friday night.
For the Anonymous person that made a comment about my sports talk the other day ... don't reply to what I said here on this post tonight about sports or anything else, because I will just delete anything you say. If I could I would block you from seeing the blog but Google Blogger will not let me.
Anyway, it's getting late, the hounds and dogs have been asleep for a couple of hours at least and it's been another great day here in "the tropics" of Southern Indiana.
Totally enjoyed reading your description of the doctor visit. She has met her match with someone like you, who does their homework before the visit. I actually feel that there are a lot of MDs out there that are pill pushers. JMHO. Rain starts on Tuesday through Friday, with about 5 inches projected during that time. Christmas Eve day is showing over 3 inches. Roads up here will be a disaster, especially with all the visiting tourists.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like too much rain in such a short time up there. Seems like some mountain roads would be washed out. I agree about the pill pusher. My surgeon asked me a few months ago why I was taking Metoprolol, she prescribed then and tried again yesterday. I am guessing the VA is rewarded in some way by Big Pharma for pushing their stuff.
DeleteSo nice to read you do all your homework before you go see the heart Dr. I think it surprises them sometimes . Keep doing what you have been doing and enjoy your once in a while hot dog and drink for a $1.50. Small random treats can bring joy !
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Steve to you and the Crew.
Sue
Thanks Sue. Merry Christmas to you too.
DeleteYep, that makes sense to someone trained to treat the disease but not the patient. Heart disease so go sit on the couch and just let things atrophy untill you die rather than get out there and do things that might keep you going and maybe even gain ground on things, or at the very least, improve the quality of what life you have. Sounds right in line with today's helicopter parents preening at the cocktail party because they never let thier little precious, who plays on a sterile rubber-coated playground and knows to wipe everything down with anticeptic rags before touching, never get exposed to unneccessary germs - then they wonder why thier little cupcake gets sick so easy. While those of us that ate dirt, scarfed sandwiches with fish-slime hands, and thought the 5 second rule was silly as long as we could blow the dust off and it didn't smell too bad, build strong immune systems and rarely had allergies.
ReplyDeleteMy sisters swear by thier 'functional doctor', who are medical doctors that have realized modern medicine isn't enough and incorporate lifestyle and holistic elements into thier treatments. Unfortunately most insurance doesn't extend to functional practices.
In the mean time I'll listen to my body and do what seems right for me. (I get over prescribed for BP meds but don't bother arguing. I just take what works for me and don't bother filling the rest of the prescriptions. )
Yes as kids, no helmets a small engine bolted to a 2x10, ankles with wheels mounted, rope attached to each front axle looped for a steering wheel and fast as hell in the neighborhood streets. I can't imagine all the rules for kids now days. I wish I could find a "functional doctor". When I do a search for holistic MDs in this town many are listed few any any do that type of treatment. Without BP meds my BP is low every day, taken before I drink coffee or take my blood thinners. I do what you do, "what works for me". We are on the same page when it comes to listening to our bodies.
DeleteI think I am finally recovered enough to try following your exciting life again Have fun. OFM
ReplyDeleteWell HELLO Barney!!!! Quite a surprise. Good to see you again. I have dropped in on your blog to see how you are. You are doing a good job in your "homework", walking and fighting against time. Merry Christmas to you.
