The big happening for me yesterday was a visit to the cardiologist, Dr. Lacanin. I spent nearly an hour in her company as she took my history, reviewed my meds, and inquired about my symptoms and heart-related issues. We also discussed the echocardiogram results, the implications associated with aortic valve stenosis, and the way forward from here.

The bottom line is that what ails me is pretty common in old fuckers like myself and will likely continue to get worse as I age. The most disconcerting moment during the appointment was when she started diagraming my problem and then listed various symptoms numerically.

So, once Dr. Lacanin had the symptoms listed numerically, she explained that patients demonstrating the issues in #3 had a life expectancy of three years, those with the #2 symptoms averaged two years of life, and anyone suffering the #1 listings could expect to die in a year. “So, you are telling me I’ve got at most three years to live?” I exclaimed. No, she assured me that wasn’t the case if I took steps now to control my condition to keep it from getting worse. She talked about surgical options for correction I could pursue if that becomes necessary. Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that.

Dr. Lacanin is not convinced that the ECG result showing mild to moderate aortic synopsis is accurate. She also wants additional data on the aortic blockage (it was 20% back then) I was diagnosed with ten years ago. She suggested I get these tests done at a hospital that specializes in heart health care. She mentioned one in Manila, but when she saw my reaction to traveling that far to a city I despise, she offered a closer alternative in Angeles City. I can go for that. Next up is scheduling the stress test, which Dr. Lacanin will set up.

The other thing we discussed was my heart rate. I guess my low resting heart rate truly is something to be proud of. I told her the bpm really goes up quickly when I hike, with 100 on a flat walk being the average and rising from there when I hit a hill. I asked Dr. Lacanin what my maximum rate should be, and she suggested around 140, but the 120-130 range was best. Good to know. I watched my heart rate throughout this morning’s hike, which included a lengthy climb.

And that’s where things stand with me and my broken heart.

I came home after my doctor’s appointment and stayed here. It seemed like the right time to spend time at The Rite Spot. It had been sunny all day, but then, shortly before I was planning to head for the roof, a rainstorm came out of nowhere.

I had my cooler of beer with me. Then I set up the music speaker (my country music playlist), turned on the fan, and settled into my rocking chair to watch the remains of the day.

I didn’t spend all my time at The Rite Spot alone. Swan had family members visiting, so everyone convened on the roof for dinner.

And I ended the day feeling good to be alive.

And then there are the memories:

Gotta keep pounding on those drums with the future of the USA to be decided in six weeks.

Today’s YouTube video from Reekay tells the story of importing a bargirl from Angeles City. It brought back some memories of my days as a tourist and feeling sorry for the girls. I sponsored one to attend caregiver training. She completed the program, quit the bars, married an Australian, and lived happily ever after. The poor sap in this video got snookered by an eighteen-year-old. Get a grip, guys.

Things I found funny on the internet:

I’m going to do the SOB thing at Queen Victoria this evening. I’ll tell you about that and today’s hike tomorrow. Thanks for coming by!

It's like I'm sitting at a bus stop waiting for a train
Exactly how I got here is hard to explain
My heart's in the right place, what's left of it I guess
My heart ain't the problem, it's my mind that's a total mess
With these rickety old legs and watery eyes
It's hard to believe that I could pass for anybody's prize
Here's what I know about the gifts that God gave
You can't take 'em with you when you go to the grave

It ain't over yet, ask someone who ought to know
Not so very long ago we were both hung out to dry
It ain't over yet, you can mark my word
I don't care what you think you heard, we're still learning how to fly
It ain't over yet

For fools like me who were built for the chase
Takes the right kind of woman to help you put it all in place
It only happened once in my life, but man you should have seen
Her hair two shades of foxtail red, her eyes some far out sea blue green
I got caught up making a name for myself, you know what that's about
One day your ship comes rolling in and the next day it rolls right back out
You can't take for granted none of this shit
The higher up you fly boys, the harder you get hit

It ain't over yet, I'll say this about that
You can get up off the mat or you can lay there till you die
It ain't over yet, here's the truth my friend
You can't pack it in and we both know why
It ain't over yet

Silly boys blind to get there first
Think of second chances as some kind of curse
I've known you forever and ever it's true
If you came by it easy, you wouldn't be you
Make me laugh, you make me cry, you make me forget myself

Back when down on my luck kept me up for days
You were there with the right word to help me crawl out of the maze
And when I almost convinced myself I was hipper than thou
You stepped up with a warning shot fired sweet and low across the bow
No you don't walk on water and your sarcasm stings
But the way you move through this old world sure makes a case for angel wings
I was halfway to the bottom when you threw me that line
I quote you now verbatim, "Get your head out of your own behind"

It ain't over yet, what you wanna bet
One more cigarette ain't gonna send you to the grave
It ain't over yet, I've seen your new girlfriend
Thinks you're the living end, great big old sparkle in her eye
It ain't over yet