Don's Posts

Since my previous entry, I was having more angina, to the point where I finally went to emergency here at home. I was admitted with unstable angina, but it took a full week before there was a place for me in Calgary for an angiogram, and I was sent up by a plane that flies for Alberta Health Services. That was yesterday, when the procedure showed that LAD coronary artery was 90% blocked. I was so relieved to hear the dr. say that it was a candidate for angioplasty! They passed me to another doctor within two hours who put in a stent. It is a drug-eluding type, so I have to have a daily dose of Plavix (or generic) daily for a year to reduce the chance of blood clot formation in this major source of blood for the heart. As do many on this website, i will have to try to avoid bleeding. Our whole family is rejoicing and thanking God for his answers to our prayers. I want to thank you who have prayed for me also.

After consulting with three physicians, I am convinced that the CT angiography I mentioned in my previous entry would likely only tell me that I have plaque in my arteries, something I already know. This past Sunday I had two episodes of a new type of chest pain. It felt like I thought a heart attack would feel! Fortunately, one spray of nitroglycerin under the tongue each time was sufficient to get rid of the pain. Today I saw my internist, and he agrees that there is reason for concern. He suggested sending me a for a catheterization angiogram, but wants to do another stress test first. The expected change in how long I can go on the treadmill without symptoms, compared to the stress test a few months ago, will be evidence that a new angiogram is necessary. Unfortunately, the stress test won't take place until the 30th, and who knows how long after that I will get the angiogram. Our medical service here in Canada is very good, but there is just too much delay! I will appreciate continued prayer for me. In the meantime I will have to take it even easier and keep the nitro handy!

It is more than 19 months since my surgery, I still feel terrific. However, I have seen no improvement since my last report in what I am able to do activity-wise without getting a hint of angina. And during the past few weeks, I seem to be losing ground in terms of how much activity I can handle without angina. I cannot walk briskly for more than a few minutes, let alone run, without sensing chest discomfort or even pain. I now have to stop every 50 meters of swimming to avoid angina. My internist did not want to send me for a catheter angiogram a couple of months ago, saying "leave well enough alone". But since then the symptoms are rapidly becoming worse, I hope to get a coronary CT scan done at a private diagnostic clinic, though that will be something not covered by the provincial heath care plan. I hope to have it done in a week. I'll do another entry here then. In the meantime, I'd appreciate prayer about this. Don