Hello all!
Well, I visited w/my cardiologist yesterday & here is a summary of what happened:
1.) He wants me to remain on the 20mg 2x/day revatio as I seem to tolerate that doseage better --- an Echo in 5-months will tell if the meds have addressed the high PH;
2.) I asked him point blank, so what now doc? Have I reached a medical/surgical plateau & am I just taking more meds to keep me comfortable because nothing else can be done for me at this point?
3.) Do I want to wait around to die and/or risk my present condition worsening to the point of no return? (I was told in June/2007 in Houston by the cardiologist there, that if I waited too long to attempt to swap out the mal-functioning prosthetic mitral valve, I may be looking at a heart/lung transplant or perhaps no options at all at that point!)
3.) Should I return to Dr. Cooley & his medical staff for a reassessment of my condition within the next few months?
My cardio was very receptive to the idea of me going to Houston for the reassessment since, as he put it, "I can't do much more on my end & I know you will not be satisified with anything else I can tell you here!" And he continued, "I would be very satisified with whatever recommendations/advice, Dr. Cooley & his staff can provide."
So, the ball is in my court and this morning I emailed Dr. Cooley thru his medical assistant, Dena Houchin. This is what I said to Dr. Cooley in my email:
Hello Dena:
I pray this email finds you well & I wish you a very Happy 2009! I am emailing an update on my condition so that you may relay this information to Dr. Cooley.
Dear Dr. Cooley,
Wishing you a very Happy & Healthy 2009. I pray that you are well and still actively involved with the happenings at the Texas Heart Institute.
In May/08, my husband & I took a cruise/tour of Alaska. It was our first cruise and it was absolutely wonderful! We actually hope that we may visit again, depending on our health off course.
I visited with my cardiologist, Dr. Demo Klonis, yesterday, whom I've been seeing every 3-months for a check-up & having an Echo performed at 6-month intervals. (I am attaching a copy of the last 2 echo's of 9/08 & 12/08.)
I have been feeling relatively well but seem to be suffering with PH now as revealed in the last two Echo's attached. Dr. Klonis prescribed revatio about a month ago but I was NOT tolerating it too well. I started having bad headaches, a lot of pressure in my head, nosebleeds & just a feeling of unwell ness. After about 3-weeks of being on the 20mg 3x day, I cut it back to 20mg 2x a day & seem to be doing much better on that dose. Dr. Klonis wants me to continue to stay on that dose & see where my pressures are for my next Echo in 5-months.
Upon my visit yesterday, I asked Dr. Klonis where I stand? He has reiterated to me that he has spoken to you about in the past year and you have expressed reluctance in performing a 4th OHS to replace the 34-year old mitral prosthesis valve due to the massive amount of scar tissue and the risks involved thereof.
But if I remember correctly, upon my last visit to see you in June/07, Dr. Biswajt Kar stated that if I waited too long and did nothing, I may be looking at a heart-lung transplant and perhaps that may not even be an option at that point either! I remember too, you expressed relief when I decided against a 4th surgery in 2007 and opted to come home instead. Did you express relief because you knew at that point that I was not mentally prepared to have this surgery or because you feel that I am a dead-end and/or surgerical options are no longer available to me? This is the question that plagues me Dr. Cooley and if such is the case, I want to know this.
I asked Dr. Klonis yesterday if he thinks I should return to Houston and have my situation reassessed by your team of doctors? He said that perhaps that was a good idea as he could not tell me what I should do at this point. He said that he would feel very comfortable with whatever decisions/recommendations came from you & your staff, as would I.
I value your advise and recommendations above all else, Dr. Cooley, so my question to you is, do you think I should return to Houston and be reassessed sometime soon or continue as I am and pray I don't reach that point of no return?
I shall await your reply and I thank you from the bottom of my mended heart for taking time from your busy schedule to read the ramblings of one of your humble and ever grateful patient's.
Respectfully yours,
njp
Would appreciate your feedback. Do you think I'm pushing the envelope & I'm looking for my own demise or should I just let well enough alone?
