View allAll Photos Tagged cardiologist
These two fellows are very close. Noah (golden on the left) saw the cardiologist again today where we received the sobering news we had been expecting. Dx, btw: Dilated cardiomyopathy; a-fib. We've added two new drugs to the mix (Digoxin and Diltiazem) with no pipe dreams attached. He was given until Christmas 2017 at the onset of these problems and he's still with us 2+ years later, though with less overall verve. Noah and Tucker are both in their last chapters and we've been hoping Tucker wouldn't be the one left behind as he is so attached to his brother. Cardio follow-up in two weeks.
This spectacular marine aquarium is in the Electrocardiograph specialist’s exam room and office. It’s part of my Cardiologist’s medical office complex. I should have made a movie. There really wasn’t time because I had to dress and go to my next lab station.
Mały Powstaniec (Little Insurgent Monument) is a statue in commemoration of the child soldiers who fought and died in the Warsaw Uprising. It is located on Podwale Street, next to the ramparts of Warsaw’s Old Town.
The statue is of a young boy wearing a helmet too large for his head and holding a submachine gun. It is reputed to be of a fighter who went by the pseudonym of Antek, who was killed August 8, 1944 at the age of 13.
Jerzy Jarnuszkiewicz[1] created the design for the monument in 1946, which was used to make smaller copies of its present state. On October 1, 1983 the monument was unveiled.
The statue was revealed by a Boy Scout in 1983 – Professor Jerzy Świderski – a cardiologist who during the uprising was a messenger code runner named ‘Lubicz’ in the ‘Gustaw’ regiment of the Home Army. Behind the statue is a wall with the engraved words of a popular song from the period: ‘Warsaw's children we go to fight, for every stone of yours, we'll give our blood’. (wiki) (explore 23.03.2014)
I took this shot of my brother, Shawn, and his son, Frazier, at our Thanksgiving celebration in 2012. a lot has changed since then, but nothing will ever make the bond between father and son change.
Since that time, Frazier has graduated from the police academy and is looking for work as a police officer. He is also planning to join the National Guard, and there's some discussion about going to law school, as well! It's a tall order, but as this picture shows, Frazier was raised to fight through the challenges. Named after the legendary Joe Frazier, Shawn wanted his firstborn son to have that fighting spirit he would need in life.
Shawn was an amateur boxer when he was young. His coach was the light heavyweight champ of Central Florida, and Shawn put him to the ground when he was just a scrawny kid! That long reach advantage was a real plus, but he has the instincts of a fighter, which you don't perceive when you meet him, since he has been a pastor, and also has a tender heart towards people. (Think George Foreman!) When the bell rings, though, that switch goes off in his head, and the fight's on!
Shawn taught all three of his sons how to box from an early age. Our mother wouldn't let HIM fight when he was a little kid, because he was a lot bigger than the other kids his age, but he was picked on mercilessly because of a speech impediment. Finally, Mom relented and told him that he could defend himself, and he put the neighborhood bully down and wasn't picked on again after that! When he took up boxing, he was probably at least 6 feet tall, and very thin, but he took to it like a duck to water!
Now, Shawn is a department manager, and still does a little preaching on the side. Since this picture was taken, he had a near miss with a heart attack, and has been under a cardiologist's care. I think he should get back into his boxing workout, as this seemed to keep him healthier.
The look you see on his face may look like he's retreating, but I know my brother well enough to know that he's just sizing things up! It's really almost a dare! Frazier knows it, too, and also knows that if his dad really landed a good one, he'd be out like a light, lol! He is a big guy- 6'3 1/2", and still taller than any of his sons. Nonetheless, they all have that "warrior gene" thing going on, and thank goodness they are God fearing young men!
I am very proud of all my nephews, and right now, especially Frazier. I'm also proud of my "little" brother, who has always fought back at the tough stuff life threw his way.
Noah saw the cardiologist again last week and the skin doctor yesterday. He's spent more time in those two different hospitals than I've ever spent in any such place, but he's doing really great cardio-wise and I wanted to post that update. I look at his photo on the right and see my puppy, now not so much a puppy, approaching 9, and realize how much time has passed. When I look into his eyes or when he's running toward me I only see my puppy.
His cardiologist mentioned that, at 8, he's considered geriatric. We were surprised by this because our previous golden, Ben, lived to nearly 13, and our Briard/Border Collie, Jack, with whom Noah spent his first four years, lived to just shy of 17.
As you know, these are our kids and we're well and healthfully adjusted to the relative life spans so no problem there. It helps that we've lived through a full cycle together with two dogs already.
If you're able, there is no better way to treat yourself than to open up your heart to a dog or dogs. The love that will be lavished on you will never end ... even after they're gone. The love affair flows back and forth forever.
This is the vasculature of an actual heart (porcine heart, identical to human heart). The blood is replaced by a plastic substance which fills all of the veins, capillaries, etc, then the heart is put into a solution that dissolves all the tissue, leaving this incredible detail of a heart. My boss was given this to use as a model (he is a cardiologist).
Two days ago, on Wednesday, I finally felt good! I realized that I could and should return to Carondelet's Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center. This time I had a note from my Cardiologist. The staff members were happy to see me, and I was very very happy to see them! (:-) (:-)
I walked half a mile on the treadmill at 2.2 miles per hour.
This bird was in a tree along Carondelet Rehab's outdoor walking path. It's on the way to the parking lot. I think it's a mourning dove.
IMG_3222 - Version 2
Mijn oudste dochter is cardiologe. 2.5 weken geleden testte zij positief op Covid-19. Ze is genezen en terug aan de slag sinds gisteren. Om de pneumologen wat te ontlasten heeft ze de leiding overgenomen van de Covid-19 afdeling in haar kliniek. Het pakje heeft wel een hoog Miniongehalte.
My oldest daughter is a cardiologist. 2.5 weeks ago she tested positive for Covid-19. She is cured and back to work since yesterday. To relieve the pneumologists, she took over the management of the Covid-19 department in her clinic. The costume does have a high Minion content.
Si l'enfer existe je sais exactement à quoi il ressemble. Ce serait un endroit où vous auriez des chiens comme Lewis et pire Elsa et où vous rencontreriez en permanence des vélos, joggers, vaches, tracteurs etc....
Je viens de faire une promenade de 1h30 dont une bonne partie le long de la route. Le fait que j'ai survécu prouve que j'ai un bon coeur, pas besoin de cardiologue pour le confimer !
Et dire que j'étais connue pour mes chiennes parfaites (Livia et Betsy) ....
Ils ont même agressé un combi de la police !
If hell exists I know exactly what it looks like. It would be a place where you would have dogs like Lewis and even worse Elsa and where you would constantly meet bikes, joggers, cows, tractors etc ...
I just went for a 1.5 hour walk, a good part of it along the road. The fact that I survived proves that I have a good heart, no need for a cardiologist to confirm it!
And to say that I was known for my perfect dogs (Livia and Betsy) ....
They even attacked a police van !
This spectacular marine aquarium is in the Electrocardiograph specialist’s exam room and office. It’s part of my Cardiologist’s medical office complex. I should have made a movie. There really wasn’t time because I had to dress and go to my next lab station.
Song: Mindchanger
By: Bush
For: Cliche Saturday - Playing With Light scavenger hunt
Textures
miss-alienation.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2rs3ik
miss-alienation.deviantart.com/art/too-dusty-film-texture...
Ok so I've been tagged like a million times and a million different ways so here's a little of everything...
1. I bought this dress at PacSun today I absolutely LOVE it!!!
2. I hate when people don't use their turn signal!
3. What's in my bag you ask, junk, junk, and more junk, I still have envelopes from my christmas cards in there and numerous receipts.
4. My favorite food- Pasta
5. I love celebrity gossip, Winning! LOL
6. My favorite store- Forever21
7. I just turned 24 on the 10th
8. I cleaned out my crafting room today and organized all my photo props and costumes
9. I've never been much of a soda drinker I love water.
10. I got the all clear from the Cardiologist to get my wisdom teeth ripped out soon, probably won't being doing selfies for a while after that.
Well, we've been getting through all our medical tests but not over yet. Off to another soon. On Monday, we decided to take the bus to near my cardiologist on Wickham Terrace, to get there we get off at the Normanby Bust Station and walk up the hill for about 15 minutes. My doctor was quite pleased I had achieved a self imposed stress test without arresting on the way. At least that was reasonable news.
We catch the bus (double masked!) because it goes express most of the way, and apart from the car provides least exposure to people! No good driving, the car park is usually full and we need a bank loan to pay for it. Anyway, the Bus Station is beside the railway line at the old Normanby station, long gone and just up from where the portal of the new cross river rail (which is underground) will exit to light of day on the north side. Just as we were crossing the road bridge that sits high above a cutting, old EMU set 44 pulled up. I waited for the shot so it would be a bit closer, but the driver got up and,pulled his blind down and it just wasn't coming forward any more! Oh well, better than nothing even if on my phone!
These are the trains that started electrification 40 years ago and many have now been withdrawn and scrapped. A few are in store and some kick on. They mostly run in six car formations.
