Yesterday’s consult with Dr. DeLeon went fine. She explained the basics of aortic stenosis and some of the ramifications of that diagnosis.
So anyway, Dr. DeLeon was being careful about not stepping out of her lane as a pulmonary specialist, saying the cardiologist I’m scheduled to see next week can better explain treatment options, medications, and the way ahead. She did render the judgment that this condition is the likely cause of my breathing difficulties. As I understood her explanation, the oxygenated blood from my lungs is restricted by the stenosis from entering the heart, creating a lung backup.
Aortic valve stenosis ranges from mild to severe. Symptoms generally occur when narrowing of the valve is severe. Some people with aortic valve stenosis may not have symptoms for many years.
Symptoms of aortic valve stenosis may include:
- An irregular heart sound (heart murmur) heard through a stethoscope
- Chest pain (angina) or tightness with activity
- Feeling faint or dizzy or fainting with activity
- Shortness of breath, especially with activity
- Fatigue, especially during times of increased activity
- Rapid, fluttering heartbeat (palpitations)
- Not eating enough (mainly in children with aortic valve stenosis)
- Not gaining enough weight (mainly in children with aortic valve stenosis)
Aortic valve stenosis may lead to heart failure. Heart failure symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, and swollen ankles and feet.
On the one hand, the only aortic valve stenosis symptoms I’ve experienced are shortness of breath and fatigue. On the other hand, I’ve had all of the heart failure symptoms listed above. We’ll see what the cardiologist has to say about that.
Another thing about Dr. DeLeon: she’s young, smart (obviously), and has a sense of humor. And apparently, she enjoys reading fiction. I cracked up when I saw this book on her desk:
So, I aim to make it until next Thursday and see what I need to do to keep things from worsening. I’m going to keep it mostly flat on my hikes and monitor my heart rate so I don’t exceed my 128 bpm limit. At least I have an excuse to wimp out of the climbs on Monday’s Hash. We’ll see.
But enough about my health. Let’s talk about John, from the Sushi and Steak place I like to eat. He is still in the hospital. He posted on Facebook asking if anyone had a wheelchair and a four-leg walker he could use. I messaged him that I’d be willing to help him acquire something if he hadn’t found anything yet. John responded that he had gotten what he needed, but his problem now was they wouldn’t release him from the hospital until his bill was paid. Yeah, that’s how it works in the Philippines. And, of course, the bill keeps going up for every day they keep him there. I couldn’t afford to foot the whole bill, but I told him I’d make a contribution. So, when I was done with my medical shit yesterday, I went to John’s place to leave some cash with his wife. She was very appreciative, as was John, so hopefully, he’ll be out and about again soon. Swan and my helper/caregiver, Teri, accompanied me to the restaurant, and we had an early dinner together.
Dr. DeLeon prescribed me five days’ worth of steroids to tide me over, and after dinner, Teri went to fetch them at the drugstore. Swan and I proceeded to It Doesn’t Matter for some liquid refreshments, and then we had a nightcap at The Green Room.
It’s good to be alive. Let’s see how long I can keep it going!
I saw this today and thought, hey that shoe fits:
Might as well wear it:
What would Kamala say?
But enough about politics, let’s watch today’s YouTube video. Our vlogger exposes what he considers “lies” about the Philippines. Well, he’s been here two years, and I’ve been here six. Opinions vary, and disagreeing with someone doesn’t make it a lie. But whatever, he likes the food; some do, and some don’t. I agree with him about the PI being relatively safe. I sure as hell wouldn’t walk through slum villages in the USA. I still appreciate hearing different perspectives.
And now for what I call humor:
Alright, sorry for today’s late posting. We went all the way out to San Antonio for the Friday group rainy-day hike. We got back home later than usual, which threw me off schedule. I decided to say fuck-off to Friday in town and just chill at the house tonight. Swan is making some burritos for our dining pleasure. We’ll eat downstairs. The Rite Spot is closed due to inclement weather. And life goes on!
re: aortic stenosis
(from the Wikipedia article) Loss of consciousness typically occurs with standing or exercising.
