Joe's Journal

1st attack in 2000. Have had 5 stents since. Had last stent Jan 2014, 2 months later had a TIA on aspirin and Plavix. They implanted a Cardiac Loop Monitor to monitor for A-fib and did a TEE. The TEE did show a hole in the heart. One year later 7/2015 went in for a PFO closure. Doc couldn't find it with the cath, so said no problems no PFO, so removed my monitor and took me off Eliquis. 5 months later another small stroke 1/4/16, after hospital stay and CT showing small damage, went in for heart cath on Jan 13th. My heart Doc said wouldn't put in any more stents, but 90% x2 arteries and 83% circumflex so he wanted me to have a surgical consult, so put me back on Plavix and aspirin. Along comes Monday, they sent the summary to surgeon for consult.. called me same day and had my appointment for Wednesday Jan 19th. Surgeon said PFO still there (of course) and no waiting, YOU WILL HAVE SURGERY, but must wait 5 days with no Plavix and drop aspirin from 325 mg back to .81. So here I am, The slap in the back of head, kicking in reality with not much time to think about it or get life together.