This site is on the line that avoids city stations and runs from Roma Street to Mayne via the Exhibition. It was once an amazingly busy place. The old Normanby wagon depot was just behind the train as was the newer but now gone Normanby marshalling yard. Behind me was the major Roma Street rail yard, centre of the universe in Brisbane for loading of freight trains. The station is still there but the Roma Street yards are now high rise and the Roma Street gardens. The whole area is subject to massive change associated with construction of cross river rail underground stations etc.
Hi, I just wanted to thank everyone for the well wishes on my last post. I didn't want to worry anyone so I thought I just explain what is going on. I've been having some heart palpatations recently which in itself is not unusual for me. They have just been going on longer than normal. I went to the emergency room on Sunday for them and they are still the same kind I always get that are not suppose to be harmful to me at all. My only concern was for how long they have been going for.
To give some background information on me also, I had a congential heart defect when I was born which was a hole between the two ventricles. They repaired that when I was 27. Also, I already had two bouts of cancer at age 20 and 31. I am 38 years old now. So with all my medical problems, I have developed some anxiety about them that I deal with now.
I know that my palpatations mean really nothing in my head but the emotional part of me is not so sure all the time. I am going to the cardiologist in a couple of weeks to just check them out to be sure but the answer will just be that is how my heart works and it will be something I just have to live with. I will say though, that I'm really tired just living with these things all the time.
Basically, I'm not totally myself right now and I don't like being on flickr when I'm like this. It is an enjoyable thing for me and I don't want it to feel like a chore so I decided I would just take a break. So the reason for my break is basically stupid me worrying about things that really don't need to be worried about. I do enough worrying for myself, so no need for any of you to join in (lol). ;^)
I thought I would post this shot I got yesterday. It is my first flower shot of the season and I hope everyone enjoys. :^)
No need to comment but I thought I would leave the option open if anyone wanted to this time.
Thanks for caring! :^)
Edgar L. Grant - Cmdr R.N.R. / asst. Cmdr / R.M.S. Olympic
Edgar Leicester Grant (b. 29 May 1874 in Hampstead, Middlesex, England – d. 30 July 1968 at age 94 in London, England, United Kingdom) - Occupation - Marine Engineer (Retired) Motor Bar Mechanic & Salesman - LINK to his newspaper obituary - www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-obituary-f...
Royal Naval Reserve - The Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) is a part of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, formed by merging the original Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. The RNR has seen action in World War I, World War II, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan.
RMS Olympic was a British ocean liner and the lead ship of the White Star Line's trio of Olympic-class liners. Olympic had a career spanning 24 years from 1911 to 1935, in contrast to her short-lived sister ships, RMS Titanic and the Royal Navy hospital ship HMHS Britannic. This included service as a troopship with the name HMT Olympic during the First World War, which gained her the nickname "Old Reliable", and during which she rammed and sank the U-boat U-103. She returned to civilian service after the war and served successfully as an ocean liner throughout the 1920s and into the first half of the 1930s, although increased competition, and the slump in trade during the Great Depression after 1930, made her operation increasingly unprofitable. Olympic was withdrawn from service on 12 April 1935, and later sold for scrap, which was completed by 1939.
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Louis Solomon Specter M.D. writes - S.S. Canopic - December 18. 1923 - With best wishes, for you & for your kindly and thoughtful interest. Louis S. Specter MD / New York
SS Canopic was a passenger liner of the White Star Line. The ship was built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast for the Dominion Line, and launched on 31 May 1900 as the Commonwealth. The 12,268 GRT ship was 578 feet (176 m) long, and powered by a 988 nhp 6-cylinder triple expansion steam engine which gave her a service speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph). She could carry up to 1,300 passengers. The ship initially operated between Liverpool and Boston, but in 1903 she was transferred to the White Star Line and renamed Canopic. Her first crossing for the White Star Line began on 14 January 1904, on which she sailed from Liverpool to Boston. Immediately after this first crossing, she joined the Romanic and Republic on the White Star Line's new Mediterranean service, on which she would remain for more than 13 years. She was requisitioned for war service between 1917 and 1919, then served on the Liverpool–Montreal route until 1925, when she was scrapped at Briton Ferry, Wales. Timber panelling from the dining hall was salvaged and installed in the former Canopic Restaurant at Mumbles from where it was later reinstalled in the town's White Rose hotel.
Louis Solomon Specter
(b. 6 July 1897 in New York City, N.Y. - d. 14 May 1973 at age 75 in Long Island, New York, USA) - Medical Doctor / Cardiologist
WOODMERE, L. I., May 14—Dr. Louis S. Specter, a retired cardiologist who had practiced in Brooklyn for half a century, died today at his home, 958 Allen Lane. He was 75 years old.
Dr. Specter, who graduated from City College of New York, received his medical degree in 1921 from Columbia University. He was the first resident in medicine when Maimonides Hospital opened in Brooklyn and remained on its emeritus staff. He was a fellow of the American College of Cardiologists.
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Very good night / Margaret Armstrong / August 22, 1928
H.G. Armstrong / ?????? / S.S. Emp? Aug 22, 1928
A recent image of my psychedelic heart surrounded by a world of blue. My cardiologist thinks a stress test might be order. I told him it comes from a steady diet of Jerry Garcia music. He was okay with that.
Image imagined in MidJourney AI and finished with Topaz Studio and Lightroom Classic.
Jake is doing better. He was iagnosed with congestive heart failure this month at age 12 yr. 8 mo. He started on Vetmedin and it has really helped. He is back to being my happy boy, but older and wiser. He is still on orders to be a couch potato. I do have to post pictures of him watching more TV as that is his most exciting thing to do these days. He loves shows that feature dog and human bonding. He also still enjoys boat rides, but we have to be careful he does not get over heated.
He is happy here after a photo shoot in the yard that did not yield good images. He still had a good time running around and playing with Jasmine. He gets overheated when running around and in the heat. But he calmed down quickly and re-regulated. He is back to being my happy boy, and we treasure every moment.
He sees the doggie cardiologist in July for an echocardiogram, and la consult to see if any other meds might help also.
Taken and uploaded 5/31/21, 2021 05 15 to 31 a r72 Glow DB Tdnai DogsFlowersSAiling-5310306 (1 of 1) OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
I like the patterned disks in the upper left better. The larger ball suggests the stitching on a cricket ball, but nobody around here knows what that is, except for my theumatologist, pulmonologist, cardiologist, dentist, and gastrointerologist.
Before becoming the Thuggee high priest, Mola Ram attended medical school graduating at the top of his class, and made a career as a prominent cardiologist
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Check out the rest of my "Fun with Legos"
Dear flickr friends,
I have terribly sad and unexpected news... our dear sweet Teddy passed away yesterday. He had restrictive cardiomyopathy, the least treatable form of feline heart disease, and one that is more difficult to detect. It is such a shock to us. He seemed relatively normal and fine--there were mild symptoms-- a bit of a decreased appetite (which we chalked up to him being bored with his food and spoiled by extra treats), or resting after only a short bout of playing. The past couple of days his breathing seemed abnormal, with his abdomen moving with each breath. We took him to our vet to check it out, and unlike at his routine visit in July when his heart sounded fine, they heard an arrhythmia and saw on the x-ray that he had fluid in his lungs. We were referred to go straight to a veterinary cardiologist, and after his EKG she gave us the sad diagnosis. The outcome of treatment would have been temporary and poor, and put him through unnecessary discomfort. If they cleared his fluid, it would be back, oftentimes as soon as a few days, and the risk of blood clots and stroke or sudden heart failure was high. In retrospect, he has been extra close to us these past few months, and must have known it was his time to leave us. We had to make the decision that was best for him. I am devastated and deeply heartbroken (unfortunately too many of you know that feeling.)
Teddy was an extraordinary cat, and one of the top loves in my life. I can't imagine my days without him.
Blackpink Jennie as Toph Bei Fong 😭 : RubyJean and Billie Lee (Seals & Crofts) : More Human than Human (White Zombie) : Naked Arms (TMR - live 2011) : Lola's Lounge Mix (The Shapeshifters) : From the Lost Memories of the Other Realms : The Blackpink Alternate Universe series : Digital Drawing
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Well, Jennie is the real life Toph Bei Fong - no need to cosplay 😭:). This is the drawing that was completed around February and was unable to release/share it due to a Heart failure that got worse around February but symptoms started to appear mid 2022. Literally I had a broken heart 😭:) and never knew a broken heart can be physical, haha :). So I was in the hospital for 2weeks, doing lots of scans i.e. CT scan, MRI, xray, Gamma ray scan (radioactive), ultra sound etc and they tested me for all kinds of diseases too, all negative :). Due to New Zealand's national healthcare, we don't pay anything for hospital bills :) and the medicines are heavily subsidized by the government, so we only pay $5 for each medicine, no matter how much we need. Unfortunately the cardiologists still doesn't know the cause of my heart failure - it's a mystery to them, so more tests needs to be done but I now have no signs of heart failure due to the medical therapy, so I'm back to normal, they just need more tests/scans 😭:). Technically, I would have died of a heart failure in just days or weeks, unfortunately I'm still alive, again 😭:). Ok, let's partey, just joks :).
