Cardiac Catheterization on the SMO - long upd
Ok, now that I’ve calmed down, here’s the story. I went to the
cardiologist for my clearance. EKG normal, BP 110/70. He says the
exchocardiogram is cloudy, but what he can see is normal, so he makes
an appointment for a nuclear stress test. I have the test on Monday,
April 1st. On Tuesday his receptionist calls me and says the stress
test was positive, but he wants to discuss the results with the
surgeon, and wont be available to speak to him till Friday. Wait a
sec, what do you mean my test is positive? what’s wrong with me? Why
isnt the doctor talking to me. She has me hold on for 15 minutes, he
gets on the phone and says that the stress test is “positive, but
inconclusive” and that “part of my heart didnt light up with the
nuclear juice like it should, which might indicate a blockage.” Sure,
talk to me like I’m in kindergarten. “The next logical step would be
an angiogram, but the maximum weight on the table is 400 lbs, so all
I can tell you is to lose 40 lbs and call me back, and I’ll discuss
all this with your surgeon, but in all good conscience I cant give
you clearance for an elective surgery.” Friday comes and goes, I call
Macura’s office an Tuesday, and am basically told that while they’re
looking for someplace for me to get the angiogram, but that I should
be proactive and look myself. seeya.
now for the good news….
I saw another cardiologist today. He read the results of the nuclear
stress test and said the pictures were so bad he couldnt understand
how they could call it a positive result. The original cardiologist
wrote that my heart refraction was 35%. 50% is considered normal.
This cardiologist did a repeat echo and my refraction is over 60%.
He even came into the room during the test to read the screen
himself. He’s sending me for a non-evasive procedure called a
debutimine contrast echocardiogram on Monday at the hospital, to
disprove the positive/inconclusive result of the stress test. He also
says there’s at least 2 other diagnostic procedures that could be
done on me before something as invasive and risky as an angiogram is
called for. He’s almost positive I’m ok. But if there IS anything
positive on the debutamine test, he assures me we’ll work together to
treat me, and not just tell me to “lose 40 lbs and call me” like the
first uncaring bastard told me. I should have test results by
tuesday, and possibly cardiac clearance.
Neil
Pre-op, again, hopefully.
PS, I want to thank everyone that wrote me with support and advice,
and I especially want to thank my friend Karen for loving and caring
for me enough to help me find an obese-friendly caring cardiologist.