Surprised that my appointment was with my surgeon!

[Frenchbulldogsx]

Hello again,

I was given a week's notice to attend an appointment at Hove polyclinic to discuss my current health condition with a member of Dr Ahmed's team. So insisting on a referral with my Gp worked.

What a lovely surprise to realise that I was in the company of my surgeon from 2017 who saved my life, he completed a quadruple bypass, oh yeah I shook his hand.... And what a lovely man he explained everything to me. He was very informative but reassuring.

He showed me on a plastic model the grafts that he added and showed me the 1 that was now blocked but said that although he completed 4 grafts I only needed 3 but as I am young he gave me an extra 1.He just said to be careful of my lifestyle choices but as my heart disease is due to genetics it was difficult but to manage it with diet and exercise.

He didn't feel that the stabbing pains behind and under my heart were actually my heart. All considering he assured me that my heart was pretty good apart from heart disease.

As for my recent heart attack he said 7/97 levels were very mild and someone who has had a severe heart attacks levels are in the 3000 range.

He told me to go away and live my life, and that as a surgeon he had no concerns as all my tests were good results.

Although this is a relief, I cannot ignore that my health has changed, I tire easily and get pains and breathless at times. I believe that the Ticagrelor medication although needed has side effects but he said to speak to the cardiologist next month as he is a surgeon and not trained in medication.

[Sunnie2day]

Sometimes we have to push even though we'd really rather not have to - pushing got you a great result! I wouldn't be surprised if your surgeon was happy to see the results of his handiwork two years on. Interesting he isn't too concerned about the recent heart attack, is your cardiologist appointment specifically to talk about that?

Good reminder, too, that surgeons are not trained especially regarding medications. I think sometimes we expect (I know I have to remind myself, and I was married to a surgeon!) the surgeon to know everything the consultant physician knows but it really doesn't work that way - each has their speciality and that doesn't overlap as much as we think it does.

Now, onto the cardiologist and hopefully that consult will have you 'good-to-go'.

[Becksagogo]

Oh lucky you French Bulldogs. Of all the surgeons you have probably picked the best. Mr Ahmed is the most wonderful man with such a good bedside manner. I was in hospital last year for a long time following major heart surgery and Mr Ahmed would pop by my bed every day to see how I was doing. Even at 7 o clock at night after a long day in theatre.

Unfortunately due to complications with my heart I have another surgeon now who whilst very good doesn't have the same manner as Mr Ahmed.

Good luck with your recovery.

[Frenchbulldogsx in reply to Becksagogo]

Becksagogo

Isn't he just! So reassuring and had a lovely way of putting things. Unfortunately when I had my recent cardiac event I was taken to the conquest hospital where I was treated by a locum who was let's just say brisk and thoughtless with absolutely no bedside manner 😔, apparently he is now a permanent member of the team. He basically said you have had a heart attack, this was 3 days after the event and the back of my heart was dead!! As you can imagine I was so upset and have been on tender hooks ever since. If I had everything explained to me as Mr Ahmed had done it would have put my mind at ease. He explained fully and said as a surgeon he had no concerns.

I read your introduction and it sounds like you have had a rough ride to put it mildly.... Good on you for getting on with it and facing each challenge.. Have you been on your holiday yet? I flew last month for the first time in 3 years, Stansted to France I used the assistance at Stansted and its so stress free except I forgot to remove my gtn spray out of my bum bag so caused uproar but hey ho. ... Enjoy and let us know how you got on ❤️

[Becksagogo in reply to Frenchbulldogsx]

I have to say that compared to a lot of people on the site, I have it quite easy. I still have my job and my driving license and whilst I struggle for breath some days, my heart hasn't gone into AF since my ablation last year. I am due another valve repair but no date as yet. I think they are going to let me recover from the last one first!

I do miss Mr Ahmed; whilst my current surgeon is an expert in his field, I usually see one of his team.

I went to Lanzarote in early October and was amazed at the help received at both Gatwick and Arecife Airports. I felt like the queen!

I also went to York a couple of weekends ago but was reliant on taxis for getting around because I am unable to walk too far.

I have just tempered my life to the things I can do rather than the things I can't but there are things I do miss like having a dog. I had hoped to retire with a houseful of rescue dogs but would never cope!

I hope your recovery continues.