DeleteOh you're a hoot!!! On a serious side, the little admirer is on the thinner as well. Eliquis for the rest of his life. My mother, she to is on Eliquis for the rest of her life. Now, my mother can be a very cantankerous woman, she is 91 years old and because she is also stubborn, she use to tend to go into bed and lay down and get all comfortable and then speak out loud to herself "oh shit, I forgot my medicine, oh well not the first time" and the next morning long about 5ish AM, mother awoke with the most horrible pain on the right side of her head she had ever had. She was in so much pain she slid down on the floor for a mintue or more. My ex SIL woke up and went to see what all the screaming was about, and she called me to tell me something is wrong with my mother. In 30 seconds or so, I could tell she was having a stroke and we rushed over and put her in the truck and drove like mad to the Mayo Hospital. I knew we were out of the window for the stoke drug, but I also knew of any place could start therapy quick it was Mayo and I was right. She spent 5 days in hospital, went to rehab and came home with left side neglect, loss of vision on the left side of both eyes, and each day she gained strength. That was July 21, 2025. On September 21, we flew to London with her and spent a week roaming around England. Took her to the palace, to Abbey Road, and a several more places. Then we got on the cruise ship and sailed to Hamburg Germany and Belgium. She enjoyed herself. We returned to south Hampton and she and I both felt like we were getting stuffy. We hung out in London until Monday the 6th when we got on the plane to fly back to LA. By the time we landed in LA, I had the start of a sore throat and mom, she became super angry, talked like a sailor and I was so shocked I was numb. We wasted no time driving home to the valley, and by 8AM I felt like I had glass in my throat and my mom, she was doing things that was not herself, like going outside with no pants on, screaming and cursing if she wasn't sleeping. By the 12th of October I took her to the Mayo again, took security and docs and nurses to get that 91-year-old woman out of the suv. I cannot tell you how much drugs they gave to try and get her to settle down, they worked on her for hours. A midnight, they called me and told me they need to 4point her, she is a danger to herself and others. She has Covid and it has infected her brain. A few days later, I was informed it has caused her delirium, and my mom will never be the mom I once had. For the next 4-6 weeks she was in and out of the hospital a total of 5 times. KNOCK ON WOOD, I have managed to better manage her medications then the shrinks! Had she NEVER skipped that Eliquis she would not have had the stroke. She didn't have enough in her to prevent the clots from forming. As for the admirer, he formed a clot INSIDE the valve, went to ICU at Mayo in Rochester. Spent a week in there. Both mom and he have CHF. Mom takes Entresto to manage hers, and I don't know if VA is allowing it out in your area. My last husband was given it and VA here denied it, but I stepped up and fought them and won. So, they gave him the drug, and it was great for him. Whatever you do, fight the VA and get on Eliquis for the blood thinner, it is what saved my mother and the admirers life, and gave my late husband another couple year of life as well. Also, connect yourself to a civilian cardiologist as well, and look for one who is an Intervention cardiologist, I say this because the VA don't work around the clock 7 days a week, you want and NEED a civilian doc now that you have this new valve. My mom is home with us now, and ever so slowly she is mentally coming back to us. And, I make darn certain she takes those meds. By the way, she has not been in CHF for over 2 years now with Entresto. Merry Christmas Steve and give the boys and little lady a nice pat for us.
ReplyDeleteThat is one heck of a story and I understand what you are telling me. Since I went to the VA first about my cough and to get an updated blood work in May, that gave me the appointment to see the VA cardiologist which referred me to a civilian cardiologist at the hospital in town for surgery. I am connected to him and am told to call anytime if problems. Although as the process goes, he referred me back to the VA once he was done and gave me clearance to "keep doing everything you do, ride that bike as fast and as long as you want". I will have to check notes but I think the VA cardiologist has mentioned Eliquis in the past. The VA uses the official name of meds though so I have to look them up for the common name.
DeleteThanks for that information. Tell the admirer to hang in there and since I am now in the valve club I can relate to what he has gone through. Although when wrestling on the floor the other day Henry put his 90 pound front paw on my pacemaker as he tried to dive bomb my chest. LOL
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
On the food stuff…it seems that most frozen entrees are some kind of combo of something like meat, vegetables, and pasta or grains plus a sauce. So, they look to be pretty easy to duplicate… I’ve also made some keto chips out of egg whites and ground turkey (can use ground chicken and maybe even ground beef if it’s really lean) that were actually pretty good. The egg white chips are light and crispy and the ground meat chips are thick and hearty, like corn chips or tortilla chips.
ReplyDeleteYou might try typing into a chatbot (or two) something like: “standard of care for post stent placement, heart valve replacement, and pacemaker implant” and see what you get… Some more details about hardware used and vessels impacted could give better information. Then compare the results to treatments and medications already recommended by your cardiologist. It would be interesting to see how many boxes get checked off.
