CT Scan Today

So in a couple of hours I'll be inside one of these CT scanners. They produce fascinating images and great detail which allows for excellent evaluations.

An Important Day

Well, today is an important day for me and those who care for and support me. I get a CT scan, EKG, chest X-Ray and then I meet with my surgeon, Dr. Bavaria, at the University Of Pennsylvania hospital. I expect that we'll have a game plan worked out by the end of the day and I'll have a much better idea about the condition of my coronary arteries and aorta, and a good idea in regard to the timing of surgery. Unfortunately, I'm battling a sinus cold that I've been unable to shake for weeks. Nevertheless, I'll make my way over to the hospital in West Philadelphia a little later this morning to start getting the testing done.

WHo Is Allowed To Visit In The ICU?

I'm just catching my breath from a busy weekend at the toy train exhibition,. I had fun but it was a bit exhausting.

My friend Jane has raied the issue of who can visit me in the ICU when I'm hospitalized. This has entered my mind, of course. Dan and I have Power Of Attorney, Medical Power Of Attorney, and Living Wills drawn up, but I will have to find out what the policy of the hospital is in regard to unmarried significant others.

Easy Does It!

So yesterday I spent the day as part of a team setting up my toy train club's display up at a big train show in Oaks, Pa. just outside of Philadelphia. This was the first time I found myself consciously making sure that I didn't lift anything that is too heavy or otherwise do anything too strenuous out of fear of doing damage to my aneurysm. In the past I've always been a big bull and not afraid to lift things or put my shoulder to something to move it, etc. Those days are gone now. I still had a lot of fun and managed to be useful without doing anything risky. It just calls for a little common sense.

New Reading Mateial

Member Shannon over at VR.com posted a link to a recent (December 2008) set of ACC/AHA guidelines for the management of congenital heart diseases. Bicuspid valve disease is a congenital condition. I haven't read it yet but the document in PDF format is here.

Gran Torino Trailer HD

Run Don't Walk to see this excellent movie. It will surprise you and it's good for the heart!

Symptoms: Who Me?

I used to pride myself on being able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. When we traveled I would always do the physical stuff like climb hundreds of steps to get to the top of the cathedral tower in Ulm, Germany. However. this past year we were in Spain and I couldn't even consider climbing to the top of the church tower in Santiago De Compostela for the view. On a cruise ship in October I couldn't walk up the several flights of stairs to get to my room at one point.

One day last summer I swam out to the sand bar off Fire Island. On the return I got a little tired and panicky but I made it. When I got to the beach I had major chest tightness down into my left arm. I put the dog on a leash and walked it off but it took 45 minutes.

These things are symptoms of my BAV disease to be sure. In the literature you find references to the subtle nature of some of the symptoms of valve disease, and warnings to cardios and surgeons that patients may not be aware that they actually do have symptoms. Last year in August when my cardio asked me about "chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, etc." I said no. That was a lie, but I was in denial.

What is clear in the literature is that people with BAV who are symptomatic should have surgery.