It’s May 31, 2024 and about 3:30 AM.
In about 4 hours I’ll be going to Roper Hospital for an esophageal echo procedure. After I’m put to sleep, the doctor will push a probe down my throat to check by echo the placement of an Amulet device on a lobe of my heart That device was placed in another procedure two months ago. The device must perfectly occlude (hide) that lobe from which the great majority of strokes emanate. If all is correct, we will continue the countdown to take me off blood thinners in a few weeks. If it’s not placed correctly, I’m not certain what we do. One step at a time, please.
The above explanation is from the 85 year old, non-physician patient, so don’t put much stock in it. He does have a bunch of staying power, though, and a plethora (I like that word) of experience as a Roper Hospital patient, especially since September, 2000 when I had my heart attack. (Notice how I slipped from third person to first person narrative? Slick, eh?).
With the grace of God and fantastic medical care, I have survived several heart events, a couple of shots of colon cancer, and about 10 years worth of a wonderful pacemaker/ defibrillator, which is now in complete control of my heart rate. Oh BTW. I’m also sporting a super pubic catheter, which I get changed out every month. I am truly “living better electrically”.
The key word is “LIVING”.
I can still write these silly stories, in partnership with my super son, Jim; love my wife, Marjorie, love and be immensely proud of all my grown kids and grandkids; and look forward to a week at Folly Beach in a month, with most of them; especially our new 2 year old great granddaughter, Lucy.
I can also continue to be the mobility arm for my wife and me. I’m the primary shopper, cook and ride provider for wherever we need/want to go.
Thank you, God, for my wonderful, patient family, the superb medical community of Charleston, SC, and for every day I get to spend as the OMA ( old man in the attic) enuf