Tuesday, January 8, 2013

AND THE GOOD NEWS IS....

Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes following my recent coronary episode so far from home, but so close to excellent care! I'm feeling quite a bit better than I was.

We made it back to Benson with only one stop, at Saddle Mountain RV Park in Tonopah, AZ. Nice park, Passport America so it's half price, full hookups, large sites. It's primarily a long-term stay park, with overnight sites in a separate section. We'll definitely go back there!

Back at home to try to follow doctor's orders: "Get a followup visit with your regular doctor within seven days." Have you ever tried to get a doctor's appointment during the Christmas / New Year holidays? In this area all the medical offices (except the hospital) are closed for two weeks! We finally got through to my regular doctor's office: someone was in and answered the phone, but no way could I see the doc for several days, and when I finally got an appointment, he subsequently postponed it!

In the meantime, I visited my podiatrist (finally out of the phony shoe after more than two months following surgery) who recommended a cardiologist in the same area. We visited Dr. Gladding yesterday morning. His office had already received the report from the LaPaz Regional Hospital, and Dr. Gladding studied it, reciting the usual "unh-huhns" and "aha's." Finally he looked at me and said, "You don't need me." Left us feeling somewhat speechless.

Dr. Gladding explained that the report disclosed not only clean arteries, but extraordinarily large arteries, so large, in fact, that the blood flows slowly though them instead of coursing along like it does in your arteries. And that's where and why "soft blood clots" can form. So what I had was declared a "clean coronary heart attack." I should come back and see him annually.

Oh yes, I do have a heart murmur, but I've had it for a very long time and it is, in Dr. Gladding's words, an "everyday, run-of-the-mill" murmur that I should know about but not worry about.

And as far as taking Plavix, he told me that Plavix does a good job as a blood thinner, but that if we find it too expensive, I should simply take baby aspirin, alternating between one and two tablets daily. Aspirin will do a pretty good job, just not as good a job as Plavix. I'll review all this with my regular doctor next week, and please do not take it as competent medical guidance for yourself. You gotta have big arteries like I do!

And that's the word for today from ... Our Life on Wheels.

19 comments:

  1. What great news. I bet you are relieved..

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  2. Well, that is good news for sure. Happy New Year! :)

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  3. It is always nice, but rare, to get good news from doctors.

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  4. Still sounds like good news to me. Relax and enjoy.l

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  5. Sounds like a great report, I just bought 300 Baby Aspirin for $3.29 at Sam's Club, so I know they are cheaper than Plavix. Take good care.

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  6. This is one of the happy good-news blogs I like to read. So very glad your health is improving, your out of that boot, and you are home!

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  7. May things keep looking up for both of you. Great news about your health! Not a bad way to start 2013!

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  8. That's good news for sure. Glad to "hear" you sounding chipper!!!

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  9. Who knew big arteries were good:) Glad it is working out well!

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  10. What good news! Good for you....you go "big" boy!

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  11. That's great news, Jerry. Now all you have to do is make sure you follow your Doctor's orders and don't overdo anything.

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  12. Love good news like this. Jim takes a baby aspirin a day (he's had two heart by passes)and it works really good for him.

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  13. " You gotta have big arteries like I do!" Say, d'ya suppose that might be something the 'Guiness Book Of World Records' might be interested in. Happy to hear you got a good report:))

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  14. So glad to hear the good news, Jerry. Stay well. And thanks for the tip on that PA park.

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  15. Hi it doesn't sound as though you need the advice on this Cardiologists Blog but thought it might be of interest. http://blog.trackyourplaque.com/

    I find Dr Davis other one better for me and it has helped me get some weight off and keep it off. I guess you don't need it either but here it is for your curiousity. Something to do on a wet day *smiles* http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/

    Take care the pair of you.

    Blessings

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  16. Yea!!! Let's here it for BIG ARTERIES!!!

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  17. Well, that is encouraging..isn't it?? Glad everyone feeling better!

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  18. Finally catching up on my blog reading and saw all the stuff you've been through these past weeks. Goodness! I'm happy you're doing better, but I'm sure it was a huge scare. Best of healing to you and may those arteries remain clear and large!
    Nina

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  19. This is the first chance I've had to "catch-up" on all my RV'ing friends and was stunned to read your posts!! Sure am glad you're doing better and you both look fantastic!!
    Donna nana.donnad@yahoo.com

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