Enough of my boring life story, lol, about the drawing - this was an idea I had since 2020 and glad it's now real - yay 😭:). Even now, months passed, looking at Jennie's (Toph's 😭) smile, it puts a bigger smile on my face :). Thanks for looking. Drawn using ps cc, cintiq 24hd. Next drawing is Jisoo 😭:). Enjoy, throw a rock to that person in front of you - just joks, don't do it, lol and sweet dreams :).
Drawing timelapse found here: youtu.be/-AUruOzOC-Q
I just got back from the cardiologist and am cleared for next year. So this year I can celebrate a wonderful Christmas at home. Spending Christmas in the hospital isn't everything either
Methodist Medical Center, Richardson, TX. Where mercy and care abound. My cardiologist is located in the doctor's pavilion next to this hospital.
The cardiologist will see Noah tomorrow and they will do the ultrasound then. He's still in the oxygen chamber and is sedated so he is mostly sleeping in there and that's helping. Improvements: temperature down to normal, not coughing and had some supper late last night. We'll know more tomorrow after the cardiologist reads the films and ultrasound. Tucker is understandably depressed and confused. We're filled with hope -- why not? :-) (2009 photo).
Taken on my last visit to the cardiologist.. Make a 6 mo apt.. Another one of those funny benches... Happy Bench Monday, Everybody!!!
This is a sample in my Cardiologist office today. I forgot to ask for the dimensions, It appeared to be only about 1 inch or 2,54 centimeters across and a little longer top to bottom.
Here’s a webpage for more information:
www.bostonscientific.com/en-US/patients/about-your-device...
I try to make this site somewhat like a popular Chinese restaurant that offers variety if not always quality. It is, however, much lower in salt, if heavy on the sweet and sour. That's my introduction to some meanderings for this Wednesday.
And now for the ride: Some of you have followed me from my first digital Olympus CZ3000 through my current Canon SX50 days which is essentially my digital photography progress from 2001 to present. That also means that you've followed me through most of my periods of intense interest: the wildflower, avian, dragonfly, landscapes, avian, damselflies, to this point which is to be determined because Mother Nature has been very unruly of late. There are confusing seasons and the schedules I used to rely on are jumbled.
For your visits, I try to give you a bird, followed by an insect, then a western landscape, a wildflower, a dragon or damsel which sometimes runs into a week or or more in a good summer. No people. No, no people. I am terrible at capturing people. Only slightly better at dogs, but at least dogs don't complain that "that's not them" and "you made me look fat."
So today, a Golden-crowned Sparrow, a species I haven't seen in a few years and one, when not in breeding plumage, I've confused with at least three other sparrow species. There is one thing that is the same in this image: two days ago, the rattlesnake was crossing the same board that this little guy was perched on seven years ago. When nature followed the "expected" course, I was a creature of habit. Eight years of bluebird restoration team participation took me on the same 60 miles of trails over and over, season after season. I knew what to expect and where to expect it. I am, however, neither bewildered nor "depressed." Perhaps a little tired...
Every time I leave the house, I expect I'll come back with at least one image that I can give to you. I am so lucky to be living in an area that, after a "growth spurt," has slowed its pace and given back to the wildlife. Yesterday, after a not-pleasant root canal (why do things that really hurt also cost so much?) and seven shots of Novocaine - actually Lidocaine - and with each, I heard a cash register... Hmmm. Came home, but still numb, took a walk around our little community. Half-way, I saw a subject that I have been trying to get for 10 years, a jumping spider! My camera really is not the equipment necessary since the jumping and wolf spiders are only a quarter-inch, but they include eight eyes and wonderful colors. The only problem is ... they jump. I was unsuccessful again, and that's the real reason you're getting this Golden-crowned sparrow and my meandering which, at this this time, ended up where it started...in a Chinese restaurant... No.... My cardiologist has told me, "No more Chinese dinners at Uncle Yu's. Much too much salt and calories." My cardiologist is Chinese, born and raised in San Francisco. I've was dying to ask what him what he eats, and I did. He responded, "food." Well, ultimately, he's the guy with the scalpel and I obligingly laughed and raised my BP 100 points on the Richter.
[Not because of wanting to be politically correct - it eludes me anway - but it should be noted that I have a team of six doctors - you know...eyes, ears, chest, teeth, etc. - every one of them a different nationality and every one of them tell me I can't have Chinese food. Even my Tai ophthalmologist! No more deli. No processed turkey - the ones in your supermarket have been "resting" in a solution of brine and heart attack for months. These doctors even say "Say no to drugs!" What does that leave? Broccoli and oatmeal.This has been a public service announcement.]
This is the new building that my Cardiologist is going to be in soon.. Hope it's before my next appointment.. Happy Fence Friday, Everybody!!!
I have been to the doctor. He has been checking up on everything. Everything is fine except from my heart. My heart beats out of pace, way too fast and with a blood pressure that is way too high. He is feeding me pills that are supposed to take the pressure off the heart so that I won’t have to worry about aneurisms and heart failure…. That kind of worries me! I have for last few days been feeling the cold breath of the grim reaper right behind me. I am going to a cardiologist who will find out to what extend my heart has been worn down…. That worries me a lot! All in all I am not doing so damn hot these days. I hope you forgive me for being a bit absent minded.
PLEASE, no multi invitations, glitters or self promotion in your comments. My photos are FREE for anyone to use, just give me credit and it would be nice if you let me know. Thanks
This is a statue on the top of the main building, World War II Great Patriotic War Museum, Moscow
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My Flickr Friends I am home and starting to feel better, just headaches. I so much appreciated all the positive thoughts, prayers and e-mails you have sent me, I will not be responding to all the comments - I am sorry but wanted to give an update. I was kept two nights in the hospital because I became very sick. They said the lump on the head was growing from the bone, it seemed the surgeon never seen it before. Part of it was growing towards my eye, he left that part as the re-construction would have been major.
They also took the lump from my chest, it was the size of a golf ball and was just below the skin. Now I wait for the lab to say what both things are and where I go next or is it the end and I am all better.
Found another bad thing though, my ekg from 5 years ago is different from now so they want me to see a cardiologist. I am getting tired of thinks being found but at least we are moving forward.
Your Friend
Dennis
I am tired today. Saw the cardiologist this morning and will be having a stress test and a sleep study in the next month. Hoping to get some clues to the fatigue. 223/365
Just a skeleton dinosaur in Drumheller, in front of an AW.
So weird.
Earlier in the year I had a dinner with a cardiologist. A heart surgeon. We were at a taco buffet dinner. Near the end of the night, he looked me in the eye and said: 'Don't eat fast food, Jeff'. I was covered in taco juice...so was he.
I missed out on the opportunity to participate in the national Red Dress Day. The initiative to raise awareness for cardiovascular disease takes on a new meaning for me this year.
After battling through pneumonia in December, a trip to the emergency room on January 3 revealed congestive heart failure. My right coronary artery and left circumflex artery were 100% blocked.
A normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ranges from 55% to 70%. An LVEF of 65%, for example means that 65% of total amount of blood in the left ventricle is pumped out with each heartbeat. Mine was about 10% when admitted.
Thanks to an amazing group of technicians and nurses as well as one very talented cardiologist, after seven hours in the heart cath lab, I emerged with three stents and the blockages opened up. This avoided having to undergo bypass surgery and a much more difficult recovery.
I'm on my way back now, doing cardiac rehab as well as some dietary and lifestyle changes and the prognosis is good.
I have always lived a fairly active lifestyle, so this all kind of came out of the blue. Heredity unfortunately plays a huge role. Take care of your heart health people.
I must say slipping into a pretty red dress has never felt so good!
I have completely stopped dreaming ..first for myself and than for the people I shot on the streets through my camera .
My cameras are on a long sabbatical..forced retirement due to the pandemic ..It was in 2019 I had my gall bladder removed it had turned gangrenous soon after the operation I suffered my first mild heart attack than followed the much needed bypass surgery I was broke a NGO in my area sponsored my operation but I had to pay for peripheral blood medicines etc it was a big amount my children pooled in .
I stopped wearing the chest support I am being treated by eminent cardiologist Dr Nitin Gohale a kind man who is full of compassion .
After the bypass I got infected by herpes zoster was laid up for about 3 months
Two years hardly any work ..as you are aware I am a fashion stylist for Bollywood...photography has always been a hobby ...so I am hoping to atleast get paid for work I had done four years back I was paid an initial amount than the film got shelved those who have to pay me must be going through bac times I think luckily I paid my tailors suppliers ...and I wait for the silver lining that clouds my hope and future ...
Hope all is well with you all.
Daddy Gao Gao, this photo is from 2010. Today he is our eldest panda bear at the San Diego Zoo. He is 27-28 years old and is enjoying life in retirement. He gets accupuncture for his arthritis, has the best cardiologist in town looking after his heart and the best keepers who look out for him all day long. He gets back massages, a tub full of his favorite pine shavings to nap in and all the bamboo he desires. All of this, of course, is well deserved for the father of 5 and the only naturally breeding panda male in the USA.
