I saw my surgeon today and he did an exam. He said I am healing but it is just going slow. He also said he was not too concerned about the bleeding as that is normal. But, if it is still there in a few months then we need to be concerned. He did say I needed more time to heal. That sometimes it just takes a while and when you couple that with everything else I have been through it is just going to take a while. So, he picked the date and said for me not to return to work until Jan 10th. I am releaved as I know my body is just not ready so hopefully I can rest and get better. The exam was not pleasant but it was necessary. He also said it was critical that I follow up with my cardiologist regarding the angina. He said that was the most important thing right now. I have had several PVC episodes this afternoon but they have not been as painful as the ones Friday evening. Hopefully I am not building up to another angina attack.

The office manager from the surgery center visited with me one and one. She apologized for how my case had been handled and assured me she would have it taken care of this afternoon and that she would give me a call. As of 4:10 I have not heard from her. But, I am willing to give it until tomorrow. I do understand no system is perfect and that it does appear their medical records area dropped the ball on that.

All in all, today has not been too bad. Just a few things here and there. Frankly I am more concerned about my heart than anything else. I also worry that I could be having panic attacks but I just don't think that is the case. Obviously there is something physical so we just have to figure out what that is. What a life!!

Today was another of those interesting days. I called my primary physician and he wanted to see me right away so I had the appointment at 11:15. On the way to the office I began having the chest pains again but this time they moved into the jaw. That worried me but I pressed on. When I arrived the doctor was great. He listened to my heart and said he did not hear anything that alarmed him but felt we needed to do a EKG. We went over my history and discussed angina. After he read the EKG he came back and said it looked ok. He did not think I had another heart attack but he could see changes in the EKG since the last time they had done one. So, clearly something was going on. He felt I did not need to wait to follow up with my cardiologist but also did not feel I needed to go back to the hospital at this time. He explained what angina is and there could be many causes but he does not feel I have blockage which is reassuring. He said for me to stay out of work until we get to the bottom of this and that he would be able to help me with that. Now we have to get the appointment with my cardiologist set up to see where we go from here. The good news is I do not appear to have had another heart attack. The bad news is the angina may be getting worse. The issue is what is causing it. He also recommended a flu shot so I got that done today as well.

I still had not heard anything from the surgeon regarding my continuing disability. I had called 3 times Friday and twice today. Finally, I called the hospital administration and they got on it. The surgeon's office did call and assured me they called my disability people and would have the paper work expitited so I can get my disability. The office manager did explain that their medical records division had not told her they did not have my treatment notes from their copying service. She told me she had put a rush on it that it was over a week and that was not acceptable to them. My frustration with the surgery center is off the chain. I told her I would not have called the administrative area if I had simply recieved a return phone call but I did not get that courtesy which was certainly adding to the stress I am already under with my heart. It is just a nightmare. They scheduled an appoinement with the surgeon tomorrow and the office manager said she would like to see me when I come in so I am looking forward to explaining my position and hopefully moving on.

Right now, I am both physicall and emotionally exhausted. I am just not sure how much more my body can take. But, I press on and trust God. He will sustain us through all of this.

I am back from the hospital and very tired. It started yesterday evening with chest pain and diarreha (sp). then, I began vomiting. The pain was very intense and felt a lot like the pain when I had the heart attack. I really thought this was another heart attack. My wife called EMS and I was transported to the hospital.
The EKG looked fine so it was not a heart attack. I was admitted to the hospital and given some pretty powerful drugs. The doctor said I had a viral GI and angenia. The angenia was causing the chest pain. He told me to stay off work and to follow up with my general doctor. I do know they forwarded the information to my cardiologist so he is aware of the situation. I am still having diarreha as of right now and don't have any desire to eat. I was told if my fever goes back up or if the vomiting returns to go back to the hospital. Hopefully that won't happen. My fever spiked yesterday at 102. So, I had two good days and now this. Is this some kind of joke? I sometimes wonder that. For now, I am going back to bed and simply resting. Sometimes that is the best medicine.

Wow, two days in a row that were better! I have not had that since before the first surgery way back in August. Tonight, I am in some pain but it is not as bad as previous. The only concerns I have is the amount of PVC episodes that are happening right now. Last night I could not catch my breath due to how heavy the PVC episodes were. It really did scare me. I stated to wake my wife but decided to ride it out. One of these days that is going to be a big mistake. Eventually they subsided but I did not get a lot of rest. Today I have been very tired which is to be expected. The PVC episodes have continued today and I have had some shortness of breath but it has not been nearly as bad as it was last night. I guess we will see.

Tomorrow is our Church Christmas program. I am looking forward to worshiping and celebrating the birth of the risen Savior!

Today has not been as bad as other days. I actually felt good some during the day. The pain is still there but it does not seem to be as intense. I am wondering if the predisone is helping the rectal problem. Time will tell. I called my surgeon's office three times today to see what the doctor had said. But, I did not receive a return call. I even left a message with an office manager but still no return call. I sent an email to my manager letting her know what I had done. I also faxed the note from the doctor to the disability specialist so at least she will have something on file. I am so sick of being sick. But, at least for today, I had some moments when I felt good. I hope it is not a one day event and that I am actually on the road to full recovery. God remains in control. Not in my time but his!

This morning I went to my primary care giver. He did an exam of my back and said the disc and lower back issue is not related to the hemmoroid issue. But, the tail bone issue may be as a nerve may have been hit during surgery. He prescribed Prednisone to see if it will help with the disc. He said this would have been there no matter my weight but losing the weight will certainly help. He said if the Prednisone does not work then I may be looking at shots in the back and eventually surgery. God please don't let that happen. I just don't know if I can go through anymore. He referred me back to my surgeon regarding the tail bone so I went there and spoke with the nurse. She came out and sat with me in the lobby. I think looking her eye to eye was helpful. Somtimes, I think they lose touch when dealing with us over the phone and actually seeing me face to face may have helped. I explained that I am scared. I just don't understand why I am still in so much pain. I also am afraid of losing my job and just feel so undertain. She seemed to understand. I also explained what the gastro had said yesterday and that I really need them to get the disability paper work completed and sent in ASAP. My surgeon was actually in surgery today so he could not see me. The nurse was going to speak with the PA and then with the surgeon. I am hoping to hear something from them tomorrow. I am really concerned that this thing is not going to end soon. My spirit is so down right now. But, at the same time I feel optimistic. I don't know how to explain that. I think it is the Holy Spirit ministering to me letting me know He is in charge and no matter what I will be taken care of. My God is so awesome.

Today I went to my gastro. I felt I really needed his opinion on everything. He said he does not normally see patients post surgery as he does not do the surgery. He felt I needed to see my surgeon and go tomorrow. He said he was surprised the surgeon had not examined me and allowed the PA to do the examination. He did do an examination and said he would not be able to do anything further than just a visual as I needed to be under anesthesia (sp). He also said he could not do a colonoscopy to rule other things out as my body just could not be put through that right now. He saw the incision from the surgery but could not go any further with the examination. He said he felt I should be a lot further along than I am at this point. He also said he did not understand why they did the internal hemmoroids. He felt taking the external would have been enough. What's done is done though. I have to work through all of this and just trust it is going to get better. I have another appointment with my primary tomorrow to see his thoughts and to check on my back to make sure it is not being affected by all of this. I appreciate everyone's prayers and concern as we continue this journey.