Posted by Henry Alken on October 14, 2001 at 16:04:00:
Thank you Jack for your phone call this afternoon. None of this would be happening but for your message board. Your call reminded me that I should make a post.
I am a 69 yr old male who has had afib for 5 yrs. I arrived in Cleveland on Tuesday after a flight from Philadelphia. The plane had only 17 passengers. I took the RTA train and 48 bus from the airport to the Clinic ($1.50). The Guesthouse hotel is very comfortable and is across the street from the Clinic.
On Thursday I reported to the Clinic for blood tests, chest X-ray and echo. I met Dr Hammer the cardiologist. He is a very precise, meticulous and knowledgeable doctor. I was very impressed. He informed me that the echo test indicated a slightly leaky mitral valve. He thought the leak was probably caused by the small enlargement of the heart and would probably disappear after the Maze. They will not take any action in regard to the valve.
On Friday, I reported for the heart cath. This was done by passing a catheter through the arm to the heart. The artery in the elbow is cut down and exposed. The procedure is painless. Dr Hammer later told me that all the heart arteries were clear except one that was slightly constricted. Again, he said they would not bypass it since it was insufficiently constricted. He said that maybe in 10 years or so I might require it to be done.
So, on Wednesday, I will be having the Maze only, by Dr McCarthy.
Since I am not taking Coumadin, Dr Hammer wrote a prescription for Lovenox to be taken twice a day until Wednesday. Lovenox is an injectable. It comes in the form of a syringe containing the blood thinner. The fat around the stomach is squeezed, cleaned with an alcohol swab, and the needle is put in. Then the drug is injected. The needle is only 1/2 inch long and very thin. It is painless. I do this twice a day. Unfortunately, Dr Hammer told me that Insurance companies do not cover this medication. It costs $45 per syringe. I bought 6 syringes. He pointed out that paying for it was better than having a stroke.
Cleveland Clinic is really something. It seems to be manned by workaholics. Every medical person I met here is very competent and knowledgable. No one sits around. Everything is done in accord with a tight schedule. The doctors work long hours. I asked how many heart caths they do each day. They replied "40". I feel I am in very good hands here and I am hoping for the best.
My thanks to all the folk who have posted to this board and to the people who have answered my many email questions. I would not be here today but for you.
Good luck to all of you.
- Re: Arrived in Cleveland Posted for Carl Plaskett Jack Drum 10:22:06 10/15/2001 (0)
- Re: Arrived in Cleveland Jack Drum for Carl 08:58:03 10/15/2001 (0)
- Re: Arrived in Cleveland Ed Wehan 23:06:47 10/14/2001 (0)