Methodist Richardson Health Center. This hospital is dear to my heart. Literally. It was here February 20, 2019 that an interventionalist cardiologist physician saved my life. My LAD artery was blocked, I was having a viscous heart attack, and the two stents inserted have been with me ever since. I am continually thankful and always will be that I was at this place! I made this photo to specifically show Methodist Hospitals' cross. This beloved icon is their logo. And, it is mine, personally.
Boston Scientific Accolade MRI Pacemaker.
This is a sample in my Cardiologist office today. I forgot to ask for the dimensions, It appeared to be only about 1 inch or 2,54 centimeters across and a little longer top to bottom.
Its not much larger than my cardiologist's nurse practitioner's last two forefinger joints. Hold up you hand. That's from the forefinger's knuckle to the fingertip.
Here’s a webpage for more information:
www.bostonscientific.com/en-US/patients/about-your-device...
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Two weeks ago I had two cardiac surgical procedures. I was on the operating table for four hours.
The first procedure was an atria flutter ablation to kill the misfiring cells in the upper atrial chambers that were making my heart race at about 107 beats per second (BPS.). The operation was successful. However, when the lower chambers took over, the pulse was weak, only 20 BPS. A second surgical procedure was needed to implant a pacemaker.
Fortunately this second procedure was also successful.
I have almost recovered completely. My heart rate in bed is about 60 BPS. When moving around or sitting, my heart rate is about 72 BPS.
I am very lucky. Praise The Lord🙏 And Pass The Ammunition🚀
For those of you who have been following Razz's health issues, here is an update on his progress.
As you can see by this photograph Razz is full of life and enjoyed being out yesterday in the valley again!
After his recent collapsing/fainting episodes and his ban on exercise for a while, another heart scan was booked for 30th April.
There are a couple of problems with his heart. He has an abnormal valve of which the cardiologist was concerned that if it did not form then his life expectancy would become short .. luckily its forming and working much better than first seen at 6 months of age.
The "TERRIFIC" murmur, as the cardiologist calls it, is not so good as first checked at 6 months old. The hole is bigger than first seen and where the hole is, the force of blood from the high pressure chamber to the low pressure chamber is too forceful and too much deoxygenated blood is entering his blood stream causing him to collapse/faint. This only happens when he over exerts himself.
We have been told to carry on with his exercise and possibly video his episodes for them to see the extent of what happens! (easier said than done when i am in a panic watching him collapse).
In the meantime the cardiology report will be passed to other experts to see if heart surgery is an option for Razz.
Once his heart is sorted then his abdominal castration can be done! That's another story!!!!!
Good evening all.
Just so you know, I’m not a shy or reserved person, so there are times when I don’t hold back about who I am and at times I may get personal. But then you get to know me better that way.
I’ve gotten to know a number of you very well and appreciate who you are and for allowing me to be a part of your lives. So indulge me!
Two and a half months ago I had an appointment for a stress test. (Imagine hat! Me! Having stress! But I didn’t get stressed over it though.) Anyway, I did the nuclear (not nucular as a lot of people pronounce it) stress test. After that I had to walk the treadmill. The goal was to get to 85%. Now, I’ve never had a problem with passing the test but this time I failed it. I only got to 83% before crying “UNCLE!” (If they had offered a curriculum to study prior to the test I may have been more prepared and possibly passed it. But there’s no need in crying over spilt milk. Right! It is what it is!) Anyway, two days later I hand a FaceTime visit with my cardiologist for the results. I won’t explain what he said but he had his office schedule an angiogram. So now I have to go to the hospital to have this procedure done.
Days later I had an appointment with the cardiologist for the results.
The bottom line? I will live. But now I’m under an even stricter diet…….. and I have to walk daily. I don’t mind walking. I spend a lot of time outdoors and get my exercise. I do the weed eating, the mowing (it’s not easy manhandling a zero turn mower but I manage) as well as gardening, pruning, etc etc……. But he told me that is not what he considers an equal to walking!
He and I have a great relationship dating back to when I worked at the hospital where I usually bumped into him. So he shoots straight with me.
Which brings me to the main point for the photos.
I usually start walking around 7:00 am while it’s cool and walk up and down several hills to a point then turn around and walk back to the house.
These are some of the things I see that makes this walk pleasant. Just being able to walk this route gives me time to speak with the Lord about whatever is on my mind.
If there was any stress prior to the walk, by the time I got home there would be the absence of it.
But it’s a blessing to be able to do what I do at my age. I won’t give you my age but I was born on December 22, 1954……
David
7/25/2024
True love is night jasmine, a diamond in darkness, the heartbeat no cardiologist has ever heard. It is the most common of miracles, fashioned of fleecy clouds -- a handful of stars tossed into the night sky. ~ Jim Bishop
I had a premonition. Whenever I thought about our upcoming riverboat cruise on the Blue Danube two images came to mind: Bratislava and my father-in-law John suffering a heart attack while we were there.
12 April, Friday 2013
We set sail from Vienna at midnight and arrive in Bratislava at six in the morning.
7:00 a.m.
I am the first to leave our cabin on the ship and when I see that John's door is open and his clothes are on the floor by the bathroom I am alarmed and alert Chris who is not far behind me. But, I carry on to the lounge to finish writing post cards - there are only two days left on the cruise - we are due to return from Budapest, Hungary after breakfast on Sunday morning. The end of an eight day trip.
When I am done I climb downstairs to the dining lounge to look for Chris and John. After I walk around the entire room I joke to the last couple seated by the door that it is not like my husband and father-in-law to skip a meal.
The first thing I see is John's empty bed and when I realize that he has lost control of his bodily functions I know this is serious. John, who is wearing white boxer shorts and a white tee-shirt, is sitting in a chair by the bed and Chris is standing by. Chris tells me that his father has had a really bad night and that he needs to go to the hospital. The staff has been alerted and the paramedics are on their way.
John is sweating profusely and struggling to breathe,. He remembers me opening the window. I move to his side and ask him if this is all right. “Yes,” he says, “I’m dying.” Doctor’s have a name for this conviction: Angor animi, Latin for ‘anguish of the soul’. According to Dr. Gavin Francis, “as a sensation it carries great predictive power”. In the emergency room a patient’s belief that they are about to die is taken seriously.
I place my right hand on the nape of his neck and my left hand on his forehead while I assess the situation. John is drenched in sweat. I race to the bathroom sink and wet two wash cloths and place one behind his neck and he takes the other to wipe his face and head. Then he returns to bed, which is one step away, but he does not slide down far enough and his head is in an awkward position.
Most people know not to lay someone with breathing problems flat and John is struggling. I show Chris, who is about to pull his father forward, how to reposition John by reaching under his armpit and grasping his back. This works and together we are able to move his upper body forward. I place a pillow so that John is able to sit up.
Again I place my right hand on the nape of his neck and my left hand on his forehead. “I'm dying," he repeats "No you're not," I say this as though it is a ridiculous thing to do. I'm thinking, we’re on a cruise! John says that he can’t breathe and that he has water on the lungs. We can hear what doctors call the death rattle, when saliva accumulates in the throat.
I am loathe to tell my father-in-law what to do and when he mentions that he quit taking his diuretic as prescribed I do not say a word. But, now I remind him, “Once you receive your medication you will feel all right again”. I say this reassuringly.
I encourage Chris to make John’s bag of prescription drugs available - the doctors will want to know the names and the dosages. I grab fresh towels from the cart in the hall and cover John and the bed.
The Prestige is due to set sail at noon and I know it is going to leave without us so I suggest we start packing. First I send Chris across the hall to our room. I watch through the open door as our things are hastily thrown together. I call him back and suggest he pack for John - that way he can stay by his father’s side.
We are all set to go when the paramedics arrive with Peter, the twenty-five year old Slovakian waiter from the dining room who serves as our translator. As the paramedics work their magic I move partially onto the bed, close to John’s right ear, and explain what is happening. “There are three paramedics here and a doctor,” I tell him. This turned out not to be completely true - there was no doctor. John opens his eyes for a moment and smiles. "Good" he says. "I like a lot of attention." This is true.
Chris later told me that when he first saw his father John was seated on the toilet. He told Chris that he needed a minute - he had a bad night - and he said that he needed to go to Stanford Hospital right away.
Chris told a cleaning staff member who was in the hallway that his father needed a medical doctor. Wesley, the activities coordinator, came and told Chris that there was not a doctor available who could come to the ship, he had two choices. John could have an appointment with the doctor at 11 a.m. or he could go to the emergency room. Chris asked Wesley to call for an ambulance - John needed to go to the emergency room.
By this time John had made his way to the chair where Chris had placed a towel. He told Chris that he thought he had died last night. He woke up sweating, he could not urinate, he was in pain and he had difficulty walking and breathing. He said he was very uncomfortable and he just wanted to die.
John leaves the ship in a sling chair, as he is being wheeled through the lobby Artur, (this is not a typo) the Portuguese manager, tells me not to worry about the cost - Viking will take care of it. “Keep on thinking positive,” he says, “and everything it will be okay.”
7:54 a.m.
Two ambulances - sirens wailing - John and Peter in one, and Chris and I in another arrive at the University Hospital Old Town (Univerzitná Nemonica Staré Mesto). We are in the medieval center of Bratislava.
8:18 a.m.
