Health is a gift

[Rob Wick]

Hello all.

Some of you who have been here for a while might remember that in 2013 I underwent a quadruple bypass operation. At the time I was also diagnosed with congestive heart failure, although my doctor tells me that it's possible to control and slow its progression, if only you take care of yourself.

Saturday night we were issued a tornado warning. Cheryl and I went to our shelter. Given that it was pouring down rain, we both ran to our vehicle and then into the building. While standing in the basement, I noticed something wasn't quite right in my chest. I just assumed that between the running and the nerves I felt being under a tornado warning (which didn't do any damage where we were, but people in adjoining counties weren't as lucky, although fortunately no one was hurt) probably just triggered some chest discomfort. After it was over, we returned home and went about our normal business. However, I knew something was still wrong. I couldn't lay down for long and the tightness in my chest continued along with a fluttering of my heart that was noticeable, but only happened occasionally.

Being the stubborn male that I am, I debated with myself as to whether I should wake Cheryl up and go to the ER. It wasn't until around 3 a.m. that I finally decided to do so. With all the COVID-19 precautions, Cheryl wasn't even allowed into the ER, so I went in and was immediately diagnosed. I knew that I had not had any of the prominent symptoms of the virus and I have been at home since March 19 without setting foot outside. I was admitted and yesterday I was scheduled for a stress test. It came back that one of my smaller arteries (veins?) had a blockage. The cardiologist determined that I needed a heart catherization, which took place this morning.

The upshot of this is that the blockage did not require a stent, but can be treated medicinally. The other arteries that were replaced during the 2013 surgery are still doing well. My heart is functioning at about 70 percent capacity, which for a CHF patient is not too bad. Of course, I also had swelling in my legs due to my stubbornness in not eating foods too high in sodium or fat. Just as an example, I love Long John Silvers, ever since my mother and I would eat at our local one many times in a month when I was growing up. Cheryl and I ate there Friday evening and the meal I had clocked in at 5,320 milligrams of sodiuim. To tell you how much that is, the dietary guidelines for someone in my condition is not to have any more than 1,500 to 2,000 mgs PER DAY! So I ate enough in one sitting to last me for the next five days.

They drained a good bit of fluid off of me (which immediately caused me to breathe much easier) and once again put me back on the road to health. I bring this up not only to let my friends here know what happened, but to serve as a message. If something doesn't feel right, get it checked out. When I was telling a nurse that I wasn't sure if I should come in or not, she told me that they would rather be able to tell a patient or his/her family that nothing is wrong as opposed to telling them someone had died because they ignored symptoms. Of course, with the virus in the world, no one wants to make an unnecessary trip that might take away care from someone else, but unless you're a doctor, you likely will have no idea whether the trip is necessary or not. And even if you are a doctor, remember that Lincoln wasn't only right when he said that a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client. The same could be said for people who diagnose themselves.

Stay safe everyone!

Best
Rob