East Minnesota Weekly News

Searching For Answers

Posted on 09. Feb, 2011 by Lenore Bleifuss, Local Artist in Opinions, Popular Stories

When a person is very healthy all their life, never needing surgeries or drastic changes in medical care, it is quite easy to forget that the blissful pattern of good health can change with the blink of an eye.  Yes, it happens to other folks, but when it happens to us, then the truth hits home and awakens an interest in every aspect of the situation. When we are young, we think  have all  of the answers, but as we pass middle age, we find that we have more questions than answers.  It is a humbling experience.

I always am interested in hearing about people and their problems or situations that they face in life, when told first hand as they share a personal story. I believe that we can learn from the  experiences of others along our pathway  in life.

Recently, I have shared, with my readers, about  life changes for me which came about when I found a safe haven in the love of a wonderful Christian man and how I uprooted my life and moved to our new home where we share a happy life.

Then back in December, there was the ambulance trip to E.R., for an episode of atrial fibrillation, which was followed up with an echo cardiogram in Wyoming, Mn.  That test showed a tricuspid valve regurgitation and I was supposed to meet with a cardiologist.  However, in the meantime, I moved to the city and went to another cardiologist who did not impress me.  He talked to me a bit, did an EKG and said ” if the atrial fibrillation comes back call me and we can test you then.”  Well needless to say, that was not the professional advice I hoped to hear so I found a very good doctor at Bandana Square, Aspen Clinic, who referred me to the United Heart and Vascular Clinic, near United Hospital, on Smith and Chestnut.

I was given a very complete Stress / and partial Echo cardiogram that showed an abnormality in heart function. Under heavy exertion after 8 minutes on the treadmill, I developed some discomfort in the throat and shortness of breathe.  Womens symptoms, involving the heart, are different than mens, so they took measures to identify the source of the problem. The doctors feels that enough blood is not getting  to my heart, when under strenuous exercise, and suggested having an angiogram this Thursday. My mother had two open heart surgeries beginning at age 68 and then a few years later, and her side of the family had all heart related problems. That information is valuable to the doctors also. It is amazing how precise the modern technology  can be in detecting problems with the workings of our bodies. We live in an age with the possiblity of medical miracles, in many cases.

The doctor and nurses are very knowledgeable and explain all procedures carefully and make a person feel comfortable and in a place of good care. The point of sharing this information with my readers is to help you to realize that when things go wrong with our health, we should seek a doctor who is compassionate and shows a knowledgeable interest in our health and directs us to getting the proper diagnosis and care.  If we are not comfortable with a doctor or other professional, it is better to pass them by and find another.  It is our body and we need to be in control as much as we are able.

Yes, as we get older, I guess even those of us who are so blessed with good health during our life will face some changes along the way but with the skilled care of today’s doctors and the modern medical technology, we stand a good chance of  adding life to our years. I know that there will be changes but I am so thankful for my health and well being and feel confident that everything will turn out okay.

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