After a brief stay in the emergency room John is wheeled to the coronary care unit (Interná Klinika Koronárna Jednotka). As he is about to enter the elevator he turns to Chris and says, "Remember what I said earlier about wanting to die, well I changed my mind."
10:17 a.m.
Dr. Papinčák, who is studiously calm and attentive, does not take his eyes off me as he speaks, his gaze is piercing. He informs me that John may be able to fly home on Monday with a medical assistant. He is concerned about the high altitude. John suffers from congestive heart failure (CHF).
“One of the most important problems for travelers with congestive heart failure is altitude... All patients should be able to walk 100 yards and climb 12 steps if they are to attempt a long plane flight. Heart failure patients may also be particularly susceptible to the symptoms of altitude sickness, which may include shortness of breath and profound fatigue. In general, patients with congestive heart failure should avoid traveling to locations at high altitudes.” - Internet Scientific Publications. The Internet Journal of Health ISSN: 1528-8315 Travel Concerns For Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Patients.
10:30 a.m.
Chris uses the hospital’s computer to email his sisters. Typists beware, the z and the y are reversed and the apostrophe and the @ symbol are no where to be found.
“Dad maz have had a heart attack last night. He is okaz now, in the hospital... if it will help with medical evacuation.... I would like to get him to Stanford... I think he had a heart attack in his sleep earlz this morning. It is fridaz at ten thirtz here and I§m using the computer at the hospital. I will also trz to make phone calls and e=mail, but communications are difficult right now.” - Chris’ email
11:00 a.m.
While Chris is typing Dr. Papinčák comes out to the hall to tell me that John is asleep. As we leave the hospital with our bags a grounds worker Feró, points us in the direction of the Hotel Saffron. This four star hotel is located just around the corner from the hospital and the Staré Město (Old Town) is a fifteen minute walk in the other direction. There are shops, markets, ATM’s, restaurants and cafe’s in between. Everything is within walking distance.
At this point we feel tremendous gratitude. First of all, we are grateful that we are docked when the heart attack happens, secondly that the paramedics respond quickly, and thirdly that Chris has family to help with the logistics. And, we feel grateful to be in a position where we are able to stay in Bratislava for as long as it takes for John to recover and deemed fit to fly. We see nothing but the positives and we are excited. Exploring medieval Bratislava will serve as a good distraction and our eight day trip has turned into an indefinite adventure - my favorite kind.
2:45 p.m.
I skip lunch but as Chris orders the Pakistani behind the counter seriously wonders, “What are you doing in Bratislava?”
3:30 p.m.
Back at the hospital I monitor the activity in the hallway while I give Chris and John time alone. If there are any last words that need to be spoken now is the time.
4:15 p.m.
Despite the double expressos and the warm overcast spring afternoon (good for photography) once we settle into our room we are unable to leave the hotel. For the first time ever we decide to settle in early.
While Chris figures out how to call his sister using FaceTime I watch racy and fast paced MTV videos on the television. When the rain starts to fall softly I soak in a hot bath. Our large window opens wide - we do not realize that we are facing southwest until the moon sets. It does not get dark until 9:30 p.m.
13 April, Saturday
The big questions are; how much damage was caused to John’s already congested heart, what are John’s chances of recovering from pneumonia, which we just learn he has, and when is he going to be well enough to travel home? There are no immediate answers forthcoming as the doctors need information on John’s previous condition.
While Chris sits with his father I visit an ancient who is laying in the bed closest to the door. I am pleased to learn that she speaks German, all the older people do she tells me - that was until the communists came to rule in 1945 and stayed until 1989 - now that generation speaks Russian as a second language. This woman, who has two sons, tells me that she has an uncle and relatives who live in “cosmopolitan” Canada, Toronto.
14 April, Sunday
We learn that ejection fraction measures how much volume the heart pumps with each beat, 55% to 6o% is considered normal and 20% is too low. John’s ejection fraction in his left ventricle, is 20-25% , it was 35%. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a blood protein that indicates inflammation of the arteries. Levels rise in response to inflammation. You are at high risk for heart disease if your CRP level is higher than 3.0 mg/L. John’s levels reach 140mg/L. And, his leucocyte levels, which measures the number of white blood cells and indicates infection, are high.
I have a private talk with Dr. Kašperová. I would like to know what are John’s chances of survival. She tells me that culture is growing in lab - soon they will know specific antibiotic to give him. The doctor thinks a two week stay is optimistic. What is most essential at this point besides hydration is for John to be optimistic. She believes his survival depends on this.
Today John is NOT feeling optimistic, he wants out by weeks end. He does not know that he is looking at a two week minimum stay and we are not going to tell him. And, he is concerned that he has no appetite. This does not bode well for John. “Your body is trying to heal,” I tell him. This is what I told my friend Carol when she expressed the same concern a week before she died of congestive heart failure on 23 May 2012. But, we just brought him hot soup and he is eating after two days of no food. It is not until later that we learn restaurant soup is verboten - too much salt.
Today is my mother’s 79th birthday. It does not occur to me until now that I can send her emails using Chris’ iPhone. I write: Father-in-law John had a heart attack on Friday and he is in the hospital in Bratislava. We will stay in Slovakia until John is well enough to travel. In hindsight, emailing my mother would have been a good opportunity to write and keep track of our adventures. Viking had kept us busy starting early every morning. It was a great trip while it lasted, in fact, everything was much better than we expected and we only missed the last two days.
Except for the ubiquitous and jumbo sized chocolate chip cookies (yes, there is such a thing) I like the small portions of food Viking serves, although John informs me that not everyone is of the same opinion. And, not being a big meat eater, I look forward to the hot rueben sandwich which is on the menu for tomorrow’s lunch. “You know I’m not supposed to eat that,” John tells me, “Too much salt, but I’m going to, I eat whatever I want.” This is not the first time John brags about his see-food diet. The last time it happened he ended up in the hospital with a heart attack. I predicted that would happen. The body keeps count.
The first few days we stay with John only briefly as he is tired and sleeps most of the time. We start the routine of dropping off a decaf latte in the morning which progresses to one in the afternoon, and everyday we bring him food and the International Herald Tribune.
Near the end, as a treat, we buy him a New Yorker 12.50 € ($17.00) which John has subscribed to for almost sixty years, and a Time magazine which features the 100 most influential people in the world. When we are not hunting for food and gathering reading material for John we explore the medieval city center of Bratislava and I start to learn the Slovakian language.
The Slovakian word for thank you is Ďakujem. I have one of the nurses on my voice recorder repeating this word over and over again. I admit that it took me one long week to learn how to say ďakujem without thinking - that is how difficult this word is to pronounce and why the locals are so appreciative when we make the effort. The Slovakians and the Slovenians use ‘Prosím' for please and there are some other similarities, but the Slovakian language uses diacritics that I have never seen before. My curiosity is piqued.
15 April, Monday
It is a huge relief to see that John is feeling much better this morning after he briefly lost his optimism. For the first time yesterday we saw the possibility of darkness settling in. But, I notice that the right side of his body is bloated.
“We visited Dad this morning and he is doing noticeably better than yesterday. He is more alert and energetic, and his appetite is better. He has bronchial pneumonia in the right lung which is being treated with two antibiotics. He appreciates everyone's concerns and good wishes. Once the pneumonia clears up and he is stronger we can go home. Although he wants to go home he realizes that he is too weak to travel.” - Chris’ email
“Dr. Papinčák says it’s too soon for Dad to walk, that he needs to start by spending more time sitting up, physical therapy will start tomorrow. When we visit in the morning we will have him sit up with his legs over the side of the bed and his feet on the floor. He said that Dad is improving, responding to the antibiotics as measured by a lower CRP number. He also said that his heart was not damaged that much more by this heart attack as measured by the EF number. Finally he said that Dad may be ready to travel by Friday or Saturday. We brought him OJ, salad, decaf latte, a blueberry muffin and the Herald Tribune, everything he wanted. Things are going as well and as fast as they can go for now. We are optimistic. - Chris’ email
16 April, Tuesday
We wake up to the news that terrorists attacked the Boston Marathon. We feel safe in Bratislava.
John is definitely making progress. He is one tough Greek and I tell him so, but he is not convinced. “Wait until we’re in the air,” he says not realizing the potential danger that lies ahead. I notice that he is not coughing. The double dose of two different antibiotics must be working and the right side of his body is not as swollen.
“We are going to get an update from the doctor in the morning and hopefully an approximate timeline for when Dad might be able to travel. He is very much hoping to leave Friday, but I don't know about that. While he is clearly improving each day he still has pneumonia and is very weak.” - Chris’ email
Today I discover that Dr. Kašperová understands every word of the German language but, like her English, she struggles to speak. The first thing she tells me, without any prompting on my part, is that John is not going anywhere in a hurry.
17 April, Wednesday
This morning Dr. Kašperová introduces us to her daughter Julia a blonde medical student who speaks English well. This is a teaching hospital and Julia is studying to become a cardiologist just like her parents. Her grandfather Julius was one of the founders and the main cardiologist in the Slovak Cardiovascular Centre in the former Czecho-Slovakia. In two years she will complete her studies. Julia is twenty-three years old.
