You know the movie, “the Saint”; a 1997 action / thriller with Val Kilmer and Elisabeth Shue? His name in the movie was Simon Templar but throughout his adventures used the names of saints as aliases. In order to win the girl of his dreams, Simon had to perform three miracles.
Well, George is walking around the house saying Miracle One! He was officially discharged from the Amyloid Clinic on Friday! His follow up will include routine visits to his local primary care and a three and six month evaluation at the clinic. At the six month mark, the official diagnosis of “remission – yes or no” will be determined.
Now George is working on Miracle Two – getting his heart back in shape. The Amyloid Invasion of 2005 left amyloid deposits in his heart, making George’s heart inefficient (that doesn’t sound very wife-like, does it?).
The medical term is ejection fraction – an EF test determines how well your heart pumps with each beat. This test measures how much blood is pumped out of the heart with each beat, and how much blood pumps through the heart with each beat. An EF of less than 40% usually confirms a diagnosis of systolic heart failure. George’s is currently about 35% – which is livable, but we have to learn some new strategies about living with heart failure (which is do-able – how odd that heart failure is a treatable condition?).
On Monday, we are back to see the wonderful cardiologist, Dr. Sam, who first diagnosed George. I will be in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, but available via cell phone and will be checking emails as well.
It’s great to have George home and to begin to get some normalcy back in our lives. George does have some limitations from the Amyloid Clinic – such as no driving (yes, honey, I’ll go to CVS again…) and some restrictions lifted (fruits are back on the menu!). George is also sporting a variety of caps (thanks, Mom!) as heat is lost from a bald head. He has gone from looking like Daddy Warbucks to the early stages of a chia pet.
It is also great to know that so many people are rooting for his recovery – thank you and please keep those prayers coming!
All our best!
~Jayne
Hmmm – wonder what Miracle Three will be??
radiate harmony 