I guess happy endings would fall under “exercise.”
I hope John gets released soon and is, in fact, in a condition to be released. More than that, I hope he gets better. The poor guy deserves a break.
The video on aortic stenosis notes that surgery, not meds, is the most probable/plausible option. Together with your other cited sources, the overall consensus seems to be that technology has come a long way, and surgery (where it’s available) isn’t hard to do.
Wikipedia:
Aortic stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease in the developed world. It affects about 2% of people who are over 65 years of age.
You’re from the developed world, and you’re part of the 2%! Don’t you feel privileged?! I sure hope so.
The Echocardiogram section of the Wikipedia article has a chart that grades severity. I’ll be morbidly curious to learn your score. It sounds to me, though, as if you’re only at the very beginning of the diagnostic process, with “severity” being only one thing that has to be measured/considered. You’ve got a pile of medical choices and options ahead of you once the basics are determined, and I guess we’ll be learning about AS as you write more about it. Thanks for providing the links you did, and good luck as you determine where the best place to get treatment is (I assume you’re already considering reliable places outside of the PI).
I trust things’ll work out, and many sunsets remain to you.
Good luck with the cardiologist visit.
Re: the video. Makes quite a few good points, but as you mention, some of the things are subjective. Kind of like ranking on SE Asian country vs. another. No right or wrong answer.
Good luck to you and to John.
Keep on pumping. But don’t over-pump.
Cheers.
Thanks, Drain.
Thanks, Brian.
Yes, I’d like it better if these vloggers said, in my opinion, rather than this is the cold, hard truth. Their truth isn’t necessarily mine.
I guess happy endings would fall under “exercise.”
Yes, I call that sexercise.
John posted this morning that he has been released from the hospital. He can stand up with assistance but still can’t walk. I reckon that’s progress.
My understanding is surgery until the blockage is severe, and as of now, I’m in the moderate category. Still, aortic stenosis is progressive, so my day under the knife may be coming. I’ve waited all my life to be considered “elite,” but it turns out I could have lived without it—one more milestone on the road to being a grumpy old man.
Yes, the electrocardiogram was just a first step. I’m sure there are many more tests to come. I am curious to learn more precisely where I am on that scale of doom. I’m also interested to learn whether the blockage in the artery that was diagnosed ten years ago has progressed.
I’m trying to keep a positive attitude. I’m “only” 69, after all. My mother had heart disease and made it to 78. I hope to do better than that. It ain’t over yet!
Thanks for your support and encouragement.
Nice to see you got the diagnosis before anything really bad happened and good luck with treatment moving forward….
What’s with the garage cartoon? Middle class folk in the US don’t clean out the garage? I am stupid and do not get it. Please explain.
Thanks, Dan. Hopefully, it’s fixable.
The cartoon was gently mocking Kamala Harris’ answer to an interview question that went like this:
TAFF: You talked about creating an ‘opportunity economy.’ I wonder if we could drill down on that a little bit. When we talk about bringing down prices and making life more affordable for people, what are one or two specific things you have in mind for that?
HARRIS: Well, I’ll start with this. Um, I grew up a middle class kid. My mother raised my sister and me. She worked very hard… I grew up in a neighborhood of folks who were very proud of their lawn, you know? And, um, and I was raised to believe and to know that all people deserve dignity, and that we as Americans have a beautiful character… So, when I talk about building an opportunity economy, it is very much with the mind of investing in the ambitions and aspirations and the incredible work ethic of the American people and creating opportunity for people, for example, to start a small business. Um, my mother, you know, worked long hours and our neighbor helped raise us… She was a small business owner. I love our small business owners… Our small businesses are so much a part of the fabric of our communities, not to mention, really, I think, the backbone of America’s economy…
So, now when you someone asks a question you can’t or don’t want to answer, all you need to do is say, “I was raised in a middle class neighborhood…