I think my biggest gripe with some of these treatments is the “shotgun approach” (something is off and it gets treated in isolation) instead of looking at the system as a whole. A simple example is/was the recommendation to suppress a mild fever when it's been found to be counterproductive and suppresses a natural defense mechanism. Another is that antibiotics aren’t recommended anymore after surgery because studies show continuing them after the incision closes doesn't prevent infections but does increase risks for C.difficile infections and antimicrobial resistance. It’s almost like the whole body as a system isn’t well understood.
Greg made a good comment about functional medicine practitioners (https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner). Integrative health practitioners are another option (https://members.aihm.org/find-a-provider/). They both look at the body as an interconnected system.
Here are a couple of health oriented YouTube channels I’ve learned from: 1) Ford Brewer, MD. He’s had his own issues with arterial plaque and has documented what he’s done to reverse it. He’s both mainstream and open to more alternative treatments. I find him easy to understand and like that he uses video animations to help explain health concepts. 2) Jesse Chappus. He interviews all kinds of practitioners about health related subjects. He’s interviewed a number of cardiologists too. Bethers
Dr Brewer is great ... thanks. Both websites have doctors in the major cities about an hour and a half drive and further away from where I live.
DeleteGood to see you Bethers, it's been while. Great information and I will check out all your links. I duplicated a meal the other night, one I had many times when I wasn't too lazy to cook. Baked coho salmon, steamed asparagus and cherry tomatoes. I am just going back to cook dinners again. I get stuck at times and snack all day and miss dinner. I will try the chips you described. Sounds good to eat while watching ballgames.
ReplyDeleteI did the ChatGPT for care and rehab for stents and valves back in June BEFORE my valve surgery. It had a 3-6-9-12 month guideline and I was already almost two months ahead of schedule. I printed that out and took it my 1 week after surgery followup and showed this to my surgeon. He read the pages, looked up at me and asked "where did you get this, it's good information" ... I told him and he said "do you mind if I keep this" ...
I also back in June made a spreadsheet of course for natural or food alternatives to the medications they were prescribing me whether I wanted them or not. The doc and I went through the list one by one and I told her what I was and wasn't taking and why. One they prescribed to take IF I gained 5 pounds over night anytime after my surgery, then a second pill at the same time to replace the potassium chloride in my body that the first pill would eliminate .. crazy eh?
The inhaler the prescribed last my for my cough and allergies last May worked great ... I get a call the other day and the VA recalled that inhaler and asked if I needed their alternative. The VA cardiologist wanted me on Metoprolol, which raised my blood pressure and sent my heart rhythm all over the chart. So I get a second opinion from the surgeon and he says "why are you taking this" ..
So I keep up on things, read a lot and do go to my scheduled follow ups. Next one is next July where I will also get an echocardiogram and bloodwork before that appointment.
She did tell me the other day when I was saying no .. "this is my cardiac clinic, you can decide what you take and what you don't but I follow guidelines for the medication you need to take." ... well I cannot take Jardiance I told her ... I need sleep and that stuff wakes me up every hour to pee. So I am not taking it.
Merry Christmas and thank you for the links.
Crazy meds, that’s for sure… Amazing what kind of info you can get from Chat/GPT. If a functional/integrative provider is too far away, you might be able to at least get an initial consult via telemedicine/zoom and decide where to go from there. It would be nice to have an advocate in your back pocket to chew things over with… Bethers
ReplyDeleteThere is one up by where I use to live. In Bloomington. I will check them out. Yes a backup would be nice.
DeleteForgot to mention this site called midwesterndoctor.com I recently discovered it and haven’t even begun to scratch the surface. It does a deep dive into all aspects of the forgotten side of medicine and conditions. Lots of info about things like vaccines, Alzheimer’s, DMSO, etc and comments. It’s a subscription through Substack (free is limited). If you just want to check it out without subscribing, there is quite a bit of information to look at when you click on “See What’s Inside” (which is just underneath the e-mail box). Bethers
ReplyDeleteI will check out the See What is Inside. I rarely if ever pay for information, even with sport forums. Thanks
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