MRI Results Finally In...

After having an MRI done at Royal Papworth on 2nd January 202, I finally have the results. Guessing they were couried by Great Anglia trains!

It appears my Aortic Valve is leaking, causing my Left Ventricle to pump harder to compensate - with an infracfion rate of 30%, which has resulted in it (LV) becoming enlarged.

So there we have it.

I have been released for short flights now to nearby destinations in Europe (I was supposed to have done a trip to Hong Kong when the heart failure was discovered and flying was banned), but advised not to book anything as they may be calling me for a few more tests on the 'sooner than later' waiting list, prior to deciding on an actual course of treatment. Mrs B has a hankering for a trip to Malta, which apparently would also suit my photographic interests - so that may have to wait for a month or wtwo!

My NP advises that she will speak to the 'Cardiologist of the Week' (apparently their term for the on call consultant for that week) and get something more definitive ot tell. Apparenlty the CotW is also the Cardiologist dealing with my case - how lucky am I that they are one and the same just when some definitive information is needed...

Having read what everyone has to say on here, and what the BHF web site says etc, I think it would be fair to say I can expect a trip to the local operating theatre for an AV replacement op at some point - unless they think the medication is doing the job welll enough for now.

Well, I think that just gives me time to go and look for a replacement computer for studies: I have applied for and been accepted on a place at the local University for a degree course on Web and App Development commencing this September Apparently my ZX81 and Commodore64 will not be sufficient for the course needs). At 57, this might make me the oldest student on the class or year - but the fun I will have watching all those youngters being young and daring as youngsters like to be.

I can share my B&W Polaroids with them when reminiscing about 'my day'

[Sunnie2day]

Well done you for the course! I did my Masters mostly online and it was an interesting experience to be the oldest in the group especially when we did 'brick and mortar' meetings. the 'kids' were all wonderful, very respectful but happy to share on all sorts and they never once made me feel out of place or patronised.

One day I'll be having the AVR myself (Rheumatic Heart) but so far manageable with meds and monitoring. It gives me such courage to read the posts here from those who've had it done!

[Hidden in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thank you for that. I have tried to study with the OU in the past, but without much luck.

I found i needed the classroom sessions, and they werent always nearby, so am glad to have been offered a place locally where transport is not an issue.

Glad you had a great time, and from my experience in the workplace, the 'yoof of today' are not the muppets stereotyping would have us believe. They are just the same us people of 'my era' except younger and with different life experiences.

As for my AV, well I've been told I can;t plan a visit to Malta or similar anytime soon, so will have ot make do with a beach hut at Clacton, Felixstowe or Gt Yarmouth

[Sunnie2day in reply to Hidden]

Ah, 'staycation' - just remember if driving to your holiday spot you will need to stop every hour or two for a five minute walk. With my heart I've noticed sitting in the car for more than 90 minutes brings on ankle swelling but that five minutes walk seems to really help!

Btw, my son (37yo) would have such Commodore64 envy!

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Sunnie2day]

I have a Dragon 32 in the attic. It heaviest use was for assembly programming when I was doing my MSc in IT. Although a mature student I was popular as I had a car.

[Sunnie2day in reply to MichaelJH]

My son has me on permanent BOLO (be on the look-out for) for one of those, I've never talked to anyone who has one until you, WOW!

[Hidden in reply to Sunnie2day]

I no longer have my Commodore 64. As much as I iss it, I traded it out for a Commodore Amiga - the first computer with a floppy disk drive and with a HD option. I remeber having 3 floppy drives attached to it and a 52mb EHD plugged in via the SCART port on the left side of the keyboard.

Now THAT was a computer that should have taken the world by storm...

It could multi task in ways that some computers till only achieve by throwing the grunt of powerful processes and graphic cards with secondary processers at the problem. It ran it against a PC with Intel Pentium Processor and Windows 95 with 4mb Ram - the Win 95 did not come even close to matching the capabilities of the Amiga... That computer was a real loss to the computing world

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

What other tests have you had? When you have valve surgery they usually check for other issues like narrowed arteries - one op being preferable to two.

[Hidden in reply to MichaelJH]

Had an Echo Cardiagram and am awaiting a Cardio Endoscopy - is that the name? They will put a camera down my throat to undertake an ultrasound of my AV in action, and there is the possibility of a 'keyhole' inspection of the actual AV as well.

This is my understanding of the options for the Cardiologist who will be reviewing the results of all that has gone on so far. I'm not saying that following this test, I AM having surgery. I'm only repeating what the NP conveyed to me as the known options bassed on the MRI results.

There is also the option that they may say that medication is more than adequate and covering all necessary bases at this time. I'm happy with either of the options discussed.

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

Hi SuffolkLad

Thanks for your very upbeat post. Good luck with any future medical interventions.

A Commodore64 - that takes me back to - 1982 I think, my introduction to computing, which surprising I stuck with, despite the process with a C64 being depressingly slow and random and ended up getting paid for it.

If you haven't been to Malta, it's lovely place with some amazing old buildings and churches.. The only unnerving thing I found when I went there was their attitude to crossroads, it was hand on horn and put your foot down - probably not advised if you have a heart condition.

[Hidden]

Thanks for the heads up re: Malta. You've ticked all the boxes for sure. Just need permission to go now...

My favourite machine was the Commodore Amiga, really got to master that little baby and wrote some good educational software for it. I know it was good because my daughters shared it with all their friends who all shared it with their friends etc... It turns out the parents would happily paid a fiver for it as the kids enjoyed it so much and it helped with their education - but as the daughters had given it away, no parents seemed willing to 'donate' anything as per shareware principle of the day.

We still laugh about it sometimes. My chance of glory as a programmer undermined by my daughters desire to share! You raise them to share and then when you don't want them to...

In fairness, that was th eonly problem with computing in those days - it was almost impossible to lock software down so it couldnt be copied.

[Routemaster]

You will enjoy your course. I am an OU student and on one of my modules there was a lady well into her 80s. She said that it kept her brain active! I too find the youngsters delightful and always willing to share their expertise.

[Hidden]

Now an update...

The 'Cardiologist of the Week' has called (can't help but think of Billy Connolly's routine on "Potatoes of the Night" with that term) and advised the following:

My AV is leaking and my LV is leaking.

Surgery is a given, so need to undergo two more tests to validate what is expected to be undertaken. Endoscopic Ultrasound and an inspection of the AV and associated arteries to see if the arteries need stenting, and if the AV & LV leaks can be recitifed with some creative surgery (holes sewn up closed) or if they need replacing.

So that is the sum of my condition.

Appointments have bene requested on the moderate to urgent list for the above tests (apparently) so they can facilitate the surgery which, based on best information is about as 'routine as heart surgery can ever get'.

Cardiologist did remind me that ther eis no such thing as fool proof surgery, but some procedures are considered as more likely to succeed than others, and what is epxected for me comes in that class.

We can only wait and see.

If they haven't completed all this by September, they'll have to wait until January when there is a break in term time for my studies, or next summer when there is a break between year 1 and year 2.

Well, you know - I've got a degree to get and a life to live!