10:00
Chris buys a disposable telephone at T-Mobile on Ivánska cesta 12, John’s daughters are eager to speak with him. This turns out to be a good call as John’s spirits lift and for the first time he sits up in bed with his feet flat on the floor.
It is a little after 4 p.m. when the first call is made. Church bells are chiming, sirens are wailing and John is coughing, a dry hacking cough that does not let up. “ It’s bad.” he tells them. He would like to go straight to Stanford hospital when he arrives in San Francisco.
Chris wonders how I know that to call abroad from Slovakia one must dial 00 - the exit code.
Today we learn that we must pay the hospital bill in full and in cash on the day we leave. The University Hospital does not accept credit cards. Dr. Kašperová will give us an estimate after she speaks with the billing department.
The first option we look into is a money transfer. Western Union is surprisingly expensive, so we go next door to the bank, the only one in the area that deals with money transfers. For a surprisingly small amount we are able to open an account. But, we think this is too complicated, and the bank does do not open until 9 a.m. Instead, John gives us his password and twice daily we withdraw the cash limit from both of our accounts.
A few days later Dr. Kašperová tells us that the daily cost of staying in the University Hospital is 113€ ($150.00) plus medicines and procedures such as x-rays and electrocardiograms. We will not know the final cost until the day we leave.
John urges Chris to build-up a cash reserve of $3,000€ and then changes it to $4,000€. Chris is hesitant, he thinks this is too much. I want that Chris should take his father’s advice as I am not convinced that John is going to make it home alive. This will not be the first in flight death we will have experienced. Once we had to make an emergency landing in Goose Bay, Newfoundland, Canada. I wonder how complicated it will be to have John cremated, how much it will cost and in which country it will happen. We are told, by someone who knows, not to tell the airlines that we are traveling with a high risk passenger.
18 April, Thursday
John continues to make great strides. Today he walked across the room and back and he was wheeled outside into the sunshine to the radiology department to be x-rayed (antiquated is the word he used) and his catheter was removed. We are all happy about this.
This morning Dr. Kašperová tells me that John, who is eager to leave, can go home whenever he wants. I think this is good reverse psychology and I was going to use it on him. When I tell him that he can go home whenever he wants, John says, "Let's wait and see what the doctors say.”
More drama today when we find out that John’s eighty-nine year old brother, Spiro, has passed away. We suspect that, if not for John’s pacemaker, he and his brother would have died one day apart.
Poor Chris, there have been some difficult moments for him. We are on the street in Bratislava when his sister calls to tell him the news. This is not easy for Chris as he loves his uncle Spiro.
I am a little surprised this afternoon when John asks what else was said during this conversation - I was not expecting Chris to tell him unless he asked the specific question. John had made it clear that he did not want to hear anything about Spiro while he was on the trip. Chris finds this moment too difficult so, just like a scene in a movie, I lean in close, gently place my hand on John’s right shoulder and whisper in his ear, “Spiro died.” John, staring off into space, does not say a word. “That’s why we looked so glum when we arrived,” I tell him “I hadn’t noticed.” John replies taking a quick glance over his right shoulder. This is where I stand.
Two years ago John threw an eighty-fifth birthday party for himself and invited his close family and friends. At the end of the bash one of the questions I was asked was, who is this woman, a mother of two, with the same last name. John, a psychologist who spent twenty-five years in analysis, never thinks to introduce his children.
“You might have introduced your children, “ I say to John as we all pile into the car early the next morning. “People were wondering why …” I get cut-off as everyone agrees. A good idea too late, but it makes no difference, no one feels slighted.
John, who lives in Palo Alto, California feels grateful that he flew to New York City the week before our Danube cruise to reminisce with Spiro after he refused further treatment for lung cancer.
Near the end of his life Spiro was engulfed by blindness. In part, his obituary read, “Even while struggling with his blindness, Spiro could not be deterred. Throughout the rigorous training at the Guide Dog Foundation, Spiro rallied his classmates, transforming a tense and strenuous course into one filled with laughter and friendship. In appreciation, his classmates named him the honorary “Chief” of the fictitious [Where the?] Fugawe Tribe. It was one of his proudest achievements.” - The Suffolk Times
Uncle Spiro worked on the Manhattan project. It says so in the Suffolk Times. Chris says he’s known all along, but he does not know more.
We were told that Spiro died in peace and he was joking up to the end. The service was last Wednesday, the church was full and it was a gloriously beautiful day. Aunt Joan, who also has lung cancer, won’t last another three months.
I tell Dr. Kašperová in private and in my limited German, that John's brother Spiro died. And, I tell her that he had requested that he not be told, but since he had asked about him the other day and if he were to ask again we were going to tell him. I want her to know just in case John finds the news too depressing - she can knock him out. The doctor agrees, John should know, and she wants to know how he died. Then she tells me that every day when she comes to work she wonders if John is still alive. Dr. Kašperová explains the obvious: John ist alt und er ist krank mit schlechten Herz. John is old and he is sick with a bad heart.
4:00 p.m.
Chris is exhausted and he would like to return to the hotel, but I discourage this with wide-open eyes. This is not a good time to leave, John has just learned that his brother has died. Chris agrees and sits back down.
We spend the next three hours by John's side as he reminisces. I mention that he is the last of three brothers to survive. John tells me this is something he is going to think about. The eldest Mary, died of pneumonia at the age of two. John’s father showed him a photo of her of one day in his flower shop in the Bronx. John did not learn that he had a sister until he was ten years old.
As we get up to leave I tell John that if he gets too sad to ask the doctor to put him to sleep. “Juliana,” he says leaning forward from a sitting position. He takes an unflinching look into my eyes, “I don’t mind being sad,” he tells me emphatically. Then he repeats this for emphasis. Of course I know this already, but who wants to use the words “too depressed”. Now I learn to speak even more plainly with John.
Seven days after John is admitted to the hospital he says, “It’s ME time, tell the extended family about ME.” They do not know that John is in a hospital in Slovakia.
19 April, Friday
Today the doctors start preparing the paperwork, this is a good sign. If, after the weekend, Dr. Papinčák tells us, John continues to improve we can go home on Tuesday.
This morning we leave the hotel and walk right past the public park, also known as the medical garden (Medická záhrada) on our way to the Ondřejská Cemetery. This is a pleasant surprise, a green oasis in medieval Bratislava. I would like to stay longer and photograph all the angelic tombstones, but Chris, who practices moderation to the excess, is hungry, and like his father, he takes his food seriously.
We are in the eastern part of the Staré Město and on the way back Chris takes us to see the Catholic Church of St. Elizabeth, also known as the Blue Church. It sits on the corner of Bezručova street and Groslingova. This is another surprise, art nouveau in medieval Bratislava. Built between 1907-1908 everything about the Blue Church is astonishingly blue - inside and out.
Chris has been a vegetarian for 34 years now so the lunch menu is somewhat limited. But, this fact is rarely a problem especially in cosmopolitan Bratislava. The restaurant he chooses is owned by Jordanians and our server is an Afghan. While Chris eats his falafel I eat a delicious bowl of vegetable soup made by an Indian chef. When we are done a Slovakian waitress prepares a gyros for John. While we wait I watch CNN with three Jordanians males and learn that the terrorists who blew up the Boston marathon are two young brothers from the Russian Caucasus area.
Back at the hospital I wait outside and explore the grounds while I give Chris and John time alone. I know that my behavior is suspicious and that I am being watched when I take notes and speak into my voice recorder. But, it is when I start to take photos that the security guard comes over and asks me not to photograph. “Nerorazumiem,” (I don’t understand) I tell him understanding fully. I want to practice my Slovakian on him. “Razumien.” (I understand).
Okay, so there is no soap in the bathroom and the hospital could use a paint job and some Spackling paste and I will not get into the elevator - still it is a solid structure with a set of surprisingly elegant and dilapidated stairways that face each other in the biochemistry and molecular genetics building. John is laying under cathedral ceilings next to two large arched wooden windows that he is free to open. He feels the breeze and he has a view of a Linden tree, Slovakia’s national tree that is measured in centuries, and he can see the church steeple. Like us, he is on the fourth floor. John continues to be amazed that the doctors are working to identical standards and he has a favorite nurse, Anna, who bathes him in the early morning light.
This evening I notice that John’s dry hacking cough has returned, I think that this cannot be good. We wait and wonder: What will the doctors have to say about John leaving the hospital on Tuesday morning?
20 April, Saturday
I am sure that Chris feels like we abandoned his father this morning but I insist on changing the routine. I think that since John is not sleeping as much he would prefer to receive his newspaper in the morning instead of the afternoon. And, what if they sell out! Plus, I am drawn to the the medieval city centre. I want to walk there and I want to walk fast. On our way I talk just as fast, in part to distract Chris from his uneasy feeling. I think that I have Chris convinced that the doctors are stringing him and John along. Everyday the doctors tell them only a few days more when in private they tell me how dire the situation really is, which is obvious to me.
After we buy the newspaper at Interpress Chris relaxes enough to take a detour to the Bratislava Information Service (BIS). He would like to climb atop Michael's Tower before we leave Bratislava. Chris is sure our trip is about to end.
