Since we last spoke

Thursday, April 13, 2006 

 

Since we last spoke I had the cardiac stress test. They try to kill you on a treadmill or if they think that WOULD kill you, they do it chemically. Mine was treadmill. When Bubba did it, their treadmill was broke, so they did his chemically. He felt fine in 30 minutes, I was sore for two days. Those results were to have been discussed at the doctor's appointment yesterday, but the regular doc did not get them from the heart doc. My regular doc thinks the heart doc was out playing golf as it has been BEAUTIFUL this week here

 

I discussed the LB with the regular doc and he said he had considered this as an option for me. But as it is an ELECTIVE surgery, the patient is required by insurance to ask, he can not suggest. He commended me on the choice, as the other operation is a bad choice. He stated he had 6 or 7 patients who had the LB in the last year and 6 did great. number 7 did not as most of his calories are BEER RELATED. We discussed my beer and bourbon desires and how I gave that up for a month and lost no weight- I just got GRUMPY. He said with LB after a few months-3 to 6- if I wanted to have a beer at the Reds game that would be fine.  But no more beer an inning days like 10-15 years ago. I told him that I was a 1 or 2 beer a game person now- BECAUSE THE DAMN THINGS COST $7.50 EACH NOW. We laughed.  

 

As of now- NO BIKE RIDING.PERIOD.

Doc says the bottom number of my BP has to get to 95 or lower and stay there for a week, then I can ride, but only with a pulse meter and limiting my heart rate.

 

As you know, I SNORE, well that is weight related, but also related to a HIATAL HERNIA.  So, we are having tests for that as well. Even without a Lap Band surgery, odds are I need surgery for that. My Dad had this-it is in my gene pool. He had many problems like I do, but Dad did NOT do as the doc said post op. This doc says after hiatal hernia surgery, I would be on a liquid diet, progressing to soft foods over weeks. The reason the hiatal hernia is such a factor is that my Dad died of stomach cancer. It started in the area of his hiatal hernia scars. One theory is that since Dad did not follow the doctor's orders, that the continued problems he had the last 15 years of his life were all related. Depending on the hiatal hernia surgery complications, much of what Bubba does dietarily would be in effect for me with or without a Lap Band. No more taking a big chuck of steak and chewing twice and gulping it down!

 

 

As a result of recent doctor's appointments, there are even MORE scheduled.

After being placed on high Blood pressure medicine yesterday, I felt horrible and went back to the doctor this morning.

 

Thursday April 20                                                    Deaconness Endoscopy

Saturday April 22  8PM to 6 AM                            Sleep test

Monday April 24 8PM to 6 AM                               Sleep test #2

Tuesday April 25 2:30 PM                                      Lab Band Psychiatrist

Tuesday May 2 3:45                                                 Endoscopy follow-up

Monday May 8 2:45                                                 BP tests  follow-up

 

So, that's where we are at.

 

Now- off to get my daily BP Test!

 

JC