My good friends, I am now back home and feeling pretty decent. I just ate my first home-cooked meal following the Mediterranean Diet and I must say it was actually pretty good. I am taking a lot more pills than I did a few days ago and as a result the cost of living has seen a notable increase. All in all I am happy to be alive and have no intention of complaining over having to make a few changes.
My very good friend JC called me this morning and we compared notes on our symptoms and treatment. What we went through is nearly identical. John, if you read this, I can't thank you enough for sharing your story. After hanging up the phone I had a much brighter outlook on things. Thank you!
The complicated details... the problem lies in my coronary arteries. These are the ones that deliver blood to the heart muscle supplying oxygen and nutrients. I had a total (100%) blockage in my left anterior artery. This particular artery is commonly called the Widow Maker. I now have a stent in it. Four small areas, two above and two below the stent still have smaller blockages of 25% and 50%. The left circumflex artery still has two blockages of 50% and 75%, and my right coronary artery still has three blockages of 25% each. The Dr. said my heart is weak and my ejection fraction is only 30-35%. Normal is 50-70%. I am on medication to hopefully help clear and heal them. Only time will tell whether or not it works. Right now I feel fine, but I do tire easily. Getting a shower this evening wore me out. Sleeping in my own bed tonight will be wonderful!
The future involves medication, cardiac rehab, diet change, followups, and a heckuva lot of walking... and probably stuff I don't know about yet.
On the bright side, I have been told a nearly full recover is possible. For 72 years I ate whatever I wanted in any quantities that I wanted. Now I guess it's time to pay the piper.
Thank you all for the prayers, well wishes, smart remarks (
Shawn), and everything else you threw at me. You guys/gals are the absolute best!