It is here, at the information center, that we see the beginnings of what promises to be an even more exciting day. This year Bratislava is celebrating 20 years of independence from Czecho-Slovakia. The Gentle Revolution, also called The Velvet Divorce, took effect on 1 January 1993. The Slovak Republic, also called Slovakia or Slovensko, is Europe’s newest country.
As we race back to the hospital with John’s coffee and newspaper we agree to make a dash for the exit, but first Chris would like to make sure that his father is going to be all right. Of course, John gives us the okay and like little children we run out the door and down the street to the Square (Primacialne Namestie). It is 11:00 a.m. and the parade has just begun.
We follow thirty professional actors dressed in period costumes, horsemen, drummers, and soldiers, men and women, carrying long rifles, swords, flags and banners. Together we march up to Michael's Gate (Michalska Brana) built around 1300 and the only surviving of four gates that were used to enter the mediaeval city. A large banner depicting St.George slaying the dragon and the message Bratislava Pre Všetkych (Bratislava For All) bars the entrance.
Here we watch performances so arresting that I put down my camera. After a four rifle salute declarations are made by someone who looks like the mayor of Bratislava, Milan Ftáčnik, and the banner is raised signaling the unsealing of the city gates.
We follow the parade back to the square where we watch a soldier stand on his horse, drape the horse’s leg over his shoulder, lie underneath the horse and place the horse’s foot lightly on his chest while he is laying flat on his back. In the square we are joined by a king and queen. This year Bratislava is celebrating the 450th anniversary of the first royal coronation.
Formerly known as Pozsony by the Hungarians and Pressburg (in reference to the castle) by the Germans, Bratislava, became the new capital of Royal Hungary in 1536 after the Ottoman Turks, under the leadership of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, swept into Hungary and overtook Buda at the battle of Mohacs in 1526. Bratislava, the official name since 1919 when it was made the capital of Slovakia in the newly created Czecho-Slovakia, was honored to be the city of coronation and it lasted for almost three hundred years. Ten Habsburg kings and nine queens were crowned in the gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral using the crown of St. Stephen the first king of Hungary who was crowned on Christmas Day in the year 1000.
The medieval Crown of St. Stephen, also called the Holy Crown of Hungary, is the symbol of Hungarian nationhood. People from far and wide will come to watch the authentic coronation ceremony which follows the exact same ritual based on historical documents.
Nota bene: The coronation ceremony is held every year during the last weekend of June in honor of Maria Theresa who was crowned on 25 June 1741.
12:31 p.m.
We are on a mission to find the closest thing we can to a Greek Orthodox church to light three candles for Chris’ deceased kinfolk. At John’s request. On the way up to St. Nicholas, which sits under the walled castle and is in the old Jewish Quarter we stop on Židovská 1 (Jewish) to visit the Museum of Clocks. I see a clock with engravings of the different phases of human life. A poignant reminder of how time affects all of us.
It is a steep climb up the stone stairs to St. Nicholas which is hidden behind a row of buildings. Built in 1661 the entrance to this nondescript baroque church is flanked by trees. A statue of St. Nicholas stands in the niche above the door and above a coat of arms which is partly obscured by leafy branches. When we walk in through the open door we are stunned into silence. There are no pews only chairs lining the south and east walls. The adherents are standing in the center gathered around three heavily bearded Orthodox priests dressed in black cossack robes and wearing pectoral crosses. It feels as though we have just stepped into the Middle Ages.
“We found a beautiful, old Orthodox Church today, St. Nicholas, and lit three candles… and gave them a donation as Dad had requested. We took lots of pictures to show him, and he was pleased. They were in the middle of a ceremony with singing and prayers, the Church was full, and 40 minutes later everyone left and the Church was locked up so we just made it.” - Chris’ email
2:16 p.m.
I do not have a voracious appetite during our sojourn in Bratislava, I only eat two full breakfast’s and three main meals, one of which is a delicious bowl of goulash soup mit dunkel Brot at the Pivnica U Kozal on Panská 27.
We sit outside. When I am done I walk through an archway and climb down a broad set of stairs to the restaurant/bar deep underground. Who can believe this place with its low arched ceiling and dim lights. There is only one group of men sitting at a table immediately to my left as I enter and a lone man sits on my right a few tables over. I pay them no heed and carry on. I feel uncomfortable as I try to open the door to the WC (water closet) and realize that someone is in there and I have to wait. But, I think it is only a case of nerves and after I calm myself down by looking at the art on the wall I ask the lone figure if there is anyone in there as I try to open the door once again. This time it opens.
I find my fear curious and take some time to soak in the atmosphere in this most unusual restaurant underground. I am looking at a vintage tin beer sign across from the men when one of them orders me to, “COME, SIT!” I am paralyzed by fear. Then I am ordered to “DRINK BEER!”
What happens next to my field of vision is interesting. All I see as I turn around is someone pushing something aside and patting down a place for me to sit and I see a table topped with huge glasses and a pitcher filled with pivo (beer) which one of the men is holding aloft. I never see the men themselves, but I know by how they sound that they are big burly types who have been sitting here for a while.
I find the thought of joining them and drinking beer, in this cave, in the middle of the afternoon so ludicrous that I laugh out loud and in the same loud and commanding voice I reply, “THAT is NOT going to happen." There is dead silence. Released from my paralysis I take this opportunity to escape and run up the stairs without ever looking at the men.
Once outside I tell Chris about the unique restaurant/bar below and still curious about my fear I follow him downstairs and hang out while he uses the WC - still never looking at the men. But, as we are walking out I lift up my camera and take a photograph. In the photo one of the men is lurching drunkenly towards me. I count a total of six big celebrating Slovaks. It is not until we arrive home that I learn that Pivnica means cellar.
Today John walks across the room and when he arrives at the sink he shaves himself. Talk is still about returning Tuesday and for once I believe that if John continues to make progress we will indeed return sooner rather than later.
21 April, Sunday
10:07 a.m.
No matter how many times we mention the festivities taking place in Bratislava this weekend John does not let us go. Instead of music, dance shows, and horse races this morning we wheel John outside for some fresh air and we walk the length of the corridor, twice.
This whole thing feels surreal - we’re in medieval Bratislava, Chris is pushing his father in a wheel chair and I’m looking over my shoulder every time I want to take a photograph.
10:48 a.m.
Dr. Soña Kiñová tells us that John’s cough will last for a couple of weeks. And, she tells us that John is good to go home on Tuesday. But, this is not her decision to make - still we prepare ourselves mentally.
Dr. Soña speaks fluent English. We pepper her with questions about Bratislava and Slovakia. Then she tells us about the students who study at this University Hospital. They come from all over the world, she explains, because it is relatively inexpensive to study here. Twice she mentions that the Greeks are the laziest students and she explains why. In Greece, in order to own a pharmacy, one must be educated as a doctor. The Greek students do not want to learn, but they want to own pharmacies.
At first I think it is interesting that the Greeks are the laziest students, but after she mentions it a second time I start to feel uncomfortable and I look at Chris and John, but neither say a word. I think Dr. Soña knows that John is a Greek but Chris tells me this is not so. I think she knows by the name - Beletsis. Anyone with any experience with Greeks knows that a family name ending in "sis" hails from mainland Greece.
1:16 p.m.
Michael’s Tower, also called Michael’s Gate because it is a combination of the two, was built around 1500 and it is more than 50 meters high (seven floors, I counted). Climb the narrow circular staircase for a postcard view of Bratislava.
Only so many people are allowed entrance at a time and there is a guard on every level and a military museum with a collection of medieval arms and military uniforms. The enthusiastic guard on the top level insists that Chris take a photo of me from the inside looking out. Since he speaks no English he gestures wildly for me to step outside and come around to the window. He thinks this is an excellent idea. I photograph them from the outside looking in. The guard poses but he does not smile.
When we visited the Czech Republic in the spring of 2000 I read that the people complained that the playwright president Vaclav’s Havel’s new wife since 1997, the actress Dagmar Veškrnova, smiled too much.
5:02 p.m.
John, who is wearing a hospital gown, leans out the window. I too lean out the window. He comments on the good weather. I quote Chris. “We arrive in winter and stay until spring.“
22 April, Monday (Eleven days later)
12:36 a.m.
Our airline Lufthansa is on strike. Hopefully it will last for one day only. I lay awake and wonder, what will Dr. Kašperová say about John leaving the hospital on Tuesday morning?
There is good news and there is bad news. The good news is that we can leave tomorrow and the bad news is that a medical escort will not be available for one more day. Will his father play it safe? I make Chris a bet and I lose. John is adamant about leaving the hospital tomorrow.
John is sitting up in his hospital bed munching on a gyros - not looking at anyone. Chris is standing on John’s left leaning against the wall and I am standing to the right of John. We are near the foot of the bed where Dr. Kašperová stands deep in thought - she is looking down. There is silence.
Dr. Kašperová is in charge, she is the one who must determine when John is fit to fly and she has just received the news that John has decided to return home tomorrow without a medical assistant. Chris and I look at each other and together we look at John who refuses to look at anyone. We look at Dr. Kašperová who is still deep in thought and looking down at the floor. This goes on for some time - around and around Chris and I look while John continues to munch refusing to look at anyone and the doctor continues to thinks things through.
