Cardio appt

[Zazzy]

Hi all...
Went to see my cardio and oncologist today. All is well as far as the leukemia goes.... steady as a rock lol. My echo shows that my EF is now at a whopping 57%!!!! Up from 50% in December. My cardio says that I am almost normal. (I don't know if he meant heart-wise or disposition-wise! lol) As far as my palps go.... he suspects that it may be an electrolyte problem so ordered a blood test.... so today I got a poke in the right arm at the oncos and then one in the left (as I insisted) at the cardios. Sheesh... I swear that I went into the bathroom after the second blood-letting and I could no longer see my reflection!!!! Anyway... he gave me some samples of magnesium to try.... it's another pill... but hey! at least it isn't a beta-blocker! lol I hope that I get as good results as Janie and others.

Onco gave me a script for pain pills.... so no more bad headaches and aching legs without something to take!! I am banned from Tylenol because of liver problems while taking Gleevec and Ibuprofen does a number on my stomach.

I will go back to Spokane to see the onco in four weeks for a checkup and blood tests (again) and will see the cardio again in May. Next week I will go to see a plastic surgeon.

I was interviewed by my former co-worker at the paper here for an article about my support group that I'm starting. He asked me how many miles I have logged since the decision was made to do my surgery. I tallied it up and found out that my husband and I have driven 10,700 miles in the last year and a half from our home here in St. Maries to Spokane, Wash. for doctor appts. But... I forgot the five visits I made there to the ENT before my heart surgery so that would put the total up to 11,000 miles! Sheesh... I can drive that in my sleep!!!

Take care,
Zazzy

[Mb]

Wow! Sounds like a great appt.!

57% ejection fraction.that is wonderful. But, I have a question for you. I didn't realize that the EF could go up????? Why would that happen?

Bravo....sounds like you are well on your way!

Marybeth

[Ron K]

Hi Zazzy,

Great news about your cardio exam. You must be doing something right! :)

I hate the blood drawings, but I can tolerate them a little better now that I've had so many more blood tests in the last few months, especially in the hospital.

You have so many, you must feel like a pin cushion some days.


Take care --- Ron K.

[Jack]

Hi Zazzy,

I am delighted to learn about your good cardio and oncologist visits and the improving test results.

I remember when you joined us on this forum and told us about your fight with leukemia, this was some bad news and we prayed for your recovery. It is amazing how positive thinking and good nature will help our bodies recover.


Good luck and continued good health,

Jack.

[Zazzy]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, Marybeth, an EF can improve.... mine was 20% when they did my mitral repair in October 2000; to 30% in February 2001; to 35% in May 2001; 50% in Dec. 2001; and now 57%. I also have dilated cardiomyopathy and chf. The proper care and the right meds are absolutely amazing aren't they?!!!

Take care,
Zazzy

[Nancy]

HI Zazzy-

Great news. You're amazing! Keep it up, keep it up.

[sylviayasgur]

hi zazzy!
you are such an inspiration to us all. i am so thrilled that those appointments went well.
i think there are quite a few people here who take magnesium for arrhythmias and find it to be very effective. joey takes it too.
how many miles do you have on that car of yours???
please keep letting us know how you are.
God bless, sylvia

[RobThatsMe]

Hi Zazzy,

You are amazing! Guess you have proved to many of us that a positive attitude can do wonders! You are the most postive person that I know, facing all kinds of odds, you have kept your spirits high, and came out a winner! May you streak of good fortune continue for many years to come!

Rob

[Jessica_B.]

Congrats on the improved EF! Yours is even better than mine (mine is at 54 with the new heart) :D!

Pills, pills, pills... I've had two more added to my little regime :rolleyes: but it's nothing profound :cool:.

I would not take a betablocker unless it was over my dead body, in which case I would not need it ;). Anyway, you know what I think of those palps and you also know what you should do if they get worse ;). Take care, hugs,

/Jessica :D