On Going Journey

/ Monday 04.26.2004 /


90+ degrees in SD; 95 in El Cajon and it broke the record. I went to see cardiologist Dr. RF in Hillcrest. He listened to my heart and said there seemed to be loud clicks. Then he explained to me that some people were born with the potential of stretchy valves (mitral?) and would developed into XXX around age 20 to 40. (I couldn't remember what he said exactly.)

He suggested me taking echocardiogram and to wear a heart monitor (recorder) for 24 hours. He didn't make it sounded very serious unless my heart palpitations had gotten to a point I couldn't stand then he'd prescribe treament.

The echocardiogram was kind of interesting. I could see my own hear beating on the monitor then the technician took serious of pictures from 3 angles. Then I was wired to a cassette recorder type of device, which came with a belt-pouch.

There I was walking around with a machine on such a hot day but couldn't shower...



/ Tuesday 04.27.2004 /


Yes, I wore the heart monitor to work but covered the wires and recorder quite well with a loose button down shirt. No one noticed it. However, I had to show it to my boss to ask to leave work early again to return the device to the clinic.

She seemed concerned after to-my-best-attempt repeat of what the doctor had told me.

"It's scary. If you do have THAT, will you be needing a surgery?" my boss asked.

"The doctor didn't say it's serious. So... I guess we'll just wait for the analysis." I replied, trying to be calm.

Later I looked up on Web MD to find possible matching valve problems that fit the descriptions. I found I might have MVP (Mitral Valve Prolapse). It's said to affect 2-6 percent of population. For the most part not life-threatening and doesn't need treatment. It may be the reason why I sometimes have unexplained lightheadedness or dizziness. Now, everyday noticeable heart palpitations that resemble the symptoms of panic attacks.

It's still early to say until I find out the results.

John picked me up in the afternoon and took me to the clinic. Most unbelievable thing was that we, the patients, had to pay for parking. Scripps Mercy, UCSD Medical Group, and many other hospitals and clinics clustered in this area. We couldn't believe that being sick was hard enough and we had to pay rates such as $1 for 20 minutes.

Good Grief!


Update: I did get my digital camera back from Jack & Giulio's. Thank heavens!