I tell Dr. Kašperová that John has an option - stay one more day and return with a medical assistant. Dr. Kašperová does not take her eyes off me as she digests this information. John, who is adamant about returning tomorrow, looks up at Dr. Kašperová and with great cheer says, "I'm fine! “ Then he tries to explain that he lives in an independent and assisted senior living retirement community. Dr. Kašperová demands more silence as she looks to the floor once again for answers. Around and around we go again. Chris and I look at each other, then we look at John who continues to munch and refuses to look at anyone. This makes us smile.
Dr. Kašperová looks up and tells me that she had made it clear on Friday to those responsible that John could go home on Tuesday and that she had ordered a medical assistant. Earlier in the day Dr. Papinčák had also made this clear to us - arrangements were made on Friday. I acknowledge this and express our frustration with with those who are responsible for our predicament. We all prefer that John return with a medical assistant by his side.
Finally, Dr. Kašperová says that it is fine for John to travel home tomorrow and she suggests that he have a drink - whiskey. This makes me laugh and I feel relief that John will be able to leave without a medical assistant and with the doctor’s blessing. Dr. Kašperová explains that she will give us medicine if Johns blood pressure should rise and if he has difficulty breathing. She gives Chris her email address and her mobile telephone number and asks that we contact her when we arrive in Frankfurt.
This is our last night in Bratislava. John is in high spirits as we prepare his clothes for a 7:15 a.m. departure. Piece by piece I hold them up for his approval. When I come to his boxer shorts I hold them high. John exclaims, "Aren't those cute Juliana!" After eleven days in the coronary care unit John is excited and ready to return home.
Bratislava, located in southwestern Slovakia, is the only European capital that borders two countries - it is within walking distance to the Austrian and Hungarian borders. The trip west to the Vienna airport by private car will take one hour. Unbeknownst to us at the time, the driver we hire is the hotel receptionist’s boyfriend, Matej.
Back at the hotel we pack, one small backpack each. We have reservations, but no tickets. It is not until late into the nights that we learn that all the arrangements have been made. Lufthansa will fly us from Vienna to Frankfurt and United Airlines will fly us direct to San francisco.
23 April, Tuesday morning
7:00 a.m. Sharp
Matej is waiting for us in the hotel lobby. He greets us with a smile. He drives what seems a long way out of the way as the hotel is just around the corner. But, he explains that the car must take a different route. While the hospital guard and Matej figure out where to park Chris jumps out of the car and I miss my opportunity to say goodbye to the doctors and nurses.
Chris said that when he went to pick up his father it didn’t look like anything was happening. The curtain around John’s bed was closed and the staff was busy. Chris drew the curtain aside and there was John, he was laying down, fully clothed and ready to go. Dr. Kašperová came over and John’s favorite nurse, Anna, helped him into a wheelchair, but not before he surprised her by giving her a big hug. It took only a few minutes to pull it all together.
When John is wheeled into the daylight he calls my name. I turn to look at him and in the excitement of the moment I clap my hands and give him two thumbs up. This is indeed an exciting time.
On our way out Matej, a compassionate humanitarian, tells me that our kindness made the old man with the cane cry. While we waited we helped him to his seat on the bench. “Dobrý!” (Good) I exclaim with a big smile once he is settled. I see that his eye is red and teary, but I do not make the connection. I think this is due to his condition.
Matej, who was once a tour guide, takes us on the scenic route to the Vienna airport. Along the way he tells us that, “Socialism has good sides and the bad sides. Bad thing is, the bad sides stayed and the good ones are gone.”
8:53 a.m.
As we check in to special assistance the attendant says to John, “Good children, you are flying business class.” John replies. “I feel very special.” She does not know that we came directly from the hospital.
Because he can, Chris sends Dr. Kašperová an email. She promptly replies, “Dear Chris and Juliana, it is nice to hear from you, thank you for the message. We wish you good luck and a lot of strength for Mr. John. Kind regards, Viera Kašperová”
We arrive early and the Frankfurt gate reads destination Brindisi. I happen to know that this is where one catches the ferry to Greece. I am ready to keep moving and ask John a spirited traveler. I can see us heading south and me racing him around in a wheelchair.
In flight, Chris and I check on John several times. I ask the flight attendant to keep her eye on him and I explain that John is a high risk passenger. John later says that the flight back was really difficult for him, but he shows no signs of distress. He just looks like a worn-out traveler.
In San Francisco we hand over John to his daughters and son-in-law who take him home and we catch our flight to San Diego. We sit by the emergency exit doors. The flight attendant would like to know if we are willing and able to help in case of an emergency. She would like that all the passengers see that we are reading the instruction manual.
On our way to our car I quiz Chris. “In what position do you place your arms when you slide down the emergency chute?” Chris holds his arms high in the air and says “Whee!” It feels good to laugh again.
It is not until we are on the I5 (Interstate 5) heading north that it hits me. I sure am glad that things worked out well as they did, after all, it was me who suggested we invite him on this trip. John said that he was glad that we made the best of being in Bratislava and that we did all the right things. He thinks that we saved his life.
It turns out that my father in-law did not suffer a heart attack after all. Although, what he did experience, a heart exacerbation, a sudden worsening of an already bad condition, is just as serious. John did all the right things. He ate a salty lunch which is verboten, he drank alcohol which is verboten and he stopped taking his diuretic as prescribed.
Complicated times (his words, not mine) for John indeed. The difference between the photo taken of him on 7 April about to embark on the ship in Passau, Germany where the trip started and 7 May, two weeks after he arrived home, is astonishing. John came back an old man leaning on a cane. His doctor tells him that it will take at least six weeks for John to feel well rested and to regain his strength.
The Danube Waltz
My father-in-law was lucky, his last trip abroad nearly cost him his life and travel insurance covered his flight home and trip interruption. The hospital bill, which we paid in full and in cash the day before we left, amounted to only 1,889.36 € ($2,500.00) and that was covered by his medical insurance and Travel Guard.
John, who would like me to make him look heroic, spends eleven nights and twelve days recovering in the oldest teaching hospital in medieval Bratislava. During his stay Boston is shutdown by a manhunt, the death toll rises when a Texas fertilizer plant implodes and his last remaining brother Spiro dies. John loses his sense of humor only once when he is hungry and it is brief. His unshakeable optimism and indomitable spirit saves us all.
I have an easy time with it all, in part, because I do not concern myself with the logistics. I provide moral support and look to my late friend Count Alfonso de Bourbon for words of wisdom, “Don’t make it any more difficult than it already is.” Chris agrees, “It is what it is.” Plus, the doctors are really nice and they think we are “awesome people”. They “threaten” to come and visit us when they come to California, but not this year.
We are somewhat of a novelty in Bratislava. Most tourists come for a single day, riverboat walking tours last two hours. We stay in Bratislava for twelve days and for the most part we frequent the same markets, cafe’s and news stands. The Bratislavs are curious.
Free wireless and John’s cafe latte’s are not the only reason to go to The Green Tree Cafe on Obchodná ulica (street). It is helpful that Chris has a sob story to share with the staff - father is in the hospital, we’re going home soon, I’m buying the coffee’s for him. These girls are young and they are sweet, but they never ask about John, it is me they wonder about. “Where is your wife?” they ask when I am missing. They are curious and they are always smiling.
What to expect if your father-in-law has a heart attack In Bratislava, Slovakia and the ship leaves without you? Expect the doctors and nurses in the University Hospital Old Town to be ”exceptional” - John’s word.
“Not only were they competent, but how much they cared about me, how concerned they were about my getting home safely and how Dr. Kašperová wanted to know, after I got home, by email or a phone call, that all is okay. Most people complain about doctors, that they're very impersonal, they don't pay any attention to them, they don't really care about you they just want to get doing what they have to do, and get rid of you, These doctors and nurses were so different. It was very special and unusual to have that kind of care shown by anybody and we after all we were strangers too - which makes it even more important." - John Beletsis
This spectacular marine aquarium is in the Electrocardiograph specialist’s exam room and office. It’s part of my Cardiologist’s medical office complex. I should have made a movie. There really wasn’t time because I had to dress and go to my next lab station.
HE'S HOME!
They wanted to keep him one more night because they'd introduced a new heart med -- Viagra -- at about 4:00 p.m. (watch out Tucker). The fluid has cleared a great deal from his chest, his breathing is normal (for him) and we got to take him home. It wasn't exactly against medical advice because they said it would be okay either way. He will be on several medications every day for the rest of his life, but he's very happy as we are all together. After we drove in, I went in to prepare Tucker for seeing Noah, to mellow him out, sotto voce, so he didn't get too excited. Noah's to avoid strenuous exercise moving forward and that will be difficult to monitor but we certainly will. He has congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. He's a sick dog. But he's home. He sees the cardiologist again Saturday morning and we're going to be plugged in to the emergency animal hospital here for the duration. I thank God for this. And thank you all for your support. You and all my in-person friends really helped me through this; Matt also has social media friends who did the same. Thank you so very much. We're not out of the woods and anything can happen. But he's HOME.