Unplanned Hospital Visit
Tuesday, February 28 I came into the St. Joseps's Heart Failure Center for a routine check and to discuss the symptoms I was aware of. I phoned Tracy, my transplant coordinator to let her know four days prior to my visit.
Game plan: have the Allomap (a non-evasive blood test used to assure no rejection in a transplanted heart) then back home to conduct the two scheduled presentations on risk factors and the fight against heart disease. Or so I thought. I was admitted immediately and was on my way to yet another procedure called a TEE. This is an ultrasound echo "thing" that is swallowed for a closer look at the heart valves through the esophagaus. Not as bad as it sounds.
The right heart catherization and simultaneous biospy shows rare but conflicting results which were sent to the Mayo Clinic for further review. My doctors are careful to leave no stone unturned. I can appreciate that. This is to be a ten day wait.
Hopefully thru me sharing information -- you get it. Not to use scare tactics to motivate anyone, but to educate those of you who want to prevent heart disease. And to indicate to many that though February is Heart Awareness Month, heart health is an everday factor. When the heart is happy ALL the organs are happy.
To your health,
~Coach Chip
