sue943
Well-known member
Living in such a small community we have little or no choice in the doctors we see, other than our general practioners. When I first became ill over two years ago there was a locum cardiologist and he was fantastic in every way, brilliant as a doctor and fantastic manner, plus for good measure he is only what one can describe as 'eye candy'. Regretably he didn't stay but for some months after leaving he used to visit once a month to see his private patients. Then at the end of last year he had to stop this as he was refused permission to prescribe drugs and to order any tests such as ECG, echos etc, this was to force us to use the new cardiologist.
Reluctantly I changed to the new permanent cardiologist whom I have now seen twice. This is a very highly qualified doctor, but just not the same. When I last went to see him, just a few weeks ago, the receptionist said that the former cardiologist was coming over with his family for a holiday and would like to say goodbye to some of his former patients. She asked if I would like to see him. I naturally jumped at the opportunity.
I was able to thank him for his care and to give him a small gift. Then he examined me and it was reassuring for me when he said the same as the other cardiologist, that all is well.
Whilst we were talking I told him that at times I wondered if I had made the right choice in going for mechanical. He said that given my age at the time, 57, and the fact that it was two valves then he thought the correct decision had been made. He said that although re-operation at 70ish is quite normal these days and mostly very successful but one would have needed to think hard about the possibility of a double valve replacement when there is considerable scar tissue. In his opinion to avoid that was probably a good decision. He then went on to say that he could see that I was managing fine with ACT and obviously knew the rules, to keep the intake of greens and alcohol steady and not just pigging out from time to time, to dose the diet and not to alter my lifestyle to suit the drug.
All in all it was a good meeting with him. He said we are friends for life and should I ever wish to talk to him, as a friend, then to phone him. Such a nice man.
Reluctantly I changed to the new permanent cardiologist whom I have now seen twice. This is a very highly qualified doctor, but just not the same. When I last went to see him, just a few weeks ago, the receptionist said that the former cardiologist was coming over with his family for a holiday and would like to say goodbye to some of his former patients. She asked if I would like to see him. I naturally jumped at the opportunity.
I was able to thank him for his care and to give him a small gift. Then he examined me and it was reassuring for me when he said the same as the other cardiologist, that all is well.
Whilst we were talking I told him that at times I wondered if I had made the right choice in going for mechanical. He said that given my age at the time, 57, and the fact that it was two valves then he thought the correct decision had been made. He said that although re-operation at 70ish is quite normal these days and mostly very successful but one would have needed to think hard about the possibility of a double valve replacement when there is considerable scar tissue. In his opinion to avoid that was probably a good decision. He then went on to say that he could see that I was managing fine with ACT and obviously knew the rules, to keep the intake of greens and alcohol steady and not just pigging out from time to time, to dose the diet and not to alter my lifestyle to suit the drug.
All in all it was a good meeting with him. He said we are friends for life and should I ever wish to talk to him, as a friend, then to phone him. Such a nice man.
