Thoughts at this time of year usually turn to the past year and what has been experienced.
This year Yours Truly’s thoughts hark back to a miraculous machine that kept me alive and extended my life — so far— by 23 years.
It all started after a blizzard the winter of 1998-99. We woke up to six inches of packed snow in the driveway.
Out came the snow boots and shovel. Not long after shovelling the packed snow, pains developed in my stomach area.
Had to be heartburn, I thought, but what caused it?
During that winter every time I shovelled snow the heartburn showed up. My partner/wife convinced me to see our doctor.
He referred me to the lone cardiologist in Moose Jaw at the time. That specialist had just left and never returned.
Summer came. I felt fine and forgot about the heartburn. One day the phone rang. It was Dr. Tarhuni, the new cardiologist.
I was on his list of referrals and made an appointment. A few moments on the treadmill he stopped it and sent me for an angiogram — a test where a camera is placed up the arteries to look for blockages.
The angiogram was interesting, seeing the camera in my arteries, but the cold narrow steel bench I laid on was terribly uncomfortable.
When the angiogram was done, the doctor told me I had three places with 100 per cent blockage, two with 40 per cent.
Did I have any questions?
No, I just wanted to get off that narrow chunk of cold steel.
In the recovery room I summoned help for questions but the doctor had left.
That left me in a panic for eight days until my appointment with the cardiac surgeon.
With 100 per cent blockages was I able to go to work, or even walk without risking a heart attack? I didn't know.
The surgeon explained when the artery is 100 per cent blocked by plaque, blood flow continues on a very limited basis through tiny vessels around the blockage,
Any burst of activity or sudden shock could trigger a heart attack. I felt better.
One day I came home from work. My partner was sobbing.
“What happened?” I asked. “Who died?’’
She told me the hospital had called with a date for the operation.
“That’s good,” I replied “I get it sooner.”
Then I realized how hard this is on a spouse.
The day for the operation came. The operation took five hours for five bypasses. A cardiopulmonary machine keep me breathing and pumping blood during the open heart surgery.
The machine, two surgeons, nurses and five technicians saved me and gave me another 23 years on this earth for which I am so grateful.
Sometimes we take modern technology for granted as if it’s always been there.
Post-operation I asked Dr. Tarhuni jokingly how long the warranty is on this surgery.
“Twenty to twenty-five years if you look after yourself,” he said.
We’re getting close to the warranty expiry. I hope it’s not like some car batteries that quit days after the warranty runs out.
Hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
