March 25th/26th 2010 -11 year check/up
On the 25th, for a change I had my Echo scan done first, followed by bloods, B/P, sats, and weight. Weight was up a little, but I put it down to the recent cold weather and not getting out too much. Next was my ECG after which I was given a time of 11.30am to return for my treadmill stress test. I next went to have my chest x-ray, followed by a nice breakfast as I'd had nil by mouth since midnight for the blood test. Next on the list was to see Dr Fawsey, he'd been there before my transplant and was really nice to see him again. He remarked that he'd seen more of me on television than in person as he was referring to the T.V. documentary I was on.
He assured me my results of the scan and ECG and chest x-ray were fine, but because I was concerned on the following day's angiogram, he accesed the film of the 2008 angio and played it on his computer. He said the arteries in his opinion looked fine. I then went for my treadmill test and got up to 10 minutes which was better than my previous attempt a year or so ago when I only managed 8 minutes before my legs gave out. The treadmill test is quite gruelling as it starts on an incline and gradually speeds up with the incline increasing.
I went for my angio the following morning just after 10am, and the consultant Dr Mitchell who was overlooking the registrar do the procedure, came up at the end and said to me "You have a fine set of arteries, hang on to them" ...what a relief. My next check-up will be in September...just in for a day.
September 6th 2009
I booked into Parkwood (Parkhurst some call it:-)) accommodation on Sunday Sept 6th for my check-up on Monday morning. Was glad to arrive on "Fun Run" day with many stalls out, classic cars, army vehicles etc etc. I just missed Prof Magdi Yacoub lead off the run as he does every year. Had my check-up in the morning, bloods, blood pressure, weight, Echo scan, ECG and X-ray. Later saw the doctor for results. Saw Dr Raj Bannagee this time as George was on holiday. Raj has been there since before my transplant and she's even done an angiogram on me. Glad to say all the results are fine with the bonus that I have lost a few pounds since 6 months ago. Blood test results take 24 hours and i'll get a call if any meds need changing. Next check-up is March 2010...will be my 11th year on a new heart. This will be a 2 day event because I'll need an Angiogram on the 2nd day, because my last one in 2008 showed very minor "furring" up of the Coronary arteries. This is quite common with reciepients after a few years.
March 5th 2009
I went into Parkwood accommodation on March 4th for my 10 year transplant check-up the following day.The fact that I hhad had an angiogram in May 2008 and got the all meant that this check-up was quite straight forward. First on the agenda was bloods to be taken, the blood pressure, which was high as I had not yet taken my morning meds. My weight was down 1kg from my last visit so thats a plus. Next was the Echo scan then off to have my ECG followed by a chest x-ray. I also had a sample of 24 hour urine done the previous day. I then went into the restaurant to have a good breakfast as I had been fasting since midnight as requested. By the time I went to see the Doctor a couple of hours later all of the blood results except one, and the results of the Echo, ECG and x-ray were through. The results were fine and my jidneys function was the best its been for some time. I was thoroughly examined by Dr Paniker, even looking into the back of my eyes to see the tiny arteries for signs of raised blood pressure. By this time the b/p meds had kicked in and my b/p was fine. I returned later in the day as requested to get my Cyclosporin results and they were the same as they had been some weeks before and no change of meds required for the time being. The following day I went to Hillingdon Hospital and was given Cortisone injections in my groin to help releive the nerve pain i've been having since my inguinal hernia op on June 25th 2008. Hope this does the trick...will keep you posted...seems fine now.
January 21st 2009
I went into Parkwood accommodation in the grounds of Harefield Hospital yesterday afternoon for my test in the transplant clinic this morning (21st). I had not been feeling too well and the team there asked me to come in. A local blood test recently at a hospital near where I live showed that my Potassium levels were high at 6.3. My Doctor was concerned and called me to have it tr-checked at Harefield Hospital.
This morning I had all my bloods done, then my Echo scan and ECG. I then went for a breakfast as I has been on a fasting diet from the night before. When I got back I saw my Cardiologist Dr Georde Martin Paniker who confirmed that my Echo and ECG were both fine, also my blood pressure which was high when they checked is after my bloods, had settled. It wasn't long after I took my morning meds when then test and b/p were done so by the time I saw Geirse my blood pressure had stabilised. A couplr of hours later I had the blood results and my Potassium level was down to 4.8 which is very good for me. If it was high Geirge said that it could cause cardiac malfunction. My feeling unwell was due to the two bouts of colds and coughs I've recently had and, as I am immune suppressed, it takes me longer to heal. My next appointment at Harefield Hospital is March 5th. On March 9th 2009 I will be 10 years post transplant! :-)
Sept 28th 2008
After having my bloods done my Cyclosporin levels have been high for a 9 years receipient and Harefield Hospital have asked me to lower my nightly dose of that medication. Since last week my blood pressure has been on the high side, sometimes as high as 166/116. I am already on blood pressure medication (Diovan) of which the dose had been increased about a year ago. Because of this recent episode of high blood pressure the Diovan medication has been increased to the highest possible for that particular medication. I saw my local Doctor on November 25th to get my b/p readings and show her a chart of b/p readings she'd asked me to write down since seeing her the previous week. I also had to compare my home b/p machine with the one at the surgery. They were pretty accurate. My b/p was still high around 154/95 but she did tell me that it may take up to 4 weeks for the upped dose to kick in. We'll just wait and see.
Sept 1st 2008
I had my six monthly check-up at Harefield Hospital and because of my re-occuring gout I have been prescribed Mycophenol Mofetil, Colchicine and Alluprinol. Mycophenol Mofetil replaces the Azathiopine which I have taken sence my heart transplant. Thi sis becasue the Colcicine and Alluprinol interacts with Azathioprine. My kidney function levels were slightly raised and I have to have a blood test in a weeks time and return to Harefield Hospital in two months time to have another full check-up because of my change in medication.
June 25th 2008
I went to Mount Vernon Hospital in Hertfordshire and had an inguinal hernia repair. The procedure was done my Mr T Paes the Consultant Surgeon there. I was given a local anaesthetic and had some sedation prior to and during the operation. Totanium stitches were used to stitch the mesh for the repair and steel stitches were used to seal the incision site after the operation. I was kept in overnight and was given various pain killers including Morphine. The following morning I was inspected by the doctor, my wound checked out and then was discharged with an assortment of pain killers before I was driven home. Stitches are due out on July 8th at my local docto's surgery. I will then be permitted to drive.
May 7th 2008
I had my angiogram at 9am. They added a second catheter to measure the four heart chambers. I asked them to go in via the left groin femoral artery becasue of years of scar tissue on my right groin. I am glad to say that the outcome was good and showed no furring up of the coronary arteries of my new heart.
April 17th 2008
I had my 9th year check-up on April 17th 2008. My Echo readings were low and I had to have a biopsy to check for rejection. This took 24 hours to get the results and I am glad to say that I am not in rejection. I have to have an angiogram in a couple of weeks to check the coronary arteries of the new heart for any narrowing.