Well, I visited w/my cardiologist yesterday & here is a summary of what happened:
1.) He wants me to remain on the 20mg 2x/day revatio as I seem to tolerate that doseage better --- an Echo in 5-months will tell if the meds have addressed the high PH;
2.) I asked him point blank, so what now doc? Have I reached a medical/surgical plateau & am I just taking more meds to keep me comfortable because nothing else can be done for me at this point?
3.) Do I want to wait around to die and/or risk my present condition worsening to the point of no return? (I was told in June/2007 in Houston by the cardiologist there, that if I waited too long to attempt to swap out the mal-functioning prosthetic mitral valve, I may be looking at a heart/lung transplant or perhaps no options at all at that point!)
3.) Should I return to Dr. Cooley & his medical staff for a reassessment of my condition within the next few months?
My cardio was very receptive to the idea of me going to Houston for the reassessment since, as he put it, "I can't do much more on my end & I know you will not be satisified with anything else I can tell you here!" And he continued, "I would be very satisified with whatever recommendations/advice, Dr. Cooley & his staff can provide."
So, the ball is in my court and this morning I emailed Dr. Cooley thru his medical assistant, Dena Houchin. This is what I said to Dr. Cooley in my email:
Hello Dena:
I pray this email finds you well & I wish you a very Happy 2009! I am emailing an update on my condition so that you may relay this information to Dr. Cooley.
Dear Dr. Cooley,
Wishing you a very Happy & Healthy 2009. I pray that you are well and still actively involved with the happenings at the Texas Heart Institute.
In May/08, my husband & I took a cruise/tour of Alaska. It was our first cruise and it was absolutely wonderful! We actually hope that we may visit again, depending on our health off course.
I visited with my cardiologist, Dr. Demo Klonis, yesterday, whom I've been seeing every 3-months for a check-up & having an Echo performed at 6-month intervals. (I am attaching a copy of the last 2 echo's of 9/08 & 12/08.)
I have been feeling relatively well but seem to be suffering with PH now as revealed in the last two Echo's attached. Dr. Klonis prescribed revatio about a month ago but I was NOT tolerating it too well. I started having bad headaches, a lot of pressure in my head, nosebleeds & just a feeling of unwell ness. After about 3-weeks of being on the 20mg 3x day, I cut it back to 20mg 2x a day & seem to be doing much better on that dose. Dr. Klonis wants me to continue to stay on that dose & see where my pressures are for my next Echo in 5-months.
Upon my visit yesterday, I asked Dr. Klonis where I stand? He has reiterated to me that he has spoken to you about in the past year and you have expressed reluctance in performing a 4th OHS to replace the 34-year old mitral prosthesis valve due to the massive amount of scar tissue and the risks involved thereof.
But if I remember correctly, upon my last visit to see you in June/07, Dr. Biswajt Kar stated that if I waited too long and did nothing, I may be looking at a heart-lung transplant and perhaps that may not even be an option at that point either! I remember too, you expressed relief when I decided against a 4th surgery in 2007 and opted to come home instead. Did you express relief because you knew at that point that I was not mentally prepared to have this surgery or because you feel that I am a dead-end and/or surgerical options are no longer available to me? This is the question that plagues me Dr. Cooley and if such is the case, I want to know this.
I asked Dr. Klonis yesterday if he thinks I should return to Houston and have my situation reassessed by your team of doctors? He said that perhaps that was a good idea as he could not tell me what I should do at this point. He said that he would feel very comfortable with whatever decisions/recommendations came from you & your staff, as would I.
I value your advise and recommendations above all else, Dr. Cooley, so my question to you is, do you think I should return to Houston and be reassessed sometime soon or continue as I am and pray I don't reach that point of no return?
I shall await your reply and I thank you from the bottom of my mended heart for taking time from your busy schedule to read the ramblings of one of your humble and ever grateful patient's.
Respectfully yours,
njp
Would appreciate your feedback. Do you think I'm pushing the envelope & I'm looking for my own demise or should I just let well enough alone?
