Well, it's 3 years ago today my new friend Stemi cams to call, very unexpected and certainly not welcome. I did get to meet some new friends though, they visited in a shiny yellow van with disco blue lights and a wicked sound system. Three days and 7 stents later I was released back into the community with a carrier bag full of presents (meds) and so begins the road back to the new norm, whatever that was going to be yaaay.
Since then I've has 3 echocardiograms. 1 stress perfusion MRI, unfortunately no improvement in my ejection fraction (boo) and despite sticking to the meds and rehab and regular exercising and diet, I'm still between 35-39%, but the powers that be say the tissue is viable, so fingers crossed.
The future? So far looks great tbh, healthy, still going on my cruises and made time for myself after reducing work by 40%....yes I still get some bad days, out of the blue, feel pretty awful, drained, feeing fragile (odd feeling, difficult to describe to the docs), just hunker down and it passes, just part of the wonderful journey we're all on.
My advice to those unfortunately finding themselves at the start of they're journey? It's not to a destination, it's a path and it's not a straight one, ups and downs are normal, meds are both your best friend and can be a real pain & changes in dosages are common. Please stick with it, as I've said before one here, brighter days are coming, literally..... allow yourself time to just look around, take in all that is good, and....easier to say than to do, but be good to you, you deserve it.
Take care...oh yes remember to be good to those closest to you, they're also on your path with you
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Cruiser25
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This is my husbands account but I'm typing this today. This has moved me to tears. He's 8 weeks following his STEMI (3 echocardiograms, 3 stents and an angioplasty). Everyone tells him his heart is functioning well (blood flow, etc) but he continues to have unexplained residual niggle/pressure in the bottom of his throat and upper, central chest area. No one seems worried/has an answer (he's seeing the cardiologist this week following the third angiogram and the third new stent being fitted three days ago). He's incredibly low at the moment as the niggle remains. I've told him not to give up but he's convinced that he'll never get better. I needed your post today, it gives me hope, even if he can't see that yet, I hope he will soon. Thank you. ❤️🩹
I must say your reply affected me and reminded me of me...2 3/4 years ago. I too was having minor chest niggles & it was this forum which reassured me that these are to be expected. You've been reassured the flow is good, that's amazing news, but sometimes convincing yourself is where the anxiety is. I've had 2 trips into the cardiac decisions unit in my favourite yellow disco bus, following some niggles, thankfully all good & released back into the community. My point is, 6 stents can really knock you about, there's the trauma of the Stemi, then the ballooning and stent insertion all take they're toll, this needs time and patience to calm down and swelling etc to subside.
What I did not mention was my own anxiety early on...there was a time when I was so worried I couldn't make the short walk to rehab, then if I made it, how was I ever going to make it back to the car? I needed trauma counselling to deal with the emotions which would just burst out unexpectedly...the best help I've ever sought!.
Now, these feelings will diminish and you will learn to live with them, just as we all have faced on here. They will always be a part of you...embrace them, use them to gather your determination to move forward, shout scream and swear at them if you wish, I know I have, but that energy you have and the second chance the medical team have worked so hard to provide is your launch pad.
Quite soon after my event I emailed the Ambulance Service and the Cardiac Ward team to thank them for what they did, I bawled every minute I was writing it, but it also got a lot of the rubbish feelings out which I was carrying around. I'm not suggesting this is something you should do, this was just something I found which got the inside-outside! This forum and some key members, a couple of whom have left, helped me more than I could ever repay and I will always be forever sincerely thankful.
Hi Cruiser 25. Wednesday/Thursday was my 5 year anniversary of my MI, 7 stents, 3 nights in hospital (first time) & a goody bag to go home with (again a first for me). Despite permanent damage due to trying to carry on despite what was happening to me, my ef is up to 50%. Like you I have mostly good days but also days, sometimes up to 3 maybe 4 where I just don't feel right & really struggle to describe anything specific, just feel crappy & legs are a bit like lead. I've recently got a new GP as the previous one retired, I've only seen the new one once but seems quite sympathetic unlike the old one really didn't give a toss. I'd like an angiogram as I'm 5 years on, when I had my procedure the surgeon pointed out a potential narrowing that might need a stent in the future, this so far has fallen on deaf ears. So I just carry on & what will be will be.
It's a bit of an ask, but the Cardiac stress perfusion MRI is the gold standard & will reveal how everything is doing. Are you in contact with your Cardiologist from 5 yrs ago? I managed to keep a link open to my Cardiologists secretary so I could ask the odd question or seek advice, my GP was great but I preferred an expert opinion from someone who knew me, really reassured me when I needed it, bit like the forum really.
I tried to contact him via his secretary last year, but got no response. I've been contemplating going private for an angiogram & if anything needs doing they do it there & then. But...... I've worked all my life & paid my fair share so why should I pay for it. I was also a victim of the virus we can't mention on here, I had my MI just as it was kicking off, consequently I had one follow up phone call with a different cardiologist & no rehab. I had to ask for a blood test after 2 years to make sure my liver function was ok, I've had 1 more since then just a blood test to check for diabetes
I think were able to mention Covid now, I had this just 2 weeks before my MI, so there's a question there! Sorry you've had to fight the system, disappointing but understandable... I've always chosen to believe no-one is trying to do a bad job, but were all human and fallible. Surely the GP is conducting yearly blood tests for function, blood counts etc?
Rehab is a biggie & never too late to start & brill for self confidence, esteem and reassurance.
Hoping you're able to get sorted & never be afraid to make as big a noise as needed to get things done!
Many 'mended-heart felt' congratulations on your anniversary, Cruiser. My NStemi triple bypass 3yr anniversary will be celebrated with at least one cream bun treat on the 18th February. 😂 Wishing you many more happy & healthy anniversaries to come. (ps - thank you for sharing your experience!☺️ ). Carol
thank you for sharing your “ journey “ I’m only 7 weeks into my journey and my brain has led me down some exciting alleyways for sure. It’s encouraging to know that there is “ normal “ ahead ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
Actually, I'm still waiting to be normal, but my wife says there's little hope there, as it's something I've never been! Oh well, I'll just carry on being a pain 😄😄
Thank you, I've always said I'll start worrying when there's something to worry about, plus in our position, we're pretty much passengers on the roller coaster. It can still be memorable though. I can still have my moments, when it breaks through, but as the saying goes...
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