Click here for my on-line book. The Latest "I could not be better" The heart cardioversion worked for me. I now have a regular heart beat and the "A fib" is gone. I am back in sinus rhythm and able to run again. My cardiac catheterization was scheduled for 9:30 on the 11th. I arrived at the hospital at 7:30 and went through all of the preparations for the scheduled that was delayed until 4 because of two emergencies. I was awake for the process and listened to the doctors at work. I watched as the small, thin tube (catheter) was inserted into an artery and then guided into the various heart chambers under direct observation and fluoroscopic x-ray. The pressure measurements were obtained which provided the cardiologist with all the information regarding the function of my heart. This angiography went well. Contrast material (dye) is used to visualize and photograph the coronary arteries as well as various heart chambers. By means of the contrast dye and the motion pictures visualizing the coronary artery circulation it was determined that three of the bypasses were functioning perfectly and the one that one that is doing poorly can be helped by changing the heart medicine I am using. This will allow the updating of the medicines I use and with a few new medicines I should be able to begin training for another marathon.
The exercise is the important part of the treatment. What appeared to be a new heart attack was only the scar tissue from previous heart attacks. The shortness of breath, which led to all the visits to the doctor of the last month, can be helped without new surgery.
All in all, it was the best possible news that I could have received. All the prayers that I received accomplished the miracle I was looking for. By Monday I should be able to return to full activity and golf and even jogging are part of my recovery program. I was back home by 11:30. It was a one-day visit to the hospital. The seven-hour delay before the surgery began taught me a good lesson of patience.
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