Thursday, May 09, 2019

Good news = not so good news

Hmmm, I'm not exactly a happy bunny after my angiogram yesterday.  The good news is that my coronary arteries are narrowed a bit but not all that much.  The bad news is that my coronary arteries are narrowed a bit but not all that much.  No, I haven't made a typo there, the bad news is the same as the good news.  After taking measurements they concluded that stenting was not the answer, so I'm back to square one.  I was really hoping for a quick fix. So now it's more medication and they'll book me in for an ultrasound scan of the heart so they can see how the valves and muscles are operating.  Ho hum.

I'm far from being an invalid, but I certainly couldn't safely manage a hard day's locking down the canal.  Ten minutes raking up hedge trimmings in the garden leaves me feeling breathless and in need of a rest.  Maybe my new medication will help.  We'll have to wait and see. Meanwhile I'm lucky enough to have lots of other interests to get on with.

It's been a fun week otherwise, and we still managed to fit in a few very pleasant hours on a boat on the Grand Union, even if it was stationary.  The lovely George and Carol of Still Rockin' fame were moored in Cowley and they invited us over for a chat on board their stately home.  Just what the doctor ordered and we had a great time.  Thanks G&C it did me a power of good.

More stationary boating awaits. Next weekend we have a few days using Herbie as a pied a terre either side of Rick and Marilyn's golden wedding celebration and before tootling over to Cambridge to join our Peter for our annual pilgrimage to the Cambridge Beer Festival where I shall attempt to drink just a few halves of not-too-strong beer.  It's not all gloom and doom :-)

5 comments:

Carol said...

Hi Neil, frustrating news for you but as you say it's good and bad in equal measures. It was really lovely that you and Kath made time to come and see us on Tuesday and we certainly appreciated your company. Hope all goes well with the new medication.
Carol

Vallypee said...

Oh dear, Neil. That is frustrating, isn't it? I do hope the new meds will make you feel better. The upside is that you can still be on Herbie for short bursts. Better a little than nothing at all. And for more? Well, you'll just have to press gang your family into crewing for you. I'll keep everything crossed for a speedy recovery!

Oakie said...

Tough luck in one way Neil and good in another as you rightly say. On the other hand it would have been an instant fix if you had it done. As I said before, angina is not supposed to make itself felt until the artery is 75% blocked, which rather surprises me that they refused you. I saw George and Carol on The Thames and passed them by at Cowley too. Lovely couple.

Mrs. Jaqueline Biggs said...

I hope this issue is sorted for you quickly and with a favorable outcome. 1000 mgs. of vitamin C daily can help dissolve plaque and keep it from hardening. xxx

Marilyn, nb Waka Huia said...

Hi Neil,
Would it be worthwhile getting a second opinion on the efficacy of a stent in your case?
Cheers, Marilyn
PS We came past Crick the other day and I thought of you both.